The Gaithersburg UkeFest will be taking place at Pathways Baptist Church on March 17-19, 2022.
History of the Gaithersburg UkeFest (Ukulele Festival) by founders Keith and Nani Lowery
Aloha! Keith and Nani Lowery were married in Kaneohe, HI on June 28, 1986. It seems their passion throughout their marriage is perpetuating the Aloha spirit. Nani was born and raised in Hawaii, on the Windward side of Oahu. She has played the ukulele for as long as she can remember. Keith played guitar and the trumpet, but now plays the UBass (a Bass Ukulele), and together they have performed at various venues in the DMV as “Naniukulelejoy”. After attending a ukulele festival in Boyertown, PA in early October of 2018 (where Nani was one of the instructors) Keith got the idea of creating a similar ukulele festival right here in Gaithersburg, MD. By the 1st of November 2018, the Gaithersburg UkeFest website was active, and 5 months later the 2019 Inaugural Gaithersburg UkeFest was held. About 125 people attended that first festival, and by all accounts, it was a success. One of the highlights was a raffle we conducted, that raised $1,000 for Gaithersburg Help.
In 2020, we had the 2nd annual festival planned when COVID-19 happened. The March 19-21. 2020 ukulele festival was cancelled. By April 4th, we had a weekly, 2-hour long afternoon entertainment program on Zoom we called the Performers Showcase. It started off with 6 ukulele artists from the United States. By our 4th showcase (April 24th) we had our first European guest artist, and on June 13th we had our first South American guest. All told, we hosted 158 1-hour ukulele workshops, and 41 performer showcases during the Spring and Fall of 2020, and Winter and Spring of 2021.
For the 2022 “live” festival, every artist coming to Gaithersburg appeared at least once on a showcase, and many of them also taught workshops. The artists include: Peter Moss (U.K.), Vinicius Vivas (Brazil), Lorenzo Lignando, aka. Ukulollo (Italy), Jim D’Ville (Ohio), Ashley Orlando (Houston, TX), Chrissy (L.A., CA), Bob Tigert (Nashville, TN), Lisa Webb (Nashville, TN), Gracie Terzian (NYC, NY), Christopher Davis-Shannon (Philadephia, PA), Uncle Zac (Connecticut), Phredd (Lancaster, PA), Melissa Nannen (PA), Lisa Kljaich (Kentucky), The Edukated Fleas (Connecticutt), The Birdwatchers (Prove, UT), Uke 66 (Springfield, MO), and Amy Kucharik (Somerset, MA)
Any level of ukulele player is welcome to the festival, even one just starting
Vinicius Vivas – Vinícius is a Brazilian ukulele player from Rio de Janeiro (the land of Bossa Nova). He has performed solo ukulele and with a gypsy jazz ukulele trio in Blue Note Rio, wrote the first Master Dissertation about ukulele in Brazil and created the Ukulele Orchestra in one of biggest Brazilian Universities (UFRJ). He has also played gigs and workshops in South Korea and United States.Vinícius was born and raised on Brazilian Music. He knows how to bring the Samba and Bossa Nova swing to ukulele. He also plays Jazz, Rock, Pop Music and Choro.
For more information visit www.gaithersburgukefest.com
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FREE Shred Day
Join us at Lafayette Federal Credit Union for a Free Community Shred Day, an event dedicated to helping you protect your privacy and the environment! Bring your old bank statements, bills, medical records, and any other paper documents that need secure disposal, and we'll take care of them on the spot.
Why You Should Come:
Protect Your Privacy: Safely shred sensitive documents to help prevent identity theft.
Eco-Friendly: All shredded material will be recycled, supporting our commitment to sustainability.
Complimentary Breakfast: Enjoy a free breakfast on us--start your day right with good food and good company!
Exciting Giveaways & Prizes: Don't miss out on giveaways and be sure to enter our drawing for a chance to win one of four $100 gift cards.
This event is open to all! It's a fantastic opportunity to clean out those old documents cluttering up your home, safe in the knowledge that they will be disposed of securely. Plus, it's completely free!
Don't miss out on this chance to declutter safely, enjoy some free treats, and possibly win a great prize. We look forward to seeing you there, rain or shine!
For more information, contact us at www.lfcu.events/shred.
FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival
Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.
Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you're an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.
Let the enticing aromas of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes tantalize your taste buds. Feast on traditional delicacies prepared by expert chefs, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Caribbean. Indulge in flavorful jerk chicken, succulent seafood, and delectable plantain dishes that will transport you straight to the islands.
Accompanying the culinary extravaganza is a carefully curated selection of premium wines, ensuring the perfect pairing for your palate. Sip on fine wines from renowned vineyards, each sip a reflection of the Caribbean's vibrant spirit. Discover new flavors, expand your wine knowledge, and savor unforgettable moments with every glass.
As the sun sets, get ready to groove to the infectious rhythms of Caribbean music. Feel the pulsating beats of reggae, soca, dancehall, and calypso, moving your body to the lively melodies. Live performances by talented musicians and performers will keep the energy high, ensuring a night of unforgettable entertainment.
Don't miss this opportunity to embrace the Caribbean spirit and celebrate the arrival of spring in style! Tickets are available on AllEvents, so secure your spot today. Join us at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival, where cultures collide and unforgettable memories are made.
LIVE PERFORMANCES By: CULTURE Feat. Kenyatta Hill, EXCO LEVI, IMAGE BAND, RAS LIDJ REGG'GO with Special Guest SUGAR BEAR FROM E.U. & MORE! & MORE!
MUSIC By: DJ ABLAZE, DJ SMALLY & NAJ SUPREME
2 NIGHT Camping packages available: RV/CAMPER $200 | TENTS $150 Starting on Friday May 17 @ 5pm | 30 RV SPACES | 30+ TENT SPACES
KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE!!!
