2019 Palm Strings Ukulele Festival & SWING Dance!

PALM STRINGS UKE FEST V CELEBRATES THE GOLDEN AGE OF UKULELE!

DANCE but don't UKE? Our SWING DANCE FINALE is open to all!

CLICK THE GREEN 'TICKETS' BUTTON TO PURCHASE OR READ FESTIVAL PASS/TICKET OPTIONS

Hundreds of ukulele enthusiasts will descend upon the Palm Springs Hilton from October 31 - November 2 for the 5th Annual Palm Strings Ukulele Festival. Instructors and Performers include Casey MacGill, Gerald Ross, Victor & Penny, Heidi Swedberg, Daniel Ward, Dani Joy, Perry Stauffer, Jess y James, and more!

This year's theme is "Gatsby to Godfrey" which covers the decades of the "Golden Age of Ukulele" from the 20's to the 50's. Plus, the event kicks off on Halloween night, with a bonus "Spooky Ukes Bash" for full-festival, (multi-day) pass holders and their guests–a poolside affair featuring a harvest jam, a costume contest, and lots of entertainment.

The balance of the Festival features live music on two stages, from top professionals to open mic newbies, uke classes for all ages and playing levels, and a musical marketplace of ukulele vendors.

Our GRAND FINALE SWING NIGHT is a combination Swing Dance and Concert for listeners and rug-cutters alike. Our HOT Swing Combo, THE SKELETON CREW, features seasoned Hollywood pros Casey MacGill, John Reynolds, & Nate Ketner, with Michigan's Gerald Ross and Lord James on bass. You say you don't dance? Take a FREE Swing Dance lesson from Jessica MacGill on Saturday at noon! VINTAGE WEAR IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED!

SCHEDULE OUTLINE:

Thursday, Oct. 31
7:00PM - Spooky Ukes Bash for full-festival pass holders & guests.

Friday, Nov. 1
9:00AM - 5PM Workshops (passes req'd)
9:00AM - 5PM Marketplace & Poolside Stage OPEN TO PUBLIC
7:00PM - Open Mic-A-Palooza OPEN TO PUBLIC

Saturday, Nov. 2
9:00AM - 5PM Workshops (passes req'd)
9:15AM - Family Intro to Uke Class with Seinfeld's Heidi Swedberg
9:00AM - 5PM Marketplace & Poolside Stage OPEN TO PUBLIC
7:00PM - SWING DANCE/CONCERT FINALE (tickets req'd, doors open at 6:30PM)

For detailed schedule, workshop topics, and more, visit www.playuke.net

Contact: Douglas Reynolds

PO Box 2111
Minden, NV 89423
Phone: 775-220-0995

https://www.playuke.net
[email protected]

HOTEL ROOMS:
Hotel reservations are now available. You may reserve online HERE or call (800) 445-8667 and use Group Discount Code UKE. Rooms start at $159.

CANCELLATION POLICY: All passes and tickets are refundable less 20% cancellation fee until midnight, October 17 (14 days prior to the event). No refunds within 14 days. Passes ARE transferable. To transfer, email [email protected] from the email address used to purchase to give new attendee name.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UKULELE DURING THE 1900's
After the introduction of the ukulele to the mainland at the 1915 Pan Pacific Exposition, the instrument found favor on college campuses and at ritzy parties alike throughout the roaring 20's. Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards kept the uke popular throughout the 30's and into the early 40's, and in the 50's, Arthur Godfrey jump-started a uke revival on radio and in the new medium of television.

Also in the 50's, a young messenger at MGM Studios by the name of Herbert Khaury was experimenting with different performing styles, drawing upon his encyclopedic musical knowledge and eventually settling upon a comedic character by the moniker of Tiny Tim. (Savvy ukulele enthusiasts are well aware that "Tim" was much more than his Laugh-In persona.) We'll pay tribute to all of these eras and styles and more.