Welcome to our new feature – Arts Scene Around Freo – compiled by our Arts Editor, Gayle O’Leary. Here we will bring to your attention community Arts events happening around Freo – visual arts, live performances, music gigs of various sorts, you name it. Each week we will post Arts Scene on our homepage as well as in The Weekly Edition. If you’d like to have your event included, let Gayle know!
So, what’s happening this week?
‘Organs, Breathes, Salt’ by Jsuk Han
Friday 24 – Sunday 26 April 2026 Friday 24 April | Doors open 6pm, Live Performance 7pm
Jsuk Han will be collaborating with Raras Sukardi (clarinettist) and Sage Pbbbt (ritual vocalist) during the live performance.
In collaboration with Walyalup Fremantle Art Centre and Incheon Art Platform. A site-specific sound installation in which the Naval Store becomes a living organ. Acoustic feedback loops are generated and modulated by interconnected systems: real-time Fremantle weather data — wind speed, humidity, temperature and atmospheric pressure — flocking algorithms that govern the collective behaviour of sound across space, and the resonant frequencies of the microphones and the building itself. Found objects suspended from the ceiling trusses act as speaker units, connected by cables radiating from a central control system. The installation evolves slowly and unpredictably over the exhibition period, accumulating and shifting like salt itself.
Vessel Contemporary / Naval Store 141 Queen Victoria St, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
https://vesselcontemporary.org/wfax-x-vessel-jsuk-han
A Private Musical AFTERNOON – In The Round At Ecoburbia
Monday April 27th 3pm
It is an “In The Round”. We have four musicians each sharing some of their favourite songs. This is a great way to get a taste of four artists for the price of one ticket. You also get more of an insight into the artist as they share with each other and the audience. It is Tim’s favourite format so you should come along.
Ecoburbia
https://events.humanitix.com/a-musical-afternoon-in-the-round-kris-mizzi-isabel-rumble-clare-perrott
Boo Park Sunset Sessions
Thursday 9, 16, 23, 30 April – 5pm -7pm Featuring local musicians and beyond, including Emily Barker, at the gorgeous Freo response to Kings Park, Booyeembara Park at the corner of Stevens and Montreal Streets. Food trucks available. Bring a cosy jumper or throw and get ready to boogie with us.
Booyeembara Park, Fremantle
https://events.humanitix.com/boopark
John Curtin College of the Arts: Chicago
7pm 21 – 24 April 2026 Chicago: Teen Edition
(Gayle’s note) I’ve seen a few performances by JCCA such as The Little Shop of Horrors and Legally Blonde, which were absolutely outstanding. For an affordable and enjoyable night out, I couldn’t recommend them more.
Step into the dazzling world of Chicago – a tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz! Our Senior Musical Production brings Bob Fosse’s legendary style to life with bold choreography, sizzling performances, and the timeless music you love. Don’t miss this electrifying evening of Vaudeville glamour and razor-sharp storytelling, performed by the talented students of John Curtin College of the Arts.
John Curtin College of the Arts, 90 Ellen Street, Fremantle
https://www.jc.wa.edu.au/whats-on/calendar/
Terra / Kalgoorlie
Thursday April 23rd
John Toohey and Robert Frith’s show Terra / Kalgoorlie opens on April 23rd at UWA’s Cullity Gallery.
Toohey’s ‘Terra’, features panoramic scenes created with a half frame film camera accompanied by text panels based on news stories from the West Australian interior from around 1910 to 1950.
The images are depart from standard single shot panoramas, bringing time into play through sequences of images which, though continuous, involve brief but discrete moments of time.
Frith’s ‘Kalgoorlie’ is a modest survey of Kalgoorlie’s built form. The images were made over the course of a single cloudy day in the immediate post Covid period. They present an unusually quiet and detailed perspective of the goldfields hub.
Rob Frith maintains a successful practice as an architectural and portrait photographer. Widely published, he has a parallel interest in fine art photography.
Since returning from nearly two decades in South Korea, Turkey and Canada, John Toohey has built up a reputation for landscape work. His work has appeared in international photography magazines and he was recently included in Analog Forever’s Fifteen Film Photographers Reframing Landscape.
Hosted at UWA Cullity Gallery
Fremantle Press Open Day
Friday 24 April 2026 9:30am -2pm
Answer all your burning questions about writing, editing, publishing, and Freo Press at their new heritage digs!
Gold coin entry, and option to book in events below
https://events.humanitix.com/fremantle-press-open-day
Remembering the Strike – 80th Anniversary Concert
Sunday 3rd May 2026 6pm
A celebration of the 80th anniversary of the 1946 Pilbara Aboriginal station workers strike
A concert to honour one of Australia’s great untold stories – the Pilbara Aboriginal station workers strike of 1946, with around 800 people involved in a walk off that affected over 20 pastoral stations.
The strike is often recognised as one of the longest running industrial actions in Australian history, and was a highly influential event in Australia’s Land Rights movement.
Headlined by Shane Howard with his ‘Great Western band’ made up of Fremantle musicians Lucky Oceans, David Hyams, Roy Martinez and Todd Pickett.
Also featuring the “Strike Band” a special collaboration between David Milroy, Dave Johnson, and David Hyams, the Yurti band from Strelley station in the Pilbara, and Barry ‘Turtle’ Taylor – an up and coming Pilbara singer songwriter, who is also the grandson of Peter Coppin, one of the key figures of the strike.
