Ukulele Festival to give out 50 free scholarships

Local businesses and CNMI government agencies are stepping up to support the 4th Annual Marianas Ukulele Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, from 2pm to 9pm at the Marianas Business Plaza.

This outpouring of support has enabled the festival to give away 50 free scholarships for ukulele lessons, which will be drawn from all those who register for the scholarships.

Anyone interested in signing up for the scholarship must come to the festival and fill out a registration form.

The scholarships may be redeemed at any recognized ukulele instructional program, such as: the CNMI Arts Council, Carolinian Affairs Office, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, and Ed Johnson. Many terrific prizes, including 15 ukuleles, will also be raffled off at the event.

The festival has drawn the support of the Marianas Visitors Authority, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs/Arts Council, T Galleria DFS, Island Training Solutions, IT&E, Marianas Business Plaza, Burger Comer Magliari, Bridge Capital, Marianas Medical Center, Robert T. Torres Law Office, Joeten Enterprises, Fiesta Resort and Spa, Kinpachi Restaurant, KKMP, Pacific Development Inc., Triple J Enterprises, Hyatt Regency Saipan, ANA Corp., R&M Printers, and Yusuke Saito.

The Marianas Ukulele Festival is a fun, family event featuring continuous live entertainment, local food and arts and crafts booths, raffle drawings and surprises. It is free and open to the public.

This year’s program will focus on local CNMI artists of all ages and skill levels, from professional entertainers to novice players. The Sunset Cruisers, Tata Lino, Tata Felix, and Tata Joe, Gus Kaipat and the Olomwa’ay Sons and Daughters, Marvin and Jay, Ed Johnson and Alana’ia, Da Kine, Jose Carreon and Juan Ichihara, Demalynn Pagarao, LauLau Homebrew, Mongkeya Brothers, Ukituki, and Saipan Community School have been confirmed so far.

Any ukulele players/groups interested in performing at the festival should contact Larry Lee at marianasukefest@gmail.com or 285-7127, or Gordon Marciano at 285-1195. Anyone interested in supporting the festival through cash or in-kind contributions should please contact the same.

The Marianas Ukulele Festival Association is a registered, non-profit organization whose mission is: to promote and perpetuate ukulele music and heritage by bringing people of all ages together to share the love of ukulele music; and, to create an avenue for people of all cultures to share the island warmth and “hafa adai tirow spirit” through the enjoyment of music and culture. One of the goals of the annual Marianas Ukulele Festival is to establish the Northern Marianas as a regionally renowned cultural and entertainment destination.

For more information, visit www.marianasukulelefestival.org. (PR)