Ukuleles are something of a tradition in 91原创 thanks to the efforts of the 91原创 Ukulele Association under the direction of the Luongo family.
The renowned 91原创 Ukulele ensemble will be performing two concerts locally to help raise funds for the association to fund upcoming ensemble trips and activities.
Ensemble director Paul Luongo noted there are two concerts on Saturday, May 30 at the 91原创 Evangelical Free Church at 208th Street and 48th Avenue. One is a matinee at 3 p.m., the other is an evening show at 7 p.m.
芒鈧揈veryone can come,芒鈧� Luongo said. 芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s a family friendly show. We芒鈧劉re really trying to move forward to subscription [style pricing options] for our concerts芒鈧� and family pricing.芒鈧�
He describes the association as a big family that has been making music together for more than 30 years.
The spring concerts have been around almost as long.
芒鈧揑 think it芒鈧劉s been a tradition,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揝afe to say [at least] 20 years.芒鈧�
With 91原创 in the association and ensemble芒鈧劉s names, it芒鈧劉s understandable that Luongo sees the organization as putting 91原创 on the map and raising awareness far beyond the community芒鈧劉s borders.
The ensemble just returned from two nights in Reno headlining at the Nugget Casino Resort for the Ukulele Festival. Next up is a concert in Richmond on May 23, then there will be a trip to Stratford, Ont.
芒鈧揟his is our second major fundraiser... to get us to Hawaii,芒鈧� Luongo said of Saturday芒鈧劉s concerts. 芒鈧揥e芒鈧劉ve also been invited to the Stratford Music Festival and to the Canadian National Exhibition芒鈧� We芒鈧劉ll be performing in front of hundreds of thousands of people.芒鈧�
The Stratford connection lent the theme for the spring concerts, which is Broadway.
芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s a Broadway theme because we芒鈧劉re going to Stratford,芒鈧� he noted. 芒鈧揑 think it芒鈧劉s seven different arrangements from Grease to Annie to Wicked.芒鈧�
Luongo added that learning so many Broadway numbers definitely challenged the young people in the ensemble, but one that was in reach given the calibre of the group.
芒鈧揥e芒鈧劉ve always been seen as the best uke ensemble in the world,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揥e芒鈧劉re back to being a strong performing association.芒鈧�
Tickets for the show are $25 for adults, $15 for those 18 and younger.
Tickets are available through langleyukes.com where people can also listen to the ensemble芒鈧劉s music in many genres.
