Due to the difficulties of running a Ukulele Group during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Bayside Ukes will no longer be run as a public group at the Hampton Community Centre.
Thank you to everyone who has come to these sessions over the years and made them so much fun.
This website will continue to celebrate ukulele music.
Keep on strumming,
Kat
Due to the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout Bayside Ukes has decided to cease our sessions at the Hampton Community Centre from Term 2 until the beginning of 2022 when most people will have been vaccinated.
We encourage everyone to keep playing your ukuleles and hope you all stay well.
Covid-19 restrictions were eased for everyone in Victoria on the 26th of February 2021.
The main one for ukulele groups is that people do not need to wear a mask while singing as long as they are socially distanced. For Bayside Ukes members this means that you can sing as long as you are seated two metres apart and in rows facing the same direction.
You still may wear a mask if you wish.
Members also need to bring their own songbooks and music stand as we will be socially distanced.
All the other measures listed in the previous post remain the same.
Keep on strumming.
Kat
Bayside Ukes is back next Tuesday, February 9, from 7 to 9.30 PM at the Hampton Community Centre to resume our regular sessions for 2021. We hope that all our members are ready to enjoy real life playing again.
Under our strong Covid-Safe plan, based on State Government rules and recommendations, only 21 people at a time will be able to attend a session in the HCC Main Hall. Participation is only available to members of Bayside Ukes and not casual visitors.
If you wish to join our group you will need to become a 2021 member of the Hampton Community Centre for insurance purposes. Please contact Bayside Ukes via email for details of membership. See right menu for our email address.
Due to the restrictions on the number of attendees, members must book their place each week via email, on a first come, first served basis.
When attending a session, everyone must wear a mask indoors at all times and maintain a social distance of 1.5 metres.
On entry to the HCC participants must register their details for contact tracing using the Centres QR code. If you don’t have a smartphone, make sure you have your own pen to sign in manually.
Seating will be spaced following government guidelines.
Everyone will need their own copies of our two song books (see menu above) and a music stand, as there will be no sharing of music and equipment. Also no-one may play any wind instruments.
During a song only five members at a time will be allowed to sing and must keep on their masks. We will take turns at singing.
There will be no sharing of food and drink. Please bring your own water bottle.
Cleaning procedures will be mandatory for all attendees.
Do not attend a session if you are unwell.
All the above Covid-Safe measures are for everyone’s protection. We want our members to have an enjoyable experience playing together while staying healthy.
We look forward to a time when these steps will no longer be necessary. In the meantime we will do our best to make our sessions as fun as possible.
Keep on strumming,
Kat
Most of the lockdown restrictions have finally eased in Melbourne this week. We have reached the Covid Normal status that everyone was hoping for until a vaccine is readily available here in Oz. Let’s hope it stays this way. We still need to carry and wear face masks when necessary, but summer is here and now everything is looking much brighter.
Bayside Ukes will resume sessions for regular members in 2021 when the Hampton Community Centre will reopen. We will have a Covid-Safe plan as per health regulations to keep everyone safe.
Now is the time to enjoy our well earned holidays, whether staying at home or visiting parts of our beautiful country. Don’t forget to play your ukuleles whereever you may be this summer.
If you are under lockdown in the Northern Hemisphere, take heart from us Melbournians. We got through it and so will you. Our ukulele Zoom sessions were a big help, thanks to the good humour and contributions of all our wonderful members, who kept Bayside Ukes running through difficult times. Keep playing your ukuleles. It makes a difference.
Wishing everyone a Very Happy Festive Season and let’s hope that 2021 brings Peace and Joy to all.
Stay safe and keep strumming,
Kat
Here’s the fun Aussie Christmas Song by Robin Bates full of cliches, Melbourne sporting references and Aussie humour about the silly season down under. It would sound good on ukulele.
The Covid-19 lockdown in Melbourne is now easing and soon many activities will begin again. While this will be great for community groups, we at Bayside Ukes think that there is a need to proceed with caution before starting back at the Hampton Community Centre due to the increased hazard of contracting Covid-19 from the mechanics of group singing. There is a higher risk of contracting the virus in an enclosed space.
For those who are unaware of these health risks, the following video gives detailed health and scientific advice from experts with regard to group singing in an Australian context. This information is also applicable to anyone singing in a group during this pandemic. The video takes about an hour but it is worth viewing for health and safety reasons.
The main recommendation is that singing groups should not get together inside until there have been no new local cases of Covid-19 for at least one month. Bayside Ukes will be following the advice of these experts and we look forward to such a time when we will be able to play together in the real world.
We will update the calendar on this blog before we resume our sessions depending on the rate of transmission of the virus in Melbourne.
In the meantime, here is a fun video by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain of Kraftwerk’s The Model (RIP Florian Schneider).
Stay safe and keep on strumming.
Kat
Next week (Tuesday 28 January) Bayside Ukes sessions begin for 2020 from 7 PM at the Hampton Community Centre. It will be great to get together again to play our ukuleles and sing.
Now is the time to brush up on the songs we did last year and be ready to tackle some new material.
There is nothing like a bit of ukulele madness to make you feel good so come along. We look forward to welcoming any new members. (For more information see our About page).
Kat
Bayside Ukes members had a wonderful time performing at the Sandy Village Festival last Sunday. Despite the slight drizzle, the audience seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Thank you to everyone in the group for their hard work. Another big thank you to our terrific audience and to all the group members, family and friends who came to see our performance.
Finally we would like to thank the Sandringham Village Traders for including us in their music line-up. Bayside Ukes really appreciates their support and we are glad to be a part of such a great festival.
Below are a couple of videos from our performance. More can be found on Bayside Ukes You Tube channel by clicking here.
Kat
Bayside Ukes members are all excited to be invited back for this years Sandringham Village Festival on Sunday, 27 October. We have been busy rehearsing and have some new songs to add to our repertoire.
This year we will be supported by our fantastic drummer, George and have a guest bass player, Anton.
Come and support the Sandy Village Traders and join in the fun and activities from 10am till 4pm. Entertainment will continue in Melrose Street until 5pm. You can check out Bayside Ukes on the main stage. We look forward to seeing you there.
Kat
Bayside Ukes is very busy at the moment getting ready for our spot at the Hills Ukulele Festival on Sunday, May 19. We will be performing on the main stage at 11.00 am and are very excited to have been invited to participate in this wonderful event.
The Hills Ukulele Festival takes place from May 18 & 19 at Emerald, situated in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges which are part of the Greater Melbourne area. For anyone unfamiliar with this precious and scenic area of Victoria the following drone video should give you an idea .
For more information about the Hills Ukulele Festival go to the website by clicking here.
I’m sure many players and fans of the ukulele will greatly enjoy this event and the wonderful setting. Hope to see you there.
Kat
baysideukes.com 