Entertainment report for week ending 11/19: Ukeleles highlight the weekend

By BEN OLSON/for The Herald  —  The ukulele was originally a Portuguese instrument that found its way to Hawaii by happenstance. Immigrants from Madeira, the Azores and Cape Verde arrived in Honolulu on the SS Ravenscrag in August of 1879. In an article from the Hawaiian Gazette, they reported, “Madeira Islanders recently arrived here and have been delighting the people with nightly street concerts”. Some of these new arrivals were skilled craftsmen and they began building ukes for the locals to play.

In the Hawaiian language, the word ukulele roughly translates to “jumping flea”, perhaps in reference to the movement of the player’s fingers.

More history on the Ukelele

The ukulele made its way to the mainland during the Tin Pan Alley days and was popularized by Roy Smeck and Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards. The Ukulele became an icon of the Jazz Age in the 1920s. Like the guitar, basic ukulele skills can be learned fairly easily. This highly portable and relatively inexpensive instrument became a staple in many households.

There was a resurgence of interest in the 50’s. Arthur Godfrey would regularly croon popular songs accompanying himself with a baritone uke on his radio and TV shows. It happened again in the 90’s when Israel Kamakawiwo’ole released his reggae influenced mash-up of “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World”. Jake Shimabukuro’s uke version of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” has had over 17 million views on YouTube.

Ukes all weekend

You may be wondering why I’m providing you all this information now. Well, it seems that 3 ukulele events will be taking place on the same day, Saturday, November 18. I’ll be providing ukulele stylings at the Lion Mountain Bakery from 9 until 10:30 am. Oakridge’s own ukulele club, The Ukuleleans will be playing for the grand opening of the Cascade Artworks Gallery and Gifts in uptown Oakridge at 3 pm. Capping it off will be a performance by Eugene ukuleleist Melody Baker at the 3 Legged Crane at 7 pm. So much excitement all happening in one day.

Melody Baker, uke in hand, will be taking the stage at the 3 Legged Crane this Saturday at 7pm. A quote from her Youtube channel is a truth that many of us in the music biz can relate to. “I’m just a singer/songwriter looking for a way to take back the awkward one song at a time”. Judging by what I’ve seen and heard, this should be a lot of fun to listen to. The Crane is a traditional English-style brew pub, making many of the beers and ales right in the back room. There are appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. They can be found on 1st Street in uptown Oakridge.

Cascade Artworks opens with music to shop by

That same Saturday, just a half a block farther west, the Ukuleleans will be assembled to play for the grand opening of the Cascade Artworks Gallery and Gifts. Their set will begin at 3 pm, followed by me playing more ukulele tunes until 5 pm. The Ukuleleans are the largest ukulele ensemble in all of Lane County, west of Eugene. Don’t expect Christmas songs yet, That doesn’t happen until after Thanksgiving.

That same Saturday, I’ll be regaling the early risers with my arsenal of songs that weren’t necessarily meant to be played on the ukulele at the Lion Mountain Bakery. Showtime runs from 9 until 10:30 am. Singer/songwriter Broken Horn will be playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 17, 18 and 19 from 11 am until 1 pm each day. The Lion Mountain serves both breakfast and lunch in a comfortable setting, amid art and craftwork produced by area artists and craftspeople. They can be found on Highway 58 in Oakridge.

Last chance to see Wonderful Life at ZCT

Sharing the same building as the Lion Mountain Bakery is the Zero Clearance Theater. They will be presenting the live radio version of the classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Showtimes are at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, with doors opening at 6 pm. Sunday’s curtain will take place at 3 pm, with the doors opening a 2. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Lion Mountain Bakery and Mane Street Coffee. Adult tickets are $8 in advance, with children 10 and under and senior citizens $4. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. This is a great show for the entire family, just the thing to put you in the mood for the upcoming holidays.

The Dexter Lake Club has been having singles and duos playing every Friday at 6 pm. As of press time, I have not heard back from them about who is playing this week. The Dexter Lake Club has a full bar, and the adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. They are located just off Highway 58 in the east end of Dexter, near milepost 58.

That’s all I’ve got for you this week. Get out and hear a little uke music this Saturday if you have a chance.