Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - August 22, 2017

Aloha kakou,

Pehea'oe? Maika'i au! I hope your adventure watching the eclipse yesterday was fun. I was inside eating a cheeseburger when it all went down. I was hoping it would go really dark here during the event, but it didn't. I guess I should have driven to Idaho Falls.  Hopefully the rest of these dog days or summer will be as fun as yesterday. How about we keep it going with a jam?

This weeks kanikapila will be at JJ's House!

When: Tuesday August 22, 2017 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 2002 A 26 Ave NW

How Much: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Kanikapila Reminder - July 25, 2017

Aloha Kakou!

Pehea'oe? Hou'oli au! Hou'oli aloha ka poalua! How are you? I am happy! Happy Aloha Tuesday! 

I am now almost finished up 2 months seizure free and I am so happy that 2 of the 4 tests I have had so far have come back clear of anything bad. I have 2 more tests to do before I am cleared to go back to delivering the mail (I now miss the daily exercise). YAY!!! You may also notice that this newsletter has changed names. It is no longer The Aloha Tuesday Newsletter and will be a Tuesday Kanikapila reminder only. My newsletter will now be published every Friday instead of Tuesday. The first edition of Pirate Jim's Aloha Friday Newsletter will be released this Friday July 28, 2017. All the newsletter information and narrative personal updates will be in this Friday newsletter. I will also be including a weekly video of the newsletter information and a possible future podcast. Every Friday you will watch stories about ukuleles, ukulele history, play along songs, interesting facts about the things I enjoy, updates on my Pirate Jim projects, and more. All these things will be posted on my youtube channel and links will be distributed through all social media channels I post on.

So see you again here and on Youtube this Friday!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bring your ukulele and jam with us tonight at my Kanikapila & BBQ in BOWNESS PARK!

 *Bowness Park - Site 3 (If it rains we'll be at the shack)* 

I will be arriving early to have a BBQ dinner with my Ohana. Please join us if you want to. BYOB!!!

When: Tuesday July 25, 2017 - 7:30-9:00pm (BBQ around 5:00pm)

Where: Bowness Park - Site 3 - 8900 48 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T3B 2B2

How Much: FREE & BYOB for the BBQ

Why: Because we can and we should!

* Bring your music stand, a fold up chair (if you don't want to sit on the wooden benches), and bug spray! If you feel like joining in on the BBQ, please come around 5:00pm* 

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - June 20, 2017

Aloha kakou!

Pehea'oe? How are you? Maika'i au! I am good and getting better. My back is feeling much better this week and I have not had any more seizures. Woot Woot! I had a CT scan over the weekend and have more tests in July and August. Cross your fingers and let's fight whatever this is together! With luck, I'll be able to drive again by Christmas. Sigh!

My Neighbour Day Kanikapila this past Saturday was a blast too! I met many of my neighbours on the street and I even got to swap songs with one of them. He is a classical guitar player and sang some lovely flamenco pieces for me. I tried to play along, but it was hard to figure out the chords. I can't wait to play with all of you again tonight!

This weeks kanikapila will be held at my shack.

When: Tuesday June 20, 2017 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 60 Tuscany Ridge Way NW

How Much: FREE 

Why: Because we can and we should!

-------------------------------------------

Ho'okipa Project Rehearsal & Organizational Meeting

It's time to get organized and creative! Starting this Thursday I am opening up the shack to rehearse and write our material for the Ho'okipa Project. 

Where: Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 60 Tuscany Ridge Way  NW

When: Thursday June 22, 2017 - 7:30pm

Who: All members of Pirate Jim's Ukulele Posse

-------------------------------------------

Oli Club (Hawaiian Chanting)

Many of you have come with me before to the Aloha Music Camp. Many of you have taken the Oli classes with me at Aloha Music Camp. Many of you would like to practice more and gain an even deeper connection with this ancient art. Many of you are just curious... Well, I have decided to get organized and set up a time for us to practice together.... 

What: Pirate Jim's Oli Club (Hawaiian chant)

Where: Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 60 Tuscany Ridge Way  NW

When: Sunday June 18, 2017 - 10:30 - 11:00am

How Much: FREE

---------------------------------------------------

Olelo Hawaii Class - Hawaiian Song Study and Language Class

Have you been coming to my Tuesday night kanikapila for a while now and wish you could sing along with me in the Hawaiian songs? Have you heard the call to learn the Hawaiian language? Perhaps you just want to learn more about the hidden meanings behind many of Hawaii's famous songs. Well then come to my Olelo Hawaii class on Sunday's. We will slowly learn the Hawaiian language and some songs along the way and break down all the words, how to say them, what they mean, the story behind the words and song, etc... There will be no pressure to memorize, but a deep requirement to have fun and learn something while doing so.

