Latest news with #MandurahArtsFestival
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Mandurah Arts Festival returns September
Mandurah's month-long arts festival is set to begin on September 12, turning the city into a vibrant hub of celebration dedicated to Mandurah's arts scene and nationally renowned talent. The 2025 Mandurah Arts Festival is one of the city's premier annual events and invites people of all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in Mandurah's story through performances, exhibitions, interactive experiences, live music, culture and more. World Music Cafe is returning for another dinner with a show. Credit: Supplied The month-long program promises a variety of art forms, from large-scale murals and performances to children's entertainment and community choirs. Mayor Caroline Knight said the festival would once again shine a light on the city's cultural vibrancy and local talent. 'Mandurah has long had culture and artistic expression at its heart, and this festival is the perfect opportunity to discover how art can create a strong sense of place through multiple mediums and a varied event program,' she said. 'Our much-loved arts festival continues to be a popular event for our community and visitors. Events like the Mandurah Arts Festival are not just about entertainment — they bring our community together, support local jobs and strengthen Mandurah's identity as a vibrant, creative and welcoming place to live and visit.' The Headliners Comedy Gala will kick off the festival's program on Friday, September 12, returning to Mandurah for the third time after packed shows in 2023 and 2024. Haylee Fieldes in front of her mural in Morley Credit: Supplied Adding to Mandurah's growing art trail, two new murals will be created by WA-based mural artists during the festival to add interest and vibrancy to community spaces and buildings. Artist Haylee Fieldes, who has a strong personal connection to Mandurah, will transform the walls of the ablution block at the seaside Henson Street Reserve, taking inspiration from Mandurah's coast and marine life. Artist Jerome Davenport will paint his creation on the exterior walls of the Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah workshop, inspired by the artistic vibrancy and community spirit of the space. The murals are part of the 10 public art pieces the city is delivering over five years to activate community spaces and places across Mandurah. Four murals have already been created at Falcon Bay, Mandurah Library, and Mandurah Bridge. Artists Nicola Cowie and Kat Ferguson with their contribution to the Mandurah mural scene during the 2024 festival. Credit: Supplied Local, national and international artists will also be featured throughout the festival as part of the Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival, Australia's largest outdoor painting event. Starting September 23, hundreds of artists will bring their canvases to life against the picturesque backdrop of Mandurah's waterways. A major highlight of the festival will be the Music Under the Bridge event on Saturday, October 11, featuring the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra performing underneath the Mandurah Bridge at Hall Park. Bring a picnic and enjoy an evening of jazz classics and original compositions. Other highlights include Oddysea, an immersive sea-themed experience created for children with disability, Live at the Quarry music, and World Music Cafe, a dinner show featuring international music and dance performances. Sensorium Theatre will perform Oddysea, an immersive sea-themed experience created for children with disability. Credit: Jessica Ferguson Mandurah's new community centre in Dawesville will also host a special children's hub line-up with art and drama workshops, an interactive puppetry event with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, and a giant dance party. For event, ticketing and program details, visit the Mandurah Arts Festival website.
Perth Now
29-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Should ratepayers have to foot bill for major city events?
A City of Mandurah councillor believes residents should be able to opt out of their rates going towards city events such as Crab Fest, the Christmas Lights Trail and Mandurah Giants. Last week the council voted to release its draft festivals and events strategy for public consultation. During the debate, Cr Ryan Burns questioned if local governments should fund events through compulsory rates. 'Local government's core roles are to deliver and maintain the essential services and facilities our communities rely on every day: roads, footpaths, parks, sporting facilities, waste facilities and libraries, to name a few,' he said. 'These are fundamentals people expect us to deliver, and they should remain our focus at a time when cost-of-living pressures are hitting households hard. 'It's increasingly difficult to justify spending millions on major events that the majority of ratepayers neither participate in nor benefit from directly.' A councillor has asked if ratepayers could opt out of supporting events such as the Mandurah Crab Fest. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The Sunday Times Cr Burns argued a small number of Mandurah business benefitted from the events while the financial burden was shared by all ratepayers. 'In my four years on council, I've consistently called for more rigorous analysis on whether these events deliver what is promised,' he said. 'I recognise tonight's decision is simply about consulting the community on this draft strategy, however I would caution that much of the input we will receive will likely come from those who benefit most — select businesses, tourism operators and the event stakeholders — while the silent majority who pay but don't see the benefit are far less likely to engage. 'If there is really an overwhelming community support for these events, I sometimes wonder what if we split out the costs and offered it as an opt-in for ratepayers? How many would voluntarily choose to pay extra to fund them? I suspect the answer would tell us a lot about how broadly these events are truly valued.' The draft events strategy revealed that in 2025 Crab Fest cost the council $640,000, the Christmas Lights Trail $522,000 and the Mandurah Arts Festival $283,000. The same document showed in 2025 the Crab Fest had a $16.1m impact on the local economy and the 2024 Christmas Lights Trail $3.3m, while the Mandurah Giants had an $81m impact over a one-year period. Cr Dave Schumacher asked for an update on the future of the Giants. CEO Casey Miholovich said the city continued to maintain the Giants. 'We would like them to be in the community for as long as possible, and we undertake inspections to ensure that that's the case,' she said. 'But we do know they have a life and that's why, as part of the arts and culture strategy and included in the budget, there was provision to look at what is next from a tourist and community point of view. 'Council have endorsed the first year of that funding and will continue to explore what would possibly be next.' The council will vote on the draft strategy later in the year after the consultation period.
