Since we had to cancel plans to attend the NY Uke Fest, I was feeling uke withdrawal. So, I put on my thinking hat and came up with idea of creating am impromptu mini festival of our own. After a little internet searching, I found that Combo Mahalo, an Austin hapa haole band, was playing and that our good buddies from the Shorty Long band were also in town. SO we made a road trip to Austin and listened to Combo Mahalo on Thursday night and spent a little time with Brian from the band on Friday. The weather was perfect so we went to the Lady Bird Johnson WIldflower Park which was beautiful. We even found a few quiet spots where we strummed a little uke.
There is a display of giant decorate guitars all over Austin – very cool.
We got some great pictures that I’ll post. Quite by accident we discovered that Rue McClanahan was in town and giving a talk as well as having a book signing. We went. She was very personable and truly as much a character in real life as in her Golden Girl roll as Blanche! We went to some interesting restaurants including the funky Magnolia Cafe and a new find for us, The East SIde Grill – both were great. Another landmark is Eddie V’s which serves incredible seafood and has wonderful jazz in the bar. The crowning jewel of the weekend was spending a relaxing afternoon under the carport with Pops Bayliss and Mysterious John and a handful of ukes. Pops is great!