The second annual Rocky Mountain UkeFest is scheduled in venues around downtown Durango through Sunday.
The event includes special guest presenters Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel from California, Gerald Ross from Michigan and Danielle Ate the Sandwich from Colorado.
The Strater Hotel and Durango Arts Center will host workshops, open mics, live jam sessions, and concerts sure to set attendees' ukuleles to strumming throughout the weekend. Beginner, intermediate and advanced ukulele players are encouraged to register.
Ukulele workshop registration opens on Friday morning at the Strater Hotel with a welcome reception and ukulele jam session scheduled for tonight at the Rochester Hotel Secret Garden. Admission is $10.
The weekend continues with workshops beginning on Saturday morning and ends with a live concert in the evening by the festival presenters. A special event has just been added on Sunday featuring the Sunday Soulful Uke Jam & Breakfast hosted by Danielle Ate the Sandwich at the Strater Hotel.
Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel have made an incredible splash in the ukulele scene with their complementing styles and vocal harmonies. They have performed and taught at festivals and events all over the world. Chee was born and raised on Oahu, then he matured as a ukulele player and musician on the mainland. He has worked with Jake Shimabukuro and Troy Fernandez and is a renowned instructor and performer around the world. Craig infuses his energetic and just plain fun style into many genres of music and is known for his collaborations at different music events.
Sarah Maisel was raised in Alabama and worked in San Diego for the La Jolla Playhouse and the University of California San Diego. One night she walked into a local ukulele jam and was fascinated by the instrument and the joy that surrounded it. Studying under Frank Leong, Sarah dove into the jazz stylings of golden age Hawai'i songs and arrangements inspired by ukulele legends Lyle Ritz, Benny Chong and Byron Yasui. She found a passion teaching and performing with the ukulele and quickly became a favorite at many ukulele festivals around the world.
Gerald Ross is a Michigan native and specializes in American Roots Music - swing, early jazz, western swing, Hawaiian, ragtime and blues. Playing the guitar, lap steel guitar and ukulele, he has performed throughout the USA and Europe and has recorded seven solo CDs. Gerald currently tours as a solo act performing and teaching ukulele and steel guitar at festivals and music camps. He has delighted audiences with his ukulele, guitar, and steel guitar performances since the early 70s. Gerald has performed in concert with Bonnie Raitt, Arlo Guthrie and Doc Watson. This multi-talented musician has been known to pick up a mandolin, bass, steel guitar, banjo, harmonica and Cajun accordion.
Danielle Ate the Sandwich is the stage name of indie-folk, songwriter, Danielle Anderson. Danielle is based out of Fort Collins and is best known for her homemade and quirky YouTube videos performed with the ukulele. Her music career began modestly at open mic nights in Fort Collins and was unexpectedly jump-started by the popularity of her YouTube videos that showcase her songs and silly personality. The true power of Danielle Ate the Sandwich, however, is her ability to sing stories both grand and small, with sweet vocals and thoughtful, honest lyrics. She has been touring nationally since 2009, cultivating a loyal and dedicated fan base, affectionately referred to as 'Fanwiches.' She has shared the stage and collaborated with acts such as Pomplamoose, Leo Kottke, Mumford & Sons and Suzanne Vega.
To purchase tickets, go to www.rockymountainukefest.com or call Festival Director Denise Leslie at (970) 903-6417.
Last minute updates and changes will be listed on the group's Facebook page.
