Making sweet music at Phoenix School

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/04/2019 (2659 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you walk past Phoenix School on a Monday evening this spring, you might hear the melodic sounds of many ukuleles being played together.

Macdonald-Headingley Recreation District is offering ukulele aficionados the chance to get together and jam at a free twice-monthly Ukulele Jammin’ session on April 15 and 29, May 13 and 27, and June 10 and 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Phoenix School, 111 Alboro St. in Headingley. Participants are asked to register with MHRD by the Friday prior to the Monday evening session they wish to attend.

The jam session is a follow-up to a beginners’ ukulele instructional class offered earlier this year with Lorelei Goldau teaching. The Headingley musician had about 11 people in the class, and said she wants to offer them the opportunity to keep playing.

“I just wanted to get something going in Headingley,” Goldau said, adding that she’s willing to hold another class in September if there’s enough interest.

Ukulele is an instrument that appeals to many would-be musicians because of its low cost and portability compared to most other musical instruments, Goldau said.

“It’s been the number one selling instrument,” she said.

Goldau said there are ukulele groups in Manitoba communities such as Carman, Thompson, Brandon and Winnipeg. While Portage la Prairie doesn’t have a club, local musicians often come into Winnipeg to play with groups such as the Ukulele Club of Winnipeg and Ukestra.

Goldau is a member of the Aloha Club, with between 10 to 23 others, who perform Hawaiian music at seniors’ homes in Winnipeg. She also plays at open mic shows as part of the Little Blue group. She hopes that some of her fellow bandmates will join her at the upcoming Headingley jam sessions.

Her musical passion began at a young age prompted by her father Victor Elliott who loved to play guitar. He was determined that his children take music lessons and Goldau learned to play the organ and accordion and later mastered the saxophone, flute, guitar and ukulele.

For more information on Ukulele Jammin’ and to register, email to info@mhrd.ca or call 204-885-2444.