Award-winning Luton pub to host town’s first-ever ukulele festival next month
Music lovers are invited to Luton’s first-ever festival celebrating the wonderful sounds of the ukulele.
Luton Ukimaniacs have organised the free one-day festival, which will bring amateur acts from across Bedfordshire to the Bricklayers’ Arms in Hightown on August 22.
Dave Mingay, who is behind the festival, has been playing the instrument for nearly a decade.
He said: "I started playing because I’m a primary school teacher. I thought, ‘If kids can learn the ukulele, how hard could it be?’
“We really want to make it fun and engaging and bring ukulele to everyone because it’s a fun instrument.”
Ukulele groups from Bedford, Sandy and Berkhamsted will perform alongside viral musician Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq.
Dave explained: “You can expect lots of different ukulele groups, an amazing raffle, a fantastic headliner and just generally a fun atmosphere and some great music.
“No one’s being paid, no one’s professional – they’re all just people doing their hobby for fun.”
The festival is supporting Refuge, a charity that helps victims of domestic violence, with the raffle and game of ‘guess the number of sweets inside the ukulele’.
People are asked to say they want a raffle ticket when donating. Click here to find the fundraiser.
Dave said: “People will be supporting live music, supporting local businesses and supporting a great charity and the community.”
People are encouraged to enjoy the afternoon and evening of music from 3.30pm to 10.30pm on Saturday, August 22 at the pub in High Town Road.
He added: “We’ve gone from strength to strength. Who would have thought we’d be running a festival?
“It’s not about us as a group; it’s about everyone.”