Rain clears for celebration of community music

MUSOS celebrated World Make Music Day Portarlington! in grand style, attracting lots of smiles and laughter.

PUK (Portarlington Ukulele Kollective) hosted the big free community jam on June 21, which was also attended by the Portarlington Guitar Group, the Portarlington Harmonica Band and other special guests at Portarlington Pub Beer Garden.

PUK member Robyn Jenes said she always worried about the weather when she played outside because she knew that bitterly cold winds could blow across the bay and rip through the beer garden at this time of year.

“And the roof there really doesn’t provide much shelter from driving rain, either,” Ms Jenes said.

“So I was amazed when I woke up to sunshine, and then dismayed when we had a heavy downpour about 9am.

“But by 10am the weather was clearing as we rugged up and dried off chairs at the pub, and joy oh bliss, we got our celebration of community music in without any wind to boot.

“We played a happy set of enthusiastic songs and the crowd joined in with glee, the harmonica band blew up a storm of a good sort, and the guitar group strummed and sang with great gusto. “A really good time was had by all.

“What I noticed most was all the smiles and laughter going around.

“Beat, rhythm, music and song really are a vital, integral part of us, and community music lets everyone have a go.”

Ms Jenes said one minute of anger weakened your immune system for 4-5 hours, while one minute of laughter boosted your immune system for over 24 hours.

“See you all next year on June 21!” she said.