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| Website copyright 2008. G. Wong-Monaco. For more info, contact: GiGi Wong-Monaco @ wonderwallemporium@yahoo.com WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Emporium 329 B Harrison Street Oak Park IL 60304 Ph: 708.948.7986 |
| Join the Official Oak Park Ukulele Meetup Group: www.ukulele.meetup.com/89 |
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| E komo mai ~ Our Mission: To Spread the Aloha and Joy of Ukulele Playing! Let's 'kani ka pila'....'play music together'! Who We Are: We are a growing number of Ukulele players of all levels, who come from all walks of life, different backgrounds and professions who share in the Love and Respect of the Ukulele! From beginners-to-advance players, we become a 'ohana' (family) and learn from each other. How It Started: The Harrison Street Ukulele Players (aka Oak Park Ukulele Meetup Group) was officially founded in the Fall of 2008 by Honolulu native, GiGi Wong-Monaco, co-owner of WONDERWALL. She wanted to find other ukulele players who shared in the same 'aloha spirit' of giving and 'kani ka pila' which was embedded in her life having been born and raised in Hawai'i. As part of the education and culture of Hawai'i, all kids had to learn to play the ukulele and dance hula. "Our parents often had us kids entertaining our mainland guests with our ukulele, playing and singing'! GiGi brings that 'spirit' to Oak Park, Chicagoland area. Milestone ~ One day in the Spring of 2008, she had a brilliant idea....'set a record for the most ukulele players onstage' at the 2008 Fest For Beatles Fans' Battle of the Bands. (YouTube.com) Throughout the summer, friends and new friends met and practiced every Thursday evening. Word got around (thanks to the support of WXRT DJ Terri Hemmert!) and we ended up with 28 players from all over the country, including a very special guest, a British bloke and a Rutle at that, Neil Innes! After this amazing time, the local Chicagoland players decided to continue to meet up and play together! |
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| My older 'bruddah' Glen never put down the ukulele since we were kids learning how to play in the early '60's. A retired USAF vet of over 24 yrs., lives in MD with his lovely family, continues to perform and teach ukulele. |
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| George Harrison once said that everyone should play an ukulele.... and we agree! |
| Where & When We Meet: Organized and sponsored by WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Emporium. Join us in the Oak Park Arts District: THURSDAYS 7P-9P EASTGATE Cafe' 102 Harrison St Oak Park IL 60304 Ph. 708.660.9091 |
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| Jake Shimabukuro. Bruce Shimabukuro. Two of the nicest people you'll ever meet! |
| WONDERWALL'S Harrison Street Ukulele Players! aka The Oak Park's Ukulele Meetup Group! Home Current News Facebook MeetUp.com YouTube! Photos Contact Sitar Emporium Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium |
| Members of the Harrison Street Ukulele Players performed live on WBBM CBS2 Chicago "Early Morning News" Show for the upcoming inauguration of President Obama. Jan.16, 2009. (It was -17 below 0 that morning!) |
| Songs We Play: The Beatles and their solo works, 60's, Pop (The Monkees, Hollies, etc), 70's, Pop , Rock, Hawaiian Songs (Traditional/'Hapa Haole'), 40's, 50's, Tin Pan Alley, Holiday/Christmas Songs, Movie/Film Soundtracks, and whatever we fancy ~! A small $5 donation is greatly appreciated to help with printing cost of songsheets. Sometimes opportunities to play out arise and interested members who want to participate are welcomed. Extra practices may occur. See also www.ukulele.meetup.com/89 for more info. No Ukulele? Go to WONDERWALL for a great selection of ukuleles & accessories! Basic Ukulele Lessons by GiGi Wong-Monaco. Inquire at Wonderwall. GiGi is a member of Ke Ali'i Victoria Ka'iulani Hawaiian Civic Club; and Kupa'a Pacific Island Resources. Therefore, special Ukulele Workshops and other related events at discounted rates for group members may apply. ***MAY 16, 2009-UKULELE WORKSHOP*** |
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| Wonderwall is an Authorized Dealer of: Honu HeartsTM KALA Ukuleles KO'OLAU Ukuleles KAMAKA Ukuleles |
Honu Hearts TM Jewelry. "Aloha Ukulele Pendant" $32. Matching Earrings and more. Only at Wonderwall, Midwest only location! |
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| ~ Here are some people who inspired me to play ukulele...again. Mahalo! ~ |