Film: MIGHTY UKE November 7, 2010

Get an earful of the ukulele renaissance in this lively documentary that traces the user-friendly uke’s history from its Portuguese origins and Hawaiian evolution to its first pop culture heyday in the era of raccoon coats and 1920s crooners. No longer regarded as the court jester of the string family, the ukulele has undergone a serious worldwide revival that continues to attract new converts. MIGHTY UKE unleashes the tunes as it tracks musicians past and present and follows a Vancouver high school ensemble to a triumphant gig in Honolulu, where Canucks in leis bring the house down with their traditional Hawaiian numbers.

Bring your own uke to the show for more fun following the film! At both screenings, Canadian co-directors Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher will be present for discussion, and Tony will lead an all-audience jam session featuring Lanialoha Lee, performer and faculty member at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and the Harrison Street ukulele players of the Wonderwall Emporium. Ticket-holders are eligible to win a special edition ukulele from Kala Ukulele.

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