The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz
The ukulele scene in Santa Cruz has really grown since Peter and Andy held the first official meeting of the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz in January of 2002 in Peter and Donna Thomas’ living room. Today there are gatherings of ukulele players almost every day of the week, as well as annual and semi-annual events. Below you will find the current listing of events. Everyone is welcome to any, and all, of our events regardless of your skill – or even if you don’t yet play the ukulele. Get on our mailing list by using the form at the bottom of this page, or join all the Facebook groups for more daily information.
The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz maintains a Facebook page that you can like.
Latest Facebook Post
Where to Play and Listen
Sons of the Beach
Every Saturday 10am-12pm. Sing and play along. On the sand at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor near the Crow’s Nest.
Capitola Ukulele Player’s Acoustic String Ensemble
Every Sunday, 10-11:30 am. Sing and play along. At the Bandstand in Capitola’s Esplanade Park.
Third Wednesday Club Meeting
Third Wednesday of the month
5ish – 7:45ish depending on month
A new leader and new surprises every month. Location announced via email. Sign up below.
Ukulele Club First Thursday Sing and Strum Along
First Thursday of the month 5:45-7:15ish. Jug Band Music sing along
Pono Hawaiian Grill Downtown
120 Union street, Santa Cruz
Cork & Fork Ukulele Night
Second Thursday of the month, 6-8pm. Open mics and Sing Alongs
Cork and Fork
312-B Capitola Ave. Capitola
Even More Places to Play and Listen
Smouldering Uke
TBA
Making Music With Our Friends
One Saturday in June and August, dates to be announced
Eat, Sing Dance and be Merry. Potluck, dance band, and a sing along.
Burning Uke
August 8-10, 2025. Check out the Burning Uke XXV page!
Classes
Marty Carlson
Group lessons:
Highland Park: Fridays 11-12
Scotts Valley Senior Center: Tuesday 9-10
Email Marty
Michelle Kiba
Group lessons at the Santa Cruz Art League 5 nights a week.
Michelle Kiba’s website
Barbara Sonnenshine
Private lessons or small group lessons.
Email Barbara
Peter Thomas
Group Lessons:
Email Peter
Rhan Wilson
Private and small group lessons on uke, guitar, bass, and percussion
Email
About The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz
A short review by Stanley Sokolow
In January of 2002, when Andy Andrews and Peter Thomas first invited folks to meet at Peter’s house in Santa Cruz, California, to start a ukulele club, they expected only a handful to appear, but to their surprise and delight, 20 to 30 showed up. Thus the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz was born. Named with an acronym matching that of the local university, they claimed the club was the “UCSC where you could get a real (ukulele) education,” the first monthly Third Thursday meetings consisted of everyone playing a few songs together following the chord and lyrics on song sheets they handed out, entertainment by accomplished ukulele musicians, a little ukulele education, and of course good company, while eating and drinking at the pub where they held the meetings.
And from those humble beginnings the club has grown over the years to claim hundreds, maybe even thousands, of fun-loving ukulele players in its ranks, meeting on various days, for various reasons, in various venues all over Santa Cruz County. And there is always room for more: if you want to get more involved, start up a new ukulele band, a new weekly sing along, or just host a party, go for it! We will help you let everyone know about your ideas and plans.
The first rule of Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz is, “there are no rules,” and that rule has served the club well. There’s no formality, no dues, no by-laws, no roster, you just show up with your ukulele at any of the places ukulele players gather in Santa Cruz, join in the fun, and you are a member. (That said you can signup for email notifications using contact form, or check join the face book groups). Beginners need not feel unworthy – the volume of the many ukuleles strumming along will mask any little mistakes you make. Peter Thomas said to me the other day, “The club has lasted much longer than Andy or I ever imagined in our wildest dreams.” It’s still going strong, like a big family with lots of siblings, there are more ukulele things happening in Santa Cruz than anywhere in the world (at least per capita.) So if you’re anywhere nearby, or even far away but yearning for the fun, come to Santa Cruz, to one of the events listed on this web site, and join in the fun.
PS. After the 20 year anniversary we decided it was time to change up the format for the Third Thursday Club Meeting. Moving forward each meeting will have a different leader, and what happens at the meeting will be up to that leader, so we have some fun to look forward to. If you want to lead a meeting let us know by sending a message using the form below. The only requirement is that you set up a sound system so everyone can hear you and anyone you invite to do anything at the meeting.
