Arizona, like the rest of the country, is quickly becoming a ukulele mecca. It’s no wonder, really: The mighty little four-stringed instrument is easy to learn, versatile and has a chunk-a-chunk sound that’s impossible to resist. Hawaiians quickly adapted the small guitar-like instrument brought by Portuguese immigrants from Madeira in the 1800’s, and now, more than 100 years after it made its first appearance on Hawaiian shores, the humble uke is riding a wave of popularity from which there is seemingly no escape.

The Grand Canyon State has plenty of ukulele passion, and from Pheonix to Tuscon enthusiasts can expect no shortage of clubs, meetups and annual festivals. But as the ukulele’s popularity spreads, even little cities like Prescott are getting in on the action.

prescott’s ukulele group (pug) started out with five members in 2011. Under the direction of a former college music director, they played at the annual Acker Musical Showcase, and by its second year, PUG grew to have 30 members. Now, with over 90 fans on Facebook and plenty more on their website, the group plays for a variety of organizations around the Quad-Cities (the communities of Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey/Humboldt, which are located approximately 90 miles north of the Phoenix metropolitan area).

They perform on a quarterly basis at the Veterans Affairs Community Living Center, where several sub-groups perform for assisted living and retirement center residents, along with elementary schools, breweries, garden clubs, and breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings.

While many ukulele clubs gather to play for just the members of their own group, PUG plays for the enjoyment of almost everyone in the Quad-City area. Currently, members now (as per Doreen Cocherell, Steering Committee Member who reached out to us on November 26th 2024) meet at 6:30pm on the first Thursday of the month in the Prescott Public Library (formerly gatherings were held in the Community Room at Gateway Mall near the Food Court). While it always helps to know a few chords before going into any new uke group, PUG welcomes every level of player – including beginners.

Of course, if one ukulele club isn’t enough to quench your uke thirst, the annual arizona aloha festival lies just two hours away in Tempe. The festival, held around March at Tempe Beach Park of every year, is all about the Hawaiian spirit of Aloha. Visitors will find performances, ukulele workshops, presenters sharing their talents and expertise, t-shirt and raffles (with past prizes including a trip to Maui!), and even Keiki (child) activities.