Even a small setback won’t deter the Woodend Winter Arts Festival from this weekend’s performances.
With the past few weeks being rather tumultuous, anyone would forgive the festival crew if they decided to pack their bags and go home!
But, not to be beaten, the committee has vowed to bring the program to Woodend and cope with any changes in a flexible, responsible manner.
It’s with this thought in mind that one event planned for this weekend of August 7-8 will now have to be postponed by a few weeks. All other events will happen as planned, but the film and harmonic singing of A Little Bit Mongolian will be pushed out and rescheduled once rules around singing are eased.
“It’s a bit of a blow, but we are determined to proceed,” artistic director Jacqueline Ogeil said.
“In order to comply, we’ll have to move it. But rest assured it will be scheduled for the earliest possible date that compliance can be guaranteed.”
All ticketholders for that event will already have been contacted. As soon as the new date is known, this will be advertised online and in the press.
In the meantime, planning is back in the swing for three concerts and two words and ideas events that will go ahead as advertised on August 7-8, based at St Ambrose Church and Hall, in Templeton Street, Woodend.
COVID-safe rules and processes have been setup, all ticketholders contacted and the festival volunteers are trained in the necessary processes needed.
“We have been so pleased at the way that audiences have enjoyed what we have managed to host so far,” Jacky said.
“They have complied happily with the restrictions that we need to have in place, and we have had so many wonderful complements about managing to actually put on some arts events in a truly difficult time.”
This weekend is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get out and about in Woodend, especially by visiting the three umbrella art exhibitions. These three organisations have been showcased through the festival weekend over the past few years, and rely on the festival as the best way to show their members’ works. These are the Macedon Ranges Potters, the Macedon Ranges Arts Trail and the Gallery Mt Macedon members.
They’ll all be within walking distance from each other in a triangle around the Visitor Information Centre. You can also take advantage of the Scout’s Log Cabin Café, in Forest Street, which is a wonderful place for lunch or morning tea, and contribute to their fundraising efforts.
Local businesses are thrilled to be out of lockdown and are pleased to see festival patrons in the area again. Remember to follow any guidelines for capacities and check in everywhere you go.
Ensure you book your tickets before the events, as a physical box office is not possible during this time and cash won’t be accepted at the door. All events in the festival are planned to be COVID-safe, full details of the organisation’s plans can be found online.
Please keep checking the website for updates about COVID-related impacts on scheduled events as restrictions change in response to the pandemic. Organisers urge you to book tickets and support live performance and the festival – go to www.woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au