News & Events
Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz April Uke News: Weekly Happenings, Monthly Happenings, and Special Events
Weekly Happenings:
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Yacht Harbor beach, in front of the Crow’s Nest (Facebook- Sons and Daughters of the Beach)
Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Capitola Esplanade (Facebook- Capitola Ukulele Players)
“Most” Tuesdays- 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Ukulele group meeting in Bonny Doon. For info (address, time) contact: Becca Moeller at becca@cruzio.com
Every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Mid County Senior Center on Bay Avenue in Capitola. They play using their own song book. All levels welcome, especially beginning players. Contact Gigi for more information. 831-662-8728. Cost is $4 for MCSC members and $6 for non-members.
Monthly Happenings:
1. Thursday, April 3, 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Washboard night at the Jug Band Sing and Strum-Along with the Trolley Drops at the Pono Hawaiian Grill DTSC. 120 Union Street, Santa Cruz.
This is going to be washboard month. We will be still be playing our ukes, but if you have a washboard, bring it along. We will have washboard playing expert Brian Jacobs of Boney Fingers Washboards, and our own Caroleena, giving demonstrations and sharing tips and suggestions for playing the washboard as a rhythm instrument to accompany ukulele bands.
2. The Cork and Fork is moving so there will NOT be a Ukulele night on Thursday, April 10 in Capitola. STAY TUNED: Ukulele Night at Cork and Fork will remain on the 2nd Thursday of the month. New Address will be:1955 41st Ave. Suite BB Capitola.
2. Wednesday, April 16, 5:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz meeting at the VFW, 2259 7th Ave, Santa Cruz. The Jumping Flea flea market and Book 6 sing/play along.
How many of you have ukuleles or ukulele related stuff that you would like to sell or give away? This is your chance. Bring what you have (just make sure it is ukulele or music related), grab a table, set it up and put your stuff out on it. If you make a bunch of money then donate some of it to the VFW.
Set up for the flea market will begin at 5:00 pm. The meeting will start at 5:30 with a potluck of finger foods, snacks and desserts, so bring something special. Do not bring drinks, rather buy your drinks from the nice folks at VFW’s “cantina”, that is one way we express our thanks for them letting us use their building.
While all that is happening Karen Lehman and Sandor Nagyszalanczy will be playing a "warm up" set. Then they will lead an extensive number of play-alongs from the upcoming UCSC Songbook 6, which Sandor is currently compiling and should have ready for sale by late May or early June. So along with everything else this meeting will give you a preview of what you have to look forward to from Songbook 6. It won’t be a night to miss.
Remember to bring some cash to put in the hat we pass as a fund raiser to support the vets, and to show our gratitude and appreciation of the VFW for letting us use their hall to hold our meetings.
4. Mountain Ukers Please join us for the monthly meeting of the Mountain Ukers. We’ll play old favorites and new requests, and work through learning new techniques. Wednesday April 23rd, 6:15, Empire Grille. See you there!
Special Event:
The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz is hosting its legendary campout, Burning Uke, from August 8–10, 2025, at KOA Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay in Watsonville, CA. There are still a few spaces available to us at the campground and for information or to become involved—contact Susan Andre at 831-266-8570.
The organizing committee is starting to develop the schedule for the event and we’d like your help! We’d love to get ideas and suggestions from all of you coming to the event on what workshops and/or activities you’d be interested in attending OR leading!
Please share your suggestions in the comments on the Event Page for Burning Uke (link: www.facebook.com/events/4076741752562110).
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Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz March Uke news:
Weekly Happenings:
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Yacht Harbor beach, in front of the Crow’s Nest (Facebook- Sons and Daughters of the Beach)
Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Capitola Esplanade (Facebook- Capitola Ukulele Players)
“Most” Tuesdays- 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Ukulele group meeting in Bonny Doon. For info (address, time) contact: Becca Moeller at becca@cruzio.com
Every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Mid County Senior Center on Bay Avenue in Capitola. They play using their own song book. All levels welcome, especially beginning players. Contact Gigi for more information. 831-662-8728. Cost is $4 for MCSC members and $6 for non-members.
Special event:
The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz is hosting its legendary campout, Burning Uke, from August 8–10, 2025, at KOA Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay in Watsonville, CA. For information or to become involved—contact Susan Andre at 831-266-8570.
Monthly Happenings:
1. Thursday, March 6, 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Jug Band Sing and Strum and Kazoo Along with the Trolley Drops at the Pono Hawaiian Grill DTSC. 120 Union Street, Santa Cruz.
This month will be another night featuring the one instrument more made fun of than the ukulele, banjo and accordion: the kazoo - so bring yours to show off and take this opportunity to learn a few kazooing tricks from world famous kazoo instructor Captain Ron.
2. Wednesday, March 19, 5:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz meeting at the VFW, 2259 7th Ave, Santa Cruz. An evening with special guests and sing alongs hosted by Mary and the Merry Makers.
