We have a busy three days coming up...
Sawdust Days at the park in Hemlock on Saturday, 9/15 from 2:30-3:30 (please show up by 2:15)
Here's that playlist: https://www.dropbox.com/…/61z62r…/AAB2V21tb5BaP4KXSo99P22Fa…
Pi's and Picnic on Sunday, 9/16 - Lunch at Pi's at 1, picnic at Emerson Park at 2 - bring your updated song folder along. Here's that link: https://www.dropbox.com/…/cqn62q…/AABeZIVx3mn8W6TsafElfBbLa…
Bay Shores on Monday, 9/17 at 3, and Krzysiak's at 5. Out with the old (song folder) and in with the new!
Johnny
Updated SUGAR song folder:
The updated SUGAR song folder (9-9-18) is now posted on Dropbox. I strongly suggest downloading this new version, and after checking that it downloaded properly, that you dispose of the previous version. There are a number of new songs, as well as a dozen or so updated versions of old songs, and this way, we will all have the correct version of all the songs, and there will be no confusion. Here is the link:
I found YouTube videos for some of the new and less familiar songs so I could get some idea of how they go, downloaded them, and put them on Google Drive. They're probably not all the same songs that you don't know very well, but if I'm gonna lead them, I need to have at least a good guess what they're supposed to sound like. Here is a link to where you can find those videos and check them out...
Link to Hemlock Sawdust Days playlist:
Name That Tune! - Submission deadline: 9-8-18
I'm
taking "applications" for new songs for the updated SUGAR
songs folder. If you have songs to submit, here's what I need:
1.
Songs should be familiar (especially to me, you saw what happened at
Krzysiak's last time!), catchy, simple or at least fairly easy to
learn (although we need to keep stretching ourselves, too!), and
clean (no questionable words or themes).
2.
The less work I have to do re-formatting, re-typing, and otherwise
revising songs, the better likelihood there is of getting it into the
new song folder. Here's what I'm looking for:
a.
In a .doc (my preference) or otherwise easily-edited format.
b.
Portrait orientation
c.
Arial font
d.
Chords included within each line of lyrics so as to make it possible
to use as large a font as fits on ONE PAGE
e.
Half-inch margins all the way around
I'm
going to clean out some of the deadwood songs that never get chosen,
and so there should be sufficient room for adding some good new
songs. I will also include a number of the cowboy songs from the
sing-along at the festival in the updated folder, because they are
both already worked-up, and since the Old West will be the theme for
WASSUP5, many, if not all of the songs we will perform in the Friday
night concert will come from this collection. Thanks for your input
and involvement!
Johnny
We have a busy three days coming up...
Sawdust Days at the park in Hemlock on Saturday, 9/15 from 2:30-3:30 (please show up by 2:15)
Here's that playlist: https://www.dropbox.com/…/61z62r…/AAB2V21tb5BaP4KXSo99P22Fa…
Here's that playlist: https://www.dropbox.com/…/61z62r…/AAB2V21tb5BaP4KXSo99P22Fa…
Pi's and Picnic on Sunday, 9/16 - Lunch at Pi's at 1, picnic at Emerson Park at 2 - bring your updated song folder along. Here's that link: https://www.dropbox.com/…/cqn62q…/AABeZIVx3mn8W6TsafElfBbLa…
Bay Shores on Monday, 9/17 at 3, and Krzysiak's at 5. Out with the old (song folder) and in with the new!
Johnny
Updated SUGAR song folder:
The updated SUGAR song folder (9-9-18) is now posted on Dropbox. I strongly suggest downloading this new version, and after checking that it downloaded properly, that you dispose of the previous version. There are a number of new songs, as well as a dozen or so updated versions of old songs, and this way, we will all have the correct version of all the songs, and there will be no confusion. Here is the link:
I found YouTube videos for some of the new and less familiar songs so I could get some idea of how they go, downloaded them, and put them on Google Drive. They're probably not all the same songs that you don't know very well, but if I'm gonna lead them, I need to have at least a good guess what they're supposed to sound like. Here is a link to where you can find those videos and check them out...
