Ukulele events are starting to pop up all over the place in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Here are classes and jams we know about, including some out of town regular events. The Calendar of regular events is near the bottom of the page. We’re starting to collect a list of shops and people who do repairs, as recommended to us. Please note, these places and people were recommended in good faith, but we take no responsibility for your experience with them.
Classes
Clubs and jams
Out of Town
Calendar
Shops that sell ukuleles
Ukulele repairs
Virtual events
Classes:
Ruby’s Ukes, see Vancouver, Downtown below.
Harmonious Joan, see Vancouver, Fairview below.
Jams:
Cutie Circle’s Monthly Online Jams are held at 1pm on the second Sunday of each month. The Cuties also have a Friday Night Hangout Virtual open mic jam on alternate Fridays at 7pm. For more information, go to https://cutiecircle.com/join_us/. Last update/confirmed 2023mar02.
Classes
Vancouver, Downtown: Ruby’s Ukes
Established in 2009 Ruby’s Ukes is the Vancouver based Ukulele school with classes, workshops & Vancouver’s Ukulele festival. From absolute novice to advanced player, Ruby’s Ukes has the perfect Ukulele course for you. Classes take place live, interactive and on-line via Zoom, plus back in physical class!
Ruby’s Ukes 10 week Ukuleles Courses run every September, January and April, with workshops, A Ukulele Orchestra, the Annual Vancouver Ukulele Festival, and additional classes and workshops throughout the year. And now a Summer School too!
We have taught thousands of people to play the ukulele with tried and true educational methods and philosophy of learning. Using accelerated learning techniques: visual; auditory; and kinesthetic, so everyone’s learning style is catered for ensuring a fun, and successful ukulele learning experience. Learning a swing, jazz, blues, pop, classical & folk repertoire there is something for everyone! Click here to find the perfect class/level for you ‘What level am I?’
All Ruby’s Ukes educators (Daphne Roubini, Andrew Smith, and Eduardo Garcia) are professional performers as well as teachers who love to share their enthusiasm, love and musical delight. Every course comes with a class materials page that has youtube links, professionally recorded audio samples, bespoke course materials, and many more features to support your learning experience.
Professional bands are: Black Gardenia Vintage Jazz band and Ruby & Smith Jazz Folk Duo.
Watch the Ruby’s Ukulele Orchestra (RUO) performance at The York Theatre or listen to the audio recording of Ruby’s Ukulele Ensemble (RUE) It’s so much fun!
We love to hear from you so please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or just want to say hi!
Email: rubysukes@gmail.com or to go on our mailing list on https://www.rubysukes.ca.
Ruby’s Ukes As featured on CBC national Radio Documentary “Four little Strings“, CTV, The globe and Mail, Global news, Vancouver Sun, Monte Cristo Magazine, Georgia Straight, North Shore News, Common Ground Magazine, Uke Magazine, Ukulele Magazine, Daily Hive, and more. Last update/confirmed 2023feb16.
Vancouver, Downtown – UKE-INVESTIGATE
Heather Stubbs is offering Beginner & Novice Ukulele Group lessons at Coal Harbour Community Centre (Wed mornings) and the Roundhouse (Wed evenings).
UKE-INVESTIGATE LEVEL 1:
Beginners: For those with absolutely zero music experience, and those wanting a refresher of basic skills. We will introduce & learn several chords & strumming patterns and will sing your favourite songs—including pop, bluegrass, folk and rock. We will also explore some basic music theory and note reading. Emphasis is on participation and fun!!! A ukulele will be available to borrow for the first lesson. Materials $10.00. See Coal Harbour or Roundhouse Community Centre sites for dates, times & details.
UKE-INVESTIGATE LEVEL 2:
Novice/Continuing Beginners: For those with some basic experience. We will review, revisit, and learn new chords & strums. Some music theory and note reading is included. As always, group participation and enjoyment is emphasized! Bring uke. Materials: $10.00. See Coal Harbour or Roundhouse Community Centre sites for dates, times & registration details.
Questions: heatherstubbs.music@gmail.com. Last update/confirmed 2022sep5.
Vancouver, Fairview – Harmonious Joan
Joan offers group ukulele classes for adults, as well as private lessons to adults or children 8+. You need your own ukulele (soprano, concert or tenor) and a tuner (clip-on or tuner app) – all other materials are provided.
Group classes are for Beginner and Advanced Beginner adults and are currently online on Zoom. (These might at some point return to being in-person.) These classes are small, comfortably paced, and the atmosphere is supportive and fun. In the Beginners class you learn about a dozen chords,15 to 18 songs, plus how to properly hold a ukulele, how to fret properly, simple strumming patterns, tips for changing chords, some basic music theory, reading TAB (tablature), how pick out the C major scale and pick out a simple tune, tips for practicing at home, and more. The Advanced Beginner level is for those who have completed the Beginners course and feel ready to move onward and upwards, or have equivalent skills.
Private lessons for adults or children 8+ can be either in-person at her home near VGH, or online. Joan will customize your private lessons to your own level and learning interests.
For more information visit Joan’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/harmoniousjoan or email harmoniousjoan@gmail.com. Last update/confirmed 2023feb06.
Clubs and Jams near Vancouver, BC
Vancouver, Kitsilano – Vancouver Ukulele Circle
That’s this site – see our home page.
