What we’re about
E komo mai! Play the 'ukulele with us! Strum, pick and sing along to a variety of songs!
***As of January 2023, we meet on the first & third Saturday of each month at Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium, Chicago Heights and on Zoom.***
We've been together since 2008 and continue to pay homage to Hawaii and her culture, her music. We ALWAYS open our Uke nights with Hawaiian songs for the first half, take a short 20 minute break and continue onto the 2nd half of the night with the Songbook of the night which may range from Beatles, Country/Western, Tin Pan Alley, Special Occasions, Elvis, and more!
In pre-pandemic days, we met in-person for monthly and bi-monthly Meetups at our 2 venues: The Tiki Terrace Hawaiian Restaurant & Tiki Bar in Des Plaines, and Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium (our sponsor) in Chicago Heights. It was great fun until March 2020 when everything shut down. Then we began meeting virtually in late March 2020.
CHECK EVENT LISTINGS FOR MORE INFO.
We play lots of great, fun, classic, forgotten, never-heard of, songs. Many times, we give pointers to how to play certain songs. This is NOT a class but you'll still learn something new.
We're a donation-base group. Your $5 per person contribution is greatly appreciated per Meetup session. Donations goes towards Meetup bi-annual and other fees.
Like our Facebook groups:
Wonderwall's Ukulele Meetup Group: https://www.facebook.com/Wonderwalls-Ukulele-Meetup-Group-64609897319
Ukulele Suburbia: https://www.facebook.com/UkuleleSuburbia
Our sponsor, Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium: https://www.facebook.com/WONDERWALL-Music-Shoppe-Emporium-369451369205
***NO SPAM OR SOLICITATION of other businesses or individuals. Your post or membership may be deleted.***
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Pre-pandemic (before March 2020)
Aloha Kakou! We are WONDERWALL'S UKULELE MEETUP GROUP (formerly known as Wonderwall's Oak Park Ukulele Meetup Group aka The Harrison Street Ukulele Players, 2007-2013) and UKULELE SUBURBIA - Ukulele Group of Chicago's South Suburbs (2013 - current).
We are one of just a couple of Chicagoland area Ukulele groups who always play Hawaiian songs, paying homage to Hawai'i, as well as other genres of music. The Ukulele was adapted and modified by the Hawaiians after the Portuguese came to the islands with their 'machete' and 'braguinha' and made it their own. Today, the Ukulele is globally the most beloved and easiest instrument to play.
Wonderwall's Ukulele Meetup Group & Ukulele Suburbia currently meet on the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month, unless a holiday or other unavoidable situation arises. We meet both, in-person at Wonderwall showroom (limited seating) and online via Zoom.
***All material, use of music stands, bottled water and snacks provided. You're welcomed to bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.***
We welcome like-minded folks who Love and Respect the Ukulele, the Hawaiian culture from which it came from, and other other. Open to all levels, ages, though young minors must be accompanied by their parents/guardians.
We play songs of Hawai'i, Beatles, Tin Pan Alley, Country Western, Folk, Pop, Rock, Contemporary, and more! We have easy 2, 3, and 4 chords songs, as well as more challenging songs for more advance players. We mix it up to have a nice variety for all to enjoy!
Our meetups are sponsored by WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Emporium, created and founded by GiGi Wong-Monaco (Wonderwall's co-owner) in 2008.
***NO SPAM OR SOLICITATION of other businesses or individuals. Your post or membership may be deleted.***
Donation appreciated: $5 per person. Song booklets are available for download.
Limited space. RSVP IS A MUST for in-person seating at Wonderwall Music Shoppe.
Facebook YouTube
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JOIN our Meetup Group and receive notices and announcements.
What We Play? Hawaiian. Beatles & post-Beatles. Tin Pan Alley. 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's. Contemporary. Country Western. Folk. Pop. Rock. Show tunes/Musicals. Like WXRT 93.1 FM radio host of "Breakfast With The Beatles" always said, "Bring your Ukulele & Enthusiasm"!
WHO: Open to all levels, all ages. Beginners-novices-pros.
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Founded and led by GiGi Wong-Monaco, Honolulu native; Co-owner of WONDERWALL Music Shoppe; Co-owner of SITAR Emporium (www.sitaremporium.com); co-founder of SANDALWOOD Sitar Music Ensemble.
More info: www.sitaremporium.com
Background photo: Ukulele with lei by G. Wong-Monaco, 2012.
