What do a radio station, historic hotel, skyscraper and vintage gaming museum have in common? They’re all opening their doors for Open House Perth 2018 on the weekend of November 11 and 12. It’s your annual opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most fascinating venues across the city, and with new attractions this year and a bunch of guided tours covering everything from skateboarding to wonders of architectural design – there’s something for everyone. The full Open House Program can be found here, but for a bit of a taste, we’ve picked some of our favourite destinations for 2018.
Nostalgia Box
The Nostalgia Box is a retro gaming museum in Northbridge that offers a fun and interactive way to learn about the history of video games. Catch up with some old, or even forgotten friends from eras past or for those that are a little more fresh, lift the lid on some of the classics you haven’t encountered yet. All the iconic games throughout the past few decades are here, including Pong, Space Invaders, Super Mario Bros and many more. Challenge your friends to a few old favourites and get some insight into the fascinating history and culture of gaming.
Where: Shop 3/16 Aberdeen Street, Perth
When: Sunday, November 11, 1pm – 5pm
Learn more here.
Skater’s Eye
This is a unique opportunity to see the city through a skateboarder’s eyes! Join local Perth skateboarder Morgan Dyson as he leads you on a tour of some of the architecture and public spaces used for skateboarding through the CBD and Northbridge. Hear some of the stories about the history of skateboarding in Perth and how skateboarders re-interpret, re-appropriate and disrupt the urban landscape. A special screening of Morgan’s short documentary film Rhythmic Reflections from Perth will conclude the tour on the James Street amphitheatre screen in the Cultural Centre.
Where: Meet at Beyond Skate Perth – 15 Howard Street, Perth
When: Saturday, November 10, 11am – 12.30pm
Learn more here.
RTRFM
RTRFM is an independent, non-profit community radio station that provides an alternative voice for Perth through innovative music and talks programming. RTRFM has been a powerful advocate for local music and arts in Western Australia since its inception at UWA in 1977. They run over 50 specialist music programs and provide a voice on major topics and issues in the arts, culture, social justice, politics and the environment. Get a glimpse at the studio as they broadcast live and step inside their historic vault of thousands of CDs and records that define the sound and musical history of Western Australia like nowhere else.
Where: Level 1, 642 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley
When: Saturday, November 10, 10am – 2pm & Sunday, November 11, 10am – 2pm
Learn more here.
Robert Muir Old & Rare Books (Muir Books)
There’s just something about old books isn’t there? Whether it be the scent of them, the amount of care that was taken in their production and leather binding, or their tantalising history; who read it before or the handwritten platitudes to a gift receiver in the opening pages, written deep in yesteryear. This is a fantastic opportunity to check out some of Perth’s oldest, rarest, valuable and most historically significant books.
Established in 1973, Robert Muir Old & Rare Books (Muir Books) originally made itself at home in the leafy surrounds of Nedlands before moving to Northbridge in 2015. The two storey heritage listed building on Lindsay Street was originally a stables built in the 1890s but underwent a remarkable transformation with designs by Gervas Designs and owners Rob and Janet Muir.
Muir Books will also be sharing historical Western Australian maps and art as well as a range of out-of-print and collectable books, plus a marquee in the courtyard, hosting talks from local artists and authors, a coffee cart and short musical performances throughout the day. Inside the bookshop there will be a display of the work of Muir Books’ master bookbinder, who worked for the top bookbinders in the UK for many years and creates beautiful custom bindings.
Where: 17 Lindsay Street, Perth
When: Saturday, November 10, 10am – 4pm & Sunday, November 11, 10am – 4pm
Learn more here.
Optus Stadium
Always wanted to check out the new stadium but maybe there hadn’t been a sporting or live event that took your fancy just yet? Well this is your chance to get an exclusive behind the scenes tour of this stunning new 60,000 seat, world-class, multi-purpose Stadium
You’ll be able to experience the stadium from the eyes of an athlete, gearing up for a big game, or a rock star preparing to bring the hits to thousands of cheering fans. The tour will include breathtaking views of the playing surface, the Swan River and Perth city from the Stadium’s highest vantage point, and also experience the inner sanctum. Along the way you will discover sports memorabilia detailing WA’s rich sporting history.
Where: 333 Victoria Park Drive, Burswood
When: Saturday, November 10, 3pm (tour via ballot only)
Learn more here.
PICA
Housed in a large and striking heritage building in the heart of Perth, WA, PICA is the city’s focal point to experience the best of Australian and international visual, performance and interdisciplinary art. PICA creates career-defining moments for artists, life changing experiences for audiences of all ages and critical turning points in the advancement of art forms.
The building, which dates from 1896, was for 40 years the Perth Boys’ and Girls’ School (one of several schools known collectively as Perth Central School). PICA began operating from the James Street building in 1988 with the main aim of promoting contemporary arts in Western Australia.
For Open House Perth, you can peek behind closed doors and explore Studio Zero and Studio One. You can also stop past PICA’s performance space, during a creative development of Gui Shui/Belong by Steamwork Arts.
Where: 51 James Street, Perth
When: Saturday, November 10, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, November 11, 10am – 5pm
Learn more here.
ABC Studios
Open wide, come inside as ABC Perth unlocks their doors to give you a chance to discover your ABC and gain insight into how ABC produces TV, Radio and News. Let the guided tour transport you to the world of Arcadia Heights when you take a walk through the set of ABC’s highly anticipated drama series, The Heights, ahead of its premiere next year. You won’t believe you’re in a TV studio!
Meet the familiar faces you watch every night or put a face to the voice you hear when ABC News and Radio presenters show you the ins and outs of our radio and news studios. Other highlights include the chance for you to test your news reading skills, the only remaining original Countdown sign in Australia and the chance to take part in the live Saturday Breakfast show with gardening expert Sabrina Hahn.
Where: 30 Fielder Street, East Perth
When: Saturday, November 10, 9am – 3pm
Learn more here.
The National Hotel
The National Hotel is an iconic four storey hotel in the heart of Fremantle on the corner of Market Street and High Street. It has been a meeting place for the local people since the late 1800s with a highly decorative design expressing the affluence of the gold boom in which it was born. Find out about some of the intriguing stories that have coloured its history, being home to several murders and suicides, a number of natural deaths, a plethora of bar room brawls and countless misdeeds and shenanigans.
Where: 98 High Street, Fremantle
When: Saturday, November 10, 12pm – 4pm & Sunday, November 11, 12pm – 4pm
Learn more here.
