The Original Guide to What’s On in Perth & Western Australia

Hosting over 100 talented emerging Aboriginal artists, the galleries will brim with contemporary work, fresh from the studios of WA’s Aboriginal Art Centres and independent artists. Not to be missed, the exhibition will open with a very special performance by the Red Sand Beat Band, who are travelling here from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Their laidback reggae desert beats and lyrics tell stories of their homelands, daily life and keeping culture strong. Revealed is an annual exhibition which provides an important platform for emerging WA Aboriginal artists to connect with new audiences. Come along and be immersed in Aboriginal culture and art and support the next generation of artists. All artworks in the exhibition are for sale. Visit https://www.fac.org.au/whats-on/post/revealed-wa-aboriginal-art-market-2021-online-event/ to view the full list of exhibiting artists.

The creative vision of new Australian music for the guitar is one that is expansive and poetic, adapting to the inspiring vistas of our picturesque landscapes and the oddities of our unique natural environment. This event combines performances of new and recent Australian guitar works with readings of poems by acclaimed poet Glen Phillips – a poet renowned for his expressive depictions of uniquely Western Australian settings. Works include guitar solos and chamber works performed by WAAPA students, staff and selected special guest artists. Music Director: Jonathan Paget Performed by: Guitar students and staff with Glen Philips and guest artists

Composed for the renowned jazz clarinettist Benny Goodman, the work showcases Latin-American rhythms and a virtuosic cadenza. This modern American beauty complements Tchaikovsky’s romantic String Sextet ‘Souvenir de Florence’, written as a tribute to the composer’s favourite European city, plus other string chamber gems. Music Director: Paul Wright Performed by: String Camerata with Philip Everall

Taste some traditional bush food with Dale and listen to stories from decades past about indigenous farming methods and the history of the Noongar peoples from this ancient land. We start the day with a glass of sparkling wine in Cellar Door whilst one of our wine educators run you through the interesting history of Mandoon Estate. Did you know that The Wadjuk had lived in “Man-done” - a woodland or place of tree thickets - and harvested the wealth of this valley for thousands of years?

With a large lineup of incredible wines, beers, cider, cocktails and delicious food from our extraordinary state, there will be something for everyone’s palate! Grab yourself a beverage, chill to local music artists and DJs from the entertainment stage and keep yourself warm with plenty of heaters and cover.

Feeling fancy? Treat yourself with a Park Lounge ticket, it’s an exclusive lounge retreat with Bunkers Wines, beer and food included! 

No matter your preference, get your tickets to Perth’s Winter Wine Festival, support the local makers and have the best night out with friends! Cashless is preferred for the stallholders so bring your card. Children under 18 are free, with a guardian.

Brassed Off returns for 2021 with an exciting foray into New Orleans funk. This concert showcases contemporary pop songs with a funky brass flavour that is guaranteed to get you moving. Featuring the full gamut of brass instruments, from sousaphone to pocket trumpet, this will be an epic adventure – don’t miss out! Music Director: Jeremy Greig Performed by: Jazz Brass students, staff and community

Take a musical meditation through the seasons with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble as they perform Symphony No. 1, Leunig’s Prayer Book by Australian composer Jodie Blackshaw, inspired by poet Michael Leunig's four prayers. The concert also features Scenes from the Louvre by award-winning composer Norman Dello Joio, a five-movement suite for band that traces the 7.30pm history of the world's most famous museum through Renaissance-era inspired music. Music Director: Philip Everall Performed by: Symphonic Wind Ensemble

New writing, ranging in content from intimate storytelling, to dynamic physical theatre, this program draws on all elements of their training at one of Australia's most acclaimed performing arts training conservatoires. Expect short, sharp, contemporary reflections of who we are right now and who we could be years from now.

Brazilian music first entered popular culture with Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luis Bonfa’s songs in the 1960’s film Black Orpheus. Suddenly, bossa nova was the new groove and Brazilian music soon blended with jazz and popular styles to take on a life of its own. Modern composers such as Djavan, Milton Nascimento, Egberto Gismonte, Se´rgio Mendes and Ivan Lins became stars in Brazil but largely remained unknown to the rest of the world. This concert is a celebration of these musicians and the incredible array of rhythms, songs and sounds from this part of the world. Music Director: Chris Tarr Performed by: Brazilian Ensemble

Journey to Thomson Bay and settle in as Walter shares traditional Dreamtime stories that tell of the moon and the stars, beneath the backdrop of a beautiful night sky. The evening will start at 5:15pm with a Welcome to Country, followed by a traditional Sand or Water Ceremony at the ocean’s edge to honour and pay respect to the Noongar Ancestors before the storytelling begins. Then Djindoon Djenung, look to the stars, to explore the night sky with Walter’s guidance and insight into Aboriginal astronomy and culture. Your evening concludes with a smoking ceremony, said to bring blessings, healing and connection to country. All are welcome to attend the free events, however, to ensure a COVID Safe event you must book your ticket to attend as capacity is limited. Make a day of it and arrive early prior to the event and return on a late departure at 7:15pm to Fremantle with Rottnest Express.

