Begin the week with a serene guided nature walk and end it abuzz with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Post Malone concert. In between, celebrate the opening of the Perth Festival or head back to the 70s at an ABBA symphonic.
Here’s where the action is happening in Perth this week.
Tuesday, February 7th
Bold Park Guided Walk
Bunuru, the Noongar word for ‘second summer’, spans February and March and is marked by a change in which trees are in flower. The bright yellows of the banksia flowers give way to the oranges of the acorn banksia, and the marri trees bloom white, attracting and feeding a range of pollinating insects. It’s also the hottest time of the year, with little to no rain.
You can see these changes within the bushland at Bold Park on a walk led by the Friends of Bold Park Bushland guides. It departs the WA Ecology Centre on Perry Lakes Drive at 6:00 pm and will finish around 7:30 pm.
Wednesday, February 8th
Perth Moves
Bust a move with Perth Moves Strut Dance when they take over the State Theatre Centre courtyard and turn it into a hub of dance activity.
Experience some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s finest dance artists performing 10 Duets on a Theme of Rescue. Choreographed by Crystal Pite, these duets are on twice a night.
Take to the dance floor yourself in a contemporary dance class, dance battle, or late-night salsa.
Thursday, February 9th
2023 Valentine’s Concert – ABBA Symphonic
Attention dancing queens (and kings): head back in time to relive the music of one the 70s most celebrated icons — ABBA — at the picturesque grounds of Joondalup Resort.
Perth Symphony Orchestra will be performing dazzling renditions of ABBA’s greatest hits at the annual Valentine’s Concert, accompanied by the powerhouse vocals of Annie Skates and Emma Kershaw, direct from the UK.
The concert will run from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm, with gates open from 5:00 pm. Grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks on-site, or bring along a picnic.
Friday, February 10th
Perth Festival
Australia’s longest-running arts festival, Perth Festival, kicks off this week, bringing world-class performances, dance, music, film, visual arts, and literary events to the people of Perth.
Running from February 10th to March 5th, this year’s festival theme is Djinda (‘stars’ in the Noongar language). It opens with an immersive 30-minute light show, linking the Dreamtime story of Djoondal — the spirit woman with long white hair who created the Milky Way — with the beauty of Lake Joondalup and its natural surroundings.
Cowboy Junkies
Canadian alternative-country band Cowboy Junkies hadn’t graced Australian and New Zealand shores for 20 years. Now, they’re in Perth on the last leg of their Australia-wide tour. They’ve got a discography that spans more than 30 years, so expect to hear anything from ‘Sweet Jane’ and ‘Helpless’, to ‘I Don’t Get It’.
Raft Winery Series
Board Perth’s purpose-built floating bar and eatery, The Raft, for an unforgettable culinary voyage on the Swan River.
Chef Nigel Samuel will be in the kitchen, pairing fresh West Australian produce with some of the more exciting drops from LS Merchants’ alternative wine range. Host David Berry (Outlander and A Place To Call Home) and LS Merchants representative Fabian Haegele will be guiding guests through the evening. It’ll be a sumptuous night with pairings like Abrolhos scallop with a sparkling Piquette and Wagyu striploin with Sangiovese.
Saturday, February 11th
Qigong Getaway At Rottnest Island
Spend the day at Wadjemup / Rottnest Island, working on your spiritual growth with a Qigong getaway at Rottnest Island.
Suitable for both beginners and intermediates, Qigong combines meditation, slow-flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and a calm mind. The getaway is a one-day excursion in which you can participate in two or three classes. Opt for the three classes, and you’ll need to book overnight accommodation to make the sunrise class overlooking the beach.
In the downtime between sessions, swim at the beach, grab a famed pie from the bakery, or bike the island.
Ashford Park Valentine’s Market
Find a gift for your special someone at the Ashford Park Valentine’s Market. Showcasing a range of family-friendly food and retail vendors, all products are handmade in Western Australia.
Wares include handmade jewellery, local produce, art, fashion, and plants. From 8:00 am to 10:00 am, there will be free community wellness classes and face painting throughout the day.
The markets are supporting the charitable foundation, Bicycles for Humanity Western Australia.
The Sweet Caroline Tour: A Tribute To Neil Diamond
Bring your best singing voice and pay homage to one of the world’s most loved and lauded artists at The Sweet Caroline Tour: A Tribute to Neil Diamond. The show has been produced especially for the theatre, reimagining the well-loved classics ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Holly Holy’, ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’, and more.
A Night On Bay View
Settle in for a night of music under the stars with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s (WASO) outdoor concert at Claremont Park.
The program is heavy with nostalgic film scores and classics, brought to life by the melodic voice of internationally-renowned tenor Paul O’Neill. Grab a bite at one of the food vendors — Chips on a Stick, Tikka Tango, Base Woodfired Pizza, and Baolicious — or pack your own grazing board.
Sunday, February 12th
Laneway Festival
Laneway Festival heads to Wellington Square this Sunday bringing a blockbuster line-up. Enjoy a day dancing in the sun to Haim, Joji, The Jungle Giants, and Mallrat tunes.
Gates open at 11:30 am, with performances running from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm.
Red Hot Chili Peppers With Post Malone
The Red Hot Chili Peppers will lift the roof off Optus Stadium in the finale of their Australian tour.
Catch Post Malone’s pre-show, warming up the crowd with his unique blend of hip-hop, pop, and rap. Then it’s onto the main affair. After decades of songwriting, the Chili Peppers have an impressive catalogue to dip into, with hits like ‘Californication’ and ‘Under the Bridge’ universal in their appeal. Expect to hear some of their newer works from the 2022 album ‘Return of the Dream Canteen’ thrown in there, too.
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Lead image: Jarrad Seng
