Grand Northern Ukulele Festival

The Grand Northern Ukulele Festival (GNUF) is a multi-award-winning UK-based ukulele festival that takes place in Huddersfield, England every Spring. It was established in 2013 and has been the recipient of multiple awards.[1]

Festival organisation

GNUF is a volunteer-run festival that is also not-for-profit. It is described as: an inclusive, inspiring weekend of arts and music in Huddersfield, England and as a one-of-a-kind event featuring ukuleles and so much more where there is truly something for everyone "Queen's Award for Voluntary Service". & "Duke of York Community Initiative Award Winners". GNUF was built on three key principles: making things, making connections and sharing knowledge.[2] As described on their webpage, the team behind it continue to believe in those ideas and keep expanding opportunities on offer to include features and activities for an ever wider range of ages and communities. A stated goal of the festival team is to work closely with partners to try to ensure there truly is something for everyone.

In 2014, George Hinchliffe of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain described, the festival as "truly amazing".[2]

The festival works with local businesses who bring their wares and skills to the festival. The festival team also works with a wide range of ukulele players and festivals around the world to develop and grow their event. In the past, they have worked with ukulele brands, Ohana, Kala, KoAloha and Kanilea and have advised organisers of events in the UK and elsewhere.

TeamGNUF and the festival as a whole also promote tours and events outside the festival.

Festival dates and headliners
Festival Date Notable Performers
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), Bisctuithead 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 Professor of Creative Media, Mary Agnes Krell. She has worked in the UK and the USA in performance, media and higher education for decades. [3] Though from the US, she is based in the UK and runs the festival in her spare time.[4] To learn more about Mary Agnes Krell, see the interview with her on Hebden Bridge's community site: HebWeb Interview with Mary.

Robert Collins, a ukulele luthier from Hebden Bridge is the co-director, and a founding member of the festival team. His responsibilities include the development of "making" workshops.[5]

Audra "Mim" Jeppson, a ukulele dealer from Virginia, USA, is the "Overseer of Enthusiasm." Her responsibilities include organising and running the open mic elements of the festival.[6]

Robin Evans joined the festival team in 2017 and acts in an festival outreach role, liaising with other ukulele festivals and events, to allow communication and help collaboration with other festivals and events.[7]

Awards
YearAwardResult
2019Duke of York Community Initiative AwardAward Recipient[8]
2018Epic Award for England from Voluntary ArtsWon[9]
2017The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service[10]Won[11]
2017UKE Magazine BEST UKULELE FESTIVALWon[12]

References
  1. "Awards and Accolades for GNUF" (web). Grand Northern Ukulele Festival. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  2. "About Us - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  3. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkrell/?originalSubdomain=uk
  4. "Mary Agnes Krell - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  5. "Robert Collins - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  6. "Mim - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  7. "Robin - Grand Northern Ukulele Festival". Northernuke.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  8. "Grand Northern Ukulele Festival - Duke of York Community Initiative Award Recipient". thedukeofyorkscommunityinitiative.org.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  9. "Grand Northern Ukulele Festival - Winner Epic Award for England". voluntaryarts.org. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  10. "The London Gazette". 2 June 2017. p. J11. Supplement:61945
  11. "Queen's Awards 'highest honour' for volunteers". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  12. "UKE Magazine Awards - The Winners". Worldofukes.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
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