Pilsen Celebrates First Annual Ukulele Party

Photos and story by Cara Col

The ukulele, a small but mighty instrument, was center stage at Pilsen Arts & Community House (PACH) this past weekend, as local musicians and community members gathered to celebrate the first annual Pilsen Ukulele Party. Hosted by ukulele teacher and musician Ukulady Lisa, the Party commemorated Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, emphasizing the ukulele’s history of protest, resistance, and community gathering through music and dance.

With a program featuring ukulele musicians and comedians, Hula dancing, history presentations, and ukulele lessons, the first annual Pilsen Ukulele Party embodied the rich culture that surrounds this beautiful instrument, creating a space of sharing and engaging through music for all ages and skill levels.

Beyond the ukulele, Ukulady Lisa aimed to connect people to local community art organizations, starting with PACH, a non-profit art gallery that displays local artists and hosts many art-related workshops, including Ukulady Lisa’s monthly ukulele group lessons.

Other groups tabling included Soulful Arts, a cooperative of artists and educators offering art classes for all ages, and Coartlition, a DIY project designed to showcase art in McKinley Park.

The Party kicked off with a tender performance by indie folk musician May5a. The plucks of his ukulele punctuated his soft vocals. The intimate lyrics about love and heartbreak clearly resonated with the audience as they began to settle into the space.

Next up was the self- proclaimed Baby Boomer comedian, Jan Slavin. Jan riffed with the audience before jumping into her songs; one song about a near-death sexcapade that emerged from a dating app particularly tickled the audience.

Continuing with ukulele comedy, Rebecca Jaffe took the stage, sharing her eccentric experiences and thoughts through quirky songs. If you’ve ever wanted to know what those inflatable tube men outside of car dealerships think, perhaps give Rebecca’s EP Hi Everyone a listen.

Closing out the comedians, Mosy Posy Rosy, a clown for hire and producer of the art market and show Museum of You, took the stage. Dressed head to toe in pink with a baby pink bob and hot pink nose to match, Mosy Posy jumped from love songs to songs about those embarrassing moments you forget until you don’t, and you’re physically cringing in the grocery store.

Then, Ukulady Lisa took the stage, providing some history about how the ukulele arrived in Hawaii and highlighting notable Hawaiian ukulele masters, such as Jake Shimabukuro, as well as protest songs on the ukulele, including “Hawai’i ’78.” She then performed a medley of covers alongside her mother, who played the cajon. Equipped with props and her engaging personality, Ukulady Lisa elevated pop covers into bright, interactive performances.

Closing out the performances was Jordan Tamayo, a Hawaiian-born local Hula dancer who dances with Shasta Hud in Downers Grove. She masterfully portrayed each song with complex hand motions that seemed to flow naturally. The audience was captivated.

Tamayo shared more about Hula, explaining how each movement corresponds to the words and phrases, creating a visual representation of the song or chant with the body.

Tamayo then led a short Hula lesson to “The Hukilau Song,” teaching the audience the basic steps of Hula, as well as the hand motions that corresponded to each song.

A short ukulele lesson led by Ukulady Sarah followed, in which she taught us four different chords and countless different songs that can be played with those four chords alone.

Finally, the show wrapped up with an open mic through which more local ukulele musicians were able to showcase their talent.

The first annual Pilsen Ukulele Party was a celebration of cultural history, creative expression, and community connection. Through comedy, storytelling, dance, and song, performers and attendees alike demonstrated the ukulele’s unique ability to bring people together across generations and backgrounds. By honoring the instrument’s roots while creating space for local artists and neighbors to connect, Ukulady Lisa and PACH began a joyful and meaningful tradition.