Totally Insane Launch Book

Derek & Donna Farrell, Oct 2018

Neill Florence, book launch, Oct 2018

Our talented BUMS performing members, Donna and Derek Farrell, of the duo Totally Insane, featured this week at Neill Florence‘s launch of his new novel “Out of the Shadow”.

This book is the sequel to Neill’s first novel, “The Pursuit of Happiness”.

In period costume, Donna and Derek performed a themed set at the launch of Neill’s first novel.

The couple so delighted the audience, that Neill invited them to help launch the second book in his trilogy about a German family’s migration to, and life within, Australia in the late nineteenth century.

The author, and former high school principal and English teacher, is also a ukulele player. Neill performs with Donna and Derek’s group CHUMS that is based at Compton Gardens, Aspley.

BUMS @ Bony Mt 2018

Mick Angeles went out again to the Bony Mountain Folk Festival to teach Ukulele and spread the BUMS word. He also did a few performances out there as well.
Mick had a total of 16 students of which 12 performed on the Main Stage in the Sunday Farewell Concert. Unfortunately, two participants had to leave camp earlier than expected, one student could not continue with her arthritic fingers and another was in the Warwick Hospital after suffering a mild stroke. “No, I didn’t work them too hard!” stated Mick when questioned by investigators.
Mick was accompanied by fellow BUMS Inc members Cath McCourt on UBass and “The Neighbour”, Gerry Orr on Ukulele.
The students were all basic beginners but were filled with enthusiasm and then fear when Mick informed them that their goal was to perform on Sunday on the Main Stage. Two practices a day were organised but some evening classes were deferred due to shows on the Main Stage. In that timeframe however, they played 8 different songs and learnt 7 different chords including Diminished and Major 7ths. The students performed without the aid of chord shape boxes, only the chord names. After telling them about BUMS Inc, they decided to name themselves the “Bony BUMS”.
For their performance, they played four songs that showed their versatility and prowess. They started their show with a ballad by Simon & Garfunkel, “El Condor Pasa” followed up by the diversely distinct Chuck Berry Rock’n’Roll song “You Never Can Tell”. Then to prove their adaptability, their next song was a Hip Hop number by Will I Am called “I Like To Move It”. After taking their bows and thunderous applause, they walked off playing “Tequila”. What a great group of students. Mick was so proud of them all. After the show they were as excited as schoolkids and smiling and laughing and loving their moment in the lime light.
During the week, Mick and Cath did a walk-up to clear the Bony Mountain dust from their tonsils. Cath also performed with Mick when he was asked to perform in the “Opening Ceremony” and in Mick’s spot on the Saturday afternoon program. Mick was also asked by festival host, Norma O’Hara Murphy, to perform in the “Closing Ceremony” on Sunday night.
This is a fabulous festival and if you get the chance, get yourself along to it. Norma has been running this festival for 8 years now and it keeps getting better every year.

Mick Angeles

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Mick & Mike Outback

Mick Angeles and Michael Willimot have just returned from the Pilbara, teaching and performing. I asked Mick how such a great opportunity came about and what they’ll be doing.

Michael Willimott and I were running the Ukulele Jams in Coopers Bar at the Woodford Festival.

We were approached by a couple who were impressed with our performance and ease with crowds and they asked if we would be interested in playing at their Nameless Festival in the Pilbara at Tom Price. We both agreed it would be fun but never thought anything would come of it.

This couple were the organisers of the festival along with their commitee. They contacted us again around March to re-inforce their request to have us perform at their festival.

To make it worthwhile as it is a long way from Brisbane to the Pilbara, and through conversations at Woodford, they discovered that we taught ukulele and added a further proposal. They asked us to teach the kids ukulele at Paraburdoo Primary School, Tom Price Primary School, Tom Price North Primary School, Tom Price High School and at the Wakathuni Community.
We will also be doing performances for the sponsors, a gig night and at the festival on the weekend.

Sunday we are being treated to a day long trip around Karijini National Park and gorges.

We’ll fly home Monday morning, leaving Paraburdoo at 9.00am and arriving in Brisbane around 11.30pm. Apparently the trip back is quicker … but not by much!

Mick won’t be home for long, he hits the road again early in September to represent BUMS Inc teaching Ukulele School and performing at Bony Mountain Folk Festival- 2018. More info here.

REVIEWS

” What a great week we had Mick Geoff Angeles! It was more than a pleasure to have you with us in our amazing slice of heaven tucked away in the Pilbara. You have truely earned your red dirt passport and a way into our hearts!” Pilbara Geddes (Facebook)

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BUMS at Ukulele Fiesta 2018

The generally sleepy town of Kenilworth was alive with the sounds of ukulele as the Sunshine Coast Ukulele Festival hit town form 19 – 22 April 2018. Many BUMS made the trek up to the SCUMS (Sunshine Coast Ukulele Masters) Ukulele Fiesta to perform, host workshops or just general have a good time.

Congratulations to (in no particular order) Donna & Derek Farrell, Duke Ukem, Trevor Gollagher, Hint of Rosemary, Mama Juju & The Jam Tarts, Kine Kool, Girt By C, Redland City Ukes, Hypnotonics, Vic Kena and all those BUMS who took to the Open Mic up there. You did us proud!

From all accounts …and these photos…a good time was had by all!

See more pics on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastukulelefest/

YouTube performances: A Touch of Rosemary , Duke Ukem, and more on Seailive’s Channel

Hold your cursor on the image to stop it for a good look! Image credit: Liz Crunkhorn.

