Pub Location Change

Fellow Uke Travelers to Austin,

From looking at the weather forecast for Friday evening it looks as though it may be rainy and cold. So with that in mind we have changed the location.

AFTER THE CONCERT
“PUBBING” WITH THE UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN

We are planning to take several members of UOGB out after the concert to a local Austin watering hole to share drinks and ukulele-talk. AUS will be joining us, and this promises to be a great behind-the-scenes view of the concert.

NEW LOCATION

Scholz Garten

1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

(512) 474-1958

www.scholzgarten.net/‎

Scholz Garten (also known as Scholz Beer Garden) is a beer garden and restaurant in downtown Austin, Texas. It has been in continuous operation since 1866, and is the oldest operating business in Austin.  The university and many of its athletic venues are located within walking distance.

Click this link for directions and a map – http://www.scholzgarten.net/downloads/Driving%20Directions%20to%20Scholz%20Garten.pdf

Bring Your UKE to the UOGB Concert!

The UOGB will have a play-a-long with audience members, so feel free to bring a ukulele. The song will be Tom Petty’s “American Girl” in the key of A; you can get familiar with it here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/147148959/American-Girl-chords-and-lyrics-by-Tom-Petty

The Concert begins at 7:00pm,  come early, and enjoy listening  to some members of the Austin Ukulele Society as they perform just above the lobby, from 6:15pm – 6:50pm. There is a full bar in the lobby, so come early, and enjoy a beverage while the AUS performs for you.

Schedule of Events – Nov 22nd – Nov 24th, 2013

Friday, November 22nd – Arrive Austin, TX

3:00pm – Early Check-into Hotel – (you must request individually)

5:00pm – Dinner in Austin – No Group Reservations will be made – below are suggested choices

• Dinner at the Host Hotel
• Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill – (Does not accept reservations) 303 Red River St, Austin, TX , (512) 236-9599 ‎ · moonshinegrill.com, Located 1.7 miles from the Theater – 8mins per google map\
• Magnolia Cafe South 1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX , (512) 445-0000 ‎ · themagnoliacafe.com Located 4.8 miles from the Theater – 11mins per google maps

7:00pm – Concert – Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

AFTER THE CONCERT
“PUBBING” WITH THE UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
Draught House Pub & Brewery – 4112 Medical Parkway, 452-6258, draughthouse.com

We are planning to take several members of UOGB out after the concert to a local Austin watering hole to share drinks and ukulele-talk. AUS will be joining us, and this promises to be a great behind-the-scenes view of the concert. It’s the Draught House, and it’s been serving beer-loving locals and visitors for 44 years. The brewpub serves food, but with upward of 70 beers on tap and a truly authentic pub feel. About 40 to 50 percent of the beers are local, including the Draught House’s own dynamic selection of four or five beers brewed on-site, including its smokey and refreshing Saison Smoke, and the Hop Gold, a floral and malty blonde ale.

Saturday, November 23rd

6:30am-9:30am -Breakfast at host hotel – included in rate

10am– 12:00pm – Combo Ukulele Jam with Austin Ukulele Society
Jam will start promptly at 10am – don’t be late

NOTE: Drinks and food purchased at the hotel can be brought into the Jam

Location: Wyndham Garden Hotel – LAKE AUSTIN Room

1:00pm – 3:00pm Lunch – Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703 (512) 476-4852 ·hulahut.com Located 7.1 miles from the Host Hotel – 16mins per google maps

You want to go somewhere unique to Austin? You want to have fun? There is only one choice in my mind, the Hula Hut. Started by the same guys that created Chuys, another Austin institution, Hula Hut is Tex Mex polynesian style. Located at a great location on the water on Lake Austin, not far from downtown. Excellent drinks, appetizers and entrees combining the two themes. Special Note To Dallas Group: We do not have “reserved seating” at this venue, as we usually do at Dallas meetups. We will take best seating available when we arrive. It may take Mark & Kathy longer to arrive do to breaking down from the Jam.

