The Perth International Arts Festival
Held annually between late January and the end of March
PIAF has become one of Australia's premier events, and is easily Western Australias biggest annual event. Although Perth and its suburbs are the main locations for festival events the Great Southern Area of Western Australia (Albany, Denmark), also has events that come under the umbrella of this amazing month of events. With heaps of free events as well everyone is catered for.
The festival falls into the following categories:-
Theatre:- featuring international, national and local productions. World premiers and normally a new production of one of Shakespeares popular classics.
Dance:-Everything from ballet to modern. interpretive dance is highlighted. The ballet is held at the Quarry Amphitheatre a remarkable limestone out door venue.
Music:- Classical works & modern symphonies performed by the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra along with visiting choirs, orchestras and internationally renowned soloists and groups., make this a must for the music lover. Venues include Governors house ballroom which is captivating.
Visual Arts:-Various art galleries and even the streets of Perth come alive with all sorts of wonderful and eclectic pieces that will confound, move, inspire you... others will leave you just wondering "what the...?" or laughing at the artists take on the everyday things. Stand still long enough and you may even become an unsuspecting piece of an artists work. The Artists Talks are also a higlight with the chance to not only meet the artist but hear what has inspired them and ask them questions.
Perth Writers Festival:-Michael Pallin & Virginia Wolfe are among the well known authors to visit Perth and discuss their books and journeys. Some events are combined with afternoon tea or a glass of wine. A popular event is often dinner at Frasers cooked by a visiting well know chef and/or author who will not only inform you about the food your eating and where its from, but will also entertain wit stories from the kitchen. Or just head out somewhere and listen to storytellers.
Film Festival:-held at outdoor venues around the metropolitan area highlight "international films" many of which in the past have gone onto win golden Globes, Academy Awards etc... Many films come direct from Cannes and some even make their international debut here in Perth.
Family:-Event the kids are catered for. The Western Australia Symphony Orchestra treats children each year to a free outdoor concert with the help of various well know childrens entertainers. Not only is this good fun for the kids but often the parents have more fun as nursery rhymes are combined with classic music. Guaranteed all round good fun. Plays written for children are also a highlight. Love your opera or just want to see what all the fuss is about- grab a picnic and head down to the Supreme Court Gardens for a free concert.
Whatever your taste, budget