Link to Hemlock Sawdust Days playlist:
Name That Tune! - Submission deadline: 9-8-18
I'm
taking "applications" for new songs for the updated SUGAR
songs folder. If you have songs to submit, here's what I need:
1.
Songs should be familiar (especially to me, you saw what happened at
Krzysiak's last time!), catchy, simple or at least fairly easy to
learn (although we need to keep stretching ourselves, too!), and
clean (no questionable words or themes).
2.
The less work I have to do re-formatting, re-typing, and otherwise
revising songs, the better likelihood there is of getting it into the
new song folder. Here's what I'm looking for:
a.
In a .doc (my preference) or otherwise easily-edited format.
b.
Portrait orientation
c.
Arial font
d.
Chords included within each line of lyrics so as to make it possible
to use as large a font as fits on ONE PAGE
e.
Half-inch margins all the way around
I'm
going to clean out some of the deadwood songs that never get chosen,
and so there should be sufficient room for adding some good new
songs. I will also include a number of the cowboy songs from the
sing-along at the festival in the updated folder, because they are
both already worked-up, and since the Old West will be the theme for
WASSUP5, many, if not all of the songs we will perform in the Friday
night concert will come from this collection. Thanks for your input
and involvement!
Johnny
Songs for 2018 Midland Festival (link)
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dr1ht3nh9o4hfzv/AAA5izmtXzQ3MphemvOHfq8Ra?dl=0
We're playing from 5:45-6:10 in the Fair Center on Saturday (8/25), so please be there at 5:30 to get set up. - Johnny
Info for Seasons event on 8-15-18
Here is the link to the "beach songs" song folder for the next SUGAR engagement on the calendar, which is on Wednesday, August 15th from 1-1:45pm at Seasons in Midland (NE corner of Saginaw and Dublin Roads)...
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dtkruf90t5qunp7/AAC0WGZcq0EenM0mGtElu29wa?dl=0
Looking ahead ... waaaay ahead!
It is with great pleasure that I can inform you that arrangements have been made for our special guest at WASSUP5...
Petey Mack (Pete McCarty) has agreed to come up north and be our featured performer! Bring your best voice and best ukulele(s) along, and be ready for a fun time singing along.
The dates are Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9, 2019, which may seem like a long way off, but will arrive just in time to relieve the doldrums of the midwestern winter.
The theme for WASSUP5 is cowboy songs and the Old West, so get yourself a cowboy hat and whatever Western wear floats your boat.
In the meantime, the Midland Folk Music Festival is fast approaching, so if you're within shouting distance of Midland, clear your calendar for the dates August 23-26, 2018, and make plans to head this way. Here's a link with MFMF info: http://www.folkmusicsociety.org/p/folk-festival.html
What's new with SUGAR?
There
was some confusion at Krzysiak's regarding song versions for some
upcoming SUGAR engagements, so I would like to clear all that up, and
I also made one folder with the songs we will be using for four of
these events in the month of August, 2018. I have recently added
some one-off outings for us for August to our customary engagements
at Sullivan's and Krzysiak's, so here is that list of times, dates,
and places...
Friday, July 27th - Bay Shores in Bay City from
noon-12:30, we are playing to support the Alzheimer's Association.
Friday,
August 3 - the Great Lakes Loons have invited us to play before the
game that evening from 6-7pm in the concourse(s) as part of their
Margaritaville Night promotion. I (Johnny) will not be available for
this event, and I need to know before Monday, July 30th, how
many people in our group would commit to doing this event, so we can
give the Loons' promotions director an answer.
Thursday,
August 9 - Concert at Clare City Park from 6-8pm. We will do songs
1-6 in the Dropbox folder by ourselves, and then collaborate with the
Clare uke group (SUN) for songs 7-11. Please be there at 5:30 if you
are planning to participate. The Elderly Brothers will also be doing
a set as well as a solo set by myself.
Wednesday,
August 15 - we will be playing beach music at Seasons in Midland (NE
corner of Dublin and Saginaw Roads) from 1:00-1:45pm. I will create
a list of familiar songs that go along with the beach theme and
publish that list in the near future.