What: Mele Kakou Class - Hawaiian Song Study Class

Where: Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 60 Tuscany Ridge Way NW

When: Sunday June 25, 2017 - 11:00am - 12:00pm

How Much: $10 per person drop in or $30 per person monthly

Why: To learn how to speak and sing the Hawaiian language and learn more about the songs.

---------------------------------------------------

Coming Ukulele Events in and around Calgary:

- August FAMI Camp 2017 - http://www.fami.ca/
 August Instructional Camp   Aug 24 - 27, 2017    **Registration May 6th, 9:00 am**

- "UKESTRA" - June 20 & June 21

Evening Workshop / Concert with Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart UKESTRA from Australia - check out this link!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwHg8zg3pdQ\

One evening will be in Calgary, one evening in Millarville. Limited availability for each night!  

$40/night

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - May 23, 2017

Aloha kakou!

Pehea'oe? How are you? Stanis, our kids and I made the long drive to Disneyland this past Friday and had a fantastic journey. We met up with Mark and Tom on Sunday (my good friends from the Aloha Music Camp) and enjoyed ourselves to the fullest at California Adventure and Disneyland. It's day 3 today and we have swapped Tom and Mark for other family members from Calgary. It's gonna be a blast. Unfortunately, we can not be with you tonight to strum our four strings in harmony, but there still will be a kanikapila at John & Cherie's place in Douglasdale. See you next week!

This weeks kanikapila will be at John and Cherie Musselwhite's home

When: Tuesday May 23, 2017 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 263 Douglasbank Mews SE

How Much: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

---------------------------------------------------

Coming Ukulele Events in and around Calgary:

- August FAMI Camp 2017 - http://www.fami.ca/
 August Instructional Camp   Aug 24 - 27, 2017    **Registration May 6th, 9:00 am**

- "UKESTRA" - June 20 & June 21

Evening Workshop / Concert with Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart UKESTRA from Australia - check out this link!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwHg8zg3pdQ\

One evening will be in Calgary, one evening in Millarville. Limited availability for each night!  

$40/night

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - February 28, 2017

Aloha kakou!

Pehea'oe? How are you? Have another 7 days past already? Awe! Time sure goes fast when thinking about ukulele and olelo Hawaii all the time. This past week has been very inspiring with the new Mele Kakou class on Sunday mornings. My Sunday's are now full of olelo hawaii studying and I am loving it. You should come check it out some Sunday. As for this weeks kanikapila...

This weeks kanikapila will be at Lister House

When: Tuesday February 28, 2017 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 355 Schubert Pl NW

How Much: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"NEW" Oli Club (Hawaiian Chanting)

Many of you have come with me before to the Aloha Music Camp. Many of you have taken the Oli classes with me at Aloha Music Camp. Many of you would like to practice more and gain a even deeper connection with this ancient art. Many of you are just curious... Well I have decided to get organized and set up a time for us to practice together.... 

What: Pirate Jim's Oli Club (Hawaiian chant)

Where: Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 60 Tuscany Ridge Way  NW

When: Sunday March 5, 2017 - 10:30 - 11:00am

How Much: FREE

----------------------------------------------------------------

Mele Kakou Class - Hawaiian Song Study Class

Have you been coming to my Tuesday night kanikapila for a while now and wish you could sing along with me in the Hawaiian songs? Have you heard the call to learn the Hawaiian language? Perhaps you just want to learn more about the hidden meanings behind many of Hawaii's famous songs. Well then come to my new Mele Kakou class on Sunday's. We will slowly go through one song per class and break down all the words, how to say them, what they mean, the story behind the words and song, etc... There will be no pressure to memorize, but a deep requirement to have fun and learn something while doing so.

What: Mele Kakou Class - Hawaiian Song Study Class

Where: Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 60 Tuscany Ridge Way NW

When: Sunday March 5, 2017 - 11:00am - 12:00pm

How Much: $10 per person drop in or $30 per person monthly

Why: To learn how to speak and sing the Hawaiian language and learn more about the songs.

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - December 27, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Pehea'oe? How are you? I hope you had a fabulous Christmas! I had a blast and my son got the t-shirt! 

I am running short on time and news items this week so I will be very short and sweet! 

Tonight's Kanikapila 

This weeks jam will be at the House of Yates.

When: Tuesday December 27, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 425 18A Street NW

HowMuch: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

See you tonight kakou! 

- Pirate Jim

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - December 6, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Aloha everyone! Pehea'oe? How are you? I am very excited today even though it's -21C outside. In just under 48 hours I will be boarding a Delta Canadair RJ 700 airplane with my mother to take us to Honolulu to compete in the 2016 Honolulu Marathon. Today's picture was from my first marathon last last year. I am excited and nervous about the race but looking forward my 2nd marathon. I did compete in a 1/2 marathon back in May, but this time it's the full 26 miles again. I have been training all year and I hope I can beat my personal best. 

 Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - December 6, 2016

This weeks kanikapila will be at the Lister House

When: Tuesday December 6, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 355 Schubert Pl NW

How Much: Now FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim Rebrands

In 2009 I decided to put my performance career on the back burner and opened Bignote Music with my buddies Rodger and Hermann.... In 2014 we shut down Bignote Music officially and I restructured my part of the shop to focus on ukuleles only and with only an online store. This week I am evolving once again. I am returning to my artisticly focused life and making my store secondary. Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack will still be around but will not be my focus. My website will change to Pirate Jim's artist website with the ukulele shack as my store that will not only sell ukuleles and accessories but also my music and Pirate Jim swag! Look for these website changes to start happening this weekend. As you may have noticed my FB page is already relflecting this change. I am also officially working on demos for 2 future Pirate Jim CD's..... Stay Tuned!!!

Go Mom Go!  Go Pirate Jim Go! 

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - November 29, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Pehea'oe? How are you? Welcome to another fine Aloha Tuesday! It's been a tough beginning to the week for me. I was unable to attend the jam last week because of the tech run of Dance Montage 2016 and I sure feel like I was missing something all week. Dance Montage was a huge hit, but I still missed jamming with you all. The biggest bummer I am dealing with today is the Grey Cup loss my beloved Stampeders suffered on Sunday. It was a fabulous comeback but not enough to win in overtime. Perhaps they need to jam like I do tonight. 

 Tonight's Kanikapila 

Tonight we will meet at my Shack! 

 When: Tuesday November 29, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 60 Tuscany Ridge Way NW

HowMuch: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

I don't have any other news items for you today, but here are some photos from Dance Montage 2016

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - November 15, 2016

Aloha Kakou!

Pehea'oe? How are you? Happy Aloha Tuesday! 

Well while we were singing and strumming last week the impossible happened. I hope "The Donald" doesn't let us down... maybe we should give him an uke!

Tonight's Kanikapila 

This weeks jam will be at John and Cherie Musselwhite's home in Douglasdale.

When: Tuesday November 15, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 263 Douglasbank Mews SE

How Much: FREE (yes folks, for those who missed last week, the jam is now free)

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim LIVE in Dance Montage 2016 

As I have mentioned before I am currently involved in something called Dance Montage 2016 taking place at the University of Calgary Theatre at the U of C campus. There are a bunch of different dance pieces all created by different choreographers in the show and our piece is the Hawaiian themed one. We have 14 or so dancers and me! I have taught them all 2 oli chants and we perform two hula's back to back. I am very excited to show you our work.

Tickets are still available : http://scpa.ucalgary.ca/events/dance-montage-2

Show Dates: Thursday November 24, 2016 - 8pm

                        Friday November 25, 2016 - 8pm

                        Saturday November 26, 2016 - 2pm & 8pm

All performances are at the Unversity Theatre!

 https://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=ca&entry=s&sa=X&ftid=0x53716f09038b6ced:0xee054351484850bc&gmm=CgIgAQ%3D%3D

Pirate Jim Has FREE Stampeder tickets to give you!

My beloved Calgary Stampeders will be facing the BC Lions in the western final playoff game this coming Sunday November 20 and I have free tickets for you. I will bring them tonight and they are all yours! Yes there are totally FREE ! Now if only my ukulele was loud enough to make noise when BC has the ball like my big red horn! Maybe I should bring and amp! LOL

GO STAMPS GO! 

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - November 22, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Pehea'oe? How are you? Happy Aloha Tuesday!  

It's a crazy Tuesday with the big race down south between Trump and Clinton... who will win? To close to call at the moment, but we'll serenade the new president in together with some beautiful ukulele music tonight!

Unfortunately Avery's team lost their championship game this past weekend so our football season has come to and end for another year. Although you lost the big game, only losing one game all season and only allowing a total of 3 touchdowns to be scored on you all season, you should be proud.  

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday November 8, 2016 - 7:00-9:30pm

Where: Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 60 Tuscany Springs Way NW

How Much: now FREE 

Why: Becaue we can and we should! 

Yes folks, you have read correctly. My weekly Kanikapila is now free!!! Anyone who has prepaid for next year will be reimbursed ASAP! Now you have no reason to not come try strumming with us Tuesday nights! 

Pirate Jim LIVE

Come down to the Calgary Christmas Night Market on November 18, 2016. I will be performing with Aloha, eh! and the Nahlani Productions dancers.

Who: Pirate Jim performs LIVE with Aloha, eh! and the lovely hula dancers from Nahlani Productions. 

