• If you fancy a relaxing hot bath in the middle of the street then check out Soak at 10 Nights in Port.

THERE’S plenty of hot shows in this year’s Fremantle Festival to banish those winter blues.

The festival has moved from its traditional October-November slot to July and been re-branded 10 Nights in Port.

It’s an eclectic feast of music, theatre, art and food, says Kathryn Taylor, the council’s arts and culture manager.

“Everything is about Fremantle…coming together with community groups in celebration.”

Even “high quality” shows from the eastern states have a Freo focus, she adds.

Council decided to move the festival to winter because there were too many summer festivals on at the same time and crowds were dwindling.

The festival now includes the highly popular Hidden Treasures series, where hip bands play gigs in unusual, ironic venues like working men’s clubs.

The indigenous Wardarnji festival will continue as a stand-alone event at Fremantle Arts Centre in October, but co-coordinator Karla Hart has put together Wowak (breathe) for 10 Nights in Port.

It’s a collaboration between five Noongar family groups and the Perth Symphony Orchestra.

Five artist-built glass houses created for the festival will appear in several locations including White Gum Valley, Samson and Hilton.

“And during Hidden Treasures they will be beautifully lit at night and there will be acoustic music in one of them,” Mrs Taylor says.

Bon Voyage re-creates a time when departing cruise ships were festooned with streamers, which were thrown to the waving crowds on the quay.

Soak is an opportunity to relax in an outdoor hot tub in the cold depths of winter.

10 Nights in Port is on July 12-21. For the full program go to 10nightsinport.com.au

by JENNY D’ANGER