No Money Weekend

If you spent all your dough renting yourself a dope Halloween costume and splurging on drinks and lollies and fake blood, you're not obliged to hide under the covers all weekend due to lack of funds (unless you're stupidly hung over, in which case, you will definitely need to get out of the house at least once, Vitamin D is important). Here's our guide on how to extract the mostest fun on the leastest money.

HEAR IT FROM AN EXPERT

An ideas forum straddling geopolitics, science and the arts, the Disrupted Festival of Ideas started in Adelaide 12 years ago, with just a couple of people – it’s now become a biennial fixture on Adelaide’s cultural calendar attracting 30,000 people, with speakers ranging from scientists to ethical hackers, Russian literature specialists and sexuality experts. It’s also expanded to WA, taking over this weekend. Tom Sulston’s talk on public surveillance, Phil Bland’s talk on meteorites and Steve Dalby’s talk on copyright look pretty good to us. There’s also a documentary on the Christchurch earthquake disaster that looks incredible. Actually, everything is incredible. See if you can get down there for a game-changing talk or two. -Dani

Fri Oct 31 – Sun Nov 2. Everything is free – head here for the programme.

GET SCARED UNDER THE STARS

Perth’s free outdoor cinema has put together a spine-tingling series of films over Halloween – including Jim Jarmusch’s film about modern vampires Only Lovers Left Alive, and Eli Roth’s black comedy The Cabin in the Woods. Grab a rug, get yourself some takeaway pho from nearby Chinatown, or some burgers from Flipside, and nab yourself a spot on the grass for a fright night flick. -Dani



8.30pm + 10.30pm, Friday October 31st, Northbridge Piazza, corner James Street and Lake Street, Northbridge. For details head here.

 EAT SOME TASTY MEXICAN

Mexican food and drink, La Paleta icypoles, Day of the Dead themed face painting, dancing, and a live mariachi band! It’s all happening for Mexican Day of the Dead at Northbridge Piazza. There’s even going to be a traditional altar for the Dead erected in a tribute to the original Aztec rituals. -Dani


Saturday November 1, 3pm – 10pm.

GET INSIDE A HISTORIC ARTIST STUDIO

Gotham Studios Inc will be opening its doors for Open House Perth, inviting public inside to explore this historic building, while meeting the artists and seeing their work.  Established in 1987, Gotham Studios has been home to over 140 artists, with members' artwork exhibited internationally and winning major national awards. This is a pretty rare chance to get close up with an icon of independent visual arts practice in WA. Artists participating include Christopher Crouch, Mel Dare, Michael Doherty, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Magda Joubert, Kate Koivisto Wheeler, Clare McFarlane, Richard Munsie, Emily ten Raa and Ian Williams. – Jack

Sunday, November 2, Gotham Studios, 57 James St, Northbridge.

FEEL THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR ON A FERRY 

Earlier this year I hopped on the ferry at the Barrack Street Jetty and headed across the Swan River to South Perth. While certain elements feel oddly similar to catching normal public transport (you can use your Smartrider or buy tickets from a machine for $2.70), the short ride was definitely worth the small fee. There are a range of destinations that can be reached from the ferry service, including Fremantle, Rottnest, South Perth as well as a range of wine and river cruises. It takes five minutes to walk to the jetty, which is located next to the bell tower on the foreshore. The ferry to South Perth is a quick ride across the Swan River, and once you get there you are free to explore a number of cafes and restaurants with awesome city views. – Jack

The main ferry terminal is at the Barrack Street Jetty.

SNOOP INSIDE PEOPLE'S PADS

Perth may be the most isolated city in the world, but we have some damn fine buildings in our midst. Open House Perth is a weekend where we give shout outs to the quality architecture and urban design around the place – the city will open up some of its coolest spaces for you to poke your nose in - commercial, residential, civic and performance spaces. Go here for all the maps. Highlights include 108 St George's (Perth's tallest buildings), Geyer interior design studio, Spacecubed, The Perth Concert Hall, and Gramercy Studios.

November 1 - 2, across Perth.

