The Mighty Uke Road Show

Description

CASTRO THEATRE WELCOMES MIGHTY UKE ROADSHOW

Ukulele Enthusiasts Try for Guinness World Record

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — September 2, 2010 — The historic Castro Theatres welcomes the MIGHTY UKE ROADSHOW on Sunday, September 26 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or at the door. Advance tickets are available online at TicketWeb. The Castro Theatre is located at 429 Castro Street in San Francisco and can be reached at 415/621-6120.

The Castro screening is the 45th stop on a worldwide tour featuring the Mighty Uke Movie, a documentary film that captures the spirit of a rapidly growing global musical phenomenon. But Sunday's event is much more than a film screening. The Mighty Uke Road Show is an interactive expression of the "Kanikapila*" spirit of the ukulele community. Filmgoers are invited to bring their ukes along and join in a rousing community "strum and sing along." This particular stop on the road show will attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the largest number of people playing ukuleles and singing together. San Francisco plays an important role in the history of the ukulele. Mainlanders were first introduced to the uke at the Pan Pacific Expo in San Francisco in 1915.

"The current world record is 851 and is held by Great Britain," says director and producer Tony Coleman. "The Castro Theatre seats 1400 and San Francisco is a hot bed of ukulele mania. Additionally, many regional ukulele groups are planning to attend and lend their support to the cause. We had nearly 600 ukulelists turn out in nearby Santa Cruz. We think San Francisco could be the city to claim worldwide ukulele dominance. Producers from NPR's Morning Edition will be at The Castro to record our record attempt and hope to broadcast the unofficial results nationally Monday morning.

"At the heart of this film is people's growing desire to reclaim their musical birthright," says Coleman. "Before the rise of broadcast and recording technologies, music was central to home and hearth. People made their own music and far more people participated. People are starving for something that is primary to our human existence. The response to the film and the opportunity to participate in the road shows has been overwhelming."

"Additionally, one of the most surprising things we discovered in making this film is the positive impact the ukulele is having on music education. It seemed fitting to us then, that a portion of the event's proceeds be donated to The Bridge School, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals who need support in developing a voice of their own."

Adding to the festive atmosphere are live performances by several of the artists profiled in the film. Sunday's event features Uni & Her Ukelele, a San Francisco singer/songwriter poised on the brink of ukulele stardom, as well as world famous Ukulele Dick and singer/songwriter Jayme Kelly Curtis (aka Mona Lott) hailing from Santa Cruz. Director Tony Coleman will be on hand for a Q&A with the audience immediately following the screening. There will also be lobby displays and a chance to win prizes, including a Kala Brand Ukulele from Petaluma-based Kala Brand Ukuleles.

Complete details about the film at: http://www.mightyukemovie.com

* "Kanikapila" is a Hawaiian phrase that conveys the joy of informally gathering to play music without judgment or competitive striving.

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More Info

Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4jPsFxIaw0

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831.335.8110

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415.621.6120 (Box Office)

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