Ten Best Free Things To Do In Perth

The crucial third Test begins in Perth tomorrow. For cricket fans with a spare day away from the action (or who need to escape the scenes on the field), here are some suggestions for the best things to do on little or no budget.

Free walking tours
See another side of Perth on a free i-City tour. Volunteer guides lead themed walks every Monday to Friday from the Information Kiosk in Murray Street Mall. Take a tour of the city’s gardens, follow an art trail or take in the gold rush history. The tours take up to two hours, and you can join in or leave anywhere along the way. Alternatively, download the free audio tours and maps and do it yourself.
See www.perth.wa.gov.au

Explore Fremantle by bike
Pick up a free bike at the E-Shed markets and explore the area’s heritage buildings, markets and fascinating maritime and convict history as well as a beach or two. Run by the Free Wheeling Freemantle initiative.
See www.fremantlewa.com.au

Free movies and yoga in Northbridge
There’s free entertainment in the Northbridge Piazza in central Perth, including free yoga and Tai Chi class in the mornings. If you haven’t got tickets to the WACA, you could perhaps catch the game here during the day. Otherwise watch a movie on the permanent LED screen in the evening.
See www.showmeperth.com.au for listings

Perth's Cultural side
The Perth Cultural Centre is in the heart of the city, and is home to a range of free state-owned attractions. Explore the stories and culture of the local Aboriginal people, unique flora, fauna and biodiversity at the WA Museum or see the country’s biggest aboriginal art exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA. There’s also free WiFi, markets and an urban orchard.
See www.perthculturalcentre.com.au

Cottesloe beach
There are 19 white sand beaches within easy reach of the city centre to while away a day on, but Cottesloe is one of the most popular. Surf or snorkel by day, or wait for the magnificent sunsets, when locals flock to the bars and cafes that line the beach. It becomes an outdoor art gallery in March with the free Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.
See www.sculpturebythesea.com

Lunch with a view
Kings Park, one of the largest inner city parks in the world, has great views of the city and the Swan River. Perched on Mount Eliza, the park includes 400 hectares of natural bushland, lookouts and botanic gardens which showcase the incredible array of flora from around the whole of the state. Take the Federation walkway through the eucalyptus tree tops, or see one of the Kimberley’s immense boab trees. There are free BBQ facilities. Free guided botany walks run daily (except Christmas Day).
See guided walks http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/services/tours/guided-walks
**Note: Currently these walks are cancelled due to high fire risk

Sample some of Perth’s fine craft beer
Little Creatures Brewery (cited by David Gower as one of the best places to go in the city) is set inside a massive converted boat shed right on Fishing Boat Harbour. Get an insider’s look at the process with free tours of the brewery at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
See www.littlecreatures.com.au

Taste the Swan Valley
Spend the afternoon touring the Swan Valley, the oldest wine region in Western Australia just 25 minutes’ drive from Perth city. Many local producers offer free samples for its wine, craft beer, cheese, chocolate and ice cream. Of course, you may find something you can’t go home without.
See Swan Valley food and wine trail

Learn to play the didgeridoo
Fremantle is home to Australia's largest specialty didgeridoo store. Didgeridoo Breath runs lessons and workshops for beginners through to advanced players. You can get a 15pminute session for free.
See www.didgeridoobreath.com

Explore the city for free
You can get around the city using the free CAT (Central Area Transit) bus. Three separate lines navigate the city’s key attractions from Northbridge to East Perth and West Perth. Additionally, a free transit zone operates in the city area where passengers can travel for free on any bus. Look for the red FTZ logo on bus stops to identify the free travel boundaries.
See www.transperth.wa.gov.au
These suggestions are courtesy of Tourism Western Australia

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/australiaandpacific/australia/10513251/Perth-Ten-of-the-best-free-things-to-do.html

By Jolyon Attwooll

Need a hotel in Perth? Come and book a stay at Metro Hotel Perth

Metro Hotel Perth offers guests a wide range of stylish and spacious hotel accommodation, with most rooms enjoying spectacular panoramic views of the Swan River and Perth city. The hotel is close to Perth’s major tourist attractions, Perth Zoo, Kings Park and the river foreshore. The Burswood Casino complex is 2.5 kms from the hotel as is the famous West Australian Cricket ground. Located within walking distance from the hotel are many fantastic restaurants offering a wide variety of international cuisines.

