Polkas and beyond!
The second UkeStravaganza, sponsored by Rock-dale’s Matinee Musical Club, drew a happy crowd of 75 to the Kay Theatre.
If they weren’t happy when they arrived, they certainly went home feeling that way as the infectious toe-tapping music inspired an enthusiastic sing-along, and even some impromptu dancing.
Features were the Oompahukes, an Austin-based ukulele group, the Communities in Concert Band and the ukulele-and-vocal duo of David Pussman and Laura Wilson, who shared with the crowd the news they had been married the previous day.
They performed as “The Wilmans.”
LESSONS—The afternoon long event featured free ukulele lessons by Kevin Jolly of Georgetown, who is a member of the Oompahukes.
Eleven persons participated in the free lessons—Chris Whittaker, Lisa Juarez, Kevin Cooke, Mona Butala, Xavier Muñoz, Peggy Cooke, Gary Griesbach, Zoe McEntarffer, Jillian McEntarffer, Noelia Cigarroa-Cooke and Frankie Larkin.
Muñoz, Butala, Peggy Cooke and Gary Griesbach returned to participate in the 3 p.m. concert.
POLKAS—Oompahukes bills itself as “Central Texas only ukulele polka band and certainly lived up to that with its performance of such favorites as “Pennsylvania Polka” and “Lichen-steiner Polka.”
Plus one surprise. When the band launched into “Die Vogeltanz” with advance warning the crowd might know it under a different name, it launched a wave of arm-flapping as most recognized the Chicken Dance.
(German speakers probably had a clue, though. “Die Vogeltanz” means “The Bird Song”).
Oompahukes members are Kevin and Karen Jolly, David Pussman, Laura Wilson and Dave and Maureen Martinez.
BAND, SINGING—The Communities in Concert Band delighted the crowd with numbers ranging from “The Colonel Bogey March” (theme from the classic film “Bridge on the River Kwai” to a pair of classic blues numbers.
That included a rousing rendering of “St. Louis Blues,” which has become a favorite with its fans.
Pussman and Wilson featured virtuoso strumming and singing in five numbers with each followed by enthusiastic applause.
The afternoon concluded with a well-joined-in singalong and refreshments provided by the musical club.
Annette Griesbach, music club member, welcomed the crowd. “We are glad for those who came to this event and obviously enjoyed it,” she said.
The Communities in Concert Band is directed by Lee “Sparky” Thomason.
The Matinee Musical Club is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs.— Mike Brown
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