The heresy that Santa Cruz is actually a strayed Hawaiian island isn’t denied by Under The Boardwalk, Nina Koocher’s sweet and sometimes sad documentary about the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz. They’re reputedly the largest group of uke-fanciers in the world—“a Mormon Tabernacle uke chorus”—riding the new wave of popularity for the four-stringed instrument. The club’s monthly meetings threaten to outgrow a room at Bocci’s Cellar. Guest performers include noted professionals, such as Herb Ohta, exemplar of Tin Pan Alley revival Ian Whitcomb and 97-year-old maestro Bill Tapia, as well as locals with a repertoire of five chords, if that. Interviewees include luthiers Mike Da Silva and Tony Graziano. The latter’s redwood-topped, koa wood-bodied uke symbolizes the Hawaiian/Californian connection. Of course there are heartfelt performances: lap steel guitarist Patti Maxine sings (beautifully) and recalls picking up the radio signal from KPOA’s “Hawaii Calls” all the way in Virginia. Founders Peter Thomas and Andy Andrews explain how they built up the club from a few fanciers. And the movie makes an excursion to Burning Uke, a small gathering in Big Sur. Koocher expertly uses that topic of combustion to segue into a story of how mortality strikes the club. My objection to this documentary is that it was hard to watch, take notes and at the same time horse around with my Makala Soprano. Happily, this charming, winning documentary has a place for those armed with ukes to join in, a follow-the-bouncing-ball singalong for the Kenny Young-Arthur Resnick title tune.
UNDER THE BOARDWALK screens Tuesday, May 24 at 7:30pm at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. Tickets $10 adv/$12 door at Streetlight Records and Ninakoocherfilms.com.
