Many years ago the Harmony company produced a ukulele on which was inscribed: Music self-played is happiness self-made. That is as true now as it was in the 1920s. Whether you’re a ukulele novice or a seasoned strummer the Vancouver Ukulele Circle is for you! King of the Ukulele, Ralph Shaw, founded the oldest ukulele club in Canada. We have celebrated our 21st anniversary.
You say you can’t sing and can barely play? NO PROBLEM! Quality is not an issue. We do this for fun. Sing as loud and free as you like because everyone else (over 100 people) is doing the same.
Want to perform? Our open-mic time is your chance to shine no matter what level you’re at. In fact the applause is all the louder for brave beginners.
So come join our group of session leaders and experience the folk music of the new millennium. Ukulele is where it’s at!
More about us …
Our monthly meeting:
Almost nothing is predictable right now. To be notified when and where we are meeting, whether on Zoom or (more likely) live, please join our mailing list (see below).
VanUkes will be taking a break over the summer, so our next meeting will be in September, date and location TBD.
Ticket price is $6.50.
The tickets link will be made known to folks on the mailing list the week before the date.
You may join our mailing list, see below, to receive the details about each month’s meeting and the month’s songs.
What we’ll do at this “meeting”
Here is a 3-minute video that will give you an idea of what our meetings are like.
We will all play together from the month’s songs, displayed on the screen, for about an hour, take a break, and then have an “open mike” (one-tune performances) by willing people. Then we will finish up with more playing together until 9:30 pm. Come along and join the fun.
We’re not scary or intimidating, and we have the whole range of playing abilities, including people who don’t play the uke at all but for some reason like hearing a roomful of them. You’re welcome to come and lurk or come and join us (there’s the same entrance fee either way)! Here’s a real quote from a new participant:
Had a great time at my first Uke Circle meeting. It was incredibly refreshing to be with a group of people who enjoy making music for the sheer fun and joy of it. Thanks to everyone for being so welcoming. Dennis
Here is another:
As a beginning Uke player it was sometimes hard to keep up but knowing most of the songs made it a lot easier, and sitting at a table with likeminded folks made it a lot of fun. Hilde
And one comment from an online meeting:
I loved the warm familiarity of all those meeting and … the feeling of camaraderie … Barry
Join our mailing list
Changes in location or day and other special news, including the monthly tune list, will be made known to people on the group’s Vanukes googlegroup mailing list. If you’d like to be on the list, contact us at Contact us (vanukes.ca) giving your name, location, and your interest in the group (enough to make it clear that you’re a real person, local enough to attend our meetings, and not a spammer).
For more information, contact Wendy on our Contact us (vanukes.ca) form.
Other clubs, jams and classes around Vancouver
You can check out other places to play and classes on our Around Town page.