Amphigrande
It’s the Grande… Amphi-fied! The combination of Woodfordia’s two largest venues of old, the Amphigrande is a beautiful grassy natural amphitheatre with expanded capacity and ample shade, so you can choose how close you get to the music. This place has seen it all… folk heroes, jazz luminaries, rockstars, dusty dance meltdowns and some pretty incredible countdowns to the New Year – count on all of that again this year! Rock, world, folk, dance, speakers and instrumental excellence, homegrown and international … it’s all on stage at the Amphigrande.
Artisan Alley – Adorn
Adorn is Artisania’s home of life drawing, watercolour painting, Indigo dyeing, print making and pencil drawing.
Artisan Alley – Atelier
It’s the Atelier, so of course there’s make-to-wear with sewing, mask making and party hat and fascinator creations – but you can also pick up skills in crochet, needle-felting, vision boarding, stencilling… and there’s even a session on herbal first aid.
Artisan Alley – Burrow
The venue for making magic and demystifying some complicated-looking creative processes, the Burrow invites you to bury yourself in conjuring up tea cup mosaics, leather sandals and belts, crystal crowns, jewellery feather brooches and copper luminaries.
Artisan Alley – Earth and Stone
Sculpt the earth in wheel thrown pottery workshop where you’ll create pots, cups, or decorative pieces that are yours to keep or contribute to the communal clay sculpture.
Artisan Alley – Nook
Create your own Ring of Power – or something like it, when you create your own silver ring, pendant or earrings in the Nook – one of a kind gift or precious personal memento of the festive days leading into the new year.
Artisan Alley – Reception
Check in here for workshops you’ve already booked, or see what’s still available for you to slip into. Please note that many classes fill up before the festival starts… you’re welcome to wander Artisan Alley to find the inspiration to book early for next year if you miss out on your desired class.
Artisan Alley – Rummage Room
With sewing machines, know-how and an abundance of ideas – not to mention a mountain of fabric, second-hand clothes, trimmings, trinkets and all manner of found items – the Rummage Queen, Carol Wilmot, and her fearless Rummage Royals will work with you to repair and renew your threads. Book into a workshop or drop in and use the machines to repair and revamp your items for free. Or if clothing isn’t your jam or you’re looking to pick up a new skill, Gayle Richens will teach you how to sew shopping bags, practice mindfulness in slow stitching, embroidery and home made skincare.
Artisan Alley – Story Line
Express yourself in the collaborative illustrative/word mashup/storytelling of zines, or just drop in to play and dream in a free-form creative space from TUES – SAT. On Sunday, you can explore wellbeing and voice, conflict and collaboration and stringed instrument maintenance with festival artists and friends.
Artisan Alley – The Loft
Join the maker’s community or expand your skills in this cozy, eco-friendly, felty, woolly good time workshop space for printing, drawing, carving, dyeing, and knot-tying.
Bazaar
From yoga to folkloric dance through to cultural dance parties every night, the Bazaar is the place to go to get physical – let’s hear your body talk. Start your day with moving meditation through yoga with live music from some of Australia’s leading teachers. Then, we clear the floor for a cavalcade of workshops – Egyptian, Bhangra, English, Flamenco, Balkan just to name a few! By night you can put your new steps and styles to use in community dance experiences, including our traditional annual Bush Dances. The Bazaar is guaranteed to have you swing, saunter, samba and salsa your way through your six days.
Bluestown
Nestled snugly into a natural amphitheatre and surrounded by tall trees, Bluestown welcomes the day with the annual tradition of the Poet’s Breakfast, takes you behind the scenes in conversation with blues and roots artists at the Blues Breakfast BBQ, and then slowly morphs into a hideaway dance shack to sweat it out with soloists, new bands, old bands, up and comings, and International superstars – it’s all brands of the Blues in this smokin’ hot venue, and home to a great bar, too.
Bob’s Bar
The closest that we’ll ever get to having a ‘backstage’ bar, Bob’s Bar (named in honour of our very good friend) occupies a tucked away corner of the site, but explodes with activity first thing at the blink of your bleary eye – from the morning yuk it up sessions, to special intimate sessions with a plethora of artists who’ve wandered in from across the programme. A fine place for a drink, eat and catch up with new and old friends, over entertainment. Each afternoon is punctuated with Upswing and Martin Pearson – raising spirits with songs of yesteryear!
