Northside jam defies the rain gods

The threat of more storms didn’t upset the hardy folk on the northside who turned up in droves at the Geebung Bowls Club.  The weather gods looked favourably on us and a great night was had by all. The bar was busy, many people had a meal or snack at Little Nyonya and the function room was buzzing.

The first set was led by Lickety Splitz – Pam, Salli, Geoff and Kevin.  They chose good songs for us to sing along to and had an amazing array of instruments including snare drum, casaba, triangle, recorder, xylophone, penny whistle – and various ukuleles as well.  Best songs were Dirty Ol’ Town, Penny Arcade and Maxwell’s Silver Hammer. We didn't know that Pam was such a great xylophone player!

Totally Insane Uke were next up – Donna, Derek and Kevin – with a set of drinking songs.  Of course, they chose There’s a Tavern in the Town, Gotta have a drink with Duncan, Drink, Drink, Drink and Whisky in the Jar -  a rollicking finale.

Ukulele Saints formed in 2018 and are still going today but with some different players.  The Original Saints – John, Peter, Frank and Chris – reprised some of the songs they had played together.  Favourites were Friday I’m in Love, Budapest, Stray Cat Strut and San Francisco Bay Blues. They finished with That’s All Right Mama.

This is the eighth year that Andrew Hunt and Peter Grace have run the Northside jam.  It was held at Wavell Heights until it moved to Geebung Bowls Club in 2022.  We have valued all the players who have enjoyed our jams and made them a success. A special thanks to all the BUMS members who have helped set up and break down the PA systems, run the welcome desks, moved chairs and tables and led songs and done open mics.  We couldn’t have done it without you.