Click here to view hotel: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/perth-hotels/metro-hotel-perth-13

Victorious Australia Bringing Same Squad to Perth for 3rd Ashes Test

Australia will take the same 12-man squad to Perth for the third Ashes test this week after humbling England by 218 runs to win the second match in Adelaide on Monday.

Selector John Inverarity said in a statement that uncapped fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile and 12-test paceman Doug Bollinger would also be in Perth on standby and would train with the squad for the test match "should they be required."

Australia fielded the same team in Adelaide that thrashed England by 381 runs in Brisbane, the first time in a year that the team has been unchanged for consecutive tests.

Coach Darren Lehmann was reluctant to mess with a winning formula for the WACA, where their pacemen will hope to wreak maximum damage against a shell-shocked England side on a bouncy wicket.

"At the moment, all good," Lehmann said of his bowlers' fitness for the third match starting on Friday.

"(If they're) 100 percent, they'll play. If not, they won't.

"From our point of view, we've just got to keep what we're doing now. Not change too much. Just make sure we adapt to Perth conditions. As you've seen, we adapted very well from Brisbane to here, and now we go back the other way."

Australia lead the five-test series 2-0 and can wrest the Ashes away from holders England with victory in Perth.

Australia squad: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, James Faulkner

Grease comes to Perth

Grease is the word in musical theatre land, with Australian producer John Frost announcing the popular show is heading to Perth and Adelaide.

The high-energy musical, which has already enjoyed successful seasons in Brisbane and Sydney and is soon to open in Melbourne, will head to South Australia and WA in winter next year.

Frost said he was delighted that Grease was continuing its tour of the country.

“Rarely have I seen audience reactions like the ones we have been receiving every night for Grease, with everyone in the aisles dancing and singing along,” he said in a statement.

“Grease truly is Australia’s number one party musical, and now I’m delighted to give audiences in Perth and Adelaide the chance to sing-a-long and dance with Rob, Gretel, Todd, Bert and the gang on stage.”

The musical is based on the 1978 film starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta and features all the songs, including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights and Greased Lightnin’.

Leading the cast in the iconic roles of Danny and Sandy are Rob Mills and Gretel Scarlett.

The musical also stars Bert Newton as slick veteran disc jockey Vince Fontaine and Todd McKenney as Teen Angel.

Grease will begin at Perth’s Crown Theatre on June 21, 2014, followed by a season at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide from August 3, 2014.

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/20214229/grease-comes-to-perth/

Power Pack at Metro Hotel Perth

Metro Hotel Perth is offering this Power Pack Accommodation Package for $249.00*

Going to the Tennis?

• Stay in an Executive Riverview Room
• Start the day with two fully cooked buffet breakfasts
• Pack up your complimentary sunscreen
• Two Powerade drinks
• Two Sun Visors

Enjoy the Hopman Cup Tennis!

Book this Power Pack at Metro Hotel Perth

View Metro Hotel Perth

Terms & Conditions:

• Subject to availability
• Offer is for two occupants only.
• Not available in conjunction with any other special
• Offer valid 28/12/2014 to 04/01/2014

View this Metro Hotel Accommodation Package

Perth Predicted to be Bigger Than Brisbane

Join the crowd: Perth population tipped to hit three million. Picture: Lee Griffith/The West Australian

Perth will overtake Brisbane to become Australia's third biggest city in 15 years, population projections reveal.

Three million people are expected to call Perth home by 2028, putting fresh pressure on the city's infrastructure and housing supply to keep pace with the growth.

The capital's swelling population will almost double WA's total population from 2.4 million people to 4.7 million by 2040.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the nation's population is growing faster than previously thought.

Five years ago it had projected Australia's population could get as high as 62.2 million by 2101 but it has revised that to 70 million.

It is based on the highest population growth scenario of women having two babies and annual migration of almost 280,000 a year. Using its mid-range growth assumptions, the ABS forecasts the population will double to 46 million by 2075.

Under the same medium scenario, Perth's current population of 1.9 million is tipped to rise to three million by 2028 and pass Brisbane.

