By BRIDGET SCOTT
THE hills will be alive with the sound of ukuleles.
The Inaugural Emerald Ukulele Festival will strum its way to the Gemco Theatre on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June.
The weekend will include a variety of workshops, demonstrations and concerts for the ukulele lovers of all experience levels.
The first day of the festival will kick off at 10am be a great opportunity for musicians to perfect their talents with a number of workshops.
It will finish with a Gala Concert from 7pm to 11pm held in one convenient venue at the Gemco Players Community Theatre.
Ukulele competitions will also be run across the Saturday with categories including Best Amateur Solo Player Best Amateur Group and Best Songwriter.
On Sunday there will be a Ukulele Jamboree/ Picnic with Uke Jams and Singalongs at the Beautiful Emerald Lake Park for no charge.
On Sunday, festival goers are also encouraged to ride on the famous Puffing Billy to Emerald Lake from Belgrave.
Those who want to take part are asked to register their interest as soon as possible.
If organisers receive a minimum of 20 bookings a carriage will be hired with special ukulele activity for the journey.
Highlights of the festival will include a performance by international ukulele player Paul Jonson and other leading Australian Ukulele players including Lucy Wise who will offer a unique blend of folk music and masterful storytelling.
There will also be a number of other guest appearances throughout the weekend from well renowned ukulele players.
Also on stage will be Melbourne Ukulele Kollective (MUK) whose members boldly go where no ukuleles have gone before.
In addition, don’t miss the rare opportunity to see the Royal Dukuleles from Northern College of Arts and Technology (NCAT) with the Grand Duchess, a 2.4 metre giant ukulele that was designed and constructed by Mark Russell and the Instrument Making Program Manager Bon Nardella.
The festival will celebrate the art of ukulele music and players from both near and far.
It will offer a variety of endless entertainment across the two days.
To register go to www.trybooking.com/82687 or for program information, times and locations phone 0438 881 985.
