July 11, 2007 Was the night of the first Berkeley Ukulele Club meeting. Starting a club is a grand undertaking. Mike DaSilva the www.ukemaker.com of fame has opening his work/loft space to another eclectic group of ukulele players. There were many preliminary issues brought up and discussed before the ceremonious request for the first few songs to be developed. Mike has opened his space many times before for ukefamous artists.

One member of the class Steven Strauss recently performed at the studio debuting his Ukebox CD that has also been seen on Jim Beloff's www.fleamarketmusic.com pages. Steven plays a sweet soft ukulele and was strumming on Mike DaSilva's new painted fish ukulele. Steven has a blog that you're sure to find on google that enjoys music from historical perspective. He's got the music running thru his fingertips effortlessly.

Steven has volunteered to transcribe music for the club. He wowed us with the simple but sweet "moonglow riff". It's sometimes those subtle things that make the difference in a song. Steven is taking on students. He's very patient and observant and has a philosophy for music.

There was a man there named George that I had met in Uncle Hollis' group in Hayward a few months ago. He took my new old Martin Soprano uke and teased us with some Haole standards. He embellished every song sweetly with a few ornament chords.

A young man, named Andrew volunteered the song "Waltzing Matilda" and came up on stage and enthusiastically led the group as Mike DaSilva manned the marker board adding chords as quickly as possible.

A lot really happened in a fairly short time. Perhaps 70-80 people were there to join in. For a beginner I'm sure it was a bit scary for a first meeting. But the main goals of the club are to have fun, teach, and play songs that have some flair. Not just the 3-chord variety but to be true to the original music as well.

It will be an interesting journey. I'm glad to be there and help as much as I can. Thanks Mike. J