6:00pm – Dinner location – Suggestions:
The Original Hoffbrau Steaks – Garrido’s – Ranch 616

UKULELE CONCERT IN AUSTIN
7:30pm – 9:30pm – Austin Ukulele Experience
The Rattle Inn , 610 Nueces Street, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 373-8306
http://therattleinn.com/
Cover: $10.00 at the door
Bob Guz-Ukulele, banjo ukulele, vocals
Kathy Murray and the Kilowatts
The Love Leighs

Sunday, Nov 24th
8:30am – 10:00am – Breakfast at the host hotel – (included in rate for guests staying at the hotel)  Come down, have breakfast, socialize and goodbyes…

11:00am – check out hotel – back to Dallas!
This is gonna be so much FUN! Thank you for sharing this experience with us!

Saturday Night Austin Ukulele Experience, Nov 23, 2013

The event is set, and what a great line-up of performers!

Join us for an Austin Music Ukulele Experience: Saturday, Nov 23rd.

Three fantastic ukulele-focused bands perform for an evening of great live music.

Cover: $10 per person

Time: 7:30 – 9:30 PM

Location: The Rattle Inn 610 Nueces Street Austin, TX 78701 (512) 373-8306 http://therattleinn.com/ NOTE: The Rattle Inn is a 21+ venue (unless otherwise noted on  particular events). A current photo ID is required for entry.

Parking: The Rattle Inn is located in downtown Austin and although they don’t have their  own parking lot, they are surrounded by streets full of metered parking spots and pay lots. The closest pay lot is located on the corner of 7th Street and Nueces Street.

Bob Guz-Ukulele, banjo ukulele, vocals A recovering guitar player, Bob was ultimately won over by the ukulele’s charm, beauty, simplicity, and aggressive un-coolness. (His grandpa was a ukulele crooner back in the 1920’s. ) Bob has played and sung with Austin’s notorious Shorty Long, a five-piece string band with roots in the novelty jazz styles of the early 20th century, including performances of Pops Bayless’ critically acclaimed “American Novelty.” He performed with the group The Pine Beatles, with a unique Celtic sound. Bob also performed on the CD “This is Ukulele Country,” a collection of classic country tunes played on the uke featuring Deb Porter and Lloyd Maines. He is a frequent participant at ukulele festivals across the US where he performs and teaches workshops. Bob is most proud of being one of the founders of the Austin Ukulele Society.

Kathy Murray and the Kilowatts

The legendary Kathy Murray needs no introduction to Austin’s musical faithful. Murray developed her vision of the blues in the formative days of the Austin music scene, jamming with luminaries like Stevie Ray Vaughan, W.C. Clark, and members of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. A blues singer and songwriter par excellence. Murray has won the Australian Blues Association’s ‘Chain Award” for Australian Song of the Year with the Kate Meehan Band’s recording of Murray’s original song, “Call Me Mrs. Blues”. The Kathy Murray Band features Murray on guitar and ukulele, along with her longtime musical compadre Bill Jones on guitar, ukulele and accordion. Her new CD, “Relatively Blue” is getting radio airplay across Texas and beyond and is starting to garner some tasty reviews.

The Love Leighs combine the ukulele strums and stunning voices of Raina Leigh and Jessica Leigh, at times angelic and sultry, with the side-man stylings of guitar star Jimmie Dreams and the formidable Josh Flowers’ upright bass to play award-winning, “new-timey” 20th Century American roots music. You’ll think you’ve heard their songs before, though they are as fresh as the band’s on-stage banter. Their tightly threaded two- and three-part harmonies, lively grooves, and Vaudevillian flair have been featured in world-wide syndication on the Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, as well as on the foremost uke-centric web hub, UkuleleHunt.com. They never fail to start toes tapping and get the dancers out on the floor, bringing you the twisted, delightful, dark, sizzling and sassy songs you’ve always longed for.

Parking At University of Texas Austin for the UOGB

So you’ve got your ticket, reserved your hotel reservation for the weekend, now what!?