Still miss travelling? Come join us for the best alternative – beautiful piano music! Be taken on an adventure of evocative musical scenes and exotic sounds through the vast repertoire of the modern piano. Led by Anna Sleptsova, the talented students and staff of WAAPA's piano department will present 'postcards' from a fascinating musical journey. Music Director: Anna Sleptsova Performed by: Classical Piano students and staff

Presented by Perth Symphony Orchestra & StoryBoard Entertainment. Featuring Logie-nominated and recent star of CHICAGO Natalie Bassingwaighte; Aria chart-topping vocalist Paulini, New York Metropolitan Opera singer Alexander Lewis; semi-finalist in The Voice 2020 Mark Furze; musical theatre favourite Rob Mills; opera singer Eddie Muliaumaseali'l, and mustical theatre all-rounder Brittanie Shipway, with backing by twenty-five professional musicians from Perth Symphony Orchestra.

Set during the Cold War, two of the world's greatest chess players, one American, one Russian, find themselves pawns of their governments sparring in the turbulent East-West political arena. As the game climaxes and stakes rise, Florence Vassey, as Hungarian-born refugee is caught between the two grandmasters, in a triangle of both love and power.

Featuring iconic music of Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus (ABBA) with book & lyrics by Tim Rice, the worldwide stage hit Chess The Musical will be presented as a semi-staged concert style production featuring smash-hits 'I Know Him So Well' and 'One Night In Bangkok'. Directed by Tyran Parke this powerful new production of Chess The Musical will be the music theatre event of 2021 that cannot be missed!

Please note this is a semi-staged performance

Presented by Palace in associated with Luna Palace, the German Film Festival will screen the best new films from Germany showcasing Festival favourites, works of auteurs and the best new talent. This year's programme, presented in association with German Films, will screen from 3 - 20 June at the following Perth venues: Luna Leederville Luna on SX Palace Raine Square German Film Festival Spokesperson Bettina Kinski said, "We're truly excited to return to screens with the latest in German Cinema, something we sadly missed in 2020. The Festival will be a great opportunity for people interested in German language films and culture to reunite and reconnect - and we look forward to welcoming them." At the Centrepiece of the Festival programme is FABIAN: GOING TO THE DOGS (Fabian oder Der Gang vor die Hunde). Straight from its world premiere at the 2021 Berlinale, Dominik Graf's adaptation of Erich Kästner's iconic 1930's Berlin set novel, sees a dashing idealist played by Tom Schilling find love amidst the twilight hedonism of pre-Nazi Germany.

James Berlyn, Artistic Director of WA Youth Theatre Company, devises a new work that celebrates the human capacity for adaptive resilience, set to original music by composer and WAAPA graduate Tristen Parr. Dancer/choreographer and LINK graduate Bernadette Lewis comes full circle to create a new work that explores dance as ecology, as community, as culture. This stunning double bill of contemporary dance showcases WAAPA’s graduate dance company at their very best. Choreography by: James Berlyn and Bernadette Lewis Performed by: LINK Dance Company

During the festival, Fremantle comes alive with music, events, workshops, tours, activities and awards that connect locals and visitors to the city through its rich history. Discover, reacquaint and immerse yourself in the heritage of this unique port city.

The West Australian Ballet company brings the 178-year-old tale of impossible love, vengeful ghosts and ultimate forgiveness, Giselle to His Majesty's Theatre. Choreographed by Aurélien Scannella and Sandy Delasalle, the West Australian Ballet company presents stunning classical costumes, featuring the West Australian Symphony Orchestra emerging the audience in the classic story. The duration of the Ballet is two hours and 15 minutes, including intermission and is recommended for an audience of four years of age and over, with tickets ranging from $28 to $145.

From America’s most produced and popular living playwright, Lauren Gunderson, comes the WA premiere of the award-winning I and You. Caroline (Sophia Forrest) hasn’t been at school for months – sick at home, she’s trapped in her bedroom with only Facebook, Twitter and Insta for company. When classmate Anthony (Darius Williams) arrives unexpectedly, spouting Walt Whitman’s 'Leaves of Grass' and brandishing an unfinished English Lit project he urgently needs her help with, she is less than impressed and rejects this intrusion into her damaged life. As they come together and reveal themselves through Whitman’s electric poetry and over waffle fries, they discover a connection far deeper than either of them could ever have imagined. Directed by Kate Cherry.