When: Friday November 18, 2016 - 10:15-11:00pm

Where: Eau Claire Market - 200 Barclay Parade SW

How Much: FREE

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - November 1, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Pehea'oe? How are you? Did you survive the attack of the candy monsters last night? We had quite a few gouls and superheroes come calling last night. I think the traffic was a little lighter than at the old ukulele shack, but my smoke machine works way better not being the corner lot. The smoke lingured around our door longer before the wind swept it away. Captain Aaron had a great night as you can see in the picture below.  Avery also won his football game on Saturday. It was the toughest game the have played all year, but pulled off the big Win! Way to go Avery... next up is the city championship this Saturday!

As I mentioned last week I have been involved with something called Dance Montage 2016 at the University of Calgary. Tickets are still available online or at the door. Tonight is our very first production meeting and tech rehearsal so unfortunately I will not be able to join you at the uke jam, but don't fear.... Denise Lister has volunteered to host and lead the jam in my absence so please don't change your plans. I will miss you all tonight. Here's the info:

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday November 1, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 355 Schubert Place NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter - October 25, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Pehea'oe? How are you? Happy Aloha Tuesday! 

I have decided to streamline my announcements by starting up a weekly Aloha Tuesday Newsletter. I have a bunch of announcements to make and I was finding my old way of doing things very taxing and redundant, so comes the birth of Pirate Jim's Aloha Tuesday Newsletter!

This Weeks Jam 

We are coming down to the the last few weeks of football. My son Avery and his team are in the playoffs and won their first round of the tournament this past Saturday beating the Hilltoppers 56-6. If they win this coming Saturday I believe there is a trip to Edmonton in the works to play in the provincials or something like that... regardless.... Go Cowboys! Go Avery Go! 

This means that we will be rotating our jam locations again starting next week, but tonight we'll be back at the Shack!

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila  

When: Tuesday October 25, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 60 Tuscany Ridge Way NW

How Much: $5.00 drop in, $50 yearly membership

Why: Because we can and we should

Dance Montage 2016 

As I have mentioned the last few weeks I have been working on a project at the University of Calgary called Dance Montage with my good friend and hula dancer Taraya Nahlani Middleton from Nahlani Productions. Back in September we auditioned over 30 dancers and selected 14 of them to share our love for Hawaiian music and hula. We have been working on the dances for two songs and two chant. We are very proud of our accomplishments and we can't wait to share this with you!

Dance Montage performance dates are:

Thursday November 24 at  8pm

Friday November 25 at 8pm

Saturday November 26 at 2pm and 8pm

The show is expected to be about 2hours in length, and you will see a variety of dance styles including Hula. Both Taraya and I will be performing in these shows. You have your choice of dates and times to come see us, and I hope you are able to make one of the performances.

Please visit the following link to purchase your tickets in advance -$15 for adults, $10 for students/seniors. You can always buy tickets at the door as well.

http://scpa.ucalgary.ca/events/dance-montage-2

Calgary Night Market

On the evening of Friday November 18, 2016 I will be performing with Aloha, eh! and the Nahlani Productions Dancers. 

What: Pirate Jim LIVE at the Calgary Night Market

When: Friday November 18, 2016 - 10:15-1:00pm

Where: Eau Claire Market (indoors) 

How Much?: FREE

Well kakou, that's all I can fit into this weeks newsletter. I look forward to seeing you all tonight at the jam or at one of my performances in November. I will be adding individual event listings for each performance to my events page within the next 24hrs. Until next week......... 

 Malama ko aloha 

- Pirate Jim

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - October 18, 2016

Aloha kākou! 

Pehea'oe? How are you? I hope you are all doing well. October is speeding past... Very soon we'll be talking about Christmas! Yikes! I have been working hard on a special project at the University of Calgary the last 5 weeks and I am excited to say things are going very well... I will post more details about Dance Montage later this week. 

Tonight we will meet at my shack in Tuscany!!! Can't wait to strum and sing again!

 When: Tuesday October 18, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 60 Tuscany Ridge Way NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership. $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - October 11, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Pehea'oe? How are you? I hope you enjoyed your turkey weekend (those of you who celebrate thanksgiving in October that is). I had a good balance of rest and fun with my ohana these past three days. Watching our kids grow up and play with cousins, uncles, grandpa's and grandma's rocks! The feelings and memories holidays create are magical sometimes. I think this can also be said about our ukulele Ohana too. Every Tuesday we sing, laugh and strum our four strings together weaving beautiful memories. I wanna start right now... Doh! Gotta go to work first!

This past weekend I also got to officiate in my first bantam football game. It was a very foggy and cold Saturday afternoon, but I had a blast! Wait till the people in charge find out there is a pirate our there wearing those zebra stripes! Arrrrrrrr!

This weeks jam will be at my Ukulele Shack!

When: Tuesday October 4, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 60 Tuscany Ridge Way NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership. $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!