Ukuleles will be twanging on the streets of Rotorua in November, with the announcement of the city's first ukulele festival.
Interest in the guitar-like instrument, whose name translates roughly to "jumping flea", is strong in Rotorua, according to Music Local Live and New Trust trustee and festival organiser Julie Parsons.
"The ukulele is quite popular at the moment. There's a number of people in Rotorua who have gone through lessons at a basic level," she said.
Mrs Parsons, who is a member of Rotorua ukulele band Thermaleles, said part of the instrument's appeal was its simplicity - "we have four fingers, it has four strings".
"It has a beautiful, pure little sound of its own," she said. "Plus it's portable and easy to handle."
The Hot Lakes Rotorua Ukulele Festival 2012 is set down for November 8 - 11 and will include public concerts by ukulele bands as well as workshops for students at varying skill levels. The main festivities are set for Saturday November 10, with bands, workshops and an open microphone session.
Out of town performers include Rose Turtle Ertler from Melbourne who Mrs Parsons describes as "very talented and a great teacher" as well as Auckland band The Nukes.
