A joyful sound is coming from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 446 Hannah Ave., every Thursday evening. It’s the instruments and voices of the Free Range Ukulele Society of Oak Park (FRUSOP). From 7 to 9 p.m., dozens of ukulele players jam together to create musical bliss.
It’s a very diverse group strumming together in unison while they sing along. It’s also a very democratic group. There were four leaders standing in front to direct the group. But later a new group of leaders took their place. Ukuleles were available for those who needed one, or you could just sing along.
The ukulele group got its start at the Eastgate Café in Oak Park. Their first session was on Oct. 10, 2013. The owners, Patrick and Olya Dailey, welcomed them every Thursday evening. When the pandemic hit, the players moved their session to the café’s outdoor seating.
They finally had to hold their sessions on Zoom. Organizer Chris McIntosh was proud that they convened for 93 Zoom sessions. The pandemic was also one of the factors that caused Eastgate Café to close. The group was looking for a new space to practice when a member brought up his connection to the Forest Park Eagles.
Their Eagles contact was Jack Eilrich, who was thrilled to have the group use the hall. He didn’t even ask them for a fee. The group held their first session on Oct. 21, 2021 and held a collection to pay the Eagles at least $50 to cover their utilities, etc. McIntosh’s partner, Alvin McGovern, even joined the fraternal organization. When he paid his dues, they gave him a key to the hall.
McGovern and McIntosh are longtime teachers at the Old Town School of Folk Music. McGovern teaches guitar and plays it during the sessions. The group also has Bill Steed on bass and Mike Blake accompanies on the Xaphoon.
McIntosh teaches guitar, banjo and ukulele. The pair provides the “infrastructure” the group needs to keep jamming. Besides collecting donations for the Eagles, McIntosh compiles the song books and decides what the group will play. She has created over 100 song books for the group to play on a rotating basis. Some books are for beginners and are easy for the group to follow. She also sets up her laptop for the Zoom players.
McIntosh always has a good time at the ukulele sessions. “It’s like a two-hour vacation.” The sessions are also a weekly highlight for the other players. Lisa Golladay likes that players don’t have to be great. “I’m not a musician but I know how to be loud.” When everyone is strumming together, it’s like a “free-for-all that comes together.” Playing the ukulele has a “Zen quality” for Golladay. “I lose track of time when I’m playing.”
The strumming pauses for a break at 8 p.m. Refreshments are served and a fabulous door prize is awarded — usually chicken-themed items. The hall is adorned with signs that say “Slow – Chickens at Play” and the group’s mascot is a rubber chicken.
So far, Forest Park has been a good fit for the group. The hall is spacious and well lit. It has heating and air conditioning when needed.
“It’s welcoming and fun, with no pressure,” McIntosh says. “The point is to participate, not be perfect.”
I would encourage other Forest Parkers to give the ukulele sessions a try. The only problem I have with the organization is they have “Oak Park” in their title.
Then again, one of the songs they play is called “Ukulele Players on Hannah Street.”
