Michigan Ukulele Ambassador Brings 'Mini Uke Day' to Wayne County

PLYMOUTH-CANTON, MI — Ben Hassenger is the self-proclaimed Michigan ambassador of the ukulele. Not only does he own over 100 ukuleles, he's also co-founder of the Lansing Area Ukulele Group and a member of the musical trio The Ukulele Kings. He's an organizer of The Mighty Uke Day festival, Interlochen’s Uketoberfest, and the Midwest Uke Camp, and now he's bringing a one-day Uke festival to Wayne County, Hometownlife.com reports.

"Mini Uke Day" will take place Saturday, Nov. 5 at Trinity House Theatre, 38840 Six Mile, in Livonia.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be an open mic, group strum-alongs, and workshops, and at 8 p.m. there will be a concert with performances by The Ukulele Kings and ukulele teacher Andy Andrews.

Tickets are $18 for the concert only, $45 for the four workshops, or $55 for the workshops and the concert. They can be purchased online or at the door.

Hassenger calls Michigan the "great uke state" because there are about 20 active ukulele groups across the state.

"I like to say it’s the ultimate folk instrument because it brings folks together," Hassenger said. "I think that’s the beauty of the ukulele, getting people together, sharing something together, face to face, in a group, working together. It’s an incredibly social instrument."

For a Q&A with Hassenger, check out hometownlife.com.

Photo courtesy of Duncan Hull/Flickr