All you need is Watch City Ukers’ Beatles night 

The Watch City Ukers has been bringing together ukulele players of all skill levels for 10 years. 

This Monday, July 20, musicians of all levels are welcome to strum and sing along during a Beatles theme night at the Waltham Common bandstand.

The Ukers were founded by longtime Waltham resident Marisa Cacciatore in 2016 to create a space for fellow enthusiasts. She began playing the diminutive instrument in 2015 to help her cope with anxiety. 

“I found that music and concentrating on music helped,” said Cacciatore. “For me, it was like a different type of meditation.”

She founded and co-hosts the meetup group to bring joy and “help the community. … If this [playing the ukulele] can work for me, this can work for a lot more people.”

The ukulele itself “was probably introduced to Hawai’i in 1879 by Portuguese settlers from Madeira who brought with them a small guitar called the braguinha,” according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The instrument later “was modified to suit local musical tastes and the Hawaiian ukulele was born.”

Since then, love for the instrument has spread around the world. Local players have been gathering at the Waltham Common Gazebo and The Waltham Museum (where they ask for a $5 donation to the museum) to make music and socialize. During the COVID pandemic, they met online.

“We play songs ranging from the 1920s to today’s hits, and all skill levels are welcome … no one is judged,” said Cacciatore. “Our goal is to share our love of music, keep the community involved, help people make new friends and encourage everyone to learn something new.”

Although the group has not chosen August’s theme, they are contemplating holding an Elvis night in the future. 

When Cacciatore is not bringing together ukulele strummers, she’s running a performance group called the A & W Ukulele Players. Created in 2018, she said this group is for advanced players. There are currently 18 members. “We keep growing,” said Cacciatore.

The A & W Ukulele Players performs around the state at farmers’ markets, libraries, schools and senior centers. 

Musicians in both groups have told Cacciatore they “can’t wait for the next meetup,” where they enjoy making new friends.

More information

The Watch City Ukers meets on the third Monday every month from 7 to 9 p.m. The next meetup will take place at the Waltham Common Gazebo (610 Main St.) on Monday, July 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. and will feature songs by The Beatles. More information on future locations for meetups will be announced through the group’s Facebook page.

More information on the A & W Ukulele Players can be found on the group’s Facebook page. Upcoming performances include:

• July 21, 3-6 p.m, Lexington Farmers Market at Fletcher Park
• July 28, 5-6 p.m, open for The Black Velvet Band at the Waltham summer Concert on the Common series
• Aug. 6, 3-7 p.m, at the Framingham Farmers’ Market, Framingham Center Common, 2 Oak St. 
• Aug. 11, 1-2 p.m, Littleton COA, 33 Shattuck St.