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THE UKALALIENS ARE COMING!

Music Trades Magazine - January 2010

THE UKALALIENS is brought to you by folk duo Kate Power and Steve Einhorn from the Pacific Northwest.  They have been conducting retail clinics coast-to-coast sponsored by Kala brand ukuleles.  Authors of the book "The Ukalaliens Songbook, A Beginner's Guide to Ukulele Fun" and companion CD, Kate and Steve have shared the stage with folk luminaries such as Pete Seeger and have performed on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion. 

In their clinics, the Ukalaliens effectively demonstrate how easy it is to turn non-players into ukulele strumming enthusiasts within a few minutes.  After sitting through the hour-long session, many attendees have gone on to create their own ukulele communities or clubs that frequently get together to jam and play songs.  Dan Ross of Columbia River Music, The Dalles, Oregon, stated, “the Ukalaliens helped to build the ukulele community here and to sell instruments.  We have a uke group that now meets to jam at a winery two or three times a months.  They usually come back to buy more than one ukulele.  They buy them for their friends, grandkids.”

According to Jimmy Dougherty, manager of George's Music in Jacksonville, Florida, “The Ukalaliens are a fun and interactive duo who provided some unique entertainment to our customers.  We would love to have them back in the future!”  The workshops provide excellent opportunities for stores to reach new customers and non-musicians.  Attendees often invite their friends and family to join in the fun, creating a community atmosphere.”  The book & CD is the next best thing to being there.  - January 2010

Kate & Steve "bring us to that place that can only be reached at the hands of journeyman artists.  The power and precision of their performance gives me the complete trust to lean into the music, to get lost in it." - NW Examiner, 2009

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"Ukalaliens™ Songbook" book review

by Jim D'Ville, musician, author &  music teacher

Folk troubadours, Kate Power and Steve Einhorn, have created a magical introduction to the wonderful world of ukulele playing with their book and CD project Ukalaiens Songbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Ukulele Fun.  And that’s just what this delightful little book and CD are, fun!  From the whimsical original illustrations by Steve to the diverse collection of simple folk tunes the book will immediately have the aspiring ukuleleist strumming and singing right from the get-go.

For the more adventurous players the book also includes a number of beginning finger-picking patterns and left hand techniques. Another feature unique to the book is handy “flip-flap chord charts" that pop up from the book to demonstrate how to play the tunes in a variety of keys. Steve’s pleasant voice guides you patiently through uke basics and the 19 tunes contained on the CD, which include folk classics Careless Love, Crawdad Hole and Shady Grove, in addition to, the lovely original tunes Annebelle, Under The Moon and Pretty Little Girl.

As an added bonus, the CD contains the glorious harmony singing of Kate and Steve which have made them Northwest folk icons. Kate and Steve project a nurturing spirit that warmly welcomes all to the experience of playing and singing with others. Their relaxed, no hurry, presentation is the perfect welcome to beginning musicians of all ages.

I would recommend the Ukalaliens Songbook to anyone wishing a throughly enjoyable musical introduction to playing the sweetest of stringed instruments, the ukulele.  - Jim D'Ville, Author of The Natural Way to Music

Ukalaliens™ FAQ...

Can I host a Ukalaliens Songbook Workshop?

Yes! Ukalaliens Workshops have been hosted by all kinds of people; Kala Ukulele dealers, music stores, libraries, senior centers, schools and private parties.

The Ukalaliens Workshop is a perfect way to bring people together & introduce them to making music with ukuleles in a fun and accessible way.

We provide two dozen Kala tenor ukes to lend to participants and a free handout based on the Ukalaliens Songbook method and songs.

Where do the Ukalaliens Workshops happen?

Music stores, Kala dealers, Community Centers, Senior Centers, Libraries, Classrooms, Art Galleries, Music Venues, Living Rooms, Wine Bars, Churches, Kitchens, Front Porch, Back Porches, Patios, State Parks, Offices, Grange Halls, Coffeehouses - you name it!  Have ukes will travel!

What's the age group?

Ukalaliens are from 10 to 100 years old. The Ukalaliens Workshop is an entry level method for absolute beginners.  It is designed to work for anybody who wants to learn the ukulele and is old enough to try.

What does it cost to host a workshop and how many students do we need?

The fee for the basic workshop is $300. 
$300  ($10 x 30 participants) for one hour of teaching, playing and singing songs on the ukulele with ukes and handouts.

Contact Kala Ukulele for more information about, support and marketing options for your uke workshop! 

Contact Rick Carlson at rick@kalaukulele.com or 877-853-3853

How do we get the "Ukalaliens Songbook"?

The "Ukalaliens Songbook" & CD is available online through www.qualityfolk.com and in select music stores.

Uke dealers may order the Ukalaliens Songbook wholesale from Kala or on our website at www.qualityfolk.com. 

How long does the workshop last?  1-Hour!

We can teach anything from a one-hour workshop to an extended retreat.  Custom workshops are available that may include other features and time-lengths.  Quality Folk workshops are excellent team builders to develop personal confidence by learning to make music.   Inquiries for all occasions are welcome.  

What kind of space do I need to host a Workshop with Steve & Kate?

Just enough room for people to sit in chairs with their ukulele on their lap.  We teach standing up and use a flip chart.  Kate & Steve alternate teaching and helping individual students in the room throughout the class.  (If PA is available, we use 1 vox mic and 1 instrument mic each or 2 vox mics & 2 DI's).

