With the Fremantle street festival, Wild Freo, music events at Freo.Social resuming and Easter escapades, it’s an exciting month ahead. Take a peek at What's On in Freo this April.
Festivals
Wild Freo
From the heart of Fremantle – Walyalup Koort – to the Norfolk Island pines of Esplanade Reserve, Wild Freo is an Easter weekend of fun where native animals take over the urban landscape. The streets will be transformed into animal sanctuaries through diverse art forms, including theatre, puppetry, dance, design, illustration, animation, sound, and sculpture, where art and animal lovers can play and explore their way through a weekend of free and ticketed events. 16-18 April. Find all the details here.
Music & Theatre
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
Fremantle's Spare Parts Puppet Theatre presents The Velveteen Rabbit, the enchanting and uplifting childhood classic starring a wise horse, some bossy bulldozers, a flying fairy and a toy box full of crazy colourful toys. This enduring story considers the power of friendship, imagination, and what makes something 'real' adapted by Greg Lissaman. The Velveteen Rabbit is a magical puppetry production brimming with hope, love, and adventure suitable for any age and the whole family. From 4 to 23 April. Ticket details.
The Duke of George
After a successful debut performance at The Duke of George last November, the Swan River Ramblers will return on Saturday, 30 April - UNESCO's 2022 International Jazz Day - featuring Adam Hall (trumpet/vocals), Adrian Galante (clarinet/piano), Ray Walker (guitar/vocals), Ben Vanderwal (drums) and Pete Jeavons (double bass). Drawing repertoire from jazz and swing standards, bebop, blues, and New Orleans style music, the Swan River Ramblers are bringing their uptempo beats back to East Freo. Tickets.
Freo.Social
After taking a hiatus over March, the iconic Freo.Social is back hosting music events for up to 500. On 14 April, The Human Highway celebrates 50 Years of Neil Young's Harvest album, fronted by Fremantle musicians (and South Freo residents) David Hyams and Rose Parker. With the full band line up playing the favourites from Harvest plus much-loved Neil Young classics from the 60s right through to today. Otherside Brewery, the makers of 'Harvest' Red Ale, are celebrating this partnership by offering an 'early bird special' - a free pint of Harvest to the first 50 people to book tickets.
Wine & Dine
Left Bank
Beer Club returns with Two Birds Brewing on Thursday, 7 April. Six beer tastings guided by Danielle, "one of the birds", will be hosting the event. Tickets $15 (+BF). And for wine lovers, mark your calendar for Thursday, 28 April, when the Left Bank's April Wine Club featuring Castelli Estate from the Great Southern takes place at 7pm in the upstairs River Bar. Details here.
Meet the Maker @ Mrs Brown
Back for another gin-tastic night, Meet the Maker is joining forces with AmberChes Distillery in the cosy confines of Mrs Brown in North Freo. Come meet Dean and Alicia, the distillers at AmberChes Distillery, for an evening of craft gin education, and sipping, of their award-winning craft gins that use local botanicals and fruit. This intimate masterclass takes place on 20 April. Tickets here.
Haiku Freo
The gang is back with more food events showcasing its Asian inspired menus. First up, the Haiku Vegan Korean Dinner on Wednesday 13 April, a filling and flavourful five-course vegan and gluten-free dinner with Chef Lockie bringing the spice of life to the table with some exciting dishes to tempt and tantalise your tastebuds.
Then the Haiku Hunt Club returns on Friday 22 April. Bringing locally sourced wagyu, goat, camel, venison, and duck to this meat feast in five courses, with a beer, a cocktail, and a refreshing mocktail to cleanse the palate.
Mother
The green team are back with workshops, the first a Zero Waste event on Monday 11 April. Led by two industry pros, this 2-hour info-packed workshop will take you through demonstrations of how to create 6 recipes with tastings of each. Leah Gilbert, a whole food cook and zero waste specialist, will be sharing all her tips and tricks while Heath Daly, naturopath, lecturer, and co-owner of Mother Fremantle, will be sharing a rolling conversation on the health properties and nutritional side of the foods being explored. From carrot-top pesto to mother-rich apple cider vinegar to aquafaba turned into healthy chocolate mousse, this is one for foodies not to miss. Tickets.
Film
Fremantle Society Film
The premiere of Tall Timbers at N Worrall Park on the Swan River (the grassed area next to the southern end Fremantle Traffic Bridge by Jetty's Bar & Eats) on Sunday 10 April at 6pm. This short film highlights the campaign to repurpose the heritage-listed bridge for a pedestrian and cyclists inspired by New York's High Line bridge. The film event is free. For further details, email John Dowson, President of The Fremantle Society.
Spanish Film Festival at Luna on SX
Another month, another fab film festa at Luna on SX. This time with the Moro Spanish Film Festival presented by Luna Palace Cinemas with a curated selection of films that includes Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz in Official Competition. The 2022 Moro Spanish Film Festival returns to Fremantle from 27 April to 18 May, offering film lovers a cinematic journey across Spain and Latin America.
Art
J Shed
Get snappy happy with a photo workshop with J Shed's Peter Zuvela beginning 24 April, running over 6 weeks every Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm. Taking place at his Bathers Beach side art studio. Email Peter for all the details.
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
One of Rome's most famous landmarks is coming to Fremantle, in modern form. If you have ever dreamed of an up-close look at Michelangelo's artistic mastery, grab a ticket to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition that brings the Renaissance painter's famous frescos to Fremantle, merging the classic with contemporary using modern innovation. Read more on the show here.
Easter in Fremantle
Madelena's
Sit back and relax this Good Friday with a sumptuous 4-course lunch or dinner at Madelena's. The South Freo favourite will be serving up an apt fish feast with local, sustainable seafood and low-fi wine. $80pp. Friday 15 April, various sittings available. Book here for lunch. Dinner tables here.
Bathers Beach
Easter Sunday Egg Hunt is ideal for the kids (big and small) on Bathers Beach on 17 April. Bathers Beach House will be open from 10am, rustling up coffee and light snacks. The Easter bunny will be arriving from 10.30am with an Easter egg hunt around the venue and on the beach (weather dependent). Come down and join in the fun.
Left Bank
Join the gang by the Swan River for a special Easter-themed Kids Night on Thursday, 14 April, between 5pm to 7pm. The Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm team with their 'Feathers & Fluff' Mini Farm including fluffy bunnies and baby chicks will be there for kids plus there’s face painting, arts and crafts. Bonus: kids eat free with every main meal purchased from 5pm.
Rottnest Island
The Quokka Club is offering free travel to Rottnest Island for West Aussie kids 12 years and under who can also take part in the Rottnest Express Easter Egg Hunt running from 9 to 25 April. As well as Rottnest Express, six Rottnest Island partners are taking part in the Easter Egg Hunt, where children seek out the seven eggs the quokkas have hidden on the Rottnest Express ferry and across the island. Details here.
Enjoy April in Fremantle!
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