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Archives: Events

Fantazy of Viols: Consortium

St Ambrose Hall Templeton Road, Woodend, VIC

From the enigmatic genius of William Lawes to the haunting sounds of Peter Sculthorpe’s Djilile, experience music through the crystalline medium of a consort of viols in Fantazy. Be sure not to miss this performance, featuring five of Australia’s finest viol players at the St Ambrose Hall.

Words & Ideas: Shakespeare Vnmobled

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

On the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays in 1623, John O’Donnell presents incontrovertible evidence on the true author.

Liaison and The Seasons: Ensemble Liaison

St Ambrose Hall Templeton Road, Woodend, VIC

Described by Limelight magazine as a ‘national treasure’, Ensemble Liaison is one of Australia’s leading internationally acclaimed ensembles. Join them at the St Ambrose Hall for a program featuring Johannes Brahms’ glorious Romanticism; a new Australian work written especially for the Trio; and a selection of their favourite ‘Seasons’ by Argentinian Tango master, Astor Piazzolla.

Words & Ideas: On Peace & War

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

Is the world headed for a new cold war? Or a hot one? How close are we to the precipice? What are Australia’s options? Do we have any besides the US alliance and AUKUS? Special guests Jim Middleton and Nick Bisley discuss.

Music for the King: Ensemble Gombert & Accademia Arcadia

St Ambrose Church Templeton St, Woodend

Witness one of Australia's most outstanding chamber choirs Ensemble Gombert as they are joined by Baroque chamber ensemble, Accademia Arcadia for two outstanding performances of Handel’s Coronation Anthems and Dettingen Te Deum.

Words & Ideas: On Politics, Media & Democracy

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

Sheila Drummond Memorial Session. Amidst rampant lies, conspiracy theories, fake news, deepening tribalism, and fashionable fascisms, how can we shore up democracy? How can we assure faith in democratic institutions, including the media, and enliven grassroots political life. How can we invigorate Australian democracy? With special guest speakers Sean Kelly, George Megalogenis and Sally Warhaft.

2024 Launch & Fundraising Concert: With Lior [SOLD OUT]

St Ambrose Church Templeton St, Woodend

Woodend Winter Arts Festival 2024 launches with Lior, one of Australia’s most treasured singer/songwriters, renowned for his beautiful voice and songs that radiate truth and sincerity.

Fireworks: FREE community event

Buffalo Stadium 1/29 Forest St, Woodend

A free evening of musical entertainment with food trucks and the annual fireworks show at 6.30pm. A great night out for the whole family!

Spanish Flamenco: Paco Lara & Deya Giner

St Ambrose Hall Templeton Road, Woodend, VIC

Embodying the unmistakable Jerez style of flamenco guitar playing, Paco Lara presents flamenco guitar in all its authenticity, culture, and artistry. With guest Spanish flamenco dancer Deya Miranda Giner.

Words & Ideas: Testing theories of consciousness

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

As machines increasingly match the capabilities of humans, it’s never been more challenging to describe the nature of consciousness. Elizabeth Finkel will take a look at the progress with a panel whose members are all globally recognized leaders in this field.

Across the Channel: Fiore Vocal Ensemble

St Ambrose Church Templeton St, Woodend

Step into a classical enchantment with Fiore. Across the Channel highlights renowned composers from the UK and France, featuring timeless choral compositions that form their legacy.

Words & Ideas: Proof (with Elizabeth Finkel)

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

There has never been a more important moment for the public to learn about the scientific method. In the 17th century, the scientific revolution gave us a solid foundation for how to build knowledge. Elizabeth Finkel’s book ‘Proof’ reveals the scientific method in action in the 21st century.

Bach’s St John’s Passion

St Ambrose Church Templeton St, Woodend

In celebration of the three-hundredth anniversary of its creation, Accademia Arcadia, Ensemble Gombert, and a cast of outstanding soloists come together to present Johann Sebastian Bach’s monumental Johannes-Passion (St John Passion).

Words & Ideas: The Shortest History of Music (with Andrew Ford)

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

To be released in July, a new book from award-winning composer and broadcaster Andrew Ford, ‘The Shortest History of Music’ is a lively, authoritative tour through several thousand years of music. Packed with colourful characters and surprising details, it sets out to understand what exactly music is – and why humans are irresistibly drawn to making it.

Paul Grabowsky (Solo Piano)

St Ambrose Hall Templeton Road, Woodend, VIC

Much of this performance will be taken from Grabowsky’s album ‘Solo’, featuring all the hallmarks that have made him one of the world’s foremost jazz instrumentalists and composers. This is jazz for the connoisseur: rich, engaging, full of allusion and wit.

Words & Ideas: Tennis, Termites and Turmoil (with Peter Doherty)

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

Peter Doherty's latest book (2022) ‘Empire War Tennis and Me’ uses his family story to explore ideas about war and peace, with particular reference to the Pacific conflict of 1942–5 that so threatened Australia.

Schubert and the Viennese Masters

St Ambrose Hall Templeton Road, Woodend, VIC

A program that explores Schubert Lieder and their influences from the earlier Viennese Masters. Including works by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and others.

Early Solo Concertos: Accademia Arcadia

St Ambrose Church Templeton St, Woodend

The solo concerto—the standard form of the genre in the Classical and Romantic eras—emerged gradually over the course of the 18th century. This program features four outstanding works by Baroque composers Alessandro Marcello and Antonio Vivaldi, and early Classical composers Thomas Arne and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

Fantaisie: Piers Lane (Solo Piano)

St Ambrose Hall Templeton Road, Woodend, VIC

Piers’ recital is based around one of his favourite composers: Fredéric Chopin. A recital blending the much-loved with the less familiar, revealing subtle connections and influences. But Piers will explain it all as he goes...

Bach’s St John’s Passion

St Ambrose Church Templeton St, Woodend

In celebration of the three-hundredth anniversary of its creation, Accademia Arcadia, Ensemble Gombert, and a cast of outstanding soloists come together to present Johann Sebastian Bach’s monumental Johannes-Passion (St John Passion).

8 Cellos: Melbourne Cello Octet

St Ambrose Church Templeton St, Woodend

This concert will bring together eight of Australia’s premiere cellists performing an incredible range of repertoire from Sacred works of J.S. Bach to Brazilian folk and pop music, Beethoven Overtures to fiery Spanish dances, and many more.

Words & Ideas: Sex, Science & Singing (with Robyn Williams & Jenny Graves)

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

Evolutionary geneticist and singer Professor Jenny Graves will be interviewed by ABC Science Show personality Robyn Williams on her career sorting out the genes and chromosomes that determine sex, and her recent conception, writing and performing of a new oratorio that tells the creation story from science.

Hope Renewed: Nat Bartsch Quartet

St Ambrose Hall Templeton Road, Woodend, VIC

Pianist & composer Nat Bartsch presents Hope Renewed: a jazz/post rock reinterpretation of her ARIA-nominated classical album Hope. This reinterpretation brings the work to life with her jazz quartet, classical musicians and live ambient electronic effects.

Words & Ideas: City vs Bush – NEW DATE

Woodend Community Centre High & Forest St, Woodend

City versus bush. It’s one of Australia’s oldest divides, reflecting two very different ideas of who we are as a people. How do we build a bridge between the two in the 21st century when our cosmopolitan capitals and parochial regional towns and country areas have never been further apart in terms of age, ethnic make-up, income and cultural outlook?

The Italian Devil Returns!

St Ambrose Church Templeton St, Woodend

Get ready to be captivated by an incredible performance from violinist Davide Monti. His unique blend of music and storytelling will leave you wanting more.

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