FREE ukulele workshops and book signing at Holiday Stroll Lower Mills 2025

Don't miss the Annual Holiday Stroll in Lower Mills, which is usually scheduled on the Saturday, two days after Thanksgiving. This year features three authors signing their books in the Walter Baker Building, which is lit up with the big WALTER BAKER sign on top. <a href="https://www.bpl.org/blogs/post/an-interview-with-author-anthony-m-sammarco/">Anthony M. Sammarco</a> - noted historian of over 75 books <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4393575.Mary_E_Stibal">Mary Stibal</a> - murder mystery writer <a href="http://www.anneku.com">Anne Ku</a> - ukulele composer and instructor will sign three books and conduct free workshops on how to use these books for beginners. Published in mid-October, the first book in the new series Pick Pluck Play! Book 1 may be ordered on Amazon websites worldwide. The event is free. There's a free trolley that goes up and down Dorchester Avenue, Adams Street etc -- Great for families, dates, individuals etc.

Walter Baker Building

Coastal Uke Fest

The first ukulele festival in the South Shore! Entirely FREE!!<ul><li>Workshops</li><li>Classes</li><li>Rehearsals</li><li>Jam sessions</li><li>Performances</li></ul>Walk-ins welcome! Bring your ukulele and music stand (or borrow them at the festival) Handouts will be given at the festival or <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2025/09/25/inaugural-coastal-ukulele-festival/">Register in advance to get them as participant</a> Location Set your mapping app for 23 N. Main St., Cohasset. The sign out front says “Unitarian Universalist Parish House / Carriage House Nursery School.” Plenty of street parking around Cohasset Common. Evenings and Sundays you can park in the big lot behind Town Hall, right across the Common.&nbsp;<a href="https://cohassetukulele.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/firstparishparking.pdf">Click for a parking map,</a>&nbsp;or see below. Free parking.

Unitarian Universalist Parish House / Carriage House Nursery School

3 Chord Thursday at 3 Songs of the Seventies

Seventh session - Songs of the Seventies <a href="https://www.anneku.com/3-chord-thurs/">3 Chord Thursday</a> is a thematic song sessions in Zoom, born in the dawn of the world pandemic lockdown. It has evolved into a kind of ukulele class and ukulele workshop with international participation for all skill levels. Open to anyone anywhere in the world, the song session serves as a virtual stage for performers to lead and share their music. We always open promptly with a warm-up lesson and video recording on YouTube. In the fifth year (2025), we meet on the 1st, 3rd, or 5th Thursday each month, a total of twelve for the entire year. Please visit the event webpage to see the dates and the themes. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR, FOUNDER, and HOST Born in Brunei,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.anneku.com/">Anne Ku</a>&nbsp;grew up in Taiwan and Okinawa. She earned her music degrees in the Netherlands and UK. She taught music at University of Hawaii Maui College, where she picked up the ukulele. Since her relocation to Boston, Anne has taught at various adult education centers and the Boston Public Library.

Online

3 Chord Thursday at 3 Songs of the Sixties

Sixth session - Songs of the Sixties <a href="https://www.anneku.com/3-chord-thurs/">3 Chord Thursday</a> is a thematic song sessions in Zoom, born in the dawn of the world pandemic lockdown. It has evolved into a kind of ukulele class and ukulele workshop with international participation for all skill levels. Open to anyone anywhere in the world, the song session serves as a virtual stage for performers to lead and share their music. We always open promptly with a warm-up lesson and video recording on YouTube. In the fifth year (2025), we meet on the 1st, 3rd, or 5th Thursday each month, a total of twelve for the entire year. Please visit the event webpage to see the dates and the themes. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR, FOUNDER, and HOST Born in Brunei,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.anneku.com/">Anne Ku</a>&nbsp;grew up in Taiwan and Okinawa. She earned her music degrees in the Netherlands and UK. She taught music at University of Hawaii Maui College, where she picked up the ukulele. Since her relocation to Boston, Anne has taught at various adult education centers and the Boston Public Library.

