The Woodford Folk Festival has launched its annual festival program, promising a renewal of its principles and a new optimism.
While it’s been a challenging year emerging from the floods, Festival Director Bill Hauritz said, “There have been some tremendous outcomes, among them, Woodfordia (the festival site) is in better shape than it’s ever been. This year our loyal patrons will be rewarded with the strongest cultural event to date and many positive changes,” he said.
At the program launch, Hauritz said, while the world seems to be in a bad news cycle, the program reflects a positive way forward and a celebration of humanity. It’s only with positive affirmations that our festival, communities and nation can move forward.
The Festival’s theme this year is ‘Pieces of the Puzzle’.
“Our beautiful planet is in need of some nurture and, like the festival, our people are the custodians,” Hauritz said.
The launch unveiled the annual festival poster; an art-piece by celebrated artist Gavin Ryan depicting people bringing their jigsaw pieces to a puzzle of planet Earth.
“If everyone can bring their little piece of the puzzle,” Hauritz said, “the collective contribution would be special. It’s sort of like saving the world, one fantastic party at a time,” Hauritz said.
“Woodford patrons are unbelievable. Last year, when everyone went home, there wasn’t a spot of rubbish left, the recycling results have been fantastic and the respect shown during our three minutes of silence on New Year’s Eve is total. I don’t think you could do that at many festivals.
“But they know how to have a good time, the exuberance and energy they create forges a brilliant festival atmosphere,” said Hauritz.
Woodford’s program this year features The Dreaming Festival. Together, the event features 400 acts performing on 20 stages over the six days and nights in what can be described as a rootsy explosion of culture underpinned by enchantment and romance. Hauritz describes Woodford as a discovery tour, where patrons are always moved by quality artists and presenters they haven’t heard of. Although there will be plenty of big names this year, Hauritz predicts that it will be the surprise unknown acts that will be the standouts.
The Dreaming Festival will weave its magic through Woodford this year, with the planet’s oldest cultures sharing their timeless traditions and groundbreaking contemporary performing arts, from folk legend Buffy Sainte-Marie to the hauntingly beautiful Pitjantjatjara man Frank Yamma, new discovery Sue Ray and the uberfresh BLAKWax.
Gotye, 2011 J Award nominee, will be performing under the stars in the Amphitheatre with his ten-piece multi-instrumental all singing band and digitally triggering visuals on the big screens. Joining him are Xavier Rudd, Cloud Control, Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro, Eagle and The Worm, Owl Eyes, The Herd, Jesca Hoop and a cast of thousands for the Big Bang on New Year’s Eve.
Other musical must-sees are De Pedro, Jordie Lane, Benjalu, Faux Pas, Husky, Elixir, Roesy, Andy Bull and Lucy Wise and The B’Gollies.
Further exciting attractions include the Canadian reverie, featuring premier performances from an island cache of Newfoundland acts. The island is renowned for revitalising well preserved Irish, English and Scottish traditions. Fiddler, Richard Wood, will hold you in a state of delighted suspense and The Once, the pride of the Canadian folk music scene, will astound you with their thick, rich vocal harmonies.
Scottish legend Dougie MacLean is back to open hearts and Pugsley Buzzard is going to swagger on in with his hoodoo blues swamp boogie keys and gravelly voice to steal them.
The Parlour’s dishing up the dishes, with the queens of burlesque, Rita Fontaine (Miss Burlesque Australia 2010), Flavella L’Amour and Lola the Vamp. All three come together for special late night performances in cohesion with New Orleans Street Band Tuba Skinny, Pugsley Buzzard, Birdmann and Roue Cyr master Derek Llewellin.
The Pineapple Lounge is back, with Browndog Presents. Somehow he hand plucks artists from across the festival and convinces them to perform in the intimate lounge. Grab a Champine, settle into a lounge and be surprised by what you will witness.
The Greenhouse has insights for the Election 2012. Author and journalist Benjamin Law will join former Senator, now radio host Andrew Bartlett, to talk about engaging the media and find out how a feisty local group challenged coal-mining giants Xstrata at The Treading on Hot Coals session. The green movement’s movers and shakers Professor Ian Lowe, Kate Jones, Larissa Waters, Guy Pearse, Clive Hamilton and Professor Andrew Wilford join Indigenous perspectives and grassroots movements in an all-encompassing Greenhouse program.
Stay in your seat, in the breezy Folklorica venue for a round the world tour featuring the music of Thailand’s Sea Gipsies, Ritual Music for Healing, The Rhythm Divine sessions, a showcase of the Arab Near East and The World of Islam with Sandy McCutcheon.
Be inspired by African, Brazilian and Hungarian Dance performances, hold that inspiration and cross the road, to The Dancehall to learn the steps in preparation for evening dance parties.
And finally, for all those conspiracists out there, Woodford is inviting you to be a part of one, which will make our planet more beautiful. Day by day, piece by piece, join the mysterious Conspiracy and be a part of the Farewell Ceremony.
Tickets and programs are available online, visit www.woodfordfolkfestival.com