What makes Perth's rapid population increase even more staggering is that it will overtake Brisbane in just 15 years, even though the Queensland metropolis will have the second fastest growth rate of any capital city in the country.

Curtin University professor of sustainability Peter Newman said Perth should be able to absorb an extra 1.1 million people if it got the infrastructure right.

“We will cope with it if we plan for it,” he said. “Melbourne and Sydney are exporting people to Brisbane and Perth, but we’re just getting more of them.”

He advocates future housing development in Perth to focus on 8-10 storey-high buildings in sub-centres based around new and existing train stations.

Professor Newman said Perth was poised to become a global city as it becomes the headquarters for energy and mining giants in the region, which would provide employment.

But it was also critical to attract jobs in the “knowledge economy” such as software developers and university researchers so the city was not just relying on the resources industry.

Urban Development Institute Association WA chief executive Debra Goostrey said industry and government were closely monitoring housing supply to prevent a repeat of last decade’s squeeze that drove up property prices.

While new land was being released, Ms Goostrey said there were emerging signs of some skilled labour shortages that could slow down construction.

She also said governments needed to keep up infrastructure investment to accommodate the swelling population.

“It definitely has it challenges but for people living in Perth this is a fantastic opportunity to build a very vibrant city that people want to come and live in,” Ms Goostrey said.

Destination Melbourne – Popular With Visitors from West Australia

Each year, more than a million West Australians* fly across Australia to visit the eastern states, the largest proportion of whom choose Victoria as their destination of choice. 

This number is growing – 10 per cent more West Australians visited Melbourne in 2012 when compared with the previous year.

Whether it is for work, holiday, shopping, to eat out at some of the country’s best restaurants or to attend one of the many sporting and cultural events, there is no doubt that Melbourne has it all.

And with three airlines now vying for passengers and up to 15 flights direct from Perth to Melbourne daily, flying to Melbourne has never been easier or more affordable. 

From $150 each way, West Australians now have the perfect excuse to fly across Australia and enjoy all Melbourne has to offer – even just for the weekend. 

Metro Apartments on Bank Place offers inner city apartment style accommodation that lives up to the city’s European charm. Tucked away down a cobbled laneway,  the surrounding heritage-listed piazza introduces you to Melbourne’s charming lanes and city precinct with its range of cafes, restaurants and enticing shopping. 

Bustling by day and alive with al fresco dining by night, Bank Place is situated a short stroll away from all of Melbourne’s sought after attractions: Bourke Street Mall, Federation Square, Southgate Centre and Crown Casino. 

Hop on one of Melbourne’s famous trams to spend the day at the MCG or the National Gallery of Victoria, and take in a show at the Victorian Arts Centre – only a short ride away by taxi or tram. 

The property offers 46 apartments, a choice of either studio or one-bedroom suites, as well as a split level, two bedroom penthouse. All suites include a kitchenette and laundry facilities. 

*Tourism Victoria Origin Market Profile,Year ending Dec 2012

To book, contact Metro Apartments Bank Place on +61 3 9604 4321 or call the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternately, bookings can be made online at www.metrohotels.com.au

View this Press Release and all Metro Hotels News

Perth's Chinatown Gets $2m Revamp

The West Australian government will spend $2 million to revitalise Perth's Chinatown precinct with lanterns and road stencilling.

As part of the revitalisation, Chinese New Year celebrations will be expanded into Chinatown laneways in 2014 with a $50,000 state government grant to the Chung Wah Association.

Premier Colin Barnett said on Sunday the aim was to create a more vibrant precinct for families, locals and tourists.

"Chinatown is a popular location for people of all ages and an important business precinct in Northbridge that has been rundown for some time," he said.

"This investment will transform the area to its former glory of the 1980s and ensure it remains an exciting and culturally important destination for years to come."

The Chinatown precinct is bound by Nicks Lane and Roe and James Streets in Northbridge, and includes 13 restaurants and businesses.

The wider Perth City Link project will create five new connections between the city and Northbridge, which will encourage more people to pass through the Roe Street area every day, the premier said.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.

New A380 flights from Perth

New A380 flights from Perth

Emirates the world’s largest international airline, is set to launch A380 super jumbo services to Perth from March 1.

According to Canberra sources the airline has slots approved for the 496-seat A380 to replace one of its tripe daily Boeing 777 services.

