Day #8 of 100 Days of Ukulele 2026 - Can’t Buy Me Love at Smoldering UKE!!!

YES, I am majorly behind on here. But I’m getting caught up! What a joy and thrill it was to sing Can’t Buy Me Love with Sandor who set up and led Smoldering Uke 2026 this year! Hidden Valley music is such a beautiful place in Carmel Valley. It’s an off shoot of an event called, “Burning Uke,” which usually happens around September. I have been to many of these events in past years — starting in 2010 when I stumbled upon Burning Uke! Then I found out about this group!

FUN FACT! In the Santa Cuz books five and six, it says, “BEATLES” next to every Beatles song so they can be found easily! Apparently ,the Santa Cruz ukulele folks, LOVE the Beatles!! No wonder why I always feel as if they’re my people…these wonderful folks! I missed all of these festivals during hte pandemic and the first couple of years after… so fabulous to return!

This was our first evening, and we were playing out of Book #6 — people would yell out songs and we would play them. This was the end of the evening (well almost) in a large acoustic friendly auditorium type room.. I did not expect Sandor to call me up to play and sing with him, but he did and yes, I went for it of course! My friend Margaret filmed this clip for me!

Ukuleles are the happiest instruments in the world!!! More songs coming, many of them with stories!

If anyone wants to join me for a beginner ukulele jam online, let me know and I will set it up!!