Well, Ukesperience has been in Hawaii two full days now and the Great Waikaloa Ukulele Festival was yesterday! According to sources (OK…my husband, the bass player) they were quite a hit at the festival. They had two shows at different venues in the festival and the audiences loved them (as demonstrated by the applause and selling of Ukesperience merchandise!). At the first show, one of Hawaii’s musical legends, Uncle Danny (Danny Kaleikini) came up in the middle of their set and told them (and the audience) how much he enjoyed there music and said “THIS is what it’s all about!” Comments were made by others that they here lots of traditional ukulele music but that it was great to hear the music that our guys produce…from the heart. Yeah Ukesperience! Last I heard they were having dinner with Roy Sakuma, the founder of the festival and a major Hawaiian music promoter, last night. Can’t wait to hear how that went.
And today, or tomorrow, the guys are relaxing and off to visit the volcano. They’ve got a gig on Tuesday and another on Thursday, then Jason and Dave have a gig with their other band, Kulica, on Saturday before the guys head home early next week.
It sooooo sounds like they’re having fun. It took a lot to get there – Tim had to mail some of his equipment to himself. But he had fun building a portable stand up bass. Here’s a shot.
I’ll let you know what more I hear! Aloha!
