the Uke Man Presents: Michael Wagner Dec. 17th

Hey Folks -

I’ve organized a show for my New York friend, Michael Wagner. This is his third trip through Columbus and the second show I’ve produced for him.

He is a unique and talented player with credits in New Orleans, New York, and Paris. General information, a review, and a flyer are provided below.

Examples of his music can be experienced at: http://www.myspace.com/newamericanfolk and two videos at: http://www.chappymusic.com/videos.php
(note: playing solo, all the sounds – including percussion – are produced in real time by Michael – no multiple tracking).

The Show – “An Hour with Michael Wagner” is on Wednesday, December 17 at

Victorians’ Midnight Café - 8:00 to 9:00 P.M.

Ukulele Man will open with a short set. No Cover.

Victorians’ Midnight Café is located at 251 W. Fifth Ave. (near Neal Ave.)
614 – 299-2295



- Uke Man








































General Information

Since arriving from New Orleans in June 2007, Michael Wagner has established himself as one of New York City's most unique live performers.

As a solo performer, Wagner can silence an entire room with ukulele songs like "Spooky Uke", confounding listeners with his tabla-like drumming. His playing style is so unique that it has garnered him international attention, most recently with his appearance at the 2008 Paris Ukulele Festival.

With his band, Chappy, Wagner surprises audiences with both uncommon instrumental lineups (guitar/sax/tuba trios to sextets including violin, drums and accordion), and a surprisingly loud and animated set. Channeling a much angrier version of Django Reinhardt, Wagner writes songs of "joyful discontent", drawing inspiration from mindless employment, the joys and pitfalls of dating strippers, and his love-hate relationship with the City of New Orleans, his former home.

The energy of Wagner's performances draws listeners in, reminding them that while life may be miserable, it's no excuse not to have fun.


Review

"Kissing Tiny Flowers: Michael Wagner" from JezebelMusic.comThe ukulele is usually an instrument that renders songs stripped of their frills, arrangements slipped off to reveal the structure underneath. But there's always someone willing to think outside the box with the instrument. Michael Wagner manages to find a lot of room for maneuvering within the limited framework of his chosen instrument. With a mixture of taps, slaps, and traditional strumming, he comes across like the Les Claypool of the uke. On second thought, that title is a bit misleading, since his songwriting and earnestness recall the sweetest moments of Led Zeppelin III and old Uncle Tupelo records. But between the lovely tunes and the wow factor, you're bound to find something to love. - Ben Krieger, Jezebel Music

Helping America

Sage advice from The Moops

In The War of Christmas, Who Would Jesus Trample?

Hey Folks -

Yessir!! X-mas is upon us. Time to CONSUME, help the economy, and to love America and Jesus (you Foxxx viewers, has O'Reily started carping about The War yet??).

Well, with the "Black Friday" blood-sacrifice of a young Wal-Mart employee, the season has gotten off to a good start.

Remember: "Consume, Watch TV, Be Silent, Work, Die."

- Uke Man




http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20081128/ ap_on_re_ us/wal_mart_ death

Wal-Mart worker dies after shoppers knock him down

NEW YORK – A worker died after being trampled by a throng of unruly shoppers when a suburban Wal-Mart opened for the holiday sales rush Friday, authorities said.
At least three other people were injured.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in Bentonville, Ark., would not confirm the reports of a stampede but said a "medical emergency" had caused the company to close the store, which is in Valley Stream on Long Island.

Nassau County police said the 34-year-old worker was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6 a.m., an hour after the store opened. The cause of death was not immediately known.

A police statement said shortly after 5 a.m., a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking (the worker) to the ground." Police also said a 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for observation and three other shoppers suffered minor injuries and were also taken to hospitals.

The dead worker's name was not released.

"Local authorities are looking into the situation," said Wal-Mart representative Dan Fogleman. But he said it would be "inappropriate for me to share any additional information" until authorities investigate further.

Shoppers around the country lined up early outside stores in the annual bargain hunting ritual known as Black Friday. Many stores open early and stay open late. The Valley Stream Wal-Mart usually opens at 9 a.m.

Save the Rich

Bathroom Economics

November 25 - 2008

Hey Folks –

The Bullshit going down right now “to save America,” “to save capitalism” is just that:

Bullshit!!!

When we killed the Indians with the cavalry and with smallpox blankets, when we thought it was OK to own PEOPLE (if they were black), when we exploited each immigrant group that passed through the Statue’s harbor, when we refused entrance to the shipload of Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler, when we didn’t hang Joe McCarthy at the start or middle of his pogrom, when we accepted the notion of “separate but equal,” when we bash gays and lesbians in the name of God, when we talk about “our” god being bigger than “their” god, when we conned poor folks with sub-prime mortgage “opportunities” and blamed it on Barney Frank, we knew VERY WELL what we were doing.

We KNEW what we were doing!

And we know what we are doing now!!!

The same old shit is running down hill. The Fucks on top are taking care of themselves at the expense of everybody else, and guessing – again – that we will be so damned stupid as to let them get by with it as they ALWAYS have!! They'll have us pay their way at our expense, and ask us to be grateful.

The ones who made the money screwing the people WILL be bailed out, left sitting pretty, ready to lobby for more largess; it’s still unclear whether the people will get a kiss in the process. We hear endlessly that Detroit’s problem is the unions. How often do we hear, “Fuck Wall Street!! Those GREEDY bastards!!” ??

No; THEY are “too big to fail!!” General Motors and the UAW?? Not so much.

Yeah!! those bastard auto workers make too much money – but not enough to be "too big to fail." Workers do better if they are paid less – just like stock-holders do better if workers are paid less. So, let's bring on bankruptcy and legally break all the labor contracts (including retirements and health care), so the big boys can get back to making big bucks and we can give thanks for our sacrifice.

That's what's they mean by "saving America."

THEY know exactly what they are doing!! It’s the same old shit, the same old con; the same old plantation; the same old reservation; the same old American Dream, the same old “you’ll get your reward in heaven” !!!

Well, I’m old; I don’t give a shit! But if you aren't old then wake the fuck up and beat on Obama to do what he (at least) seemed to promise: to change this country from “Trickle Down” ( Reagan's notion that when the wealthy piss, it eventually “trickles down” on the rest of us) to “Trickle Up”!!

It’s time to trickle down on the bluebloods who have been raping the rest of us for too damn long!!!

- Uke Man

The Uke Man & Khabu - "Miss New Orleans"

Hey Folks -

Just before I took off for England, I had the pleasure of arranging a show for my New York City friend, Khabu Young.

It was Khabu's show but I did a few numbers - and Khabu accompanied me - after a day's drive, arriving just before the show - and with no practice before hand.

Such is the talent of Khabu.

AND it was good preparation for the Uke Man's visit to London and S.O.U.P (see posting directly below).

- Uke Man

English S.O.U.P.

Hey Folks!!

I just got back from a trip to England. One highlight was a stay with my friend Phil, who is a member of S.O.U.P., a London-based ukulele club. What fun!!

Here's a video of our practice round for "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?"

What wonderful folks!! What a great time!! AND a great cake was involved as well!!

- Uke Man

Fight back, damnit!!!

Hey Folks -

Yesterday I heard that some big corporation's stock went up. Seems the "investors" were happy about 10,000 workers being laid off!!

Fuck the "investors"!!!

- Uke Man

The Election is nigh!!

Just for fun!!







be back soon!!

- Uke Man