Fine tunes at the Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival 2024

They have nailed down their playlist for the 15^th Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival at Katoomba's Carrington Hotel on February 9-11 and have been busy rehearsing and getting it perfect.

Songs on the agenda will include the Rolling Stones' Miss You and Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits, says Jan Grace, who plays tenor ukulele with the five-member group.

It will have to be a very tight set, because a total of 101 bands will play over the weekend, each getting just 25 minutes on stage.

The event is jointly organised and run by the Blue Mountains Ukulele Group (Blue MUGs) and the Carrington Hotel.

This year's feature acts are Jen and the Intrepid Segues, Ukulele Russ (Alaska), and Keith Potger.

Ukulele Ross is a described as a "dude who chooses to drive a Cooper Mini in a Mac Truck world...whose show The Last Ukulele Frontier contains the secret history of 49th state".

A household name as a founding member of The Seekers, nowadays Keith is famous as "a wandering minstrel... with a ukulele bringing sunshine".

Jen and the Intrepid Segues are local musicians and friends who showcase the versatility of the ukulele while encouraging audiences to get up and dance.

Workshops for beginners through to advanced players will be held throughout the day, and this year will see the return of open mic and the Sunday strum.

Jan said she loves playing the uke and joined the Blue MUGs after seeing them play at a Christmas market in Emu Plains, western Sydney, in 2015.

"I thought, gosh, that looks like fun, I think I'd like to do that. So I dropped a few hints to my husband and family and got a uke for Christmas that year," she said.

She also signed up for a ukulele course offered by a community college.

"I really enjoyed it. I had a great teacher who's also a member of Blue MUGS and I thought, well, I might just join them.

"I was a little bit hesitant at first. They do play pretty fast, but look, I just loved it. The ukulele is just such a happy instrument. Music is truly balm for the soul."

Today Jan plays tenor ukulele, one of several versions of the instrument.

"One of the festival's major sponsors is a fellow from Bulli (south of Sydney), Mark Wilkinson, who makes beautiful ukuleles," she said.

"And my son actually bought me one. It's Australian blackwood and I like the size of it.

"It's a bit like when you have a baby: if you have a really tiny one, you're a bit nervous of them.

"But if you get one that's like eight and a half pounds, like our kids were, you've got something you can really feel and hang on to."

In 2018, Jan, who taught hospitality at TAFE NSW for 18 years, formed The U-klectics with four others.

Among them was husband Bob, an electrical contractor who Jan is "still trying to get to fully retire".

He now plays Jan's first uke and performs vocals.

He's also a mad Rolling Stones fan, Jan said, and always keen to add a uke cover to the band's repertoire; thus the inclusion of Missing You at the festival.

Jan and Bob's daughter Phoebe, who joined the group in 2022 but moved with her family to Mudgee a few years ago, will also make a cameo appearance at Katoomba.

She doesn't play the ukulele but sings and plays percussion. Her mum says she has a beautiful voice.

Jan said The U-klectics love to get together with the Blue MUGS.

"It's great fun. And that's a great group to play in. It's non-judgmental. You don't have to be terrific at it. You just get in there and have a go and enjoy it."

Playing in the band is also a great opportunity to get out and about. "For example, we were in a little group that went up to the Elvis Festival in Parkes," Jan said.

The U-klectics also play at aged care facilities, retirement homes and other places.

Jan learned piano when she was younger. She said it wasn't too hard to learn the uke. "Anybody can play it, young or old."

For a taste of The U-klectics, click HERE.

Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival, February 9-11, The Carrington Hotel, 15-47 Katoomba Street, Katoomba NSW.

Tickets are $10, covering the entire weekend. For bookings, click HERE or HERE.