Olympia Crazy For The Uke

For better or for worse (though most of us would agree for better) the entire world is in the midst of a ukulele boom. People have quickly learned of the joy of playing the little instrument and singing along in a group of like-minded people – regardless of age, race or gender – is incomparable. It brings everyone together for the love of music, and as we’ve learned through its virtuosos (like Jake Shimabukuro, George Harrison and Eddie Vedder), the mighty little uke is much more than just its Hawaiian roots. It’s versatile, and it’s popping up in every city, including Olympia, Washington.  

Most people know Olympia as Washington’s state capital. Those who live there know the city has a great waterfront, peaceful lakes and great places to eat. Those who don’t don’t know much about it at all. Olympia may not be as “trendy” as New York City or Malibu, but the state capital is calling all tourists for a new reason: They’re growing a booming ukulele scene.  

The Olympia Aloha Ukulele Pu’ukani (Oly-A UP) will make sure your welcome into the city’s uke community is warm and full of support. They’re an open group of ukulele enthusiasts who meet every Wednesday from 6:00pm until 9:00pm in the Olympia Center (STARS room) to share their love for ukulele music – especially Hawaiian songs. Oly-A UP welcomes all levels of players and ensures that the club is open to everyone who wants to join with free admission. It’s BYOU (bring your own ukulele).

The group’s name, OLY-A was selected because it sounds like “Oli-e”, or “rejoice” in Hawaiian. It is also a reference to their hometown of Olympia. Their motto for each meeting is Moses Kamai’s quote of “start strong, finish strong,” and they encourage members to practice and perform with strength and conviction when they sing in public. They lead, learn and live aloha by taking leadership in activities and greeting new members who come to play, and they truly are a great place to start on your ukulele tour of Olympia.  

As for ukulele festivals, Olympia has yet to have one. However, if you travel about an hour north, you’ll come across the West Sound Ukulele Festival in Bremerton around October of every year. The two-day festival celebrates the ukulele and the people who create music with them by offering beginning and skill-enhancement workshops, concerts, and a ukulele marketplace. The fest encourages a true sense of community among musicians, participants and audience. It’s produced by the West Sound Art and Music Association (WSAMA), a WA State non-profit coporation and federally recognized 501(c)(3) charity established ‘to produce and present world-class art and music in novel ways that reach out to and enthuse new listerners, revitalize modern performance practice and enrich their local community’.

Olympia and its surrounding area is truly Washington’s leading force in bringing fans of the mighty little uke together.