Woodford’s more than just a festival

It’s time to peruse the program and plan your visit to Woodford Folk Festival. Don’t be surprised if you decide you need more than one day to truly take in the unique Woodford experience

Singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke will be performing at Woodford Folk Festival. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer

IF YOU haven’t already grabbed tickets to this year’s Woodford Folk Festival, there’s still time to be part of the event, which will present more than 1600 shows on 25 stages.

Head of programming Chloe Goodyear says it’s the culmination of nearly one year’s work for the festival’s dedicated team.

“The program is a collection of performances, workshops, talks, and experiences that celebrate who we are, examine the issues we’re facing as a global and local community, and inspire us to move forward together,” Chloe says.

The six-day event, from December 27 to January 1, strives to be more than just a “festival”.

“It is a coming together of souls; a bubbling cauldron of expression and creativity; an exploration of our cultures and a celebration of a compassionate community,” Chloe says.

While 65 per cent of the program is made up of new-to-the-festival artists and presenters, it also features much-loved returnees such as Kate Miller-Heidke, Harry Manx, Electric Fields, and Archie Roach in his first shows with Paul Grabrowsky for his Tell Me Why memoir and accompanying album.

Archie Roach will appear at Woodford Folk Festival.

And there are some big names on the 100-plus program of speakers and panel discussions, including Dr Karl Kruszelnicki; the ABC’s Leigh Sales interviewing Australian music industry giant Michael Gudinski; and journalist Kerry O’Brien with Noel Pearson.

For those with a penchant for the wonderfully weird, Woodford Folk Festival presents a circus and cabaret program full of debauchery and dizzying theatrics.

Organisers have refined the visitor experience for those just coming for the day and season campers. Internal transport and traffic arrangements have been upgraded to reduce entry time, and create more space for campers and safer pedestrian corridors.

“Festivals are as old as our species and vital to our evolutionary being. They are the birthplace of commerce; the genesis of innovation and they help contribute to a humane and progressive society. Woodford Folk Festival aspires to be one of those,” says Festival director Bill Hauritz.

The festival theme, Imagining a Beautiful Future, aims to counteract negative rhetoric surrounding the future of the world.

“We don’t want to inspire false hope, but together, if we can imagine a brighter, more promising future, we’ll make one,” Bill says.

Fat Picnic will be performing at Woodford Folk Festival 2019/20.

WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL

What: Six-day festival of music, performances, talks, workshops and experiences

When: December 27-January 1

Where: Woodfordia, 87 Woodrow Rd, Woodford

Tickets: woodfordfolkfestival.com/tickets