When you think about the Santa Cruz music scene, the first thing that should come to mind is probably the Grateful Dead. After all, UCSC is home to the most important Dead archive in the world. But a Canadian filmmaker found another musical phenomenon that makes Santa Cruz tower above the rest: the ukulele. Perhaps it indicates close ties with Hawaii. After all, another SC icon, surfing, is also associated with that state and Santa Cruz.
Then again, Santa Cruz has a uke culture all its own, starting with the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz (acronym: UCSC) and its annual ukulele festival. What musical experience parallels the moving Burning Uke ceremony at the end? It would put even Pete Townshend to shame.
The uke is undergoing a revival, and Santa Cruz is right at the epicenter. Luckily for listeners, it’s not limited to Don Ho songs either. Here in Santa Cruz, you can hear everything from Hank Williams to the Beatles to the Kinks and more.
And for those still not totally enthralled by the ukulele, just remember that things could be worse. Santa Cruz’s official instrument could be the accordion. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
