| Swallow Hill Music is proud to announce the 17th Annual Denver UkeFest, which takes place on Saturday, May 9th from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the music nonprofit’s Yale Avenue location in Denver. Tickets: 17th Annual Denver UkeFest Headlining the day-long festival of concerts, workshops, and community dedicated to all things ukulele is celebrated ukulelist and composer Brittni Paiva. Paiva is a powerhouse in the world of music, celebrated for her unparalleled ukulele mastery and her influence on the global resurgence of the instrument. With four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards to her credit, millions of views on YouTube, and a reputation that extends across world music circles, she has firmly established herself as a top-tier artist and producer. |
| “My goal has always been to take the ukulele out of what it’s supposed to sound like, and put it into something that’s completely out of left field,” Paiva told Ukulele Magazine in a recent interview. It’s a mindset that will fit right in at Denver UkeFest as everyone comes to the instrument from a different entry point, musical style, and skill level. Joining Paiva as performers and workshop instructors are Cynthia Lin and ‘Fest veteran Steven Espaniola. Swallow Hill Instructors Casey Cormier and Daniella Katzir will once again act as UkeFest hosts, while also performing and teaching their own workshops. The ukulele traces its roots back to 19th Century Hawaii, where it evolved from small stringed instruments introduced by Portuguese immigrants. While most recognizable in its modest, acoustic, four-stringed form, the instrument continues to evolve into a variety of shapes and sizes, unplugged or electric. All three national-touring artists at this year’s UkeFest also have direct ties to Hawaii; Paiva was raised and resides there, Lin lives there now, and Espaniola grew up there before relocating to California. This connection continues Denver UkeFest’s strong tradition of presenting Hawaiian artists over its 17 editions, including Jake Shimabukuro, Aldrine Guerrero, and Taimane among many others. UkeFest’s workshops are open to all players regardless of their skill level, be it beginner or advanced, or somewhere in between. EVENT DETAILS: DENVER UKEFEST 2026 Saturday, May 9 at Swallow Hill Music 9:30am Doors 10am Workshops Workshop titles and details will be shared soon. Check the Denver UkeFest website for updates, or sign up for our weekly newsletter, where they will be shared when they are announced. 6:15pm Concert FESTIVAL PASS PRICES Early Bird pricing: $55 Concert / $50 Workshops / $90 All Day ($5 Off for Swallow Hill Members) May 1st: $60 Concert / $55 Workshops / $100 All Day ($5 Off for Members) Day of Show: $65 Concert / $60 Workshops / $110 All Day ($5 Off for Members) ABOUT THE ARTISTS Brittni Paiva Brittni Paiva is a powerhouse in the world of music, celebrated for her unparalleled ukulele mastery and her influence on the global resurgence of the instrument. With millions of views on YouTube and a reputation that extends across world music circles, Brittni has firmly established herself as a top-tier artist and producer. Her virtuosity has led to performances alongside iconic figures such as Carlos Santana, Tommy Emmanuel, Dick Dale, Billy Gibbons, and many others. Throughout her illustrious career, Brittni has garnered numerous accolades, including four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Grammy winner Tom Scott, captivated by her ability to innovate while preserving her unique identity, personally requested to collaborate with her. Cynthia Lin Creator of the 100 Days of Ukulele Project, Cynthia Lin is a singer-songwriter and creative community leader based in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Through her popular YouTube channel (65+ million views) and approachable teaching style, Cynthia has introduced the joy of ukulele to a new generation of fans. With the motto “Practice your ukulele 5 minutes a day: it’s good for your brain, and good for your soul,” Cynthia has encouraged thousands of budding artists to embrace and share their own creative journeys. Cynthia’s captivating vocals and story-telling delivery flow effortlessly with her smooth fingerpicking style, and her original songs reveal a thoughtful, quirky poet. As an independent artist, Cynthia has toured the globe and released 9 album recordings, including Ukulele Days, which hit the Billboard jazz and world charts. Also an actress, vocal coach, and dancer, Cynthia embodies the mantra that she lives by: Follow Your Passion. Steven Espaniola It’s rare when an artist arrives on the scene offering a refreshing new spin on a traditional genre of music. Steven Espaniola is that artist. Raised in Aliamanu, Hawai’i on the island of O’ahu and now residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Steven is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in ‘Ukulele, Kī Hō’alu (Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar), Bass and Leo Ki’e Ki’e (Traditional Hawaiian falsetto). Of Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese and Spanish descent, his ethnicity is as diverse as his unique sound which preserves the integrity of the traditional with a flourish of the modern. In 2007, Steven’s musical efforts earned him the recognition of “New Artist of the Year” at the Hawai‘i Music Awards. In 2023 Steven’s original song “Sakura” was a finalist for the prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award in the Hawaiian Music Video category. He was recently featured on the cover of the 2024 Summer issue of Ukulele Magazine and has been a Contributing Editor & Columnist for that publication for several years. Casey Cormier & Daniella Katzir Casey Cormier and Daniella Katzir have been performing together for ten years along Colorado’s Front Range. They first met as ukulele teachers at Swallow Hill Music, found shared musical influences in their past and present, and soon were accompanying one another on gigs ranging from Americana, funk, and even Hawaiian in style. Their duo sets blend original works with a variety of creative covers, and are sure to fill their audiences with happiness and inspiration. |