Melbourne Ukulele Festival

Melbourne

A$2,383

of $2,000 targetyrs ago

Successful on 5th Dec 2014 at 11:25AM.

Yes, we've just reached our target - our campaign is officially a success, and pledges are being processed. BUT please keep contributing - the $2000 may be enough to fly Russ from Alaska, but we have more fares to pay, maybe $6000 total for our overseas artists And lots of beautiful rewards to give away, like the ukuleles pictured below.

OUR FESTIVAL
The Melbourne Ukulele Festival prides itself on presenting the best local and international acts available. The 2015 Festival, over the weekend of 13-15 March, will be made possible by dozens of ukulele-loving volunteers, our generous sponsors - and YOU!

Please help make our sixth festival possible by pledging whatever you can afford. In return, if you wish, we are delighted to offer you one of our fabulous rewards.

OUR TOP-END REWARDS

Two beautiful ukuleles, donated by our sponsors, are now on offer as rewards - in return for pledges well below regular retail prices. Both are hand-made in Victoria.

For a $400 pledge, a a lovely concert ukulele (below) made by Richard Nicol-Smith of RNS Guitars and Ukuleles:

For a $700 pledge, an Aumann Tenor similar to this, is currently being built for you by David Aumann:

Conditions for rewards

If your reward involves a lesson, you will need to negotiate an agreed, reasonable, time and place with your tutor. If you can't keep your appointment, the tutor is not obliged to offer an alternative time. You are welcome to discuss any particular skills you'd like to focus on.

If your reward includes postage, this is only within Australia (you are welcome to contact us to arrange to pay for overseas postage). We'll post items within a week of our Pozible deadline.

How The Funds Will Be Used

To lock in our in our international guests, we need to be able to pay fares as soon as possible. The first priority will be to buy a ticket for 2014 MUF star Ukulele Russ to return to Melbourne from his home in Alaska - around $2000 return if we buy now. MUF doesn't have a bank balance - at the end of each Festival we pay out most of our takings, after costs, directly to the artists.

The Challenges

With ticket costs ranging from free to affordable, we don't make enough money to employ paid staff, and unlike regional and rural festivals, we can't draw on local grants. We rely on fundraising and sponsorship from ukulele makers and retailers to balance the books, and our festival relies on our many enthusiastic volunteers.

Warm Inner Glow

With your generous support, the ukulele festival will run again complete with overseas guests. Your reward will be that warm inner glow of satisfaction, knowing that you helped to make it happen.

1 chosen

Est. delivery is Dec 14

Cool microphone clip

Ensure a great retro look for your online videos! A shockmount microphone holder, suits condenser mic with 45-50mm diameter. Brand new. (Pick up from Brunswick, or add delivery).

0 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

Ukulele Ringtone

Identify yourself as a ukulele scenester with one of four riffs popularised by the Melbourne Ukulele Kollective and Cat House: Ghost Riders, Message to Rudi, Blister in the Sun or Psychokiller. * Great gift idea

3 chosen

Est. delivery is Dec 14

Ukulele Earrings

Adorn your ears with these gorgeous ukulele earrings. * Also a great Christmas gift idea for your fellow ukulele-obsessed friends and relatives.

2 chosen / 8 available

Est. delivery is Dec 14

5 Ukulele Christmas Cards

5 pack of ukulele Christmas cards designed by MUF's Beck Feiner. Posted to your address in early December.

13 chosen / 37 available

Est. delivery is Dec 14

Ukulele Strings - Soprano

We'll fit our your soprano ukulele with a brand-new set of Aquila strings at the Festival (even a cheapie uke can sounds heaps better). Or posted for Christmas. *Gift idea

0 chosen / 20 available

Est. delivery is Dec 14

Botanic Gardens by boat

Reward yourself with a serene cruise in an elegant wooden punt, around the picturesque Ornamental Lake, in Melbourne's stunning Royal Botanic Gardens. Your hosts at Punt Tours Melbourne will tell you about the history, wildlife and plants in one of the world's finest gardens. (Double passes, normal price $50)

2 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Dec 15

Extra Warm Inner Glow

With your generous support, the ukulele festival will once again feature top overseas artists. Your reward will be that EXTRA warm inner glow of satisfaction, knowing that you helped to make it happen.