Saturday,
August 25 - I am expecting to be asked to be part of the pre-concert
at the world-renowned Midland Folk Music Festival that evening, and
will choose some familiar songs from our August 2018 list that will
prove to those in attendance how tremendously entertaining SUGAR can
be!
Please
download this folder and bring it along with you to these August
events, and hide all my previous failed attempts to literally get
everybody on the same page! ;-) Here's the Dropbox folder link:
Johnny
Friday, July 27th - Bay Shores in Bay City from noon-12:30, we are playing to support the Alzheimer's Association.
Johnny
Additional Play Dates for July and September 2018
I just added another event for July... SUGAR will be playing from noon-12:30 on Friday, July 27th at Bay Shores (in Bay City on Midland Rd., about 1/2 mile west of Euclid) for a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association. We will just go with the songs for the Clare concert, which I send out shortly.
Also, SUGAR was engaged to play at the Hemlock Sawdust Days festival on Saturday, September 15th, from 2:30 until 3:30, so mark your clanders accordionly. - JH
Re: Dow Gardens
6/27/18 concert has been cancelled. :-(
Re: Dow Gardens
6/27/18 concert has been cancelled. :-(
CORRECTED link to SUGAR songs for Dow Gardens concert on 6/27/18
CORRECTED link to SUGAR songs for Dow Gardens concert on 6/27/18
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p234gwpczb8k73d/AABmcU_7LBeczzRDWPtrqgIRa?dl=0
FREE UKULELE LESSON FOR BEGINNERS...
Do you know somebody who is "ukulele-curious"? Here is a free one-hour beginners' lesson at Herter Music Center on Thursday, June 21st at 3:30pm that they would enjoy... JH
The people have spoken!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p234gwpczb8k73d/AABmcU_7LBeczzRDWPtrqgIRa?dl=0
FREE UKULELE LESSON FOR BEGINNERS...
Do you know somebody who is "ukulele-curious"? Here is a free one-hour beginners' lesson at Herter Music Center on Thursday, June 21st at 3:30pm that they would enjoy... JH
The people have spoken!
Here are the results of the voting for the Dow Gardens playlist in order of votes cast. We will play them in this order with Pearly Shells being last, and if anything needs to be cut, it will be those songs at the end of the list (but not Pearly Shells).
Born to Be Wild
Blue Bayou
Move It On Over
Don't Let the Rain Come Down
Carolina in the Morning
Pearly Shells
Blue Bayou
Move It On Over
Don't Let the Rain Come Down
Carolina in the Morning
Pearly Shells
MUD8, Carrollton Senior Club
Props to all who were able to be part of Mighty Uke Day over the weekend! I thought that SUGAR really shined at the open mic on Saturday, and did ourselves proud.
Wednesday, 5-16-18, we play at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4640 N. Michigan (just south of TIttabawassee) from noon-1pm, and then are welcome to stay and dine afterward. Let's arrive early enough to be ready to play right at noon, and I was asked if we would sing Sweet Caroline and that one other song which I don't remember (but will find out Wednesday!). - JH
The people have spoken!
Here's the play list for MUD8. We will start at the top of the list and just play until our allotted time is up, which I suspect will be 3 songs...
1. Harper Valley PTA
2. End of the World
3. Loco-Motion
4. It's My Party
5. Sugar Town
We will rehearse these songs at Sullivan's and Midland Bickford before MUD8 gets here, so be sure to have them along with you.
Fathers' Day song to download and put on your tablet:
MUD8, Carrollton Senior Club
Props to all who were able to be part of Mighty Uke Day over the weekend! I thought that SUGAR really shined at the open mic on Saturday, and did ourselves proud.
Wednesday, 5-16-18, we play at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4640 N. Michigan (just south of TIttabawassee) from noon-1pm, and then are welcome to stay and dine afterward. Let's arrive early enough to be ready to play right at noon, and I was asked if we would sing Sweet Caroline and that one other song which I don't remember (but will find out Wednesday!). - JH
The people have spoken!
