The annual Perth Festival is Australia’s longest-running international arts celebration, and it is one to be marveled at, to say the least. Each year the people of Perth and beyond are graced with the opportunity to be dazzled with mesmerising performances, which aren’t only unique, but world-class.
Come February 10 through to 12, Perth Festival will be kicking off with a spectacular show of vivid light, songs, and stars – Djoondal on the banks of Lake Joondalup.
The lake in Yellagonga Regional Park will be centre stage for the free, family-friendly event. And quite fittingly with the 2023 Perth Festival’s theme of Djinda (stars), you and your fellow gazers can experience a breathtaking 30-minute show that ties Noongar stories of the cosmos with the beauty of the lake and its natural surrounds.
The evening is set to utilise top notch technology combined with ancient storytelling to share the Noongar story of Djoondal. That being the spirit woman with the flowing white hair who created the Milky Way and whose connection to the area gave Joondalup its name.
Director and music creator, Ian Moopa Wilkes is at the helm of a cross-generational team of visionary artists to honour the connection between children and elders.
“For thousands of years, we have been telling the story of the creation of the stars there,” Ian says. “We would use the lake as a giant mirror – to look down into the water like a telescope to look up at the stars.
“Djoondal is inspired by an old Dreaming story, and we are using lights, lasers and drones all dancing together with song and music to celebrate this old story with new technology for audiences of all ages.”
Pre-show, audiences are welcome to experience a smoking ceremony and cultural talks at the Joondalup Library between 5pm and 7pm. From here, shuttle buses will leave for the Djoondal site at Pinar’s Tree at the north-western end of the lake.
But if you want to head straight to the show, kindly enough the City of Joondalup will provide free street parking in the Joondalup City Centre from 4pm to midnight each day of the event – no ticket, no worries.
Perth Festival will run from Friday 10 February until Sunday 5 March, with Djoondal in action from the Friday 10 through to Sunday 12 with gates opening at 6pm and shows running between 8pm and 8:30pm.
View the Djoondal faqs, site map, and more information about the shuttle services here.