Lifestyle and Culture in Western Australia

City of Perth Library

State-of-the-art library opens in Perth

The new multi-level City of Perth Library, located near the Perth Town Hall and new Cathedral Square precinct, is the first major civic building to be constructed since the Perth Concert Hall was built nearly 40 years ago. Conveniently located in the heart of Perth city, the new library will be the reading destination of choice for local residents as well as workers, students, tourists, visitors, shoppers and researchers. The building covers 3,500 square-metres and showcases a range of features over seven levels, including collections, reading rooms, AV multi-function rooms, a master staircase, story-telling zones and terrace.

http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/living-community/city-perth-library

History of the world opens at WA Museum

The international exhibition from the British Museum, A History of the World in 100 Objects is now on at the Western Australian Museum in the Perth Cultural Centre until June 18, 2016. The exhibition showcases two million years of human history, from the oldest objects in the British Museum's collections to those from the present day. The WA Museum has selected the Yamaji antennas as the Western Australian object to be displayed alongside the international exhibition. 

History of the world

The antennas highlight the importance of the Murchison Widefield Array as part of the world's largest radio astronomy project, the Square Kilometre Array, and the unique relationship that emerged between the astrophysicists and the Yamaji people. A History of the World would be the last exhibition to be displayed at the WA Museum's Perth site before it closes to accommodate works for the new museum, which will be built at the existing site, incorporating the heritage buildings, and is expected to open in 2020.
http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/perth/history-world-100-objects

First international art show for 105 year-old Kimberley woman

Artwork from a 105-year-old woman from WA's Kimberley is being showcased internationally for the first time at two separate exhibitions in the United States. One of the world's oldest artists, Loongkoonan's work is being exhibited at the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C. until April 26, before it moves to the University of Virginia. Loongkoonan picked up her first paintbrush aged 95, at Manambarra Aboriginal Artists Studio in Derby. She has since produced hundreds of works showcasing Nyikina country along the region's Fitzroy River. The New York Times' Women of the World published an in-depth feature on Loongkoonan's outstanding career here.

Pop-up dining to tour the State

WA's pop-up dining group Fervor have released details for its 2016 Fervor Tour. Fervor's philosophy is to present fresh, locally sourced produce at unique locations around WA, with the April and May tour schedule including Albany and Denmark as part of Taste Great Southern, Dumbleyung, Karijini National Park and Kununurra, as part of the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster. Each event features intimate, long table, 8-10 course degustation dinners with guests treated to ingredients such as marron, green ants, crab, youlk, wattleseed, seaweed and wallaby. As part of the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, Fervor will present the delicious Breakfast by Fervor on May 20 and the delicious Degustation Dinner on May 22.
www.fervor.com.au
www.ordvalleymuster.com.au

Festival of foodie fun - Eat Drink Perth 2016

Eat Drink Perth

The newest and best of Perth's food and beverage scene will be served up in the City of Perth's 12th annual foodie festival, Eat Drink Perth from March 16 to April 23. This year, more than 90 events will entice you to try new and old favourites, with everything from markets to masterclasses, long table dinners to dessert degustations, food trucks and walking tours, to picnics and pop-ups. Coinciding with Earth Hour in March, there will be a focus on sustainable food choices and events featuring organic, gluten-free, vegan, raw, paleo and biodynamic foods, as well as locally grown produce and homemade products at the weekly Perth Home Grown market. Get a taste of the program at www.visitperthcity.com/eatdrinkperth.

Northbridge welcomes new gelateria

For all the ice-cream lovers out there, a new gelateria has opened in Perth. Chicho Gelato offers fresh, daily churned gelato, rotating up to 20 flavours according to the season. Chicho guests can dine in or takeaway and watch the fresh gelato being churned. The gelateria is located on William Street in Northbridge, just outside of the Perth CBD, and is another great addition to the ever-expanding Northbridge area.

Sweet delicacies are taking Perth by storm with many local businesses offering an exciting selection of dessert food and drink which taste just as good as they look. Get your sweet fix at some of Perth's most visited venues, including Gusto Gelato in Leederville, Babooshka in Northbridge, Chu Bakery in Highgate and Mary Street Bakery in Mount Lawley.
http://chichogelato.com/

New cidery opens in Swan Valley

Four Brothers Cider is a new cidery in the Swan Valley producing the only preservative-free, unpasteurised cider in WA. The cider is made from locally sourced fruit and includes apple, pear, strawberry, ginger, mango and coconut flavours, as well as one seasonal cider. Four Brothers is owned by two pairs of brothers, Dustin and Marty Michaels, who created Michael Brothers Juice Company, and Peter and Adam Watts, who have a background in brewing having worked with established names in the Swan Valley such as Ironbank Brewery, Mash Brewing and Feral Brewing. WA's oldest wine-growing region, the Swan Valley is a 25 minute drive from Perth city.
https://www.facebook.com/4brotherscider/

Milking demonstrations on show to South West visitors

Millers Ice Cream

South West business Millers Ice Cream has opened a milking shed at their Cowaramup operation, giving visitors the chance to view live milking demonstrations – including hand and machine milking techniques. Visitors can also meet and greet young calves and have a chance at bottle feeding the mini-moos. The educational experience gives guests an opportunity to learn about dairy farm life, milk production and local dairy history, and taste creamy, farm fresh milk. The Milking Shed is open at 11am on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, with the onsite farm café open seven days a week.
http://www.millersicecream.com.au/

Print Hall dining room to make way for Asian inspired venue

The dining room at Perth venue Print Hall will be relaunched as an Asian-fusion style restaurant and bar in the coming months. Renovations will involve removing a wall between Print Hall dining room and the venue's main bar space, creating a big, casual dining and drinking area with a modern Asian menu. Housed in Perth's original Newspaper House, Print Hall opened to the public in September 2012, and houses popular venues including The Apple Daily Bar and Eating House and Bob's Bar.
http://www.printhall.com.au/

Restaurant festival returns to Langley Park

Tickets are now available to WA's biggest restaurant festival, Taste of Perth 2016. Over three indulgent days, visitors will rub shoulders with Perth's top chefs and like-minded foodies as they graze through tasting menus designed by the city's latest, greatest and hottest restaurants. This year's event will return to Langley Park from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1, and will include a variety of gourmet attractions, artisan producers and live entertainment.
http://www.tasteofperth.com.au/

Pearth Organic Kitchen

Organic kitchen puts the earth in Perth

A small, owner-operated business, Pearth Organic Kitchen, has opened in West Leederville, serving up wholesome and healthy food. The cafe's menu feeds the gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian and meat eating people of Perth, and is open Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch.

http://pearthorganickitchen.com.au/