Pre-purchase your parking pass for the venue – save $6.00 by purchasing on-line now and printing your pass on your home printer.

PARKING at the Bass Concert Hall, which is adjacent to the McCullough Theatre where UOGB will be performing.   To save money, and ensure yourself a parking space, I encourage you to pre-pay for parking at the venue.  I already have my parking ticket.  It’s easy, quick and you can do it on-line and print your parking pass on your home printer.

DIRECTIONS & PARKING

Below is a physical addresses for Texas Performing Arts venue (for GPS mapping purposes only, not actual mailing addresses).

McCullough Theatre – 2375 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin TX 78712

PARKING

Purchase your parking in advance at a discounted rate of $6 for most Texas Performing Arts events at this website:
http://utparking.clickandpark.com/venues

The discounted parking is only available online until 10pm, the day prior to an event.

NEW PARKING INFORMATION: Please be aware when you come to a performance that UT parking signage has changed. ADA parking is available on Robert Dedman Drive. Patrons are encouraged to park in university parking garages or LBJ surface lots. Please read signs carefully.

Helpful Parking Info: 

• Texas Performing Arts encourages guests to arrive early in order to find parking.
• Event Parking takes effect 3 hours before performances at Bass Concert Hall. If there is a performance at Bass, this will also affect parking charges for performances at McCullough Theatre and Bates Recital Hall.
• The closest Parking Garage to Bass Concert Hall is the San Jacinto Garage located at 2401 San Jacinto Boulevard. Additional parking for performances in Bass Concert Hall is located in the Manor Garage and on Robert Dedman Drive.
• Forgot to purchase parking in advance? No problem. You can pay for event parking when you arrive for the performance. Please note, if you have not purchased your parking in advance, you pay an average of $12 to park on campus.
• There is no longer free parking on campus.
• Parking in the LBJ Library Parking lot is for UT parking permit holders only.
• Valet Parking is available for most Bass Concert Hall Performances. Cost is $21. 

Information on accessible parking
UT Visitor Parking Information 

Parking FAQs can be found here: http://www.clickandpark.com/faq.shtml

Meet the Musicians – Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

8 weeks till we see and meet – The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain!   YES, we have plans to take out some of the musicians after the concert on Friday evening to a local Austin Pub to buy them drinks and get to know them better. SO I got to thinking, shouldn’t we KNOW a little more about each one? Recognize them, know them by name and a little bit about each one? Heck YEAH!  So I have created (for myself) flash cards with photos of each performer on one side, and their name on the back with a little bio on each one.  There really aren’t too many of them, only 8 musicians.

I found this great article by Barry Maz of GOT A UKULELE that he wrote about the group in February of 2011.  I wanted to share it with all of YOU!  For more great articles and information about Ukuleles please visit Barry’s website here – http://www.gotaukulele.com/

Ukulele Heroes – Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain

by Barry Maz

The group formed in 1985 as a bit of fun, but immediately found a rapidly growing fan base.  There have been several line ups but currently play as an octet of David Suich, Peter Brook Turner, Hester Goodman, George Hinchcliffe, Richie Williams, Kittie Lux, Will Grove Wright and Jonty Bankes.

The group are instantly recognisable in their sharp outfits (ball-gowns for the ladies, tuxedos for the gents) and each play an acoustic ukulele of various sizes (strictly speaking, the largest is an acoustic bass guitar played by Jonty).  The group dont choose to play ukuleles that cost the earth, and some of the instruments are very simple, thus promoting the accessibility of the ukulele. Whilst they do compose and play their own tunes, they are perhaps best known for playing cover versions of songs that the listener would normally think unlikely to work on a ukulele, including Nirvanas “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” and “Miss Dy-Na-Mi-Tee”. Having started playing smaller gigs, with their first ever gig at the Roebuck Pub in London, their bookings got bigger and bigger.  They have since been seen on stage at the Glastonbury Festival, at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms 2009 season (of which a DVD is available on the UOGB site) and on numerous TV shows including the Jools Holland Hootenanny.  They also appeared on stage with the Kaiser Chiefs providing ukulele backing to a version of their hit “Ruby”. With a number of albums recorded and an ever increasing buzz in ukulele circles, their popularity continues to grow rapidly.

