Denver Ukefest 2022
Event Information
About this event
Denver Ukefest is a three-day festival showcasing all-things ukulele! Rescheduled from May 7-9, 2020.
Ukefest 2022 will feature the following performers:
- Victor & Penny
- Kris Fuchigami
- Danielle Ate The Sandwich
- Del Rey
- Uke Tango
- The Naked Waiters
The full performance, workshop, and jam schedule is forthcoming!
WORKSHOP DETAILS
Whether you are new to the ukulele or an advanced player, Ukefest’s workshops run the gamut from honing your basic skills to breaking down musical barriers to add your personal stamp to how you play the uke. Featuring workshops by Swallow Hill Music instructors as well as those performing on the festival’s concert stages, our workshops tie the festival together by tying fun, learning and community together.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Victor & Penny deliver swing-infused folk-jazz in the band’s signature high-energy style with joy, humor, and soaring musical improvisation. Victor & Penny were named “Best Folk Ensemble 2015” by the PITCH; “Standout Concert of the Year” by the Joplin Globe; and are two-time Folk Alliance International official showcase artists. V&P feature tight vocal harmonies, dazzling guitar work, and a fiery ukulele. This corset-tight group brings a modern Kansas City voice to their original tunes and prohibition era jazz with sterling musicianship. Since 2010, Victor & Penny (aka Jeff Freling and Erin McGrane) have been thrilling audiences nationally with their deft blend of originals, hot jazz, and swing.
Danielle Ate the Sandwich is the stage name of pop-folk songwriter, Danielle Anderson. Getting her start in Fort Collins, Colorado, Danielle has been touring nationally since 2009, after cultivating an online following from her homemade videos on YouTube and her unique style of online marketing that 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 seriously. She’s known for her quirky lyrical twists, performing most frequently with a ukulele and delivering witty and honest stage banter in her live shows.
Danielle Ate the Sandwich has made appearances internationally, opened for Mumford and Sons, Suzanne Vega, toured with Pomplamoose and wrote the soundtrack to the Emmy nominated HBO documentary, Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson.
Uke Tango comes from Buenos Aires (Argentina) and although they’re interested in several music genres, they’ve started playing ukulele in tango, cause its particular sonority reminds them of the old guitars of the earliest formations. Besides, because of the versatility of the instrument, Uke Tango performs old tangos, waltzes, and even the works of Astor Piazzolla.
Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, 13-year-old Kris Fuchigami began his musical journey with an old, beat up ukulele in his hands and a strong desire to master that tiny little instrument. Two years later Kris won the grand prize at the Hamakua Music Scholarship Competition on the Big Island where he competed against classical pianists, singers, drummers, and many other genres of musicians. Kris went on to headline, and perform at many ukulele festivals and has gained recognition throughout the world.
Del Rey started playing guitar when she was four years old. At thirteen, she was immersed in the world of folk music, via the San Diego Folk Festival. Rags, blues and tunes of the early 20th century are her specialty, even as she writes new music to add to the tradition. Del Rey also has a fashion sense that would make Minnie Pearl smile.
Del Rey has taught and played all over the world, and brings her distinctive finger-style approach to guitar and ukulele to her teaching DVDs on Homespun Boogie-Woogie Guitar, The Music of Memphis Minnie, Memphis Uke Party and Blue Uke.
The Naked Waiters are a unique acoustic trio who specialize in an equally particular instrument: the ukulele. Kim Bjerga, Clark Holmes, and Andy Nufer have carved out a niche for themselves in their local music scene, and for good reason. Their tight, three-part harmonies, combined with interestingly composed arrangements are refreshingly diverse, both in musicianship and content. With various ukulele ranges (tenor, baritone, and bass ukulele, as well as guitar), the three have managed to produce a wide, varied sound, and with an equally varied set list, The Naked Waiters are bridging musical gaps for all ages and ears.
Organizer Swallow Hill Music
Organizer of Denver Ukefest 2022