The three-day celebration kicks off Friday, February 12, with the 4th Annual Ukulele Museum Benefit Concert at the Hawaii Prince Hotel’s Mauna Kea Ballroom. The highlight of the evening includes performances by internationally acclaimed artists, Teresa Bright, Benny Chong & Byron Yasui, Sweet Hollysaiians and more. Tickets provide guests with pupus (appetizers), one drink and access to a silent au
ction, with all to raise funds for the Ukulele Museum, which once built will host a permanent collection of the history of the ukulele and its contribution to Hawaiian music. Tickets are available for $48 in advance and $55 at the door. On Saturday, February 13, the 5th Annual International Ukulele Contest invites amateur ukulele players from across the world to compete at the Royal Hawaiian Center’s Royal Grove Stage from 10 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Ukulele players of all ages and ability levels are encouraged to enter now through Friday, January 15, 2016, by uploading an unedited video to YouTube with an entry form from the Ukulele Picnic website www.ukulelepicnicinhawaii.org/contest/. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: solo up to 13 years old, solo 14 years and older and group. There is no charge for Hawaii residents to enter. The final and main event, Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii, starts tuning up at 9 a.m. on Sunday, February 14, at Kaka’ako Makai Gateway Park. Well-known ukulele players from Hawaii, Japan, and across the world will converge to make music along Oahu’s south shore until sunset. Guests can take advantage of a variety of booths featuring Hawaiian crafts, food, activities for kids, and a luxury ukulele raffle. Admission to the Ukulele Picnic is open to the public and free of charge. All funds raised from the event will benefit the Ukulele Museum. The all-day Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii already has a jam-packed schedule of both local and international musicians.
