In the warm desert heat of Arizona, surrounded by cacti and the resilient wildlife that thrive here, the city of Phoenix rises from the ground much like it’s proverbial “spirit” animal. Over one and a half million people call Phoenix home, and it’s no surprise that with a booming population like this, the music scene is a very big part of their culture and everyday life. So, let’s turn over a few rocks and see what kinds of doors your Bondi Ukulele can open for you in the city of Phoenix.

The Phoenix Ukulele Meetup Group is a quick, fifteen minutes north of downtown Phoenix and gets together once a week. These folks have a whole array of activities available. There are normal weekly jam sessions, themed jam sessions (where everyone gets the chance to express their inner 1920’s persona, as one example) as well as an event called the Daily Ukulele. Organizers Jim and Liz Beloff have compiled a book titled: The Daily Ukulele which contains a song for each day of the year to keep you strumming along on your own. The Phoenix Ukulele Group can be contacted through their Meetup.com events page, which is listed below.

The Sun City Ukulele Club, based in (yup, you guessed it) Sun City, is twenty-five minutes from the Phoenix business hub. They meet weekly in the Fairway Rec Centre and activities include practice sessions and events where you can see well-known Ukulele players like Daniel Ward (world renowned educator and flamenco ukulele player). Membership is open only to RCSC card holders and their invited guests, but a mere ten dollars buys you a year’s worth of association with the club and ample opportunity to showcase your talents on your new Bondi Uke and make some new friends at the same time. Sounds good, right? The strummers over in Sun City can be reached through their website listed below.

If you’re more of a laid-back, hobby uker the Ukulele Strummers of Glendale could be just the fit for you. According to organizer Larry D they are a friendly group of players who get together every other week for some easy-going ukulele fun at Cucina Tagliana Restaurant in the Glendale Market Square. It’s a fun and relaxing atmosphere where beginners can feel very comfortable taking their first steps on the ukulele journey without the worry of having to catch up to the level of the group. The Strummers of Glendale can be reached on their Meetup.com page listed below.

If sun, sand and the warm personalities of the people of Phoenix that matches the temperature outside is your destination of choice, be sure to pack your Bondi Uke and meet up with any of these groups, whether you’re in it for fun or your plan is to dominate the Ukulele world, you’re sure to find your niche in the Valley of the Sun. All you have to do is open your door and step out.