Norwich Ukulele Festival - surprisingly bearable.

Success for local Uke group as popularity rises further.

Monday 20th September 2010

Spurned by some, loved by less, it is an instrument that divides. Yet despite associations with forelock-tugging, chimney-sweep-esque, golly-Miss-Mildred irksomeness, it seems that the Ukulele is enjoying a surge in popularity.  As possibly the sole, single phenomenon in existence that cannot be explained away with the 'current economic crisis', its resurgence is baffling. Still, in the Ten Bells, it is welcomed anew.

Through no fault of my own, I found myself Ukulele-d as I sat in the pub on Saturday.  Usually, this would be a disaster. However, through a network of social connections, I was forced to remain, and, to my horror, I was won over.  The first Norwich Ukulele Festival, hosted by the Norwich Ukulele Society, appears to have been a complete success.  

Normally, any practice verging on the heart-warming should be unveiled as base, detestable and strange.  However, after alcohol had been taken on a dreary Autumn night in Norwich, the sound of Hawaii floating through the rafters was indeed a pleasant thing.  

Set up by Amy Wragg and Gemma Cullingford, the Norwich Ukulele Society is an inclusive, welcoming platform for those wanting to try their hand at the instrument.  

Mz. Cullingford is enthusiastic:

“It's quite a sociable instrument and it brings people together. It's very easy to play so that's satisfying for people who may have struggled to master the guitar, and it's great fun."

With the acclaim garnered by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain appearing in mainstream press, the number of Uke players across the country has risen steadily since the '90s. Now, such groups as the Norwich Ukulele Society are drawing bigger audiences than ever.

The Norwich Ukulele Society now attracts over 40 players to its sessions, assembling every two weeks at the Ten Bells.

So all in all, it's alarmingly endearing.  After two sets of popular material at the Ten Bells (Hey Jude, Dirty Old Town, etc.), I'm sold on the Uke.  Not enough, perhaps, to rush out and buy one. Sold enough, though, to sit through hours of cheerful, upbeat tunes from a friendly collective of people, coming together for the enjoyment of playing music.  

Sickening.   

Norwich Ukulele Society can be found on facebook here.

Check out Gemma Cullingfords' Twitter page here.

 

  

 

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