Spring Concert: From Telemann to Twangology

<a href="https://neguitarorchestra.org/">New England Guitar Orchestra</a>, formerly known as the Boston Guitar Orchestra.&nbsp;presents Spring Concert: From Telemann to Twangology Location: <a href="https://churchonthehillboston.org/">Church on the Hill</a>,&nbsp;140 Bowdoin St, Boston, MA 02108 Nearest T-stations: Bowdoin; Park Free street parking on Sundays Tickets: FREE - no need to reserve The Program: Telemann: Concerto for Four Violins Olga Almekina-Vera: Nebulae; Intermezzo Guy Michaud: New England Suite arr. Michael Keplinger: Kiss from a Rose; Ariana Grande Ouverture Mark Houghton: Twangology Join us for a post-concert reception and walk to nearby restaurant for a shared meal with the guitarists.

Church on the Hill

Free Ukulele Workshop in Cohasset

Rare opportunity to take a FREE class in the beautiful coastal town of Cohasset, Massachusetts. Free parking. Warm-up in the first hour and continue into the second half to learn the 20% you need to play the 80% of what you want to play. All skill levels. Visit the event webpage for more information and how to register for this FREE 2-hour workshop. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Born in Brunei,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.anneku.com">Anne Ku</a> grew up in Taiwan and Okinawa. She earned her music degrees in the Netherlands and UK. She taught music at University of Hawaii Maui College, where she picked up the ukulele. Since her relocation to Boston, Anne has taught at various adult education centers and the Boston Public Library.

Parish House of First Parish

Read, Rotate, Eat

Calling guitarists (and ukulele players who read notation) to sight read really easy trios and quartets and then share an authentic Chinese meal in nearby Quincy. Great way to end the year! Read the <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2024/12/18/read-rotate-repeat/">new blog post</a> about this event.

3 Chord Thursday (hybrid)

Bring your ukulele or other instrument to celebrate and explore a theme on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. Please check the website for dates and themes. It's NOT every Thursday. And it's NOT always in Boston, MA, though most of the time it is. The session is in Zoom unless otherwise indicated (hybrid)<ul><li>January 4th and 18th</li><li>February 1st and 15th (not in Boston on 15th)</li><li>March 7th and 21st (not in Boston on 7th)</li><li>April 4th (hybrid) and 18th</li><li>May 2nd (hybrid) and 16th</li><li>June 6th (hybrid) and 20th</li><li>July 5th (San Francisco) and 18th</li><li>August 1st and 15th</li><li>September 5th and 19th (hybrid)</li><li>October 3rd and 17th</li><li>November 7th and 21st</li><li>December 5th and 19th</li></ul>These song sessions are offered HYBRID i.e. in-person AND in Zoom. There's a small fee to participate in Zoom. Get the Annual Pass to get discounts to music workshops and classes. Participants are encouraged to stay after the session for a one-hour music workshop. Unless otherwise specified, entry to the workshop is through ownership of <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2022/09/22/fun-with-uke-book/" target="_blank">"Fun with Uke" book</a> and holdership of the 3 Chord Thursday Annual Pass. Any instructional material will be separated charged or provided pending the topic. <a href="https://www.anneku.com/3-chord-thurs/" target="_blank">3 Chord Thursday at 3</a>&nbsp;is the catchy name given to the thematic song session launched at the dawn of the pandemic lockdown in April 2020, intended for worldwide participation on Thursdays at 3 PM. The one-hour session opens with a&nbsp;warm-up lesson followed by a group photo pose. There's no set song book. Instead, performers are encouraged to request songs and submit song sheets in line with the schedule theme. In the line-up, the songs are ordered by number of chords from low to high. Song sheets are shared and scrolled on screen so that all participants can focus on playing and singing. Every session is publicly live-streamed on YouTube and posted on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/3chord3" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a>&nbsp;page. The video recordings serve as "play along videos" for practice and are unlisted by the next session. There's a small fee to register and participate in Zoom. Participants are welcome to join the host in-person in Boston or elsewhere. The club will meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month in 2024.&nbsp; About the founder and host <a href="http://www.anneku.com" target="_blank">Anne Ku</a> considers the ukulele to give the easiest and fastest means to engage in music and connect with others. She founded "3 Chord Thursday' as a virtual stage to share the love of music and encourages all her music students to participate. She is an active member of the Ukulele Union of Boston (UUoB) whose club events are listed on <a href="https://www.meetup.com/BostonUke/" target="_blank">Meetup</a>. About the location The Walter Baker Lofts, a.k.a. Walter Baker Building is the only building with a big sign on top. “WALTER BAKER” is a unique monument to the community in Historic Lower Mills which is a part of Boston that borders Milton, Mattapan, and Quincy. This section of Dorchester is famous for the birthplace of the oldest&nbsp;<a href="https://caughtindot.com/dorchester-history-lesson-baker-chocolate-factory/" target="_blank">successful chocolate factory</a>&nbsp;in the country. The red brick buildings have been converted to apartments and condominiums, amid small businesses and restaurants and the famous Neponset River Trail within walking distance. There are two ways to enter this building: the double-door front entrance with steps and the side door with a ramp and step-free access. There is a public restroom in the main hall, on the same ground floor as the Common Room which has high ceilings, like the rest of the building, and big windows. It’s possible to get high speed wifi access with a password. How to get there<ul><li>Public transport - Milton T station is within sight and walking distance. Take the yellow trolley from Ashmont T-station (which is the last of the Red Line).</li><li>UBER or CAR - free street parking.</li></ul>

