Who we are
Hawke's Bay Ukulele Underground is a friendly bunch of self-confessed ukulele addicts who get together to strum, sing and share the joy of this happy little instrument.
It's a great place to meet people, too. Look around the room and you'll find teachers, IT folk, tradies, retirees, professionals and students, from fresh-faced youngsters to folks who first strummed along when the Beatles were in the charts. Whatever you do by day, on club night we're all just ukulele players, and there's no friendlier way to make new friends.
Your first night
Prefer the quick version? Step through it on the home page.
From 7.10pm
Park up for free
- Arrive any time from 7.10pm.
- Cabana is at 11 Shakespeare Road, Napier.
- Plenty of free parking right outside.
- Step-free, wheelchair-friendly access.
- Under 18? Please check with Cabana's bar manager before you come.
From 7.10pm
Say hello inside
- Head inside and pay $10. No booking needed.
- Our welcomer will say hello and help you settle in. If they're busy, the bar manager will introduce you.
- The bar's open all night. Every drink you buy supports Cabana, our venue host.
- It's drinks-only, so eat before you come.
From 7.30pm
First half: the music starts
- At 7.30pm, this month's hosts open with 3 songs.
- Then other groups take turns on stage, with the chords up on screen.
- Sit back and listen with a drink, or play along on your own uke or one of ours.
- We're not purists: guitars, violins, flutes and more are welcome too.
- Never played before? Ask for help with your first few chords. Nobody minds a wrong note.
- Each night has one theme. Most groups play to it, but it's only a guide: stretch it (a "Country" night might bring songs from Japan!) or skip it.
About 8.30pm
Halftime: mix and mingle
- The stage empties and everyone gets up to mingle.
- Grab another drink and say hi to the regulars.
From 8.40pm
Second half: more music
- The hosts are back with 3 more songs.
- Then the other groups carry on where the first half left off, on the same theme, until home time.
9.30 to 10pm
Home time
- The music wraps up somewhere between 9.30 and 10pm.
- See you next month: club night is the first Thursday of every month (except January).
- Keen to play at next month's club night? Get in touch.
Club nights
When & where
Every month except January, when we take a summer break.
This month's theme is suggested by the hosts and announced soon after the previous club night. Some months are always the same (May: NZ Music Month; December: End of year & Christmas). Upcoming themes are on the Events page and our Facebook page (opens in a new tab).
- When
- First Thursday of the month
- Time
- 7.30pm
- Where
- Cabana Napier, map (opens in a new tab)11 Shakespeare Road, NapierCabana is a drinks-only bar (no food is sold), with plenty of free parking available.Step-free, wheelchair-friendly access.Under 18? Please check with Cabana's bar manager before you come.
- Cost
- $10 per night
Want to get on stage?
Perform
Bands and solo acts get up to 3 songs. Send your songs on the club's slide template at least 3 days before club night. Bring a song has the templates and how-to.
Host a night
Get in touch and put your hand up for the month you'd like. If no one else has claimed it, it's yours. Hosts open the night with 3 songs, start the second half with 3 more after halftime, and suggest the night's theme the month before.
Got a question? Ask Uke Bot
Pick one of these or type your own. Rather ask a person? Get in touch.
See you on club night
No sign-up form, no membership. Just turn up, with or without a uke.