Way down in the Deep South, where the Gulf of Mexico flows into the Mobile Bay you’ll find the historic city of Mobile, Alabama. Also known as “The Port City” or The City of Six Flags”, Mobile was the original birthplace of the mainstream Mardi Gras festival. With a strong French, Spanish, Creole, African and Catholic influence over the years, this metropolis is nothing if not deeply rooted in the art scene. Several museums can be found in and around the heartbeat of this proud city and the music scene stands prominent among them all.

Any Ukesters out there, you ask? Indeed, there are. A short drive across the port will take you to Fairhope, where you’ll find the Eastern Shore Institute for Lifelong Learning (or ESILL), a non-profit organization offering unique programs in adult education. Among these programs there is a ukulele class for beginners and an ensemble group of ukulele players, nearly sixty-strong, that gather regularly for performances. Sounds like the perfect setting to take your Bondi Ukulele for a spin. Mr Carl Couret leads the classes and can be reached through the website listed below.

http://www.esill.org/courses.html

If you’re a Mobile local and feel like taking a road trip, the Rocket City Ukulele Festival is held in May in Huntsville, Alabama. This is a family friendly, free admission get together where all things ukulele is celebrated. The festivities commence with a warm welcome for all present, followed by ensemble performances from clubs all around the territory. Also present in the arsenal of this festival is a training or instructional section for beginners, open-mic and strum along sessions. The day closes off with performances from guest artists to get the creative juices flowing and leave those who attend leaving fully inspired. Details about this festival can be found on the website listed below.

https://tennesseevalleyuku.wixsite.com/fest

If festivals are really your thing then the Alabama Uke Fest in Guntersville is another hot spot to explore with your Bondi Ukulele. This jubilee is held at the Riverview Campground Site and there are attractions for one and all. It kicks off with beginner sessions, music shares and a swap meet of sorts, followed by an entire group strum and sing-along and individual performances from clubs in attendance. Activities are wrapped up with an open-mic session and lunch. This is an outdoor get-together so make sure you bring your rain gear, bookstands and page protectors. Scheduled music and other relevant details are available on the website listed below.

https://alabamaukefest.weebly.com/

It sure seems like the state of Alabama and the city of Mobile are making giant strides in embracing the development of the ukulele as a future icon of the south, and with the beautiful scenery surrounding the state, why not get out there and discover all that the deep south has to offer. Who knows, you might end up making a ton of new friends and add a whole lifetime of new memories with your strapping new Bondi Ukulele by your side.  

Keep strumming, all!