MUF 2012 will be a massive year, starting on Thursday 8 March with headline act The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performing at The Arts Centre, State Theatre. From 9-11 March, the rest of the festival will be based in one place – Melbourne’s own Trades Hall. MUF is an annual celebration of the ukulele organised by Melbourne Ukulele Kollective members, Australia’s oldest and largest uke group. In the lead up to MUF this fortnightly newsletter will feature artists and workshops at this year’s event.

Tickets go on sale in two weeks online through Bella Union at Trades hall. We will email as soon as they are available. Please forward this to all your friends.

Other international artists to grace the magnificent MUF stage include Ralph Shaw (Canada), U.K.E. (Paris), Benny Chong (Hawaii), Maitake (Japan), Liz Wood (USA), The Nukes (NZ) and Marmaduke (NZ).
MUF has also lined up some of the best local artists on our golden shores with Azo Bell, Bosko and Honey, Rose Turtle Ertler, AJ Leonard's Tropical Lounge, Irwell Street String Band, Tyrone, Betty's Driving Force, Lauren LaRouge, Rob Clifford, Renee Searles, Mysterious Mose and many more.
There are also a number of the country’s uke groups performing including Melbourne Ukulele Kollective, Ukastle Ukestra, Slightly Eclectic Guildford Ukulele Ensemble, Ukulele Republic of Canberra, Hobart Ukulele Group and Friends, Chooks on a Hot Tin Roof, Ukes D'Jour, plus a special children's group from Ukes4Kids.
 

MUF goers will also be able to enjoy workshops and stalls for uke enthusiasts of all shapes and ages to get involved in, with many international and local stars offering to share their skills with you. See the workshops listing at www.muf.org.au/workshops

Sponsors

The Melbourne Ukulele Festival is made possible by the generous support of our wonderful sponsors listed below.  MUF is still open for additional sponsorship and we’re interested in talking to anyone keen to get on board: please email sponsors@muf.org.au

MUF’s ukulele art competition, PIMP my M.U.F.3  is calling for established and budding artists and illustrators to submit their custom-painted and decorated ukuleles in the exhibition being held at Trades Hall from 9-11 March.

Last year’s winner, Melbourne artist and Archibald finalist Sonia Kretchsmar (pictured above with her Tiny Tim uke) says, “I rarely paint on three-dimensional objects, let alone ukeleles, but I had noticed quite wonderful painted ones over the years so I thought I would have a go”. People’s Choice winner, with recycled plastic and resin sculpture Ukulele Bone Boy [left], was John Stewart. He heard about the competition from one of his comic-drawing mates, and “just thought it would be rad fun to turn a ukulele into some cool art”.

Ukuleles can be painted, carved, drilled, collaged, sawn up and stuck back together.
More than $2000 of prizes were given away last year .
To enter email or call organiser Jackie Gwynne on jackie.gwynne@gmail.com or mobile 0418 273 880.  Sponsorship enquiries are also welcome.

For more about MUF see our website: www.muf.org.au and our Facebook page.
Next edition: meet Dean Denham, Festival Director.