Ukulele Getaway Set for Nov. 5-7 at Lake Tarpon Resort

Palm Harbor, FL — Ukulele lovers rejoice! An event scheduled for the first weekend in November will give your beloved musical instrument all the attention it deserves.

The Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway will take place Nov. 5-7 at the Lake Tarpon Resort, 37611 US Highway 19 North, in Palm Harbor. Featured artists include Jim and Liz Beloff, Victoria Vox, Gerald Ross, Craig Robertson, The Barnkickers and Haole Kats.

There is no charge for the Friday session, which starts with a “Ukulele for Beginners” workshop at 6:30 p.m. That is followed at 7 p.m. by a screening of the film "Mighty Uke" and live music at 8:30 p.m.

Admission for the Saturday session is $50 and runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., followed by a freestyle jam. Activities include registration, vendors, workshops, performances, lunch, swap meet, Q&A, dinner and a concert.

Sunday’s activities start at 10 a.m. and include registration, performances, raffle drawings and a Luau. Cost is $35. Visitors who plan to attend both days can save $10 by purchasing a weekend pass.

Sponsors for the three-day event include Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars & Ukuleles, Suncoast Hospice, Kala Brand Ukulele and Stevie B's Total Guitar. Proceeds go to the American Asperger's Association, a non-profit group that provides treatment and support for children with autism.

Details about the Getaway can be found at www.TampaBayUkulele.com.

Here are profiles of the scheduled performers:

Jim and Liz Beloff: Jim is the author of “The Ukulele – A Visual History” as well as a series of ukulele songbooks. Jim, along with his wife Liz, owns Flea Market Music, Inc., a company dedicated to the ukulele.

Victoria Vox: Victoria graduated from The Berklee College of Music with a degree in songwriting. Her debut ukulele album, “Victoria Vox and Her Jumping Flea,” was released in 2006. Her latest, “Exact Change,” was released in May.

Gerald Ross: Gerald is known for his work with the ukulele and Hawaiian lap steel guitar. He has recorded five solo CDs and appeared a number of times on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Craig Robertson: Craig, who has released six CDs of original music, performs the cabaret-style Ukulele Noir and writes for the Ukulelia blog. He will be accompanied on bass by his daughter Zoe.

The Barnkickers: Steve Boisen and his daughter Amanda make up this popular group. In 2008 they had the number one featured video on YouTube. In 2009 they released “Up Before Noon,” their debut CD of original music.

Haole Kats: T.J. Weger, Josh Gibson and Joe Martin make up this group. They are known for playing a style of Hawaiian music known as Hapa-Haole (Half-Foreign). Other styles include as jazz, swing, bossa nova and surf classics from the 1960s.

For more information about The Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway, visit www.TampaBayUkulele.com.