Fun with Ukulele festival

Learn to play the ukulele with a new book of familiar children's songs in a family-friendly outdoor music event in Watertown, Massachusetts. The new "Fun with Uke" Festive Edition 2024 will be given - one per family - up to 30 copies. Additional copies available for sale. Bring your picnic blanket, lawn chairs, refreshments and snacks and enjoy the sunset concert and workshop by three ukulele teachers. Bring your ukuleles -- there will be a few on loan. Visit the <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2024/07/23/fun-with-uke-2024/">webpage</a> for more information. Free public parking and at nearby local library. NOTE: There’s a farmer’s market BEFORE the ukulele concert that ends at 6:30 PM. You are welcome to get early and check it out.

Salstonstall Park 

FREE guitar orchestra concert

Let's welcome the Year of the Dragon on Superbowl Sunday with an afternoon concert of the <a href="https://neguitarorchestra.org/">New England Guitar Orchestra</a> followed by a reception at the church and a short walk to Chinatown for a shared dinner with the performers. Sunday 2/11/2024 at 3 PM EST <a href="https://churchonthehillboston.org/music/">Church on the Hill</a> The Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc. 140 Bowdoin Street, Beacon Hill, MA 02108 The guitar orchestra (formerly named Boston Guitar Orchestra) has members from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Our programme includes works by Bach, Haydn, Mussorgsky, Piazzolla, Tarrega, Vivaldi, Sir Karl Jenkins and the Swiss composer Jurg Kindle. Watch <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/393483639748489">this short clip</a> for our rehearsal of Kindle's Kalimba. Do you see our soloist <a href="https://thatcherharrison.com/awards">Thatcher Harrison</a>? Hope to see you at the free concert --- and share an authentic Chinese meal together afterwards!

Auld Lang Syne Workshop

Get ready for Burns Night by learning Auld Lang Syne. We explore different ways to play this song on the ukulele. After the one-hour workshop, we will walk to one of the local restaurants for dinner (pay for your own). You are welcome to join <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2024/01/11/3-chord-thursday-thesaurus/" target="_blank">our song session at 3 pm in person</a>. There's another session on Thursday 11th January 2024 at NOON EST that's in Zoom only. About the founder and host <a href="http://www.anneku.com" target="_blank">Anne Ku</a> considers the ukulele to give the easiest and fastest means to engage in music and connect with others. She founded "3 Chord Thursday' as a virtual stage to share the love of music and encourages all her music students to participate. She is an active member of the Ukulele Union of Boston (UUoB) whose club events are listed on <a href="https://www.meetup.com/BostonUke/" target="_blank">Meetup</a>. About the location The Walter Baker Lofts, a.k.a. Walter Baker Building is the only building with a big sign on top. “WALTER BAKER” is a unique monument to the community in Historic Lower Mills which is a part of Boston that borders Milton, Mattapan, and Quincy. This section of Dorchester is famous for the birthplace of the oldest&nbsp;<a href="https://caughtindot.com/dorchester-history-lesson-baker-chocolate-factory/" target="_blank">successful chocolate factory</a>&nbsp;in the country. The red brick buildings have been converted to apartments and condominiums, amid small businesses and restaurants and the famous Neponset River Trail within walking distance. There are two ways to enter this building: the double-door front entrance with steps and the side door with a ramp and step-free access. There is a public restroom in the main hall, on the same ground floor as the Common Room which has high ceilings, like the rest of the building, and big windows. It’s possible to get high speed wifi access with a password. How to get there<ul><li>Public transport - Milton T station is within sight and walking distance. Take the yellow trolley from Ashmont T-station (which is the last of the Red Line).</li><li>UBER or CAR - free street parking.</li></ul>