Chelsea
Tricks, toys, and tons of fun, that’s what you can expect at the Chelsea, a play space for all with plenty of room inside or on the grassy greens. When it comes to hands-on circus skills, this pop up circus space is your place. Daytime workshops provide the opportunity to try tightwire, slack rope, hula hoops, clowning, aerials, masks, juggling, acrobatics and more – Woodfordians can sign up in the morning at Registration for the workshops that day.
Children’s – Big Paint
It’s Children’s Craft Central! This workshop hub is exploding with fun activities and things to make and do: fishnet bags, recycled purses, camp lighting, key-ring creation, tie-dying, physical drama play, magic, macrame, head-dresses and many more activities that turn nothing into a useful or wonderful something.
Children’s – Circus Lair
Kids become circus creatures when they collide with plate-spinning, diablo, acro-balancing, tightropes, cart-wheeling and juggling in the Circus Lair.
Children’s – Far Out
When we need lots of space and lots of air, we head outside – Far Outside! Here you’ll find an adventure playground like no other, ball games, gardening and a roving minstrel with daily riddles and wizard games.
Children’s – Mind Games
Explore the worlds of the frogs and birds, Mediterranean foods, chess, the ukulele and e-waste. The Children’s Festival also loves to settle in for the annual tradition of receiving sharing of the Jinibara language with traditional custodians, Uncle Noel Blair and family.
Children’s – Mish Mash
Specially programmed for the pre-school ages 1 to 4 years old and their parents/caregivers, this venue offers a swag of fun and simple workshops that will keep little fingers busy with bubbles, play-dough, dots, pom-poms, music and dance. Lovely sessions for connecting, relaxing and playing.
Children’s – Out There
It’s clay play for days Out There! Hours and hours of availability for drop in workshops where little fingers can get into muddy mischief.
Children’s – Puppet Joint
Pull a few strings and discover the Puppet Joint. Puppets of all persuasions are present for puppet making, puppet performance pranks and… puppet stuff! It’s a plethora of puppet pondering plus buzzy native bee sessions and wildlife storytelling. Perfecto!
Children’s – Stardust Theatre
Stardust Theatre presents the best of Children’s Festival – and the bigger festival! Dancing workshops, a circus extravaganza, Bollywood dance, a Children’s Comedy Gala, monkey puppetry and drumming, performances, family bush dances and eco-beat dance music… and a live international broadcast on New Year’s Eve with dirtgirlworld.
Cirque
If you’re wanting to wet your whistle and get yourself in the mood for a show at Cirque, this is the bar for you. Casually programmed with multitalented artists, you might arrive to find that the crew you’re catching up with over a drink is being soulfully serenaded or provided with whimsical theme music.
Cirque Bar
If you’re wanting to wet your whistle and get yourself in the mood for a show at Cirque, this is the bar for you. Casually programmed with multitalented artists, you might arrive to find that the crew you’re catching up with over a drink is being soulfully serenaded or provided with whimsical theme music.
Coopers Bar Folk Club
The Coopers Bar has been transformed into a listening room where you can gather in close for the best in folk, trad, roots and blues-influenced artists in their most intimate performances. It’s also the home of the reinvigorated Great Band Competitiont and interactive sessions on songwriting, sea shanties, and special events for poets and speakers.
Coopers Beergarden
The back room of the Coopers Bar – yes, the Beergarden – is generally open to anyone – but this year for the first time we’re playing scrabble. Join the Mad Scrabblers and, enjoy the leafy glade that seems to make the beer so much tastier.
Evergreens
This leafy glade is a-buzz with the energy of innovation and ideas, a hive of activity for the hopeful and the hypothetical, respectful and resolute, the critical and concerned, awake and aware. Amidst a fantastic programme of green and social ideas and issues, you can ask questions, network and swap knowledge and experience with community organisers, scientists, futurists, green innovators, musicians, comedians and all manner of experts. Learn something new, contribute to the important local and global conversations, and then relax with a few laughs at the Late Night Ever Grins comedy sessions.
