Grand Northern Ukulele Festival

The Grand Northern Ukulele Festival (GNUF) was a UK-based ukulele festival which took place annually between 2013 and 2023. It was established in 2013 and has been the recipient of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.[1] It was also given the Best Ukulele Festival award from UKE Magazine.[2]

Festival organisation

GNUF is a volunteer-run festival that isnot-for-profit. GNUF was built on three key principles: making things, making connections and sharing knowledge.[3]

In 2014, George Hinchliffe of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain described, the festival as "truly amazing".[3]

The festival works with local businesses who bring their wares and skills to the festival.

Festival dates and headliners

Festival Date Notable Performers
10thJune 2023U3 featuring Cynthia Lin, PPNOU, Dead Mans Uke, Hedge Inspectors, Phil Doleman, Washboard Resonators, Biskee Brisht, Peter Luongo, Dublin Ukulele Collective,
9thJune 2022Taimane, Jake Shimabukuro, Andy Eastwood, Tricity Vogue All Girl Swing Band, Dublin Ukulele Collective, PPNOU
8thJune 2020An Online Sideshow - Covid restrictions meant that we had to move online so we built an international collaborative performance https://northernuke.com/gnuf-2020-an-online-sideshow/
7thMay 2019Jake Shimabukuro, Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, Heidi Swedberg, Daniel Ward,
6thMay 2018Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, Andy Eastwood performing an original composition with the Didsbury String Quartet, Andrew Molina, Hot Potato Syncopators, Peter Luongo
5thMay 2017Victoria Vox, Andy Eastwood, Elof & Wamberg, Amelia Coburn, Eat-my-uke
4thMay 2016Danielle Anderson (aka Danielle Ate the Sandwich), Hope & Social, The Quiet American, Samantha Muir, FU*K (Fagersta Ukulele Klub), Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers
3rdJune 2015The Quiet American, Sarah Maisel & Craig Chee, Ben Rouse,
2ndOctober 2014Andy Eastwood, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Del Rey, Zoë Bestel
1stSeptember 2013Manitoba Hal, Ukulele Uff & Lonesome Dave, Yan Yalego, Phil Doleman

Festival team

The festival producer and director is Mary Agnes Krell. She has worked in the UK and the US in performance, media and higher education.[4] Though from the US, she is based in the UK and runs the festival in her spare time.[5]

Robert Collins, a ukulele luthier based in North Tyneside is the co-director, and a founding member of the festival team. His responsibilities include the development of "making" workshops.[6]

Robin Evans joined the festival team in 2017 and has acted in as artist liaison and in a festival outreach role.[7]

Simon Taylor, from Farnborough, Hampshire also joined in 2017, a proponent of ukulele music via his Cool Cat Ukes website[8] and activities, competitions brought to the GNUF event.

Awards

YearAwardResult
2019Duke of York Community Initiative AwardAward Recipient[9]
2018Epic Award for England from Voluntary ArtsWon[10]
2017The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service[11]Won[12]
2017UKE Magazine BEST UKULELE FESTIVALWon[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Queen's Award for Voluntary Service".
  2. ↑ "Best Ukulele Festival award from UKE Magazine".
  3. 1 2 "About Us - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ "Mary Agnes Krell - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  6. ↑ "Robert Collins - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  7. ↑ "Robin - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  8. ↑ "Cool Cat Ukes". Cool Cat Ukes.
  9. ↑ "Grand Northern Ukulele Festival - Duke of York Community Initiative Award Recipient". thedukeofyorkscommunityinitiative.org.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  10. ↑ "Grand Northern Ukulele Festival - Winner Epic Award for England". voluntaryarts.org. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  11. ↑ "The London Gazette". 2 June 2017. p. J11. Supplement:61945
  12. ↑ "Queen's Awards 'highest honour' for volunteers". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  13. ↑ "UKE Magazine Awards - The Winners". Worldofukes.co.uk. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
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