DENVER — Now in its third year running, the Denver UkeFest returns for an all-day celebration at Swallow Hill Music on Saturday, February 6 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Paying tribute to all things ukulele, this year's festival will feature open stages, jam sessions, workshops (for all levels of experience, beginner to pro, held by the performing artists), vendors (offering ukuleles, books, CD's, DVD's, hand printed festival posters, and other uke related products), food and beverage from the Wynkoop Brewing Company, a raffle with grand prizes including a new resonator ukulele from Mya-Moe Uke (valued at $1500) and a banjo-uke from Beansprout ukulele's, and a film screening of the documentary Mighty Uke (also featured at the Toronto Film Festival). The festival is a family-friendly environment, offering workshops for adults, kids and teens. It is not required to bring a ukulele, but should you choose to partake in a more hands-on festival experience, there will be ukuleles available to rent or purchase for as little as $30.

The festival culminates with a live concert extravaganza starting at 7:30 p.m., with performances by James Hill & Anne Davison, the Canote Bros., Boulder Acoustic Society, Danielle Ate The Sandwich, Eleanor, Ukulele Loki, Moe Dixon, and The Denver Uke Community. 

Since its inception in 2008, this niche festival has been attracting fans of the ukulele far and wide; and as the instrument's popularity has grown in today's music (see Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Jason Mraz) so has that of the Denver UkeFest. In 2009, drawing from a nationwide audience, the Denver UkeFest saw its most successful year to date, as a near sold-out crowd gathered to watch current and up-and-coming artists tote the tiny instrument. Now with the continuation of the festival in 2010 with its performances, jams sessions and workshops, Swallow Hill Music seeks to inspire a new generation of ukulele enthusiasts to keep the UkeFest tradition strong in Denver.

Several events are happening around Denver in conjunction with the festival. There will be an initial screening of the Mighty Uke documentary on Friday, February 5 at 7 p.m at the Starz Film Center (900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, 80204). Filmmaker Tony Coleman and ukulele virtuoso James Hill will be in attendance at the screening to answer questions. After the screening, the Wynkoop Brewing Company will host Heavy Metal Uke, a part jam-session, part social-gathering event starting at 9 p.m. at their downtown brewery and restaurant, (1634 18th Street, Denver, 80202). Anyone with a Mighty Uke film ticket, Denver Ukefest ticket, or even just a ukulele will get two-for-one Microbrews (21 or older).

Please visit www.denverukefest.org for more details on festival artists, activities, and ticket prices.

Tickets at all price ranges are now on sale at www.denverukefest.org (now with no processing fees) or by calling (303) 777-1003 x2. Parking is FREE but limited for the festival, so come early!

Thank you for supporting live music in Denver!

About Swallow Hill Music Association:
Helping people make and enjoy music since 1979, Swallow Hill Music Association celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2009 as one of the largest nonprofit institutions of its kind in the United States as a source for folk, roots and acoustic music. In 2008, Swallow Hill Music served more than 80,000 people through their concert, school and outreach programming. With more than 2,300 members, Swallow Hill provides a place to celebrate music that is rarely heard elsewhere in the Rocky Mountain Region. Three concert venues house more than 200 performances a year, featuring some of the world's great artists as well as up-and-coming new talent. Swallow Hill’s Julie Davis School of Music offers classes for every interest, skill level and member of the family. Each year, a faculty of 60 instructors provides training to more than 4,000 students. A Tier II member of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Swallow Hill has been named one of the Top 25 Movers & Shakers in Arts & Culture by the Rocky Mountain News, has won both the Mayor's and Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts and countless "Best of Denver" awards, has been recognized by the North American Folk Alliance, and is one of the most sought-after venues by folk and roots performers in the country.