As they say, good things always come in threes.  In just a couple of weeks, the Bay Area will be treated to 3 consecutive days of special ukulele events.

Beginning Friday, September 7,  the first ever San Francisco Ukulele Festival will kickoff with Jake Shimabukuro in a solo concert at Herbst Theater.    As part of the ongoing events surrounding the "Evolution of the 'Ukulele" exhibition at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art (www.mofca.org), Jake will perform a benefit concert.  Tickets are going fast, but Stephen Becker, curator of the exhibition just let me know there are still seats left.  Tickets are $28 and $22 at City Box Office (415) 392-4400 and online at www.cityboxoffice.com.  Herbst Theater is at 401 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco.

    The following day, Saturday, September 8 will bring a full day of outdoor ukulele pleasure with the San Francisco Ukulele Festival featuring uke-centric music by some of the Bay Area's best performers. Invited performers include: The UFOs, Al Dodge and the Tin Pan Haoles , The Paper Dolls, Tippy Canoe and the Paddlemen, Faith Ako, slack-key guitarist Carey Camacho , The Victor Ohana Band, Kimo Hussey and Ho'omalie <http://www.kimohussey.com> , Ukulele Ray, The Frisky Frolics and Ka Ehu Kai.   This will be in the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens at Mission between 3rd and 4th Street in San Francisco from 11am to 4 pm.  Bring lawn chairs and picnics, but no dogs or alcohol please.  And this is a FREE event!  Oh, and visit the Museum of Craft and Folk Art just across the street while you are there.

    Then on Sunday, September 9, Kimo Hussey (www.kimohussey.com) will take a quick hop to the East Bay to deliver an afternoon workshop and evening concert at DaSilva Ukulele Co.    If you play Hawaiian music, you are sure to know the "He Mele Aloha" songbook (dark blue cover)  <http://www.ukemaker.com/images/hemelealoha.gif> co-authored by Kimo Hussey.   As a founder of the Pacific Music Foundation, Kimo is well versed in providing a rich educational experience with the ukulele.   Don't miss the opportunity to spend the afternoon with one of the top Hawaiian music educators.    Then  after a short dinner break, Kimo will provide us with some "soothing" Hawaiian tunes in a concert to closeout what is sure to be a memorable ukulele weekend. 

Workshop 3-5pm.  $25.  Concert 7:30-9:00pm  $15.  DaSilva Ukulele Co.  2547 8th Street, #28.  Berkeley, CA 94710  Call 510 649-1548 or email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   Directions are on the Calendar page at www.ukemaker.com.