By MONIQUE KUZEFF
THE hills will be thriving with the sound of ukuleles at the Emerald Ukulele Festival from 31 May to 1 June.
Local ukulele performers and groups will be starring in the festival, including Kooky and Luscious Ukulele Lovers United, The Jam Tarts Trio, Riley Jordan, Japarra, Faux Grass, and, of course, the Emerald Primary School Ukulele Group led by Dan MacEoin.
The festival will bring two days of lively tunes with performances also by international ukulele player Paul Jonson and Australian ukulele players such as Lucy Wise and Alex Burns.
Royal Dukuleles will be making a rare appearance with the Grand Duchess, a 2.4 metre giant ukulele which will be one of the highlights of the festival.
Music genres will include Celtic and Appalachian folk, blues and early jazz styles.
There will be lyrical storytelling, plectrum playing, finger picking and calypso.
Festivities will kick off at 10am where there will be workshops and concerts and a gala concert to follow in the evening.
All workshops will be held in the Gemco Theatre and will focus on strumming, strumming and singing and fingerpicking.
There will be a ukulele strumming workshop for beginners and intermediate players, an advanced ukulele workshop and alternate strumming development.
Competitions will include categories such as best amateur solo player for under-15 years old and 15-year-old to adult, best amateur group and best songwriter.
Winners will receive cash prizes, vouchers or a Maton concert ukulele.
On 1 June a picnic will be held at Messmate picnic and Lion’s Den shelter at Emerald Lake Park
Entry is free and will include ukulele jams and sing-alongs.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a ukulele train ride on the famous Puffing Billy which leaves from Belgrave and travels to Emerald Lake.
Those who are interested should register as soon as possible or for further information contact Kellie on 0438 881 985.
