Tyneside braced for uke-ular meltdown

Ukulele documentary and workshop hits Tyneside Cinema. Embrace your inner random this winter and give it a go!

First of all, one thing needs to be put straight: Contrary to popular belief, the ukulele is not a centuries-old traditional instrument from Hawaii. It is in fact a further developed version of two small guitar-like instruments that immigrants from Portugal brought with them. But regardless of where it originated, the ukulele became a global phenomenon across different cultures and nations in pre-Rock‘n‘Roll times.

After being somewhat dismissed for several decades for being a fairly geeky thing, it has made a comeback during the last few years thanks to the internet and its possibilities to connect like-minded people. The feature documentary Mighty Uke by Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher now pays tribute to this petite instrument and even more those enthusiastic about it. On 9th December 2011, the Mighty Uke Road Show will stop at the Tyneside Cinema for an exclusive film screening; after the movie, the audience will have the opportunity to meet the minds behind the documentary and literally strum along on a ukulele in special jam session, no prior experience required. That is exactly what makes playing the ukulele so much fun: it is dead easy to learn, so even the most unmusical and tone-deaf person can give it a try. The workshop is lead by James Hill who is often dubbed the best current ukulele player on the planet being renowned for the eclectic mix of musicial styles and his speedy fingers. So there‘s really no excuse to not grab the ukulele left from your latest Hawaii-themed party and make some sweet music with it!

Mighty Uke screens at Tyneside CInema, December 9th, 6pm, tickets from £9-12 pounds