Northern Sydney social hub Club Ryde has announced the very first RUF – Sydney’s only Ukulele Festival – set to serenade members and visitors.
The Ryde Ukulele Festival aims to celebrate the variety and range of what is considered the most popular stringed instrument.
It will take place at Club Ryde (728 Victoria Road, Ryde) on Sunday, 17 November, from 10 am ’til 8pm.
Festivities will be highlighted by more than 30 acts performing across three stages, amongst workshops, a raffle and stalls.
The Club welcomes all players, “newbies and seasoned professionals” to join in, with open mic sessions for anyone who wants to play, and a jam session for everyone at the end.
Club Ryde events coordinator Shirley Hoffman says it’s “exciting” and they are eager to maximise participation.
“This will allow ukulele players from all over Sydney to get together to play, learn and listen to other performers.
“We have acts from all over Australia coming in, solo acts, duos, and groups, playing an incredibly diverse range of music.”
Club Ryde continues to look for and consider ideas for new events. Recent times have welcomed Holi – an Indian celebration of Colour, and Food Truck Frenzy, with six vehicles vending their wares.
Dennis Skinner, CEO of Club Ryde, is himself a keen ukulele player and suggested the RUF.
“Having staged one at a previous Club, Dennis was excited to bring it to Club Ryde,” explains Hoffman.
While 2024 marks the first Festival of the Ukulele for Club Ryde, organisers have received a big response and already feel it has future potential.
“We’re pretty sure we’ll be having this as an annual event,” continued Hoffman. “The ukulele community is inclusive, friendly and helpful and have been an enormous help in getting it off the ground for the inaugural RUF Ukulele Festival at Club Ryde.”
