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| The Tony Gould Quartet warms up before performing in the St Ambrose Hall. Photo: Chris Fleming |
The Woodend Winter Arts Festival over the Queen's Birthday long weekend again
drew an audience of thousands to Woodend, with about half of the 2500 tickets
going to day trippers from metropolitan Melbourne.
Many more attended the
free festival program of exhibitions, children's events, or were engaged through
the schools program now run by the festival committee to take performers and
authors into local schools. The festival comprised more than 30 events this
year.
Six key events - including the headline performances of the Brandenburg
Concertos and Bach Mass (two of each at St Ambrose Church), Tinalley Quartet and
the The Chamber's landscape artists' panel - were sold out well before the
weekend. Most other events were half to two thirds full by the time the festival
fireworks signalled the official opening on Friday - attracting upwards of an
estimated 2000 people to Buffalo Stadium.
Artistic director, Jacqueline
Ogeil, said she was thrilled with every aspect of this year's festival - and
planning is well underway for the 10th anniversary of what has become a premier
regional arts festival nationally.
"We have the most amazing team of
supporters - our committee, support staff and loyal volunteers have worked
incredibly hard to make this happen, and of course all the brilliant artists who
have come to Woodend to perform, speak and collaborate," she said.
"Even the
weather was perfect!"
But Dr Ogeil, an accomplished and highly regarded
classical performer herself (with several CDs on the market) said her personal
highlight was the opportunity to perform again.
"The Bach' B minor mass was a
personal triumph for me - as it is a massive work of great artistic and
intellectual merit, something any musician wants to perform in their life.
"We did it on minimal rehearsal and resources and it went brilliantly. Our
audiences are so enthusiastic and it was great to look out into the audience and
see their happy faces."
Dr Ogeil also noted that many of the audience are
repeat visitors to the festival.
"The feedback forms are pouring in and many
have come to all nine festivals. The positive feedback is just
sensational."
For Woodend resident - and now published crime writer Andrew
Grimes (author of The Richmond Conspiracy) - it was a new perspective -
as part of the program and in company with experienced crime authors with
significant back catalogues for the 'Life of Crime' panel event.
And while
catching up with his newfound peers was exciting, Andrew made the most of his
time immersed in the festival - one event simply led to another and he was
hooked.
"The highlights for me were the stunning artworks of children's
picture book illustrator Ann James, the virtuoso performance of classical
pianist Stephanie McCallum and the superb rendition of the Brandenburg Concertos
by Accademia Arcadia. I loved the festival and I'm really looking forward to
next year," he said.
Committee member and literary visual arts program
organiser, Sheila Drummond, said she noticed yet again how attentive and engaged
audiences to the literary events.
"Ramona Koval and Sally Warhaft's
discussion on books and reading was an absolute gem; two feisty erudite,
articulate women talking to spellbound full house. The panels on various aspects
of writing and publishing were given full marks by the attentive audience. Crime
writing in its various forms and Australia in the Asian Century were terrific,"
she said.
Locals and visitors alike were attracted to the newest venue in
Woodend which hosted a series of festival events.
"The new, light, bright
venue of the Norma Richardson Hall (St Mary's) proved popular as an exhibition
space with talks, demonstrations and a film. Many people returned for another
look," Ms Drummond said.
Those who booked early were responsible for selling
out accommodation in Woodend, with key venues - such as Campaspe House - booked
for all meal services a week before the festival - and cafes and restaurants
that were open turning tables several times for each service.
In what has
become a festival favourite, the Scout Log Cabin Café, run by the 1st Woodend
Scout Group, had its best year yet - Committee member and coordinator of the
pop-up café Leisa Macartney said business was up by about 50 per cent and meant
a hasty restock of food was required by Saturday afternoon.
"The team of
about 30 - 40 scouts, cubs and venturers were very enthusiastic waiting tables
and serving, but not so enthusiastic about drying the dishes," she laughed. The
café happens with the help of the young people, about half a dozen scout leaders
and a team of 20 or so parents, with most of the food prepared and donated by
scouting families.
This year also saw the café take its first booking - with
a phone call before the weekend to ensure a table reservation.
"We couldn't
believe it," Ms Macartney said.
"The people who come to the café are just
amazing. There is so much goodwill towards the kids, who just love it. Some
people came every day for lunch, and some others came three times a day -
between events. It's just a wonderful, sometimes crazy, experience. But it's
been fantastic - next year we're even thinking about whether we should put on a
dinner service."
