Seasons of the Ukulele

A weekly song challenge for ukulele players - all welcome. Find out more here

Seasonistas International Open Mic

DelGriff

Ila I will host on Saturday, December 13 at 12:30 Pacific time. My Zoom Number is: 623 009 0567.

Hoping to join in again this week. Sorry - no f-bombs planned this time! 😆

CanadaJim

Sorry to miss this week. Christmas at the Yates House.

Scribe

Hello Ukulele Friends,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! WISHING YOU JOY, GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND LOVE! MANY THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR OF MUSIC, LAUGHTER, CONVERSATION...AND ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDSHIPS!

Thank you for your outstanding talented performances and really fun conversation at Saturday's Open Mic. Brian, thank you for hosting!

Brian Fergus will host the last 2025 Open Mic on Saturday December 27th at 20:30 London/BST, 12:30 PM PST. Zoom Identification Number: 622 972 7495

No Passcode is required for these Zoom meetings.

Please check the Seasonistas Flarum site to confirm the host and Zoom number.

Saturday's theme question: Share something you did this year that you're proud or happy about. Responses are not provided.

As always, the question has no parameters or definitions. It's a way to share our stories, facilitate discussion, thoughts and opinions. There is no right or wrong answer.

Here is the list of Saturday's Open Mic performances. If you have any corrections, please let Charldene know. Links by the original performers of some songs may be included. Please do not feel slighted if a link isn't provided with your song. Feel free to circulate a link to your favorite performer.

1. Jim Y: "I'm Screaming at a White Sheepdog", a parody of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" from a Prairie Home Companion

2. Jim P: "Santa's Beard", They Might Be Giants

3. Wendy: "A Christmas Message (aka "The Rudest Christmas Song Ever"), Fascinating Aida

4. Joko: "Home Christmas", Sang Pi. Joko sang this in Burmese followed by the English translation

5. Rick: "The Saturday Night Before Christmas", Coco Robicheaux

6. Lisa: "Grandma's Apron", original wor

7. Charldene: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", music: Hugh Martin, lyrics: Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, 1943 from the movie "Meet Me In St. Louis", sung by Judy Garland

8. Del: "Little Drummer Boy". You may want to check out this video of Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy".

9. Brian: "Some Other Time", The Alan Parsons Project

Everyone, enjoy a great week! See you at next Saturday's Open Mic for more wonderful music, conversation, laughter and fun! Each of you is important...please don't forget this! Thank you for making this Open Mic a special community!

Cheers

Charld!ene

               

                   Saturday, December 13, 2025, ILA PRESS, Host

Theme: What is your ukulele origin story? Responses are not provided.

1. Jim P: "Love Will Tear Us Apart", Joy Division

2. Lisa: "Soup Kitchen Christmas", original

3. Rick: "Good Things", BoDeans

4. "The Fire", Television

5. Marc: "Learning to Fly", Tom Petty

6. Del: "A Winter's Tale", David Essex

7. Charldene: "It Had to be You", music: Isham Jones, lyrics: Gus Kahn

8. Wendy: "It's My Party and We'll Play If We Want To", parody of "It's My Party" by Lesley Gore

9. ILA: "Speak Softly, Love", theme from "The Godfather". "Bad Romance", Lady Gaga

           Saturday, December 7, 2025, ILA PRESS, Host

Theme: What would you do with your Jeopardy game show winnings? Responses are not provided.

1. Andy: "Fearless", Pink Floyd

2. Jim P: "You Make Me So Very Happy", Blood Sweat and Tears

3. Rick: "Nobody Eats at Linebaugh's Any More", John Hartford

4. Marc: "Snowing on Ritun (Pass)", Townes Van Zandt, 1987

5. Jim Y: "Blackberry Blossom", P.D.

6. Lisa: "Rainbow Over Water", original for her Dad's funeral

7. Charldene & Brian: "Take Five", Paul Desmond, popularized

op[] by Dave Brubeck

8. Jane: Response not provided

9. ILA: "Viva La Vida", Cold Play

potmo

This is the multitrack ukulele goddess, I was talking about

UkeFoote

From Lisa D:

Using the link below, please join our live, Zoom audience from 7:00 ET to 8:30ish this New Year’s Eve (, 12/31) for a great evening of music from singer/songwriters: Lisa Dudley, Dennis Douglas, Ethan Campbell, and Maggie Rothwell

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82254784934?pwd=OWVnL29LRE1ZdkVHelJyNjVqYmRlUT09

Scribe

Hello Ukulele Friends,

Thank you for your outstanding talented performances and fun conversation at Saturday's Open Mic. Brian, thank you for hosting!

