Pacific Northwest News

2nd Annual UKEtoberFest in Eugene, Oregon

From Allen McWayne

Iron Mango Orchestra is the performing group of Eugene's Mele `Ohana, celebrating the Hawaiian spirit through music. Founded by Eugene's Maggie Matoba, this large ensemble perfoms traditional and contemporary songs with acoustic and percussive instruments.

The 2nd annual Eugene UKEtoberfest celebrated two days of concerts and workshops devoted to ukulele music, open to all and located on the University of Oregon campus. The Friday Concert presented Hawaiian Reggae with excellent vocals, “Some Guys” from O`ahu and amazing `ukulele from Craig Chee who grew up in Honolulu and is a former student of Jake Shimabukuro. The next day, the Saturday Concert featured Hawaiian music by Iron Mango Orchestra, Canadian virtuoso James Hill, chanteuse Victoria Vox and 'ukulele and Hawaiian slack-key guitar by Mark Kailana Nelson.
In addition, there were also 12 Saturday workshops from Hawaiian music to`ukulele skills and hula.

Pearl Hadder of Hula Halau o na Kaikuahine taught hula `auana

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