The EduKated Fleas - Ukulele Swing!

The Big Hits… On Small Instruments!

Ukuleles are small. Yet, ukulele duet Greg Doyle and Wendy Matthews play the big hits, favoring swing and vintage tunes – as well as a few things you might not expect to hear on uke. The Fleas have been playing together as a ukulele duo since late 2006, united by a common love of the music from the 20s through 50s. As the Fleas soon discovered, ukes are perfect for these cheerful, melodic tunes. The Fleas feature both Greg and Wendy on vocals, often in harmony.

Greg Doyle, on baritone uke, is a guitarist whose musical interests span Swing to Surf and beyond. He has been playing guitar since his teens and was a long-time member of Vic Schwarz’s Acoustic Workshop, a Hudson Valley-based, six-piece string band. Greg teaches uke and guitar privately.

Wendy Matthews, on soprano uke, was charmed by the instrument’s portability and quirkiness, and took it up a few years back to accompany her singing. She has been singing and playing a variety of instruments since her teens. In a previous life, she was a member of Bad Attitudes, a four-woman music and comedy troupe.

The Fleas have delighted audiences in venues as varied as the Clearwater Festival, Hoot on the Hudson, Ukulele Cabaret and New York Ukulele Festival, as well as street fairs, restaurants, libraries, art openings and private parties across New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. On her travels, Wendy has also performed in exotic locales such as Honduras and Borneo!

Looking for a great gift? The Fleas' full-length CD, "It Had To Be Uke" is now available! Get it directly from us: $15 + 3.50 if you'd like it mailed to you. Just use this link to our PayPal page.
Also available for download on CD Baby and Amazon.

Wedding? Special birthday? Cocktails on the patio? Let the Fleas add some fun to your next event: edukatedfleas@edukatedfleas.com

Tuesday, December 17

Last chance to see the Fleas in 2024!

Ukulele Swing Brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, December 22nd, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. Escape the holiday hustle (and the cold) and join us for our Ukulele Swing Brunch at the Crier! Toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Save the date:

Seventh Hudson Valley Ukulele Invitational! Sunday, January 5th, 5:00 til 8:00pm. Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY. Postponed from November, the Ukulele Invitational returns for another year! Bring your uke and join the fun: A great lineup of performers is planned, plus play-alongs for everyone to participate in. Don't miss it! Suggested donation: $5.

Sunday, November 17

Fall Fleas!

The Fleas return to the Towne Crier, Sunday, November 24th, 11:30 til 2:00. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. Join us for our Ukulele Swing brunch at the Crier! Toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge. It would be great to see you there!

And there's still time to sign up:

Learn to play the uke! Wendy will be launching a NEW beginner group starting Monday, November 18 at 3:30pm in Redding CT and continuing weekly. If you've always wanted to learn, here's your chance. Email to request more info on how to join.

SAVE THE DATE:

Seventh Hudson Valley Ukulele Invitational! Sunday, January 5th, 5:00 til 8:00pm. Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY. The Ukulele Invitational returns for another year! Bring your uke and join the fun: A great lineup of performers is planned, plus play-alongs for everyone to participate in. Don't miss it! Suggested donation: $5.

Wednesday, March 6

Fleas in March! We're back in the swing of things!

Hello friends!

Wendy has returned from the Antipodes, and the Fleas are returning to the Towne Crier! Join us for a special brunch on March 31st!

Swing Jam, Sunday, March 10, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our usual spot. All instruments welcome! Consider bringing a chair.

Ukulele Swing brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, March 31st, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. Join us for our Ukulele Swing brunch at the Crier! Toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Wednesday, November 15

Sixth Hudson Valley Ukulele Invitational!

Sunday, November 19,
3:30 til 6pm.

Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY

The Ukulele Invitational returns for another year! Hosted by ukulele duo, the Edukated Fleas.

Come hear a range of ukulele talent from across the tristate area. Plenty of play-alongs for everyone to participate in too, so DON’T FORGET YOUR UKE!

Suggested donation: $5

Reservations recommended: call 845-855-1300 to book your table.

Sunday, October 1

October with the Fleas!

Swing Jam, Sunday, October 8, 10am til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot or out on the patio if the weather is good. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome! Note to Jammers: We are working on updating the book. It's a group effort, so if you'd like to volunteer to find or make charts, please let me know!

Elting Memorial Library Fair, Saturday, October 14th, 9am til 4pm. Fleas play at 1pm! Elting Memorial Library, New Paltz, NY. Book sale, food and much more, with music all day! For more information: https://www.eltinglibrary.org/fair

The Fleas return to the Towne Crier, Sunday, October 22nd, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. Join us for our Ukulele Swing brunch at the Crier! Toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

There's still time to sign up!

