In addition to writing and performing music, Ken as been an organizer and producer of events since he was a teenager. These are some of his current projects.
White Mountain Ukulele Retreat
The White Mountain Ukulele Retreat is a weekend community gathering where members of the various ukulele communities in New England (and elsewhere) can gather to learn from local teachers and musicians, jam, have fun, and build relationships. This weekend in the White Mountains of New Hampshire has been happening the mid-2010’s, and Ken has been the co-director since 2024. The next version of it will be June 25-28. 2026 in Albany, New Hampshire.
New England Folk Festival
The New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA) is a non-profit educational and cultural organization promoting folk arts and traditions in New England and elsewhere. NEFFA supports programs including an annual Festival, a weekly contra dance, the annual Ralph Page weekend, and a rich library of resources. Ken is on the Festival Programming Committee for the Folk Music and Song track. There will be over 300 different dances, workshops, concerts, jams, sings, and other events to enjoy April 24-26, 2026 in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
New England FAWM (February Album Writing Month) Community
Every February, over 2500 people around the world gather virtually for February Album Writing Month, with the goal of writing 14 songs in 28 days. It’s a celebration of musical creativity in all it’s forms. Normally, I have scheduled a “FAWM Over” party in March/April, where those of us in the New England area can gather in person to get to know each other and play our songs for each other. Additionally, I’ve schedule Virtual Cocktail Parties before and after FAWM for people around the globe to join via Kumospace.
In Development
There are a number of other groups and events that Ken has been looking to organize. If you are interested in helping out with any of the initiatives listed below, please Contact Ken.
- New England Ukulele Songwriters: There are a number of us in the New England are who are songwriters and use our ukuleles as our primary accompaniment. I would be great to have some gatherings where we can talk with each other.
- New England Hammered Dulcimers Players: In the past, I was the co-director of the Bay Path Hammered Dulcimer Festival (2002-2006), and the Massachusetts Bay Hammered Dulcimer Society, but I had fallen out of playing and wanted to get back into it. It would be great to have some more formal structure to support other people in the area to play our beautiful instrument.
- Ukulele Teaching Festival: There are a number of ukulele gatherings/festivals in the area, but most focus on playing for each other and not the teaching. I would really like it if we had more opportunities for learning playing skills.