DENVER — Swallow Hill Music is pleased to present, in conjunction with their 2010 Denver UkeFest, a special screening of the indie documentary Mighty Uke on Friday, February 5, 7 P.M. at the Starz FilmCenter (900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, 80204).

Special guests at the screening will include film Producer/Director Tony Coleman, and ukulele virtuoso James Hill—whose ambitious skills with the instrument have regarded him as one of the foremost ukulele players in the world. Both will be in attendance to introduce the film and field questions from the audience. The viewing is all ages, open to the public and great for the whole family. People who own a uke are encouraged to bring it to the movie. Immediately after the screening, join Tony Coleman, James Hill and more at the Wynkoop Brewery (1634 18th Street, Denver, 80202) for "Heavy Metal Uke" a jam-session hosted by Swallow Hill Music. There will be 2-for-1 microbrews for anyone (21+) who brings an ukulele, Mighty Uke ticket stub or UkeFest ticket with them.

Thoughts of the ukulele (uke) often default to images of grass skirts, hokey lyrics, palm trees, umbrella drinks—your basic Hawaiian vacation. Certainly not a topic that filmmaker Tony Coleman expected to cover for is first feature-length film, but aside from being a Hawaiian novelty, this small-scale instrument carries a rich history that has profoundly affected the world's music. Mighty Uke takes you on a journey with Coleman as he trots the globe in search of that history. From Canada to Australia, the United States to New Zealand, the documentary takes you deep into ukulele culture to discover that it has a community on a global scale. It has become a peoples' instrument. Its mere size makes it accessible and easy for anyone to play, and some enthusiasts suggest that every aspect of music theory can be learned on just the four strings of the uke. "I hope that when people see this film they become inspired to go out and get a ukulele," says Coleman, "because music self-played is happiness self-made."

Making the unlikeliest comeback in music since the Led Zeppelin reunion, the uke is quickly becoming a fixture in some of today's greatest music. Artists like Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Jason Mraz and Denver's own Boulder Acoustic society (who appear in the Mighty Uke film) have integrated the tiny instrument into their tunes in a big way. Recently, local band Danielle Ate The Sandwich posted their uke-driven cover of Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." to YouTube, and the video has since gone viral. Racking almost forty thousand views in just five days, the public response to the satirical song was massive, and paramount in suggesting that pop-culture has indeed accepted the uke into its music. "On the uke," says Aaron Keim of Boulder Acoustic Society, "you can't hide—it's just you and the song ... 'emo' kids, 'punks,' they're all getting it because [the uke] is real!" Both Danielle Ate The Sandwich and Boulder Acoustic Society will be performing and teaching ukulele workshops at the Denver UkeFest, alongside many other great acts.

About the Denver UkFest, 2010
UkeFest will take place at Swallow Hill Music (71 E. Yale Ave, Denver, 80210) on Saturday, February 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., featuring open stages, jam sessions, workshops (held by the performing artists for all experience levels), 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, and a raffle with grand prizes including a new ukulele from Mya-Moe Uke (valued at $1,500). Tony Coleman will also host very special screening of never-before-seen footage from the Mighty Uke film. The UkeFest is a family-friendly environment, offering workshops for adults, kids and teens. The festival culminates with a live concert starting at 7:30 p.m., with performances from James Hill & Anne Davison, the Canote Bros., Boulder Acoustic Society, Danielle Ate The Sandwich, Eleanor, Ukulele Loki, Moe Dixon, and The Denver Uke Community. Tickets are on sale now with several ticket levels (including kids prices), visit www.denverukefest.org for more details. It is not required to bring a uke, but should you choose to partake in a more hands-on festival experience there will be ukes available to rent or purchase for as little as $30.

About Swallow Hill Music Association
Helping people make and enjoy music since 1979, Swallow Hill Music celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2009 as one of the largest nonprofit institutions of its kind in the United States as a source for roots, folk 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. 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 Music 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 roots, folk and acoustic performers in the country.

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