Kindred Gathering grows Harmony

After fighting flash floods and a persnickety starter in our VW, Steve and I barreled up I-5 and jumped with both feet onstage at Kevin Fallon's NW Guitars in Bellevue, Washington to lend ukuleles and deliver our Ukalaliens Workshop to a room full of 30+ people waiting to explore the mighty ukulele. One hour later, the initiated were playing, strumming and singing with big smiles and nice harmonies and dozens of new Ukalaliens hit the street. It was great to share the Kala ukuleles to make beautiful music with everybody there and it worked! The sweet sounds of the uke strings filled the night in Bellevue at NW Guitars and we left happy and ready for the next adventure.

Little did we know that the next adventure was an overheated starter that wasn't going anywhere. With a jump start and popping the clutch, we were back on the road and headed to play, teach and commune at the 35th Kindred Gathering in beautiful Shelton, Washington. This is a gathering of dulcimer enthusiasts that has been held in a different spot on the Pacific Rim every year and people come together to share music, food, campfires and friendships over a few days. The Saturday night concert is a highlight of the weekend and includes everyone, even the youngest player, to share a song.

Admidst 70 unsuspecting mountain dulcimer players, we gathered in the grove around our campsite to teach the uke-curious our Ukalaliens Songbook Workshop at the festival after Sunday breakfast. Before long, twenty people were singing under the trees and harmony was in the air.

It's not hard to imagine how fun it is to get people playing music for the first time. It's a gentle conversion that allows even the least experienced to play songs and sing along in just a matter of minutes. The smiling faces of all of the new uke players remains the sweetest memory of the last few days.

Next stop, Tuesday night happy hour and singalong at the Airplay Cafe! Only two Tuesdays left. This has been a great summer of singing with our Portland neighbors on Tuesdays. The last one will be 8/25 and, yes, we will bring ALL the ukes that night. Come sing with us!

With thanks,
Kate