One day in 2007, store co-owner GiGi Wong-Monaco was visited by her friend, Samantha Brenneman, a local belly dance instructor/performer. They were casually talking about the Beatles and upcoming monthly store events. As Samantha was leaving Wonderwall to teach her next class up the street, she turned to GiGi and said "...and I can't wait to see you do 'Harrison On HarrisonTM', and I'll give that one to you!" And that is 'when and how' "Harrison On HarrisonTM" was conceived. Many thanks to Samantha! 

WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Emporium opened in 2006 by husband and
wife, Clar Monaco and GiGi Wong-Monaco, long-time musicians of Indian classical music and founders of Chicago's Sandalwood Sitar Music Ensemble. They have been importing Sitars, Tablas, Tanpuras and other musical instrument from India since the 'turn of the 21st century' in addition to their performances around the Chicagoland and out-of-state.

They were drawn to the arts district on Harrison Street just west of Chicago. And, the store's name was the perfect fit.

Wonderwall is a cultural mecca of ethnic and era type items.....Sitars from India, life-size Egyptian mummy case, Hawaiian Ukuleles, Tribal jewelry and carpets from Afghanistan, 'Beatles Thingys', and so much more!

The name 'Wonderwall' is derived from the 1968 movie of the same name for which George Harrison did the soundtrack. Most of the music is Indian and features musicians from India who are now world famous. Thus the connection between Wonderwall, India, George Harrison, the Beatles...all on Harrison Street! As Terri Hemmert of WXRT likes to say, "George Harrison Street!"   Photo from Dark Horse Tour.

But let's not forget about Hawai'i. George composed many of his songs on the ukulele and bought a home on the Hawaiian island of Maui which the family still owns today. It is a known fact that he played, and gave away as gifts, ukuleles made by Kamaka Ukuleles, one of the oldest and top ukulele makers in the world.

Above: George playing a 'banjolele', sometimes called banjo ukulele, a combination of a banjo body and 4-string ukulele. 

Left: George playing a Kamaka ukulele.

From the Chicago Tribune-Tempo Section, Jan. 19, 2008 - "One Fine Day" by Lou Carlozo:                                                                                                                                                            "My pet theory -- one I can't support, but a pet theory nonetheless -- is that the burgeoning Harrison Street Arts District in Oak Park will someday tip its hat to the Groovy Beatle, George Harrison. Regardless, it's a wonderful, wonderwall place to spend One Fine Day in an artsy way."   ".......Wonderwall Music Shop & Emporium (329B Harrison St., 708-754-7026). With its hand-painted tambourines, belly dance adornments and "Beatles thingys," it's just the spot to put the Harrison in Harrison Street. Fab!"                                                  (Click HERE to read full article.)

Fab Four FAQ News: http://www.fabfourfaq.com/news.asp See Oct. 13.                Stu Shea, book co-auther of FFF is a good friend of Clar & GiGi's. Stu and co-author Rob Rodriguez were invited to do an in-store book signing for their new "Fab Four FAQ" book at Wonderwall which brought in the Beatles crowd...standing room only! Stu wrote a glowing review of their experience at Wonderwall on his blogspot. Lou Carlozo, Stu's best friend, read it and was anxious to visit Wonderwall to see for himself. Thus, his 'day tripper' venture turned into "One Fine Day" for the Oak Park Arts District. Stu & Lou are also fine musicians too in the Chicago area! Thanks guys!

http://chicagogallerynews.com/listing.asp?g=6693

Photos from 1st Annual "Harrison On Harrison TM": (the following individuals have photos posted on their website):                                                                        Kat from www.Beatles-Fans.com: Click HERE.                                                           Jeff Elbel of www.marathonrecords.com: Click HERE.                                                 Debbie Smith: Click HERE.

Upcoming events @ wonderwall & related happenings:

"CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE AGAIN" Monthly Beatles Art & Music Celebration at WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Empmorium: Fri & Sat, Dec. 16 & 17. Click HERE for more info.

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HARRISON STREET UKULELE PLAYERS   to perform at Forest Park's Annual "Holiday Walk": FRI. DEC. 2  6-9 pm.

Where: Out of the Box              Address: 7401 West Madison, former Two Fish Art Glass space

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