Tomaree Ukestra performing Fly Like a Bird (Boz Scaggs), Walking After Midnight and Boots

Описание: The Tomaree Peninsula is a little piece of Whitsunday paradise an hour north of Newcastle (without the nasty stingers). The folk up there hardly ever venture to Newcastle, so we were chuffed when the Tomaree Ukestra agreed to make the trek to Newcastle for the 2023 Showcase. Each Monday morning 20-25 ukulele enthusiasts gather at a local club, hone their skills and enjoy each other's company. They have done so for 13+ years.

Paul Mahony opens the Showcase with Boz Scaggs' 'Fly Like a Bird', with a feature from Susie Hall-Thompson on concertina. Brad Jelfs does great justice to Patsy Cline (again with a lead ukulele solo from the superb Susie), and Diane Wither successfully negotiates not butchering Nancy Sinatra. All up it was a very entertaining and professional performance.

The 2023 Ukestra and Choir Showcase in Newcastle was nothing short of a spectacular and successful community music event. Around 220 performers, audience, friends and family gathered at the Adamstown Uniting Church Hall on Saturday night 29 July for a three room mini-festival. Everyone brought a plate and the foyer was a veritable cornucopia of food, drink, chat and camaraderie.

The main room (the church) featured 7 ukestras from the Lower Hunter and the combined 40 person choir of Ukestral Voices. The Memorial Hall was set up in a Club Lounge style featuring the small offshoot groups that naturally arise in a healthy musical community.

The two concert venues allowed for a night of continuous music, with one venue performing whilst the other got set up for the next group.

Thanks to Maurie Voisey-Barlin for his superb MC'ing position across both venues.