The EduKated Fleas - Ukulele Swing!

The Big Hits… On Small Instruments!

Ukuleles are small. Yet, ukulele duet Greg Doyle and Wendy Matthews play the big hits, favoring swing and vintage tunes – as well as a few things you might not expect to hear on uke. The Fleas have been playing together as a ukulele duo since late 2006, united by a common love of the music from the 20s through 50s. As the Fleas soon discovered, ukes are perfect for these cheerful, melodic tunes. The Fleas feature both Greg and Wendy on vocals, often in harmony.

Greg Doyle, on baritone uke, is a guitarist whose musical interests span Swing to Surf and beyond. He has been playing guitar since his teens and was a long-time member of Vic Schwarz’s Acoustic Workshop, a Hudson Valley-based, six-piece string band. Greg teaches uke and guitar privately.

Wendy Matthews, on soprano uke, was charmed by the instrument’s portability and quirkiness, and took it up a few years back to accompany her singing. She has been singing and playing a variety of instruments since her teens. In a previous life, she was a member of Bad Attitudes, a four-woman music and comedy troupe.

The Fleas have delighted audiences in venues as varied as the Clearwater Festival, Hoot on the Hudson, Ukulele Cabaret and New York Ukulele Festival, as well as street fairs, restaurants, libraries, art openings and private parties across New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. On her travels, Wendy has also performed in exotic locales such as Honduras and Borneo!

Looking for a great gift? The Fleas' full-length CD, "It Had To Be Uke" is now available! Get it directly from us: $15 + 3.50 if you'd like it mailed to you. Just use this link to our PayPal page.
Also available for download on CD Baby and Amazon.

Wedding? Special birthday? Cocktails on the patio? Let the Fleas add some fun to your next event: edukatedfleas@edukatedfleas.com

Monday, September 5

September!

Join us to jam, for uke lessons or for brunch!

Swing Jam, Sunday, September 11th, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot -- or we might be out on the patio. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

Brunch at Note, Sunday, September 18, 12 to 3. Note Kitchen and Bar, 227 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel CT. We are delighted to return to Note! Join us for lunch or brunch on the patio or indoors if the weather doesn't cooperate. Note has great food and drink, and a perfect outdoor spot to relax and enjoy the last bit of summer. No cover charge.

Uke classes start September 13! Join Wendy for a group uke class! Continuing beginner or Intermediate classes start on September 13 at the Redding Heritage Center. Class will also be offered on Zoom. Reply to this email for more information.

Monday, June 27

July dates with the Fleas!

We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming events!

Swing Jam, Sunday, July 3rd, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot -- or we might be out on the patio. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

Uke From Scratch! Saturday, July 9th, 2:00pm. East Fishkill Community Library, 348 Route 376, Hopewell Junction, NY. Think you'd like to give the uke a try? Here's your chance!! Join us for a beginner lesson, and we provide the ukes!! FREE! Register here:

Brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, July 10th, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. Join us for our Ukulele Swing brunch at the Crier! Toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Uke From Scratch! Thursday, July 14th, 3:00pm. Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd., Brookfield CT. Think you'd like to give the uke a try? Here's your chance!! Join us for a beginner lesson, and we provide the ukes!! FREE!

Edukated Fleas in Concert! Thursday, July 21st, 3:00pm. Grinnell Library, 2642 E Main St, Wappingers Falls, NY. Join us at a FREE concert of Fleas Favorites! Part of the Grinnell Summer Concert Series, in the outdoor pavillion.

Tuesday, April 26

May dates with the Fleas!

Edukated Fleas in Concert! Sunday, May 1st, 2:00pm. John C. Hart Library, 1130 E. Main St., Shrub Oak, NY. We're delighted that Eric Marshall will be joining us on bass at this free concert of Fleas Favorites! Register here.

Swing Jam, Sunday, May 8th, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

Uke From Scratch! Saturday, May 21st, 2:00pm. Hendrick Hudson Library, 185 Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose NY. Think you'd like to give the uke a try? Here's your chance!! Join us for a beginner lesson, and we provide the ukes!! FREE! Register here.

Tuesday, April 5

Swing into Spring! April with the Edukated Fleas!

Edukated Fleas in Concert! Sunday, April 10th, 2:00 pm. Hendrick Hudson Library, 185 Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose NY. Join us in welcoming Spring at a free concert at the library! Register here

Uke From Scratch! Wednesday, April 20th, 4:30pm. Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd., Brookfield CT. Think you'd like to give the uke a try? Here's your chance!! Join us for a beginner lesson, and we provide the ukes!! Register here

Edukated Fleas in Concert! Sunday, May 1st, 2:00pm. John C. Hart Library, 1130 E. Main St., Shrub Oak, NY. We're delighted that Eric Marshall will be joining us on bass at this free concert of Fleas classic tunes! Registration required, link coming soon.

Wednesday, March 9

Gaithersburg Ukefest! And other March dates...

