Goodbye for 2014 - and thank you

Mark the date: 6 - 8 June 2015

Our 2014 Festival program was our most ambitious yet - but we felt like making a big party of our10th anniversary of celebrating and showcasing creativity in the Macedon Ranges, we pulled out all the stops.

And we're happy to report you didn't let us down. Our attendances were up; box office was up and the 10th Woodend Winter Arts Festival attratced some new audiences and new admirers (which look like leading to some exciting new collaborations in the coming years).

Our key event was the opera- Jacopo Peri's Eurdice, revisioned by John O'Donnell in four performances. It was rare chance to experience opera right here in the heart of the Macedon Ranges, with world class performers (including the stunning Jacqueline Porter featured on our program cover) - and boy did we blow away some of the city slickers who popped in for a curious little look.  

In fact, you can listen to the ABC Classic FM recording of the Opera by clicking here.

We had Peter and the Wolf with Max Gillies and the Scotch College Orchestra, and a musical program that included the Quaternaglia Guitar Quartet (Brazil), the Koehne String Quartet from Vienna, virtuoso cellist Li-Wei Quin from Singapore and baroque harpist Maria-Christina Cleary from France, and a Festival favourite, Italian violinist, Davide Monti.  

The popular literary program featured the erudite and outspoken David Marr from Sydney in discussion with Margaret Simons, best selling Graeme Simion (The Rosie Project), an examination of the future of journalism with Rachel Buchanan, Tim Dunlop and Sally Warhaft, and a panel of romance writers.

Art exhibitions included acclaimed local artist Mary Larnach-Jones, John York and the Macedon Ranges Art Group, Jill River’s Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Open Studios and the return of the Macedon Ranges Potters.

And of course, there was a free and children's program beginning with the free fireworks on opening night - an activity which draws together the families and friends of everyone in Woodend - and our visitors to the region.

Join us in 2015 and share our commitment, dedication and celebration tof the most beautiful, and most interesting of the arts - music, opera, ideas, writing, books and art.

See you in 2015.

Support the Festival

If you want to support us, sponsor us or join us - then contact us. Have a look at who's supporting us in 2014.

Want to make a donation? 

Every little bit counts! if you want to donate to the Festival and make sure 2014 is well supported, you can donate to us. Download this form,and follow the instructions to use your preferred method of payment.