The Raglan Ukulele Festival is back after a three-year break.
Known as a fun and friendly boutique festival, RUF attracts ukulele players from Raglan and further afield, including Taupō and Mangawhai.
All ukulele players are welcome, with opportunities to brush up on musical skills, perform and play alongside others.
The festival will be held from Friday, 4 September to Sunday, 6 September. Saturday is the main festival day, with additional events on Friday and Sunday for those staying for the whole weekend.
The festival pass covers all Saturday events.
Morning workshops will focus on ukulele playing, singing, rhythm and percussion, and waiata. There will also be a session on arranging music and a panel discussion for ukulele bassists, dubbed the “bass players’ support group”. Organisers joke that they have been told it is lonely at the bottom.
The afternoon programme includes open mic concerts for solo performers, duos, trios and groups. Performers must sign up in advance.
There will also be a strum-along session, with words and chords displayed on a screen so everyone can join in.
The Saturday evening concert at the Raglan Club is open to the public, with door sales available for those without festival passes.
The concert will feature the Sing’nUke Folk & Blues Band, led by Paul Jonson. Paul is a regular performer and workshop presenter at ukulele festivals throughout Australasia and around the world, and is known for his dynamic blues and ragtime playing.
Local ukulele groups The Ragtimers, Blister Sisters and The Blukes will also perform.
A new event this year is a pub singalong at the Harbour View Hotel early on Friday evening to welcome festivalgoers arriving in town.
On Sunday, 6 September, ukulele acts will perform at venues around Raglan, finishing with a lunchtime concert at the pub. These additional events are open to everyone.
Saturday festival passes are limited and bookings are now open.
Raglan Ukulele Festival
Friday, 4 September to Sunday, 6 September
Full information and the booking form are available at www.ruf.co.nz.
