Down at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, they’re saying it’s time to put up your ukes.
That would be the center’s annual UkeFest, a celebration of the ukele, ukele-playing and even an attempt to try to beat the Guinness Book of World Records’ world record for Largest Ukulele Ensemble ever assembled.
The current record was set in London in 2009 when 851 uke players performed at the London Uke Festival. That may give you an idea how many ukers will be at the Strathmore grounds, where its annual series of free outdoor concerts is drawing to a close on August 24 at 7 p.m.
Local two-time Grammy winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer will emcee UkeFest 2011, which will also feature the Riders, amateur musicians from the Riderwood Retirement Community, the Piney Branch Kids Ukulele Ensemble, and the Washington Ukulele Orchestra, as well as the pop folk duo The Sweaters. There’s also an appearance by Baltimore uke singer Victoria Vox.
