Weekend fun and handmade ukuleles

At weekend I went with my friend to Napiala. Tere was nice little ukulele festival called Napulele. We see some performers there, but main reason why I wanted to go there is that I would like to see ukuleles there. There were two Finnish companies who had booths there. I wanted to see what they had been doing lately. One was Kanalele (www.kanalele.fi, website doesn't work) and other one was Heighway Ukuleles.
I have seen Kanalele ukuleles at Kukulele festival at Karkkila 2 weeks ago. They are nice well sounding ukes and quality seems very nice. Their prices sounds very reasonable for buyers (700€). That is not much for hand made ukulele in Finland. They use only local woods. I was invited to visit their workshop, and I will do that.

Shane Heighway and his ukuleles

Other one, Shane Heighway ukuleles are made in Hikiä. Shane is nice Englishman, who has lived in Finland for many years and has been making ukuleles since 2011. Shane has been very helpful and he has also taught me many useful tips and tricks for ukulele building. Funny thing was his first ukulele which Shane had in his booth. That was not very nice and good quality, but every luthier has done his first one.

Huojuva Komppi. And that man in
speedos in the background. 🙈

Unfortunately we had to leave Napulele festival soon, becouse we had a gig with Huojuva Komppi at Hiedanranta in Tampere. There was happening called Hiedanrannan Puutarhajuhlat. It was nice happening. There was workshops, performers, dancing, food, saunas etc etc. And many friends too. We played at 6 pm and happening ended at 19 and audience was leaving. But it was nice to play anyway.

Niina Annika & Aurinkoiset

But of course there was after party too. There is very cool skatepark at Hiedanranta called DIY Kenneli. Skatepark is made by skaters.
There was nice Brasilian bossa band playing near skatepool.  The athmosphere was nice when happy people were skating at pool, just hanging around and dancing. And everything was free. No tickets! There was an other band too. My former school mate Niina Mönkkönen was playing there with hers band Niina Annika & Aurinkoiset. They have just released their album "Taian tiiän ". Their music is some kind of etnofolk with proge, blues and reggae wibes.  https://open.spotify.com/artist/0TuDoRrdwcjcGwJFA5usuu . Very nice. Just listen, or buy album!