Us rowdy ukulele players did not fit the Berhinger image, is what I have been told.
Anyone going to this year's Wine Country Ukulele Festival?
- Thread starter mds725
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Us rowdy ukulele players did not fit the Berhinger image, is what I have been told.
OP
OP
Just speculation, but I had heard that although Beringer's thought having an ukulele festival at the winery would be good marketing, many non-ukulele visitors to the winery were put off by having to pay the $15 fee for entry to the winery grounds that weekend, when entry onto the grounds is usually free. It's possible that the people who were there for the festival bought less of Beringer's wine than the people who ended up not coming to the winery that weekend would have.
Kanaka916
Well-known member
The first time Beringer was host (2010), there was no entry fee. That event was really good . . . Aldrine, Derick, Brittni, Ukulele Bart, Faith Ako, Dominator, Kimo Hussey, James Hill. I was really surprised when Robb mentioned there was a fee last year. Hopefully, this year will be as equally good.
I may be wrong, but I believe winery visitors did not have to pay.
We were told last year that the festival would not be back to the winery.
I believe ukulele just got a bad rap, as the marketing department felt ukulele did not fit the winery's image.
Elaine works hard and puts on a great event, the college should be an excellent venue.
She told me the workshops will be in classrooms which should be a little better than outside like last year.
marymac
New member
How the heck am I going to decide which uke to bring? I don't want to leave any in the car - might be hot. Dang - I'll have to leave most behind. Sailing-uke - what uke are you bringing? I'd love to see the Ohana 5 string, or your Da Silva tenor (hint hint).
russ_buss
Well-known member
looking forward to the event and seeing some old friends. too bad about the change of venue. that winery was really nice.
jimdville
New member
I was just at the college a couple of weeks ago. It is a really nice venue and self-contained. Although the winery is nice, the events at there were scattered about. I'm looking forward to us all being in the same place at the same time.
OP
OP
I just got my receipt from Elaine at the Wine Country Uke Festival. I got all my first choices for workshops, including Jim D'Ville's "Playing By Ear" and James Hill's "Very Very Sad Music" workshop. Woo hoo!
marymac
New member
Hey MDS - I'll be in your James Hill class! Looking forward to some fun. Uh - except that it's a very SAD class so...can I still be happy about it? Guess so. I just got James' new album and there are some fun songs on it - not all sad. Presumably he'll be playing some songs from it Friday night. I am soooo ready for a vacation.
OP
OP
Hey Mary -- Because of James Hill's worshop I'm brushing up on minor chords. My regret from last year's festival was not taking a James Hill workshop, so I'm hopeful that this one will make me happy even if the songs are sad. Are you planning on bringing a baritone to the festival?
marymac
New member
I don't know my bari chords well enough to play at a workshop. I'll be challenged enough by content without trying to add that on top. Maybe by next year I'll have the bari chords down better! How about you? You bringing a bari?
I don't know if I dare bring more than one uke with me since I don't want to leave anything in the car. I doubt there's covered parking and I wouldn't want to subject any of my ukes to car heat. If I just bring one I know I can carry it around with me.
OP
OP
No, I'm just bringing a tenor, for the same reasons that you aren't bringing your baritone. I'm going to restring my baritone with those one-octave-lower Guadelupe strings just to see what they sound like, but I'd like to have as few other things to have to think about as possible during a workshop or (dare I try?) a jam.
marymac
New member
Did you get the silver or brass Guadalupe strings?
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OP
OP
I bought six sets, which is their minimum, but they threw in a free set. Three of one and four of the other. I figured I could give sets to people if I didn't like them. I haven't tried them yet, though. To be honest, I'm actually enjoying the Kamaka stock strings. Let me know if you'd like to try a set, and I'll bring some with me to the festival.
marymac
New member
Actually I would love to try the silver set. I tried the brass set (and have several sets to give away!) so I'd like to try the silver. The brass just sounded too muddy when strummed on such a small body.
EricStetson
New member
I'll be there. This will be my first time at the Wine Country Uke Festival, I'm staying there in Napa for the 10th and 11th. This'll also be the first time I get to meet up with you folks from the Underground. I'll rock my UU t-shirt. Who's up for drinks?
Looking forward to learning from K-Mid, James Hill, Aaron Keim, and other stand-out names.
-Eric
Looking forward to learning from K-Mid, James Hill, Aaron Keim, and other stand-out names.
-Eric
OP
OP
I'll try to remember to bring a set. Have you by any chance tried Southcoast's nonwound linear GCEA strings for baritone ukulele? I'm thinking of getting them but I'm curious about what other baritone players think of them.
marymac
New member
I have a set but haven't put them on yet. Maybe it's time to try those...
I'm looking forward to meeting other UU members as well. How do we find each other? Also, I've never been to a festival and I really don't know what uke to bring. Any suggestions? I can only play the sopranos after I've practiced extensively on the tenors. Maybe I need a new uke for the festival 
marymac
New member
Ok, I put the Southcoast nonwound linear set on my Mainland mahogany baritone. I love them! It's like having a really deep resonant tenor. I played it with my uke group the other night and it was great fun. Highly recommended!
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