2020 Spring Performers Showcases

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Guest artists Ukulenny (California - unfortunately the video did not capture his set), Arden Fujiwara (Seattle, WA), Gracie Terzian (NYC, NY), Kirk Jones (Huntsville, AL), Chrissy (California), and Kailua Moon... Nani Edgar & Danny Carvalho (Hawaii) 

Guest artists Melissa Nannen (Philadelphia, PA), Bob Tigert (Nashville, TN), Xavi Sanchez (Spain), Michael Mariano (Baltimore, MD), Lisa Webb (Nashville, TN), Shawn Keddy (Wales, UK), Phil Doleman (England), Petey Mack (Memphis, TN), and Karlie G (Hawaii)

 Enjoy an introduction piece performed by Neal Chin. The scheduled performers for this showcase were Francesca Biagi (Italy), Shaun Keddy (Wales), Kelle Jolly (Knoxville, TN), Vlastimil Prochazka (Czech Republic), Ukester Brown (Minnesota), Bill Wynne (New Jersey), and ending with a beautiful duet from Diane Nalini & Adrian Cho (Ottawa, Canada)  

 Enjoy this wonderful Gaithersburg UkeFest production featuring Anthony Kuaku Stanley (California), Bill Wynne (New Jersey), Faith Thompson Ako (California), The Hula Honeys (Hawaii), Kainoa Kamaka (Texas), Jeremy Kama Hopkins (Hawaii), Shigeto Takahashi (Japan), Charlie Fischer (Switzerland), and Greg Pace (Gaithersburg, MD). 

 The October 3rd Performers Showcase & Jam was an excellent showcase featuring performing artists/amateurs: Phredd (Lancaster, PA), Lisa Webb (Nashville, TN), Melissa Nannen (Philadelphia, PA), Michael Mariano (Baltimore, MD), Francesco Albertazzi (Italy), Chrissy (California), Derek Ross (Rockville, MD), Jim Beloff (Connecticut), and Kris Fuchigami (Hawaii). 

 Enjoy performances by Lisa, the Ukulele Fool (Kentucky), Bob Tigert (Nashville, TN), Marc Gallagher (England), Louisa Hall (Takoma Park, MD), Kirk Jones (Huntsville, AL), Brad Bordessa (Hawaii), and Kailua Moon (Hawaii) 

 Enjoy performances by Christopher Davis-Shannon (Philadelphia, PA), Calico (Austria), Gracie Terzian (NYC), Xavi Sanchez (Spain), The Edukated Fleas (Connecticut), Bill Wynne (New Jersey), Ashley Orlando (Houston, TX), Peter Moss (England) 

 Enjoy this production of the Beatles Theme Showcase, featuring Flor Ansaldo (first performer from Argentina, but record button was hit late), Paul Mansell (England), Elisabeth Pfeiffer (Germany), special performance by Mari US (Germany), Phredd (Lancaster, PA), Arden Fujiwara (Seattle, WA), Michael Mariano (Baltimore, MD), and Vinicius Vivas (Brazil). The last 30 minutes there is one performance by Flor Ansaldo, Peter Moss, Michael Mariano, Nani Lowery, June Eakin, and possibly more!
 

 Unfortunately our Zoom platform stopped working during Lisa Kljaich's performance (Kentucky), and it was lost. Captured was Francesca Biagi (Italy), an interview with Konczal, one of the members of a Ukulele Band in Poland-PPNOU. Three of their videos were shared. Bob Tigert (Nashville, TN) made a surprise visit, performing Love Potion #9. Kirk Jones (Huntsville, AL) shared one song, and led a couple of strum along songs, as well. Lastly, Matt Griffo's (Chicago, IL) set was captured. As a warning, some of the words in one or more of his songs may not be appropriate for children. Zip Pain (England) played one song at the end of the video.

We had another great Performers Showcase & Jam. Enjoy performances by Devin Scott (Missouri), Andres Hellmayr, and Family (Austria), Ukulollo aka Lorenzo Lignando (Italy), Bob Tigert (Nashville, TN), Aaron & Nicole Keim (Oregon), Jim D'Ville (New Mexico), and Jeff Peterson (Hawaii).

 The November 14th Valentine's / Love Songs Theme Performers Showcase was absolutely wonderful. Whether you were in the audience or missed the event, you'll be able to watch and listen to this showcase whenever you want. We want to thank all the artists...Greg Pace (Gaithersburg, MD), Andreas Hellmayr, and family (Austria), Charlie Fischer (Switzerland), Markus Rantanen (Finland), Samantha Muir (England), Uke 66, aka. Rick & Karen Maxson (Missouri), The Hula Honeys, aka. Ginger Johnson & Robyn Kneubuhl (Maui, HI), and Bill Wynne (New Jersey) for their wonderful performances today. 

 The 50's Theme Performers Showcase was another gem. Appearing on this November 21st show was Matthew Quilliam (England), Calico (Austria), Ukus in Fabula (Italy), Bill Wynne (New Jersey), Kelly Jolly (Knoxville, Tennessee), Arden Fujiwara (Seattle, Washington), Ukester Brown (Minnesota), Stu Fuchs (Vermont). There was also a special performance by Danny Carvalho of Kailua Moon (Hawaii), arranged by our son, Luke. 