ILA Press will host the Open Mic on Saturday January 17th at 20:30 London/BST, 12:30 PM PST. Zoom Identification Number: 623 009 0567

No Passcode is required for these Zoom meetings.

Please check the Seasonistas Flarum site to confirm the host and Zoom number through February 28.

Saturday's theme question: Share a guilty pleasure. Responses are not provided here.

Here is the list of Saturday's Open Mic performances.

1. Jim P: "2080", Yeasayer
2. Steve: "Heartbreaker", Bee Gees wrote this song for Dionne Warwick in 1982. Nick Lowe played this song in the middle of his concerts and said it was the most beautiful love song.

3. Wendy: "Baby, Play My Ukulele", original

4. Charldene: "I Call Your Name", John Lennon and Paul McCartney

5. Jim Y: "Didn't He Ramble", traditional from the New Lost City Ramblers

6. Marc: "The Ballad of Spider John", Willis Alan Ramsey

7. Del: "I'm Not In Love", 10 CC

8. Michael: "The Drinking Song", Nellie McKay

9. Lisa: "The Unicorn Song", original work for her mother when she was in the hospital

10. Brian F: "The Man Who Sold the World", David Bowie. 10-year anniversary of David Bowie's death.

Enjoy a great week! See you at next Saturday's Open Mic for more wonderful music, conversation, laughter and fun! Thank you for making this Open Mic a special community!

Cheers!

Charldene

December 27, 2025 Song List and Theme Question

Theme question: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

1. Jim P: "Duvet", BOA theme song from an anime

2. Rick: "You Angel You", Bob Dylan from his "Planet Waves" album

3. Del: "Take a Look At Me Now", Phil Collins.

4. ILA: "Song Sung Blues", Neil Diamond

5. Joko: "Like a Rolling Stone", Robert Zimmerman nka Bob Dylan

6. Michael: "Closing Time", Semisonic

7. Lisa: "Mama's Pendleton Blanket", original work

8. Wendy: "I'm Growing a Beard Downstairs for Christmas", Kate Miller-Heidke featuring Johann of the Beards

9. Charldene: "Mister Sandman", Pat Ballard, 1954

10. David: "Who By Fire", Leonard Cohen

11. Brian: "Epitaph", King Crimson (birthday of Pete Sinfield, lyricist of the first King Crimson record)

potmo

So we were talking about comey and parodies and such last week. If people haven't heard of the Marsh Family, they are worth listening too.

My favorite line: "The guy-todler bone spur baby grabbing Greenland in a huff."

UkeFoote

As promised, here is the commercial Jim P and I were referencing:

Scribe

Hello Ukulele Friends,

Thank you for your outstanding talented performances and really fun conversation at Saturday's Open Mic. ILA, thank you for hosting!

Brian Fergus will host the Open Mic on Saturday February 28, 2026 at 20:30 London/BST, 12:30 PM PST. Zoom Identification Number: 622 972 7495

No Passcode is required for these Zoom meetings.

Please check the Seasonistas Flarum site to confirm the host and Zoom number.

Saturday's theme question: Are you a procrastinator or do you jump right in to complete a project?

As always, the question has no parameters or definitions. It's a way to share our stories, facilitate discussion, thoughts and opinions. There is no right or wrong answer. NOTE: Responses are not provided.

Here is the list of Saturday's Open Mic performances.

1. Brian: "A Taste of Honey", Herb Alpert, 1966 song of the year. Part of his 2026 Summer Concert Series

2. Lisa: "Sending Out a Beacon", original

3. Wendy: "It's Too Late", Carole King

4. Jim P: "Sinners and Their Repentances", Bob Mould

5. Joko: "Take a Giant Step", Carole King, artist Taj Mahal

6. Charldene: Couldn't sing due to a cold

7. Jim Y: "Ever Since the World Ended", Mose Allison

8. David: "Mary Jane's Last Dance", Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

9. Michael: "mas Influencias", original in Spanish...although he doesn't know Spanish

10. ILA: "A Hotel in California"

Jane, it was good to see you!

Cheers!

Charldene

Saturday, February 14, 2026, Brian Fergus, Host

Theme: What color are your favorite socks?

1. ILa: "Teacher Blues", original

2. Marc: "Annie", Ronnie Lane, Kate Lambert, Pete Townsend

3. Jim P: "At the End of the Day", Mike Rutherford of Genesis

4. Wendy: "Blue Suede 'SOCKS", parody of "Blue Suede Shoes", Elvis Presley & Carl Perkins

5. Charldene: "The Rainbow Connection", Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher

6. David: "Crazy Arms", Ray Davis

7. Lisa: "Marrakesh Blue", original

8. Brian: "Good Vibrations", Beach Boys

Jane, thanks for joining the group!

