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, May 19

Fleas at the Clearwater Festival!


Saturday, June 18
12:30pm

Clearwater Festival
The Great Hudson River Revival
Croton Point Park, Croton NY

The Fleas are delighted to be appearing at Clearwater again this year! And, we are proud to be representing the ukulele world at this huge music festival. Find us at the Circle of Song stage at 12:30 pm for Ukes Duet Together. For tickets, directions and more info, visit http://www.clearwater.org/festival/index.html
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Thursday, April 21

New York Uke Fest!


Thursday through Saturday, May 5 to 7
Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 W. 55th St. (9th Ave), New York City

The Fleas are playing in the Thursday night, May 5th concert!

Don't miss this great annual event -- when NYC comes alive to the happy plink of ukuleles. The Fleas are delighted to be a part of it. Concerts! Workshops! Vendors! Jamming! The Thursday luau, and much more!

Speaking of workshops, the Fleas are leading one on Thursday afternoon that will help beginning intermediate players who want to play standards simplify those complex chord charts.

Tickets are available for individual segments -- or the entire event. Check the Uke Fest web site for more details and to get your tickets: www.nyukefest.com
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Tuesday, March 29

A Special Evening with the Fleas at BWC Coffeehouse!

Bronxville Women's Club, 135 Midland Avenue, Bronxville NY 10708

Friday, April 8th, 8 pm – 10 pm

Kick off your weekend at this casual coffeehouse in a beautiful landmark building. A dessert and coffee buffet is included and you are invited to bring your dinner or BYOB. Come join us at this special evening of music with the Fleas!

Tips for performers gratefully accepted! $10 members; $13 non-members.
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Monday, March 21

Uke Hut, NYC

Downstairs at Maui Taco, 330 5th Ave. (between 32nd and 33rd) NYC

Saturday, March 26th, 8:30 pm
We are pleased to be back at this great ukulele venue, this time as part of a uke show that includes the Jack Lords and the Uke Men.

The fun starts at 7:00 pm; the Fleas will be on at 8:30 for a 40-minute set.

"NYC's coolest new lounge, around the corner from the Empire State Building, featuring many of NYC's best uke talent. Good food and cheap drinks in a chill surf-shack themed bar."
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Wednesday, March 9

Third Connecticut Ukulele Invitational


Saturday, March 19th, 7:30 pm
Molten Java Cafe 102 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel CT

Hosted by the Edukated Fleas!

Come join the ukulele fun at the Third Connecticut Ukulele Invitational! With performances by your hosts, the Fleas, and a lineup of great ukuleleists!

Be sure to bring your ukulele for the play-alongs! We'll close the evening with an open mic, time permitting.
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Tuesday, December 14

NY Ukulele Salon

At The Living Room's upstairs venue, Googie's Lounge
154 Ludlow Street, between Stanton and Rivington
Google Map: http://bit.ly/euTPIE

Saturday, Dec. 18, 8:30pm to 10:30pm

Rick Bruner has put together another great lineup of NYC's endlessly
surprising and talented font of uke performers via The NY Ukulele
Salon series. We are delighted to be part of this month's show.

No cover. 1 drink per hour minimum, plus tip bucket.

8:30: The Edukated Fleas. Great ukulele swing from Wendy Matthews and
Greg Doyle. http://www.edukatedfleas.com/

9:00: Jon Braman. Singer songwriter, "Father of ukulele hip-hop."
Sounds like a terrible idea, but he's awesome!
http://www.jonbraman.com/

9:30: T.A.B.U. Stands for something like "The All Boroughs Ukuleles,"
which is incongruous, because they're best known for Polynesian
melodies and hulu dancers.

10:00: The Suaverinos. Now an eight-person swing ensemble: ukes,
piano, flugelhorn, block flute, bass, singers, and more. The Uke
Salon's house band, as it were. New material.

Get there early (from 7pm) to hear friend of NY Uke Salon,
singer-songwriter Declan Zimmerman.

More details here:
http://www.ukulelesalon.com/2010/12/ny-ukulele-salon-dec-18-at-living-room.html
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Wednesday, October 6

The Fleas in NYC!

The Uke Hut
Downstairs at Maui Taco, 330 5th Ave. (between 32nd and 33rd) NYC

Encore! Saturday, November 20th, 9:00 pm
We are pleased to be back at Ken Bari Murray's exciting ukulele venue! The Uke Hut:
"NYC's coolest new lounge, around the corner from the Empire State Building, featuring many of NYC's best uke talent. Good food and cheap drinks in a chill surf-shack themed bar."

There will be a comedy improv group featuring ukulele on at 7:30!

No cover charge, but tips are appreciated! Come join the fun!
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Monday, September 13

Special program at the Library!

Bethel Public Library
189 Greenwood Ave., Bethel CT

Tuesday September 21st, 7:00 pm

The Fleas are delighted to be doing this special program at the library. Come enjoy a concert of some of the Fleas' favorite tunes, and learn a little history of the ukulele too!

Support live music! Support your local library!

Admission FREE! To reserve your seat, call 203-794-8756, x4, or email adult@bethellibrary.org

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Monday, September 6

"Sunlight & Shadow" artists' reception


Portland Library
20 Freestone Ave, Portland CT

Saturday September 11th, 2 pm to 4 pm

The Fleas will entertain at the artists' reception for the Brownstone Arts Sunlight & Shadow art exhibition, which will be held in the Mary Flood Room at the Portland Library. Paintings, pastels, watercolors, photographs, fabric art, and work in other mediums will be displayed. Refreshments courtesy of the Friends of the Library. The exhibit runs from September 1st through 29th. For more information, call the library at 860-342-6770.

Admission free! Come enjoy the art and the music.

Photographs by Lucinda Patrick.
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Wednesday, August 11

Fleas Newsflash!

We hope that the summer has been treating you well. We've been having a busy time -- mostly recently we just returned from another fantastic Swing Week at Augusta. Those of you who play an instrument and enjoy the kind of music we play should definitely think about going next year. http://www.augustaheritage.com/swing.html.

Now that we're back, we thought we'd bring you up to date on what's in store for the Fleas.
September
Sunday, Sept. 5, 12 to 2:30pm: Beacon Farmers' Market, waterfront park, Beacon NY.
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2 to 4pm, Brownstone Arts opening, Portland Public Library, Portland CT.
Sunday, Sept 12, 10am to 12pm, Swing Jam, Beacon NY
Sunday, Sept 12, 2 to 6pm, Hoot on the Hudson, Cold Spring NY
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7 to 8:30pm, Bethel Public Library, Bethel CT
Saturday, Sept. 25, 5 to 6pm, Heebasquabee Festival, Glendale Farms, Hector NY
Check the calendar to the right for details, directions and more info. We hope to see you at one of these great events!
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