Beyond books: Neenah Public Library holds ukulele open jams
“Bill Gates recently picked up the ukulele. And Warren Buffett is a huge ukulele fan. I even got to strum a few chords with Francis Ford Coppola. It blows my mind that these people, who have everything in the world they could want, have picked up the ukulele and found a little bit of joy.” ~ Ukulele virtuoso and composer Jake Shimabukuro
The little ukulele has seen a huge resurgence in recent years. It’s a popular instrument for good reason: it’s affordable, it’s relatively easy to learn, and it’s small and portable. But perhaps most importantly, playing the ukulele with others creates a musical and magical sense of community. Join the ukulele movement and become part of the local uke community.
The Neenah Public Library will offer weekly open jam sessions for ukulele players at all levels. Hosted and led by musician Mike Iverson, who has taught guitar, bass, piano, and ukulele through Heid Music for the past 17 years. The jams will be informal and fun, and they’re open to all – from beginners to experienced ukulele players. They begin on Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and run through November 19. Bring your uke. Or reserve one of the Library’s own ukuleles. Through a partnership with Heid Music, the kits include a Kala soprano ukulele, a gig bag, an electronic tuner, and an instruction booklet with access to online learning tools. For more information, contact the Neenah Public Library Adult Services Department at 920-886-6315.
The open jams are free – no registration required. The happiness, merriment, and magic of playing music with a community are free, too!
Uke on, Neenah!
Neenah Public Library, located at 240 East Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Neenah, boasts an impressive collection of books and magazines, movies, and music available for checkout; full-service reference and readers’ advisory services; programming, classes, and workshops for all ages. The Library’s mission is to inspire ideas, enrich lives, create community, and celebrate literacy.
