Ukulele Clubs Come to the Inland Empire

ALL>> This week, The Fourth Annual Ukulele Festival took place in the City of Loma Linda. Strummers and performers from across the Inland Empire gathered to celebrate not only the instrument, but the spirit of music, and the joy it brings to those who hear it.    The ukulele has caught on with a lot of groups, but seniors in particular find it enjoyable for a number of reasons.  Number one is that it appears to be a relatively easy instrument to play.   The fact that it is much smaller than a guitar means that it is easier to transport.  Having only four strings instead of six makes it less intimidating as well.  Once someone has learned a few fairly easy chords a wealth of music is available for playing and singing.  And should a person get really into it, he/she soon discovers that a ukulele can be a very versatile instrument that can offer as many challenges as the person is willing to take on. Probably its greatest appeal, though, is the chance to get together with other folks to learn new songs, practice old favorites, and just have fun. There is a wide range of music available to players.  Hawaiian music is a natural choice for many since so much Hawaiian music has been written with the ukulele in mind.  The sheet music from the mid-1920’s through the end of the 30’s and into the 40’s was almost always publish with ukulele chords provided.  Many senior groups remember hearing the music of those eras and enjoy singing the “old songs”.  Much of the music of the ‘50s and ‘60s is also music that can be adapted for ukulele playing.  There are an impressive number of ukulele clubs in the Greater Inland Empire.  From as far away as Indio and Fallbrook, there are 12 Senior-based ukulele groups from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.  There are probably half-again as many as that who couldn’t make it to the event.    According to on nationwide website there are over 60 clubs of all varieties in the state of California, so even if that is an under-reported number we could have one-tenth of the uke clubs in the state here. If someone wanted to, they could go to a different ukulele group each day of the week, and on some days, even two, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  And the amazing thing is, there are some ukulele players who come close to doing that," said Barry Thompson, President of the Loma Linda Ukulele Strummers. "It was really was a wonderful event." Below are the represented clubs and their contact information.  Those interested in more information should contact the leader (if that information is provided) or contact the senior center.   Loma Linda Ukulele Strummers Tuesdays 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Loma Linda Senior Center President – Barry Thompson (bbt107@gmail.com)   Desert Strings Wednesdays 1:30 to 3:30 P.M; Indio Senior Center Leader – Jeanne Noel Chalfont   Fallbrook Strummers Ukulele Group Fridays 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Fallbrook Senior Center Contact Stephen Spencer kc6mie@roadrunner.com   Hemet Ukulele Strummers Mondays 9:00 to 11:00 Valley Wide Senior Center Leader – Gerri Kapono   La Sierra Strummers Mondays 10:00 A.M. to 12 La Sierra Sr. Center in Riverside Contact Kalei Santos   Lugonia Ukulele Fun Strummers Wednesdays 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 Redlands Senior and Community Center Contacts – Joe Carroll and Benson Wong     Orange Blossoms Ukulele Strummers Thursdays 10:30 to 12:30 Joslyn Senior Center, Redlands Contact – Cathy Ekaitis -  myblushinrosie@aol.com   Palm Desert Strummers and Desert Ukulele Marching Band Tuesdays 1:00 to 3:00 Palm Desert Joslyn Center Leader – Wendy Alderson   Rancho Cucamonga Ukulele Strummers Ablaze Mondays – Beginners – 12:45 to 1:45                    All others – 2:30 to 4:00 Rancho Cucamonga Senior Center Contact – Noray Papazoglu   Rio-Altas Ukulele Club Fridays – 9:30 to 11:00 Grace Vargas Senior Center, Rialto Contact - Cathy Ekaitis -  myblushinrosie@aol.com   Trilogy Ukulele Club Open to residents of Trilogy, Glenn Ivy Contact -  Michael Wild (562-355-1356) for information on how to start a ukulele group within a planned community.   Yuciapa Ukes Wednesdays – 9:00 to 11:00 Scherer Senior Center , Yucaipa Contacts -        Jack Gaston  -   anontsag@yahoo.com                         Jennifer Robbins -  jbehn3@verizon.net