Ukulele festival strums its way to Southern Utah

ST. GEORGE — The Hafen Home on Mount Hope was jumping on all four strings Saturday night as the Roene B. DiFiore Center for Arts and Education in St. George sponsored the second annual St. George Ukulele Festival.

Dancers at the second annual St. George Ukulele Festival, St. George Utah, June 6, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Dancers at the second annual St. George Ukulele Festival, St. George, Utah, June 6, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Happiness was heard as over 150 people showed up to play in groups and listen to The Runsthrough Band, Thomas Anderson and The Naked Waiters performing for the enthusiastic crowd.

“I love the ukulele festival! It is so much fun!” Ernie Dooce, the executive director of the DiFiore center, said.

The performers showed the many varied things you could do with a ukulele. Thomas Anderson played his Fender electric ukulele, bringing dancers up to the front of the stage, playing popular and original songs and even showed off his rapping skills on one number.

Thomas Anderson performing with his Fender ukulele, St. George, Utah, June 6, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Thomas Anderson performing with his Fender ukulele, St. George, Utah, June 6, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Ukulele circles were held inside the Hafen home. Participants ranged in age from 15 years old to over 60. Ukuleles of all makes, sizes, and even a banjolele were seen in the circles.

The DiFiore Center is part of a nonprofit organization called A.R.T.S. Incorporated. Dooce said the organization has been in existence for 54 years, taking educational arts to over 300 schools every year.

“I hope that we can keep the momentum going and do (the ukulele festival) next year and the year after; it would be great,” Dooce said.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

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