Holiday Songs Workshop

Prepare for the festive season by learning how to play songs that are popular at this time of the year (and every year). Learn the best techniques and strategies for<ul><li>fingering and switching chords on time and in time</li><li>choosing the best accompaniment for strumming and fingerpicking</li></ul>Do you know how to find the first note of the melody? How to start and end a song? How to give an introduction to a song? How to make a song interesting? This free workshop is sponsored by sales of the <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2022/09/22/fun-with-uke-book/">Fun with Uke Book</a> 24 illustrated nursery rhymes arranged for high G ukulele, with signed copies available at the workshop or in advance as PDF. You can also attend the workshop in Zoom and view the song sheets yourself as there will be no sharing of screens. For those interested, stay after the workshop and grab an early dinner nearby. About the location The workshop will be held in the Common Room of the Walter Baker Building. It is the only building with a big sign on top: WALTER BAKER. "WALTER BAKER" is a unique monument to the community in Historic Lower Mills which is a part of Boston that borders Milton, Mattapan, and Quincy.  This section of Dorchester is famous for the birth of the oldest <a href="https://caughtindot.com/dorchester-history-lesson-baker-chocolate-factory/">successful chocolate factory</a> in the country. The red brick buildings have been converted to apartments and condominiums, amid small businesses and restaurants and the famous Neponset River Trail within walking distance. There are two ways to enter this building: the double-door front entrance with steps and the side door with a ramp and step-free access. There is a public restroom in the main hall, on the same ground floor as the Common Room where the workshop takes place. The Common Room has high ceilings, like the rest of the building, and big windows. It's possible to get high speed wifi access with password.  About the instructor After publishing her <a href="https://www.anneku.com/works/KU%20thesis%20song%20sheets%2042%20pages.pdf">MA in Music dissertation on ukulele song sheets in 2018</a>, Anne Ku taught ukulele courses for the Boston Public Library and adult education establishments in Arlington, Cambridge, and Milton. Since March 2020, she has been teaching almost exclusively online in Zoom and arranging music for the ukulele. She hosts <a href="https://www.anneku.com/3-chord-thurs/">3 Chord Thursday</a>, the thematic recorded online song session series, and the monthly meetups for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/231839823915269">Ukulele Instructors International</a> for professional development.

Ukulele Bootcamp

Ukulele Bootcamp is the course that will improve your playing skills and expand your chord vocabulary through one-hour classes in Zoom with other busy adults. Tuition for all 8 classes is $250 including all instructional materials and class video recordings, and an optional study break or individual session in breakout room with instructor. Alternatively, take the first class for $40 and pay each subsequent class at $35 each. <a href="https://forms.gle/at5KacgwUsTuZ5pPA">Register via the Google Form</a>. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR After publishing her <a href="https://www.anneku.com/works/KU%20thesis%20song%20sheets%2042%20pages.pdf">MA in Music dissertation on ukulele song sheets in 2018</a>, Anne Ku founded a ukulele club in Historic Lower Mills, meeting weekly with a different theme each time. She then taught ukulele courses at adult education establishments in Arlington, Cambridge, and Milton. Since March 2020, she has been teaching almost exclusively online in Zoom and arranging music for the ukulele. <a href="http://www.anneku.com/classes/">Fall 2023 music courses</a> include ukulele, piano, and songwriting. Anne started several music series in Zoom, two of which she continues to host more than three years later. She hosts <a href="https://www.anneku.com/3-chord-thurs/">3 Chord Thursday</a>, the thematic recorded online song session series, and the monthly meetups for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/231839823915269">Ukulele Instructors International</a>. TESTIMONIALS Ukulele Bootcamp was the 5th or 6th class that I’ve taken with Anne. If there are holes in your ukulele knowledge, this class will catch them. A good amount of time was spent learning about your singing voice as it relates to a song. It is a great class with inspiring lessons and performances, along with fun group interaction. Anne always follows up immediately with class notes and videos which is so helpful. I highly recommend. Bootcamp (or its progeny, if no longer named this) is good for a general expansion of ukulele playing. It’s beyond basic chords, but covers a little of all the other “special” classes. You’ll understand more about relationships within keys, more about strums, more about picking, more about performing. It’s like the sunflower course, expanding from the center. I highly recommend this class. I’ve taken it twice, and it was different each time. The focus is mostly on strumming, but you learn different patterns, challenging songs, and a little music theory. A great overview for beginners and advanced beginners. Anne is a patient teacher who is nimble enough to adjust the materials and pace to suit her students. This is the course to move you beyond beginning ukulele. Anne has the chops and communicates the “How To” in an engaging and very easy-to-grasp manner. It really helped me understand new concepts and learn skills that I may have missed earlier. It made me a better ukulele player. I am so glad I took this course.

