Successful Laneway Festival returns to transform the Perth Cultural Centre

The popular St Jerome's Laneway Festival returns to the Perth Cultural Centre this Saturday to once again transform the area into a street party for music lovers.

Culture and the Arts and Planning Minister John Day said the event had been very successful in the past two years and this year the musical talents of more than 30 local, interstate and international artists would be on show.

"The festival is a unique event that last year saw more than 5,000 people enjoying live, contemporary music in the cultural heart of Perth," Mr Day said.

"It is an exciting event that brings international music to Australia and encourages local talent and I'm sure this year's festival will once again be a great success."

The Minister said the State Government, through EPRA and the Department of Culture and the Arts - in conjunction with the City of Perth - had sponsored the event since 2009.

"A key objective of the regeneration work undertaken in the Perth Cultural Centre was to continue to better use the area creating a safe, accessible and vibrant place that West Australians are proud of and want to visit," he said.

"Events such as the St Jerome's Laneway Festival and Fringe World have demonstrated the versatility of this space as a premier events destination, and reignited West Australians connection with the cultural heart of Perth."

EPRA recently completed $11million of short-term revitalisation works in the Perth

Cultural Centre, including a new urban orchard and native wetlands; free WIFI; improved lighting; and the installation of retail pods that now house cafe vendors.

Mr Day said he was particularly pleased the 2011 festival would feature home-grown talent with up to one-third of the lineup coming from WA acts.

"The State has produced some of the best live music acts in the country so it is always pleasing to see new talent being given an opportunity to perform to big crowds," he said.

St Jerome's Laneway Festival will be held on Saturday, February 12 from 1.30pm.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://perth.lanewayfestival.com.au/ 

Minister's office  - 9213 6600