The meeting will start at 5:30 with a potluck of finger foods, snacks and desserts, so bring something special. Do not bring drinks, rather buy your drinks from the nice folks at VFW’s “cantina”, that is one way we express our thanks for them letting us use their building (we also pass the hat, as each uke meeting there is a fund raiser to support the vets).
With Cork and Fork moving to a new location (larger and more free parking but the same welcoming atmosphere), we will likely not have Cork and Fork Ukulele Night in March — the focus will be to bring the show- for the month of March only- to the VFW.
But what should we do? Mardi Gras will be over, St. Patrick’s day will be over. We will change the clocks on the 9th (spring forward) and will have had ten days to “recover” from that. Please remember March has been the month (weatherwise in the Northern Hemisphere) to “come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. Our charts will be dominated by songs about WEATHER. And like Cork and Fork- folks can come up and lead a song or “open mic” it or just enjoy playing and singing in the audience.
Ain’t no doubt about it… we will have a good time- because we will be playing and singing and laughing together.
As always, I love having a little help from my friends.. so just let me know if you want to assist, Mary Heeney: meheeney@gmail.com
3. Mountain Ukers meeting to be announced
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Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz April Uke News: Weekly Happenings, Monthly Happenings, and Special Events
Weekly Happenings:
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Yacht Harbor beach, in front of the Crow’s Nest (Facebook- Sons and Daughters of the Beach)
Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Capitola Esplanade (Facebook- Capitola Ukulele Players)
“Most” Tuesdays- 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Ukulele group meeting in Bonny Doon. For info (address, time) contact: Becca Moeller at becca@cruzio.com
Every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Mid County Senior Center on Bay Avenue in Capitola. They play using their own song book. All levels welcome, especially beginning players. Contact Gigi for more information. 831-662-8728. Cost is $4 for MCSC members and $6 for non-members.
Monthly Happenings:
1. Thursday, April 3, 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Washboard night at the Jug Band Sing and Strum-Along with the Trolley Drops at the Pono Hawaiian Grill DTSC. 120 Union Street, Santa Cruz.
This is going to be washboard month. We will be still be playing our ukes, but if you have a washboard, bring it along. We will have washboard playing expert Brian Jacobs of Boney Fingers Washboards, and our own Caroleena, giving demonstrations and sharing tips and suggestions for playing the washboard as a rhythm instrument to accompany ukulele bands.
2. The Cork and Fork is moving so there will NOT be a Ukulele night on Thursday, April 10 in Capitola. STAY TUNED: Ukulele Night at Cork and Fork will remain on the 2nd Thursday of the month. New Address will be:1955 41st Ave. Suite BB Capitola.
2. Wednesday, April 16, 5:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz meeting at the VFW, 2259 7th Ave, Santa Cruz. The Jumping Flea flea market and Book 6 sing/play along.
How many of you have ukuleles or ukulele related stuff that you would like to sell or give away? This is your chance. Bring what you have (just make sure it is ukulele or music related), grab a table, set it up and put your stuff out on it. If you make a bunch of money then donate some of it to the VFW.
Set up for the flea market will begin at 5:00 pm. The meeting will start at 5:30 with a potluck of finger foods, snacks and desserts, so bring something special. Do not bring drinks, rather buy your drinks from the nice folks at VFW’s “cantina”, that is one way we express our thanks for them letting us use their building.
While all that is happening Karen Lehman and Sandor Nagyszalanczy will be playing a "warm up" set. Then they will lead an extensive number of play-alongs from the upcoming UCSC Songbook 6, which Sandor is currently compiling and should have ready for sale by late May or early June. So along with everything else this meeting will give you a preview of what you have to look forward to from Songbook 6. It won’t be a night to miss.
Remember to bring some cash to put in the hat we pass as a fund raiser to support the vets, and to show our gratitude and appreciation of the VFW for letting us use their hall to hold our meetings.
4. Mountain Ukers Please join us for the monthly meeting of the Mountain Ukers. We’ll play old favorites and new requests, and work through learning new techniques. Wednesday April 23rd, 6:15, Empire Grille. See you there!
Special Event:
The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz is hosting its legendary campout, Burning Uke, from August 8–10, 2025, at KOA Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay in Watsonville, CA. There are still a few spaces available to us at the campground and for information or to become involved—contact Susan Andre at 831-266-8570.
The organizing committee is starting to develop the schedule for the event and we’d like your help! We’d love to get ideas and suggestions from all of you coming to the event on what workshops and/or activities you’d be interested in attending OR leading!
Please share your suggestions in the comments on the Event Page for Burning Uke (link: www.facebook.com/events/4076741752562110). ... See MoreSee Less
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