IF you went down to Mount Gambier’s Cave Gardens recently you might have been surprised to see a musical performance with a difference.
About 100 people participated in a jam session with their instruments which were mainly ukuleles.
A small guitar-like instrument, the ukulele was invented in Hawaii in 1879 and became widely known through the 1960’s novelty hit song ‘Tiptoe through the Tulips’ played on ukulele by American singer Tiny Tim.
Its portability, relative low cost, and ease to learn and play has helped foster a resurgence in the instrument’s popularity.
This was visible in the Cave Gardens when a sea of ukuleles and their owners entertained on-lookers with a wide array of songs being played and sung amid beautiful weather.
Event organisers Annie Kilsby and Hilde Kannegieter were thrilled with the turnout and said it was the second year that such an event had been held.
The end of year event was a chance for all South Eastern ukulele players to enjoy a get together in a Covid-19 environment when such opportunities have been limited.
“It’s a chance for us to get out and enjoy an end of year event, have some fun and catch up,” said Ms Kannegieter.
The giant jam had ukukele players from across the region including from Mount Gambier, Naracoorte, Beachport, Penola, Robe, Millicent and Southend.
Anyone interested in joining the South Eastern ukukele players can contact Annie Kilsby on 0409191383 or Hilde Kannegieter on 0488759695.
