Only two weeks to go to the happiest festival around The Central Coast Ukulele Festival. Come and see what all the fuss is about. with over 51 bands and 400 performers it is bigger than Ben Hur.
There is something for everyone. Merchandise, rock, jazz, foreign languages, fun, folk, indie, rock, rhythm and blues, country, old songs, new songs, creative, colourful and entertaining!
With the Thin White Ukes with their brilliant harmonies and Bowie style will captivate you. Come along to their workshops and learn a few tricks on your ukulele.
Dinner show tickets available by calling the Diggers
on (02) 4332 3399
3 course meal plus great entertainment.
Johnny Devilseed and Old Man Rubes
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The very Talented Denise Hanlon with Jeremy Brennan
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Plus we have some sensation uke bands from around the country
Cameron Murray
With the Mirrabooka Band, Lisa Cernicchi, Ukulele Dave and more…
Join us for an evening of first class entertainment and music. Some of these acts will NOT be appearing at our festival over the weekend only exclusive to Friday night. Please join us and celebrate the opening of our festival.
Doors open at the Diggers on Friday 4.00pm for early show entertainment. Come in and enjoy a refreshment and the view of beautiful Tuggerah lakes. Show starts at 5pm!
Doors open on Saturday at 10am and runs until late Saturday night. All workshop tickets may be purchased at our merchandise stall either on Friday evening or from Saturday.
Workshops start at the “Clam Hall” at 10.30am and again on Sunday at 10.30m (in Allambie room)
Sunday doors open at 10am.
Please join us with “One Song Sing” on Sunday afternoon, a terrific pop up choir, run by The Sum of the Parts.
The Song we shall be singing is Pompeii by Bastille, more info on this soon.
We have our Photographer – James Begg available all weekend.
1 x Enya soprano round special edition ukulele with case
1 x Lanaki concert with original artwork by indigenous artist Kylie Cassidy
1 x Soprano ukulele with original artwork by indigenous Jodie Taylor
1 x Beautiful artwork by local Central Coast Artist
And more…
We are running two stages at the Diggers Club.
stage 1 – Lounge
stage 2 – Allambie room
The third stage is for workshops at “the Clam” a white building diagonally across the road from the Diggers. You can’t miss it. We will have volunteers to help direct you. It’s a building that looks like a Clam (no kidding) The venue is actually at the hall behind. They both are beautiful rooms with a garden which has outdoor seating that you are welcome to use, tune, jam or take a break in the sunshine (hopefully) from the amazing lineup of artists we have ready to entertain you. There is parking if you need to drive, however, it’s an easy 1 minute walk from the front door of the Diggers.
We will rock into the night with Mirrabooka Band, Lindy and the Losse units, West and young and The Thin White Ukes..
with over 400 performers you’ll just have to come and see
support live music
There is an open mic on Sunday and our merchandise desk will have the performers list.
We look forward to another great Central Coast Festival and thank you for your music and support.
Hello, with only 5 weeks to go we are excited to bring to you and our community a fun filled and inclusive festival for all. You don’t have to play ukulele to enjoy this festival. We will have something for everyone.
The award-winning Diggers at the Entrance with its breathtaking views of Tuggerah Lakes has kindly open its doors to the Central Coast Ukulele festival with open arms.
Only minutes from The Entrance town centre and the beautiful Lakes.
There is plenty of parking
Enjoy hearty delicious food at their restaurant, plenty of bar service with 3 bars, games rooms, indoor play centre for the kids and sports bar for the adults, and a happy fulfilled fantastic ukulele festival.
You will enjoy the 51 groups from around Australia performing all genres of music for you to enjoy, sing along and tap your toes or dance away your troubles.
A Ukulele Festival is a happy festival event that brings joy to all who come. Its worldwide and loved by folk around the world.
We have 2 main stages
workshops
Raffles – we have some beautiful ukulele in our raffles kindly supported by Music Centre Gosford and Jacks Music Newcastle.
There will be merchandise tables, raffles (you may win a ukulele)
Dinner Show Friday night
Music and workshops all day Saturday
Dance and rock on Saturday night with our cool acts
and you are invited to sing in our Pop Up Choir on Sunday.
It will be spectacular.
Tickets are just $15 for a weekend of everything. Try Booking for CCUF 2025
Our Dinner Show Friday night is a 3 course meal with a generous amount of Entertainment.
