The Nanaimo Ukulele Festival returns for two full days this weekend.
While the festival’s society could only celebrate the event for a single day last year, this year the ukulele-loving community can come together Friday and Saturday, June 9-10, for performances, workshops and a jam session.
According to a release for the event, Manitoba Hal and Transit Lounge will perform at the Holy Trinity Church on Spartan Road on June 9 at 7 p.m.
Manitoba Hal, a ukulele master and singer-songwriter, is known for his expressive voice and mastery of the instrument, noted the release. His original songs have become modern classics and his take on standards and popular blues songs have brought him to festival stages all over the world.
Transit Lounge, featuring Cynthia Kinnunen and Ben Coulson, will entertain listeners during those “in-between moments, easing them into the next leg of their journey,” by playing everything from rockabilly to “old-timey tunes,” pop, folk and rock ‘n’ roll.
The festival’s workshops will be held on June 10 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and include an introductory program for beginners, as well as a fingerstyle and rhythm program. Later that day, a string and strum session, where everyone is welcome to join and sing along, will be held at 3 p.m.
Further information on the society and the festival can be found at www.nanaimoukulelefestival.ca.
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