The heart of the Festival and a tradition of previous Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM), the People’s Space is where you can be part of the CHOGM experience and explore what it means to be a member of the Commonwealth community.
Enlivening the Perth Cultural Centre for four days during the Festival, it's where you can access live music, markets, multicultural food, interesting displays, exhibitions, street theatre and films, all in one central location.
An array of tasty and exotic food from around the globe will be on offer in the food markets, located opposite the WA Museum. This feast of flavours will include South American dishes, Malaysian satays, British cupcakes and Singaporean delights, to name a few.
The craft markets in the urban orchard will be home to a selection of Western Australian boutique and handmade gifts. The food and craft markets will be open 26-29 October, 11am to 6pm (daily).
The People’s Space has a range of activities for kids. For more information visit this page.
There are extra activities to be part of on the public holiday on Friday 28 October, starting with a live broadcast of the opening of CHOGM on the Perth Cultural Centre LED Screen from 10am.
View this map of the People's Space to assist with navigating the area.
Royal Commonwealth Society Photographic Awards Exhibition
A showpiece of the Festival is this stunning outdoor exhibition of more than 40 large-scale images from the Royal Commonwealth Society Photographic Awards. This is an insightful view of the world through the eyes of emerging young photographers from across the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Community Stage
Experience our vibrant and diverse community with performances by some of Perth’s best bands and cultural groups.
Hear the fantastic multi-award winner Grace Barbe´ Afro Kreol, the inspirational Burundi Peace Choir, the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, Goodnight Tiger and dub crossover Indian duo Balvinder and Gurpreet Singh, among many others. Reclaim the Night will be on the Stage at 5.45pm on Friday 28 October.
Download the Festival Calendar for the daily schedule of performances.
Grace Barbé Afro Kreol
With roots in the Seychelles, award-winning singer/songwriter Grace Barbe's music reflects and celebrates the diverse influences of her home; a colourful combination of Indian Ocean island styles mixed with reggae, soul, funk and afrobeat – a sound she describes as ‘Afro Kreol’.
Balvinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh
Two young Indian musicians come together to create a resonant avant-garde landscape of Indian classical music. A wonderful sonic exploration of traditional Indian meditations on drones and purist acoustic raga music.
The Burundi Peace Choir
Formed in a Tanzanian refugee camp in 1997, this Twa community group relocated and regrouped in WA. Their mission is to overcome the trauma of war in their region and create new, happy memories.
Goodnight Tiger
This enigmatic folk-pop Perth band is fronted by two female singer/songwriters who explore low-fi lullaby to energetic and intelligent pop music.
WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO)
The largest youth jazz orchestra of its kind in the country, WAYJO provides a unique experience for jazz musicians aged 14 to 25 who are the absolute cream of young jazz players in the State.
Akwaaba
Akwaaba ('welcome' in the Ashanti language of Ghana) is a group of dynamic musicians dedicated to promoting peace and unity within the WA community through traditional African drumming and dancing.
BOOM! BAP! POW!
BOOM! BAP! POW! is their name and trashy doo-wop pop n soul is their mission. “Pull on those dancing shoes, this is the best night out you've had in ages.” - Caz Tran, Triple J.
The Bartlett Brothers
This Indigenous rock band makes soulful, rootsy pop/rock sounds with soaring harmonies. Their music and lyrics are infused with the colours and themes of their home country and Indigenous heritage.
Western Australian Police Pipe Band
Formed in 1966, the Band wears the Napier tartan and is lead by Officer in Charge and Drum Major Sergeant Brett Bale, Pipe Major Paul Hughes and Leading Drummer Chris Johnston.
Ulla Shay
Ulla Shay is a young Indigenous singer/songwriter blending a contemporary sound of soul, country and reggae.
Sharda Patasar and Friends
Fusing classical Indian sitar with jazz, visiting Trinidadian musician Sharda Patasar is highly regarded in her home country. Daughter of the sitar master Pt Nikhil Banerjee, Sharda has forged her own original style and an international career.
UIA and WAIRUA TIPUNA
Uia and Wairua Tipuna bring the rich cultural traditions of Maori Kapa Haka (cultural dance) to the Commonwealth Festival. Formed to foster Maori culture and language, they have since been in great demand for festivals and events.
Village Vibes Marimbas
Let the spirit lift you and take you on a journey of Southern African music at its best. This trio are aficionados of African music performance and create beautiful melodies, harmonious singing and infectiously rhythmic beats.
Speakers’ Corner
Hear vocal members of the public speaking about colourful, controversial and thought-provoking issues from our community and hot topics from around the Commonwealth during the People's Space opening hours.
The opening of the Speakers’ Corner on Wednesday 26 October at 11am will be a big event with special guest speakers including the Black Queen of the Kimberley – Mary G!
The daily schedule of speakers is posted on signage in the People's Space.
Participate: Registrations for the Speakers' Corner have now closed as most timeslots have been allocated. If you have something to say and have not already been allocated a timeslot, visit the Speakers' Corner between 4.00-5.00pm any day from Wed 26-29 October to ask for a timeslot in the Open Mic session. Terms and conditions apply.
Collision Course
A stunning film by CM Film Productions Perth in association with Australian Dance Theatre. The work features 48 super-slow-motion collisions between dancers, boxers, martial artists, gymnasts, football players and street culture enthusiasts. See this extraordinary study of bodies in motion projected large each evening in the People’s Space.
Our Extraordinary Environment
Western Australia is one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet; more new species are found in WA per year than in the entire European continent. Environmental designers Syrinx has created an outdoor exhibit of plants, images and materials from three bio zones of WA to showcase our biodiversity and the environmental issues that affect us all.
Charlie’s Artmobile
Noongar artist Charles (Jdudin) Riley has turned the humble Ford Falcon station wagon into an incredible piece of art.
Every interior surface, including the engine, has been painted with bright and colourful motifs, animals and dreamtime imagery creating an original version of this Aussie icon.
Eating the Archives
When: Friday 28 October, 12pm
Witness history come alive as celebrated WA chef Hadleigh Troy of Restaurant Amusé interprets and reinvents menus from past State occasions for 20 lucky Western Australians who will (quite literally) eat the archives!
This public event is hosted by the State Records Office of WA in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Secure your seat at the table by registering your interest at the State Records Office of WA website.
Getting there
The Department of Transport has a map showing the many parking facilities for bikes in the CBD and Northbridge and maps to help you find a safe cycle route to and from the city. For public transport information visit Transperth or view this TravelSmart guide. For car parking information visit the City of Perth. For information on road closures and alternate traffic routes visit Mainroads.
Free travel is available on the entire Transperth metro network on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 October.
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