Tickets are purchased at the Diggers please call to book a table on
(02)4332 3399 in the beautiful Pavillion room overlooking Tuggerah Lakes
Friday night 12th September.
Our Fine performers are:
Rhymer from Ryde:
Dave Parker:
Johnny Devilseed and Old man Rubes:
Mirrabooka Band: live and local with special guests Jeremy Brennan and Lisa Cernicchi.
Denise Hanlon is an award-winning singer, a professional comedienne and an experienced Emcee. The great thing is – she can do all 3 at once!
Accompanied by Jeremy Brennan: Pianist, Songsmith and Live Entertainment Specialist.
This is an act not to miss!
The Thin White Ukes: a sensational Glam rock pop group from Melbourne.
The fun does not stop there and will continue from Saturday 10am to Saturday night 10pm and resume again on Sunday from 10am – 5pm.
There will be educational workshops: Djembe, Singing techniques, how to write a hit song, Play ukulele, learn bass techniques, stage skills and more.
We are excited to have One Song Sing as our festival finale.
Here is the chance for everybody to get involved including friends and family. No need to play just use your voice.
One Song Sing is brought to you by The Sum of the Parts (music).
Come join our pop up choir- no auditions required; perhaps a bit of shower singing! In just over an hour we teach a popular song broken down into three parts that sound great together. Whether you sing low, high or somewhere in between you will find a part that you can sing along with plenty of other people. There is safety in numbers and a real joy when singing with a crowd in harmony.
Let make this a totally memorial moment.
We would love to see you at the Central Coast Ukulele Festival and see what all the fuss is about:
Our groups and collectives have worked hard all year to bring to you this fabulous weekend of LIVE music and entertainment
Our Program attached along with workshop information.
Cost is $65 for 3 course meal and fabulous show, some of our main acts will only be appearing at the dinner show so please get in early as seating is limited.
Please be aware that our artists are here to entertain you and I have been asked to be mindful of the noise level when they are performing. We will make arrangements this year to have some time to move and chat in between acts.
We will present to you a top-class Ukulele Festival at a lovely venue The Diggers at the Entrance.
The Central Coast Ukulele Festival has always been a fun popular community event with live music, workshops, an all-in ukulele jam and sing-along, live ukulele groups and acts, raffles, merchandise tables, markets stalls and more, and mostly our friendly volunteers and groups.
Planning is underway.
We have booked some fabulous entertainment, and we are excited for them to perform at our festival for the first time!
Just a taste of what’s to come
The Thin White Ukes from Melbourne
Denise Hanlon, beautiful singer and Entertainer from Sydney along with the very talented Jeremy Brennan
One Song Sing – come and join the choir on Sunday for a fantastic experience of singing 3 part harmony together as one led by the talented Jane Jelbart.
Collectives from everywhere
groups
solos
duos
bands
Lindy and the loose units
The Ukelles
And so much more to come.
Workshops will be exciting, educational, informative and fun!
A few things to remember.
No pre-recorded backing tracks may be used.
Have fun and keep music live
If you prefer your own microphone, please bring it along in good working order
We will provide leads; mics will be sanitised between acts.
Please make sure your ukulele is tuned and new batteries for the plug-in act.
Accommodation is available all around the Entrance from bnb’s , Caravan Parks, hotels, motels and camping grounds in the area and around the Central Coast. The Ibis hotel is adjacent to the Diggers.
The Entrance is 30 minutes from Wyong, 1.5 hours from Sydney, 36 minutes from Ourimbah, 50 minutes from The Entrance, 50 minutes from Newcastle.
The CCUF and The Diggers at the Entrance, Central Coast Music and Arts, Central Coast Council have kindly come together for our ukulele festival back by popular demand. Thank you.
Details of the program will be advised once all applications are final.
Looking forward to seeing you and your music
The CCUF and The Diggers at the Entrance, Central Coast Music and Arts, Central Coast Council are excited and looking forward to seeing you.
The Central Coast Ukulele Festival is nearly here 20th-22nd September 2024
The Central Coast Ukulele Club has been hosting ukulele festivals on the Central Coast since 2012.
Our mission is to bring you laughter, love, to entertain you and help leave your troubles behind. It’s always been a popular event and has attracted music lovers and families from around Australia and overseas since 2012.
In a world that often feels chaotic, hurried and covid, there’s something undeniably soothing about the gentle plucking, picking and strumming of the ukulele strings.
