Library hosts Ukulele Dave in free concert

SANDPOINT – Straight from his little grass shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii, to the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, Ukulele Dave will play his namesake instrument as he sings songs, tells stories and shares ukulele history and trivia during a free lunchtime concert on Monday at the Sandpoint Branch of the East Bonner County Library.

The one-hour concert will feature songs played on all the members of the ukulele family – soprano, concert, tenor, baritone and even the banjolele. Songs will range from island favorites to novelty tunes and some of the contemporary fare that has made the mighty uke so wildly popular.

“The ukulele had its first taste of fame near the beginning of the 20th Century, when it was first introduced to the mainland U.S.,” Ukulele Dave said. “From there, it kind of came and went over the decades as it disappeared and then was brought back by one artist or another – including Tiny Tim in the late-1960s.

“More recently, with the help of players such as Israel ‘Bruddah Iz’ Kamakawiwo?ole, Jake Shimabukuro and Grace VanderWaal, it’s now a worldwide phenomenon and more popular than ever,” he added.

Besides fleshing out this fascinating history, the one-hour gathering will briefly explore some ukulele trivia.

For instance, did you know this little instrument we so closely associate with Hawaii didn’t come from Hawaii at all? And how the heck do you pronounce “humuhumunukunukuapua’a,” anyway?

Join the fun, Monday, Aug. 19, from noon-1 p.m., in the meeting room of the library, located at 1407 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

The lunchtime concert with Ukulele Dave is free and open to the public.