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Woodford Lions Christmas Parade

NUMB BUMS went back this year to fly the BUMS flag once again at the annual Lions Club Christmas Street Parade in the main street of Woodford. The group first played the parade in 2016, and organisers were so impressed with their energy and enthusiasm that they were invited back this year.

This year, on Friday night, braving chilled winds and light rain, NUMB BUMS presented a strong contingent with 15 performing members making the trek to the mountains. The band played three entertaining sets at the parade markets between 5:30 and 8:30.

Ken, John and Salli

Jo and Marg M.

Lesley and Chris

Andrew, Peter, John H

 

Marg R, Jo and Chrissy

Mick, Andrew, John

 

The Woodford Lions Club Christmas Street Parade is traditionally held on the last day of school, and begins at 5pm. The markets are located on Archer Street, from the corner of George Street, through to Elizabeth Street.

The Brisbane Brigade Packing Day

Brisbane Basket Brigade 2017

The Basket Brigade is the annual campaign of the Magic Moments Foundation, to provide food and gifts for people that need a hand – children, the elderly, hungry & homeless – during the holiday season each year.

Every year since 1955 volunteers share the giving spirit by putting together baskets to be anonymously delivered to families in need close to Christmas.

Mick Angeles and Vic Kena perform at the Brisbane Basket Brigade packing day 2016

Mick Angeles and Vic Kena perform in 2016

Once again in 2017 as a thank you to all the volunteers there is a FREE Concert.

Featuring Keith Pavy (Ol’55) Vic Kena (The Australian Ukulele Show)

ALSO Steve Elbourn, Mick Angeles, Kine Kool, Duke Ukem, Redland City Ukulele, JSD, and David Hethorn.

All the artists have generously donated their time and talent to support this event.

 

 

WHAT: Brisbane Basket Brigade Packing Day

VENUE: Cannon Hill Anglican College, Cnr Junction and Krupps Rd, Cannon Hill

DATE: Saturday 9th 12:15—3:00pm Sunday 10th 8:00am—3:00pm

If you’d like to help out on the packing day weekend and enjoy this fantastic concert for volunteers

register on the website https://www.brisbanebasketbrigade.com/

Download the flyer for all the artists and performing times Basket Brigade Event-Flyer2017

NUMB BUMS, Walk4BrainCancer

NUMB BUMS at Walk4BrainCancer

Rested and re-energised after SPRUKE 2017, NUMB BUMS were delighted to perform to support walkers in the Brisbane’s Walk4BrainCancer at picturesque New Farm Park on Sunday 29 October 2017!

Walk4BrainCancer is the biggest mobilisation of the brain cancer community, taking place across Australia from September to December every year. Cure Brain Cancer joined forces with Queensland’s Newro Foundation for their Brain Tumour Awareness for the national initiative. Brisbane had a fantastic turn out on the day with almost 2,000 people on site, raising over $160,000 for Cure Brain Cancer Foundation. These funds go directly to research into finding a cure for this horrible disease.

The 5 km run or walk along the Brisbane River coincided with the start of the International Brain Tumour Alliance’s awareness week.  A record number of walkers turned out to support the fundraising event, and this year Brisbane exceeded its target of $115000 by earning a grand total of $149,876.

Face Painting Fun

Jo, Zoe and John join the face painting fun at Walk4BrainCancer.

 

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

The NUMB BUMS had a wonderful time performing at the Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser held at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha on the 25th May 2017. It was a staff function to raise money for the Queensland Cancer Council. After performing for staff, Friends of the Botanic Gardens, Volunteer Guides and Ward Councillors of Brisbane City Council, a lovely morning tea was enjoyed by all. Thank you to Paul Harrop for the images.

     

Tropulele 2017

Record numbers of BUMS played at Tropulele 2017. Over the four-day Sunshine Coast uke festival, over 20 BUMS members performed in concerts, open mics and the songwriting competition.

A Hint of Rosemary, Friday afternoon performance (Photo: William Lam)

Popular performers, Girt by C (Peter Ransom) and A Hint of Rosemary (from Corinda), performed on Friday afternoon in the Big Top Marquee. the festival on Thursday afternoon.’ On Saturday, Trevor Gollagher’s group, the Ross Gollager Trio rounded off the afternoon concert, MCed by our very own, Tony Richardson. Lisa Kenwright, Marg Monaghan and Cath McCourt’s entries in the songwriting contest were inspiring.

Marg Monaghan & Dani Jones, in the songwriting contest.

Sunday afternoon included the ever-popular Anything Goes, and Mama Juju and the Jam Tarts.

Lots of BUMS members, individually or in groups, performed at open mic venues around town, and jammed long into the night around their campsites.

Sarah, Kalei and Craig, Saturday night encore

The festival had a fantastic vibe, and Peter Moss, Sarah Maisel, Craig Chee and Kalei Gamiao stunned audiences with their inspirational performances

This was the Sunshine Coast’s most memorable festival yet. A tremendous round of applause for Lynne & Geoff White for another fabulous festival.

If you have any stunning photos of our members performing please send them in. We need a few for our website gallery.

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Bands on the Green

On 19 March the Oxley Neighbourhood Watch, assisted by the Brisbane City Council, hosted Bands on the Green at the Oxley Bowls Club as an opportunity for local families and their friends to get together to enjoy some great music, and great company. Each year, The Watch seeks out bands that can provide the type of music that appeals to the local community. This year BUMS groups, A Hint of Rosemary, The Cage and Free Range chUKES, were invited. They played a wonderful range of lively music to entertain the crowd — from the 50’s to the 80’s and on to the recent hits.