REEL ANIME 2008

From Thu 3 July – Wed 16 July, Perth is lucky enough to have four exciting, all-new anime showing at Luna Leederville (map) as part of the REEL ANIME 2008 showcase. There is also an opening party featuring music, pizza and Kirin beer, on Thursday July 3 from 6:45pm, before the initial screening of Appleseed. Tickets are at normal movie prices ($15/$10.50/$9.50).

The films and times are:

APPLESEED EX MACHINA

Produced by the action master of bullet ballet, John Woo, and based on the popular science fiction manga from renowned creator Shirow Masamune (Ghost in the Shell), APPLESEED: EX MACHINA advances the art of anime to a new level.

As members of ESWAT, the elite forces serving Olympus, partners Deunan and Briareos are deployed wherever trouble strikes. The two fighters find their partnership tested in a new way by the arrival of Tereus who uncannily resembles Briareos before the wartime injuries that led to his becoming a cyborg. At the same time, Olympus finds itself under a stealth attack. Cyborg terrorism, deadly nanotech zealots, and rioting citizens are just some of the threats that Deunan must contend with as she fights to save Olympus and her relationship.

Screening: Thu-Mon from 7pm; also Thu, Fri, Mon from 3pm

BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT

BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, with production divided among three renowned studios – Studio 4ºC, Production I.G and Madhouse. A cross section of distinguished creators, award-winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne’s journey to Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world’s most revered animation visionaries.

With the truly inimitable visions of directors Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka and with stories written by several of the most talented writers of film, comic books, and animation, including Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins) and award-winning comics writers Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello, BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT presents thrilling new adventures of Batman that spotlight several of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains, including the fearsome Scarecrow, the freakish Killer Croc and the unnerving marksman known as Deadshot.

Screening: Thu-Mon 9pm; also Thu, Fri, Mon 5pm

VEXILLE

From the producers of Appleseed comes another CG extravaganza. The year is 2077 and due to a sophisticated ultra magnetic shield, no one can enter nor leave Japan, and it is also impossible to observe the country using satellite surveillance methods. The USA has created a special force unit, SWORD, to enter Japan and to investigate the country’s development in robotic technology, which is banned by the UN. Lead by a female commander VEXILLE, and her colleague LEON, the members of SWORD head to accomplish this dangerous mission, and uncover a shocking secret.

Screening: Sat/Sun 2:45pm

THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME

When 17-year-old Makoto gains the ability to leap backwards through time, she sets about preventing personal mishaps. Yet she soon realises that changing the past isn’t so simple! Can she use her new powers to shape the future of herself and her friends? From production company Madhouse (Death Note), THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME is an absorbing, beautifully crafted anime. Featuring character design from Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and key staff from such classics as Princess Mononoke and The Grave of the Fireflies, this new film is destined for modern classic status.

Screening: Sat/Sun 5pm

Fremantle Festival 2007

The Fremantle Festival, celebrating its 102nd year in 2007, is Australia’s longest-running community festival. It’s on from November 16-25 all over Freo.

The main event is Sunday the 18th – carnival day. From 4pm South Terrace (the cappuccino strip) and surrounds will be host to the Street Parade:

Featuring a wide and unique array of community groups and individuals fanning along the windswept streets of Fremantle, the parade promises vibrant colour, jumping music, electrifying movement and a gale force full of surprises. Always a highlight of the Fremantle calendar, come and be blown away by this year’s Festival Parade.

Apart from the Carnival, there are heaps of other arts and community events on for the whole ten days. Check out the Wardarnji Aboriginal Cultural Celebration at the Esplanade Reserve on Saturday the 17th from 2pm; groove out at the Reggae Beach Party on South Beach on Saturday the 24th from 1pm til sunset (you can catch the Cat there); it’s all happening. Check out the pdf program for all the other events.

Freo Festival 07

Where: All over Freo – check out the the program or the links above for more details.
When: Fri Nov 16 – Sun Nov 25 2007
Transport information: Trains and buses run all day and into the night from the City to Freo. Once you’re there, it’s a short walk into town, or you can hop on the Cat bus.
Enquiries: doreen@fremantle.wa.gov.au or (08) 9432 9728

Spring in the Valley 07

This weekend (Oct 13-14 2007) the beautiful Swan Valley east of Perth plays host to one of my favourite annual Perth events – the fantastic Spring in the Valley.

The name says it all, really. If the images it conjures up in your head are anything like those in mine – world-famous wines, giant greying gums giving shade from the glorious spring skies, inventive local delicacies, butterflies flitting through the floral-scented air – you will already have this weekend marked in on your calendar.

The official flyer is here.

The big issue here is how you’re going to visit all these places, especially if you’re tasting the vintages as you go. Fortunately, buses leave Midland Train Station Bus Stop every 15 minutes from 10am to 6pm and do the loop you can see on this map. A shuttle bus also leaves from Stop 8 on the map and heads to Lamont’s and Feral. All-day tickets for the bus are $10, with kids under 15 free.

