Uke it Out 2: WMNF’s 2nd Annual Ukulele Festival

Food truck, Fiesta Bowls, will be on site all day-yum!

Developed in the 1880s, the ukulele is based on several small guitar-like instruments of Portuguese origin. Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole helped re-popularize the instrument, in particular with his 1993 Over the Rainbow.

Not since 12 year old Grace VanderWaal won the 2016 America’s Got Talent contest playing the ukulele has the ukulele world been as excited about a ukulele event as they are about WMNF’s tribute to the ukulele.  Hyperbole?  Not when it comes to ukulele fans!

Everything from ukulele Reggae and Bluegrass to Americana and Rock—the little ukulele knows no limits.  There will be all kinds of ukuleles—bass ukes, electric ukes, banjo ukes, resonator ukes and acoustic ukes.

The show begins with a ukulele tribute to the Beatles and attendees are encouraged to bring their ukuleles to join in.  The night continues with a line up of the best ukulele bands around.

Plus there will be a Jimmy Page of the Ukulele contest: Whole Lotta Uken!  See who can take the ukulele to the limit and beyond.  Anyone at the show can sign up on the spot (until slots are filled) and compete for the title and trophy. So bring your ukuleles-and your best 2 minute Zep Jam-and be a part of this event!

The night tops off with an All-Star Ukulele Grand Finale. 

3:00 Doors Open (folks can set up chairs outside for jam)

4:00 Beatles jam  (Jay Nunes to lead 30-45 mins)

5:00 Tom Hood & Tropical Sons

5:35 Sydney Hilton

5:50 Two Ukes

6:25 Renee and the Rollers

7:00 Jimmy Page of the Ukulele contest  (open to all attendees)

7:30 Ronny Elliott

7:55 Jct 27

8:35 Rebekah Pulley

9:05 Chance drawing to win two Ukuleles and more!

9:15 Applebutter Express (Duo)

10:00 All star finale

Tom Hood and the Tropical Sons

Original rock, blues, country and Island flavored tunes culled from his seven CDs.

Simply Abigail

A duo with an affinity for folk with a bluesy, soulful delivery.  Abigail and Joel strive to conjure a familiar unfamiliarity with their attempt to realistically reflect the current world’s tug of war between nostalgia and ever evolving innovation.

Jct 27

An original, upbeat all electric ukulele band who brings diverse instrumentation and a variety of genres to their original music. The sound created by this ukulele band brings “uke fusion” to their performances.

Applebutter Express Duo

The Applebutter Express is a ukulele driven good time americana act featuring husband and wife Kyle and Shannon Biss.

Sydney Hilton

Sydney Hilton, 13, is from St. Petersburg and ready to uke it out! At such a young age, Sydney is no stranger to playing piano, guitar, and now ukulele. Sydney Hilton welcomes upcoming shows as she has fallen in love with singing and playing her uke!

Reenee and The Rollers

Reenee and The Rollers, a ukulele band that rocks the South Tampa Ukulele Jam for the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, has been together for over 4 years, and have been featured in countless festivals

Ronny Elliott

Ronny Elliot is an insurgent country singer/songwriter….a hillbilly soul singer from Tampa, Florida who reaches into the deep American well of rock’n’roll and rhythm and blues to bring a gritty brand of dark-hued story songs to the stage.

Rebekah Pulley

Rebekah Pulley began honing her guitar skills at the age of 14 and has since delved into piano, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, and accordion. Her playing style has wryly evolved tapping into rock, blues, old-school country & western, jazz, and even gospel while earning her 7 ‘Best Of The Bay’ awards from Tampa Bay’s own Creative Loafing.