115,000 VISIT FREMANTLE STREET ARTS FESTIVAL

My own impression, and that of some Cappuccino Strip traders, that there were fewer people visiting the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival over the long Easter weekend, must be wrong. According to the City of Fremantle 115,000 people came to Freo to watch the performances over four days.

That seems very high to me. I went to watch and take photos of the festival on all of the four days, and the streets seemed a lot more quiet, and smaller crowds at the pitches, to me than in previous years.

What definitely was lacking was good marketing, banners in Fremantle to promote the festival, and some of the acts were pretty average, so improvement is needed for the next street arts fun.

Roel Loopers

RAIN DOES NOT DAMPEN STREET ARTS FUN

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When one challenges the heavens, by having a fun festival on Good Friday, one gets told off with showers. 🥰 The good news though is that BOM has forecast a resurrection of sunny weather over the next three Easter weekend days, so please do come to the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival.

A lot of people had gathered on the Esplanade, having picnics before the shows started, but sadly the showers started just after 12 o’clock.

Noongar Elder Barry McGuire gave an excellent Welcome to Country, and then the fun started with the Zimboys.

There is heaps more to come over the next three days, so come to Freo. It’s the best place to be this weekend!

Roel Loopers

FREO PUB WITH NO BEER

It is a wee bit strange that the Sail&Anchor has extended its alfresco area, but put signs on the tables that there is strictly no alcohol consumption there. I presume that is because the Good Friday serving of alcohol restrictions would be too difficult to police.

Also strange and a bit disappointing is that the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival is mostly on and near the Esplanade park, and not along the Cappuccino Strip today. Maybe the City of Fremantle can’t afford the expensive traffic management?

Anyway, it’s dull and overcast and a bit cool, so come heat up with some fun from midday today! See you somewhere near the Esplanade!

Roel Loopers

ONLY IN FREO IS GOOD FRIDAY A FUN DAY

Good Friday is traditionally a pretty boring day, where one can’t even get a drink in a pub without consuming a “substantial meal.”

But here in the good old port town of Fremantle we refuse to get morose, despondent or depressed, we get on with life and having fun.

The Fremantle International Street Arts Festival is on all Easter long weekend, including Good Friday! YAY!

Shows start at midday and go on all afternoon. See program above. There is even more on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, including evening shows, so come and spend some days in Freo. We love having you here!

I’ll see you there! Really looking forward to it!!!!!!

Roel Loopers

FOUR DAYS OF FUN. THE AMAZING FREMANTLE EASTER STREET ARTS FESTIVAL

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The next two weeks are split in fours. We have a four day working week, a four day extra long Easter weekend, followed by another short four day working week, so make the best of it, and the best is happening right here in Fremantle!

After three years of cancellation, due to the Covid pandemic, the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival is on again, starting on Good Friday. FISAF is the biggest street arts festival in Australasia, with many international artist flying in to perform in our wonderful port city.

It is happening every day of the Easter weekend from midday till late afternoon, plus evening performances as well, so make sure to check out the program.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FREMANTLE INTERNATIONAL STREET ARTS FESTIVAL | 7 – 10 APRIL 2023

Zimboyz (Zimbabwe, Ethiopia)

African Zimboyz take you on a journey to a world of the spell-bindly impossible with their breathtaking acrobatic flexibility, imagination, and pure muscle strength. If you think your nerves just can’t take anymore, then get ready to laugh with their explosive antics as they release untold daring energy and the desire for maximum fun.

Her Majesty’s Secret Circus (USA)

Agents Honeymoon and Butterfly are on a mission: save humanity with laughter, one show at a time. Featuring an amazing juggling act, audience sleeper agents, and all the spy thriller references you can handle, Her Majesty’s Secret Circus is a funny, spectacular, must-see show.

BBoy illwill (Australia)

Crowd pleaser Bboy illwill is high energy, hilarious and mind blowing in his dance & acrobatic moves. His raw New York City comedy entertains the whole family and will have you dancing in your seats.