Vancouver, Kitsilano – Baritones
BARITONE Players we want YOU! We have started a Baritone Ukulele Circle.
We have a Baritone Ukulele Circle in Kitsilano. And hope to get “Baritone Players” back together (In Person) in 2023 To learn more or be added to the mailing list please contact unclebob@unclebob.ca for more, impromptu (Flash) contact and more. Please include your name, phone number and availability. Last update/confirmed 2023jan06.
Vancouver, Kitsilano – Beer Ukes
Meet on the last Thursday every month at the Wolf & Hound, 3617 W Broadway from 7 – 9, in Kitsilano. No admission fee, but come early for dinner to support the venue. All welcome! Music will be provided.
Questions and rsvp to heatherstubbs.music@gmail.com. Last update/confirmed 2023feb22.
Cloverdale Ukulele Circle
This is a social group of older adults who welcome beginners and more experienced players as well as those who just want to sing along. It meets, at the Cloverdale Recreation Centre, Surrey, BC. First timers are welcome to take part in a session before joining the Recreation Centre. Annual Seniors Fee: $25. For information contact Kelly at cloverdaleukekelly@gmail.com. Last update/confirmed 2023mar02.
Coquitlam Ukulele Tiny Instrument Enthusiasts (Cutie) Circle
Please check calendar for events: http://cutiecircle.com or phone 604.552.UKES (8537). Last update/confirmed 2023feb06.
Delta Ukulele Circle
The Delta Ukulele Circle (formerly White Rock Ukulele Circle) meets at the North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84th Avenue in Delta on the first Saturday of every month from 2:30-5:00. Doors open at 2:00. Admission is $5.00 We can be contacted through email at deltaukulele@gmail.com and can be found on our website deltaukes.com. Last update/confirmed 2023Feb7.
New Westminster: Heritage Ukulele Club
Gordon Smithers runs the Heritage Ukulele Club, which meets Monday evenings 6-8pm during Curling season and Thursdays 6-8pm in the Summer, at the Royal City Curling Club 75 E Sixth Ave E, New Westminster, BC . Loaner books available. Beginners are always welcome.
Here’s their facebook page. You can contact heritageukes@gmail.com for more info. Last update/confirmed 2023feb07.
Sunshine Coast
The Beachcombers Ukulele Group Singers (BUGS) are based throughout the Sunshine Coast, BC. Started by Graham Walker sometime during 2012, this fun community sing and strum-along group offers weekly gatherings, either indoor or outdoor and can be booked for singalong performances. There is a $5.00 drop-in fee.
For more info contact Mark Trevis at marktrevis@gmail.com.
Find our calendar schedule here: https://teamup.com/ks1xia88caxxm2s2bu?source=pwa.
You can also find us on the BUGS Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeachcombersUkuleleGroupSunshineCoastBC/?ref=share_group_link
Last update/confirmed 2023feb06.
Out of town regular events
Clubs and Jams other places
The idea was to provide a list of uke clubs in places our members might be likely to visit, but these two sites already have an extensive list of clubs and players.
Ukulele Universe listing of clubs seems to be from 2004
Jim Beloff’s Fleamarket Music lists clubs and players
One site missing from Jim Beloff’s list is the Portland Ukulele Association (PUA, of Portland, Oregon), a very friendly group that has put on a great annual Ukefest since 2006.
If you are more-or-less local to the Vancouver, BC area and want to be listed here, send us your blurb via Contact us (vanukes.ca).
Calendar
Where to buy a Ukulele near Vancouver, BC
Tapestry Music
Wave Ukes
Music shop: the Vancouver store has moved to 4440 W 10th Ave, Vancouver V6R 2H9, 604.538.0906 or toll free 888.347.7480, info@tapestrymusic.com. Also has White Rock location: 1335 Johnston Road. Will offer a 10% discount to Vancouver Ukulele Circle members in store. They carry the following ukulele brands: Romero, Kala, aNueNue, Flight, Cordoba, Beaver Creek, Wave Ukes, Gretsch, Fender and many more.
Steve Goodall makes ukuleles at his shop in White Rock, BC. https://www.waveukes.ca/. His ukes are also sold at Tapestry Music.
Who will repair a Ukulele near Vancouver, BC
Andrew Smith
Jazz guitarist and ukulele player, sound technician, luthier, 525 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 3H7Mon-Fri 10am – 5.30pm, Ukulelerepairman@yahoo.com, 604 782 1435,
Andy is the teacher and luthier at Ruby’s Ukes. He’s recommended by Mya Moe to repair their Ukes in town and The Langley Ukulele Ensemble, and deals with all the Ruby’s Ukes set-ups and repairs.
Shuriya Guitarcraft
Luthier, 208 – 8696 Barnard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6P 5G5, 12 PM – 4 PM (Monday to Friday), 604-732-5235, eiichi@shuriyaguitarcraft.com
Eiichi Ishikawa has been helping many internationally recognized musicians for over 30 years. Trained in Japan, master guitar craftsman. His website lists several well-known clients.
Tapestry Music
Music shop, 3607 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC Canada .V6R 2B8. 604.538.0906 or toll free .888.347.7480, info@tapestrymusic.com.
Ukulele tech’s are Kevin Johnson, who has been repairing string instruments for over 35 years. and Michael Sabourin, who has been repairing instruments for the past 4 years under training from Kevin.