The A380 flight is scheduled to arrive at 5.25pm and depart at 10.30pm.

To see a virtual reality view of the A380 click here.

Emirates had planned to operate the A380 from Perth from mid year but delays in the installation and integration of the new aerobridge has put that back to March next year.

However, that A380 was allocated to Brisbane.

While the new service is slated from March 1 it may slip depending on A380 deliveries.

Emirates operates the world’s largest fleet of A380s with 39 in service and the airline had 51 on order.

But this week it ordered another 50 taking the total backlog for the airline to 101.

The Emirates A380 has 14 first class suites, 76 business class beds and a lounge bar on the upper deck and 406 economy class seats on the main deck.

At this week’s order announcement Emirates President Tim Clark said that the A380 “remains highly popular with our passengers.”

“It is still one of the most efficient aircraft to operate today in terms of fuel burn and emissions per passenger, and it gives us the flexibility in some cases to meet passenger demand in slot-constrained markets.”

One of the most popular features of the A380 is the quiet cabin and the plane is more stable than most in turbulence.

The Emirates A380s are mobile phone and email capable and have over 1500 entertainment options.

Emirates has been associated with Europe’s largest passenger aircraft since April 2000 when it was the first airline to announce plans to purchase the super jumbo.

The A380 is a major part of the airline’s ambitious expansion plans outlined by Mr Clark earlier this month.

“By 2020, we will have more than 250 aircraft serving some 70 million passengers across six continents. It will make us the largest airline on the planet by international passenger traffic,” Mr Clark said.

“However, being the biggest airline in the world is not really the end goal. Our aim has always been to connect travellers from around the world to Dubai, and other destinations with just a single stop via our hub.

“The strategic location of Dubai makes it possible for us to serve almost 90 per cent of the world’s population with non-stop flights.”

Over a third of the world’s population lives within a 4-hour flight from Dubai, and two-thirds are within an 8-hour flight.

Today, Emirates operates nearly 3,200 flights globally per week to 135 destinations in 76 countries.

The airline has 50,000 staff made up of 160 nationalities

James Blunt - Moon Landing 2014 World Tour

The Frontier Touring Company is delighted to announce the return of James Blunt to Australia in 2014., Blunt and his band will visit for a very special run of shows in May/June next year, with guests Busby Marou.

The timing for this exciting announcement could not be better, with Blunt's brand new single 'Bonfire Heart', taken from his upcoming album 'Moon Landing', peaking at #1 position on the iTunes single chart and debuting at #5 on this week's ARIA single chart! 

James Blunt shot to fame in 2006 with the smash singles 'You're Beautiful' & 'Goodbye My Lover' from his platinum selling album 'Back to Bedlam', one of the UK's best-selling albums of the 2000's. For fourth studio album Moon Landing, Blunt wanted to go back to sounding... like himself. 'I was playing a lot of ukulele - mainly because it makes me look bigger,' says James. He also returned to producer Tom Rothrock, and to working with just the two of them in the studio, occasionally bringing in selected musicians from the Back To Bedlam sessions. 

Picking up a guitar and writing his first song at 14, Blunt wrote his university dissertation on the music industry, took that guitar to the war in Kosovo, and always dreamed of making music, saying what success has meant, more than anything, is freedom. 'What it allowed me to do was go on tour with a band. That was absolutely amazing'.

 But it also meant much more than that, with three world tours, four number one singles, five Grammy nods (plus two BRITS, two Ivor Novellos and a host of MTV awards), a six-piece band, seven whole years on the road, nearly 17m albums and 20 million singles sales worldwide following. 

Bringing a full band with him for the tour and renowned for his charm and grace on stage, Australian audiences will surely be captivated when he returns for his first visit since 2011, playing songs from his highly anticipated new album as well as a collection of hits.

'There's just something romantic, old-school and lonely about the moon landings,' he explains. 'A nostalgic memory of something huge that we can hardly believe we once achieved, and for some sad reason, can't achieve again - like first love.'

"Goodbye My Lover was everything Sydney's jilted lovers could have dreamed of. His timorous demeanour whilst sitting at the piano worked rather well here, giving the hit song a raw touch and awarded him a well-deserved standing ovation."

