Summer Uke Events: June, July, August & September 2019

Compiled by Kelsey Holt

Submission Information

Listings are free for ukulele events, though we may not have space to include every submission. To be included, email event name, date(s), and contact information to editors.uke@stringletter.com.

Deadlines for the next four issues are:

Fall 2019              May 6, 2019

Winter 2019          August 5, 2019

Spring 2020          November 4, 2019

Summer 2020       February 3, 2020

Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp
June 16–22, 2019 | Maryville, Tennessee
Whether you are a beginner’s beginner or a seasoned professional, classes and activities at Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp are sure to inspire and challenge you. This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the award-winning program and it’s one that shouldn’t be missed. During the weeklong event, immerse yourself in classes taught by Gerald Ross and Tony Anthonisen in a nurturing and inclusive environment designed to improve your playing. If that isn’t enough to get you excited, be sure to revel in the daily uke jams and all-star concerts each evening. 

Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay
June 19–23, 2019 | Napa, California
Love playing ukulele? Love the outdoors? Then this might just be the perfect camp for you! Hosted on the beautiful shores of sunny Lake Berryessa, in California’s famed Napa Valley, Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay is a five-day excursion packed full of workshops, jamming, swimming, and good ol’ BBQ. Okay, maybe even a chili cook-off! Come ready to enjoy lessons led by “Chief Engineers of Ukulele Happiness” Rhan Wilson and Rick Zeek, and maybe lead a session or two of your own. Stay in one of the on-site tent-cabins; otherwise bring your own tent or motor home.

MIDWEST UKE & HARMONICA CAMP
June 21–23, 2019 | Olivet, Michigan
One of the grandest events of the year, the Midwest Uke & Harmonica Camp, draws some of the biggest names in ukulele instructors to the campus of Olivet College, a liberal arts college about a half-hour from Lansing, Michigan. The list of classes is even longer than the list of teaching artists: Kevin Carroll, Craig Chee, Neil Chin, Katie DeNure, Eve Goldberg, Cynthia Kinnunen, Abe Lagrimas Jr., Sarah Maisel, Mike Stevens, Heidi Swedberg, Ukulelezaza, Ukulenny, Daniel Ward, Stuart Weltman, Andy Wilson, and more to be announced. For more on the event, and to check out the playing level descriptions (beginner, confident beginner, intermediate, advanced intermediate, visit midwestukecamp.com.

Oslo UkuleleFestival 2019
June 21–23, 2019 | Oslo, Norway
Enjoy a packed three days of ukulele fun in Oslo! The Oslo Ukulelefestival boasts a full schedule of concerts, workshops, jams, and open mic slots for the adventurous player. Is the whole family interested in the uke? Then make sure to bring the kiddos so they can take part in the new children’s-only program; OUF will have workshops, concerts, and activities geared to keeping the little ones engaged. This is a free event, but make sure to come prepared for merch and local food!

SNHUGfest
June 29–30, 2019 | Dover, New Hampshire
Nestled in the heart of downtown Dover, New Hampshire, the Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Group will kick off summer with this free family-fun event! Held at the beautiful Henry Lawson Park, the all-day festival promises an array of ukeing activities, from a morning uke lesson for the kids to an attempt to break the unofficial NH strum record. Plus, performances by local and East Coast musicians (“some from as far as Maine!”). All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Ukulele Kids Club, a charity which brings music therapy and ukuleles to children in hospitals world-wide. 

The Great Ukulele Summer Strum
July 5–7, 2019 | Hoylake, United Kingdom
The Great Ukulele Summer Strum is organized by Summer Strum Hoylake, the volunteer-run charitable group that has raised funds for the Wirral Mind mental health facility every year. The group promotes well-being and inclusion for the community through the power of the ukulele and would like to invite everyone to join in! Tackle five different workshops, including a songwriting workshop with award-winning singer/songwriter Alison Benson, a diddley-bow build with Rob Collins, and a kid-friendly lesson with Rosie Wright and Ged Lloyd. Enjoy performances and strums with D’ukes of Hazzard, Splintered Ukes, Ukulele Club Liverpool, River City Ukes, Broken Strings, Ukiverse, and more. If you’d like to stay the whole weekend, feel free to pitch a tent to enjoy the outdoors or, if that’s not quite your speed, stay nearby at the local Holiday Inn. Plus, don’t hesitate to join in the group yoga, pilates, and tai chi. Keep an eye on the website for continuing updates.

Geraldine Ukefest
Geraldine, New Zealand | July 17–21, 2019
Whether it’s picking, singing, or tackling tab, there is always something a uker is looking to improve or try for the first time. At the Geraldine Ukefest, attendees can choose from a wide selection of workshops to expand their skills, and then show off what they’ve learned at any of the open stages and strum-alongs. The four-day long program includes a number of early bird events, a Gospel Jam at the local pub, and an opportunity to perform in Ukes in Cafes. Headlining the Big Concert will be Italian virtuoso and cinematographer Lorenzo Vignando, or Ukulollo ‘Cinemagic,’ preceded by Australian husband-and-wife duo Adam and Lea Johnson of Ohana, and Kiwi singer-songwriter Anna van Riel.

