FIRE and ice, light and art, food and drink… it’s all happening at Mirboo North during the 2023 Winterfest, over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6.
And while that’s the big weekend for festival activities, preparations start in earnest next Saturday, July 22 with the first of the ‘Lantern Workshops’.
Join festival organisers at the Grainstore with Ritual Artist, Margie Mackay, for a day of making to prepare for the Ridgway Lantern Parade. Margie will be on hand to offer guidance and assistance in making a lantern for the parade or to come up with some ideas to dress up on the day. All materials provided.
The Lantern Workshops are on Saturday, July 22 and Saturday, July 29, 2023.
The lantern building goes ahead of the ‘Ridgway Lantern Parade’ on Saturday, August 5.
The Lantern Parade will see Ridgway transformed into a trail of light from beautiful handmade lanterns and professional lanterns made by locals and visitors alike. The parade will begin at 5.45pm next to The Grainstore and be led by Asanti Dance Theatre.
Saturday, August 5 features a day is full of festival vibes with food stalls operating throughout the afternoon and evening. There are workshops during the afternoon and entertainment for the whole family including the Ridgway Lantern Parade at dusk.
For foodies, festival organisers have the brief of creating the perfect winter feast and if the past few years is anything to go by, there’s food from corner of the world.
The Sunday is all about the Artisans Market complimented by creative and performative workshops and Artcube browsing. Relaxing in the Tipi with a delicious lunch or a wintry morning tea.
Among other activities are the following:
- Intuitive Abstract Art With Kate Biggs: Join Kate Biggs and learn how to create your own beautiful abstract artwork that is full of your own unique energy and essence. Aug 5, 2023.
- Winterfest Photo Booth: A vibrant and interactive experience inviting subjects to unleash their creativity and immerse themselves in a world of spontaneity, joy and the winter spirit. Photos will be available after the event for you to download and keep. Grab your friends and fam and have some fun. Aug 5, 2023 – Aug 6, 2023.
- Drumming Workshop With Asanti Dance Theatre: Join in the drum workshops and experience the joy of West African culture with Appiah from Asanti Dance Theatre. Aug 5, 2023
- Weaving With The Everyday Makers: You will begin a beautiful woven wall hanging and have enough know-how to continue with this mindful craft at home. Aug 5, 2023.
- African Dance Workshop With Asanti Dance Theatre: Join in the dance workshops and experience the joy of West African culture with Appiah from Asanti Dance Theatre. Aug 5, 2023.
- Fire Twirler: David Leach uses a combination of circus arts, fire twirling and magic to warm up the crowd and atmosphere in the heart of the Winterfest. Catch our fire twirler in the Ridgway Lantern Parade and afterwards for his solo show. Aug 5, 2023
- Artisan Market: The Sunday is all about the Artisans Market complimented by creative and performormative workshops and Artcube browsing. Relaxing in the Tipi with a delicious lunch or a wintry morning tea. Aug 6, 2023.
- Modern Stitching With Amy Kallissa: In this workshop, Amy will teach you the few simple stitches you’ll need to know to embroider a “stick & stitch” design onto a ready-made tote; it’s just like colouring, but with needle and thread! Aug 6, 2023.
- Winterfest Dance Workshop With Gilbert Douglas: A one hour workshop to get your body moving with Gilbert Douglas. Aug 6, 2023.
- Shadow Puppet Making Workshop With Margie Mackay: A two hour workshop teaching the basics of shadow puppet making - including creating a performance by attendees for family & friends. Aug 6, 2023
- Sunday Lunch With Trulli In The Tipi: Enjoy a Cucina Povera-style lunch of humble southern Italian fare in an exclusive lunch at Mirboo North Winterfest. Four delicious courses of antipasto, pasta dishes, famous Trulli fire-cooked meats and delicious Italian desserts to bring you the Sunday lunch of your Italian dreams. Aug 6, 2023.
- Carve & Create: Woodblock Printing With Olivia O'Connor: Join Olivia for this immersive and enriching woodblock carving workshop, where you can tap into your artistic potential and experience the satisfaction of transforming a simple piece of wood into a work of art. Aug 6, 2023.