Saturday, February 7, 2026, ILA Press, Host

1. Wendy: "Don't Ever Call Your Sweetheart by His Name", Christine Lavin

2. Jim Y: "He's In the Jailhouse Now", In the public domain

3. Lisa: "The Outhouse Song", original

4. Del: "Be Mine", David Gray

5. Jim P: "Baker Street", Gerry Rafferty

6. Brian: "Bird Brain", Henry Mancini jazz instrumental

7. Charldene: "Rhythm of the Falling Rain", The Cascades

8. ILA: "Killing Me Softly", Roberta Flack

Thank you, Jane, for joining the group.

Saturday, January 31, 2026, Brian Fergus, Host

Theme: What do you when you have cabin fever?

1. Jim P: "Oppressive Town", original. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JIM! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

2. Lisa: "Damascus", original

3. Jim Y: "Aged Like Wine", Todd Snider

4. Joko: Parody of "Dust in the Wind", Kansas

5. Wendy: Parody of "Dancing in the Dark", Bruce Springsteen

6. Charldene: "Happy Birthday"

7. Brian: Intro "Stranger in Paradise" to "Strange Magic"

Jane, it's great to see you!

Saturday, January 24, 2026, ILA, Host

Theme: Favorite Mel Brooks movie/Broadway show OR favorite comedian

1. Jim P: "Stars", Lisa Germany

2. Lisa: "The Mountains Are Calling", original

3. Jim Y: "Hush, Little Baby", lullaby

4. Charldene: "The Early Morning Rain", Gordon Lightfoot

5. Wendy: Parody mashup of the Ritz Crackers jingle, Mel Brooks' "Putting on the Ritz" and "Our House", Madness

6. Marc: "Sugar Magnolia", Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, 1970. RIP Bob Weir

7. Brian: "These Eyes", Guess Who, 1968

8. Del: "Waiting for the Night", Depeche Mode

9. David: "Waiting to Die", Townes Van Zant

10. ILA: "Plastic Jesus", George Cromarty and Ed Rush, 1957

Saturday, January 17, 2026, ILA, Host

Theme: Name a protest song

1. Lisa: "Ladies Link Your Arms", original

2. Jim Y: "X Marks the Spot", original

3. Jim P: "Freedom Is a Flimsy Thing", original

4. Brian: "Good Bye", Steve Earle in celebration of his birthday

5. Charldene: "Satin Doll", music by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, lyrics by Johnny Mercer

6. JoAnn: "If Money Be the Judge", original

7. David: "Let's Have a War", "Fear" or "Venus", Shocking Blue, 1969

8. Wendy: "Sin in Cincinnati", original

9. ILA: Ukulele", parody of "Hallelujah", Leonard Cohen

Scribe

Hello Ukulele Friends,

Thank you for your outstanding talented performances and fun conversation at Saturday's Open Mic. BRIAN, thank you for hosting!

ILA Press will host the Open Mic on Saturday March 7, 2026 at 20:30 London/BST, 12:30 PM PST. Zoom Identification Number: 623 009 0567

No Passcode is required for these Zoom meetings.

Please check the Seasonistas Flarum site to confirm the host and Zoom number.

NOTE: Daylight Savings Time begins on March 8, 2026 in North America.

Saturday's theme question: Was there an unusual way in which you met a new friend?

Here is the list of Saturday's Open Mic performances.

1. Jim P: "The Old and the Young", Midlake

2. Lisa: "One Flag, One People", original

3. Rick: "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do", Neil Sedaka, RIP

4. Wendy: "We're Going To Be Friends", White Stripe

5. Charldene: "When I Grow Too Old to Dream", music by Sigmund Rombert, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, II, 1934

6. Jim Y: "Seems Like Old Times", John Jacob Loeb and Carmen Lombardo, 1945. Featured in Woody Allen's 1977 film "Annie Hall" with Diane Keaton singing this song.

7. ILA: "Stay", Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo

8. Marc: "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do", Neil Sedaka, 1962

9. JoAnn: "Be Good", original for Renee Good and Alex Pretti

10. Joko: "My Back Pages", Bob Dylan, 1965

11: Brian: "You Should Be Dancing", Bee Gees

Jane, you're a great audience!

Everyone, enjoy a good week! See you at next Saturday's Open Mic for more wonderful music, conversation, laughter and fun! Each of you is important...please don't forget this! Thank you for making this Open Mic a special community!

Cheers!

