Gene Nichols & Co. Ukulele Show, a Benefit for EAC Programs

Eastport Arts Center will host a day celebrating the ukulele with musical aficionado and beloved Washington County teacher Gene Nichols on Saturday, September 21. Ukulele workshops for beginners and for intermediate students will be offered in the afternoon, followed by a special ‘Gene Nichols and Co. Ukulele Show,’ to benefit EAC programs at 7 pm.

The concert will feature players from Campobello, Cooper, Machias, Lubec, Pembroke, Sipayik and Steuben, and possibly a certain siren from down Belfast way. Wielding a rich, many-strummers sound augmented by solid vocals and harmonies, ace bassist Clifton Moser, accordionist Forrest Maffei and guest drummer Marc Perez, the group will reach into a vast grab-bag of songs, styles, and historical artifacts to create an unforgettable night of entertainment. There will be plenty of room for dancing, or for seated enjoyment of the show, which is being offered as a benefit to help sustain EAC’s year round programming efforts.

Tickets are $15 for adults and free for attendees 17 and under; special ‘support EAC’ ($20) tickets, and ‘patron’-level ($25) tickets with complimentary beverage are available. EAC Concessions will be available during the event. Tickets are available below, or at EAC box office prior to the show.

Nichols has been playing the ukulele for more than 45 years, and has played it in medicine shows, uke clubs, rock bands, parades, festivals, and untold concerts. As a teen he found a ukulele—stringless—and an instruction book in the attic, and by the time the strings showed up, he'd hit the ground running.

He revived a 20’s era University of Maine Ukulele Group in 2006, teaching countless students and community members to play, and bringing the entourage through a wild range of gigs for 14 years. Last fall, an independent group of alumni from that era emerged as a new band. The current lineup were featured at the 2023 International Ukulele Ceilidh in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, and were the feisty show-closers of EAC’s summer hit Moose Island Follies.

Eastport Arts Center is at 36 Washington Street, Eastport, and at www.eastportartscenter.org, and is handicapped-accessible.