The long-awaited reopening of a Perth entertainment precinct is set to wow city goers with a free weekend-long spectacular.
Illuminate Yagan Square on April 27 and 28 will unveil the Square’s $14 million transformation with live entertainment, family friendly activities, street markets and Noongar storytelling.
There will be more than 50 activations, an interactive puppetry performance narrated by Indigenous artist Nadia Tavo, shows by the Aliwah Dancers and artwork projections by local talent Deborah Bonar.
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READ NOWYagan Square’s iconic Horseshoe Bridge will also be closed on April 28 to make way for pre-loved markets.
“Illuminate Yagan Square is the beginning of a new era as we rekindle the spirit of community in the heart of Perth,” a Yagan Square spokesperson said.
“We hope Perth will immerse and embrace Yagan Square (as) the vibrant epicentre of the city; a ‘go-to’ meeting spot for people from all walks of life as the traditional Indigenous communities did in the past.”
The Yagan Square redevelopment began in October 2022 in a bid to increase visitor numbers and “breathe new life” into the inner-city entertainment hub.
Once complete, the site will have an amphitheatre, family friendly playground, grassed area and artwork telling the stories of prominent Noongar people.
“City link has always been a critical part of the picture, and by that I mean there’s always been a divide between Northbridge and the CBD, so Yagan Square was important in that regard,” Planning Minister John Carey told PerthNow earlier this year.
“But I’ve got to be frank, the design didn’t work so people just kept walking by.
“This whole redevelopment is critical because it really is about revitalising and turning out Yagan Square to the people and creating an incredible venue.”
Yagan Square will also be home to Nokturnl’s Stories, a mammoth five-storey venue with 11 bars, including a rooftop bar and speakeasy, three restaurants and a private dining venue.
One of the restaurants is Ugly Baby, a Middle Eastern-Mediterranean fusion eatery.
“You don’t know how hard it is coming up with a name that means nothing ... with this space, we thought we’d have a bit of fun,” Nokturnl co-director Drew Flanagan said.
“We all know an ugly baby right?
“It’s cheeky (and) fun ... architecturally, this tenancy was definitely the ugly baby we inherited as part of the Stories project, so it seemed fitting.”
Like the name suggests, Ugly Baby head chef Michael Antonievich said the restaurant was an example of “fun dining”.
“Forget fine dining, this is fun dining,” he said.
“Ugly Baby is as much about the experience as the food ... it isn’t your typical Middle Eastern-Mediterranean canteen and restaurant, that’s been evident since day one.
“We’re more than just a place to dine, we’re an experience, a lifestyle, a state of mind ... Ugly Baby is where good eats meets fresh beats.”