Wonderwall's Oak Park UKULELE Meetup Group aka The Harrison Street Ukulele Players!

The most 'seriously fun' Ukulele group in Chicagoland!
[Pronounced 'oo-koo-leh-leh'.]

Open to all Ukulele Players/Fans! Come and join the fun of playing ukuleles together! All levels, beginners-pros. Very, casual, warm and inviting environment. As WXRT's Terri Hemmert says, "Bring your ukuleles and positive enthusiasm!" Friendly, family oriented environment. Great for kids, teens, seniors and 'stress-relief'! A small $5 donation is greatly appreciated.

EVERY THURSDAY (except when a major holiday falls on Thursdays: i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.)
7P - 9P.

Beginning June 2011, we will be playing from "The Daily Ukulele Songbook" by Liz & Jim Beloff. This book is available at Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium at 10% off the retail price.

THEME NIGHTS last Thursday each month! Subject to change.

June 30: TRAVELING!
July 28: Christmas In July!
August 25: HOT! HOT! HOT!
Sept. 29: Autumn, Fall, Falling.
Oct. 27: HALLOWEEN! This will also be our Annual Halloween Costume Party Night! Come dressed up!
Nov. & Dec.: TBA

Shortly after opening Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium in 2006, GiGi Wong-Monaco, Wonderwall's co-owner, picked up her ukulele, an instrument that was a part of her Hawaiian culture growing up on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu where she was born and raised.

After almost 2 years of playing with friends and holding ukulele sessions in Wonderwall, she officially founded the Oak Park Ukulele Meetup Group aka The Harrison Street Ukulele Players!

To date, there are over 90 ukulele members, including Chicago's very own WXRT 93.1fm DJ and 2010 National Radio Hall of Fame Inductee  TERRI HEMMERT who became an 'Honorary Ukulele Member' of this Oak Park ukulele group in 2009.

Fred Fallin (Ukulele historian/master/entertainer, Chicago); Dan Scanlan (Ukulele master, 'Cool Hand Uke', California); Larry Nestor (formerly of The Buckinghams, songwriter, Chicago); Lanialoha Lee (Old Town School of Folk Music, Kupa'a Pacific Island Resources, Ke Ali'i Victoria Kai'ulani Hawaiian Civic Club, Chicago musician), are just a few names who have dropped in and/or collaborated with us on various events.

2009 Performances & Participation Highlights: CBS2 Chicago 'Early Morning News' Live Performance for Obama inauguration; Obama's 'Hawaiian-style' inauguration bash in Oak Park (organized by GiGi) ; May Day Hawaiian Celebration (organized by GiGi); Oak Park Arts Districts's Annual Arts Festivals; Oak Park Annual 4th of July Parade; Chicago World Record Attempt for Largest Ukulele Ensemble (organized by GiGi) at the longest running Beatles festival, The Fest For Beatles Fans held at Hyatt O'Hare Regency Hotel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cik3C3CapKY (see WXRT Terri Hemmert, Brett & Mark Hudson, Earl Slick, Greg Hawkes and more); performed at Blockbuster's Nationwide Release Party of THE BEATLES ROCK BAND in Elgin IL; jammed with Greg Hawkes of The Cars who visited Wonderwall during his concert tour with Todd Rundgren; 2nd Annual 'Here Comes The Sun - Cancer Survivors Awareness Festival', Rogers Park; Forest Park's Annual "Holiday Walk".

2010 Performances & Participation Highlights: Village of Oak Park's  2010 Census video, 'Artists Count': http://www.youtube.com/vopnews#p/u/34/XnEedZO4a0c ; Hawaiian May Day Celebration; Oak Park Arts District's Annual Arts Festivals; Oak Park Midweek Market; Oak Park Annual 4th of July Parade; Barrie Fest; "Get Back Beatles Month-Long Beatles Art Show & Celebration". Closing Reception (by invitation only) with WXRT Terry Hemmert as emcee, Niles Public Library;  "The Mighty Uke" Roadshow premiere at Gene Siskel Film Center, Nov. 7 & 8;  Annual Forest Park "Holiday Walk".

Beginning 2011, the last Thursday of each month is ‘Theme Night’. All ‘themes’ are listed at our website. See our first Theme Night Video posted here! If you’re interested in joining us and finding our more information, please register at the Oak Park Ukulele Meetup Group’s website: www.ukulele.meetup.com/89  

Sponsored by Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium: www.sitaremporium.com
Founded and led by GiGi Wong-Monaco, co-owner of Wonderwall. 

Follow us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Harrison-Street-Ukulele-Players/78842462346

See more videos at: http://www.youtube.com/HarrisonStUkulele

Member of Ke Ali'i Victoria Ka'iulani Hawaiian Civic Club: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ke-Alii-Victoria-Kaiulani-Hawaiian-Civic-Club-Chicago/158027480888157?v=info

(Credit: Video of Jan. 27, 2011  Kazoo Theme Night by Mike Gonzalez.)

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