Hilarious parody of ukulele boy.

Demetri Martin busts out the uke at about 7:50 (thanks to Ben).

Ukulele ad banned for reinforcing racial stereotypes.

I got mentioned at SXSW (slide 37). Looks like an interesting presentation on the pentatonic scale.

Rocky and Balls are playing Como in Italy. If you’re not familiar with it check out some pictures.

Student Union election victory for ukulele playing candidate at my old alumnus causes some controversy. Although the best reason for voting for him has to be, “… he has great etiquette on the lacrosse pitch.”

I have to find a ukulele player for a bridal shower in a few hours. What shall I do? I know, I’ll use Yahoo Answers.

Photos: More art ukes, J’ai perdu mon ukulele, My favourite accessory.

I’m in a bad mood at the moment so this might change when I’m back to my usual ‘rainbows and fairy-wings’ self but the Monday Exposures won’t be every week any more. They’re always the least commented on and least read posts.

Ben Lew discusses redesigning Uke Hunt – leave him a comment telling him he’s ace.

A very interesting article in the latest edition of Ukulele Yes! asking if using the D tuning is ghettoizing Canadian ukulelists (I tend to agree with the article that it is). Also in the edition is a free ukulele big band arrangement.

Christoph Waltz humpink a ukulele on Jimmy Kimmel (and here’s the clip that inspired it thanks to @Ukiegirl)

Ukulele crossword (via Ukulele Perspective.

In the comments: If you enjoyed You-Go by Keston Cobblers’ Club, Matt from the band has left us the chords and lyrics. PotofBasil asks who you think the most overrated ukulele players are.

Joe Brown discuss the ukulele.

Controversial golfer, John Daly learns the uke at his girlfriend’s behest.

MP3s: Download a new tune from Jacob Borshard (and see the accompanying comic) on his website, Daytrotter session from Peggy Sue, Melophobe have a track from The Loom.

Evelyn Evelyn ukuleles as part of a bundle.

Finally, a good reason to vote Lib Dem.

Pictures: Brian May dressed as a pear-drop with his famous ukulele, Travis Dubreuil

If you haven’t seen the new look site yet click here and check it out. It’s all the hard work of Ben Lew and I think he did an incredible job. If you come across anything that isn’t quite right, let me know.

You can watch the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain’s appearance on Skins on 4oD. I’m told it works outside the UK. There’s a YouTube link here. I’ve never watched Skins before but I enjoyed it. In fact, I almost loved it. The Ukes start at about 44:30.

The Lummy Days ukulele podcast is available for download. It’s present by George from UOGB and features Fairport Convention, the Bobby McGee’s and Mr B. And don’t miss Keston Cobblers’ Club.

Smoldering Uke – ‘A winter ukulele retreat’ in California.

50 State Uke – cool idea. I’ve been considering something similar – visiting at least one uke player in every country in the EU (called, inevitably, EUkulele).

I can’t watch this video in the UK but apparently Penn Jillette is considering buying Tim Tim’s ukulele. Update: You can watch it in the UK here if you’re willing to wait a few minutes for it to start (Thanks to @ukegnome).

Buy a uke in a police seized goods auction.

In the comments: Howlin’ Hobbit makes a case for the inclusion of Brian Hefferan in the soloists section. I disagree with myself on this one as well. Perhaps I should have a ‘Most Underrated’ section. Get your nominations in now.

I’ll be heading off to Ukelear Meltdown this weekend. If you see me, say hi. I won’t bite.* Other festival possibilities include Wukulele (they’ve only announced one act, but that act is Bob Brozman), the Belper Ukulele Day and, of course, Donington. Let there be rock.

DFW have a series of posts on the uke starting here and taking in why people took up the ukulele.

Photos: Joe Strummer on ukulele (Thanks to Will who has many more famous ukers here), Ralph Shaw busking, Harold Walden, Herman gives Roger a ukulele and tells him that the only way to diffuse the Marshmallow Man’s anger is to play music.

tUnE-YaRdS 4AD session (via Bossarocker

Ukulala is back after a long break.

Michelle Blades is a synesthete.

Ukulollo shares his fancy video technique with Armelle.

MP3s: Blind Pilot did a ukulele version of 3 Rounds and a Sound for Daytrotter, Gorilla vs. Bear has White Hinterland’s highly effected uke.

* I might bite.

The BBC talk ukulele revival with the Duke of Uke, Frank Skinner
and me.

“I’ve been doing the Twitter.” Jake Shimabukuro interviewed by Mashable at TED and does an impromptu jam in the hotel lobby.

MP3s: Minor Constellations has a new record out which you can download free from Rack and Ruin Records. Once a month a bunch of music blogs around the world post a track from their own country. This month The Daily Growl selected Jose Vanders’s lovely uke track For Now from the UK.

Another ukulele appearance on American Idol – Warning: that damn song again.

Some of the Dutch arty ukes I mentioned last week are now for sale.

Learn English with krabbers.

