Mandurah still may get a bad wrap as a sleepy suburban town on the outskirts of what’s happening, but if 2016 proved anything, it’s that Mandurah’s community has a passion for arts and entertainment, and the ever-increasing focus on our cultural events and exports is becoming more intrinsic to the image of our town.
JANUARY
It might’ve only been its second year in town, but HubBub made as big an impression as any arts event in Mandurah in 2016. Pulling some of the best national and international artists from Perth’s Fringe Festival bill was something of a coup, and it seems the slightly skewed vision is something Mandurians will be expecting in years to come.
SHAPE Mandurah hosted a last-minute fundraiser for the Waroona-Yarloop bushfires towards the end of the month. The event, which saw musicians and guests from around the state take some time out for a good cause, was a great show of community support.
FEBRUARY
Speaking of SHAPE, the locally-based “space activation” organisation began hosting a series of sundowners in February, with their Get Active Night being a great litmus test. The events have now become a regular on the calendar, with business meet-ups, markets and musical events all being held.
The City of Mandurah Sundowner Series also continued, with The Merindas – Australia’s greatest Indigenous Motown tribute act – performing what is still in this scribe’s mind one of the best live sets of the year.
MARCH
Bunbury-based good times purveyors Good Nights held Songs for the South West in March, another fundraiser for the devastating bushfires, which saw blues-n’roots, world and folk talent from around the country help out, including Sydney-based favourites Hussy Hicks.
APRIL
In a collaboration between Coodanup College and Murdoch University, students were thrust into the Hollywood-like life of a real film set, with actor Myles Pollard running the students through the ins and outs of scriptwriting.
MAY
The best month of the year (mostly because this writer’s birthday falls in the month) saw local artist Jos Coufreur begin his mural of the Mandurah Traffic Bridge. The historic structure, which will make way for the new traffic bridge, has been commemorated on the wall of The Bridge Garden Bar and Restaurant.
Also in May, Mandurah’s largest community arts festival, Stretch Festival, hit the ground running. With plenty of sun and good weather, en plein air painting proved to be a hit, with many local and travelling artists taking time to capture the scenery.
JUNE
Mandurah pulled out all the stops for WA Day in 2016, with a huge festival on Tuckey Street marking the date with aplomb. One of the more exciting aspects of the event was the live circus performances, which are gradually becoming a go-to activity locally.
June was also the month Ben Elton’s new feature film Three Summers, was officially announced. Telling a story of love at a music festival at Fairbridge, Three Summers is currently in production.
JULY
The 100th anniversary of the passing of Yarburgurt – Noongar elder, survivor of the Pinjarra Massacre and icon of Mandurah’s Indigenous history – got the town talking in July, with commemorations and discussions leading to The Yarburgurt Project, which will eventually lead to an installation at the Mandurah Foreshore dedicated to the man’s life and the six Noongar seasons.
Also in July, Perth-based experimental music outfit Noizemachin!! held their first event at Make Place, bringing a unique frame of experimental music with them.
AUGUST
What’s the best way to get students and their parents to donate to a much-needed sport equipment fund? Blast Justin Bieber’s Baby at them until they do, obviously. That’s what Secret Harbour Primary School did in August, and they locked down the funds within three days. Never say Bieber isn’t good for anything.
SEPTEMBER
YOH Fest returned to Mandurah stages in September, giving the region’s youth the chance to show what their made of. The festival has long been a big part of the arts calendar, as well as a jumping-off point for many actors and performers.
Also in September, troubled Fairbridge-based music festival Disconnect – originally in hot water for not paying artists and crew of the inaugural 2015 festival for six months – was announced with a star-studded line-up, and then just as suddenly (and quietly) was cancelled. Controversy still stands on the financials of the festival.
OCTOBER
October saw the Frack Off! Concerts rock out and deliver a strong message in the state’s south. Originally a one-dayer, the John-Butler-lead music festival was extended to a weekend due to overwhelming support. The concert was put on to raise awareness of the anti-fracking movement in WA, and to send a message to government on communities’ opposition to the practice.
NOVEMBER
Local watering hole The Monkey Bar held their Jail Break Party, aimed at raising much-needed funds for Peel Community Kitchen. It was part of ongoing and increasing efforts to support local charities through entertainment.
DECEMBER
The Ravenswood Hotel and Bleeding Ear Music’s Musical Fruit Festival was the perfect cap-off, bringing out the best of Mandurah’s music community.
