Festival brings mystery and magic to Maldon

HISTORY buffs and supernaturalists alike are sure to find something of interest at the upcoming Goldfields Gothic Festival to be held in Maldon early next month.

Now in its second year, the festival has gained local popularity, attracting artists, academics, and speakers from around the Goldfields region.

Ballarat based historians Dr David Waldron and Dr Jo Clyne will be hosting a late-night magic show and lecture on the techniques used by magicians in the 19th century.

“It’s going to be like a demonstration lecture on 19th century spiritualism and seances,” Dr Waldron said.

“Jo’s going to demonstrate the slight of hands tricks and magical effects that people used to use to levitate tables and produce ectoplasm.”

The appeal of the festival for many involved lies in the open invitation it holds for discussion of themes that are often considered taboo.

Bendigo locals Bec Gallagher and Caitlin Epps, also known as The Loss Mothers, will be participating in Saturday panel discussion called grave affairs.

The sisters produce a podcast that encourages mothers to speak out after the loss of their children.

Ms Gallagher said she wanted people to come away from the panel knowing that talking about loss is okay.

“Everyone experiences it, but no one wants to talk about it,” she said.

But the festival is not just for those interested in the macabre and coordinator Michelle Dorian said there are plenty of lively events too.

There will be magic displays, cabaret, bird walks, gin tastings and on Sunday, a family-friendly picnic where people and pets are invited to dress up.

“You don’t have to be goth to come to the Goldfields Gothic Festival and that’s actually a beautiful thing,” Ms Dorian said.

“Goths are generally really friendly, welcoming and you don’t even need to wear black!”

The Goldfields Gothic Festival is set for 4 to 6 August and more information on events and tickets head to goldfieldsgothic.com.