Grand Northern Ukulele Festival

The Grand Northern Ukulele Festival (GNUF) is a UK-based ukulele festival that takes place in Huddersfield, England every Spring. It was established in 2013 and has been the recipient of UKE Magazine's, "Best Ukulele Festival" Award in 2017. The festival organisers have also received a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for their contribution to communities.

Festival organisation

GNUF is a volunteer-run festival that is also not-for-profit.

GNUF was built on three key principles: making things, making connections and sharing knowledge.[1] As described on their webpage, the team behind it continue to believe in those ideas and keep expanding opportunities on offer to include features and activities for an ever wider range of ages and communities. A stated goal of the festival team is to work closely with partners to try to ensure there truly is something for everyone.

In 2014, George Hinchliffe of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain described, the festival as "truly amazing" [2]

The festival works with local businesses who bring their wares and skills to the festival. The festival team also works with a wide range of ukulele players and festivals around the world to develop and grow their event. In the past, they have worked with ukulele brands, Ohana and KoAloha and having advised organisers of events in the UK and elsewhere.

TeamGNUF and the festival as a whole also promote tours and events outside the festival.

Festival dates and headliners

Festival Date Notable Performers
1st September 2013 Manitoba Hal, Ukulele Uff & Lonesome Dave, Yan Yalego, Phil Doleman
2nd October 2014 Andy Eastwood, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Del Rey, Zoë Bestel
3rd June 2015 The Quiet American, Sarah Maisel & Craig Chee, Ben Rouse,
4th May 2016 Danielle Anderson (aka Danielle Ate the Sandwich), Hope & Social, The Quiet American, Samantha Muir, FU*K (Fagersta Ukulele Klub), Bisctuithead and the Biscuit Badgers
5th May 2017 Victoria Vox, Andy Eastwood, Elof & Wamberg, Amelia Coburn, Eat-my-uke

Festival Team

The festival producer & director is Mary Agnes Krell. Though from the US, she is based in the UK and runs the festival in her spare time.[3]

Robert Collins, a ukulele luthier from Hebden Bridge is the co-director, and a founding member of the festival team. His responsibilities include the development of "making" workshops.[4]

Kris Ball acts as director of communications, and a founding member of the festival team. His responsibilities include artist handling and social media for the festival.[5]

Audra "Mim" Jeppson, a ukulele dealer from Virginia, USA, is the "Overseer of Enthusiasm." Her responsibilities include organising and running the open mic elements of the festival.[6]

Robin Evans joined the festival team in 2017 and acts in an festival outreach role, liaising with other ukulele festivals and events, to allow communication and help collaboration with other festivals and events. [7]

Awards

Year Award Result
2017 UKE Magazine BEST UKULELE FESTIVAL Won[8]
2017 The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service[9] Won[10]

References

  1. ↑ http://northernuke.com/about-us/
  2. ↑ http://northernuke.com/about-us/.
  3. ↑ http://northernuke.com/team/mary-agnes-krell/
  4. ↑ http://northernuke.com/team/robert-collins/
  5. ↑ http://northernuke.com/team/kris-ball/
  6. ↑ http://northernuke.com/team/mim/
  7. ↑ http://northernuke.com/team/robin/
  8. ↑ http://worldofukes.co.uk/blog/2017/3/10/uke-magazine-awards-the-winners>
  9. ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/61945/supplement/J11
  10. ↑ http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/queen-s-awards-highest-honour-for-volunteers-1-8575098
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