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. It was also given the Best Ukulele Festival award from UKE Magazine.
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.
In 2014, George Hinchliffe of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain described, the festival as "truly amazing".
The festival works with local businesses who bring their wares and skills to the festival.
Festival dates and headliners Festival Date Notable Performers 10th June 2023 U3 featuring Cynthia Lin, PPNOU, Dead Mans Uke, Hedge Inspectors, Phil Doleman, Washboard Resonators, Biskee Brisht, Peter Luongo, Dublin Ukulele Collective, 9th June 2022 Taimane, Jake Shimabukuro, Andy Eastwood, Tricity Vogue All Girl Swing Band, Dublin Ukulele Collective, PPNOU 8th June 2020 An 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/ 7th May 2019 Jake Shimabukuro, Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, Heidi Swedberg, Daniel Ward, 6th May 2018 Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, Andy Eastwood performing an original composition with the Didsbury String Quartet, Andrew Molina, Hot Potato Syncopators, Peter Luongo 5th May 2017 Victoria Vox, Andy Eastwood, Elof & Wamberg, Amelia Coburn, Eat-my-uke 4th May 2016 Danielle Anderson (aka Danielle Ate the Sandwich), Hope & Social, The Quiet American, Samantha Muir, FU*K (Fagersta Ukulele Klub), Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers 3rd June 2015 The Quiet American, Sarah Maisel & Craig Chee, Ben Rouse, 2nd October 2014 Andy Eastwood, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Del Rey, Zoë Bestel 1st September 2013 Manitoba 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. Though from the US, she is based in the UK and runs the festival in her spare time.
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.
Robin Evans joined the festival team in 2017 and has acted in as artist liaison and in a festival outreach role.
Simon Taylor, from Farnborough, Hampshire also joined in 2017, a proponent of ukulele music via his Cool Cat Ukes website and activities, competitions brought to the GNUF event.
Awards Year Award Result 2019 Duke of York Community Initiative Award Award Recipient 2018 Epic Award for England from Voluntary Arts Won 2017 The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Won 2017 UKE Magazine BEST UKULELE FESTIVAL Won
References
External links Official website