Hi - a news update from DaSilva Ukulele Co.

Lots of new things at DaSilva Ukulele Co.  I wanted to keep this short, but there is just so much going on.
As always, if you need more info please check the website (www.ukemaker.com) , write or call.

First, thanks to all that attended the recent Herb Ohta Jr. workshops.  I am seeing new uke players everyday and
the skill and talent just keeps getting better.

Now for the news -

1) Michelle Kiba's ongoing every-other Monday class continues this Monday, May 7th.   We have both beginner
and intermediate classes and lots of room.  If you want to build your song repertoire, learn new techniques and meet
other like-minded uke players, please join us.  Full details are on the website.

2) Don't miss Plinkity Pleasures #2, May 12th, 8pm.  It is sure to be a wild evening with the best local ukulele talent doing
all manner of ukulele playing.  I suspect we might not be hearing much Hawaiian music and I am sure we'll be exercising
the sound system a bit.   And at $5-10 a seat, a perfect mother's day present.

3) A late addition to the show lineup this month on May 30th, 7pm will be a well known Hawaiian musician.  Joe and
Kristen Souza of Kanilea Ukulele will be introducing Kenneth Makuakane.  He is recognized as a successful
innovator in producing and recording Hawaiian Music as well a prolific songwriter. He has over 100 albums to his
producing credits, working with artist such as Na Leo Pilimehana, Hapa, Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Raiatea Helm,
Obrian Eselu and Jeff Rasmussen.  This is going to be a treat.

4) And soon after that, on June 3, we'll be hosting Vincent Cortese in a special workshop and concert.   Vincent studied
with Roy Smeck for over a decade on four instruments and is the author of the only published biography on the amazing life
of Roy Smeck, "Roy Smeck-The Wizard Of The Strings In His Life And Times."   Vincent will perform on ukulele,
Hawaiian lap steel and tenor banjo many of the styles, techniques and stage performance material that were unique to
Roy Smeck.  This will be Vincent's first ever performance in the Bay Area and will be a rare opportunity to capture a
glimpse into the music and magic of Roy Smeck's unprecedented musical life and legacy.   Need I say more?

5) Mark your calendars NOW!  James Hill will be here for a workshop and concert July 15th.  Yes, he will actually be here
in Berkeley.  In the shop.  Playing for you.

6) I just got back from the New York Ukulele Festival.   As always, I met some wonderful ukulele people and had lots of fun.
I did meet some especially wonderful ukulele players in Bosko & Honey (of YouTube fame) and an ever so humble master player
from Japan,  Shigeto Takahashi.  As it turns out, I made Bosko a deal he couldn't refuse, and he is now a proud owner of a
cedar-topped DaSilva Ukulele concert uke.  It fits his flamenco style perfectly and I couldn't be happier.  And we couldn't leave
Honey out, so she will be getting a DaSilva tenor ukulele to fill out their sound.    And then there is Shigeto.  I met him as he was
getting ready to participate in the Sunday open mic.  As I recall he was playing 12th Street Rag way over the speed limit.   It wasn't
long before I had a newly completed Martin 3 mahogany reproduction in his hands and with his big smile, I knew I had to find a
way to sponsor him with a DaSilva ukulele.  I have posted some video of these artists on YouTube.  Please take a peek and let me
know what you think.  I would like to get them to play some gigs in California, your support would be greatly appreciated. 
Here are a couple of YouTube links to get you started:
Bosko and Honey  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZUy58wCbKc, 
Shigeto - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF25VU0_skU.

7) There are more newly completed ukes in the gallery.  And a special one for my friend Mark Gutierrez.  Check it out.

8)  This YouTube thing is addicting.  I have started to shoot and plan to post video of my building a ukulele.  I think people
will find the process interesting and hopefully gain some insights into this wonderful instrument.  Plan on getting an email from me
as I start to post the videos.

9) And finally - I've been operating a 16 track digital recording studio in the shop the past year.  Mostly been working
on a CD for Al Dodge and the Sundodgers.    I've worked out many of the kinks, learned alot but not enough about
sound-engineering, and can never listen to a CD the same way again.  If you know anyone that needs very reasonably
priced studio time in a great sounding room with several good microphones, please pass this on.

Thanks for listening,

Mike

DaSilva Ukulele Co.
2547 8th Street, #28
Berkeley, CA 94710
510 649-1548
mike@ukemaker.com
www.ukemaker.com