For ukulele fans, the Nanaimo Ukulele Festival is not to be missed, with live music, workshops and a silent auction planned.
The event takes place Friday and Saturday, May 24-25, at the Beban Park Social Centre.
“If you’re interested in having some fun, it’s very reasonable priced,” said Carol Johns, president of the Nanaimo Ukulele Festival Society. “If you want to meet other ukulele players that are local, most of the people that come to the festival are from the Island.”
Friday evening starts with a concert featuring the ukulele duo, Transit Lounge, with Cynthia Kinnunen on the ukulele and Ben Coulson on u-bass. Music will include rockabilly, old-time, pop, folk and rock ‘n’ roll.
Also featured is Vancouver Island’s Sylvia Humble. Residents may have heard Humble through the Sing Again community choir she started, which meets in Nanaimo, Parksville and Nanoose Bay.
On Saturday, there will be a number of workshops for all levels of ukulele players, run by Kinnunen, Ali Romanow, Liz DeBarros and Johns.
Kinnunen’s workshop will be a full-day of orchestra music, giving the chance for players to experience what it’s like to be part of a ukulele ensemble.
DeBarros and Johns’s workshops will be on improving playing in a supportive environment.
Romanow, a professional music educator, performer and composure, will be teaching a workshop for absolute beginners.
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During the lunch break attendees have the opportunity to meet up with Kinnunen for an informal group discussion about the experience of making music with ‘ukulele in midlife.’ The non-recorded discussion is part of her preliminary research for a PhD in community music.
“You buy a ticket to the concert, you come to the workshop, you’ll get a number for a draw for a door prize of a ukulele,” Johns said. “We have a silent auction with a few different ukeleles, so you might be able to pick up a really decent ukulele for a very good price.”
The event takes place Friday, May 24, from 6:30-9 p.m. and Saturday, May 25, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All workshops are $35 per session, and the concert costs $30 or $10 for audience members under 19 or students. Tickets can be purchased in person or online at http://nanukefest.com.
Johns said the morning class is for absolute beginners while the afternoon is focused on more experienced players.
