Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, will be holding its first ever Ukelele Festival from the 16th to 21st March 2019.
The Golden Ukalele Festival is an initiative by enthusiasts in the Cook Islands wanting to enhance the culture of the instrument playing into a festival of celebration, for both Cook Islanders and visitors to this little paradise in the heart of the pacific.
The ukalele is recognised globally, with region-to-region and country-to-country adaptations of design and tones, making it highly personalised to each region or country. Not only do the Cook Islands spell Ukalele differently, but their ukulele also have a modified shape. Rather than a miniaturised version of the guitar, theirs is a distinctive pacific island instrument, shaped around the coconut shell. These ukalele have a higher tone which epitomises the capella style of traditional Cook Islands music and chants. The Golden Ukalele Festival will feature unique Pacific as well as International Ukalele Rhythms.
The overall aim of the festival is enjoyment by participation, giving every opportunity to participants attending the festival, to join in as ukalele players, or ukalele lovers throughout the festival week's events and activities.
The week's activities will include concerts, workshops, dance shows, church services that have special sermons focusing on ukalele music and a special concert on the beach, letting participants perform or just enjoy each others company in a tropical paradise setting.
The festival will also have expo days, allowing participants to learn to play local songs, visit local ukalele makers and browse and purchase their creations. The week will then culminate with the Golden Ukalele Award night, which is the festivals finale and will be the highlight of the festival.
The 15 islands of the Cooks are located in the heart of the Pacific, halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. An oasis of freedom with crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches, warm weather all year round and authentic, friendly locals.