Written by Nick Payne and directed by Brendan Ellis at Melville Theatre, Incognito explores the brain, memory and self and asks if our brains play games, tricking us to believe different things at various times. Three mysterious storylines involve the theft of Albert Einstein’s brain, a man who has lived the same day for 60 years and a modern woman who has come to a crossroads in the middle of her life. Incognito plays at 8pm May 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 with a 2pm matinee May 16. Tickets are $23, $18 concession – book at www.TAZTix.com.au. Melville Theatre is at 393A Canning Highway (corner of Stock Road), Palmyra.

An ode to migrant motherhood. Science experiments meet spoken word poetry, as Dureshawar Khan weaves a rich tapestry of experiences punctuating the journey of brown womanhood and the lessons lovingly passed down from mother to daughter. Told in both English and Pashto, MoR is a love letter to every person we’ve ever called mum.

Get ready to shake your groove thing as the iconic musical Priscilla Queen Of The Desert pulls into Crown Theatre.

Based on the Oscar® award-winning film, Priscilla tells the funny and moving story of three drag artists who head across Australia from Sydney to Alice Springs to perform their spectacular show. Tick (Mitzi), Adam (Felicia) and Bernadette make their own personal journeys of self-discovery as they cross the country in a battered old bus named Priscilla.

Featuring hit songs, It’s Raining Men, Don’t Leave Me This Way, I Will Survive, I Love The Nightlife and many more.

Priscilla has been seen by over 6 million fans worldwide and continues to dazzle audiences across the globe.
 
Don’t miss the bus! 

How will we act, now, when the world seems to be ending? Three of Western Australia’s most cherished and revered actors join forces in a provocative new drama set to make its WA premiere at Burt Hall 8-29 May. Jenny Davis, Vivienne Garret and Andrew Lewis bring this powerful play to life to reflect on the big questions of responsibility and the impact of human activity on the planet. In an idyllic cottage on the British coast, two retired nuclear scientists, Hazel (Jenny Davis) and Robin (Andrew Lewis), are enjoying the quiet life. Apart from the electricity rationing, daily radiation warnings and coastal erosion, everything with them is fine. Around them however, the world is in chaos, with the fallout of a nuclear power plant meltdown threatening their very existence. When old friend and colleague Rose (Vivienne Garrett) arrives unexpectedly, their future and past lives collide as they debate the present and the challenges they face. Directed by Stuart Halusz.

The South African Film Festival (SAFF) will be screening online from 12 to 24 May. The Festival will present an engaging program featuring nine documentaries, five features and two short films, including South Africa’s Oscar submission Toorbos. All ticket proceeds go to supporting Education without Borders programs that assist young vulnerable South Africans in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities. Tickets are available at www.saff.org.au, starting from $8.00.

Things aren’t great for Arthur and Penelope. Their dad’s dead, the Cold War’s bumming everyone out, and their mum’s new boyfriend is a drip. A ‘family’ holiday to Dunsbridge is the last thing they want. But when an alien with mysterious powers crashes into their beach house, Penelope sees an opportunity to finally get what she wants – and take revenge on everyone who’s wronged them. A gleefully twisted mash up of E.T. and Mary Poppins, this coming-of-age schlockbuster asks what we really need to feel happy. A team of Perth’s favourite hit-makers brings this unhinged musical to life with puppets and preposterousness. With eighties-tastic songs that will lodge in your brain like a parasite, this big-hearted show promises even bigger laughs. Come for the ride and find out who survives… THE SUMMER OF OUR LIVES! “Razor-sharp and irresistible” (The West Australian – Dr Felicity Rickshaw’s Celebrity Sex Party) “Jaw-achingly funny.” (Perth Theatre Reviews – The Jones/Woods Holiday Special)

The official stage adaptation of The Vicar of Dibley makes its West Australian debut at the Koorliny Arts Centre this May. Adapted by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter from the original 1990s TV series by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, the script spans the first two seasons with some later references thrown in. The story follows the arrival and adventures of a new female vicar in a small English country town, finishing with the wedding of Hugo and Alice. Kelly Salathiel is directing the show for Laughing Horse Productions. The Vicar of Dibley plays 7.30pm May 14, 15, 21 and 22 with 2pm matinees May 15 and 22. Tickets are $25, $23 concession – book at https://koorliny.com.au/the-vicar-of-dibley/ The Koorliny Arts Centre is at 10 Hutchins Way, Kwinana.