The first public concert by the Academia de Ukuleles de la Ribera will be held Saturday, August 8, 7 p.m. at the Ajijic Cultural Center.
The academy opened its doors in February of this year. The 30 children enrolled range in age form 7 to 17. Some play other instruments and sing but most are having their first encounter with musical education.
Ukuleles are provided for the students and instruction is free. Students are asked to contribute 50 pesos a month, if they are able, to cover the cost of materials and strings.
The Academia was started by Club Ukulele de Laguna, with a huge assist from Ohana Ukuleles, Elaine de Man, Daniel Ward, Heidi Swedberg, and the participants in the Uke Culinary Retreat. Additional support has come from many generous individual donors at lakeside, as well as from a ukulele shop in Toronto and the efforts of several dedicated Canadian supporters there.
Contemporary songs to be featured in the concert include “Octopus’s Garden,” “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” “I’m Yours,” “Hallelujah”, “I Wanna Be Like You,” “Elephant Gun” and “Little Life.”
A portion of the proceeds from the concert will be contributed to support the Ajijic Cultural Center. The rest of the proceeds will go directly to the academy for student instruction and instruments.
Tickets for the concert are 100 pesos.