Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

PERTH 447
Finds Desert Designs
Aboriginal artist Jimmy Pike grew up in Western Australia’s Sandy Desert
and was one of the first to start transferring his Dreamtime art and
designs to fabrics, in 1981. He died in late 2002, but his commercial work
lives on in the clothing and accessories—including cute children’s gear—
bearing his designs at the Desert Designs boutique at 114 High Street
Mall, Fremantle (& 08/9430 4101). For paintings and limited-edition
prints by Jimmy Pike and many other Aboriginal artists, visit the Japingka
Gallery, 47 High St., Fremantle (& 08/9335 8265). It also stocks didgeridoos,
artifacts, and stunning high-quality hand-tufted woolen floor rugs.
For opals to suit all budgets, head to Quilpie Opals, Shop 6, Piccadilly
Arcade off Hay Street Mall (& 08/9321 8687).
PERTH AFTER DARK
Scoop, available at bigger newsagents for A$8.90/US$5.80 (www.scoop.com.au),
is a good source of information on festivals and concerts, performing arts, classical
music, exhibitions, and the like. Your best guide to dance clubs, rock concerts,
gig listings, art-house cinemas, theater and art galleries is the free weekly X-press
magazine available at pubs, cafes, and music venues every Thursday. The West
Australian and Sunday Times newspapers publish a limited amount of entertainment
information, including cinema guides.
Two major booking agents handle bookings to most of the city’s major performing
arts, entertainment, and sporting events: the performing arts-oriented
BOCS (& 1800/193 300 in Australia, or 08/9484 1133; www.bocsticketing.
com.au) and the sports- and family-entertainment–oriented Ticketmaster 7
(& 136 109; www.ticketmaster7.com). Book opera, ballet, the orchestra, and the
Black Swan Theatre Company (see below) through BOCS.
THE PERFORMING ARTS The West Australian Opera (& 08/9321 5869
administration, or 08/9265-0950 bookings) and West Australian Ballet (& 08/
9481 0707 administration) usually perform at His Majesty’s Theatre, 825 Hay
St., a restored “grande dame” venue from the early 1900s. Perth’s leading theatrical
company, the Black Swan Theatre Company (& 08/9388 9388 administration),
plays at theaters around town. The West Australian Symphony Orchestra
(& 08/9326 0000) usually performs at the Perth Concert Hall, 5 St. Georges
Terrace next to the Duxton Hotel. This hall has the best acoustics of any such
venue in Australia; such acts as the London Philharmonic, comedian Billy Connolly,
and legendary blues guitarist B. B. King have performed here.
The month-long Perth International Arts Festival (www.perthfestival.com.au;
book through BOCS) showcases contemporary performing and visual arts every
January, February, or March, with many events taking place outdoors. In summer,
look for outdoor concerts or jazz at Perth Zoo (& 08/9474 3551 for recorded
information, or 08/9474 0449 administration), movies at Perth’s several outdoor
cinemas, and open-air concerts, plays, and movies in Kings Park (& 08/9480
3600).
PUBS & DANCE CLUBS Northbridge houses most of city’s lively pubs and
dance clubs. Don’t forget Freo has good pubs, too (see “A Day Out in Fremantle”
earlier in this chapter). For a trendy take on the traditional corner pub, head