Charldene

Joko

I tried to perform this song at the open mic without practicing it first. The message deserved better. FOrtunately, 14 years ago, pre-SOTU me made this one.

CanadaJim

We'll be out of town for the weekend, so I probably won't be able to attend on Saturday. I wonder if anyone will do a tribute to Country Joe, who passed this week.

Gimme an "F"!

uke4ia

Remember: The U.S., (except a couple of states) went onto Daylight Savings Time on March 8. The open mic starts at 12:30 PM in the U.S. Pacific time zone. Those in other countries should check this against their local time to make sure they arrive at the right time.

Joko

Might I suggest that the OP of this thread be edited to include the open mic's starting time? This isn't necessarily DST related, it's for possible newcomers.

We got dates and room#'s but no times.

CanadaJim

Sorry for not having this info when I performed this song today, but "Passing Through" was written by Dick Blakeslee in the late 1940s.

UkeCan1

Joko

Joko Might I suggest that the OP of this thread be edited to include the open mic's starting time? This isn't necessarily DST related, it's for possible newcomers.

We got dates and room#'s but no times.

I have added the time to the opening post.

Saturday 12:30pm PT / 3:30pm ET

And I've made a shareable Google calendar to help with the timezone conversion to your local time.

Seasons of the Ukulele calendar - Google

Seasons of the Ukulele calendar - iCal

(I'll come back later and add instructions for accessing the calendar. Right now the open mic event is on the calendar. Later I'll add the start and end times for the Seasons.)

UkeCan1

Ila Come one, come all to the Seasonistas International Open Mic!

We hold it weekly via Zoom, every Saturday 12:30pm Pacific Time / 3:30pm ET.

Wendy will host on Saturday, March 28. Her Zoom number is 857 8802 3452, pw 1973.

I'm grateful to the many of you who will be participating this weekend in local No Kings protests. I'll be there with you in spirit from the other side of the planet.

For those of us located outside the US, or otherwise not attending, I'll be hosting our weekly Zoom open mic, just under 14 hours from now.

All are welcome. If you've been thinking of joining us, it'll likely be a quiet one, lightly attended, so come dip your toes in the waters - you are welcome to play or just listen - no pressure. We'd love to see you! 💕

PS, I don't think we all realized we hadn't been posting the day and time!

It's Saturday 12:30pm Pacific Time

1:30pm MT / 2:30pm CT / 3:30pm ET

Currently 7:30pm UK / 8:30pm CET (an hour later starting next week)

Currently Sunday 3:30am China/Myanmar / 5:30am Brisbane / 6:30 Sydney / 8:30am NZ (Sydney & NZ an hour earlier starting in two weeks)

I made a shareable calendar, so you can see it in your local time for any current or future week:

Seasons of the Ukulele calendar - Google

Seasons of the Ukulele calendar - iCal

DelGriff

UkeCan1

Thanks, Wendy - I’ll make every effort to be there today to boost the numbers - would be great to see some new faces joining in! :-)

CanadaJim

UkeCan1

What a wonderful time we had celebrating No Kings today with five of us who could not participate in the live protests.

Present were Del in UK, Jim Y in Canadia, Lisa in New York state, Jane in Minnesota, and me in Australia.

In honor of Del's attendance, I played Delilah, the 8-string (currently 7 since the high C string exploded) tenor I won from his onomatopoeia Season. Jim, whose birthday is this week, played his luscious new Kala tenor, a birthday gift from his lovely wife Maggie, who also joined us briefly.

For weekly question, we explored No-Kings-adjacent themes - we could share either a memorable experience of democracy, our thoughts on monarchy, or both.

Summary:

Democracy: YAY
Monarchy: NAY

We instituted a new idea today, that those not performing could optionally request a song from someone else. Jane went above and beyond, requesting that all four of us play a second song of our choice. Since we were a small group, and none of us needed our arms twisted, we all gladly complied.

(If we decide to try this idea again, we might do well to limit it to a request of a single song … and today we had plenty of time for extra songs and plenty of conversation on all sorts of topics. We went a full two hours, and I dare say a good time was had by all.)

Songs:

Del: Dreaming by Blondie

Jim: The Shape of Things by Sheldon Harnick

Lisa: One Flag, One People (original)

Wendy: Vote 'Em Out by Willie Nelson (a leftover request from Lisa)

Del: Vincent by Don McLean

Jim: Walkin' My Baby Back Home - Roy Turk (lyrics) & Fred E Ahlert (music) - 1930

Lisa: Dangerous Curves (original)

Wendy: Viva La Vida by Coldplay

( @johnpoole That's three out of eight songs starting with V! )

Come join us next week with the return of our regular hosts and members!

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