Ketch (Japan)

Ketch Sketch is slick mime and physical comedy from Japan with magic, juggling, hilarious clowning, throbbing music and full tilt fun. Ketch brings the world premiere of his solo show to Fremantle after two decades performing with the acclaimed comedy duo Gamarjobat.

Bogomila and Son Pty Ltd (Australia)

Step inside an amazing yet bewildering world of comic fortune telling services, personal beauty care and ‘value added’ magical charms. Take in an enticing encounter with Bogomila and Bogomil, a mother and son team of professional personal service renderers, who bestow psychic comedy wisdom on a truly unsuspecting public.

Paul Currie (Northern Ireland, UK & Ireland)

Watch marvel Paul Currie slay the streets of Fremantle with masterful, bread-filled anarchy. Enter a comedy sweat flurry of mime puppets and experience crowd participation on a massive scale. A one- man turbo Monty Pythonesque show where the absurd is spun into inventive comedy gold.

Joel Salom and Erik the Dog (Australia)

International hero Joel Salom and his robotic dog, Erik are world class. Joel is sharp with his juggling triggered music, mad skills and is joined by his dog Erik who loves sniffing … things.

Bait and Switch (UK)

Globetrotting, tablecloth-pulling Mat Ricardo is a show-stealing, side-splitting, jaw-dropping, suit wearing showman. He brings big laughs, serious skills, stunts you’ve never seen before, stunts you think are impossible and stunts you will never forget.

Acrobatic Bouncers (Australia)

Original, fun and surprising, catch these Acrobatic Bouncers as they tumble and bounce their way through the streets of Freo using pure energy, car tyres and fit balls! With a supersized kit these bouncing performers launch themselves over each other and into the crowds.

Di Filippo Marionette (Italy and The Philippines)

This show is an amazing and fun exploration of the expressive and emotional potential of one puppet! Proto is brought to life while we watch. Through singing and all his crazy interactions, his story comes together, a universal story about the human in all of us.

roya the destroya (Australia)

roya the destroya believes every day is an adventure. Whether in front of dignitaries at the White House or on the beautiful streets of downtown Freo, her passionate show plays with her abilities to invite the audience into a soulful and joyful exchange.

Coiffures Barroques (France)

Inspired, artistic, and truly original, Christophe Pavia’s hair transformations enchant audiences around the world. With a few ribbons, flowers, birds, butterflies, and a lot of whimsical skill, ‘le coiffeur fou’ takes lucky audience members and transforms them into a countess for a day, a living piece of art in only seven minutes.

View the full Fremantle International Street Arts Festival program http://www.streetartsfestival.com.au

FREMANTLE STREET ARTS FESTIVAL CANCELLED

It is very unfortunate and disappointing, but does not come as a surprise, that the Fremantle Street Arts Festival, that traditionally happens over the long Easter weekend, has been cancelled.

For clarity, I received the media release about this from DETAIL marketing and not from the City of Fremantle media office.

MEDIA STATEMENT: FREMANTLE INTERNATIONAL STREET ARTS FESTIVAL 2021 CANCELLED

Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Fremantle has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Fremantle International Street Arts Festival (FISAF).

Although the event has been under consideration for some time, the final decision comes in light of the current health regulations and advice from the Department of Health. With FISAF attracting more than 100,000 people to Fremantle over the Easter long weekend, the event is deemed high risk.

Unfortunately, events of this scale and complexity do not currently meet the requirements of the public health principles listed in the COVID Event Guidelines and are not possible at this time.

Kathryn Taylor, Manager of Arts and Culture at the City of Fremantle said the pandemic has challenged the events industry to adapt and pivot to enable delivery in these unprecedented times.

“FISAF is a much-loved festival and we share in the disappointment that this cancellation brings. The festival team are working on developing projects that will provide the opportunity to celebrate Fremantle, without compromising public safety and we look forward to sharing these details in due course,” said Kathryn Taylor.

Within the current government guidelines, smaller events are still viable, and as such, the City of Fremantle is also working towards delivering a series of events as part of the Heritage Festival (April/May) and Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port (July).

Roel Loopers