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Ukulele Fest |
What is a ukulele anyway?
For starters, it’s called a uke to people who are “in the know.” To further demystify this delightful little instrument, I spoke with Lil’ Rev, the founder of the Milwaukee Ukulele Club. He is currently getting geared up to host the third-annual Ukulele Fest on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove (800 Elm Grove Rd.).
JK: Why should people check out this festival?
LR: First of all, it’s the cheapest festival in the country. Some of the nation’s best-known ukulele performers and teachers will be there. We are bringing together people from around the U.S. to develop a community around the burgeoning uke scene in Milwaukee. Really, it’s a festival for people who appreciate good music. I want to expose Milwaukee to good music.
JK: How did you start?
LR: I started playing the uke in the early ‘90s. Someone brought it to me at a gig and so I fixed it up and started playing. I noticed it was highly rhythmic and it just brought a smile to everyone’s face. It was very serendipitous.
JK: What’s the biggest misconception?
LR: That it’s a toy! They were popular in the Vaudedville era and then in the ‘50s they sold millions of plastic ukuleles. Maybe because of its size, but for some reason, that idea stuck with people. It can’t be compared to anything else. It has a distinct sound and it has been used in some amazing ways. It has four nylon strings that are plucked and strummed. It has a really lighthearted sound different than the guitar, banjo or mandolin.
Doors open at 9 a.m. for a full day of workshops for every skill level. A concert caps off the festival at 7 p.m., which will feature all genres on the uke from swing to jazz, American roots to, of course, Hawaiian. An all-day pass is $65; workshops only are $45; and it’s $20 for just the evening concert. For tickets, call 262-782-4430 and for more information click here.
Das Block Party
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Bernie Brewer tapping the keg at Oktoberfest 2010 |
On a totally unrelated note, tap into the city’s German heritage at Oktoberfest.
ART Milwaukee and NEWaukee are resurrecting this lauded tradition on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 12-10 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park and on Old World Third Street.
In the past, organizers have shied away from this festival because of violence at the Riversplash festival in the same area, but this will be an authentic and family friendly celebration (with enhanced security).
ART Milwaukee started last year with a mission to inject the arts into engaging social experiences to change the conversation about art. NEWaukee’s mission is to showcase all of what Milwaukee has to offer young professionals, one happy hour at a time. Most important, Ian Abson, Business Development Director of NEWaukee and Angela Damiani, VP for Art Milwaukee, are giving people a new reason to stay here and love Milwaukee. This will be their biggest joint venture yet, with10,000 people expected.
“We are bringing the culture – bands, hands-on art, dancers and traditional German games for kids,” says Damiani. For the adults, create and paint your own clay stein to hold your frothy bev. Art and activities will take place in Pere Marquette Park. There will also be a fashion show (sporting your own lederhosen is encouraged) and the infamous Hammerschlaggen, also known as the “pound-a-nail-into-a-log” game.
Abson is in charge of bringing the party. “I don’t know many French people and Bastille Days is the biggest festival we have downtown,” he says. “It just makes sense to have a German festival, especially in the most German part of the city.” Old World Third Street will be shut down and transformed into Das Block Party with 12 bands, five tents and a whole lotta bier. For a full music line up, click here.
The day starts with a Brat Trot for the Hunger Task Force , where participants will run 1.5 blocks with a brat in one hand and a beer (or root beer) in the other. At 3 p.m., a local celeb will commence the customary keg tapping to launch Das Bar Tour with 13 bars and a photo scavenger hunt with a chance to win Green Bay Packers tickets. What could be more German, or more Milwaukee?
One More Not to Miss
Just in case you have any more time this weekend, perhaps try something new and check out some modern dance. Your Mother Dances and Artistic Director Elizabeth Johnson presents Stripped Roundly, a concert of three new works shared with Associate Artistic Director Luc Vanier.
Devoid of fancy costumes and décor, dancers will connect intimately with the audience as they are seated around the performers. The performance takes place at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mitchell Hall, Room 254 (3203 N. Downer Ave.) from Friday, Sept. 23 through Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A suggested $10 donation is collected at the door. For guaranteed reservations, e-mail mom@yourmotherdances.com or for more information, check out the Facebook page.
Follow me on twitter @jkashou for more insider tips, events and happenings around town. Or, tip me off to an event you know of that you’d like me to cover.
