The Thin White Ukes have played just about every ukulele festival in every state and territory of Australia these last eight years. None have been more accommodating, better organised, more professional or enthusiastic than the 2023 Launceston Ukulele Jamboree.

From her first email approach in November 2022, Jackie Anifandis was absolutely clear and committed about logistics, financial and accommodation arrangements and the community-oriented tone and purpose of the event.

Our experience of the Jamboree was joyful and smooth, from extremely comfortable and welcoming billet to exceptional sound production on the night of our performance at Pilgrim Uniting Church.

We found Jackie and her team clear and capable at every turn. We will be singing the praises of the Launceston Ukulele Jamboree wherever we travel!

The 2023 Launceston Ukulele Jamboree was truly exceptional. It's hard to believe 2023 was only it's third.

Collaborating with Jackie during the lead-up to and throughout the festival was an absolute delight. Unlike other events, Jackie made a concerted effort to learn from other festivals what would and wouldn't work, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for all attendees and performers.

Having performed at events across Australia and back in the UK, I can confidently state that the Launceston Ukulele Jamboree was the most hospitable, all-encompassing, and efficiently executed festival I have ever experienced. The Launceston Jamboree is well and truely on the rise.

I cannot wait to see what Jackie and her team have in store for the future.

I was lucky to be invited to play a show and present a workshop at the 2023 Launceston Ukulele Jamboree and attend various concerts and jams over three days.

It was such a well-organised event in a central city location, which harnessed an incredible amount of community support and participation.

Ukuleles just radiate sunshine, and the whole weekend was full of smiling folks. I got to hear some amazing performances, meet lots of new people, and share musical moments and ideas with them, including a show at Launceston Library…what a great audience and staff! A big congratulations to Jackie and all the Volunteers that made this Festival so special, let’s hope it becomes a regular annual event in Launceston.

Just got back from the 2023 Launceston Ukulele Jamboree and, woo hoo!

it was the best organised, most fun festival we’ve ever attended.

Accessible, inclusive and thoughtfully planned, this shindig offered both festi-goers and performers an exciting array of musical experiences with highlights including two fabulously entertaining evening concerts featuring seasoned celebrity performers; a full day of inspirational workshops that didn’t clash with other events; a feel-good morning of public promotional performances featuring kids and adult players, and a hilarious flash mob in the city mall led by a Scotsman who was pretty much unintelligible. At the point where most festivals start to droop a bit, we were re-energized by a well-attended jam session and open mic involving groups, amateurs, professionals, soloists and television news media.

And just to round it off, the organisers threw in a hands-on-try-out visit to Barratts Music Store; a mini-market offering quality crafts plus music merchandise; and a final relaxed pub-jam and informal wind-up dinner.

The Jamboree’s technical aspects were also first-rate, providing impressive sound, lighting and projection capability. The venue was great, wheelchair accessible, with good acoustics, and an actual green/dressing room for performers (yay!).

Such a wonderful atmosphere with so much talent locally and from afar!

The flash mob in the mall had us all singing along, I seriously couldn’t stop smiling and clapping the whole time!

We’re so lucky to have this in Launceston, and a huge thanks to Jackie for bringing us such an uplifting and awesome Jamboree 🥰 I can’t wait ‘til next year!

The three days of the Launceston Ukulele Jamboree was fantastic. The workshops were great for ukulele players and there was music and fun everywhere, for all ages!

The Brisbane St Mall came alive with happy people, not just those involved with the Jamboree but passer-by had a smile on their face. 100 ukulele players in the middle of the mall playing their Ukes in the flash mob was incredible!

Launceston is definitely ready for this to be an annual event!

2023 was my second crack at the Launceston Ukelele Jamboree organised by Jackie Anifandis. What a great event it was!

The performances and workshop tutors were fantastic. Friday night’s performance was a hoot (Wild Women of Anywhere Beach). They were so entertaining.

I went to three workshops - Frailing, Thin White Ukes and Muscle Memory. The Thin White Ukes artists made their session wholly inclusive and interactive. We had a fun time learning – and then performing – Rebel Rebel by David Bowie.

Frailing was new to me and I found it takes lots of practice and it will take me a while to get it. This was something completely different. The Muscle Memory workshop was great too. Paul Johnson’s no-nonsense comments and advice on being a musician were spot on and motivating. He finished his workshops by teaching a short piece of music that was cool too.

I found the Sunday jam session was well organised, and the entire event was well worth it from my point of view. I hope you made the books balance – you sure put in a big effort.

Everyone looked so happy to be there too. Bring on next year!