June 5th, 2024Bright minds, music and fireworks at Woodend arts fest

Braemar College music students, Evie, Luca, Polly, Arlo and Ari, are excited to be performing before the fireworks on the opening night of the Woodend Winter Arts Festival on June 7 at Buffalo Stadium Woodend.

The four-day festival, taking place over the King’s Birthday long weekend in Woodend, will deliver a feast of music, words and ideas.

World class performers will be joined by some of Australia’s brightest minds for a series of special performances and thought-provoking discussions. More than 100 artists will perform during the festival throughout Woodend.

The diverse program includes highlights such as a performance by Southern Spanish guitarist Paco Lara, who will be performing Flamenco of Southern Spain, accompanied by flamenco dancer Deya Giner.

Jazz great Paul Grabowsky will showcase the piano across centuries, performing selections from his album Solo, while twice ARIA-nominated Nat Bartsch will transport the audience into the realm of new jazz with her award-winning ensemble.

London-based pianist Piers Lane will perform Chopin, Smetana and Mozart, while Woodend’s own Jacqueline Ogeil, (the director of Music at Braemar College), leads Accademia Arcadia’s performance of the Early Solo Concertos on the Cristofori piano.

Australian tenor Daniel Thomson returns from Europe to perform Schubert Lieder with John O’Donnell, who will also conduct two performances of Bach’s mighty St John Passion with Ensemble Gombert and Accademia Arcadia.

In addition to the music offered The Words & Ideas program has a selection of debates and discussions on challenging contemporary issues ranging from ‘city versus country’ to ‘machines versus humans’.

Expect to hear from bright minds such as Nobel Prize winner Peter Doherty and broadcaster/journalists Gideon Haigh, Elizabeth Finkel, George Megalogenis and Don Watson.

Words & image: Sandy Scheltem