Gerry's Gold 2 - Fremantle Shipping News

A very Happy Democracy Sausage Day indeed on Saturday, 8 March 2025!

After voting, along I went to the second iteration of Gerry’s Gold.

Golden hour on Gerry’s Lane

The legend goes, Gerry buried gold next to his property, somewhere between this laneway and Holland Street, we think. While we look for it, we might as well meet our neighbours and listen to banging local tunes.

I did wonder what kind of turn out we might expect after all the earlier queueing to cast one’s vote for the State election. Some may have gone postal beforehand (in more ways than one), but I personally like the adrenaline rush of leaving important matters like these to the last day. Plus there’s hot dogs. Or vegan baked treats. Whatever takes one’s fancy. All scrumptious.

A decent crowd greeted me upon arrival, a heartwarming sight to see particularly with budding teenage musician Penny Lane up there on the stage with her mournful yet impactful lyrics. Very well done to her.

Following Penny, up came the Mike Weise Trio with their cool jazz on a breezy hot afternoon and then the zazzy Freo stalwart Kim Salmon. Q

Then we were blown away by Emily Barker with Luke Dux, and the evening concluded with Adele Oliver and a light dabbling of community line dancing in the laneway.

All stellar acts but the standout for me had to be Emily Barker. Her powerful, beautiful voice and impressive, inventive instrumental renditions blew us away. The technical creativity of her tunes elevates an already remarkable performance. Hailing from Bridgetown, Emily apparently only witnessed live blues music for the first time during the tender age of 14 at her high school grounds, and was an instant convert. So am I.

It’d be a shame to go to these and not meet someone new. And so I did, and we learned of each other’s innermost personal histories within ten minutes. Liquid courage helps. I’ll know for next time.

Levels of preparedness by attendees varied. Some brought chairs or picnic rugs. Others brought coolers. All vastly exceeded by the laneway neighbours who opened up their fences/roller doors to bring out their tables and chairs, then snacked on some very sophisticated wine and cheese platters while I looked on with moony eyes.

Thoroughly impressed, I asked Michael Knight how he managed to have the event approved by the City as these things can be tricky. “I didn’t”, he answered. The laneway is privately owned by those abutting. Aha.

Huge thanks to Michael Knight and Michael Tucak for bringing this laneway to life with such a wonderful idea.

Here’s to big ideas in small spaces!