There's still time to make plans for the Gaithersburg Ukefest, don't miss it!!!

Gaithersburg Ukefest, March 17 to 19. Gaithersburg, Maryland. After the Covid hiatus, uke fests are back and we're thrilled to be performing and teaching at this one! Ukulele artists from across the globe and the country will be there to share their skills and talents with you! Amazing workshops, concerts, strum-alongs and open mics are planned!! Don't miss the fun! Tickets and info, including accommodations, on the website: https://gaithersburgukefest.com/

Swing Jam, Sunday, March 13th, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us in our regular spot in the back. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

Brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, March 27th, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. Join us for our Ukulele Swing brunch at the Crier! Toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Wednesday, February 2

Where to find the Fleas in February

Wendy is back to playing again after a couple of months off for necessary shoulder surgery! And we'd love to see you!

Swing Jam, Sunday, February 13th, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

Brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, February 20th, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. The Fleas return to the Crier and are delighted to be providing music for your brunching enjoyment! Toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Uke from Scratch! Wednesday, February 23rd, 6:30pm. Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel CT. It's back! The uke workshop for complete beginners -- and we bring the ukes so you can give it a try. Free, but you must register with the library to attend.

Uke Lessons

Join the fun at a group uke class with Wendy! My intermediate class continues month to month, join anytime to improve your skills. Beginner class starting soon! Reply to this email to request more info on how to join.

Coming up in March! Get your tickets now!

Gaithersburg Ukefest March 17 to 19. Gaithersburg, Maryland. After the Covid hiatus, uke fests are back and we're thrilled to be performing and teaching at this one! Ukulele artists from across the globe and the country are teaching and performing. Amazing workshops, concerts, strum-alongs and open mics are planned!! Don't miss the fun! Tickets and info, including accommodations, on the website: https://gaithersburgukefest.com/

Sunday, November 28

December!!

It's hard to believe that 2021 is almost over! Join us at these final events of the year.

Swing Jam, Sunday, December 12th, 10 til 1pm. We'll be back at Bank Square Coffeehouse in our favorite old spot. All instruments welcome!

HO-HO-HO Holiday Brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, December 19th, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. With special honorary Flea, Tom Lombardi! Tom will be filling in for Wendy on uke (no strumming due to shoulder surgery), but Wendy will still be singing! Come celebrate the holidays with us and enjoy a delicious brunch! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Tuesday, November 2

November dates with the Fleas!

Fleas and Friends in Concert, Saturday, November 6th, 1pm. Mahopac Library, 668 US-6, Mahopac, NY 10541. We'll be joined by the inimitable Art Labriola on lap steel guitar and Niles Spaulding on bass for a concert of hapa haole Hawaiian classics and swing tunes. Free!! But register with the library at https://mahopaclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/the-edukated-fleas-a-ukulele-duo/

Swing Jam, Sunday, November 14th, 10 til 1pm. It's time to head indoors! We'll be back at Bank Square Coffeehouse in our old spot. All instruments welcome!

Fourth Hudson Valley Ukulele Invitational! Sunday, November 21, 3pm til 5:45pm. Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY. After a year's Covid hiatus, we're thrilled to announce the return of the ukulele invitational. Bring your uke and join the fun: There will be a host of great performers, plus play-alongs for everyone to participate in. Support the Crier by enjoying a late lunch or early dinner! Great food and drink! Don't miss it! Suggested donation: $5.

Friday, July 9

July with the Fleas!

Summer is here! We hope to celebrate summer with you at one of these events. Stay tuned for the next Uke Open Mic date... it has not been confirmed yet.

Swing Jam, Sunday, July 11th, 10 til 1pm. If the weather is good, we will be outdoors behind the Beacon Welcome Center, across the street from Bank Square. We have found this location to be superior to the patio at Bank Square -- more shade, less noise, good bathroom! Bring a chair! If the weather is poor: We've been invited to return to Bank Square now that it is fully open again. We'll be back in our usual spot.

Brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, July 18, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. The Fleas are delighted to be providing music for your brunching enjoyment! Toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Brunch at Note Kitchen and Bar, Sunday, July 25, 12 to 3. Note Kitchen and Bar, 227 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel CT. We love playing brunch at Note! Join us for terrific food on the delightful patio -- or indoors if the weather is poor. No cover charge.

Thursday, May 20

Upcoming LIVE dates in June!

Sunday, June 27, 11:30 til 2:30

Join us for Brunch at the Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY

Join us as we return to play brunch at the Towne Crier. Great food accompanied by some toe-tapping ukulele swing from the Fleas!!

Ukulele Gathering, LIVE!!!!, Thursday, July 1, 6:30 til 9pm. Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY.

Our first live Ukulele Gathering (AKA open mic) was such fun, and now we're doing it again! Come perform for us! You must sign up via email by June 30th. Play-alongs too! And be sure to make a dinner reservation by calling 845-855-1300. Hopefully the guidelines will be further relaxed this time. Come enjoy a great meal and see friends in person at the Towne Crier!