Hawaiian Heart In Coeur d’Alene

Does the gentle feel of the ukulele’s koa wood make your spirits soar? Do the sweet strains of “Mele Kalikimaka” tug at your heart? Are you yearning for the opportunity to kanikapila with other like-minded enthusiasts? Then you’ll want to head to Coeur d’Alene.  

The largest city in the northern Idaho Panhandle lies on the north shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Locally, Coeur d’Alene is known as the “Lake City”, but as of late, it’s also becoming something of a hot spot for the ukulele too.

Coeur d’Alene FRESH, the city’s online platform for springboarding new and seasoned talent year round, often posts about ukulele players in the area, like local Gabe Green.

Similarly, Coeur d’Alene Musical Arts posts about lessons in the area. Along with piano, guitar and bass, the city also offers ukulele classes.  

Looking to jam with like-minded people? The area’s closest uke club lies in Spokane, a 40-minute drive from downtown Coeur d’Alene. The Spokane Ukestra ukulele club meets twice a month on Fridays (usually the 2nd and 4th) at 7:30pm to socialize, jam and learn about the uke. The club’s meetings can vary, so members are encouraged to watch the group’s private Facebook page for specific dates and venues. Members are encouraged to bring their own copies of “The Daily Ukulele”, “The Daily Ukulele Leap Year Edition” and the “HUG (Halifax Ukulele Group)” songbooks. If you don’t have them, and the club doesn’t have extras, you can buy The Daily Ukulele online or download the HUG here.

Any skill level and age is welcome to join. Natural performers are also encouraged to join as Ukestra often performs for audiences outside of their meetings. And while the group meetings are in Spokane, the group is also, of course, open to residents of Coeur d’Alene and its surrounding area.

Those looking to watch a performance can find the Sulphur Banks – a trio with haunting harmonies, dialed back acoustics and multi-faceted vocal melodies – in Spokane. The bands name, quite fittingly, is also the name of an area in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. They’re made up of three members: Sarah Jean, Kaylee Goins, and Mackie Hockett, who play the fiddle, the guitar, and the uke respectively.  

Whether you’re looking for a kanikapila, a professional performance or just somewhere to sit back and play the mighty little uke, you’ll definitely find a little slice of Hawaii in Coeur d’Alene.