Milwaukee may be best known for its breweries and Major League team, but there's more to the city than beer and baseball - the largest city in the state of Wisconsin also knows how to throw a party.  

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee – or Brew City, as it’s better known – is perhaps more famous for its love of music than most US residents realise. Along with Oktoberfest, Irish Fest, Summerfest and Festa Italiana, the “City of Festivals” showcases its rich heritage with ethnic and cultural celebrations throughout the year, including a number of weekly attractions like Jazz in the Park, River Rythms, Chill on the Hill, Musical Mondays in Lake Park and - most importantly to those who favour the uke – the Milwaukee Ukulele Club and Ukulele Festival.  

Every Sunday, Wisconsin’s largest city plays host to dozens of ukulele enthusiasts for monthly afternoons of play-alongs. Having started in 2008 with a group of eight people who gathered at a Bay View residence, the Milwaukee Ukulele Club has today grown to more than 500 members on their Facebook page. Welcoming new players each week, it’s not hard to see why the club is growing so quickly in popularity: With a close band of uke players that make you feel more like family than co-members, the club embodies a undeniable passion and appreciation for playing and learning the ukulele – and this enthusiasm isn’t lacking elsewhere in Milwaukee.  

Every week, the Ukuladies, a group of all-female uke players, meet once a week on Milwaukee’s north side. Most weeks, 20 to 30 women come out to practice, socialise and sing.  

And the city’s love for the guitar’s little cousin doesn’t stop there. The City of Festivals is also home to, well, festivals. Namely, the Milwaukee Ukulele Festival. Every year in October, the “MU Fest” welcomes hundreds of music enthusiasts with workshops for all skill levels, uke vendors, jam sessions, raffles, and usually, an after-party.

A concert in the evening features famous ukulele players like Spencer & Raines, Seeso, Michael Bootzin, Danielle Ate the Sandwhich, Matt Lindahl, and Milkwaukee native Lil Rev.  

Born and bred in Brew City, Lil Rev has taken his love for music to every state in America (except Alaska and Hawaii), writing almost a dozen instructional books, recording over a dozen albums, and teaching thousands of students the two loves of his life: The harmonica and ukulele. Rev continues to travel across the country, teaching and performing at Ukulele Festivals – including Milwaukee’s.  

The ukulele professional is well known on the international ukulele scene as a protector of old songs and playing styles including early blues, Tin-Pan Alley, old time, Yiddish and American folk styles. He’s also known for his passionate endeavours to preserve antiquated right hand strokes and strums.

If you’re looking for a city neck-deep into the worldwide revival of the ukulele, Wisconsin’s biggest city is it. Mikwaukee may be famous for its cold brews and lake views, but there’s no denying that the ukulele community is where the city excels best.