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Friday, 10 February 2017

The Perth International Arts Festival invites you to celebrate a world-class program of art without borders.

The adventure begins on Friday 10 February when Kings Park is gloriously transformed into a luminous showcase of dazzling imagery and sound in a spectacular start to PIAF 2017.

The Lotterywest Festival Opening Weekend - Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak will be a magical nocturnal walking tour for the entire family. Over three extraordinary nights, Perth’s iconic park will be a wonderland of stunning 3D projections, sound and lighting effects that will make the trees “speak” about Noongar and Western understanding of the land we share.

The 65th Perth International Arts Festival is the second programmed by Artistic Director Wendy Martin , who has lined up 700 of the world’s most brilliant artists for more than 240 events, one-third of which are free.

Lady Leshurr , Ngaiire and Blackalicious gets the PIAF party started with a weekend of neo-soul, R&B and hip hop at the new-look Chevron Festival Gardens at Elizabeth Quay. Festival-goers are invited to kick back with friends, grab a bite and a drink, and lap up the hottest contemporary music acts through until March 5.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to share in 11 Australian exclusives, five world premieres and a superb array of unforgettable artistic experiences over the next 24 days and nights.

Themes of migration, reconciliation, accessibility and empathy run through a Festival for all tastes and senses. PIAF even has its own official scent, with lemon myrtle pervading venues and influencing menus across the city.

Martin’s first Festival in 2016 was inspired by a sense of place and PIAF 2017 will embed audiences even deeper into Western Australia’s beauty and offer exceptional experiences that connect us to a complex world.

“Festival time is an antidote to our age of anxiety, disruption and the retreat into isolationism, tribalism and nationalism,” Martin says.

“A Festival is a celebration, a moment to gather together in a safe and inspiring environment. We invite you for the next three weeks to be challenged, surprised and entertained.

“Join us on a big, bold adventure beginning in Kings Park and popping up in iconic places like Cottesloe Beach, Fremantle Oval and in theatres, galleries and unexpected places across the city to share our stories with the world’s great artists as our guides.”

PIAF is the longest-running annual multi-arts celebration in the Southern Hemisphere, and the jewel in the crown of Western Australia’s cultural life.

Excellence and accessibility abounds as the 2017 Festival creates extraordinary experiences for all audiences with many works dedicated to the young and young at heart.

Over four days, the 2017 Perth Writers Festival brings a feast of writers, artists and activists to Perth, with an empathic eye to the experiences of the contemporary world.

The Lotterywest Festival Films will take audiences on a cinematic journey as PIAF launches the second half of its outdoor summer season at UWA Somerville and ECU Joondalup Pines.

Over 21 nights, the Chevron Festival Gardens is the waterfront hub where festival-goers can enjoy extraordinary live music, from Columbian salsa to avant-pop, Americana and South Korean experimental rock.

The 2017 Visual Arts program places hot international contemporary art alongside celebrated local talent, with a special focus on video art and VR technology that plumbs deep emotions and traditions.

For bookings and more information on the Perth International Arts Festival phone 08 6488 5555 or visit www.perthfestival.com.au and Ticketek outlets.

Media references

WA media: Stephen Bevis +61 8 6488 8618 / 0448 927 281 [email protected]
National media : Miranda Brown +61 3 9419 0931 / 0411 568 781 [email protected]

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