What we’re about
The Philadelphia Main Line Ukulele Group is one of the largest and most active ukulele groups in the country. Established in 2011 we have grown to over 800 members strong and have provided our members with, on average 20 opportunities per month to play ukulele in a group setting.
We have weekly jam sessions at multiple locations in the tri-state area and monthly jam sessions at our flagship locations, Steel City Coffee House, Green Fork Restaurant and Main Stage Center for the Arts. We also offer other opportunities each and every week to get together and jam with fellow ukulele players. The Philadelphia Main Line Ukulele Group also holds four "Premier Events" each year. Our Premier Events give members the opportunity to play in a festival like setting with, on average over 50 players all sharing the love that only the ukulele can bring!
Our group caters to beginners so if you're new to the uke please come to one of our events and let us help you start your journey. We play a wide variety of music from old standards from the 20's and 30's, Hawaiian Music, Classic Rock, Folk, Modern Pop, Country, Punk, Reggae and anything and everything else!
Hope to see you soon!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- West Chester Ukulele EnsembleThe Hickman Jeanes Building, West Chester, PA
We’re a group of enthusiastic ukulele players learning and practicing music arranged for ukulele ensembles. The pieces and their individual parts can be played by folks with a range of ukulele playing ability. So please join us!
We've gotten quite familiar with Daniel Ward’s Home and Arpeggio Meditation, and will continue to practice it for the time being. We have a new version of "Greensleeves" for one uke and bass that we've starting working on and it may become our main focus fairly soon. Other recent pieces are Aloha ‘Oe and Skye Boat Song.
We meet every other week - watch this space to know when, as well as for information on the specific pieces we are working on at any given time! The materials we're using (plus a whole bunch of "bonus" materials) are available for viewing and downloading on our Google Drive page.
At each event, please try to arrive about 10 minutes before the starting time to set up so we can get started right away. At any rate, we will be happy for you to join us whenever you are able get there.
Please be sure to RSVP on this page if you're planning to attend. This helps us with our planning.
And please feel free to stay afterwards for our regular weekly uke jam from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the same location. Further details can be found on the West Chester Ukulele Group's separate event pages that are listed on the Philadelphia Main Line Ukulele Group's main page. Please RSVP there as well if you're staying for the uke jam so we know the number of chairs and song sheets to have ready. We really like to know that YOU are coming!
- West Chester Ukulele Group~ Theme: Sailing, Boats and Watery Songs444 N Walnut St, West Chester, PA
Look in our Songs for This Week to see the songs we'll be playing. We have some great ones!
Put digital copies of song sheets you want to share in our Songs for This Week in folder. If you prefer, bring printed copies.
Bring an iPad if you have one and we'll transfer the song sheets to your device if you like. If you're unsure how, no worries, I'll help you. If you don't have an iPad, you can share with anyone in our friendly group or print out song copies for yourself ahead of time.
The Funky Frets Ukulele Festival is October 3-5, 2025. This is a favorite festival right in our backyard and run by the wonderful folks at Funky Frets. You'll see a lot of folks you know there & have a great time! Tickets sometimes sell out, so don't wait too long to decide.
Join us to sing, play ukulele and have fun! We play starting at 5:30pm until 7:00pm at the Hickman Jeanes Building. Arrive when you can, stay as long as you're able.
Optional Ukulele Tips | Open Mic 5:00-5:20pm. For those interested, we'll have one of us volunteer for the week to lead a session on ukulele tips. If you've been working on a song and want to perform it, here's your chance! ***Put in the Comments if you'll offer the skills for that week. It may be a riff you've learned, a new strum, anything on your uke. We'll take turns with one person a week. If nobody had volunteered Ukulele Tips, we'll just chat and catch up!
When you arrive, enter the Jeanes Building of The Hickman. Our room is to the right as you enter, so sign in at the reception desk and walk on in!
Here are some great sites where you can get song sheets to share with the group:
Our OWN West Chester Songbook, with many songsheets by Mal.
https://ozbcoz.com
https://scorpexuke.com/songs/
https://www.doctoruke.com/
https://www.sanjoseukeclub.org/song_book.html***
Age range is adult: high school onward. We welcome all levels of ability in playing and singing. If you're just starting and have played 3 chords, you'll fit right in. If you're more advanced, you'll fit in too.
- South Wayne Porchfest 2025Needs location
We have the honor of being invited once again to perform at the South Wayne Porchfest on September 13, 2025 (rain date 9/14/25)
More information will be coming, but right now we'll be gauging interest and looking for sign ups.
This is a fun event where we get to jam in public. This is different from our usual jams as it is more of a performance.
You do NOT have to be an advanced player. Simply be able to follow along with each leader in relatively simple songs. If you ever get stuck, just play the "Z" chord and smile!
Skills: Players must be able to play along from the paper. Advanced Beginner and above recommended. You must be able to strum together with the group and change chords on time.
Leaders will be mic'ed but non-leads can still be heard.
We ask that all players follow the leader and not play out or sing out louder than the leader.
If you are a brand-new player, we welcome you, but you may not be able to keep up.BRING:
· Official Book
· Music Stand
· Kazoo
· Clips
· Optional: Light for stand
· Tuner
Please obey all traffic laws! You CANNOT drive on the restricted areas during the time. This applies to ALL. Thank you! Parking is limited, so get there early.
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT THE EVENT:
www.southwayneporchfest.com
2024 Book and support files:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XecRJfE9tlxuXyWKPrcTCBNQ3MZSqFUG?usp=sharing
Please review any songs that you are not familiar with. Your skill level should be up to the point you can play along even if the song is not known to you; the chords are there, and you should be able to "feel" the chord changes as well as hear them. When in doubt, Z Chord and Smile!
2023 Porchfest Song Book
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pXz3C6DT_gLHv3kzl38EtIGbWTQvvii6/view?usp=sharing
2022 Porchfest Song Book
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g9CupMruB7IQ1Y7jmK3_bOX35OPXhAKm/view?usp=sharing
We ask that all bands be cognizant of their fellow performers and not bleed over into the adjoining musicians' space.
————————————-
We request that everyone be FULLY VACINATED to participate in this project. Many of us are in high-risk groups, so please be considerate.
We're starting to brainstorm songs and plan Zoom rehearsals.
I'm aiming for songs that are relatively easy to play for our general group, straight off the paper.
We have a representation of various leader with diverse talents.
In the past, we've been able to complete our songbook of about 14-15 songs, including very brief intro to our group and even some entertaining song intros.
If you would like to lead or play (or just enjoy the day), let us know.
Each leader picks their own set of songs and will lead them.
This year will include online rehearsal(s) so we won't walk in cold on the day!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-BpgJrpYc2ymdIWQmsr5jmTlyovdOOv2?usp=sharing
