(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The 2017 New Jersey Uke Fest, the Folk Project's fifth annual ukulele festival, will be held at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey in Whippany on Friday, Aug. 25 and Saturday, Aug. 26, with an outdoor Jam on the Green in Morristown on Sunday, Aug. 27. The festival includes concerts, workshops, vendors, open mics, jams and more!
This year's performers include Kimo Hussey, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Rachel Manke, The Lords of Liechtenstein, and The Curt Sheller Jazz Trio, all of whom will also be presenting workshops. Christine DeLeon, Marc Dutton, Debi Velasco, and Makalina are additional workshop presenters.
A Full Fest ticket is a full immersion into the world of Ukulele, starting with a concert on Friday evening, then six hours of workshops on Saturday, a second concert on Saturday evening, and still time for jamming on Sunday. A Saturday Full Day ticket allows you to join us for all the workshops and the evening concert. A Workshops- Only ticket gives you a chance to learn from some of the best ukulele instructors around. A Concerts-Only ticket gives the non-player the opportunity to participate in the Uke-tastic event that is the New Jersey Uke Fest.
Performers
Kimo Hussey is one of Hawaii's preeminent ukulele players and instructors. Combining his love of the ukulele with his knowledge, experience, and confidence, Kimo's ability to impart knowledge relevant to technique, practice, and having fun is unmatched. We are honored to have him headline this year's festival.
Danielle Ate the Sandwich has been touring since 2009, cultivating an online following from her homemade videos on YouTube. Her unique style of online marketing brings her music to the audience she affectionately refers to as "Fanwiches." Her songs can be thoughtful, heavy, and serious, but Danielle rarely takes herself too seriously She's known for her quirky lyrical twists and for delivering witty and honest stage banter in her live shows.
Rachel Manke has been called one of the brightest stars in the ukulele universe, and loves sharing her astounding technique and beautiful singing with audiences young and old. She has appeared on stages that range from the Ashokan Uke Fest and Funky Frets Uke Fest to Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion. Rachel has a teaching style that is fun, relaxed, and accessible. She employs basic teaching methods with learning objectives and multi-sensory approaches. Most importantly, humor and emphasis on the overall joy of making music is central.
Inspired by their affection for jazz improvisation, the Curt Sheller Jazz Trio reworks timeless classics on How About More Uke? replacing the standard guitar backing with a ukulele played with skill and creativity by Sheller himself. Alongside drummer Ed Rick and Eric Schreiber on electric bass, Sheller reveals that the ukulele can be utilized as a serious and vibrant instrument.
The Lords of Liechtenstein is a contemporary folk band based in New York City. It started as a duo project of two brothers, Dan and Noah Rauchwerk. The Lords often draw comparisons to The Everly Brothers for their harmonic sensibilities and to The Smothers Brothers for their mischievous onstage interactions. They write purposeful lyrics to tell musical stories that fluctuate between heart-wrenchingly sad and outlandishly ridiculous topics. The Lords have been featured on NPR's syndicated Mountain Stage program. Their newest album, Downhill Ride to Joyland, is a raucous fifteen-song romp through the ups and downs of human existence.
Workshops, Vendors, and the Open Mic Contest
Workshops being offered this year range from Blues, Jazz and Ragtime to the Great American Songbook all the way to Irish Music. There will be techniques workshops for both the left and right hand, fingerpicking, performance skills and even some of the funkier playing styles including tapping, chucking and slapping to add more dimension to your playing style. Most of our workshops will be able to accommodate all levels of players from the barest beginner through the most accomplished players. This year the festival has tried to incorporate some workshops for the non-ukulele players who accompany uke players where ever they go. These include songwriting, lei making and even a Hula workshop.
The festival turns the lobby of the Ukrainian Center into a vendor marketplace showcasing all things ukulele, including gig bags, straps, capos, tuners, poi balls, hula dolls, stained glass ukuleles, jewelry to wear while performing, and of course, ukuleles. The Ukulele Kids Club will be joining us to help spread the word of all the good they do with music therapy in hospitals nationwide.
One of the best loved events at the New Jersey Uke Fest is the Lunch Time Open Mic Contest. While enjoying lunch, attendees are given the opportunity to participate in an Open Mic Contest. The winner of the contest will get to perform a song during the Saturday evening concert.
Tickets
Advance ticket prices:Full Fest $100; Saturday Full Day $85; Saturday Workshops Only $70; Concert Only $20 per Concert
At the Door August 25/26 - Full Fest $110; Saturday Full Day $95; Saturday Workshops Only $80; Concert Only $20 per Concert
Meals
All Attendees to the New Jersey Uke Fest are welcome to join the performers and staff for Saturday Lunch and Dinner. Both will be a hot buffet available as either Meat or Vegan (Lunch $12 / Dinner $18). Those who wish to bring their own food are welcome to do so.
Location
All Friday and Saturday events take place indoors at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey located at 60-C North Jefferson Road in Whippany, New Jersey.
Sponsors of the New Jersey Uke Fest
The Folk Project, Ohana Ukuleles, Morristown Inn, Mainland Ukes, Strumstick, Sam Ash, Morris Arts, Funky Frets, The Hug Strap, Gigy, Mara Levine Jewelry, S.L.R. Stained Glass Studio
