4th Annual New Jersey Uke Fest, presented by The Folk Project
WHEN: August 26th and 27th, 2016. The event consists of a Concert on Friday evening at 8:00PM, over six hours of ukulele related workshops on Saturday from 9:00AM till 5:30PM and a second Concert on Saturday Evening at 7:30PM
WHERE: Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey located at 60C North Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ.
TICKETS: $90 Regular Full Fest
Tickets can be purchased on-line(credit card or check) at www.folkproject.org/njukefest or at The Minstrel any Friday evening (cash/check).
For more information, call 973-370-4UKE (4853) or go to njukefest@folkproject.org.
At the New Jersey Uke Fest, we know that there is something special about the ukulele. It is unlike any other instrument. When ukulele players get together, they can't help but have fun. The best way to experience that is to attend the New Jersey Uke Fest. We will have some great concerts, plenty of workshops for all skill levels, vendors, an open mic for those who want to share their talents, and group jams.
The 2016 New Jersey Uke Fest performers are: JUNO-nominated virtuoso instrumentalist JAMES HILL, Prohibition-era jazz ensemble VICTOR & PENNY, American roots / blues man MANITOBA HAL, Beatles tribute band, the Fab Faux performer JIM BOGGIA, and Progressive Ukulele Rock band COUSIN EARTH.
JAMES HILL can produce sounds that are edgy, bluesy and raw. And he can do it on a ukulele. He can also pull off a breathtaking range of musical styles and riffs on this underdog four-stringed instrument with equal measures of virtuosity and good humor. Check out this singer-songwriter’s performance and you’ll be a ukulele believer.
VICTOR & PENNY - Celebrate a time when style mattered and class was king, They feature tight harmonies, dazzling guitar work and a fiery ukulele. This corset-tight duo crafts clever original tunes and brings a modern voice to Prohibition-era jazz with charm and hot licks. They are an "absolute rollicking blast.”
MANITOBA HAL has forged an international reputation for engaging and connecting with his audience through songs that are mournful, hopeful, silly, romantic, and introspective. He proves that the uke can be small but mighty as he pulls out powerful blues riffs and melodies, adding subtle important accompaniment using looping technology.
JIM BOGGIA - For more than 20 years, Jim Boggia has been winning over fans, critics, contemporaries and luminaries alike with his uncompromising devotion to the sort of winsomely nostalgic, emotionally direct song craft that's impervious to age. Boggia performs with the well-known New York City-based Beatles tribute band, the Fab Faux, as well as Mad Dogs & Dominos, an 18-piece collective headed by a heavyweight roster that includes Blues Brothers alum Lou Marini and producer John Leventhal. Oh, and he plays a mean ukulele.
COUSIN EARTH is a Brooklyn-based Progressive Ukulele Rock band. With both an original repertoire and a vast array of covers, Cousin Earth brings both a sense of playfulness and technical ability to the music they play. From shredding ukulele solos and 4–part vocal breakdowns to interweaving themed medleys, the band is sure to catch the attention of any music lover. Presenting a multitude of styles including Rock, Fusion, Ragtime, Funk, Bluegrass, Hip Hop, and even Electronica, no musical style is off-limits for this up-and-coming live act.
During the day on Saturday the 27th, there will be over six hours of WORKSHOPS for all levels of players. Workshops including: Beginning Blues for Uke, Lyricism and Line: How to Make the Ukulele Sing, The Beatles on 4 Strings, The Jazz Toolbox for Ukulele, The Many Sounds You Can Make With a Ukulele, and more.
The Folk Project is a non-profit 501C Corporation whose mission is to present high caliber folk music performances, dances and instructional workshops for the public and members; to encourage development of musicianship, performance, storytelling and dance skills in the Northern New Jersey area and provide interesting social and learning activities relating to traditional and participatory folk music and dance.
