Full day of workshops, activities and concerts celebrate small strings

By Melissa Voss

As the summer starts making its way to Colorful Colorado, Swallow HIll is providing a wide range of opportunities to get out and celebrate the love of music.

Swallow Hill Music has a humble beginning as an extension of the Denver Folklore Center, which had provided the Denver neighborhood of Swallow Hill the gift of music lessons and performances throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Being born from an integrated musical thread of Denver history, Swallow Hill Music diverged into its own Denver-based 501(c)(3), giving musical accessibility to all who walk through their doors. This dedication and passion for music has drawn community members back for generations.

Denver UkeFest
10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10
Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave., Denver

“Music and learning can be intimidating. You may not have had music in your household, or had the best teacher, or just don’t have access. What we try to do is bring a laid-back and welcoming environment – to let you take it at your own pace,” says Barry Osborne, senior marketing manager at Swallow Hill.

Once a Denver daily journalist, Osborne sought an outlet for his stress. After encouragement from his partner, he looked back to his old hobby of playing the banjo. He found Swallow Hill shortly thereafter, taking lessons in different banjo styles and joining jams before he was convinced to join the Swallow Hill team.

Danielle Ate the Sandwich, aka Danielle Anderson, teaches a UkeFest workshop.

“It was an outlet that I was allowed to do on my time,” Osborne says. “It is nice not being the center of attention, if you don’t want to. You can lean back into the crowd and just play along. You can build relationships and friendships or find yourself. You get what you want or need.”

The core pillar of Swallow Hill lies in their mission of building a community through performance, education and outreach. Swallow Hill provides accessible ways for its community members to access, embrace and celebrate music through their education, live events, workshops and festivals.

On May 10, Swallow Hill’s Denver UkeFest returns for its 16th year of celebrating the love for the affordable, portable instrument.

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the concept of the ukulele was likely introduced to Hawaii in 1879 by Portuguese settlers who brought braguinhas, a small guitar, to the island. The ukulele, meaning “jumping flea,” was commonly used during hula performances as a tempo-keeper. After reaching a pop-culture renaissance in the 2010s, the ukulele is known for keeping to its original roots while also being an experimental instrument.

“It is disarmingly quirky but also a serious instrument. That is what gives it its charm, I believe. You can play from its Hawaii roots or play a pop tune. It is truly a blank slate for a wide variety of expressions,” Osborne shares.

Denver UkeFest has a complete lineup of performers, workshops and activities provided by ukulele enthusiasts and artists. The festival offers programs for any skill level from Ukulele 101 and Chord Transposition taught by Swallow Hill alumni Daniella Katzir and Casey Cormier to It’s About Groove! with Taiwanese musical sensation Feng E.

“Just like with all of our other programs, we hope that you are able to get to meet people and bond over music. And who knows, when you feel like you are ready for more, we will be here,” Osborne says.

Swallow Hill offers concert-only, workshop-only or all-day passes for the event. Swallow HIll Music members are eligible for discounted tickets.