Learn to play the uke! Wendy will be launching a NEW beginner group starting Tuesday, October 3rd at 4pm in Redding CT and continuing weekly. If you've always wanted to learn, here's your chance. Reply to this email to request more info on how to join. Intermediates: There may be one or two spaces open in my ongoing intermediate class, Tuesdays at 2:30. Private lessons too. Contact me if interested.

And, save the date!!

Sixth Hudson Valley Ukulele Invitational! Sunday, November 19, 3:30 til 6pm. Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY. The Ukulele Invitational returns for another year! Bring your uke and join the fun: There will be a host of great performers (lineup coming soon), plus play-alongs for everyone to participate in. Don't miss it! Suggested donation: $5.

Tuesday, May 30

June is Jumping with Fleas!

Plenty of chances to see us coming up this month!

Swing Jam, Sunday, June 4, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot or out on the patio if the weather is good. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

Art and Frame Gallery Opening! Saturday, June 10, 6pm til 8pm Art and Frame of Newtown, 77 Main St., Newtown, CT. Join us at the Artists' Reception for the opening of the latest show at Art and Frame! Wine, snacks and live music from us as you peruse the artwork -- all are welcome! This is the first reception since the pandemic!

Brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, June 11th, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. After many months away, we're back with our Ukulele Swing brunch. Join us for toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Special luau concert event! Monday, June 19th, 5:30pm Outdoors at the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, 733 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe CT. The Fleas will be joined by the fabulous Art Labriola on Hawaiian Steel Guitar for a concert of Ukulele Swing and Hapa Haole Hawaiian classics. Bring a picnic to the library's back lawn! Dessert and lawn games provided by the library! Don't miss this special event. FREE!

Tuesday, May 9

Fleas in concert... and a workshop!

Friday, March 31

April with the Fleas!

Hello friends:

We've had a lot going on, but we will be playing out more in the coming months.

Swing Jam, Sunday, April 2nd, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

Uke From Scratch! Wednesday, April 12th, 3:00pm. Milford Public Library, 57 New Haven Avenue, Milford, CT. Think you'd like to give the uke a try? Here's your chance!! Join us for a beginner lesson, and we provide the ukes!! FREE! Register here

Uke From Scratch! Friday, April 14th, 1:00pm. Ansonia Public Library, 53 South Cliff Street, Ansonia CT. Think you'd like to give the uke a try? Here's your chance!! Join us for a beginner lesson, and we provide the ukes!! FREE!

AND: Save the date!

Uke Open Mic! Sunday, May 7th, 4:30 til 7:00pm. Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY. Come join the ukulele fun! Share your talents or join in on the play-alongs. Great food and drink! Support the Crier by ordering dinner, drinks or snacks. $15 food and drink minimum, no cover charge.

Sign up via email will start April 24th!

Thursday, January 5

Happy New Year! January dates with the Fleas

Brunch at the Towne Crier, Sunday, January 8th, 11:30 til 2:30. Towne Crier Cafe, 379 Main St., Beacon NY. After many months away, we're back with our Ukulele Swing brunch. Join us for toe-tapping tunes and tasty food too!!! Reservations recommended, no cover charge.

Swing Jam, Sunday, January 22nd, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

YES! It's back:

Uke Open Mic! Sunday, January 22, 4:30 til 7:00pm. Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY. After over a year's hiatus, the Uke Open Mic is back in a new timeslot! Kick off the new year with some ukulele fun! Play-alongs too. Great food and drink! Support the Crier by ordering dinner, drinks or snacks. $15 food and drink minimum, no cover charge.

To sign up, reply to this email! You can also sign up at the door if the list is not full.

Monday, September 5

September!

Join us to jam, for uke lessons or for brunch!

Swing Jam, Sunday, September 11th, 10 til 1pm. Bank Square Coffeehouse, Main St., Beacon NY. Find us at Bank Square in our old spot -- or we might be out on the patio. Consider bringing a chair. All instruments welcome!

Brunch at Note, Sunday, September 18, 12 to 3. Note Kitchen and Bar, 227 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel CT. We are delighted to return to Note! Join us for lunch or brunch on the patio or indoors if the weather doesn't cooperate. Note has great food and drink, and a perfect outdoor spot to relax and enjoy the last bit of summer. No cover charge.

Uke classes start September 13! Join Wendy for a group uke class! Continuing beginner or Intermediate classes start on September 13 at the Redding Heritage Center. Class will also be offered on Zoom. Reply to this email for more information.