Freo.Social
OCEAN — Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Sir David Attenborough
Friday 8th May, 2026 5pm
Fremantle will honour the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough with a unique cultural event celebrating his extraordinary legacy and enduring message about the future of our oceans, which is at the heart of his most recent documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough.
Presented by Freo.Social — OCEAN: A Celebration of Sir David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday — is timed to coincide with Attenborough’s centenary on Friday 8 May 2026 and will bring together film, science, live music, and immersive visuals.
“Sir David Attenborough has shaped how generations of people see and understand the natural world,” said James Legge, Director of Freo.Social.
“We wanted to mark his 100th birthday in a way that felt meaningful — by bringing the community together to celebrate his extraordinary legacy and reflect on the message at the heart of the film.
“This is a chance for Western Australians who care deeply about the ocean to share this special moment.”
The evening will begin with a free screening of one of the most powerful environmental films of our time Ocean with David Attenborough.
Following the film, respected ocean environmentalist and Prime Minister Award winner, Professor Michael Wear – owner of Tidal Moon and a Mulgana Traditional Custodian of Shark Bay – will discuss the film’s message and highlight the opportunities available to protect and help restore our oceans.
The night will then transform into a vibrant, ocean-inspired celebration featuring live music from Grammy Award-winning artist Lucky Oceans, guitarist and songwriter Rick Webster and the Imperial String Quartet, as well as immersive visuals, special guest appearances, and curated DJ sets throughout the evening.
Freo.Social
Roger Leevers: Retrospective
Opening 6pm | 8 – 24 May I
Roger Leevers Retrospective is presenting of a broad range of media and experience accumulated over sixty odd years of his career.
The ocean has featured repeatedly as sailing and fishing are easily accessed in Geraldton. The Abrolhos Islands nearby have a lengthy history.Yachts, historical sailing boats and fishing boats all feature in Acrylic, Watercolours, Linocuts and Drawings. Imperative viewing.
In Fremantle in the 80’s Roger Leevers drew blackboards for the Matilda Bay Group, in 1996 chosen as ships artist for the Endeavour Replica World Tour
Upstairs, 35 High Street, Fremantle
The Unyoung Chronicles Exhibition
24/5/26 – 3/7/26 6:30am to 3pm Mon-Sun + 5pm to 9pm Thurs – Mon (closed 3pm – 5pm)
UnYoung Chronicles is a group of artists exhibiting in a café (only people who go to galleries go to galleries) for six weeks (photos, sculptures, oils, acrylic, vox populi) 23rd May to 3rd July. By holding the exhibition where people eat and drink, we hope the theme surrounding customers will inspire conversations about getting older.
Unyoung Chronicles celebrates the richness and diversity of these bonus years, showcasing how individuals are embracing ageing in creative, meaningful, and inclusive ways. Through a multi-faceted initiative, we aim to challenge outdated perceptions of ageing and promote the idea of positive ageing as a time for personal growth, connection, and contribution.
South Freo Continental 318 South Terrace, South Fremantle
theunyoungchronicles.weebly.com
Fremantle Heritage Festival
18 April to 18 May 2026
Something for everyone of all ages, this festival includes a wonderful exploration of Fremantle – Walyalup’s rich and dark history. For those for fancy a walking tour or those who prefer to stand, or sit, in repose. Dip your toes in. Concerts, Walks, sailing adventures and more during Heritage Festival month, running like Fenians until May 18.
https://visitfremantle.com.au/heritage-festival-2026
Here’s a few of the featured events:
FREMANTLE’S LOST TREASURE
From Sat 18 April Free | Various Locations | Family Friendly Help a time-travelling professor complete his map and find his hidden stash of gold. Completing the map uncovers the final hidden beacon, returning the professor safely to the present. All players who complete the map go in the draw to win the professor’s hidden chest of gold coins, valued at $1000.
https://visitfremantle.com.au/heritage-festival-2026
REBEL HEARTS: ESCAPE FROM FREMANTLE PRISON
Sat 18 April + Sat 2 May + Sat 16 May | From $13 | Fremantle Prison | Family Friendly
Follow a story that has captured imaginations around the world—the meticulously planned breakout that freed a group of Irish political prisoners and carried them towards hope across the ocean. Trace the Fenians’ journey from incarceration to escape, culminating in their dramatic rendezvous with the American whaler Catalpa, a feat still celebrated for its ingenuity and nerve.
https://visitfremantle.com.au/heritage-festival-2026
ART BEHIND BARS: PRISON ART TOUR
From Sat 18 April | Free | Fremantle Prison | Not recommended for children under 12
Join us on this exclusive tour as we reveal the experiences of prisoners expressed through art. View convict-drawn frescoes and religious works, European landscapes, Aboriginal landscapes in the renowned Carrolup style, dot paintings, graffiti and tattoo art.
https://visitfremantle.com.au/heritage-festival-2026
If there’s any missed local shows and events that are about to open, do make sure to email Gayle so we can include your show, event, gig.
* Arts Scene Around Freo is compiled by our Arts Editor, Gayle O’Leary. If you’d like your community event listed email Gayle here.
~ WHILE YOU’RE HERE –
PLEASE HELP US TO GROW FREMANTLE SHIPPING NEWS
FSN is a reader-supported, volunteer-assisted online magazine all about Fremantle. Thanks for helping to keep FSN keeping on!
~ Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to receive your free copy of The Weekly Edition of the Shipping News each Friday!
