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

Thursday, September 29

ALL NEW ukulele class: Learning through repertoire -- creating an arrangement



What: New ukulele class:  Learning through repertoire – creating an arrangement
Where: Molten Java, upstairs (213 Greenwood Ave., Bethel CT)
Who: Multi-level – beginners who can play basic chords to intermediate players
When:  Mondays, Oct. 10, 17, 24 and Thursday Oct. 27 from 7:00 til 8:00 pm.
Cost: $60 for the series of four classes

Learn a range of essential ukulele skills while building an arrangement of a song that you can perform solo, as a duet or with a group. We will take the classic Ukulele Lady and use it to learn skills that you can apply to any song you’d like to play.
You’ll learn how to: create intros and outros (endings) and instrumental breaks, read and play single note melody from tab and music stave and find notes on the fretboard. You’ll also learn strum patterns, smooth chord transitions and how to play with a partner or in a group. If we have time, we’ll add some vocal harmony too. We’ll finish up by polishing our arrangement and presenting it to an audience.
Simple and more advanced versions of each skill will be taught so that everyone can learn and progress at their level. Hope you can join me!
To sign up, or if you have questions, email Wendy at edukatedfleas@gmail.com
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Wednesday, September 28

Brunch with the Fleas at the Towne Crier Cafe

Towne Crier Cafe
379 Main Street 
Beacon NY 12508

11:30am til 2:00pm 

Continuing the fourth Sunday of the month (except September):
August 28, October 23

Come join us for a delicious brunch at the Towne Crier, with some Ukulele Swing on the side! Those fabulous desserts and the regular menu is available as well as a special brunch menu. No cover! 
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Sunday, September 11

Salem Athenaeum vintage-theme picnic

Salem Athenaeum

Friday, September 16th
6:00 til 8:00pm 
337 Essex St, Salem, MA

We are delighted to be playing this vintage picnic concert in the garden at the Athenaeum. It's part of the final Derby Square FLEASalvageART Market weekend of the season, and the theme is "Back to School!"

Come join the Edukated Fleas for some vintage ukulele swing music -- bring a picnic and a bottle of wine, blanket or chairs! Rain will move the concert indoors. $10

Tickets and directions here: http://salemathenaeum.net/event/picnic-with-vintage-back-to-school-flair/



Derby Square FLEAsalvageART market
Saturday, September 17th
1:30 til 3:30 pm 
Derby Square, Salem MA

Then, join us on Saturday at the market! This month's theme is "Back to School" so come get Edukated! Learn more: http://www.derbysquarefleasalvageart.com/about or https://www.facebook.com/DerbySquareFLEASalvageARTMarket/
 
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Friday, September 9

September Flea dates!

We have a busy month ahead including two fabulous dates in Salem, Massachusetts!
🎶 Swing Jam! Sunday, September 11th, 10am til 1:30pm, Bank Square Coffee House, 129 Main St., Beacon NY. We'll be hosting our monthly jam, hopefully outside on the patio. All instruments and listeners welcome!
☀Hoot on the Hudson! Sunday, September 11th, 1pm til 6pm, Little Stony Point Park, 3011 Route 9D, Cold Spring NY. Lots of great local musicians. The Fleas play sometime between 3pm and 5pm. Bring a blanket, a lawn chair, some beers and hang out! By donation, benefits Little Stony Point Citizens Association.
🍸Salem Athenaeum, Friday, September 16th, 6pm til 8pm, 337 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970. We are delighted to be playing this vintage picnic themed concert in the garden at the Athenaeum. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine! Rain will move the concert indoors. $10 Tickets and directions here: http://salemathenaeum.net/event/picnic-with-vintage-back-to-school-flair/
🎼 Derby Square FLEA Salvage Art Market, Saturday, September 17th, 10am til 5pm, Derby Square, Salem MA. We will be providing some FLEA tunes at the FLEA from 1:30 til 3:30pm. This month's theme is "Back to School" so come get Edukated! Learn more: http://www.derbysquarefleasalvageart.com/about or https://www.facebook.com/DerbySquareFLEASalvageARTMarket/
🌳 Heebasquabee Treatops Festival, Saturday, September 24, 1pm til 2pm, Glendale Farms, Covert Road, Hector NY. On the shores of Seneca Lake. Come hear a wide range of great music. Food, camping, fun! The festival runs Friday through Sunday, we play at 1pm on Saturday.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST:
🎸Level 3 Uke classes at Arts on the Lake starting soon! Sign up today! For advanced beginners or intermediates who want to sharpen skills -- or if you've taken my Beginner 1 and 2 classes, this is for you! Each class covers a different topic: E and the Blues, Strum Workshop, Minor Chord Forms and Four-Chord Progressions. Join Wendy on Tuesdays at 7:30, September 13, 20, 27 and October 4. http://www.artsonthelake.org/class.php?cl_id=12987&cs_cat=436#.V74v_zVl3Uw to register.  

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