- The Music Network 2011

It's an exciting week for Australian duo Busby Marou, with their new album 'Farewell Fitzroy' (out now through Warner Music) debuting at #5 on the ARIA album chart this week, they have also been confirmed as special guests for this Australian/New Zealand tour with James! Two years on from their acclaimed self-titled debut, Farewell Fitzroy is 12 tracks of folk-pop and country-tinged song craft, distinctly Australian storytelling, and the gifted musicianship of Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou.
"Marou's sometime-falsetto and Busby's earthy, clear lead vocals combine in heavenly harmony, and their guitars do likewise."

- The Australian (4.5 stars)

James Blunt is certain to make audiences swoon at these theatre shows and tickets won't last, so be sure to grab yours.

TOUR DATES*:

Sun 1 Jun - Newcastle Civic Theatre, NSW
Mon 2 Jun - Brisbane Convention Centre, QLD
Fri 6 Jun - Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, SA
Sat 7 Jun - Royal Theatre Canberra, NSW
Fri 13 Jun - Riverside Theatre Perth, WA
*Ticketek is selling for the above venues only.

Dolly Parton Announces Australian Tour

US country singer Dolly Parton is returning to Australia in 2014 for a national tour. Parton will bring her Blue Smoke World Tour Down Under in February, promoter Live Nation announced on Monday."Australia, here I come again.

We have a lot of new and exciting things for the show and can't wait to share it with you. I love my fans in that part of the world.

You've been so very good to me for so many years and I know that we're gonna have a wonderful time," Parton said in a statement.Parton, best known for her hit 9 to 5 and her 1983 duet Islands in the Stream with Kenny Rogers, last toured Australia in 2011.

Her The Better Day World Tour! was lauded as her most successful Australian tour of her 45-plus year career after performing to record-breaking crowds across the country. Tickets go on sale on November 1.

Stereosonic - Two Days of Entertainment, One Epic Experience

Returning in 2013 as a two-day festival across the country, for the first time ever in Australia, the worlds biggest acts from all spectrums of the electronic world, will be playing at one event.

Take part in an experience unparalleled by any other. One that showcases the world’s most illustrious music talent on offer, supported by groundbreaking production and a spectacular festival environment that will allow you to immerse yourself completely in the world of Stereosonic.

Expect the unexpected and ensure you leave your inhibitions at the door. The countdown to Australia’s biggest music festival commences now.

Don’t Hesitate. Don’t think twice. Don’t miss out. Summer starts here.

STEREOSONIC 2013 NATIONAL TOUR DATES:

SYDNEY - Saturday 30 November & Sunday 1 December - Sydney Showgrounds, NSW

PERTH - Saturday 30 November & Sunday 1 December - Claremont Showground*, WA

ADELAIDE - Friday 6 December & Saturday 7 December - Adelaide Showground, SA

MELBOURNE - Saturday 7 December & Sunday 8 December - Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, VIC

BRISBANE - Saturday 7 December & Sunday 8 December - RNA Showgrounds, QLD

Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Metro Hotel Perth - October

On average, 37 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer today.

Metro Hotel Perth is collaborating with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to help spread the word regarding breast cancer awareness and continued support for breast cancer research.

For the month of October, Metro Hotel Perth has changed their building spotlight from blue to pink (see photos below) - to highlight the importance of vital research into prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Global Illumination campaign is a unique initiative involving thousands of individuals, families, schools and businesses across Australia to put the spotlight on breast cancer awareness by illuminating buildings, monuments and landmarks around the world in a blaze of pink light!

Breast cancer is the third leading cause of death in women in Australia*, and continued research for prevention strategies, early detection, and cures or treatments are paramount in saving and prolonging lives. *Australian Bureau of Statistics

As the years pass, researchers, scientists and doctors are getting closer and better at treating and possibly finding a cure for breast cancer. But it takes time, people, dedication and funds to continue this progress: this is where the National Breast Cancer Foundation needs our help - because fundraising saves lives.

Twenty years ago, 30% of women diagnosed with this disease lost their lives. Today, that rate has halved - due to research. Through continued fundraising support, we hope to see the death rate drop even more significantly, so that in the future, breast cancer no longer strikes fear in women and their loved ones.

