Fred Smith and band will be presenting this extraordinary song cycle on Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan culminating in the dramatic evacuation from Kabul in August 2021. Fred was there at the beginning in Uruzgan Province and returned at the end working from Kabul International Airport (KIA). His epitaph for the mission is “it was what it was”, and we are left admiring the courage and tenacity of thousands of Afghans who braved the human logjams outside the gates of Kabul International Airport in a last-ditch dash for freedom. Early performances of this concert have received rave reviews: “A beautiful retelling of Australia’s Afghanistan experience” – Adrienne Francis, ABC 666, Saturday Breakfast “Fred Smith is an Australian national treasure. Diplomat, philosopher, poet and raconteur his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity…an extraordinary, wonderful and heart-uplifting concert.” – Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle “Finely observed snapshots of a harsh, sad and funny reality…In concert he has a knack for balancing drama and humour…towering artistic achievement” – John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald “This was more than a concert. It was an astute analysis of Australia’s 20-year involvement in the Afghan War from a humanitarian who witnessed the many shades of war first hand.” – Ian McLean, City News About Fred Smith “Fred Smith is simply the best folk/country musician working in this country…beyond writing some of the finest songs about Australians at war, he has created a repertoire that is wry, literate, witty, powerfully emotional and insightful.” (Bruce Elder, SMH). He blends tunes you can whistle with stories you will remember. His songs are subtle, wry and perceptive. His remarkable hybrid career is the subject of an Australian Story documentary. His memoir, the Dust of Uruzgan, was published by Allen and Unwin. Fred’s performances will have you laughing, thinking and feeling.
Food and Bar available. No BYO Drinks. Bookings can be made via https://www.trybooking.com/CERQJ Tickets are also available from the Beverley CRC
Our first livestreaming event. Please come and experience Opera under the Beverely Stars at the Platform Theatre. We are extremely excited to be able to being this "SOLD OUT" event to Beverley for what promises to be a wonderful evening. A Free Event Bar & food available. No BYO Drinks. Gates open at 6.30pm
In Conversation" & Morning Tea with Writer Holly Ringland Monday the 27th of February 2023 10.30am
Presented by Perth Festival, supported by Minderoo Foundation, we invite you to a free morning tea event with writer, storyteller and television presenter Holly Ringland, here at the Beverley Station Gallery. This is a free event; however, you must book a seat. Phone Hazel: 0438 843 333 Holly Ringland will talk of her life journey and latest offering The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding as well as the international best seller which took Australia (and the world) by storm and will air in 2023 as a seven-part series on Amazon Prime starring Sigourney Weaver – The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding is a sweeping, deeply beautiful and profoundly moving novel about the far-reaches of sisterly love, the power of wearing your heart on your skin and the ways life can transform when we find the courage to feel the fullness of both grief and joy. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Holly Ringland is the author of the international bestseller The Lost Flowers, of which has been translated into thirty-one languages and is being adapted into a seven-part TV series starring Sigourney Weaver, Leah Purcell, Asher Keddie and Alycia Debnam-Carey. Produced by Amazon Studios and Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories, it will launch in over 240 countries and territories via Amazon Prime in early 2023. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart won the Australian Book Industry Award General Fiction Book of the Year. In 2021, Holly co-hosted an eight-episode ABC, Back, alongside Aaron Pedersen. After living between Australia and the UK for ten years, Holly has been based in the hinterland of Queensland since 2020, where she wrote The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding in her ‘office’, a vintage caravan named Frenchie. Perth Festival’s Touring WA program is supported by Minderoo Foundation.
If any community group is looking to raise funds, remember that the Platform Theatre is available for events such as movie nights. With just a minimal hire cost of screen and projector, it makes for an easy fundraiser.
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