About UsThe Kiama Blowhole Buskers often perform at aged care facilities and other local venues, but also perform at festivals such as The Kiama Show, Kiss Arts, Folk by the Sea and Springstrum. Anyone is welcome to come along to join in our sing-alongs and to enjoy playing this joyful musical instrument.
Thursday evenings are held at the North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre - 28 Meehan Drive, Kiama Downs (Gainsborough Oval) between 7-9pm. Monday afternoons are held at the Blue Haven Retirement Village Activities Centre - 200 Terralong Street, Kiama NSW from 2pm. We ask for a $5 contribution at either session. We are incorporated (INC1400047) as Kiama Blowhole Buskers Inc and hold public liability insurance. |
Who We Are |
We are an informal group of ukulele enthusiasts based in Kiama who enjoy weekly sing-alongs that include open microphone sessions . Some members do meet in their homes to jam or practise their own selection of songs to perform for the group or at special functions.
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Our History |
Good friends Sue, Pam and Tom used to meet regularly in Tom's music room (garage) to enjoy singalongs. Sue had heard about the recently formed Swingaleles ukulele group in Wollongong and, after participating in some of their events, decided to form a ukulele group based at the Blue Haven Retirement Village where she and husband Mick resided.
Sue was happy to hand over the musical direction to Brian Keast when he joined up, in recognition of his unique skills. He guided the performances and weekly jams in his inimitable style for the first five years! He then passed on those duties to Graeme Lock Lee for three years, assisted by Connie Palacios with Sue Daley guiding the Monday. The original common facilities room was used as the initial meeting room from July 2011 every fourth Thursday. As the numbers grew, it was decided that a beginners group could also meet on the alternate Thursdays. But it was soon obvious that enthusiasts wanted to attend every fortnight. This soon became every week as numbers have grown to over 40 enthusiasts. In 2014, the Blowhole Buskers moved their Thursday night meetings to the Kiama Uniting Church while establishing a Monday afternoon beginners meeting at the Blue Haven Retirement Village. Connie currently guides the Thursday night sessions - conducting rehearsals and arranging the song lists for our public performances, backed up by an enthusiastic committee. Sue contnues to lead the Monday afternoon group who enjoy afternoon tea after each social sing along session. From 2018, our Thursday night group has moved to the North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre and Monday afternoon groups still meet at Blue Haven Retirement Village common facilities room. |