Arts Council of Clatsop County

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Arts Council of Clatsop County

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Established by Clatsop County to serve and promote the creative community of Clatsop County, Oregon

The Arts Council of Clatsop County is a nonprofit organization serving the Northern Oregon Coast. Our mission is "to support, promote and advocate for the arts and cultural enrichment in the county."

10/30/2026

Meet the UkeFest Instructors

🎶Brook Adams

Brook Adams caught the ukulele bug in 2003 when he discovered you can play almost anything on it. He worked out a solo uke and vocal performance of the Beatles' "Abbey Road" album and took it on the road. Since then he has played festivals, camps, and workshops around the country. He likes Herb Alpert, Creedence, Jethro Tull, and surf music.

Learn more about him on his website: brookadams.com

UkeFest in Seaside Workshops: Chords beyond Cowboy, You Can Do It!, Bangers, Doo W*p.

10/28/2026

UkeFest in Seaside Workshop Descriptions
🎶Francis Doo led workshops

Baritone Players: Strictly for Baritone players this session will explore the nuanced differences between playing a Ukulele and Baritone. (Beginner)

Strum Patterns: Experience the difference between thumb strumming, single finger strumming, and two finger strumming. Discover when to use each type of strum. (Beginner to Intermediate)

Chords Up the Neck: Have you ever wanted to learn how to move past the first few frets? Find out how with moveable chords. (Beginner to Intermediate)

Instrument Chat: Join in on a chat about the instrument, how you started playing, what interests you have around ukuleles and baritones. (All levels)

Click the link in the first comment to register to attend.
Reminder that the hotel room block can only be used by calling in now!

10/23/2026

Meet the UkeFest Instructors

🎶Francis Doo

Born and raised on the island of Oʻahu, Francis Doo brings the spirit of aloha to every performance. With over 30 years of experience in the Oregon and Washington music scene, he shares a blend of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music along with original compositions. His deep connection to Hawaiian culture extends beyond music, as he also has a background in hula, which enriches his performances with authenticity and heart.

UkeFest in Seaside Workshops: Instrument Chat, Strum Patterns, Baritone Players, and Chords up the Neck

10/22/2026

Don't miss out!
TRANSFORMATIONS: RECLAIMING THE DISCARDED runs through November 8th
Astoria artists Midori Hirose and Slayer Rowan spent June through September salvagaterials from the waste stream at the Astoria Transfer Station and transforming them into new works of art. As the 2026 recipients of the Coastal Oregon Artist Residency (COAR), they gave discarded materials another chance at life through art.
The exhibition will be on view October 10 through November 8, Thursdays through Mondays from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Astoria Visual Arts (AVA).

10/21/2026

UkeFest in Seaside Workshop Descriptions
🎶Aaron Keim led workshops

Clawhammer Ukulele: Clawhammer style is a banjo playing technique that also sounds great on the ukulele. For this workshop, we will get the basic techniques and learn two short tunes. Students will also go home with a series of practice exercises and more tunes for enrichment. (Intermediate to advanced)

Fingerstyle Etudes: Etudes are short instrumental pieces that are designed to teach you a technique or musical concept. These fun musical vignettes are intended to expand your finger style technique and melodic vocabulary. Knowledge of tablature is required. (Intermediate to advanced)

Songs of Work and Struggle: Explore American history through work songs, songs about work and the struggle of daily life. This repertoire class will not only provide some catchy new songs but will also help you understand the important history and culture behind each one. Expect some harmony singing, a little picking and lots of fun! (All levels)

Strum Workout: Unlock the secrets of unlimited strumming patterns with Aaron’s simple strumming exercises. We will address how to pick a strum for a song, how to subdivide rhythms and right hand techniques. (All levels)

Click the link in the first comment to register to attend.
Reminder that the hotel room block can only be used by calling in now!

10/20/2026

Last week High School students from Astoria, Warrenton, and Seaside participated in the High School Theater Workshop Symposium.

They had 8 sessions to choose from throughout the day including building characters, dialects, directing, stage management, stage combat, monologues, singing, and set painting. Thanks to the instructors for facilitating these sessions!

Deep appreciation to the private donors in addition to Imogen Gallery and Ten Fifteen Productions for funding this year's symposium.

10/16/2026

Meet the UkeFest Instructors

🎶Aaron Keim

Aaron Keim is one half of the husband and wife duo The Quiet American. In Hood River, OR, he and his wife, Nicole, lead an artistic life: making music, building musical instruments, teaching music, writing books, crafting folk art, and raising their 10-year-old son Henry. Influenced by Depression-era string band music and the folk revival, they use ukulele, banjo, and accordion to accompany their old-time tunes, harmony singing, and audience sing-alongs. The duo has published several ukulele and banjo instructional books, using Nicole’s handwritten notation and Aaron’s YouTube videos to help folks learn at home.

Aaron is also a luthier who builds ukuleles and banjos as Beansprout Musical Instruments. With his wife, he is the co-artistic director for Menucha Ukulele Band Camp in Corbett, OR and the Port Townsend Ukulele Festival in Port Townsend, WA.

Learn more at: quietamericanmusic.com and thebeansprout.com

UkeFest in Seaside Workshops: Songs of Work and Struggle, Fingerstyle Etudes, Clawhammer Ukulele, Strum Workout.

10/14/2026

Interested in what UkeFest in Seaside will entail?

Check out the schedule of events and reserve your spot: https://www.clatsopcountyartscouncil.com/ukefest

Please note: Online use of the room block at Best Western ends THIS Friday. Registrants can still use it when booking over the phone.

10/13/2026

The board will meet Tuesday, October 20th at 3:30 PM at Dawning's Art in Gearhart (1500 Oster Rd. Gearhart, OR 97138).

Parking and studio location info:
Follow the driveway as it doglegs to the parking lot in front of the large wave murals. Signs that say art studio point the way.
The art studio is located just beyond the sign for Dawning's Art. Use the stairs for the deck and enter through the double doors.

Arts Council of Clatsop County meetings are open to the public, but please let us know to expect you so we have a spot at the table.

10/09/2026

Registration for UkeFest in Seaside is OPEN!

NEW this year:
1 new instructor
Room block available at the same location as the evening event
Evening Event Only tickets for travel companions
List of things to do in the area

See the first comment to reserve your spot (with or without lunch)

Thank you to The City of Seaside Visitors Bureau and Oregon Community Foundation for financial support of UkeFest!

Address

100 39th St, Ste 2
Astoria, OR
97103

Website

http://www.clatsopcountyartscouncil.com/

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