We intend to put on a festival that will appeal to people from all walks of life, and all ages. This will be a family-friendly event, especially, with special workshops, activities and performances for children. The ukulele appeals to children, and as a festival we would like to encourage children to take up a musical instrument. Other workshops will introduce adults to the ukulele and perhaps even musical instruments in general, or offer specialist tuition to more advanced players or song writing. In the pipeline are also charity events and art exhibitions.
Acts will range from comedy / variety acts to more serious jazz performances. The ukulele is perhaps not very known as a jazz instrument, however, once you hear it in action in jazz music, it makes perfect sense! Variety is the spice of life, and there will be no lack of that at this festival!
We will host, as said, a plethora of acts, from solo ukulele artists, to bands featuring the ukulele, to cultural groups that will showcase a range of cultures present in our region, all through one common denominator: the ukulele.
On the weekend we will have gigs by renown ukulele artists, workshops and a ukulele market where you will be able to try many more ukes than you will ever be able to in your local city or town! Luthiers from all over can’t wait to showcase their work to you! This also the perfect opportunity for all those Australian and international ukulele fanatics to get together and meet each other in the flesh, and have a jam under a giant fig tree.
An open mic session and singer songwriter contest is guaranteed to bring some surprises!
We will also host a Pacific Island style ukulele picnic, bringing together the various cultures from around the region, featuring performances from a large range of acts from local schools to island community groups and other renown performers.
A ukulele festival has a broad appeal, and is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face, even the cynics! Don’t underestimate this minitiature instrument, it’ll be a big event!
