In photos: Ukulele meet-up relocates to streets of Southport

By Jarret Liotta

on September 22, 2020 4:20 PM

Glenn Hayes of Wallingford performs at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

But since COVID-19 has impeded its ability to do their monthly Tuesday night jam session at Horseshoe Café in downtown Southport, the group has simply moved their songs out onto the sidewalk of Pequot Avenue.

“People walking by, they stop and start singing,” noted Jim Fraser, whose family has owned the historic café since 1957.. “It makes everybody happy and everybody needs a little happy right now.”

“The ukulele is just such a fun instrument,” Forlano said. “And it’s a great way to get together as a community.”
less

Glenn Hayes of Wallingford performs at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

But since COVID-19 has impeded its ability to do their monthly
... more
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Vikki Herman of Fairfield is a regular at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Vikki Herman of Fairfield, who has been attending the group for two years with her husband Bill, praised Forlano and his inclusive approach to making music.

“He is so welcoming to everyone in the group,” she said, “whether you’re a beginner or an expert.”

Likewise, she said she greatly appreciates the chance to keep playing their gigs together, despite the challenges of virus-related restrictions.

“We can still be together,” she said. “I look forward to it. It’s just the best thing I do.”
less

Vikki Herman of Fairfield is a regular at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Vikki Herman of Fairfield, who has been attending the group for
... more
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
John Pyrch of Black Rock and others sing and play at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

John Pyrch of Black Rock and others sing and play at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Kris Nilsen of Westport plays at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Kris Nilsen of Westport plays at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
The sidewalk was full of music at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

The sidewalk was full of music at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Tom Whelan of Westport takes part in a performance of "Up on the Roof" at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Tom Whelan of Westport takes part in a performance of "Up on the Roof" at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Terri Rasmussen of Stamford strums along at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Terri Rasmussen of Stamford strums along at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Bart Goldberg of Westport play a ukulele bass, or "U Bass" at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Bart Goldberg of Westport play a ukulele bass, or "U Bass" at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
John Pyrch of Black Rock tunes up for the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

John Pyrch of Black Rock tunes up for the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Steve Forlano leads in a song by The Kinks the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Steve Forlano leads in a song by The Kinks the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Steve Forlano sets up on Pequot Avenue for the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Steve Forlano sets up on Pequot Avenue for the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Organizer Steve Forlano strums away at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Organizer Steve Forlano strums away at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Tom Whelan of Westport plays and sings at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Tom Whelan of Westport plays and sings at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta
Vikki and Bill Herman of Fairfield share their music at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

Vikki and Bill Herman of Fairfield share their music at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta

Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta

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Glenn Hayes of Wallingford performs at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

But since COVID-19 has impeded its ability to do their monthly Tuesday night jam session at Horseshoe Café in downtown Southport, the group has simply moved their songs out onto the sidewalk of Pequot Avenue.

“People walking by, they stop and start singing,” noted Jim Fraser, whose family has owned the historic café since 1957.. “It makes everybody happy and everybody needs a little happy right now.”

“The ukulele is just such a fun instrument,” Forlano said. “And it’s a great way to get together as a community.”

less

Glenn Hayes of Wallingford performs at the monthly ukulele meet-up outisde the Horseshoe Cafe on Tuesday, Sept.15, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.

But since COVID-19 has impeded its ability to do their monthly

... more

Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret Liotta

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In photos: Ukulele meet-up relocates to streets of Southport

By Jarret Liotta

on September 22, 2020 4:20 PM

But since COVID-19 has impeded its ability to do their monthly Tuesday night jam session at Horseshoe Café in downtown Southport, the group has simply moved their songs out onto the sidewalk of Pequot Avenue.

“People walking by, they stop and start singing,” noted Jim Fraser, whose family has owned the historic café since 1957.. “It makes everybody happy and everybody needs a little happy right now.”

“The ukulele is just such a fun instrument,” Forlano said. “And it’s a great way to get together as a community.”

But since COVID-19 has impeded its ability to do their monthly

Vikki Herman of Fairfield, who has been attending the group for two years with her husband Bill, praised Forlano and his inclusive approach to making music.

“He is so welcoming to everyone in the group,” she said, “whether you’re a beginner or an expert.”

Likewise, she said she greatly appreciates the chance to keep playing their gigs together, despite the challenges of virus-related restrictions.

“We can still be together,” she said. “I look forward to it. It’s just the best thing I do.”

Vikki Herman of Fairfield, who has been attending the group for

But since COVID-19 has impeded its ability to do their monthly Tuesday night jam session at Horseshoe Café in downtown Southport, the group has simply moved their songs out onto the sidewalk of Pequot Avenue.

“People walking by, they stop and start singing,” noted Jim Fraser, whose family has owned the historic café since 1957.. “It makes everybody happy and everybody needs a little happy right now.”

“The ukulele is just such a fun instrument,” Forlano said. “And it’s a great way to get together as a community.”

But since COVID-19 has impeded its ability to do their monthly