The Oakmont Ukesters are back in business, meeting and performing in person after months of being cooped up on Zoom. During the shut-down, the group offered seven successive new beginner tutorial sessions, and a weekly online strum-along, while continuing to add songs to its impressive collection of music from many different eras and genres. In late May, weekly in-person practice sessions resumed under a reservation system to facilitate adherence to COVID restrictions. The strum-alongs continue for those who are still uncomfortable meeting in person, or who wish to continue practicing while away from Oakmont. As COVID restrictions eased, the happy strummers and singers have been able to get out and do some entertaining, with performances at the Oakmont Gardens’ Father’s Day party and at the Grandparents’ Week Welcome Carnival.
While practicing indoors, the Ukesters must wear masks and limit participation to 25 people at a time. While these ongoing restrictions present some challenges, it doesn’t prevent this bunch of about 40 from making music with friends once more. The Ukesters hope to start giving in-person beginner tutorial sessions soon.