If you want to make a holiday of it, you can find accommodation in the Valley here.

Spring in the Valley 2007

Where: Swan Valley – basically Guildford to Upper Swan; here’s a map of it in relation to the city
Map: View pdf Map
Date: Saturday 13 Oct – Sunday 14 Oct 2007
Cost: Free to enjoy the weather and the scenery; a lot of wineries and other producers will be offering tastings for free as well – if there’s something you like, you can buy it.
Transport information: Travelling on public transport? Train it to Midland and then see the $10 circuit bus map. By car? All the way down Guildford Rd; see the Valley map.
Enquiries: visitorcentre@swan.wa.gov.au or (08) 9379 9400

Any other questions or comments? Recommendations on where to go, what to eat, how much to drink, how to keep it cheap? Feel free to write in!

Royal Show 07

It’s that time again! The smell of manure is in the air, the balls are in the clown’s mouth, and the vomit is flying round the Graviton! Yes, it’s the annual Perth Royal Show!

There are, as always, a million things on at the show. It’s a great day out, but can get expensive – especially with kids, rides and showbags. A good idea might be to take along lunch and give the kids a limit on how much they can spend?

Wed Oct 3 sees free entry for under-12s who bring a 1 or 2L carton of Brownes white milk!

Here’s a brief rundown on some of the attractions – you can see the daily highlights here.

Animal Judging

The traditional events. Chickens, dogs, horses, cats, even pigeons. It’s all happening.

Demonstrations

Plenty of exhibitions on cooking, wood chopping, 2007 Guest Nation Indonesia, crafts, etc etc etc.

Entertainment

Apart from the Indonesian events, there’s also circus, martial arts, jazz, fireworks, and snails, apparently.

Rides

We love the old favourites like the Fun House and Ghost Train, but there are all sorts of roller-coasters and other rides too.

Sideshows

Test your luck and dexterity and win the teddy-bear for your partner!

Showbags

You could spend $5 or $500 here. Our tips are: (as always) Bertie Beetle for $2, Freddo, Chupa Chups etc – get in early because the good ones sell out!

There’s also plenty of free tastings and other exhibitions for those watching their pockets!

Perth Royal Show 2007

Where: Claremont Showgrounds – here’s a map of the Showgrounds
Map: View Location
Date: Saturday 29 September – Saturday 6 October, 9am-9pm entry every day, with Sideshow Alley open until 11pm
Cost: Adults (16+) $22 – Seniors $16 – Kids (5-15) $10 – Kids (<5) free – Students (<18) $10 – Pensioners $10 – Family $54 (2 adults 2 kids or 1 adult 4 kids)
Remember Wed Oct 3 is free entry for under-12s with a Brownes 1/2L white milk carton!
Also, you can get pre-sale tickets from HBF, Woolworths, Video Ezy and RAC to skip the queues!
Transport information: You can park nearby for ridiculous amounts (about $10) or take the Fremantle train and get off at the Showgrounds stop. Further information from Transperth
Enquiries: raswa@raswa.org.au or (08) 6263 3100

Coolgardie Day 2007

Talk around town these days is that we WA-ians find ourselves in the middle of a resource boom. Exports from the northern ports especially are at record highs and the results are felt in commodity prices all the way back here in Perth.

Still, modern times have nothing on the ripple of excitement and ambition that must have washed over the state back in the late 19th century when a 554 ounce gold nugget turned up in Fly Flat, soon to be the town of Coolgardie.

On Sunday September 16, take a step back 115 years and celebrate the spark that led to WA’s gold rush, in one of the state’s classic mining towns.

Coolgardie will once again come alive with festivities that showcase the town’s amazing mining heritage. Bayley Street will be transformed into a carnival with a large selection of stalls including unique local displays. At 11am the colourful street parade will commence featuring some of the rare vintage cars based in the region. There will be live entertainment all day, demonstrations, rides, food stalls and children’s activities.

While in Coolgardie people can take the opportunity to wander through the Goldfields Exhibition Museum that is housed in the historic and grandiose two storey Wardens Court Building (built 1898). Each room features fascinating displays telling the dramatic and tragic story of life in and around Coolgardie during the Goldrush of the 1890’s.

This is a chance to fall back into the heritage and history of WA, with its joy, tragedy, loneliness and mateship. Apart from the main event, Coolgardie also has many well-respected museums and exhibition centres.

Coolgardie Day 07

Where: Coolgardie
Map: View Map
Date: Sunday September 16, 2007
Cost: Free
Transport information: If you have a car, jump on the Great Eastern Highway and keep going. You could also jump on one of the various buses heading that way from Perth city, or the Prospector train that leaves East Perth and Midland every day (timetable).
Enquiries: ginac@bigpond.net.au or 08 9026 6090

Mundaring Truffle Festival

If you’re like me, you’ve probably never tried truffle. As the second most expensive food commodity in the world at $2000 a kilogram, they’re certainly not the most economical of vegetables.