Here's what you can do to help:

• To find out where your donations go when you give to the NBCF, here is their page: http://pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au/info/where-your-money-goes

• If you are interested in raising funds for the NBCF, information and support can be found here: http://www.nbcf.org.au/Support-Us/Raising-Money.aspx

• For tips, ideas and tools regarding creating your own fundraising event, see here: http://pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au/info/ideas-and-tools

• Can't give money but have the time? Why not volunteer at the NBCF: http://www.nbcf.org.au/Support-Us/Volunteer.aspx

• Don't have the time? You can still help by being part of the research to help beat breast cancer! It can be as little as filling in a form. See here for NBCF research projects that you can participate in (even if you are time-poor!) https://www.register4.org.au/index.php/About-us/about-us.html

So no matter where you are in Australia, you can be part of the community to bring awareness to this disease and together let's find a cure.

Are you in Perth and want to see the Metro Hotel Perth building lit up beautifully in pink? Here's where to find us: 61 Canning Hwy, South Perth WA 6151 Australia

For more information on breast cancer and the NBCF, here's their official website: http://www.nbcf.org.au

Article by Metro Hotel Perth
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metrohotelperth

Australia Day Skyworks 2014

Every year on Australia Day, The Perth sky light's up with the annual Perth Skyworks fireworks display

Metro Hotel Perth is the perfect place to be located during this event, 

To enquire about accommodation availability at Metro Hotel Perth - Please contact us for availability Phone: +61 8 9367 6122

View this special at www.metrohotels.com.au

View Metro Hotel Perth

Terms & Conditions:

• Validity dates apply - please check at time of enquiry or reservation.
• Rates are Subject to availability
• Rate is based on twin/ double share.
• Extra persons can be accommodated with additional cost.
• Maximum Occupancy is 4 persons.

Freemantle Dockers Brace for AFL 'War' With Sydney Swans

Fremantle AFL skipper Matthew Pavlich says he respects Sydney's culture, and how they go about their football.

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich says his side are preparing for "footy war" ahead of Saturday night's AFL preliminary final against Sydney at Patersons Stadium.

The Dockers are strong favourites to win the match given their hot recent form and home ground advantage.

In contrast, Sydney have been ravaged by injuries, with key players Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett, Rhyce Shaw, Tom Mitchell and Sam Reid all out of action.

However, Pavlich said the defending premiers shouldn't be taken lightly, especially given their reputation for playing a hard-nosed, contested brand of football.

"You admire a lot of teams in the AFL but certainly Sydney - their culture, leaders, the way they go about their business - we very much respect what they're about," Pavlich said on Thursday.

"And that's why we're preparing ourselves for what we call footy war, because it's going to go until the end.

"They are contested, big-bodied players.

"What they're about is exactly what we'd like to be about as well. We understand how hard a game it's going to be."

View Source

Perth Evolving to be Style Capital Says Josh Goot

PERTH is evolving into Australia's style capital, according to one of the country's hottest designers.

Internationally adored, Sydney-based designer Josh Goot said Perth had a growing fashion culture and a "captive consumer".

"There is a burgeoning domestic market in Perth, as well as tourist dollar that I'm sure is alluring established international brands," Goot, who flies into WA next week to open the new-season runway show for high-end fashion boutique Ricarda, said.

"Perth, like Sydney and Melbourne, has great relevance as an Australian style capital.

"It has a unique and Australian identity, plus great proximity to the rest of the world."

Goot's comment comes as Leederville  one of the metropolitan area's emerging centres of cool  prepares to hold its first fashion festival on Thursday night.

Vincent Mayor Alannah MacTiernan said the event, "Constellations", was a chance for up-and-coming local designers to show their work. Models will replace mannequins in shopfront windows displaying the latest fashions from a selection of WA designers from 5pm.

A fashion runway show will also be held in the Laneway between Funky Bunches and Kailis Restaurant at 7pm.

Among the emerging designers in the festival are Ariana Davis, Stott & Sims, On A Whim, SeaWolf Design, Katherine Young, Emily Murco, Dear Maurice, Chaka Leyla, ARA, Nicole Marrington and Jewel Designs.

The designs will be showcased by models from SCENE Models.

There will also be an after- party upstairs at the Leederville Hotel from 8.30pm-10pm.