Fire Event Amphitheatre
Our Amphitheatre is steeped in a rich history of celebration and ceremony, and this year exists solely for the continuation of one of Woodfordia’s most beloved traditions – the Fire Event. Make your open-hearted pilgrimage to the open-air bush cathedral to be part of the ritual and revelry on this first day of the New Year.
Halcyon
Before the Festival begins, this is the lively workers’ bar and kitchen, roots that are retained when the venue moves into its six day role as the hub of the Festival. Duck and dive into banjo, guitar, sweet harmony, the return of the Abba Singalong, Festival of Small Halls Homecoming and Departure and the ABC Radio National conversations… or just laze around in the cool new environs of this year’s transformation – you may see echoes of the past. Halcyon Days are here again!
Hilltop
The Hilltop is home to our tongue-in-cheek Hollywood style ‘Woodfordia’ sign and is a great place to retreat, relax and enjoy stunning views of the Glasshouse Mountains and get a different perspective of the Festival. Wake up to the sounds of silence as you experience yoga unplugged each morning. Sun rising, body moving gently to the flow. Make the annual pilgrimage along a winding lantern lit path to the Hilltop to enjoy the final sunset of the old year and renew your spirit as the inspiring New Year’s Sunrise Ceremony announces the dawn of the New Year over the crooked back of Mt Beerwah.
Jinibara Centre
The Jinibara people are the traditional custodians of the land Woodfordia is part of. You can enage with the culture, traditions and people of the Jinibara throughout the programme when elders and community members share knowledge through workshops, demonstrations and talks, and you can drop in here to learn more at your own pace.
Labyrinth
Robin Clayfield and her troupe of ceremony weavers, musicians and artists create a magical space to enjoy at your leisure or in community ceremony, with walking meditations or by receiving beautifully penned inspirations. Djuelu the Village Scribe can capture your musings, and beautiful music may accompany those wandering the Labyrinth in their own time.
Lake Gkula
Lake Gkula is a beautiful conservation and recreation lake – chemical free and using all-natural water filtration systems to deliver a safe habitat for wildlife and people alike.
Named after one of the Jinibara’s principal spokespersons, Uncle Noel Blair, Lake Gkula honours the region’s traditional owners, the Jinibara people. A much-loved and influential figure in the Woodfordian community, Noel’s indigenous name is Gkula, which means ‘Koala’.
The lake is abundant with fish and plant life and is home to over 16 species of native fish and crustaceans and over 8,000 plants, including native water lilies. The up-flow wetland filtration system creates habitat for beneficial bacteria and micro-organisms, which create healthy stable conditions and keep pathogens at bay. Powerful pumps and nano-bubble technology maintain a constant water flow and high levels of oxygen, directing it through the wetlands, which purify the water like kidneys. To maintain the ecology of the lake, all bathers will need to remove any chemicals (i.e. sunscreen, cosmetics, wound treatments) unless they are. The Lake is open for swimming from 6:00AM until 6.30PM daily.
Lettering House
Since its humble beginnings in Artisania in 2013, The Lettering House has awoken a thundering passion for the hand-written word. Letter writers and receivers flood this space daily to experience this one-of-a-kind postal service. The Lettering House opens its doors daily, providing stationary with a twist, some sturdy desks and a typewriter or two. Postage is free for all onsite missives or $2 to post offsite. Please note that the postal service does its best to deliver every letter, but cannot guarantee delivery on site, especially after SAT afternoon. All letters must be collected by 5:00PM on SUN, or they are consigned to the flames…
HOURS OF OPERATION: TUES – SAT 9:00AM – 10:00PM, and until 5:00PM on SUN for collection
Library of the Leaves
All borrowers are welcome, with no membership required. Simply grab a book from this leafy ‘multi-story’ ramshackle collection of lovingly handpicked books, from the weird to the wonderful and wander out to a shady spot on Chill Hill. Once you’re ready to rejoin the festival, return the book for others to enjoy.