SONGWRITING

FINISH a complete song in 8 weeks with two dedicated and passionate music instructors to take you through a process you can use to write other songs. All instruction is in Zoom, in a small class with other creative adults. Tuition for all 8 classes is $250 including all instructional materials and class video recordings, and an optional study break or individual session in breakout room with instructor. Alternatively, take the first class for $40 and pay ubsequent classes at $35 each. <a href="https://forms.gle/at5KacgwUsTuZ5pPA">Register via the Google Form</a>. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS Anne Ku and Bruce Boreham have developed and co-taught three kinds of 8-week courses in Zoom: <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2020/11/19/hum-strum-sing-in-tune-in-sync/">Hum &amp; Strum</a>, <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2022/01/26/voice-over-uke/">Voice Over Uke</a>, and Italian Voice over Uke. Based in Venice, Italy, <a href="https://www.anneku.com/2020/11/19/hum-strum-sing-in-tune-in-sync/">Bruce Boreham</a> has trained with Bobby McFerrin, Jay Clayton and the Swingle Singers. He taught for 25 years at the University of Venice, initially English as a Second Language, then Screenwriting. He has sung as the lead singer in bands and choirs performing gospel, progressive rock, swing, and modern opera. He has composed the original music and lyrics for several of these music groups. He will share his ten-step process to writing a song in this new course. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, <a href="http://www.anneku.com">Anne Ku</a> has developed new ukulele curricum in two books “UkuGlobal’s Happy Helpful Guide to the Ukulele” and “Fun with Uke: 24 Nursery Rhymes with Illustration.” She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Composition and Teaching Diploma in Piano from Utrecht Conservatory in the Netherlands and Master of Arts in Music from The Open University in the UK. Prior to teaching the ukulele, piano, and music theory in Zoom, she taught music and mathematics at University of Hawai’i Maui College. TESTIMONIALS Bruce was our voice coach and he identified my personal issues in our private breakout session. His “one on one” coaching was extraordinary for improving and building singing confidence. At the end of the course, everyone showed improvement and helped to build a supportive and fun camaraderie. Anne is a seasoned and skilled music teacher and uses the medium of Zoom well to provide expert and inspiring ukulele tuition. And as if that wasn’t enough, you’ll get to meet and work with a small bunch of lovely people from different parts of the world (and maybe even make a new permanent friend or two!)

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

anneku

Experiences

FREE ukulele workshops and book signing at Holiday Stroll Lower Mills 2025

Coastal Uke Fest

3 Chord Thursday at 3 Songs of the Seventies

3 Chord Thursday at 3 Songs of the Sixties

Spring Concert: From Telemann to Twangology

Free Ukulele Workshop in Cohasset

Read, Rotate, Eat

3 Chord Thursday (hybrid)

Fun with Ukulele festival

FREE guitar orchestra concert

Auld Lang Syne Workshop

Holiday Songs Workshop

Ukulele Bootcamp

SONGWRITING

Holiday Songs Workshop