Love Freo

If there’s anything like ‘contemporary classical music’, this is what some of WA’s finest musicians are going to perform tomorrow night in Fremantle Arts Centre’s Inner Courtyard as part of this year’s Perth Festival. Expect two grand pianos being played in the main gallery, while the audience listens from outside, beautiful sounds that will echo around the gothic walls and works by recent composers like Steve Reich, Andy Akiho, Osvaldo Golijov, and more. For more info see the Festival’s website.

Perth Festival
Soft Soft Loud | The Americas
Sunday 12 February 2012
7:30pm (gates open at 7pm)
Fremantle Arts Centre

Are you a sucker for good design, buy a wine just because you love the label or a book for it’s great cover? Same with this poster – it makes me want to go to the gig, just because I love its seventies movie poster look. Besides that, it sounds like a fun night too:

BREAKER BREAKER ten-four, anybody got there ears on out there? Get your 18 wheels rolling down to the Fly for the Truckers & Trailer Trash Ball! Yes sir-ee, were going back to the good ol’ times when men (and women) didn’t shave,  rock music actually rocked,  and we’re pretty sure it was summer all year round… We got a bunch of real cowboys running together for this special night… The Devil Rides Out, Chainsaw Hookers, The Dirty South & Guns Of August will keep your noise between the ditches and smokey out of your britches. You better not be running a fat load ‘cause there’s a Saloon Bar Shoot-Out in the Fly Trap! and Budweiser & Jack Daniels drink specials all night long. So grab your other half and put one foot on the floor,  one hanging out the door,  until she just won’t do no more. Dress to impress * Trucker * Trashy * Cowboy * Cowgirl * and be in the running for smokin’ hot prizes.

The Truckers & Trailer Trash Ball
24 March 2012, from 7:30pm
Fly By Night Club
Parry Street, Fremantle

It’s been almost a year since The Queen Mary II came to Fremantle and if you remember quite a few people showed up to welcome her to WA.

Early birds can watch her come in to dock at 7.15 am this Wednesday the 8th of February. She’s an impressively big ship and it’s a bit of a sight to see the tugs turning her bulk around in the port before her departure. 774 passengers are rostered to come ashore so expect a few more people around town. If you miss her in the morning you can wave her bon voyage at 5.00pm the same day.

We got a bit of a surprise when we went down to Bathers Beach last night to watch the fireworks… People, so many people. We walked past the Esplanade along the Mews road down by the harbour and on to the beach at the boardwalk ramp. Everywhere was busy despite the heat (35° at 8pm) and there was a great atmosphere as folks set up camp with blankets and Eskys. Last year I remember wishing I brought a blanket it was that cold.

The firework barge looked a lot closer than 300 metres away and the clouds from the approaching storm made for a really nice sunset before the real show began. City of Fremantle and Cockburn nice work looking forward to next year.

It’s happening, 10am Saturday, January 21st.

Galati & Sons of Wray Avenue are cutting the giant auricchio provolone cheese that has been patiently resting in their store for the last few months.

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The largest Australia day fireworks display over the Indian Ocean ever.

“Fremantle’s Australia Day celebration is definitely a major highlight and attracts big crowds both during the day and of course for the fireworks display, which will this year be bigger and better than ever.” Brad Pettitt. 

You said it Brad.

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Rio is coming to Freo

Fremantle Carnevale is only a month away – just enough time to get your costumes ready. Following the rich tradition of carnivals around the world, the program sounds awesome – opening night celebration, cabaret, events for kids, costume ball, carnival rally, Mardi Gras, photo and art exhibitions, … lots of fun is to be had. More info on Fremantle Carnevale’s website.

Fremantle Carnevale
10-21 February 2012
at Kulcha and in the streets and cafes of Freo

We’re really excited about Origins Popup Cafe and Feast Your Eyes Gallery Space – all the coffees we’re going to have and art we’re going to see there this year. Starting with the exhibition opening of local artist Sarana Haeata’s first solo exhibition ‘The Show’, this Friday 6 January 6–8pm.

Just before Christmas Wonderland, the ‘Tea Party of the Year’, is coming to Freo. Start the evening in style if you’re friends with the lucky person who won the pre-party (3 party buses, massive house party with lots of girls, ticking boxes everywhere including a live 30 minute set by Strange Talk in their backyard). Then head to Freo Arts Centre for a night with Cut Copy, Sparkadia, Bag Raiders dj, Tim & Jean and Strange Talk. Later find your way to Villa for the Metric Christmas Party (official after party) on free buses. Wonderland’s forecast for Friday: Sunny, 33 with chances of awesome spells specifically around the Fremantle Arts Centre area.

There is a place. Like no place on earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter. Which luckily, we all are!

Wonderland at Fremantle Arts Centre
Friday 23 December
Gates open at 5.30pm
Tickets available through Heatseeker
and Fremantle Arts Centre (the biggest castle in Fremantle)

I nearly hit a camera crew as I reversed out my driveway yesterday morning. They were parking their van on a side road while they got some footage of hundreds of Santas running pell-mell down Marine Terrace. Go Santas.

That's the camera man in the blue on the right... getting some worm's eye view footage.