Folk Schools have been operating in Scandinavia since the middle of the 19th century. Folk schools developed in during a period of economic and political changes in Europe. The aim of these schools was to give people an opportunity to develop new skills as their agricultural opportunities dwindled and moved to the cities.

One-of-a-kind 4-string, 5-string violins & violas, mandolins, bows, acoustic guitars, ukuleles and unique accessories, hand made in the shop of Brunkalla Violins.

Fred is a ukulele performer and historian out of Chicago, IL. And a legend in the ‘ukulele community worldwide Fred performs at various ukulele festivals and gives workshops around the country each year. Be sure to check him out.

Jennifer Shenberger is a uniquely talented performer in the world of stand-up comedy. She blends hilarious stand up with unique, creative, funny songs on her ukulele, Duke the Uke.

2018 Update: Cary Kelly, is the new owner & builder of Mya-Moe Ukuleles.

The mission of Nui ‘ukulele (Lots of ‘ukuleles) is to learn the universal language of music with the ‘ukulele and embrace and promote the aloha spirit.

Founded in 1957, the Old Town School of Folk Music provides a wide range of music, dance, theater, and visual arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one’s interest, the Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 accredited class offerings, private lessons, and workshops that span an array of artistic genres.

The Oscar Schmidt Company was founded in 1871 and incorporated in 1911. By the early 1900s, the company had five factories in Europe and a factory on Ferry Street in Jersey City. They made all kinds of stringed instruments, guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, zithers, and Autoharps®.

In 1948, 10 years after the invention of the strobe tuner, Chicago-based Peterson Electro-Musical Products began building instrument tuners under the direction of Dick Peterson, a pioneer of solid state electronics. The first Peterson tuner was the Model 150 in 1952. This was updated to become the Model 200 in 1959 and the design was advanced to solid state with the Model 300 in 1966.

Out of the love for Island and Country-Western music comes the sounds of the Tiki Cowboys. The music is ukulele and hand percussion, written and performed by Eric "Baron" Behrenfeld. Baron has been a working drummer and percussionist in Chicago for over 20 years. The Tiki Cowboys is his solo tropical departure from the usual tenure of playing Blues here in Chicago. But fear not, there are inklings of blues woven throughout this sonic island fantasy, with surf-twang greasing the neo-primitive rhythms.

The history of Washburn Guitars is the history of a wide range of musicians. From blues players who shaped rock ‘n roll to multi-platinum recording artists to emerging guitar virtuosos. It is a history that can be heard and experienced every time you turn on the radio or listen to a live performance. It is a history built by skilled craftsmen and musicians who share one common love–a passion for the guitar. The Oscar Schmidt ukulele brand name since the 30’3 and 40’s have been through several owners are now manufacuted and improted by Washburn sine the 2000’s. See the Oscar Schmidt listing for more information.

August 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2008, VIP Reception on July 31st at 9 PM, The Tiki Terrace ( <a href="http://(www.thetikiterrace.com" target="_blank">www.thetikiterrace.com</a> ) Just outside Chicago in Des Plaines, Illinois, 1591 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL 60018 - NE Corner of Lee/Manheim & Oakton