Looking for ukulele lessons from the notorious uke man himself, Peter Luongo, or maybe from Luongo junior? Maybe both?
鈥淭wo ukulele maestros for the price of one,鈥� the senior member of the family suggested. 鈥淔or the right price, of course!鈥�
Such a chance is up for grabs this weekend, during the 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble鈥檚 gala.
To mark the musical association鈥檚 35th anniversary, and to celebrate the release of the ensemble鈥檚 first album (Ukulele: The Next Generation) under new leadership 鈥� namely Luongo junior (Paul Luongo, now the ensemble鈥檚 musical director), they鈥檙e hosting a concert and live auction, served up with wine and hors d鈥檕euvres inside the Preston GM showroom on Saturday, June 4.
It will not be a huge gala event with dinner and all the fixin鈥�, explained Peter, who is no longer directing but has remained on the board. But rather a more fun event.
Also up for grabs in the live auction is a student concert, at someone鈥檚 home or work, featuring the ensemble.
Gala tickets are $50 and available at 604-340-8537 or langleyukes.com.
The goal of this event, Peter said, is to raise $10,000 in one night, with much of that money expected to come from the live auction 鈥� and most likely the student concert.
鈥淵ou better have something larger than 500-square-foot apartment,鈥� in which to host the concert, Peter suggested, explaining the 24-member senior ensemble will offer up 45-minute show that 鈥減romises to blow the roof off.鈥�
All money raised will go to the group鈥檚 long-time motto: 鈥淓nriching lives through music,鈥� Peter said, noting some of the funds are specifically earmarked to sending the ensemble to Halifax next year for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
An autographed copy of the new album is up for grabs, as well, to 91原创 Advance readers only.
Click here and email us. Give us your name, phone number, and community of residence. Most important, tell us about your favourite 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble show ever and why, and you鈥檙e in the running for a copy of this new album.
It鈥檚 a compilation of funk pieces, classical, and Johnny Cash鈥檚 Ring of Fire, peppered with a few 1950s pop tunes 鈥� added in for good measure, Peter explained.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all new music,鈥� he added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 [his son, and new director] Paul, putting his stamp on the new group.鈥�
In the meantime, Saturday鈥檚 event is being held at the GM dealership, at 91原创 Bypass and 200th Street.
Doors open at 6:15 p.m. followed by the show at 7:15 p.m. The concert will book end the live auction in the middle.
