We are very sorry to miss Somerlele 2020, but understand that social distancing is crucial to preventing the spread of COVID-19 until we have a better handle on this dangerous situation. Meanwhile, the ukulele can be a source of optimism during this difficult time. Many regional ukulele groups are still hosting virtual meetups. All our performers, instructors and vendors have online resources where you can shop, take classes or private lessons, participate in strums and workshops, or view world-class live music all from the comfort and safety of your own home. Please check out the various options below, and keep on strumming!
PERFORMERS AND INSTRUCTORS
Stu Fuchs has toured and taught around the world for more than 25 years, performing virtuosic and entertaining music on ukulele & guitar as well as teaching his very playful, holistic & wildly innovative ukulele workshops at festivals across North America, the Caribbean & Europe.
Stuart is passionate about sharing music as a practice for self-care & wellness and offers teaching that harness mindfulness practice, yoga & qigong in order to experience a mind-body connection that allows music to be experienced as a natural flow. The workshops of “Ukulele Zen” offer a transformational & deeper experience of music through cultivating presence, deep listening, breath work and radical playfulness to approach any subject from a positive and improvisational flow. Stu’s popular YouTube channel “Ukulele Zen” offers weekly ukulele lessons and inspiration for over 50,000 subscribers. Watch Stu play at an Aztec Temple Stu performs Bob Dylan's Times They Are A'Changin Support Ukulele Zen on Patreon Ukulele Zen on YouTube 
Somerlele founder and Kerrville New Folk winning songwriter Amy Kucharik [/kuh-CHAR-ick/] performs as a one-woman band with ukulele, foot percussion, mouth trumpet and harmonica, or with her Boston-based ensembles. She teaches and performs at ukulele workshops throughout New England and headlined the Ukulele Melee in 2018. In 2018, Amy was selected as a Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist, and released her second full-length album of original music. Amy's social distancing music video for her song AloneTogether was recently featured on CNN Entertainment.
Amy teaches group ukulele classes at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education (currently via Zoom) as well as private lessons and regularly performs streaming concerts. View the full calendar and find out more at her website. Like Amy on Facebook! (and follow for live stream updates) |
Ladies Auxiliary Ukulele Orchestra: Known for their eclectic repertoire, ranging from ukulele favorites to original songs and a cover of the Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian, this mother-daughter duo is a team-up between renowned touring singer/songwriter and arts educator Bernice Lewis and Mariah Colorado, a sophomore at Brandeis University, who began playing the keyboard and ukulele at age six and has been performing her own songs in front of crowds since she was 12. Bernice and Mariah are having an awfully good time performing together. Mom says: “She’s 20 and I’m not…so it’s really important for us to live in the moment.”
Live performance from Ukefest 2019 By the Way I Breathe ©Mariah and Bernice Lewis Like us on Facebook! 
Anne Ku wrote her MA in Music thesis on ukulele song sheets. Before moving to Boston, she taught music at University of Hawaii Maui College. She teaches ukulele in Dorchester, Milton, Arlington and Cambridge (now all online), and is passionately involved in hosting virtual ukulele strums including the popular and timely Friday meetup, "Songs in the Time of Corona." Ann has many virtual workshops on her calendar and much more information at http://www.anneku.com/ukulele/
Danno Sullivan has taught hundreds and hundreds of people to play ukulele in real life and via online courses, and has settled on the motto, "The best way to get better at playing songs on your ukulele is by actually playing songs on your ukulele!" This motto is exemplified in Danno's ukulele teaching and performing activities, and you can find all his lesson videos or contact him for private lessons at his website, Play It Daily Ukulele.
Recently, Danno hosted an online ukulele talent show. Follow him on Facebook via the Ukulele Union of Boston to get notified about future events! |
VENDORS
Sarah Dudek is a Somerville-based printmaker who designed the posters for Somerlele 2019. We'll have her artwork featured again on our poster for 2021, and Sarah will be selling some of her other awesome silkscreened ukulele-related goods. Meanwhile, check her out on Etsy and Instagram to find cool prints of food and other delightful subjects.
Combining her love of quilting and her love of everything ukulele, Nancy creates unique ukulele straps. Her straps come in a wide selection of fabric designs, themes and interests! Add some personality to your ukulele with a QuiltsandUkuleles uke strap!
Instagram: @QuiltsandUkuleles Like us on Facebook! |
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