1. Harper Valley PTA
2. End of the World
3. Loco-Motion
4. It's My Party
5. Sugar Town
We will rehearse these songs at Sullivan's and Midland Bickford before MUD8 gets here, so be sure to have them along with you.
BONUS KRZYSIAK'S VISIT...Monday, 4/30/18 at 5pm. We'll be selecting and rehearsing MUD8 songs, and then we'll have one more rehearsal at Sullivan's on Saturday, 5/5/18 at 10:30am. MUD open mic is Saturday, 5/12/18 at 2pm at Sir Pizza on Grand River in Old Town Lansing.
Important! SUGAR song folder update info...
The SUGAR song folder has been updated and replaced. At the bottom of this note are instructions where to find the new and current song folder, which should be good for the next six months or so. Shoot me a note if you have any questions. - JH
Added songs include:
Banned in Boston
Black Velvet Band (better version)
Bobby's Girl
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (better version)
Five Hundred Miles
Freight Train
In the Valley of the Moon
Lollipop
New York, New York
Pistol-packin' Mama
Ramblin' Rose
Black Velvet Band (better version)
Bobby's Girl
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (better version)
Five Hundred Miles
Freight Train
In the Valley of the Moon
Lollipop
New York, New York
Pistol-packin' Mama
Ramblin' Rose
Deleted songs include: (we have never chosen any of these songs to play)
Amie
Back Home in Indiana
Beautiful Ohio
Black Velvet Band (crummy version)
Burning Love
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (chorus only version)
Fly Me to the Moon
Grandfather's Clock
Hello Ma Baby/Tootsie
If You Knew Susie
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Meet Me in St. Louis
Something About a Ukulele
Back Home in Indiana
Beautiful Ohio
Black Velvet Band (crummy version)
Burning Love
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (chorus only version)
Fly Me to the Moon
Grandfather's Clock
Hello Ma Baby/Tootsie
If You Knew Susie
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Meet Me in St. Louis
Something About a Ukulele
Two ways to update to the current folder:
1. The easiest way to have the current song collection is to upload the folder entitled " !SUGAR song folder - ver. 032818 ", and once it is successfully uploaded to your device, delete the "All the SUGAR songs on Johnny's tablet - 12-4-17" folder. The link to the now current and updated folder is: https://www.dropbox.com/…/xrkzvs…/AADI1s6Cd8YAgTLYpSTXmKmEa…
1. The easiest way to have the current song collection is to upload the folder entitled " !SUGAR song folder - ver. 032818 ", and once it is successfully uploaded to your device, delete the "All the SUGAR songs on Johnny's tablet - 12-4-17" folder. The link to the now current and updated folder is: https://www.dropbox.com/…/xrkzvs…/AADI1s6Cd8YAgTLYpSTXmKmEa…
2. There is a good possibility that you will end up with an incomplete list if you do it this other way, but if you really want to just upload the new songs, you will also have to delete the 12 songs on the list above beginning with "Amie", and then add these 11 new songs to the existing song folder , which can be found at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/…/dbfii2…/AABOj4NCi2_uFeCPVuJw8_kfa…
After doing this, you may want to rename this song folder to "... ver. 032818".
Monday - 3-19-18
Bay Shores from 3-4, and Krzysiak's from 5-6:30. Open book - we don't have to rehearse any more!
I'd like to discuss WASSUP4, too - what went well, what could stand some tweaking, and any new ideas you may have. Also, there will be a brief accounting of the financing.
If anyone picked up any paperwork such as the leftover programs and name badges, or a black capo that somebody lost at the festival, please bring it along with you, and I will make sure they get it back. - Hunt
WASSUP4 News...
If you're not on Facebook, you may have missed some of this important news and links, so here is a poster that tells about what we do at WASSUP4, a tentative schedule of events, and links to the songs for the flash mob on Saturday afternoon.
Ukester Brown is coming to town! WASSUP4 has its headliner in place, and I am pleased to announce that Ukester Brown has agreed to come to Michigan to teach and perform at WASSUP4. The dates are Friday and Saturday, March 9th and 10th, 2018, so when Old Man Winter is just about ready to pack his bags and leave town, the Ukester (David Remiger) will be here to help usher in the ukulele festival season here in Michigan. Grab your 2018 calendar and block out the dates, and tell your family that you're going to be in Midland that weekend...