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES

If you head 35km South-East of the city, you can find yourself in the spectacular Araluen Botanical Park. The Botanical Park was established in 1929 and breathtakingly beautiful setting in the Darling Ranges. The tulips have recently finished, but have been replaced with a dazzling display of roses and summer annuals – take advantage of this crazy good weather and get down for a day in the gardens! – Jack


362 Croyden Road Roleystone. 9am – 5pm daily.

RIDE IT LIKE A BIKE

Being a barista, I’m awake and on my way to work before the sun rises most mornings of the week. Even though waking up at 5am kills a small part of your soul, there’s something peaceful about being up and awake whilst the majority of people are still sleeping. On the mornings that I don’t have to rise early for work my body clock usually wakes me up early, and some mornings I hop on my bike and explore surrounding neighbourhoods. If you’re organised/motivated enough, head to the foreshore just before sunrise and watch the sun rise over the Swan River. Alternatively, ride your bike home in the early hours of Saturday/Sunday morning after a night out. – Jack

ART GALLERY ON THE BEACH

See huge artworks at Bondi Beach 

Just about everyone knows Bondi Beach. Your Hungarian grandma? She knows about it and has probably heard myths about how great it is. But, in all honesty it isn’t that great a beach but what is fantastic is the coastal walk from southern Bondi using the Tamarama coastal path to all the way to Bronte. The beaches get better the further south you go. If you need a reason to explore the terrific coast other than the coast itself; well you’re in luck: Sculpture By The Sea is a fantastic outdoors, installation-based series of artworks from Southern Bondi to Tamarama Beach. You’ll get to see some great, abstract and just plain odd artworks set against a stunning coastal backdrop. - Liam

Bondi Icebergs to Tamarama beach. 23 October - 9 November, open 24 hours. Free.



LOAD UP ON LENTILS

Lentil as Anything is a unique chain of stores that operate as a non-for-profit organisation that allows you to pay what you want in exchange for a vegetarian meal. Cuisine choices range from Asian Fusion to Ethiopian and just about whatever else you could think of. However, it isn’t just free food for you free-loaders out there, Lentil As Anything aims change society by spreading it’s ethos of multiculturalism and hiring those less fortunate. It also prides itself on trying to encourage young people to become active citizens that involve in community-based initiatives. If you’re interested in more than a just a potential free meal you can also donate to them, organise a fundraise to further support them, busk at one of their venues or volunteer to help one of their venues. It isn’t just located in Sydney but Melbourne in Abbotsford, Footscray, Preston and St. Kilda. - Liam

391 King Street, Newtown. Lunch served Wed-Sun, 12pm-3pm but dinner is served everyday 6pm-9pm. Pay As You Feel.

LARGER THAN LIFE LADIES

Artist Rone’s alluring, sumptuous large-scale works of glamorous women have appeared all over Melbourne, earning Rone a reputation as one of Melbourne’s most notorious street artists. His works - mostly stencils and screenprints – provide beauty amidst the chaos of the street. Rone’s taking over a space slated for demolition to hold an exhibition, featuring eleven large-scale portraits inside and outside of the space, and a twelve metre high mural on the building’s adjoining ventilation tower. The internal works will be spectacularly brought to life by a lighting designer. -Dani



Level 1, 109 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. Runs until November 9. 11am to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday, Mon – Wed 11am – 2pm

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

Melbourne online record store vinyl. is stepping out from shadows of the Internet and into the sunshine of your life – they’re having a mega sale, with around 350 new records (all sealed copies) with box a mix of classic and contemporary titles, that veer towards Melbourne and Australian artists. There’ll also be a bunch of second hand stuff from the 60s to the 90s. - Dani

Lady Moustache, 84 Gamon St, Yarraville, Melbourne. Sat Nov 1, 12pm – 4pm.

GET YOUR HANDS ON FREE CREEPY COMICS

This is a good day for comic book lovers! Everyone who heads into Quality Comics on Saturday gets to choose two free comics from their 2014 Halloween Comic Fest selection – or, if you’re in costume, four free comics. Those in costume will also get a years’ free membership to quality comics, which means mad discounts all year. 10% of everything in store besides, too. - Dani

Saturday November 1, 9.30am – 5pm.