Luna
We’re in a new moon as the festival begins, and the growing light of this celestial orb illuminates human truth, music and beauty in this dazzling venue. Concerts for listening, gigs for dancing, comedy for chuckling, important discussions and daily discoveries, as well as the Festival Director’s report on the final day. There’s something for everyone here, and you’ll fall under the spell of La Luna while time stands still for a cool little while, as the buzz continues around you.
Museum of Interactive Effigies
Always more than a stall, The Squeaking Tribe is a touring gallery of strange innovation and visionary tribute, an immersive museum to be uncovered and explored. Sara and Sol will take you on a guided tour through their unique world, including individual exhibits of specific works alongside the hundreds of classic designs which have evolved since their humble origins, introducing you to the various intricacies of puppet-making, the histories of storytelling and character design and the determination/passion it takes to follow your dreams.
Mystery Bus
Festival patrons who love travel shouldn’t miss the latest example of technology and service by the Mystery Bus organised by the WCC (Woodfordia City Council). Numbers are restricted. Queue in an orderly fashion under the conductory of the WCC’s highly trained… conductors. There will be performances to calm the nerves of those game enough for the trip. Buses depart every 15 minutes. And remember… what happens on the bus, stays on the bus!
Parlour
With its red velvet curtains and ol’ school vaudeville vibes, The Parlour shines a spotlight on simmering circus, comedy, music, theatre, dance and cabaret. Come early to learn a thing or two from one of our workshops and stay late to learn a thing or two with our cheeky late night cabarets. Abundant with sass, glitz, giggles and glamour, the Parlour is the place to get your fancybone tickled.
Pineapple Lounge
Sounds like fake news but the Pineapple Lounge and her adorable twin, Shampine, were born over a decade ago, this festival. Joined at, by and for the hip, our legendary duo celebrates double figures with a unique nightly double-act: a shape-shifting Pineapple house-band carving out fresh-cut grooves and later (until much later) Woodfordia’s only DJ spinning his juicy hip-swivelling set.
Pond
A place for ceremony and reflection (literally), the Pond is home to four nights of a spectacular show from 7.30PM – 8.00PM. It’s also the place where our Festival Bell tolls to commence the 3 Minutes of Silence.
Streets
The streets of Woodfordia belong to all of us – perusing the craft stalls for treasures from other lands, becoming spellbound by surreal street characters and fantastical parades or sitting down to a meal from the many stalls offering mouth-watering healthy or indulgent foods. The Streets are one of the most wonderful ways to feel the effects of the 3 Minutes of Silence. Through the clamour of the bars, the ring of guitars, the shuffle of feet, and bustle of the street, Woodford’s living symphony is created every day.
The Craic
‘The craic’ translates as ‘fun, enjoyment, a great time’. Sessions at The Craic are the place to be for serious foot-tapping fun! Trad tunes, songs, sea shanties, ukulele jams, trad learning sessions. Irish, Scottish, Bluegrass, Old Time, Anglo Australian pioneering traditions, Italian – there’s something for everyone with music from morning till the wee hours! Bring your instrument or voice, pull up a seat, play, sing, dance or listen – that’s how to join the craic!
The Mill
Let the circle be unbroken when you learn and connect from artists carrying workshops in the spirit of Tradition. Daily clinics with Andrew Clermont finish off days full of intermediate no cost instruction on fiddle, bodhran, guitar, whistle and mandolin as part of our Music Camp, as well as individual one off sessions in AUSLAN, didgeridoo, performing poetry and more. Leave the festival armed with the basics in a new instrument or built skills on an old favourite.
The Nest
Here, beautiful traditional weaving styles are displayed in ways that encourage you to sit, breathe and enjoy the process of creation.
Village Green
Shaded by mature hoop pines and overlooking Clyde’s Pond, the Village Green is the heart of the Festival. Flow to the movement of Traditional Dance, Tai Chi and yoga with live music daily as you breathe in fresh air. Enjoy the festival site as it wakes up for the day and settles in for the evening. With activities taking place throughout the day, the Green is also a great hang out for families, with area to enjoy a picnic lunch or have a snooze. Nights are given over to a feature show on the Pond, and then, left to chance.
