The Woodend Winter Arts Festival returns this June, bringing with it a four-day program of world-class performances, thought-provoking discussions and exciting new events.
Taking place over the King’s Birthday long weekend (June 9-12), the program will feature some of Australia’s leading classical musicians, alongside some of the country’s greatest literary minds.
An exciting new addition to the program is the High Street Festa. Over one evening, Woodend’s charming main street will come to life as historic buildings are illuminated with colourful projected artworks by local artist Mary Larnach-Jones.
There will also be late night shopping and plenty of food trucks. The evening will culminate with a flash mob Big Sing, as hundreds of singers join forces to perform.
Another new addition is the Choral Marathon featuring six choirs from across Victoria and more than 200 singers for an afternoon and evening of lively and soul-stirring performances.
Musical highlights include a performance by acclaimed jazz musicians Simon Tedeschi and George Washingmachine, along with concerts from Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Wind Octet, Ensemble Gombert and Accademia Arcadia, Ensemble Liaison and The Alma Zygier Trio.
There will also be a performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, narrated by Max Gillies with the Scotch College Orchestra.
The Words and Ideas Program features discussions of challenging contemporary issues such as the clean energy crisis, climate catastrophe, pandemics, peace and war and more, with luminaries such as Alan Finkel, Peter Doherty, Don Watson, Jock Serong, Tom Griffiths, Christine Keneally, Alan Gyngell, Jim Middleton, Lauren Rickards and Jamie Button.
In addition to the High Street Festa, other free events include the annual fireworks display at Woodend’s Buffalo Stadium, which will this year be synchronised to popular classical music.
The fireworks event will also feature free performances from Japanese drummers Taikokoro Inc., and the Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir.
According to WWAF artistic director and founder, Dr Jacqueline Ogeil, this year’s event is a triumphant return, after running at a reduced capacity over the past few years due to pandemic restrictions.
“We are thrilled to launch the program for the 18th Woodend Winter Arts Festival,” Dr Ogeil said.
“After several challenging years, we are incredibly excited to return this event to the high-calibre standard of world-class performances and insightful discussions that our attendees have grown to love.
“We are also excited to deliver some exciting new elements to the program this year, including the High Street Festa, which promises to be a fun and family friendly night out for the young and young at heart incorporating music, stunning projected artworks, food and late-night shopping.”
Tickets are now on sale. To view WWAF’s full program of events and to book tickets, visit: woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au