MORE ABOUT THE MUSICIANS

Dave Suich, Peter Brooke Turner, Hester Goodman, George Hinchliffe, Richie Williams, Kitty Lux, Will Grove White, Jonty Bankes

• David Suich – musician who also performs as Joe Bazouki in his own band – The Missing Puddings.

• Peter Brooke Turner – Also a comedian and Eurovision finalist, Peter also plays uke as his alter ego – Tony Penultimate.

• Hester Goodman – started in theatre and also appears in her own comedy and theatre shows including the Mary Poppins Experience and Elvenbitch

• George Hinchcliffe – founded the UOGB with Kitty Lux and is also the groups musical director.  Before the UOGB George was in several other bands of his own and worked as a session musician.

• Kitty Lux – co founder of the UOGB and before the group was involved with a number of punk bands.

• Richie Williams – the baritone uke player in the group – his career was founded in music, and played guitar as a session player for several major acts alongside George Hinchcliffe.

Picture right with the “thumbs up”

• Will Grove-Wright – also as solo musician and before the UOGB worked as a cinematographer and director

• Jonty Bankes – the bass uke player of the group and plays bass guitar in a variety of other bands.

UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN WEBSITE

Update on Hotel and Seats for the Venue

Hello Fellow DUH Travelers to Austin,

HOTEL

I just got off the phone with the hotel and our “limited block” is filling up.

Thank you, to all who have already booked.

Although they will add rooms as needed at our “special rate” – there are only so many rooms available at the hotel.  If you have not booked your room yet, please do so.  Keep in mind that other travelers are also booking rooms at this hotel for these dates.

You can call the 800 # or book our rate online – see instructions below.

How to make reservations:

Call 1-800-WYNDHAM or 1-800-996-3426:

Give the associate your desired dates of stay and ask for the “Ukulele Orchestra room

block.” You will then guarantee your reservation with a credit card.

Or Book Online:

Go to www.wyndhamaustin.com. Select the “Reservations” button. Enter your desired dates of stay. Then, click “Special Rates & Codes” and enter 11206702UK in the Group Code field.

OUR Rate: $109.00 (taxes excluded)

Guestroom options: One king-size or two full-size beds

Rate includes:

• HOT Breakfast for up to 2 people per room
• FREE Parking
• FREE High Speed Wireless Internet Access
• FREE Airport Shuttle
• On Site Restaurant – breakfast, lunch, dinner, room service available
• On Site Bar
• Guarantee your reservation with a credit card – No prepayment required

THEATER VENUE

I also spoke with the Theater today, we are lucky folks indeed!

Out of the 400 seats for Friday nights Concert – only 25 seats are still available! In the WHOLE THEATER!

No surprise there, by me anyway… a little less than 4 months till the show date… HA!

And the excitement BUILDS!

 

 

 

Tentative Schedule of Events – Weekend Nov 22nd – Nov 24th, 2013

Friday, November 22nd – Arrive Austin, TX

3:00pm – Early Check-into Hotel

5:00pm – Dinner in Austin – Location TBD

7:00pm – Concert – Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

After Concert – 

“PUBBING” WITH THE UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN

We are planning to take several members of UOGB out after the concert to a local Austin watering hole to share drinks and ukulele-talk. AUS will be joining us, and this promises to be a great behind-the-scenes view of the concert.

Saturday, November 23rd

11:00am – 2:00pm

Wyndham Garden Hotel – Host Hotel

Lady Bird Lake Ballroom 

COMBO JAM WITH THE AUSTIN UKULELE SOCIETY

We will be having a “projector jam” with the local AUS, a great opportunity to meet some new uke players, sample their jam music, and share some of our music with them. This event will be held at our “host hotel”.

