An Australian concert tour that not only brings one of the best-known ukulele players to his fans, but provides essential work skills that will boost the CVs of aspiring young professionals.
It’s the brainchild of Sydney entrepreneur Michelle Forrester, whose business, Western Sydney Young Professionals, teaches young professionals the realities of starting and running a business.
But Ms Forrester wanted a way for her students to get practical experience in running a business, so she started dedicated ukulele record label District Station Records.
“The project came out of my desire to give young professionals some real-world business experience – in this case, how to run a record label and organise a tour,” Ms Forrester said.
“These young people have really gotten behind it.”
The result is a tour by renowned US ukulele musician Russ Copelin, who will play at the Henry Sports Club in Werrington County tonight from 8pm.
Those in the know love how the ‘uke’ lends itself to a broad repertoire, from rock to RnB, jazz, funk and blues, country and even metal! And no one demonstrates its versatility better than Alaska’s “Ukulele Russ”.
This is Russ’ fourth trip to Australia, where he will headline at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival.
Russ mixes comedy and uke virtuosity as he switches from gravelly rock vocals to RnB croon.
The show includes Russ’ own take on well-known classics and TV show themes, as well as original songs about his Alaskan home.
When he’s not touring, Russ lives a sustainable lifestyle in a tiny community, building his own house, with no running water and very few neighbours.
Australia’s thriving ukulele scenes are mainly centred in cities along the east coast, from Cairns to Melbourne.
Local clubs have sprouted around the country and regular festivals in the Blue Mountains, Newcastle and Central Coast attract professional and amateur players.
Melbourne’s annual International Ukulele Festival, which started in 2010, takes it further, by bringing talent from around the world.
The world famous, but locally little-known, award-winning Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival, held at the Carrington Hotel in Katoomba every February, is the world’s largest ukulele festival.
“Ukulele Russ” Copelin will play on Friday, October 13 at the Henry Sports Club, 144 Henry Lawson Ave, Werrington County.
Tickets are available through www.stickytickets.com.au/districtstationrecords
