RIP Ukulele Bizarro Blog!

(**LAST BLOG on this BLOG**)

Bonjour! It's been quite literally years amis de Montreal Ukulele Bizarro! So many things have changed...so many baritone ukulele albums have been released. Zut - I hardly know where to begin!

The Ukulele Bizarro founders have all zip zapped in various creative directions. You can tune in to Risa Dickens and Amy Torok's MISSING WITCHES podcast to learn about witches lost and found, past and present. See what multi-disciplinary artist MEB has been up to as of late. Hear my latest two albums The Tides and A Pocket Full of Lullabies (bilingual lullaby project) or find/follow my adventures audio and visual here: official homepage, instagram, facebook and twitter. Enjoy and happy fall to you all!

Here's a clip of me performing a track from my latest album in San Antonio with thereminist fantastique Jess Decuir.

It's that time of the year when we usually have a "Ukulele Bizarro" cabaret all organazized and ready to rumble but this year Krista Muir was busy writing, recording and producing a mini operetta for the interactive public art collective "Daily Tous Les Jours." Entitled "Kit Operette," this fully immersive installation just opened as part of the group show "Joue Le Jeu" at the Gaité Lyrique in Paris, France. It runs until August 12th if you are in Paris and want to play in the cities most beautiful gallery space.

Instead of programming a "Ukulele Bizarro" Krista will be performing new works and old favorites along side ukulele legend James Hill and special guests at the first "Montreal Uke Fest" on Saturday, July 14th at Sala Rosa/Casa del Popolo. This will be the most uke-centric event of the summer produced by the lovely "Ukulele Club de Montreal" who first performed live at the UkePop Festival in 2010. Performances, workshops and films...come out come out and bring your uke!

Indyish Ukulele Bizarro IV!

Dear fellow uke enthusiasts and ukulele bizarro fans,

Now that we've come out of hibernation, Montreal is getting ready to celebrate summer sunshine, music and outdoor festivities and the Fringe Festival is on the top of our lists!

Come one come all to the Indyish Ukulele Bizarro (#4) to hear amazing uke stars and starlettes and bring your own uke for the 9-10pm sing-a-long.

Amy Torok, MEB, Krista Muir (performing baritone uke songs from her May 2011 release "Between Atoms") and friends fill out this stellar bill!

*Free, all ages event!

Ukulele Bizarro III - Schnelles Belles!

SCHNELLES BELLES indeed! The Ukulele Bizarro III was an amazing night! Many made the trek to the remote but cozy Centre St-Ambroise and were welcomed in for an evening of kitschy, melodic and quirky fun.

The night started out with Miss Amy Dynamite with her frost-inspired solo act...












Then came MEB accompanied by handsome cowboy Jacques who kept to the four-string theme on his acoustic bass...Krista Muir took to the stage with her baritone and performed new songs from her upcoming album "Between Atoms."

Then came the raffle! The Aquatic Pack, The Kitchen Pack, and The Music Pack. And the much coveted grand prize - Krista's autographed baritone ukulele (her first! a Hilo she used to record "Leave Alight" and tour Europe with...). All the winners were pleased as punch. Especially Linda who won the uke...lucky gal!








Krista was ecstatic that Priscilla, her uke student, performed her first ever gig that night and stole the show! Here they are performing an original number the "Belles of the Del" before the "Schnelles Belles" 6-piece ukulele ensemble played a selection of holiday tunes.


Then came the featured group of the night...The brand new Schnelles Belles ukulele ensemble. Here they are performing their version of "Blue Christmas," (with a beautiful solo by Marie-Eve) "Quand Le Soleil Dit Bonjour," and "Merry Christmas Everybody."

Happy holidays and see you at the next Ukulele Bizarro!

Schelles Belles Ukulele Ensemble

The holiday edition of the ever-popular "UKULELE BIZARRO" cabaret is coming up fast and furious. This one is going to be a real barn burner so mark your calendars and get your bedazzled jumpsuits and ukuleles ready.

Thursday, December 9th, Krista Muir will host the third Ukulele Bizarro at the Centre St-Ambroise. This cabaret features Amy Dynamite, MEB, and for their first show ever, the "Schnelles Belles" ukulele brigade. 6 ladies. 6 ukes. YES!

Come for the ukes of many colours; stay for the raffle (prizes include private uke lessons, absurd art and more...), beer and much cheer!

December 9th, 2010
Centre St-Ambroise - 5080-A St. Ambroise
Doors 8:00, Show 9:00-10:30pm
Tickets at the door: PWYC - $1.99-49.99

*If you'd like to join in on our finale number for the evening "Merry Christmas Everybody" (by Slade) bring your uke and play along.

UkePop 2010 - Ukulele Bizarro Action!

Well after all the blood, sweat and a few fears, the UKEPOP festival came off without a hitch. What a beautiful, inspirational and often hilarious night! They said it couldn't be done...6 back-to-back ukulele acts without switchover time...but we clocked in exactly at one hour fifty minutes. A feat!

All of the performers rocked the stage in their many-splendored styles - Ukulele Club de Montreal (their first ever show - what a treat), NIVE (Greenlandic bliss - see photo), Beaver (fresh off the 5-day uke boat), Erin Lang & The Foundlings (beautifully arranged), MEB (a voice like honey - photo below), and Krista Muir & The Enhancers (ELO tribute was harmonic bliss!). Only Miss Dynamite was missed - she fell ill and couldn't perform but next year she'll be back in full force!

Tony and Margaret stopped off on their 3-month tour of uke festivals and happenings with their documentary "Mighty Uke" which was hilarious and inspirational and caused a few watery eyes to be sure.

Krista hosted a one-hour play-along that was well-attended and some classics were learned ("You Are My Sunshine," "Mr. Tambourine Man"...). At the end of the night we had a draw for the brand new uke (photo: Krista pulling the winning ticket!) courtesy of "www.ukejunky.com" - a local Montreal distributor of all things uke!

Thanks to everyone for making this years UkePop such a wonderful event! We're looking forward to UkePop 2011 so if you are interested in participating please email your EPK/website with a short note about you and your uke to kristamuir *at* gmail *dot* com!

And watch out...there may be a special showcase at PopMontreal in the fall...

Spring is Springing with UkePop!

UkePop is the first ever ukulele-centric festival combining the forces of local composer/performer Krista Muir and PopMontreal. "UkePop" will appeal to uke novices, seasoned veterans and everyone in between. "Uke Hero" (16h) is a ukulele strum and sing-a-long hosted by Muir so bring your uke along and learn a tune or two! The "Mighty Uke" (19h) documentary by Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher, pays tribute to the powerful and inspirational global uke movement. The Ukulele Bizarro Cabaret (21h) reveals just how versatile the tiny axe is with performances by six local uke acts including MEB, Erin Lang, Miss Dynamite, Ukulele Club de Montreal, Krista Muir, Beaver Sheppard and our international guest from Greenland NIVE.

There will also be a Uke Booth at Puces pop where you can browse through a selection of gorgeous ukes or sign up for beginner uke classes. We will also be raffling off a ukulele courtesy of local acoustic instrument distibutor Ukejunky.

Tickets $8/10 (Phonopolis, Atom Heart, Cheap Thrills & l'Oblique)