New and free family-friendly activities and performances have been added to the Coogee Live beachside festival held at Coogee Beach on 9 and 10 March, 2024.
There will be music, dance, entertainment, arts to appreciate and crafts to complete, plus fun physical challenges for young and old and cultivating learning and igniting imaginations.
Three beachside hubs – Beach Zone and Jetty Hub, Community Hub and Omeo Hub – will stretch along the coast from North Coogee to Coogee Beach Reserve, each with a multitude of activities and attractions. Find out what’s on in each Hub at www.coogeelive.com.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said that the Coogee Live program is bursting with exciting free events.
“From art to entertainment, song, dance, sustainability, mindfulness, and a variety of other free activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I encourage the entire community to come down and join us, it truly is a celebration for all ages and interests,” Mayor Howlett said.
“Coogee Live holds a special place in our city’s calendar as the marquee event. Every year we witness thousands of people gather and immerse themselves in the festivities. We anticipate another fantastic turnout this year, with even more excitement and enjoyment in store for all attendees.”
Performance and Participation
During the Amalgam-ant contemporary performance, the dancers showcase uniformity and teamwork, much like ant colonies, however, a ripple effect occurs, where each dancer explores their individuality and freedom instead of conformity exploring the theme of amalgamation and metamorphosis. Stay for a post-show mini workshop made possible by a collaborative partnership between the City of Cockburn and Propel Youth Arts WA.
Dangerous Delights will have jaws on the floor as they feast on fire in a spectacle of intense skill. Get up close, ask questions and if you’re brave enough, hold real fire in the palm of your hand.
Be mesmerised by the fiery beats of the Soul Sista Tribe as the colourful gypsies shimmy and swirl in a belly dance performance. Unleash your inner Spanish gypsy in a free belly dancing workshop.
The Casa Del Compás dancers will demonstrate a variety of Flamenco dance in a vibrant performance and then lead the fun Barefoot Flamenco class on the beach.
There is nothing like helping others that boosts the feel-good endorphins. Get all your questions answered and find out more about volunteering in the Cockburn Community at the Cockburn Volunteer Resource Centrestall.
Step into a pop up beachside forest and learn how to create a waterwise garden, explore the best street trees and discover the City of Cockburn’s green incentives.
Play
Little kids can have fun and get messy at the waterplay station with the City of Cockburn’s Splashy Creative Play team.
Be guided by an expert bubbleologist on how to use the special wands to create great, big, wobbly bubbles in the Giant Bubble Zone.
Arty Pots are holding several creative crafty workshops making and painting ocean creatures, pirate hats and mermaid tails.
Music
Radio Fremantle will be at Coogee Live all day Saturday pumping out groovy tunes and vibrant beats.
Coogee Live is excited to collaborate with the Champagne Agency who through their Gig School initiative, is empowering musicians with business skills, promotional tools, and a network of booking agents to fast-track their careers as live performers. Show your support to these phenomenal musicians who are performing across the Coogee Live weekend.
There’s also live music by Bronte known for her ethereal tones and live guitar, folk sounds and harmonies by duo Grayson and Anika, and thirteen-year-old Jewel Eggleston with a golden voice and flair for the flute.
Join the musical journey will Ruzell as he adds his unique flair to classic funky songs, and Stella who’ll be performing her wide repertoire of pop ballads, jazz standards and musical theatre numbers during an electrifying set.
On the Omeo Stage, Whiskey Jack will perform toe-tapping numbers with a fresh Australiana sound. Join in a unique collaboration between audience and performer with The Big Polynesian Singer Jacob Phiema during his soulful and emotive set.
Focus on ‘Today’s Tomorrow’ shining a spotlight on the community’s talented youth and emerging artists such as James Abberley who recently released new single ‘Go My Way’, Tom Fisher & The Layabouts winners of WAM’s Song of the Year (Blues & Roots) for ‘Old man of the blues’, and guitarist and singer Ari Davis who plays a mix of originals and a unique take on popular cover songs.
Youth talent performing on the Community Stage include energetic blues rock trio Terminal 3 and sibling duo Twelve Parsecs performing electrifying renditions of rock classics.
Imagination and Magic
A Coogee Live highlight will be the Great Mermaid Migration with about 50 merfolk expected to gather at the southern end of Coogee Beach on Saturday 9 March at 10.30am, creating a fairy tale phenomenon.
In the Community Hub all day Sunday, ignite children’s imagination by asking them to write a letter to their future-self 50 years from now.
Write your dreams for the City of Cockburn and tie them onto the Dreamscapes ring that will serve as a source of inspiration for the city’s urban planners and policy makers and help shape the future of where you live.
Art and Culture
Wander through an oceanside gallery and admire the artworks of local artists at Sculpture Culture.
Carter, one of the grant winning artists, is a multidisciplinary artist. Their piece extends an invitation to hear their letter of reflection about mental health showcased in a performance and artist chats.
Jessica Bell, known for her mermaid alter-ego Pearl, will display her work dedicated to the ocean, the joyful dolphin and the funniest creature underwater, the clown fish.
Professional artists Kevin Bynder will have one of his dolphins on display, part of his acclaimed Big Splash WA exhibition that was conceived to shine a light on child and adolescent mental health.
Noongar artist Sharyn Eagan work will be on display including sculpture and woven forms using traditional and contemporary fibres.
Alcoa presents ‘Exploring Bunuru’, a gateway to understanding and celebrating the profound wisdom of the oldest living culture on Earth, understanding the seasons and changes in the natural environment and how to care for it.
Whadjuck guide Steven Jacobs will lead a Cultural Walking Tour, capturing the imagination of young and old with his passion for Culture and Country/Boodja coupled with his masterful storytelling as he shares knowledge about Noongar significance and ancient connection to Coogee.
There’s Manda Art workshops in the ‘Exploring Bunuru’ space presented by Alcoa, a gateway to understanding and celebrating the profound wisdom of one of the oldest living cultures on Earth, the Aboriginal People. This space is dedicated to knowledge sharing to support how understanding the seasons and the changes in the natural environment play a crucial role in fostering a deep connection to a place and enhancing a person’s ability to care for it. Here you can learn the about Noongar signs and symbols using acrylic on canvas over a yarn.
Movement
Kick your weekend into top gear in a 60-minute Jett’s South Fremantle Bootcamp session and have a chance to win some fitness related prizes. Or step it out, shake and shimmy to Latino beats in a Zumba class, the fun dance class that’s a workout in disguise.
Roll out your mat for an upbeat Salute to Sandy Feet Kid’s and Adult Yoga Classes, then pick up and play beach soccer on the sand where there’s no refs and no stress just good times kicking a ball for a dose of sun-soaked play by the sea.
Finalist for best Australian community event at the 2023 Australian Event Awards and the winner in 2021, the seventh annual Coogee Live attracted 26,000 visitors in 2023.
Connect, collaborate, create and join the City of Cockburn community at Coogee Live, a weekend festival of free activities and entertainment on 9-10 March.