Our festival is where this calming sound will fill the air accompanied by laughter, music and a sense of community.
This festival is inclusive of all genres of music, all cultural backgrounds, ages and musical expertise. From an absolute beginner to a seasoned player this festival welcomes all.
Music has the ability to bring people together and inspire you. You can’t help but smile when you pick up a ukulele.
The Central Coast Ukulele festival satisfies all tastes of music and with headlining acts The Nukes from New Zealand with their humour, original quirky brilliant songs to the amazing Connor Wink and Shawn O’Friel a blind ukulele player that will mesmerise you and entertsain you, plus Paul Jonson and his smooth blues, Mirrabooka beats and Rhymers and poets there is something for everyone.
It’s a chance to witness performances by talented musicians, community groups, sing-longs, jams, or feast your senses at the many workshops available all weekend.
A song writing competition on Sunday afternoon and an open mic is awaiting you.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of something special and make unforgettable memories after the final chord has been played
Our Dinner Show please call The Diggers to book a table on (02) 43323399
Our workshops are run by talented musicians who like to share their knowledge.
The workshops will be $20-$25 and in the Pavillion room.
Where: Diggers (RSL ) at The Entrance, Central Coast Hwy, Long Jetty NSW
When: Saturday Sunday 20th – 22nd September 2024
Thursday 19th we have a pre-festival party at the FunHaus Gosford with Dom Diaz and Nicky Bomba. 6 – 9.30pm
Program is online
A little taste of what’s to come……..
The Nukes from New Zealand
We have had the pleasure of booking this amazing trio plus “Snapper” a few times and they always deliver and never disappoint.
The Nukes – New Zealand’s original ukulele trio was founded on a crazy whim way back in 2008, by musical desperadoes David Parker, Ben Collier and Dave Thiele.
And what began as a trickle of original tunes soon turned into a musical torrent of biblical proportions – 4 albums and hundreds of shows later here they are celebrating over 13 years together.
The past decade has seen The Nukes play their special blend of alt folk/country/roots up and down Aotearoa and beyond, taking in festivals in NZ and Australia and theatres, schools and venues up and down the country; No place is safe from The Nukes!
Now, as part of their reunion celebrations The Nukes are returning to the Central Coast (Yeah for us) and audiences will be both amazed by the rare feats of musicality forced upon these innocent wee instruments, slayed by the humour and scandalised by the scat.
Connor Wink
Meet Connor, a remarkable individual who defies expectations and embraces the extraordinary. Born with Leber congenital amaurosis, a condition causing blindness since birth, Connor has turned his unique perception of light and dark into a canvas for an inspiring journey. At the tender age of two, Connor astounded his parents by playing tunes he had heard and loved on his toy piano. In 2010, serendipity struck when Connor crossed paths with the legendary Cher backstage in Las Vegas. Their connection flourished, and Cher became a guiding force in Connor’s life, A reunion with Cher in 2018 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre marked another highlight in Connor’s musical journey. He had found his place as an artist.
Shawn O’Friel
A musician and shipwright originally from Hollywood beach California and now Newcastle. Shawn is by far an incredible talented musician.. His style of music is brilliant and he is a star in his own right. He does not want any fuss he is here to perform for Connor Wink. Thank you Shawn.
Mirrabooka
Mirrabooka a quartet of experienced musicians. Collectively each member has been involved in the music industry for many decades and are singer songwriters have performed with many artists/musicians and genres of music in that time. The band is two couples, Rob and Liz /Rosie and Glenn and formed over 10 years ago. Mirrabooka are popular around their hometown as well as national and international regions.
Be inspired by their beautiful original melodies, rhymical dance songs or their catchy covers and harmonies.
Mirrabooka are unique acoustic group with sounds from acoustic guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, drums, djembe drums and bass. Mirrabooka meaning The Milky Way /River of Life.
Cameron Murray
It is our pleasure to invite Cameron back to our festival.
Cameron Murray has been playing ukulele and uke-banjo for more than half his life, his granddad teaching him ukulele when he was too small for a guitar. He started playing in folk clubs with his father as a youngster.
A proponent of the George Formby strumming style, Cameron enjoys performing classic tunes from the 1920s and 1930s, as well as Hawaiian hits and originals. Cameron is also a keen collector of vintage instruments and the publisher and editor of international ukulele magazine Kamuke (kamuke.com).
