We are very happy to welcome Tapestry Music of Victoria, Vancouver and White Rock to the Nanaimo Ukulele Festival list of sponsors for the 2018 festival.
Michael has generously donated an Acadia All Solid Mahogany Concert Ukulele valued at $199 which we will be giving away to a lucky winner during the festival.
Tapestry Music will also have a vendor table at the festival on Saturday and Sunday. Make sure to stop by and chat with Michael and David.
We did have a few items left behind at the festival last weekend. If you are missing a possession, please contact us and we will try to get it back to you.
We received several comments from people who attended the 2017 Nanaimo Ukulele Festival and made all the hard work and planning worthwhile. Below are just a few of the remarks that patrons sent us:
“Just want to pass on my huge THANK YOU to all who were involved in organizing, volunteering and hosting the 2017 UkeFestival! It was fantastic! So much fun! I took in Rob Wilkinson’s two lessons on the Saturday(which were really good!), and James & Anne Janelle’s concert (they are both so awesome!), and a friend and I went to the strum and sing-along on the Sunday afternoon as well. An informative, entertaining, fun-packed ukuleleweekend! Thank you so much! Can’t wait for next year!” Shiela
“Thank you SO MUCH for a wonderful Nanaimo Ukulele Festival experience! Anne, Alder and I had a great time. The weather, the workshops, the people, the good vibes… you must be very pleased at the way it all came together. You did a great job! Thank you for the opportunity to be part of such a well-run event.” James Hill
“Looking forward to next year. Only question is how do you beat this year’s guest performer next year? Thanks for a great weekend.” TERRY and LARRY
“Well wasn’t that fun?! I have been around many such events with numbers from less than 20 to over 700. This ukulele festival may be the best organized, most fun, most relaxed, most inspiring off them all.” Martin
“I thought that the festival was so much fun – wonderfully planned and executed. There were lots of volunteers to handle any problem and the scheduling of volunteers was very good. I would be really interested in volunteering and the helping with the planning of another festival, hopefully, next year. I loved both the concert and the jamboree on Sunday. It would be nice to have an sing and strum that could be longer at the next festival if possible.” Heather
“My head is still spinning from the wonderful day I had yesterday at the festival. Your organizers did such a wonderful job that I was able to just absorb the whole experience. I applaud all of you for a tremendous success.” Eileen
Pics of the 2017 Nanaimo Ukulele Festival.
Tuning up for the Jammin’ Jamboree sing and strum.Melissa at the Registration/Information table.The Revolving Doors band performing at the Sunday afternoon Ukulele Jammin’ Jamboree.Steve Doreen, luthier, pleased with the interest his custom ukuleles are getting.Rob Wilkinson teaches Rhythm and Time workshopSteve talks with interested ukulele players.James Hill in action teaching the Lyricism and Line workshop.James teaches jazz chords in Swing Ukulele Swing workshop.
Steve Doreen, an emerging luthier based in Victoria, BC will have his hand crafted custom made ukuleles on display at the Nanaimo Ukulele Festival on both Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th, 2017.
He specializes in custom hand crafted boutique guitars and ukueles but is well equipped to repair your much loved string instrument as well.
Steve creates unique and beautifully sounding instruments made from domestic and locally sourced westcoast woods. Don’t miss the opportunity to chat with Steve about your next instrument built with your own design specifications.
Check out his website www.stevedoreenguitars.com or his facebook page Steve Doreen guitars. Contact info: email: stevedoreen35@hotmail.com or 250-419-3759.
There will be a free draw for a $300.00 dollar gift card towards a custom built uke
Everyone has their own reason for wanting to play a musical instrument. But, why play the ukulele? Below is a list of my top 10 reasons that I choose to play the ukulele.
It is easy to learn. I learned to play a song in a few minutes with just a few simple chords.
I can take it on my trips and play it by the beach or up on a mountaintop.
It makes me and people around me happy.
I can play any kind of music on the uke…jazz, blues, pop, soul, country, oldies, or even Hawaiian!
I have learned so much about music and music theory.
The ukulele suits the size of my smaller hands so I can even play barre chords.
The ukulele is affordable. I got started with a $40 ukulele that I bought at an outdoor market in Hawaii.
I have met so many amazing and wonderful people at home and in places that I have travelled. Ukulele players are very friendly and fun loving people.
There’s no right or wrong way to play an ukulele, there’s only your way.
I’ve never met a grumpy ukulele player.
I’d love to hear from you. What are your reasons for playing the uke?
For those of you who don’t know James Hill and Anne Janelle, check out this video. Their concerts are always fun filled and full of hand clappin’, toe tappin’ energy.
I am happy to say that our website is up and running with loads of information on the upcoming Nanaimo Ukulele Festival on July 15 and 16th, 2017.
Visit our Facebook page and like us and let your friends know that we are here. New and fresh and raring to go.
We are so excited about James Hill coming to teach us some new ukulele tricks in his intermediate workshops and get us tappin’ our toes at the Saturday evening concert. Rob Wilkinson of Arbutus Music will be leading the ukulele newbies with two beginner workshops.
The Nanaimo Ukulele Festival will be at the Neighbourhood Church on Rutherford Road in Nanaimo. Check out the location on our website map.
You can buy your workshop and concert tickets on line using your PayPal account. Your tickets will be waiting for you on Saturday morning at the festival site. There are a few places in Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum that you can pick up your Nanaimo Ukulele Festival tickets: Arbutus Music, Fascinating Rhythm in Nanaimo and the Mulberry Bush Bookstores in Parksville and Qualicum.
We’d love to hear from you so send us a message. There is a contact form on the right side of the site.
It’s going to be a great ukulele festival in 2017.
2017 Nanaimo Ukulele Festival A great little festival July 15-16, 2017
Workshops Saturday, July 15th Don’t miss an opportunity on Saturday morning and afternoon to take a workshop with James Hill or Rob Wilkinson of Arbutus Music. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate player we have a workshop for you.
Saturday, July 15th evening concert headliner is ukulele virtuoso James Hill and Anne Janelle on cello.
Click the link below to listen to James and Anne perform Assam/Like a Bird using the clawhammer technique. https://youtu.be/KV2nZF-pZ1g
Sunday afternoon kicks off with a performance from Parksville’s own Revolving Doors band, followed by a Jammin’ Jamboree. Imagine 200 ukesters playing along together. What fun! And all of Sunday’s festivities are by donation so if you feel like providing a little monetary support to the festival you can but there is no pressure.
It’s all taking place at Nanaimo Neighbourhood Church, 4951Rutherford Road, Nanaimo, BC. No worries about the weather this year.
We are working to get the nanaimoukulelefestiva.ca website up so you can stay up to date with news and information. We expect to launch by the end of April. You will be able to buy your workshop and concert tickets on line or at locations in Nanaimo and Parksville.
Stay tuned and mark those dates in your calendar. It’s going to be “a great little festival”.
day, July 15th evening concert headliner is ukulele virtuoso James Hill and Anne Janelle on cello.