Immersive, urban festival RE//PERTH is almost here – set to take over and ignite the heart of Perth this July and presented by ARTRAGE.
RE//PERTH will transform forgotten spaces across Northbridge and beyond, into hubs of artistic expression and cultural engagement. The programme features more than 30 free and ticketed hot winter events – a mouth-watering menu of arts paired with world-class wine, seasonal delicacies, and multi-genre music.
Dance, music, fashion, food. . . Audiences can expect all of this and more. Plus, it's categorised into spaces so that it's easy and fun to figure out what you want to see.
At the centre of RE//PERTH is the hero production: 'The Mirror' by Australian circus company Gravity & Other Myths.
Check out the RE//PERTH programme.
Before this celebration of creativity and community kicks off, we speak to ARTRAGE CEO Jo Thomas to learn more.
RE//PERTH. . . What is this all about?!
RE//PERTH is a re//birth and a re//awakening. It’s an invitation to everyone to a new winter urban festival created to offer some more hot fun during the cold(ish) winter days in Perth. Spread across four re//claimed spaces in Northbridge, we encourage you to explore and experience.
It’s presented by ARTRAGE. Who are ARTRAGE?
ARTRAGE is a proudly Western Australian arts organisation who has been operating for 40 years. Perhaps best known for Fringe World and Rooftop Movies, the organisation has a long history of bringing artists and audiences together for fabulous arts events that surprise, delight and inspire! RE//PERTH is another example of this.
When putting the programme together, what sorts of things have been taken into consideration here?
I wanted to look at forgotten spaces and forgotten stories and find a way to bring these to light. The team at ARTRAGE are specialists at transforming spaces and making them accessible and welcoming for public audiences, so we’ve again utilised that expertise. We also wanted to boost the other local businesses in Northbridge. It is such a vibrant area with fantastic food and other arts and cultural offerings, so you can spend a whole day in Northbridge wandering and exploring! Forget about the couch, come out on the streets and into some new special spaces.
Who is this festival for?
The festival has an incredibly diverse programme with a bit of something for everyone. From free family-friendly events and e-sports to high-end degustation banquets, recycled fashion and a big hero show, 'The Mirror', you can pick and choose your own adventure.
It’s categorised into spaces – each space offering unique experiences. Why have you taken this approach?
This was a fun way to explain the programme to audiences. RE//Flect is all about 'The Mirror' and the seeing ourselves reflected back through dance, circus and incredible vocal mash-ups. RE//Birth is offering an immersive exploration through WA food and wine, music and conversation. RE//Purpose speaks to our special focus on sustainable fashion with workshops and runway showcases; and RE//Play is exactly what’s on the box – spontaneous encounters, children’s activities and play for all ages. There is also a Random Encounter on a rooftop where you can experience the unfurling of the cosmos!
As CEO, what’s your greatest hope for the attendees of RE//PERTH?
I’m quite new to Perth and people kept telling me ‘there’s never anything to do in winter’ so I wanted to offer some additional fun and unexpected activities. I also believe in the power of art to bring community together and help us through dark times. In-real-life adventures are good for our hearts and souls!
The main show of the festival is 'The Mirror', presented by Gravity & Other Myths. Why is this show essentially at the centre of RE//PERTH?
I’ve been watching Gravity & Other Myths (GOM) develop over many years as a company, and used to work with Director, Darcy Grant. He is an incredible talent and GOM are an extraordinary company who don’t come to Perth enough! We were lucky enough to secure them on their way back from European and Canadian performances. I can guarantee you exceptional, breathtaking performances including the vocals by Ekrem Eli Phoenix. Let’s find our 'true' selves together in 'The Mirror'!
It’s a WA premiere! What are you most looking forward to about audiences in WA seeing the show for the first time?
If you haven’t seen GOM before you’re in for a great time. It’s one of those experiences where you marvel at what the human body can achieve; and the precision and mastery of artists.
What has been the biggest reward for you in putting RE//PERTH together?
This has been a new endeavour for the ARTRAGE team working with Tourism WA and we’ve loved exploring this new partnership and highlighting the uniqueness of Western Australia and Perth. It’s a great city in which to visit and to live. The chance to curate so many unique artists and arts activities is a true joy and we look forward to doing it year after year as we RE//turn each winter!
RE//PERTH is on from 4-14 July.
