The humble ukulele has come a long way since its development some 130 years ago by Portuguese immigrants to Hawaii.

The small, guitarlike instrument is all over the globe now, and enthusiasts in town should pluck off down to the Vancouver Ukulele Festival Friday to Sunday (March 6 to 8) for a series of 24 workshops at the Croatian Cultural Centre and a gala concert on Saturday evening at St. James Hall, with a host of performers on the bill.

On Sunday there’s a smaller concert at Ruby’s Ukes Ukulele School (525 Seymour), featuring Sarah Maisel, hailed as “the Queen of Jazz Ukulele”, and ukulele experimentalist Craig Chee from San Diego.