No I don’t mean standing on the street corner in fishnet stockings, I mean how to make the most of a day out in the tantalising Perth Cultural Centre. Plus there’s the added bonus of getting a jump on your New Years’ resolutions.

With Christmas over I looked at the new black plastic strap on my left wrist. A miracle gift that would keep me on time, count my steps, monitor my sleep patterns and make me cognisant of my escalating heart rate, should the thumping rhythm in my chest not be enough. Having overdosed on mince pies and way too much holiday television, it was time to extricate myself from the couch and put my gift to the test.

Theory dictates that I’d have to walk 4,000 steps a day to maintain good health and 10,000 for weight loss. Sure I could do 40 rounds of the local shopping centre but why not spend a day exploring the Perth Cultural Centre. The combination of exercise, culture and New Year’s brownie points clinched the deal. Ditching the car, I stuffed my purse, phone and water bottle into a small backpack then caught the train into the CBD.

After five minutes (200 steps) I arrived outside the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) at 8.30am. Before immersing myself in some culture, I topped up my vitamin D levels with a leisurely stroll through the Urban Orchard, a pop-up bar that’s home to uber cool events. Then it was time for a coffee.

Caffissimo Art Gallery

Situated under the AGWA, Caffissimo had me salivating over a range of light meals, cakes and award winning coffee. I opted for a muffin and a quick browse of the paper. The inspirational quotes on the blackboard and the coffee cup mural that morphed into Marilyn Munroe’s face, warmed up my creativity receptors for what was to come.

Hours: Monday to Sunday 7.30 to 3 or 4pm, Friday 6.30pm

Art Gallery of Western Australia

I was lured back to AGWA in 2012 when gallery director Dr Stefano Carboni brought the MoMA exhibition to Perth straight from New York. Thanks to his relationship with New Year gallery director, Dr Glenn D Lowry, Perth was the only venue in the southern hemisphere to display the iconic works. During this period the AGWA foyer space was also revived, taking on various themes including a cool Manhattan style bar. I went there to hear artist talks, see rare films, musical acts, and even swing dancing. While I haven’t made it to a rooftop music night yet, I hope to when they open late January.

Consequently, my perception of an art gallery has changed dramatically. Now I often pop in to see the free exhibitions, such as the iconic Brett Whitely 18 panel painting, which hasn’t been seen in any gallery since 2004.

Today I revisited Screen Space which intrigued me on an earlier visit. This time there were two screens set up facing each other in an otherwise darkened room. One showed an artist beatboxing and on the opposite screen someone performing to the music. The music was hypnotic and the dance mesmerising.

On the way out of AGWA I took a peek into the gallery shop, which changes its stock to match the latest exhibition. I sometimes pop into the shop to stock up on unique birthday cards for friends, but since I was travelling light today I gave it a miss. Today the shop was full of spices and ornaments reflecting the massive Treasure Ships exhibition upstairs. This is a paid exhibition ($15 adults) which runs until January 31. It showcases art and objects from the spice trade, dating back to the fifteenth century and is well worth a visit.

Gallery hours Wednesday to Monday 10am to 5pm. Closed Tuesdays

Website: artgallery.wa.gov.au

Leaving AGWA with nearly 1,700 steps under my belt I walked into the open space that is the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre. On the way I grabbed a juice from a food ‘truck’ called ZaMarini, which turned out to be the guy who cycled passed the Urban Orchard.

This central space is a people watching mecca on weekends, and really comes to life with major events like the Foodtruck Rumble, an outdoor ice skating rink in winter, cupcake eating and dance competitions, craft stalls and much more. Today I just watched the rolling images on the large screen.

Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)

Revived I wandered over to the beautiful building that is PICA. Over the years I’ve ventured inside to witness some thought provoking experimental performance art and cutting edge exhibitions. Hint … if you like the cycling rabbit statue in Mount Lawley you’ll want to see the artists (Djurberg and Berg) Secret Garden exhibition in February.