On-going monthly SUGAR activities:
1st Saturday of the month - Sullivan's Restaurant on Gratiot (M-46) from 10:30-noon.
1st Monday of the month - Bickford Cottage in Midland from 10:30-11:30 (excepting not New Year's Day 2018)
3rd Monday of the month - Bay Shores on Midland Rd. in Bay City from 3-4pm, and Krzysiak's from 5-6:30pm.
DATE CHANGE and IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!
We got bumped from Midland Bickford this month and next, and were offered the date of Monday, October 2, 2017 at 10:30, so I took it. Please scratch September 25th and October 23rd from your calendars, and add October 2nd.
ALSO, the new SUGAR song folder is available to download at
I STRONGLY suggest downloading this version and then tossing the previous version, so we will all be on the same page(s) at future SUGAR events.
Thanks, Hunt
New SUGAR song folder, September 10th picnic news
Hi, Friends:
I have finished the project of updating the SUGAR digital songbook by adding some new songs, ditching some duplicated and unused songs, and just tidying things up.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you download the link called "All the SUGAR songs on Johnny's tablet - 9-3-17", and after doing so, discard the previous folder dated 3-??-17.
Here is the link to the new song folder we will be using from now into the foreseeable future: https://www.dropbox.com/…/79rro5…/AACsB55syiUu9ADu_f5P-Jgua…
If you have problems, i will try to help you, but you are better off asking a millennial to help you, since I am not a computer guru. 
I hope to see you at our picnic on Sunday, September 10 at 1pm at Stratford Woods in Midland. This park is located on E. Ashman in Midland, just west of the US-10 overpass. You can access the park from Waldo Rd. by turning west on E. Ashman, and then taking the last driveway on the south side of E. Ashman before the overpass.
We will be having chicken and whatever you bring as a dish to pass shortly after 1, and will provide tableware and a few choices of drinks. Bring your uke and your updated tablet/binder with the new songs included, and we will make some music and offer anyone interested a turn at the mic.
We will be having chicken and whatever you bring as a dish to pass shortly after 1, and will provide tableware and a few choices of drinks. Bring your uke and your updated tablet/binder with the new songs included, and we will make some music and offer anyone interested a turn at the mic.
Hunt
August 2017 SUGAR happenings
Wednesday, 8-2-17 - Light Up the City walk in Old Town Saginaw - this is a luau-themed event, and we are to play at First Presbyterian Church on Court St., which is the hospitality center for this event from 5:30-6:30pm. We will use the Castle/Edson list for this outing.
Saturday, 8-5-17 - Sullivan's on Gratiot from 10:30-noon (regular monthly event).
Monday, 8-21-17 - Bay Shores on Midland Rd. in Bay City from 3-4pm, and then Krzysiak's from 5-6:30pm.
Thursday through Sunday, 8-24 to 8-27-17 - Midland Folk Music Festival at the Fairgrounds. We will playing Saturday night at dinner time before JH/S and the evening concert. More details as they become available.
Monday, 8-28-17 - Midland Bickford again, 10:30-11:30.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Got the urge to play your uke with other people, share songs, or learn some new techniques? SUGAR is the group for you!
Want to learn how play the ukulele? The PEANUT program will teach you how!
SUGAR - Saginaw Ukulele Gurus And Rookies
PEANUT - People Every Age Need Ukulele Training
Mission Statement: SUGAR was organized with two goals in mind:
- Goal 1: Make music
- Goal 2 Have fun making it!
EVERYONE IS WELCOME to join SUGAR - beginners, experts, curious folks, singers, listeners, and people who smell bad. Well, almost everyone is welcome...
You will be happy to know that brand new beginner ukes can be purchased for as little as $30-40, which is a small enough investment to try it out and see if this is something that you might enjoy. Depending on the group's needs, we can do some instruction, some performing, or whatever else we choose to do!
