Beyond Craft: Kamisuki, Paper as Process May 10, 2007

Exploring the fine craft of this popular instrument, Evolution of the Ukulele provides an in-depth history of how a small group of Portuguese immigrants brought the little guitar-like Madeiran “machete” to Honolulu in 1879. The exhibition is accompanied by samples of over 100 years of ukulele music; demonstrations of ukulele production; a hands-on area where visitors can pick up and play a uke; and colorful historic sheet music covers from the ‘teens and twenties with titles such as “Give Me a Ukulele.”

Evolution of the Ukulele will be the centerpiece for a first ever San Francisco Ukulele Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens that includes headline and local musicians performing Hawaiian music, Tin Pan Alley favorites, ukulele contemporary pop and country music, and sing-a-longs with prominent Bay Area ukulele clubs. The highlight of the festival will be a concert featuring Jake Shimabukuro at the Herbst Theater on Friday, September 7th.

Official Website: http://www.mocfa.org