View Source

Prince George May Visit Australia Next Year as Prince William Says Royal Baby Is 'Loud But Good-Looking'

Prince William Says the New Family will be Visiting Australia Next Year

While mingling with the crowd at Anglesey county fair, William told visiting Australian couple Max and Maxine Davies, from Victor Harbor, south of Adelaide, that the new family hope to travel to Australia soon.

"George is doing really well, thank you,” he said, according to UK media reports. "We are all very hopefully coming to Australia next year."

The couple’s son, Mark Davies, said it was his mother’s second brush with royalty.

“She actually met Prince Charles, I think it was back in 1969. It was while she was on another holiday over in the UK.”

“It’s all pretty exciting, especially for mum who’s a fanatical royalist.”

Mr Davies said his parents, retired farmers who moved from Naracoorte to Victor Harbor in 2004, were about a week into a two-month trip of Britain and Europe that included visiting family near Manchester, a trip to Spain and a Mediterranean cruise.

“I haven’t heard from them just yet, but I imagine they’re just as thrilled about it as everyone over here seems to be,” the Naracoorte resident said.

Victor Harbor Bowling Club member Bill Aldridge, who plays with Max Davies, hopes his fellow player’s conversation with Prince William was enough to convince him to visit Victor Harbor while in Australia.

“We’d love him to come down to our new bowling green,” he said.

“It would definitely lift the spirits in Victor Harbor and create a bit of a buzz having royalty around, although I know the chances are pretty slim.”

The trip would echo Prince William’s trip to Australia as a baby with Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1983, when he was less than a year old.

William also opened up on parenthood, telling the crowd that baby Prince George is "loud but good looking".

"Catherine in sorry that she cannot be here today at the County Show," William said in his speech, before chatting with locals, inspecting livestock and participating in a falconry display.

- See more at: http://royalsvisitaustralia.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/prince-george-may-visit-australia-next.html#sthash.GZgL4e8P.dpuf

The Boss Bruce Springsteen Set to Return to Australia in Early 2014

BRUCE Springsteen may be returning to Australia as early as next year.

Radio station Triple M last night posted a news item on their website which appears to to suggest The Boss will tour in February and March 2014.

The item was swiftly taken down, however an eager Bruce Springsteen fansite posted screengrabs of the item online, sparking rumours and sending Boss enthusiasts into a frenzy

Though yet to be confirmed by Springsteen's management or Australian promoters Frontier, the item suggested the 2014 visit will be a full national tour.

A possible 2014 tour would come after just an East Coast visit this year which angered fans in Perth and Adelaide.

The leak has The Boss playing dates in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, the Hunter Valley and Brisbane.

The rumoured Melbourne venue is AAMI Park, which has only been used as a concert by the Foo Fighters in the past.

It also claimed iconic band Hunters and Collectors would reform to support The Boss at the Melbourne concert.

Springsteen's Australian tour this March sold over 150,000 tickets and grossed over $25 million.

Beyonce Headed Back to Australia - Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth

Beyonce Knowles, the pop megastar who dazzled a global audience of 104 million viewers during this year's Superbowl, has confirmed she will bring her Mrs Carter Show world tour to Australia in October and November.

Knowles, 32, who has been one of the world's best-selling pop artists for over a decade and is reputedly worth more than $300m, plays Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena first on October 22, before heading to Brisbane (October 28), Sydney’s Allphones Arena (October 31), Adelaide (November 5) and Perth (November 8).

She is due in Vancouver on November 30, so the schedule allows plenty of room for extra Australian shows to be added.

She last played here in 2009 and had a daughter, Blue Ivy Carter last year with her rap mogul husband Jay-Z.

The announcement means most of the main contenders for the fiercely-contested title 'Queen of Pop' will have toured Australia in the second half of 2013, bar Lady Gaga.

Pink is on tour now, Rihanna comes in September and Taylor Swift in December.

Known for her fierce onstage persona and big voice, Beyonce will wow crowds with glittering costumes, high energy dancing and visual effects including pyrotechnics and wire work.

Beyonce’s ticket prices range from $99.90 to $249.90 with pre-sales beginning on Wednesday for members of Beyonce’s BeyHive blog (beyonce.com).

General sales open 10am on Friday, July 19 via ticketek.com.au and the promoter’s website, livenation.com.au