2:00pm – 6:30pm Free Time until the evening

6:30pm – Dinner location – TBD

8:00pm – Austin Ukulele Experiences

UKULELE CONCERT IN AUSTIN

Austin has several professional ukulele players and bands who are earning a living with the tiny instrument, and we are planning to go enjoy some local uke music Saturday night. This will be a great slice of the local Austin music scene, and chance to experience some great home-grown ukulele music.

 Sunday, Nov 24th – 11am

THREADGILL’S GOSPEL BRUNCH

One of the notorious local restaurants in the area is Threadgills, who hosts a Gospel Brunch on Sunday mornings. What better way to end the weekend then with a good breakfast for the road, and some great gospel music!

This is gonna be so much FUN!  Thank you for sharing this experience with us!

Mark & Kathy Levine

Host Hotel Confirmed – Book Your Reservation Now!

Hello Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain DUH’ers,

Here is the information regarding our “Host Hotel” for our Austin trip.

It is recommended that you confirm your room now, as our “block” is limited.

Our host hotel will be the Wyndham Garden.
Recipient of the 2013 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award.
3 Star Hotel
100% smoke-free property.

Wyndham Garden Hotel
3401 South IH-35
Austin, TX 78741
(512) 448-2444
OUR Rate: $109.00 (taxes excluded)
Guestroom options: One king-size or two full-size beds

Rate includes:

• HOT Breakfast for up to 2 people per room
• FREE Parking
• FREE High Speed Wireless Internet Access
• FREE Airport Shuttle
• On Site Restaurant – breakfast, lunch, dinner, room service available
• On Site Bar
• Guarantee your reservation with a credit card –NO PREPAYMENT REQUIRED

Early check-in at 3pm

This rate is available for both Friday (Nov 22nd) and Saturday (Nov 23rd) night stays, we do have a block of rooms reserved (limited) the sooner you call in and confirm your reservation, the better.

How to make reservations:

Call 1-800-WYNDHAM or 1-800-996-3426:

Give the associate your desired dates of stay and ask for the “Ukulele Orchestra room block.” You will then guarantee your reservation with a credit card.

Or Book Online:

Go to http://www.wyndhamaustin.com. Select the “Reservations” button. Enter your desired dates
of stay. Then, click “Special Rates & Codes” and enter 11206702UK in the Group Code field.

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – AUSTIN, TX- limited tickets for DUH members

UNITED STATES TOUR 2013 NEWS!
AUSTIN TEXAS!!!!
After roof-raising, foot-stomping shows last year at the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and Carnegie Hall in New York, in Britain, France, Switzerland and Germany, their tour continues and goes to…
TEXAS! – YES!
Dallas Ukulele Headquarters has secured a “limited number” of GREAT SEATS to the upcoming Ukulele of Great Britiain’s concert to be held in Austin, TX on Friday, November 22nd.

These seats are grouped together, so we can all share this once in a life time concert!

Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis.
Concert Info

Friday, November 22, 2013

7:00 pm

McCullough Theatre

$32.00 per person – regular price is $36.00
This is an intimate theater – it only holds 400 people.

We have obtained the last seats in rows B & C. Once we have filled those seats on a first come first serve basis we will fill seats on rows K & L.

CURRENTLY our GROUP of seats 58 – have all been SOLD.

Individual ticket Sales through the Theater Website:

Should you want to go with us- you can obtain your own seats sold on-line individually by visiting the venues website for the Theater and book your seat online.
The price is a little more than what we paid as we have group tickets, your cost online would be $36.00 + $3.00 processing fee. Our tickets are $32.00 – no fees.

Here is the link to purchase online. http://ev9.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3APAC%3AUTP14%3AMC11223%3A&linkID=tex-pac&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=UKU&cgc=

You are welcome to stay at our “host hotel” and take advantage of our group rate as well as participate in all the Ukulele Activities for the weekend.