Des Moines Overflowing With Ukulele Passion

Des Moines is known nationally for its Democratic pre-election process, the Iowa State Fair, its weekly farmers’ market, the “World Food Prize” and as an insurance leader in North America. The landlocked state capital doesn’t exactly scream Hawaiian paradise, but it sure has the Aloha passion.  

Iowa’s central city has more ukulele groups, meetups and enthusiasts than most in America, among them being the Des Moines Ukulele Strummers (DMUS), Ukulele Harmony, Central Iowa Ukulele Players Group and Des Moines Social Club.  

DMUS meet every Wednesday at Reiman Music in Urbandale, Iowa (a 15-minute drive outside downtown Des Moines) from 6:00pm. The group lives the Aloha way of live, making themselves and others smile by using the ukulele as they improve their skills and share their music to provide a positive impact. Like many uke groups, DMUS welcomes players of all levels and even encourages spectators to come and listen to their weekly jams.  

Des Moine’s other ukulele group, the Central Iowa Ukulele Players Group, is a new club looking for all the uke fanatics it can find – all levels welcomed. Never picked up a uke before? Central Iowa Uke Players don’t care! They encourage anyone with even the slightest interest in playing to come and join their meet-ups and to contact Rick Countryman (his details can be found here).  

Ukulele Harmony, while they haven’t posted on their Facebook page in a while, encourages playing and singing, having fun, learning together and sharing their music with others. Those interested in the group can find their social media page here.

If you’d rather learn a few chords before jumping in head first into the ukulele community, the Des Moines Social Club (DMSC) offers ukulele lessons. From February 1st until March 8th 2018, uke enthusiasts were able to register for full session ($60) or single session ($15) at their Ukulele Circle. Classes progressed from the very basics of playing (holding, tuning, recommended accessories) to performing both in a group and as a solo artist. The family-friendly class is taught in a supportive environment, and if you don’t have a ukulele, DMSC can provide you one until you’re comfortable enough with the basics and want to purchase your own.  

The classes were run by Lynn, a professional musician who has been performing in the Des Moines area for several years. Her experience with instruments includes playing the ukulele, mandolin, guitar, banjo, dobro and all types of percussion.  

If it wasn’t evident enough already that Des Moines has a burning passion for the ukulele, the city was also a stop off spot for Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman and his comedic ukulele show.  

You’ll come here for the abundance of uke, but you’ll stay for the passionate community of enthusiasts that call Des Moines home.