TWO UKE SCREENINGS…

TWO FULL HOUSES!

After a week in Boston, working on promotion for the upcoming Museum of Fine Art Boston screening on April 22,

I traveled to SAN LUIS OBISPO for the SLOIFF festival screening of

Under the Boardwalk: A Ukulele Love Story

at La Perla Del Mar the South County venue in Pismo Beach.  Originally built in the early 1940s, the newly named La Perla Del Mar, “The Pearl by the Sea” was lovingly restored in 2008. The next door Schoolhouse was also restored maintaining the rich history of the two historical buildings.  The buildings escaped demolition and were transformed into a community event center by Shelley Malcolm and Garin Sinclair.  I ran into Shelley after the screening and she shared her story with me.

It was a great venue for the film.  Susan Minkler, the Board member from the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, who introduced the film reported that is was the largest crowd this venue has ever drawn for the festival.  Unofficial count was a full house-70 people.  The screening was

greatly enhanced by Jim D’Ville and the  Baywood Ukulele Social Club.

Their spirited performance/singalong that preceded the screening prepped the crowd for what was to follow.  Thanks Jim and thank you Bayshore Ukulele Social Club!  It was a happy afternoon.  A lot of laughter in response to the film and many folks threatening to pull their ukes out of the back of their closet.  Susan Minker’s response, after a weekend of festival parties, was that she “entered the screening hungover and depressed.”  AFTER the screening she was still hungover but the blues were CURED!  THANK YOU SUSAN. 

VENTURA COUNTY

Proceeding on to Ojai where friends Gillian and Chris reside.  (“the Ojai film festival next?”  they ask.)

Chris is the founder of Musitek Corporation.  Musictek develops and publishes music scanning and notation software.

Chris works with Brad Ranola.  Brad, along with Cary Hitsman, has recently opened up Anacapa Ukulele a ukulele shop in Ventura and kindly suggested a screening at the shop.

Once again we filled the room.  Brad provided wine and cheese and we all squeezed into the back room for an intimate screening.

It was great.  Another great audience.

Thanks to everyone who showed up for the screening and
your warm reception.