ARTBAR – the new after-dark season of events inside the Art Gallery of Western Australia, which brings together music, comedy, food, wine and beer, not to mention stunning art and the State Art Collection – begins this Thursday, 11 June.

ARTBAR Season One is comprised of a program of four events, each on a Thursday evening from 6.30 to 9.30pm.

Gary Dufour, Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Art Gallery of Western Australia, hailed ARTBAR as “An innovative new cultural offering which, judging by ticket sales, has already attracted new and younger audiences to the Gallery. ARTBAR combines late night openings of key exhibitions with other art forms such as stand-up comedy and contemporary music, offering Perth an invigorating and stimulating program mix over the winter months.”

This Thursday’s inaugural event will see Melbourne Indie pop trio The Basics, showcasing their new album, “Keep Your Friends Close” including the new single "With this Ship” featuring Gotye's frontman, Wally De Backer. The Basics will be supported by West Australian artist Simon Kelly.

On Thursday 2 July ARTBAR stand up will feature Wil Anderson host of “The Gruen Transfer” and “The Glass House”. This event, which has already sold out, will have Michael Workman, winner of 2009 Raw Comedy Final at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, as the support act. This event is now sold out.
The featured exhibition – for both these events is THING beware the material world. This showcase is an eclectic visual feast of furniture, lighting, sculpture and photography from across the globe.

In ARTBAR Season One’s third event, on Thursday 20 August, ARIA award winning and critically acclaimed artist, Tim Rogers will perform an exclusive acoustic ARTBAR performance. Rogers is an instantly recognisable name earning critical acclaim for his unique Australian song writing which has endeared him to a whole generation.

The final performance, on Thursday 17 September, will feature award-winning sensation, Katie Noonan. Katie has a successful solo career encompassing opera, jazz, pop, rock and dance music and her band ‘George’ has previously won the best new artist ARIA award. At ARTBAR, Katie Noonan will be joined by jazz guitarist Stephen Magnusson, and saxophonist Zac Hurren, together forming the trio Elixir –three unique voices combining to create wonderful music.

Tickets for The Basics and Tim Rogers are available from all BOCS outlets, and the Katie Noonan/Elixir event will go on sale soon.

See the Gallery’s ARTBAR webpage for further information:

www.artgallery.wa.gov.au