Photos: Jake pulls out the facial expressions for TED, ukulele monkey Valentine, Maya Rakasta

Thanks to Ken and Krabbers, the ukulele festivals list has a few new entries.

Herman Vandecauter demonstrates ukulele resgueado.

Shelley Rickey is putting together an exhibition of painted ukuleles. It’s yet to seen whether any of them will feature Lisa Simpson making out with Astroboy.

Ukulele half-strap.

A portrait of Harry.

In the comments: nutcrakerkuge schools in the Japanese behind the name U900: “U900 if read in Japanese (numbers have various ways of being pronounced) reads: oo-ku-re-re, or UKULELE! Kinda like english folks make words with phone numbers, but more directly. Another example is 39…san-queue…thank you.”

Ukulele promos are vastly superior to their non-uke cousins: L’Uke poster and flyer, Uke Valentino flyer, 30 ukulele, 30 artists

This year’s ukulele festivals are stacking up:

- Ukelear Meltdown (in Newcastle, UK) always has the most interesting lineup. This year it includes acts from the US, Pakistan and Finland as well as the UK debut of Mighty Uke. Most of the acts on the bill are a mystery to me (as is the ticket ordering process).
- Lone Star Ukulele Festival including James Hill, Pops Bayless and Ukulele Bartt.
- NYUF early-bird tickets available.

Professional trendspotter Magnus Lindqvist is going round business conferences extolling the virtues of the ukulele and duetting with GUGUG.

Jim D’Ville finds a use for the compass on a Kala Travel uke.

Bushman winners – best video comes second.

Ricardo Motta ukulele.

More NAMM uke pics.

Credence Clearwater Revival and Charlie Darwin on Uker Tabs.

Pictures: antipodean ukulele, antipodean ukulele 2, Hobbit is at it again

In the comments: Jimmy made a few interesting points in his comments on the video of the year vote. A particularly contentious one: “Well, we’ve gotta rule out all the covers on the ground that they are covers and therefore have little of merit other than wankery.”

Line-ups for the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain and Denver UkeFest 2010.

The Blockheads play ukulele for a little while at least (thanks to Mike for that).

Frank Skinner wants to write an England football song on ukulele.

Armelle finds 7 ukulele tutorials for strumming and fingerpicking.

Hergonomic ukulele design.

Things to make: a ukulele from a tub of butter, Herman’s ukulele ribbon.

MP3s: Local Vertical has April Smith’s rather brilliant Colors, Eardrums has Oh, Harry’s He Is Not the One. Here Comes the Flood has a track from the new Julia Nunes EP, Seychelles Footwear are giving away the ukulele song from their ad.

Pictures: Norwich Ukulele Society = super cool, uker on Google Street View.

In the comments: In response to the post about Mid-East ukuleles, robgonzo mentioned this rather fantastic instrument he had made.

If you’re in the London area, there are going to be beginner and intermediate ukulele workshops from Martin Wheatley and Colin Tribe in February and March. Here’s a pdf with all the info (dates and contact details on page two):

Ukulele Workshops (PDF)

New free recordings from a few Uke Hunt favourites:

- Jake Wildwood has a new album out Destoyers of Venus. It’s a bit of a step away from his albums about trees and woodland creatures. It’s a sci-fi concept album set on Venus. You can download the whole thing free here. Essential tracks: Bully War, Give Up the Ghost.
- New EP from Todd Baio which you can grab free here. He also argues a good case for Tiny Tim.
- New album from Matt Kresling. Grab it from the sidebar of this video.

You can pre-order Bosko and Honey’s Ukulele Safari Compilation CD.

Sebi has had his YouTube account suspended by WMG because he covered a couple of Chili Pepper songs. That’s right, COVERED.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will be appearing in the latest series of Skins. Pictures from the set here and here via UOGB fans.

Printable ukulele tags from Shelley Rickey.

Tongan ukulele legend Sione Aleki has died. Watch him doing his wild thing here.

Tom Courtenay and Harry Hill play ukes to save the Half Moon.

Garfunkel and Oates with some hilarious news anchors.

Mark Occhionero expounds on his approach to jazz theory.

Bill Cosby gets together with KoAloha.

Flight of the Conchords and The King Blues on Uker Tabs.

Ukulele pictures: mcbess (if you’re not familiar with mc bess you have to watch WOOD), FOTC poster, Portland Ukulele Project win at being cool, Howlin’ Hobbit’s promo technique, Americana: Uke, not finish

MP3’s: Sophie Madeleine has a collection of covers for download (and she’s heading over to New York), The Stingray Sam soundtrack is now available for download, Indie MP3 has tracks from Eliza Newman.

Daddy Stovepipe has released a blues ukulele ebook and you can watch the associated lessons here.

Acilius has written an extensive review of the DVD of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain’s Prom appearance.

Jake Shimabukuro and Bette Midler entertain the Queen.

I think Taimane Gardner is an incredible player which makes watching and listening to this even more painful.

Rock Hudson on the ukulele.