PrettyInScarlett

Continuing the music theme and fresh from GNUF, next stop the Royal Albert Hall ! What a way to experience my first RAH event than with Ólafur Arnalds !  Just going in to the building, there was an incredible atmosphere. Stopped off at the Berry Bros & Rudd bar en route to our seats.  A short support set by composer/percussionist Manu Delago , who was very impressive. Initially I thought he was playing some variant of steel drums, but in fact it was an array of Hang , which are great! A really lush, warm sound. Ólafur's mix of strings, piano with multimedia felt at home in the 'orchestral' setting of the Hall (nearly Proms season!), in particular given that the set was all instrumental pieces. It was interesting to see the sheer variety of people who all have being an Ólafur Arnalds fan in common.  I find that a lot of Ólafur's magic is in the silences and spaces in between notes, and a few times there were audience interruptions - but also, a lot of ti

One of the things on my bucket list when we moved to Skipton was to attend Huddersfield's very own Grand Northern Ukulele Festival - GNUF . Then my busy diary got in the way... This year, I decided what the heck, I was going to go anyway, busy diary or no. Glad I did! Receiving the Queen's Award The full lineup information for GNUF2018 is still on the website. For 2018 there were events Thursday through to Sunday. I made it for Saturday and Sunday daytime. Contrary to my norm, I had not planned on which stage/any workshops etc.  Saturday started well when I bumped into another ukulele acquaintance on the train at Leeds.  Good start! After collecting my wristband and a programme I chilled over lunchtime, catching the vibe on Mim's stage in the LBT courtyard. Including the presentation of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service!! Early afternoon I attended a talk by Rob Collins of Tinguitar about sustainability in ukulele design. Lots of interesting info