Six-time Grammy winner Daniel Ho will be the star of this weekend’s Ukulele Hooley in Dún Laoghaire, now in its 13th year.
Hawaiian-born Ho is arguably the most well-known ukulele player in the world and certainly the most lauded. One of his most notable works is a cover of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U, which was played over the closing credits in the 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
He regularly records with fellow Hawaiian Tia Carrere who gained worldwide fame for her role in the Wayne’s World films of the 1990s.
On Saturday, Ho will give classes at midday in the Old Town Hall in Dún Laoghaire about the possibilities of three chords.
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He will also play the festival’s main event in the People’s Park on Sunday afternoon. The event is free and will include a big jam involving the public at 3.40pm, one of the highlights of the weekend.
Ho is due on stage at 4.10pm and the festival will culminate in live performances from him, the German-based Bad Mouse Orchestra, who play popular jazz standards, and the ever popular Ukulele Tuesday who play the Stag’s Head in Dublin every Tuesday night.
Charlotte Pelgin of acclaimed Bad Mouse Orchestra has posted a video on X saying how much she is looking forward to this year’s festival.
Ukulele Hooley is now the Fleadh Chéoil for the thousands of people in Ireland who play ukulele either privately or in groups.
Organiser Niall Carthy says Ho is not only one of the most accomplished musicians playing the instrument but “one of the nicest guys in ukulele circles”.
Another festival highlight is expected to be a flashmob from the Eblana Festival Club on Saturday at 2pm.
The festival is free except for workshops. “It’s a very unique music event that bring people together through the sheer joy that the ukulele brings. We want everyone to be a part of this extraordinary experience,” Carty says
“This is a free, family focused, fun event that has grown into an internationally recognised celebration of the humble ukulele which is now one of the most popular instruments in Ireland.”
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