Look out for his new Album
Flat Foot Floozies
Macleay Valley Ukulele Players
This group from the Mid North Coast have seen flood and fire over the past few years..
The Macleay Uke Players, part of the Macleay Valley Arts Council, have been together as a group for around ten years. They meet on Monday nights, enjoying each other’ s company as well as strumming their Ukes and constantly discovering what sounds can be created from such a small 4-stringed instrument!
Not only playing but also very enthusiastic about some serious singing!
The Macleay Uke Players have always mixed their song choice, playing an eclectic mix of old as well as not so old songs; from songs about freight trains to ballerinas, from songs about very bad boys to songs about boats called “John”!
Whilst the group has performed at a number of public events, it has been fairly quiet of late. So, they’re very keen to help lift the roof off, here at this Central Coast Ukulele Festival!
Ukelles
Indie folk pop blending ukuleles , acoustic instruments and sweet harmonies . Caroline West and Jodie Young are singer songwriters joining forces with acoustic virtuoso Don Miller Robinson .
URoC
Established in 2007, the Ukulele Republic of Canberra (URoC) is a community music group with an inclusive and democratic philosophy. URoC hosts regular play-along and educational sessions in the Canberra/Queanbeyan region. The URoC Performance Group is drawn from the general membership and has performed locally and at festivals from Cairns to Melbourne. For the past 10 years, URoC led the well-attended morning Uke Sing-alongs at the National Folk Festival.
Darlo Street
Darlo Street Band is a new group hailing from Balmain Uke Klub, along with some special guests. The band features experienced players with catchy beats and harmonies and a repertoire which is a mash-up of blues, Americana, pop and folk styles.
Clyde Street
After 8 Years of performing together, within and far beyond its hometown of Newcastle, ClydeStreet is known for its creative interpretations of classic and contemporary numbers, 4 musicians who provide a musical experience honed over the years of working closely together and in addition, the band includes original songs, each indicative to the individual style of each song writer. ClydeStreet delights in sharing with you their love of harmony, rhythm, and musical magic.
Playing creatively crafted covers, ensemble style with flamboyant instrumentals and lively rhythms in a variety of genres we share our music with audiences at a wide range of events.
John, Rosalie , Trish and Gail look forward to performing today for their Central Coast Ukulele community neighbours. Don’t forget to say “Hi” afterwards
The festival is all indoors at The Diggers at The Entrance with views over our beautiful Tuggerah Lakes.
Come and spend some time with us. You can enjoy our festival and enjoy the beautiful Central Coast The Entrance with beautiful beaches and lakes across The Central Coast..
Accommodation is plentiful around the Entrance from 5-star rating resorts and hotels to camping ground and caravans parks our on the beaches or lakes.
There is also accommodation at the Diggers (Ibis) however you will have to get in early as it gets booked out quickly
Our festival is on its way and we are excited to put together a great ukulele festival for you to play, entertain and enjoy!
The Nukes will be here for their reunion show with the fabulous snapper.
The Nukes will be performing two shows as the original 3 and with Josh as the fabulous 4.
So much talent to be heard and seen and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it all.
Our ukulele collectives, bands and duos are working hard to present to everyone a fabulous performance. I am sure it will be an amazing event from and to you all.
Applications to perform will close on the 8th August.
Friday night’s dinner show is all but sold out so if you would like a ticket please book now so you won’t miss out on this incredible evening of talent and entertainment
Saturday and Sunday will be busy with great acts from poets to big bands, so many fabulous ukulele entertainers to listen to.
Merchandise and workshops available all weekend.
Some workshops
The Nukes have two different workshops available.
Gillian Eastoe – the original rock singer and legend who at 70 is still working and belting out amazing songs will be hosting a vocal workshop.
Terry Murray – an amazing guitarist and ukulele player will be providing a brilliant ukulele workshop
Shawn O’Friels workshop on Hawaiian rhythms and strums
Paul Jonson has new workshops and it will be hard to choose which one
Dave Oz Parker will present an improving your open mic skills
Rob Kitney on timing, percussion and djembe
Glenn Ewing – how to learn UBASS
Beginner ukulele, harmonica, techniques, hula, and more to come…
There will be a songwriting contest, raffles, jam, open mic and strum/sing along
All in the comfort of The Diggers at the Entrance.
Central Coast Ukulele Club 