The Birth of the Ukulele
The belief that Hawaii lays sole claim to the ukulele is a widely held misconception. The earliest ukes only date back to the mid-1880s, and they weren’t invented by the Hawaiians.
Stories
Ukulele chanteuses the Mersey Belles channel a retro vibe in pursuit of modern-day fun
By Amber von Nagel This may be the digital age, but the Liverpool ukulele duo the Mersey Belles still have one foot firmly planted in the stylish past. In fact, connecting with the two women—Danielle “Nancy” Perkins and Lindsey “Pearl” Stainthorpe—via…
Gods of Uke: The Wizardry of Israel ‘Iz’ Kamakawiwo’ole
The legacy of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole—known to his fans simply as Iz—goes far beyond his famous ukulele medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World."
Aloha, Edgar Dang
At Aloha Warehouse in San Francisco’s historic Japantown, co-owner Edgar Dang spread his love of Hawaiian music and culture—one ukulele at a time. This winter, Dang unexpectedly passed away in his sleep, at age 56, but his vision and legacy…
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‘Nashville’ star Laura Benanti Is Bitten By the Uke Bug
“Please don’t ask me where you know me from,” Laura Benanti’s bio reads on her hilarious, unfiltered Twitter account (@LauraBenanti). If Benanti does look familiar, it could be through any number of her roles. The 35-year-old Tony-winning actress and ukulele…
Check Out Alvarez’s New Ukulele Lines
As we previously reported from Winter NAMM 2015, Alvarez is getting in the uke game. The acoustic guitar manufacturer has officially launched its Regent series and Artist series, which range from $129-299 in a variety of wood combinations. Check them…
Get Out & Play: Summer 2015
Hone your skills and have a blast at a uke summer camp just for adults By Louise Lee Whether you’re already learning the ukulele or want to pick up the instrument, attending a ukulele camp could be the perfect chance…
Danielle Ate the Sandwich delivers a compelling documentary soundtrack
Edith Lake Wilkinson was a talented painter who graced the Provincetown, Massachusetts, art scene in the early 20th century and created a remarkable portfolio of work. Wilkinson was committed to an asylum in 1924—thanks in large part to a corrupt…
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Ukulele Club of Chinatown in San Francisco
In the heart of San Francisco’s bustling Chinatown district, the largest Chinese community outside Asia, the Ukulele Club of Chinatown meets to celebrate music from America and China. The club is organized by the Chinese Congregational Church, one of the…
San Francisco’s Uke-a-Thon honors the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition
February 20th marked the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition (PPIE),the event that first brought uke mania to the mainland. To honor the occasion, San Francisco hosted a Uke-a-Thon on February 21, 2015 at the Palace of Fine Arts.…