Hours Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. PICA is closed Dec 28 and reopens Jan 22 to Feb 6 for Summer Nights

Website: pica.org.au

Leaving PICA I was reminded that it was lunchtime. I knew this because my stomach was rumbling, not because my wristband was signalling it so. There were many options … grabbing something from a food truck, going into the Aroma café in the State Library or one of the many cafes around the corner in Northbridge but I decided to stay within the cultural hub.

Muse Cafe

Muse Café is a hidden leafy oasis set in the old Gaol behind the Western Australian Museum. It offers lunch options from tapas to paninis, quesadillas and cakes, but it’s the tranquil setting and quirky finds that have sent me back there several times. A calming retreat just metres from the surrounding busyness. While there I took in the history of the building including a grapevine said to have been planted in 1850’s, along with three meteorites from the Nullabor Plain, all very impressive.

Hours 10am to 4pm

Website Muse Café

Western Australian Museum

With my step count reading 2,503 the museum was next. The wonderful blend of old and new buildings is a masterclass for budding architectural students. Over the years I’ve visited exhibitions ranging from ACDC to 200 Years of Wedding Dresses, along with several Perth Fashion Festival parades. I’m looking forward to the History Of The World in 100 Objects, due in February ($17.50 adults). The Museum offers a range of activities for children too, and I’m sure they’ll love Dinosaur Zoo in January ($15 children).

Hours 9.30am to 5pm. The Museum and Muse Café will be closing mid June for renovations.

Website: museum.wa.gov.au

Leaving the museum and bypassing the Play Space where little kids, and big kids for that matter, can bash things to create sounds, I wandered over to the Library … yes, the Library.

State Library of Western Australia

It’s always worth popping in to see the free exhibitions in the foyer, the annual press photography awards are a must see. This year I’ve also attended a couple of writing workshops at the library which have been well worth the cost, especially if they include lunch at Aroma Cafe. At the moment the focus is on The Lynley Dodd Story, she of Hairy Maclary and Friends fame.

Hours 9am to 5.30pm check website for New Years hours

Website: slwa.gov.au

PICA Bar and Café

My day of culture was drawing to an end but not before a relaxing breather outside the PICA Bar and Café. Inside a live band was starting to play but I was happy watching the sun go down and the images flashing across the large outdoor screen.

Hours Monday closed. Tuesday to Sunday 10am to midnight.

With my steps approaching 3,500 I was nearly ready to head home but there were two more venues to see, the State Theatre Centre and the Blue Room.

The Blue Room Theatre

The Blue Room has been around for about 25 years supporting independent theatre, think boundary pushing Fringe World acts. I’ve seen some logic defying performances over the years, and will definitely be checking out the 30 days of performances in the Summer Nights program which starts in January and has taken out the Fringe’s Best Independent Program for four years.

 

Hours Ticketing Office Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Website: blueroom.org.au

As I left I happened to glance down a laneway and caught a glimpse of some of the international street art that Perth is becoming known for.

The area is full of interesting finds, surprise green retreats between buildings, plus interesting eating spaces like Lot Twenty.

Hours Monday to Saturday 10am to midnight. Sunday 10am to 10pm

Website: lot20.co

The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia

Rounding out the day was the State Theatre Centre. Opening in 2011 the building is made up of three spaces, the Heath Ledger Theatre, the Studio Underground and the Courtyard, as well as two rehearsal  rooms and two VIP rooms. For the history buffs it sits on the site of the old Perth Central School and a wetlands meeting place for Aboriginal communities. Look out for the PIAF program for next year’s events, including Every Brilliant Thing which sounds intriguing.

Hours Monday to Friday 10am to 5.30pm

Website State Theatre

A few steps around the corner and I was back at the train station. All up my day of exercise and culture had resulted in 6,700 steps and cost me around $50. More importantly, it had generated 12 new ideas, the main one being a refinement to my usual New Year’s Resolution. Every year I aim to get fit and lose weight, this year it reads … Get fit and expand your mind by taking monthly adventures around the Perth Cultural Centre.

If you receive a snazzy activity counter for Christmas I highly recommend a tour of the Perth Cultural Centre, you won’t even notice that you’re exercising. Now could someone please pass me a mince pie.

By Glennys Marsdon – Consumer Psychology Consultant, author and blogger at The Ponder Room