Poster Unveiled

Isn't it snazzy? Undoubtedly the finest poster in town. Click on the image for fuller-sized splendour.

Holy Stump backs Uke Birthday Party

The Dublin Ukulele Birthday Party has secured the most sought-after endorsement in the land; that of the Holy Tree Stump of Rathkeale. Having drawn hundreds of people to the churchyard of St Mary's, Rathkeale, over the past few days the offers of endorsements and commercial opportunities have come thick, and indeed fast for the stunted stump.

But, of all the offers, the Dublin Ukulele Birthday party at Bewleys Café Theatre is the only one to have secured the favour of the stump that's the talk of the nation.

"I've had all sorts of offers," confirmed the stump yesterday, "I could make a fortune if I was that way inclined. But I'm not, so have turned them all down. I'm not in this for money. However, I am happy to lend my backing to the Dublin Ukulele Birthday Party, as they asked nicely and didn't offer any money. They're my kind o'people and it's my kind of event."

Click on the picture to see what the Holy Stump has to say.

Dublin Ukulele Birthday Theme Song

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the official theme song of the Dublin Ukulele Birthday Party - Since Maggie Dooley Learned the Hooley Hooley by Ada Jones. There aren't enough singers called Ada these days, if you ask me. Nor enough songs about Irish women going to Hawaii and learning the hula.

Hear it here.

Peter Delaney added to the bill

Peter Delaney will be appearing at the Dublin Ukulele Birthday Party, meaning that we now have Ireland's two leading ukulele performers on the bill in Peter and The Sick and Indigent Song Club's Angie McLaughlin.

Peter Delaney

This shaping up to be a great night, I reckon. Even at this early stage it's looking like the party will sell out in advance, so if you are thinking of coming don't leave it too late or risk just turning up on the night. Reservations can be made on +353 (0)87 989 2994 or by e-mailing bewleysbookings@gmail.com. You reserve your tickets and pay on the night.

Happy Birthday Ukulele

It can't have escaped your attention that the ukulele is 130 years old this year. It has? Oh.

On August 23rd 1879 the Ravenscrag docked at Honolulu after a long and traumatic voyage bringing Portuguese immigrants from Madeira. So happy were the Portuguese to arrive in Hawaii after weeks cooped up in a creaking, stinky, cramped old puffer of a ship with creaking, stinky, cramped old puffers of people, that one of them leapt onto the quayside, whipped out his machete (a Portuguese stringed instrument, not to be confused with a sharp cutting tool - it's a mistake many have made; often with grisly consequences) and began to play.

Watching locals at the harbour were entranced by the performance, and, according to legend, as the player's fingers skipped around the fingerboard began to point and call out "uku lele", meaning 'jumping flea'.

Three Portuguese cabinet makers began to produce simplified versions of the machete on the islands, which became the ukulele - an instrument which, 130 years on to the day, is enjoying almost unprecedented global popularity - including in Ireland.

It's not often you get the chance to attend a 130th birthday party; hence Bewley's Café Theatre presents Happy Birthday To Uke, the hottest ukulele birthday party happening anywhere in Dublin that day. Hell, yeah. One hundred and thirty years to the day after a Portuguese musician dazzled some Hawaiians and sparked the creation of the ukulele, some of Dublin's finest ukulele folk tip the trilby to the jumping flea.

Happy Birthday To Uke
Sunday 23rd August 2009, 8pm
Bewley's Café Theatre, Grafton Street, Dublin
€10

Featuring

The Sick And Indigent Song Club - long established as one of Dublin's best live acts, their irresistable blend of old-time, country and roots is no better exemplified than on their forthcoming new album. Their live reputation is second to none, and that's thanks in no small part to ukulele maestro and songbird Angie McLaughlin, Ireland's top ukulele performer. Every gig is a party to the Sick and Indigent, so who better to help celebrate the 130th birthday of the ukulele in appropriate style? http://www.myspace.com/sickandindigentsongclub

Charlie Connelly - Award-winning broadcaster, bestselling author and ukulele ambassador Charlie Connelly takes us on an entertaining musical journey through the history and culture of the ukulele, a ride that takes in a range of unexpected characters from Marilyn Monroe to Laurel and Hardy via Pearl Jam, Rupert Brooke and Tony Blair. Having performed across the world from London to New York to Hawaii there's no better guide to the quirky, idiosyncratic world of the uke than Charlie. http://www.charlieconnelly.com

Other acts TBC

Admission includes slice of ukulele birthday cake (if we can get one big enough).

Tickets available online soon.

More info - feedback@charlieconnelly.com