The songs that we will be singing and playing each month will be publicized well in advance giving you a chance to print them out, and even pr-pr-practice ahead of time if you wish. Feel free to email the SUGAR group leader at johnnyhunt57@yahoo.com for information and help with downloading the group's songs. Come and share in the fun of strummin', singin', and playin' our ukuleles!
- First Saturday of the Month
- 10:30 am to 12:00 noon
- Sullivan's Restaurant
- 5235 Gratiot Road, Saginaw, Michigan
- Third Monday of the Month
- 5:00 pm to 6:30pm
- Krzysiak's House
- 1605 Michigan Ave., Bay City, Michigan
You will be happy to know that brand new beginner ukes can be purchased for as little as $30-40, which is a small enough investment to try it out and see if this is something that you might enjoy. Depending on the group's needs, we can do some instruction, some performing, or whatever else we choose to do!
PEANUT group lessons are being offered this fall (September-December 2017) in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw, and at SVSU. This five to six-week course will teach you some basic chords, and get you playing and singing right away! Again, contact Johnny Hunt at johnnyhunt57@yahoo.com
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______________________________________
Some Summer SUGAR Sightings:
Friday, June 23rd - SUGAR is part of the Frankenmuth Fun Night program, and will be playing as a yet-unidentified spot along Main Street from 6-9pm. Bring a chair, a music stand, and your SUGAR songbook/tablet along, and we'll just freestyle it and try to keep ourselves and any innocent by-standers entertained. We may descend upon an unprepared restaurant afterward if anybody has any gas left in the tank after playing for three hours. :-)
Monday, June 26th - the regularly-schedule stop at Bickford Midland (NE corner of Jefferson Ave. and Joe Mann Blvd.) will take place at 10:30-11:30, with optional lunch following.
Saturday, July 1st - SUGAR will meet as scheduled at Sullivan's on Gratiot from 10:30-noon, and do our thing.
Thursday, July 6th - SUGAR will play at the Castle Museum in Saginaw (500 Federal St. on the friendly east side of town) from noon-12:45. We will be using the patriotic/hula package of songs we used on the USS Edson, and I will be interjecting some ukulele history as part of the presentation as well, since I was asked when setting this up to do so.
Friday, July 7th - it's back to the mean streets of Frankenmuth for another installment of Friday Fun Night from 6-9pm. Since it's July 4th weekend, we will include some patriotic music, as well as whatever else strikes our fancies.
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SUGAR plays at the USS Edson on Saturday, May 20th from 3-4pm.
Here is the package of songs to bring along: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rt4muto0wbrft39/AACVBIO3tSUiJ1Nc9ib_qNLka?dl=0
If you're interested in touring the Edson before we play at 3, please let Dave Garn know (if you haven't done so already). E-mail Johnny for Dave's contact information if you need it. Thanks!
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SUGAR shirts to be ordered soon...
Do you need a SUGAR shirt like the one in all the pictures? If so, another batch of the Maui Blue polo shirts are going to be ordered soon.
See Katherine Machul at Sullivan's on Saturday, 5-6-17, or contact Katherine at Kgmakul2@gmail.com to order and pay for your shirt. Sizes XS to XL are $21.00 and 2XL is $23.00.
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Next stop on the 2017 uke circuit is Mighty Uke Day - May 12-14
SUGAR has a slot at 2pm in the open mic line-up on Saturday, May 13th, at Sir Pizza. There is a also a group strum in the morning at Sir Pizza, and many other activities scheduled all weekend. Here's the link for more information... http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f6b0ff0e1e5fd719599ac1c7b&id=b0fe1ec96f
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WASSUP3 is fast approaching!
What is up? WASS is UP! On Friday and Saturday, March 10th and 11th of 2017, SUGAR is presenting its third annual ukulele festival, which is free and open to all!
Here's a flyer that gives an outline of what is happening, and if you desire more details, contact Johnny Hunt at johnnyhunt57@yahoo.com... Plan to be there!
______________________________________________________________Here's a flyer that gives an outline of what is happening, and if you desire more details, contact Johnny Hunt at johnnyhunt57@yahoo.com... Plan to be there!