 What a wonderful afternoon of Christmas/Holiday songs. Special thanks to our artists for the 1st of 3 Christmas/Holiday Theme Performers Showcases...Calico (Austria), The Edukated Fleas (Connecticut), Daniel Ward & Heidi Swedberg (California), Bob Tigert (Tennessee), Diane Nalini & Adrian Cho (Ottawa, Canada), MARLOWE …{was experiencing poor internet connection today} (California), and Karlie G (Hawaii). 

 The December 12th Christmas/Holiday Theme Performers Showcase was a spectacular showcase. Stepping up to the mic under the mistletoe were Abe Lagrimas, Jr. (California), Brittni Paiva (Hawaii), Devin Scott (Missouri), Gerald Ross (Michigan), The Lee Sisters (California), Phredd (Lancaster, PA), and Samantha Muir (England). The whole showcase was great, but pay special attention to the introductions of the artists from other artists. Some of them are too sweet and/or funny! 

The final Performers Showcase was a gem...for many reasons. First, Maureen Andary (Washington DC) and Bill Wynne (New Jersey) performed beautifully on this 26th showcase of 2020. It was significant because they also performed on the first Performers Showcase on April 4th. Joining them was Gia Ness (New York), Andreas Hellmayr, and his wife (Austria), Mike Haysom (Scotland), and Aline Kelly (Brazil). Andrew Molina (Hawaii) recorded 2 Christmas songs just for us, which we played towards the end of the showcase. Our son, Luke, prepared a very special video which was played roughly between 3:45-4:00 PM. This was produced as a "thank you" to Nani & Keith for their work in putting together the 2020 Fall 4-Month Ukulele Festival, as well as the Spring events of Performers Showcases and workshops. Many performing and teaching ukulele artists from all over the world had sent short videos to Luke, and he masterfully edited them all together. It was an emotional moment to say the least, and we both felt humbled by the kindness and love demonstrated by all involved in this project. Our memories of 2020 are mixed like everyone else, but the ukulele community made it bearable...no, they made it joyous and "Uke Happy!"

The April 24th Performers Showcase was so much fun! Ukulele performing artists and amateurs took the virtual stage and played their favorite Motown songs. The artists were  DeJohn, aka. John & Debbie Annen (Takoma Park, MD) , Gia Ness (New York), Melissa Nannen (Pennsylvania), Peter Moss (England), Bob Tigert (Nashville, TN), Mary Heaton (Canada), Annette Rodriguez (California), and Dan Kohan (Bethesda, MD)… Bob Carlson could not make it.  

We had a great lineup for our May 1st International Folk Music Performers Showcase. Joining the East and West coast ukulele artists, were performing artists from Argentina, England, Wales, Brazil, and The Czech Republic. Enjoy! (Flor's last name should be spelled "Ansaldo"). Enjoy music from  Danielle Herreid, aka. Dani Joy (Grass Valley, CA), Abe Deshotel (Bridgeport, Connecticut), Flor Ansaldo (Argentina), Shaun Keddy (Wales), Aline Kelly (Brazil), Samantha Muir (England), and Vlastimil Prochaska (Czech Republic) 

Saturday, May 15th,  we held a Performers Showcase which was a little different from previous ones. The 4 artists listed on the mini-poster performed live. In addition, we showed highlight from previous showcases we hosted in the Spring of 2020. We also showed 5 videos sent to us by performing artists who wish to pay tribute to their Mom's through music.

 The May 22nd Performers Showcase turned out to be another great virtual event. Appearing live on the show were DeJohn, aka. John & Debbie Annen (Takoma Park, MD), Amy Kucharik (Massachusetts) , Nani Lowery (Gaithersburg, MD), and Marc Gallagher (England). Bob Tigert (Nashville, TN)created a great video recording of three songs since he had a "live" gig with his band, "Bob's Your Uncle". In addition to these great ukulele artists, we replayed 3 of our favorite performances from Andreas Hellmayr and Family (Austria), Ukulollo, aka Lorenzo Lignando (Italy), and Jeff Peterson (Hawaii), from the Country & Western showcase held on November 7th, 2020.  

Traveln' Man Theme Showcase featured music from Francesca Biagi (Italy), Jim D'Ville (New Mexico), Uke 66 (Missouri), Aline Kelly (Brazil), Ross Malcolm Boyd (Connecticut), Ukester Brown (Minnesota), and Amy Kucharik (Massachusetts). Take a listen!

We finished the Spring Fling Ukulele Festival with a Hawaiian Themed Showcase featuring Siena & Toast (Portland, Oregon), Andreas Hellmayr & Friends (Austria), Arden Fujiwara (Seattle, Washington), Steven Espaniola (Bay Area, California), Troy Fernandez (Los Angeles, California), Erich Sylvester (Bay Area, California), and The Birdwatchers, formally The Naked Waiters (Utah). In need of some aloha spirit? Give it a listen!