It’s a little-known fact that WA is now a major producer of truffles and within 10 years is hoping to challenge Europe for a share of the prestigious market in Japan and China. What better way to celebrate this prized ingredient that with a festival:

The inaugural Mundaring Truffle Festival has been designed as a celebration of this most desirable of edible commodities, and brings together some of Australia’s finest chefs. We also have a wonderful programme of complementary events, including tastings, talks and food-related forums for those interested in learning about not just the truffle itself, but how to make use of its unique culinary qualities.

So please, come and join us in Mundaring, in the beautiful Perth Hills, where we’ll be offering good food, fine wine and a range of activities in celebration of Western Australia’s most glamorous culinary export: the black truffle.

Check out the offical programme on the Mundaring Truffle Festival website for a full run down on all the super gastronomic events they have planned.

Buddha’s Birth Day Festival

This weekend the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth is host to the annual Buddha Birth Day festival which allows visitors to explore Buddhist culture in a relaxed atmosphere. There’s a huge range of activities over two days including street performers, Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese orchestra, origami, Aboriginal and Vietnamese Art and a big fireworks display. Best of all (for those, like myself, with big appetites) there’s a multicultural vegetarian food fair, with heaps of delicious healthy food from around the globe on sale. Events start daily at 11am, run until 9pm and entry is free.

Buddha’s Birth Day Festival

Where: Perth Supreme Court Gardens
Map: View Map
Date: Saturday April 14 and Sunday April 15 2007
Cost: Free
Transport information: The Supreme Court Gardens are located on the corner of Barrack Street and Riverside Drive in Perth and is easily accessible from the bus stops on Barrack Street. The Free CAT service runs regularly up Barrack Street.
Enquiries: ibawa@optusnet.com.au or (08) 9371 0048

Wild West Comedy

The Subiaco Wild West Comedy Festival is Western Australia’s very own celebration of comedy which runs over one and half weeks between Wednesday 21 March and Sunday 1 April:

A great line-up of local and international acts including Jimeoin, Akmal Saleh, The Umbilical Brothers, Puppetry of the Penis and Flacco and Marty Murphy means that Subiaco will be the epicentre for a dozen days of continuous comedy. A hilarious mix of stand-up, sketch, improve, music and film, street performance and family friendly comedy.

A full schedule (with pricing) is available online and tickets can be purchased through BOCS ticketing. Ha ha ha.

Subiaco’s Wild West Comedy Festival

Where: Several venues in Subiaco
Map: View Map
Date: Wednesday 21 March and Sunday 1 April
Cost: Varies according to show
Transport information: The Perth to Fremantle train line runs through Subiaco. Trains run every 15 minutes during the day, every 30 minutes after 8.00pm, and every 7 or 8 minutes during peak period. Nine bus routes run through the city connecting Subiaco with suburbs in all directions and it takes around 10 minutes to travel from Subiaco to Perth on a bus, and about 4 on the train. Further transport information can be obtained from the City of Subiaco website or from Transperth
Enquiries: greg@wildwestcomedy.com.au or (08) 9337 6049

2007 Perth International Arts Festival

The 2007 Perth International Arts Festival is the biggest event on the Perth festival calendar and it runs in 2007 from the 9th of February until the 4th of March. Featuring a huge variety of music, arts, opera, film, dance and theatre events over four action-packed weeks, it’s famous for being the oldest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

The theme for 2007 is “The Human Family” and festival director Lindy Hume says this of the programme:

Through the prism of the Festival it’s easy to see how The Human Family connects contemporary Asia, Shakespeare’s Elizabethan England, the vast Western Desert in Central Australia, the political jungle of Canberra and far beyond. Our special focus on desert cultures offers rich imagery and music from deserts in many parts of the world and some of Western Australia’s vast and extraordinary desert regions.

Highlights include a Korean perfomance of Midsummer’s Night Dream, a selection of events for families and huge number of free performances around Perth. For more information on the Lotterywest film program, check the previous article and remember to check back at LovingPerth for regular updates for the duration of the festival.

Festival Films

Films for the 2007 Perth International Arts Festival screen at two locations: the Somerville Auditorium, University of WA, Crawley and the Joondalup Pines, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup. All films start at 8:30 and full details can be found on the Lotterywest Films page page of the festival website.

Somerville

Feb 12 – 18th: Along the Ridge (M)
Feb 19 – 25th: As It Is In Heaven (M)
Feb 26 – March 4th: Change of Address (PG)
March 5 – 11th: Familia (MA)
March 12 – 18th: The Method (M)
March 9 – 25th: The Page Turner (PG)
March 26 – April 1st: The Road to Guantanamo (MA)

Joondalup

Feb 12 – 18th: The Bothersome Man (M)
Feb 19 – 25th: Along the Ridge (M)
Feb 26 – March 4th: As It Is In Heaven (M)
March 5 – 11th: Change of Address (PG)
March 12 – 18th: Familia (MA)
March 9 – 25th: The Method (M)
March 26 – April 1st: The Page Turner (PG)