First Class
Art of the
American Soldier
continued
“The public rarely sees this,” says
Cervantez, the Army’s artist-in-resi-
dence for the last 2½ years. “The public
needs to see this because it’s from the
soldier’s perspective.”
Some of the Army’s vast collection of
15,000 paintings by more than 1,300 art-
ists is housed in the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, and a corridor in the Pentagon
displays a small exhibition, too. But for
several decades most of the works have
lived in storage, with no home of their
own. Plans are under way, however, for a
2015 opening of the National Museum of
the United States Army in Fort Belvoir,
Va. Through Jan. 10. constitutioncenter.org
Top: Landing Zone
John Wehrle
Vietnam, 1966
Above: War and Peace
Peter Hurd
WWII, 1942
Uke Can Do It!
It’s lightweight, portable, undeniably hip. And it’s fast: It
takes about 15 minutes to learn the essentials. Meet the
ukulele, the perfect musical instrument for these times.
This small instrument is enjoying a huge renaissance.
Some credit Sir Paul McCartney, whose international uke
performances of “Something” honor the late George
Harrison (a passionate uke fan). Instructional and performance You Tube videos abound, and a wide range of decent but inexpensive beginner instruments is available, starting at under $50.
You can uke in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. With
only four strings (compared with the guitar’s six), it’s possible to play a
simple version of almost any style of music with two- and three-fingered
chords. Love rock? You can channel Hendrix or Clapton on Fender
tenors, replete with iconic headstock ($149 plus).
The Northeast is brimming with ukulele enthusiasts. Connecticut-based Flea Market Music
( fleamarketmusic.com) makes the unique Flea and
Fluke models. Starting at $179, these ukes are sweet
sounding, durable and come in
an incredible array of colors—
along with a fine selection
of instruction/music books.
Xers to baby boomers, the ukulele
o;ers simple (and almost immediate) gratification to anyone with
a hankering to make, instead of
download, music. Top: George Harrison saw something in the uke. Far right: Island Laser Fluke. Near right: Batik Flea
Test those instruments and
other brands at the
Music Emporium
in Lexington, Mass.
( themusicemporium.com), which
o;ers one of the largest ukulele
selections in New England. Tim
Mann, resident uke expert and
performer, advises novices and
experienced players, o;ers private
lessons and teaches classes at the
Passim School of Music (
clubpas-sim.org/musicschool). Also check
Mr. Music in Allston, Mass.
( coolguitars.com).
Get your Manhattan uke at Sam
Ash, 156 W. 48th St. (consider the economical Kala soprano). Then go to
newyorkukuleleschool.com for details
on private and group lessons from
owner Mark Michaels. Gift certificates
are also available.
