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 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!

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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

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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

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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.

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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 16, 2017

Aloha kakou!

Pehea'oe? How are you? I have been a very busy pirate this week. I have been knee-deep in receipts and bank statements this past weekend trying to catch up on bookkeeping for the government AND getting ready for our big family vacation next week to Disneyland!!! We are leaving Friday and coming back next Friday. It's gonna be fun!

Don't worry! There will still be a kanikapila next week at John & Cherie's place, Stanis and I will just not be able to come... we will be singing from Space Mountain with you though. 

Oli Club and the Mele Kakou class will not be happening this Saturday but will return May 28.

I am also still busy writing the first episode of The Ho'okipa Project. I plan to do a lot of work on it while we are driving to Disneyland and back. 

See you tonight kakou!

This weeks kanikapila will be at Lister House

When: Tuesday May 16, 2017 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 355 Schubert Pl NW

How Much: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

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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 - March 14, 2017

Aloha kakou,

Pehea'oe? How are you? Hau'oli au! I am happy! The Jake Shimabukuro concert last Thursday night was amazing and very inspiring. Jake is just so talented! I can't wait to strum with you tonight!

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

When: Tuesday March 14, 2017 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 263 Douglasbank Mews SE

How Much: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

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"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 19, 2017 - 10:30 - 11:00am

How Much: FREE

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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 19, 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.

Malama ko aloha! 

- Pirate Jim

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 13, 2016

Aloha kakou!

Pehea'oe? How are you? I hope you all are staying warm and dry this week. The cold last week was a challenge for me, but I am lucky to have escaped to Honolulu this week. I arrived here Thursday and competed with my mother on Sunday in the 44th Annual Honolulu Marathon. This is my second full marathon and I beat my personal best by just over 30mins. Last year I did the 42.2KM in 6 hours and 50 minutes, this year my time was 6:26:06. I'm stoked!!! Not too sore either.

Tonights Kanikapila

Although I am still in Honolulu, my kanikapila will still be happening. My beautiful wife Stanis will be in charge tonight so please don't stay home! We'll be meeting again at our ukulele shack so come on over and strum the night away with us!

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

Where: 60 Tuscany Ridge Way NW

HowMuch: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

Christmas Kanikapila & Pot Luck Party 2016

Next week will be our annual Christmas kanikapila and pot-luck party so if you haven't come to a jam for a while, this is the one to come to. make sure you bring a dish and/or a bottle (wink,wink) and celebrate the season with us. 

MELE KALIKIMAKA KAKOU!

New Ukulele's in stock

I am very happy to tell you about a few new ukulele's I am bringing home with me this week that are for sale. Every time I come to my second home on Oahu I always visit my friends at Kanile'a. They are such beautiful people and they make such beautiful instruments. My personal ukulele's are made by Kanile'a and I fall more in love with them everyday. This week I will be bringing home a Kanile'a Islander MT-4 Tenor uke and a Kanile'a MC-4 Concert uke. Unfortunately because of the exchange rate right now the prices have risen on them a little, but they are the best low budget models on the market. If you'd like to come try them out, come to the kanikapila next Tuesday. I know you will love them.

Well I hear the sound of waves crashing on the beach outside and I should go take in as much of the salt water, sun and humidity before I head back to the cold and snow so until next Tuesday friends..... 

A hui hou!

- 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 22, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Pehea'oe? How are you? Maika'i? Good? Well I'm on top of the world this week because my beloved Calgary Stampeders won the Western Final and punched their ticket to the Grey Cup (Canada's version of the Superbowl for all my non-CFL watching ohana). Go Stamps Go! 

Tonight's Kanikapila 

Unfortunately Stanis and I can not make the jam this week, but do not fear! The jam will be lead tonight by my good friend and long time club member Barb Yates. I will be running through my piece in Dance Montage 2016 at the tech rehearsal tonight, but I will be thinking about you all and strumming from the University Theatre. It's a tech rehearsal so I may be out long after you finish jamming. :(

This weeks jam will be at the House of Yates.

When: Tuesday November 22, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 425 18A Street NW

How Much: FREE

Why: Because we can and we should!

 Pirate Jim LIVE in Dance Montage 2016

Dance Montage 2016 is 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'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