What’s On This Winter

Theatre

Auditions are done and dusted, and rehearsals are in full swing for the Esperance Theatre Guild’s hotly anticipated production of Les Misérables , opening on August 25. Directed by local Caitlyn Edwards, the multi-award winning musical is set in early 19th century France, against a backdrop of disease, crime, and poverty. Keep an eye on ‘The Bijou Theatre Esperance’ Facebook page for production updates and ticket details.

Esperance Stonehenge will come alive with the magic of Shakespeare over the winter solstice, with international touring company Come You Spirits performing adaptations of The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the local landmark. The Tempest will be performed on June 20, the evening before the solstice, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed the following day. Both shows run for 90 minutes and are fully immersive, with the action taking place around and among the audience and stones. Tickets and more details are available at www.events.humanitix.com/ shakespeare-at-stonehenge

There’s heaps on at the Esperance Civic Centre, too. Highlights include kids’ show The Box Show on July 25 and 26, where household items are transformed into musical instruments, and Boyd Meets Girl on August 22, which sees a classical guitarist and a cellist perform an eclectic mix of music, from Bach to Beyonce. Check out www.esperance.wa.gov.au/civiccentre for the complete rundown of what’s happening throughout winter and beyond.

Music

The local music scene continues to thrive over the colder months. Ease into your weekends with Friday night open mics at the Cannery Arts Centre on June 9, July 14, and August 11. Also happening at the Cannery over winter is Club 75, taking place on June 24, July 22, and August 26. The June edition of Club 75 will be headlined by

Margaret River singer songwriter Sash Seabourne, who you might recognise from this year’s Australian Idol , and accompanied by a few favourite local acts. Held in the Cannery’s cosy main gallery, you’ll be able to keep toasty with a tipple from the bar and a gözleme by Livvy.

On July 8, head out to Lucky Bay Brewing for Blues and Brews, a mid-winter celebration of music and beer. The family friendly event will be headlined by WA blues artists Lightnin Jack and Tracey Barnett, so settle in around the fire for an afternoon of good music and great bevs. And it wouldn’t be winter without the annual Esperance Music Festival. Held between August 17 – 19, the eisteddfod celebrates its 50th year in 2023, making this one just that extra bit special. If you’d like to jump on stage and show off your musical skills, there’s still time to sign up, with entry day scheduled for June 11. For further info, head to the ‘Esperance Music Festival’ page on Facebook.

Community Callout

Want to be involved?

We are looking for:

- Stall Holders

- Food Vendors

- Volunteering

Get in touch with the Team: community@ esperance.wa.gov.au or 9083 1706

*Deadline 15 June esperancedistilleryco.com

Check our website for opening hours.

FOOD Esperance

Community Arts’ Taste of the World was one of Esperance’s most popular cultural events last winter and is back this June long weekend. Held at the Esperance Civic Centre on June 5, the free event will celebrate multiculturalism in Esperance, providing an opportunity for people from all corners of the globe to unite and share language, music, dance, art, stories and, of course, food. Expect to taste delights from Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Europe, as well as homegrown bush tucker.

For a taste of something a little closer to home, head to the Taylor Street Quarters, which is participating in Plating Up WA during the month of June. Plating Up WA encourages restaurants across the state to showcase Western Australian produce on their menus through one hero dish. The Quarters is serving up Leeuwin coast Akoya oyster mariniere with toasted focaccia and grilled lemon – think dreamy Akoya oysters steamed in white wine with red onion and garlic, finished with cream and fresh parsley. Yum. It’s on their dinner menu in June only, so don’t miss out!

Art

Winter is the perfect time to throw on an art smock and head down to the Cannery Arts Centre to pick up a new skill or two. There’s heaps going on at the Cannery over winter, kicking off with a beginners’ portraits class on June 20, a paint and sip evening on June 22, and a dried floral sculpture workshop on June 29. Social sewing group Sew Social will also get together at the Cannery on June 10 and July 22, and two six-week pottery courses will kick off in August. Head to www.canneryartscentre. com.au for more info.

If you need to keep the kids busy over the winter school hols, the Cannery has you covered here, too. The KickArts school holiday program will offer a range of workshops suitable for kids and teens aged 5 to 17, including painting, weaving, and pottery. One workshop to look out for is

Waste Warriors, a collaboration with the Shire of Esperance where participants will visit the Wylie Bay Materials Recovery Facility and learn more about waste and recycling, then repurpose an old chair, giving it a makeover and a second life.

Movies

There’s no better place to escape wet and windy weather than in the refuge of a cinema. Fenwick 3 Cinemas has a host of blockbusters lined up for winter. In June, action fans can look forward to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , The Flash , and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts , or scare yourself silly with The Boogeyman , a horror film based on a 1973 short story by Stephen King. If you’re after something a little lighter, Strays might be more up your alley, with Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx voicing a couple of stray dogs seeking revenge. In July, the hotly anticipated Barbie hits cinemas, which is sure to add a little Californian warmth to the depths of our winter.