Ukulele Festival Hawaii
July 21 | Honolulu, Hawaii
Surrounded by lush tropical greenery and edged along one side by the glimmering blue of the Pacific, Ukulele Festival Hawaii is the ultimate ukulele event, celebrating its 49th year in July. Under the direction of festival founder and ukulele master teacher Roy Sakuma, the festival is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors and local residents to enjoy the music of this year’s featured artists, who will be announced soon. Come down to Kapiolani Park to be serenaded by ukulele virtuosos, watch an orchestra of over 800 students, and strum along throughout the entire day. But, make sure to save room to enjoy a wide array of food! And be ready to participate in giveaways, activities, and more. If a day isn’t quite enough, attend the Wildest Show in Town concert at the Honolulu Zoo on Wednesday July 17th and the Welcome Dinner & Gala (plus silent auction) on Friday July 19th.

Auburn Ukulele Festival
August 2-3, 2019 |  Auburn, California
Held in the majestic California foothills about 30 miles northeast of Sacramento, the eighth annual Auburn Ukulele Festival includes a concert featuring Daniel Ho, Abe Lagrimas Jr. & the Peewee Ukulele Orchestra. The day-long event includes workshops, raffle, shopping, and a Saturday evening jamboree in the park with open mic, food trucks, and a strum-along. 

Strathmore UkeFest
August 17–21, 2019 | North Bethesda, Maryland
An intensive round of classes not for the faint of heart, Strathmore UkeFest is a one-of-a-kind program that focuses on guiding attendees towards an advanced track. Artistic Directors Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer return for an eleventh year, along with Maureen Andary, Daniel Ho, Peter Luongo, and more extraordinary instructors for five full days of skill development. Are you a ukulele teacher? For the first time ever, Fink, Luongo, and Marxer have also built a course designed to assist teachers of all levels expand their teaching horizons.

Uke Ohana Oahu
August 18–22, 2019 | Oahu, Hawaii
Immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the ukulele for five full days in Oahu. With eight master classes and one-on-one sessions, students will learn to expand their skills and appreciation of the small and mighty instrument with musicians Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, Kalei Gamiao, and Walt Keale. When not strumming away, explore the surrounding areas with excursions to Hawaiian cultural sites and events followed by evenings of kani ka pila under the stars. And, if the gorgeous surroundings spark inspiration, attendees are encouraged to compose their own tune to share with the group on the last evening.

New Jersey Uke Fest
August 23–25, 2019 | Whippany and Morristown, New Jersey
Held at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center in Whippany, the New Jersey Uke Fest will kick off three days of classes and concerts. On Friday and Saturday afternoon, expect to delve into workshops taught by one of many professional players, followed by evening concerts. On Sunday, head on over to the beautiful historic Morristown Green to join in the big, outdoor Jam on the Green! Come for the strum, stay for the concerts, workshops, open mic, and more.

Calgary Ukulele Festival
September 13–15, 2019 | Calgary, Alberta
Just an hour’s drive from the breathtaking Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Calgary Ukulele Festival will be taking place at the creative cultural center, cSPACE King Edward. The duo Sum of the Parts—Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart—will present a fun, low-stress, and entertaining workshop. Stu Fuchs, Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist and masterful teacher, will encourage each person to access their “inner musician” and provide a means of connecting with some of the deeper healing aspects that come from musical expression. Manitoba Hal, the Winnipeg, Canada–raised bluesman, offers a study on unique, down-to-earth ukulele blues. Magnolia Buckskin, an acoustic quartet of sublime vocals and refreshing original songs, will help students find their individual voice and harmony style with a blend of grassroots folk and pop music. And make sure to come on Friday evening to enjoy the concert!

Tunes in the Dunes
September 20–22, 2019 | Westwind, Oregon
Join with like-minded ukers to create a musical community for three days along the wild and captivating Oregon coastline. Cross over the Salmon River on a ferry and settle in to the beautiful American camp-style cabins and enjoy strumming through sunny days and jamming by starlight at the evening bonfires! With workshops and performances by Aaron and Nicole Keim, Stephen Espaniola, Kate Power and Steve Einhorn, Casey MacGill, Andy Andrews, and the Hood River Trio, this weekend promises to be an exciting and inspirational time well spent.

Royal City Uke Fest
September 27–28, 2019 | Guelph, Ontario
The third annual Royal City Uke Fest has a solid line-up for this fall. International ukulele songstress Victoria Vox, along with partner Jack Maher, will be performing as Jack and the Vox, and they’ll be running several workshops throughout the weekend. Abe Lagrimas Jr. will impart techniques about teaching and performing along with Michigan’s talented Gerald Ross and Austin’s Kevin Carroll. Rounding out this dynamic teaching staff are music educator (and festival director) Cynthia Kinnunen and Guelph native Olivia Borkosky. And don’t forget the huge strum-along with 225 fellow ukers, plus vendor tables and more! It promises to be another happy weekend of learning and inspiration. 

Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival
September 28, 2019 | Torrance, California
With a little something for every level of ukulele player (and even curious spectators!) this festival is a raucous and joyful music-filled day. The festival features two outdoor plazas and a complex of meeting-rooms and performance spaces, where attendees will have an opportunity to jam, take workshops, and peruse a wide array of vendors. Enjoy all-day performances on the main stage, featuring some of the hottest ukulele talents, and connect with like-minded friends in the community. Teacher and performers include Jim and Liz Beloff, Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, Herb Ohta Jr., Bryan Tolentino, and more.