Our Clubs

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"The Desert Ukulele Marching Band and Glee Club"(D.U.M.B.) is really a bunch of lies.  

First of all, we don't really march.  Yet.  Secondly, we are not really DUMB -- by any means!

And thirdly, we're really more than just one club:

 

The Palm Desert Strummers (as this group is more commonly known)

meets every Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:30 in the afternoon

both in-person at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert

and via Zoom for our snowbirds and multi-national members!

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Note:  Our in-person meetings follow the Joslyn Center's COVID safety protocols: 

Those who are not vaccinated must wear masks, and temperature checks are taken at the door. 

PLEASE, if you are feeling at all unwell -- even if you think it's "just a cold" or allergies,

for the safety of our members, please join us on Zoom rather than in person.

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This group plays a wide variety of music ranging from old standards to more contemporary pop tunes,

from country - western to rock and roll, and oh yes, Hawaiian favorites of course!

We usually have about 25-35 strummers who brave the summer heat,

and our numbers swell to about 70+ in winter when our snowbirds return.  

We have beginning players as well as advanced.  All levels are welcome!

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Our D.U.M.B. group is for the zanier younger-at-heart socializers!

We meet on the second Thursday of every month (with very occasional exceptions)

at Mario's Italian Cafe at 73155 Highway 111 in Palm Desert.

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4:30 - 5:30 is Social Time

(have drinks, order food, get to know each other!)

5:30 - 6:00 is Open Mic

6:00 - 7:30 is All Jam!

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D.U.M.B. music is all post-1950s (at least it's supposed to be!) and includes a lot of songs you aren't likely to hear in most other ukulele clubs.  We like to experiment.  Heh heh.  We play Beatles,  Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, Adele,

Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, Matisyahu, Doobie Brothers . . . even a little Queen, Radio Head, and Guns and Roses!

During the winter months (as the snowbirds flock home to the desert),

it gets pretty crowded, so RSVPs are required.

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We also have a number of performing groups.  

Members frequently band together to entertain at assisted living homes, charity events and private luaus.

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And last but not least . . .

A number of us have banded together to compete in the

Open Call Competition at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California.   

In 2019, twenty of us comprised what we called "Team Rainbow"

which performed Iz's medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What A Wonderful World"

to a whole new level performing before sold-out audiences (1000+) in four live shows!

We received incredible ovations and won Best Mixed (Instrumental and  Vocal) Performance!

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This year, a whole new group of our members commonly called the "Happy Team"

is once again competing in the McCallum's Open Call Project,

and we'll be performing Pharrell Williams' song "Happy"

in the competition's two sold out shows on April 21st and 22nd!

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Keep visiting us here to keep apprised of all this excitement!

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