Vacaciones españolas del D'uke

Just got this email from band mascot, D’uke, who is on holiday with the gaffer in Fuerteventura: 

“Hi, guys!

Well, this is the life!  The boss, the head roadie and I flew from Prestwick yesterday and, just a short while – and a ferry ride - later, we were enjoying the sunshine in Fuerteventura.  

I know I shouldn’t brag since it’s probably grey and rainy back in Scotland (sorry!) but this place is just beautiful.

I’ve been meeting the locals and had a great jam with a local musician on the seafront.  Well, I tried, but he really didn’t do very much.  I kept waiting for him to break into song but nothing.

Anyway, after that, we went for a drink.  Well, I say “we” but, bearing in mind it was me, the roadie and the boss, how many drinks do you see in that picture?

Must close now.  It’s time for my siesta.  Wish you were here!

Your pal

D’uke”

D'uke's summer

Band mascot, D'uke, enjoyed a short break recently in the company of the Donaldson family. 

D'uke and pal, Leopard, spent time jamming in the caravan out of the rain while D'uke got to know his new ukulele, lovingly made for him by Mr S.
D'uke will be joining us on the stage with the best view in Scotland at the Dunure Festival Of The Sea this afternoon. The action kicks off at 1pm and we're due on at 1.30pm.
See you there!

The Best Fest in the West

Thanks to Dalrymple's very own meteorologist, the glorious weather was no surprise as day 2 of Doonfest dawned. Also no surprise was the general fabulousness of day 2 of Doonfest musically speaking.

Hinging by a Threed regaled the bar with an upbeat selection of melodies and sold copies of their beautiful CD (www.hingingbyathreed.com).  

Daytime entertainment included penny whistles, bhangra dancers and samba drummers.

We hosted a ukulele singalong and then played a short set to round off the (free) afternoon session.

The evening session in the main marquee kicked off with local sensation, Seaside Sons followed by Glasgow based ska outfit, Esperanza. The night came to a rousing conclusion with the spectacular vocals of Melissa Kelly and the Smoking Crows. Melissa hails from Ayrshire and started gigging on the local scene.

Doonfest is in its 3rd year and keeps getting better and better, appealing to all ages, if the enthusiastic (sold out) crowd was anything to go by.

There's just one more day of Doonfest 2019 to go, but it's going to be as good as day 2 and maybe more.

Uke on the 4th of July

We think our audiences are generally pretty great but the ladies of Ladies Golf Club, Troon have set the bar higher than ever.

At a red, white and blue celebration of American Independence Day (complete with Uncle (Aunty?) Sam), the excitement level was stratospheric almost from the first strum.

We packed the set list with American classics, kicking off with "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" and including "Wagon Wheel", a medley of Johnny Cash songs and "Bad Moon Rising".

We absolutely believe in audience participation in D.U.O.  The left side of the room definitely took the prize for their excellent performance in the chorus of "Proud Mary". (Which left? Yours, or theirs? Ed.) By the 2^nd restart of “They Don’t Know”, the ladies had got the timing for “Baby!” almost exactly right.  You’ll get it next time, for sure.

Your next chance to try is at Doonfest, which starts TOMORROW!

If you are holding an event or your club has a space to fill in  your calendar and you would like to see whether you can be an even more excited audience than the ladies of Troon, get in touch via our email address, Facebook page or this sites Contact form.

Belleisle Conservatory Gig 21st June

A Summer night in...

The ladies of the orchestra playing in the conservatory

We recently found ourselves in the beautiful surroundings of the newly refurbished conservatory in Belleisle Park for a performance to celebrate "Make Music Day".  Hosted by Belleisle Conservatory Ltd, the event was part of a global movement to promote wider engagement in music, which is definitely something we can get behind.

An unusually enthusiastic audience (and a little prosecco) kept us going.  We loved the atmosphere and we're already looking forward to playing there again.  Keep an eye on our events page for news of other gigs.