2 chosen

Est. delivery is Dec 14

Uke lesson with John F

You’ll get a 1-hour private ukulele lesson for one or two people at intermediate or advanced level, from John Ferguson. John is a talented ukulele player, highly skilled in a range of styles and techniques. You can catch him in Urban Ukes, in the MUK Big Band, and playing solo around the town. Conditions apply. * Gift idea

1 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

Personalised 7" Vinyl

In consultation with you, Ewan Burke will write and record a comic song for your loved one, using vocals and ukulele, and press the results onto a unique 7” vinyl record. Ewan Burke is a published and recorded singer/writer with many years’ experience. *Perfect for that Valentine’s Day greeting/marriage proposal/ode to your cat.

0 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Feb 15

Group lesson with Dean

A ukulele lesson for your small group of up to six people, from Festival Director and talented ukulele player Dean Denham. Dean is an experienced ukulele teacher., currently taking classes for the CAE. Ukes can be provided. Conditions apply.

0 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

RNS concert ukulele

Beautiful RNS concert ukulele made from Tasmanian Blackwood and Western Red Cedar, with case (total value $495). RNS Guitars and Ukuleles is a Festival sponsor. Richard Nicol-Smith handcrafts their instruments at his Buln Buln, West Gippsland, studio. ** Xmas gift idea

0 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Dec 14

Aumann tenor ukulele

A beautiful tenor ukulele is being hand-crafted from Gippsland Blackwood timber, with stunning fiddleback grain, by local instrument-maker and Festival sponsor David Aumann. The fingerboard and bridge will be made from Gabon ebony from Africa. It has mother-of-pearl fingerboard markers, name and rosette. Comes in a fitted hard shell case. To be finished and available for collection in early January. Pledge amount is well below normal retail. (Picture is of its sister)

0 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

The Nutcracker for ukes

Sheet music for Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite - 8 pieces from the classic romantic ballet, arranged in three parts - melody, harmony and bass - suiting any ukulele types. Includes postage. Donated thanks to the publishers, Hal Leonard. *Gift idea

1 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Dec 14

Learn uke with Bernard

One hour ukulele lesson, beginners or intermediate. Bernard de la Coeur plays with MUK, leads the one-person ensemble Brass Traps, and in his spare time drums with Waidako Rindo and plays trombone in the Englineers Band. He's a prize-winning songwriter and is one of our respected MUK Beginners Tutors. Conditions apply. * Gift idea

1 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

Uke 'n Sing with Gail

"Uke 'n sing with more confidence": 1-hour session for 1 or 2 people. Work up a song for performance to suit your style, pitch, tone and playing level. She's a qualified teacher and counsellor: have fun, or get your valium back! Conditions apply. *Gift idea

3 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

Commuter cycles service

A pre-Christmas bike service by bike maintenance specialists, the uke-loving Commuter Cycles of Brunswick. (Offer includes up to $80 worth of labour, parts not included). Commuter Cycles is a bike workshop dedicated to everyday cyclists: "Fixing bikes is what we do". They can lend you a bike while yours is being fixed. *Gift idea

1 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Dec 14

Uke lesson with Harry

1-hour private ukulele lesson for one or two people at beginner or intermediate level. Harry Harrison is a teacher by day and the MUK Big Band uke bass-player by night. He's fresh back from a ukulele teachers' weekend with world-famous player and educator James Hill. Conditions apply. * Gift idea

4 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

Songwriting with Jane

Jane Cameron, recently gifted to Melbourne by Brisbane, is a prolific song-writer and talented singer and ukulele player. She'll spend an hour helping you get started on, or refine, your song. Conditions apply. *Gift idea

1 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

Fretting about your tax?

Financial Freedom Accounting, a Kew firm of Chartered Accountants and registered tax agents (http://finfreeaccounts.com.au) offers tax return preparation and lodgement of a personal tax return to the value of $110. You could take your reward now, or in July-August for your 2015 tax. Accountant Val Nigol (pictured) can be found after hours counting the beat in the Melbourne Ukulele Kollective.

5 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Dec 15

Uke 'n Sing small group

For up to four people: bring your song and your ukuleles to Gail and she will help you sing together in harmony. (See more about Gail under 'Uke 'n Sing with Gail' above).

1 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Jan 15

Street Art: guided tour

A street art walking tour for you and up to three of your invited friends, with expert guide. See the work of famous international and local visual artists in the hidden lanes of Northcote OR Brunswick OR the CBD, informed by our resident street art guru Eleanor Brooker. Walking shoes required. Up to 2 hours.

1 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Dec 15