Do You Remember The 2011/2012 Veggie Pick-up Jams?

I recall they started in the park, during the CSA veggie pick-ups.  One of the farmers also had a rarely-practiced-uke and so, we agreed to meet that once a week, with ukes in hand, to try and get at least that much (mutual) uke practice into our week...

We didn't make it an exclusively-uke jam tho, and, even provided percussion instruments to share...

Once upon a time, others would also gather and sit with us on the grass, and help to serenade fellow CSA members as they collected their fresh weekly produce!

The gathering grew organically over the weeks.  Would you believe every single pick-up had good weather?  That's how I remember it, ha.

Some of the 2011 events doubled as the Guelph Regional Writers Group Meetings I was still running then for the Songwriters Association of Canada...

In 2012, invited some of the previous ukers to join with me their instruments at the Ignatius Farm & CSA veggie pick-ups.  There might still be a donated uke in the farmer's office to this day !!!

When the seasons changed, the participants discussed how a music store would be the perfect venue for such a musical gathering. And eventually, at work, I got my hands on on the Kala brand step by step guide to creating a Ukulele Circle, created in collaboration with ukulele virtuoso and educator, James Hill.  (The Ukulele Circle Starter Kit is available as a free download to dealers). I was convinced that uke circles are a great way to attract new customers, create new musicians, and increase sales. And that they also generate a positive customer experience and a sense of community. I could see that they would be easy to organize at very little cost, and that they would really work to the benefit of both the store and the participants... I remember having to decide about whether to create the email invitations and marketing of the sessions as a personal endeavour, or as part of my role at work -- I was thrilled when my bosses at the time and I decided it would be a good fit for the shop's 2013 plans...
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p.s.
I see Kala is promoting Uke Circles again -- they've said they are coming to your town!

"We are providing resources to  your local Kala Dealer so that they can put on a great Uke/U-Bass event at their location. Find your local Authorized Kala Dealer here...."