WHAT’S
ON

THE MARGARET RIVER READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL

ARTS MARGARET RIVER are thrilled to be able to host the 2021 Reader and Writers festival after last year’s disappointing Covid cancellation. Running from May 14th-16th, the impressive line up this year features authors Chris Flynn, Pip Williams, Julia Baird and Robert Isaacs. Former Greens leader Bob Brown will be speaking at Voyager Estate. Tickets are expected to sell out fast, so pop onto mrrwfestival.com.au pronto.

Margaret River bookshop and the Readers and Writers Festival invite you to a special pre festival event. This Thursday 1st April at 6.15pm, join local Harvey legend and author Joel Whitwell as he shares his story and debut work “One Eye, One Ear, No worries”! This is a free event and sounds thoroughly inspiring.

THE GRACETOWN SWIM

If swimming is your thing, don’t miss the iconic Gracetown Easter Saturday 1km swim in the bay. Registration is from 8.30 am with a 9:30 start. There’s lots of prizes, a short course and fun events for the children. To enter go to eventbrite.com.au and search Gracetown 2021 Easter Bay Swim.

MARGARET RIVER ULTRA MARATHON

The Margaret River Ultramarathon takes place on Saturday May 1st. Tickets are selling fast so if running 80km of the beautiful Cape to Cape track floats your boat, sign up now. You can do it as a soloist or in a team of up to 5 people. To enter go to margaretriver.rapidascent.com.au

School holidays are here and that means lots of fun activities for the kids over the next two weeks to keep them busy and occupied.

THE HEART – WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

SING

‘We can sing Disney’ is a singing workshop with WAAPA trained vocal coach Andrea Frances Manners on Tuesday 6th April at 10.30am with a second workshop on Tuesday 13th April. Kids will learn vocal techniques and performance expression and learn two Disney favourites to perform in front of parents.

ACT HUMAN

For the budding actor, Grace Lowry is again facilitating the wildly popular ‘Act Human’ drama workshop on Wednesday 7th April from 10am to 2pm. Designed for young actors between 10 and 16 years old they’ll stretch their minds and acting straps before performing for parents at the end of the workshop.

CLAY

And not forgetting our young artists, Natalia Ford is hosting a two hour workshop exploring the ancient art form of clay pinching and clay modelling on Tuesday 8th April at 10.30am. Kids will create their own 3D clay sphere to take home and decorate their own room with. Tickets are $40.

To book a spot at these workshops visit margaretriverheart.com.au

MOVIES AT THE HEART

There’s a stellar line up of kid friendly movies over the holidays starting with the animated adventure movie, Boonie Bears: The Wild Life on Tuesday 6th April at 2pm. All tickets are just $9 making it a family-friendly outing that won’t cost the earth.

Then on Thursday 8th April it’s Raya and the Last Dragon, a fantasy world movie where humans and dragons live together in harmony. Showing at 2pm, all tickets are also just $9.

On Friday 9th April, there are two family friendly movie choices – the animated Two by Two: Overboard at 2pm followed by the highly acclaimed Australian drama Penguin Bloom at 7pm which tells the true story of a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a near fatal accident.

Tickets for all movies are available at margaretriverheart.com.au

EASTER REGIONAL MARKETS

There are plenty of markets to visit over Easter to indulge in local produce, arts and crafts.

Margaret River Farmers Market is on Saturday 3rd April from 7am. This weekly market is hugely popular so you’re best to arrive early. margaretriverfarmersmarket.com.au

If you’re further north, the Dunsborough Lions Club market is on Easter Saturday from 7.30am. There’s local produce as well as plants, clothing, jewellery and of course a sausage sizzle and the infamous Lions Chocolate Wheel.

In Vasse, one of the oldest markets in the south west will also be on from 8am on Easter Saturday. This market is well known for it’s hand-made items, unique gifts and delicious food. vassemarkets.com

LOCAL ART

The annual Vasse Art Award Exhibition opens on 3rd April at 10am. Since launching in 2004, it’s grown to be one of the largest art exhibitions in regional Australia and this year promises to be another inspiring exhibition of emerging artists from across the country. You have until 10th April to pop in and entry is free. Held at Vasse Primary School vasseeps.wa.edu.au

LOCAL MUSIC

The region’s wineries have plenty of action over Easter and the holidays starting with Aravina Estate who are hosting live musicians on their lawn across the Easter weekend and then every Saturday and Sunday until early May. It’s a great way to see and support local talent. Times and the artist line up vary each day so check Aravina’s website for details. aravinaestate.com

At Clairault Streiker, you can see accomplished singer and acoustic guitarist Mark Stone perform from 1pm on Easter Sunday. Entry is free and he’s bound to wow the crowd. clairaultstreickerwines.com.au

To round out the week, Cowaramup Brewery are showing the family classic Home Alone on Wednesday 7th April from 5pm. Tickets start at $10 and there’s food and drinks available from their delicious menu. cowaramupbrewing.com.au