What does the Kala dealer or Host need to do to have a good turnout?

Download "Ukalalien Songbook Workshop" poster and fill in the details (on your computer or handwrite with a marker).  Put the poster where people will see it.  Strike up a conversation about the uke class with everybody you talk to about taking the class for the pure fun of it.  Make sure your contact info is on the poster for people to get more information and sign up. 

You can sell tickets in advance or take reservations.  If they pay in advance, they are likely show up.  If they don't they might forget so try to get the ticket paid for when they register.

Send out an invitation, flyer or email newsletter to your mailing list.  Email is wonderful for networking for a turnout.  Send an "Evite" to your email list.  You can use the Ukalaliens Poster download in your Evite for your image.  Ask the people in your network to send it to their email lists.  Twitter & Facebook.  Treat it like a "happening" and that's what it'll turn into!  

Some folks like to have a potluck or a little party to spice it up.  Some host the workshop in the afternoon, have a potluck and then a house concert with us (with ALL of our instruments in the menagerie) in the evening.  It can be set up like a class or a salon, the flavor is up to you.  The Ukalalien Songbook Workshop is a good time for your friends & customers to enjoy.

What materials are needed for the Ukalaliens Songbook Workshop?

Nothing but a ukulele! Bring your own or borrow one from us to try.  We have two dozen Kala ukuleles to lend to participants in our workshops.

Hear what Ukalalien workshop participants are saying ...

-  “I liked the fun easy spirit you have. It was great!”
-  “My mind feels tingly. (that’s a good thing!)”
-  “Such personable, funny teachers. It was so easy to learn because I was not intimidated.”
-  “....fun, took away anxiety about difficulty; can have fun knowing only a few chords.”
-  “Fun, fun, fun!”
-  “Loved the picking techniques; very cool!”
-  “I like being in a group of people singing. I like having you two as leaders. I like learning new songs.”
-  “You are very responsive to each of our interests and needs. It is so wonderful! You have provided a unique opportunity for us.  Thank You!”
-  “Love singing in a group.”
-  “I like how accessible & personable you are - happy, fun atmosphere.”
-  “I got in touch with a lot of songs that I haven’t remembered for a while and learned some really great new ones. Knowledgeable.”

-  “I loved gathering with new folks and feeling comfortable with all.”

-  “I like the easy atmosphere, low pressure, friendly ambience, the generosity of Kate & Steve - please keep this up!”

-  “I like the energy of the group, your energy and enthusiasm. You are both very accepting and allowing and that is very important in music,  it allows exploration and creativity.”
-  “Gracias! I love the instant camaraderie and the way you make everybody feel at home and comfortable.”
-  “It was eye-opening for me to learn something about music structure; keys and chords.”
-  “I really enjoy your senses of humor.  You make singing fun.”
-  “Joyful harmony.  I take home a sense of wellbeing and a better understanding.”
-  “I like the fun atmosphere you create to encourage trying new things.”
-  “I really like the upbeat and inclusive nature of the class.  I want to come and adventure.”
-  “Fun, easy style.” “Swell all round!”
-  “Fun atmosphere. Very encouraging. Light mood.”
-  “Just a beginning for me. Thank you for my musical start!”
-  “I like the group singing fellowship with ukuleles.”
-  “I got a lot of ‘hey, I can do this’!  I am standing at this threshold of musical growth and I can now adventure with my ukulele and music.”
-  “I enjoyed the easy-going, fun atmosphere - not scary at all!”
-  “The pleasure of singing as a group learning first chords together was fun.  Great community!  It inspires me to keep singing and playing.”
-  “Personable, funny teachers.  It’s easy to learn and I wasn’t intimidated.”
-  “It was fun.  It took away my anxiety about difficulty.  I can have fun knowing only a few chords!”
-  “I loved the picking techniques, very cool!”
-  “I liked the fun easy spirit you have.  It was great.”
-  “I like the book, thank you!  I like the instructions.  Four stars!  Great class!”

-  “Fun class.  Thanks.

Ukalaliens Songbook is a registered trademark and may not be reproduced in any way without written permission.

Johnny Appleseeds from the Pacific Northwest to far reaches of the nation, Kate Power and Steve Einhorn are putting ukuleles into the hands of the uninitiated and showing them how to play and sing along in one short hour.  No experience necessary.  Fun guaranteed.  Kala Ukulele of Petaluma, California has contributed ukuleles to lend to newcomers, giving the curious a chance to take the ukulele for a spin in Ukalaliens Workshops around the country.

At home in venerable rooms like Club Passim in Cambridge and Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, Kate Power & Steve Einhorn present their Ukalaliens™ workshop in uke-friendly music stores and community settings of all kinds.  Their concert performances, complete with guitars, banjos, ukuleles, award-winning songs and exquisite harmonies, inspire even the most timid to sing and play music.  The Ukalaliens method was created to convert a full room of non-musicians into excited ukulele players ready to make music! 

The “Ukalaliens Songbook” workshop provides a group-friendly experience for adults and gives them the confidence it takes to make music on the ukulele.

Twenty-five years of teaching people their first three chords at Artichoke Music in Portland, Oregon inspired Kate & Steve to write, draw and publish the “Ukalaliens Songbook: A Beginners Guide to Ukulele Fun”, using familiar old folk songs and popular originals in tandem with delightful drawings by Steve Einhorn and an easy-to-learn number system.  The Ukalaliens movement is opening doors for those who never dreamed they could learn to play a musical instrument.

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