DELIGHTFUL string sounds ring throughout this cozy café. Each student is very much tuned in, learning the musical instrument that brings him nothing but good vibes and great times. It’s not a surprise that a tiny ukulele is the core of this homey coffee shop. It invites such “good juju,” making a space into an oasis from the otherwise chaotic world.
Uke Hub Kafé is a ukulele-themed café in Mactan, bringing nothing but good vibrations to everyone who graces its four walls. With a location just minutes away from the airport, it was originally going to be a pasalubong center.
“But it would be kind of boring if we were to open just a ukulele shop,” said Creselda Valiente, one of Uke Hub Kafé’s owners. “My husband and I are coffee lovers, so we decided to open this up. It’s like merging our two passions—coffee and music.”
The ukuleles come from Creselda’s main family business, Susing’s Guitars, which supplies handcrafted guitars and ukuleles. And since Creselda wanted to have a space where everyone can come together and make music while enjoying a cup of coffee, opening Uke Hub Kafé was a no-brainer.
“We also want to be a space for local artists,” Creselda said. The café holds acoustic open mic sessions every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. where up-and-coming musicians can play songs for a crowd. Sometimes they even have spoken word poetry sessions.
Eventually, Uke Hub Kafé became a venue for another ukulele event. Paint and Play Workshop was a project with Susing’s Guitars and was conceptualized in 2011. It’s an all-in-one workshop for lovers of music and art. Participants get their own ukulele, learn how to play it with an introductory workshop and then get to customize it and make it their very own one-of-a-kind instrument. There are also snacks included for the workshop, from the café’s delicious menu.
Though there are limited slots for participants at Paint and Play, it is indeed a good way to spend an afternoon where one would get to learn how to use a new and simple instrument, play songs with it and sing along. Artistic skills are also utilized as one gets his hands dirty by painting on his ukulele canvas.
“It’s truly a hit for those who love art and music,” Creselda said. “And it’s nice because they get to customize their own ‘ukes.’ They get to make and play a work of art.”
Look out for the next Paint and Play Workshop at Uke Hub Kafé and enjoy a great music and art session.
The café aims to do the workshops at least twice a month.