10 Things To See At Perth Festival

This piece stars actor Dennis O' Hare (True Blood, American Horror Story and Milk) in a one-man adaptation of Homer's epic poem. The piece was co-adapted by Lisa Peterson and O'Hare. Peterson, also the director, says, “we call it An Iliad because for us it's not The Iliad, it's only one view.” Running 16 to 26 Feb, Sunken Gardens, UWA.

Often cited among the most influential post-punk bands, Wire's artistic and minimalist approach to music is what sets them apart from their contemporaries. Nearly 40 years later, the British art-punk pioneers are as magnetic as ever. Catch them at Chevron Festival Gardens, 24 Feb.

Intelligent, entertaining and enigmatic triple threat Lake Bell writes, directs and stars in this satirical comedy of pride, sexism and family dysfunction. In A World ... is the story of a struggling voice-over artist trying to make it in a man's world. Living in the shadow of her father's success, we follow Carol as she deciphers and navigates the art of being heard. Screening in Joondalup from 4-9 March.

Combining complex harmonies, swirling synths and the operatic pipes of lead singer Katie Stelmanis, Toronto natives Austra are set to showcase their moody retro electro pop at Chevron Festival Gardens, 17 Feb. They made quite an impression last time, so make beeline for the dance floor.

Japanese designers, Yasuhiko Hayashi and Yusuke Nakano will transform John Curtin Gallery at Curtin University into fantastic new landscapes for the Perth Festival. Using mass-produced children's toys, bright blue train tracks, their meticulous design skills and wild imaginations, the duo, who collaborate under the name Paramodel, will display their New Age graffiti from 6 Feb to 17 April.

One of China's most exciting contemporary dance companies, Beijing Dance Theatre, takes physical artistic expression into new ground at His Majesty's Theatre from 27 Feb – 1 March. Combining Chinese dance with ballet, Haze is performed entirely on soft, unsteady ground providing safety as well as instability – a representation of the contrast between the ancient traditions of Chinese culture and it's head first dive into the future.

Public Enemy knocked hip hop on its arse when they entered the scene in the late '80s. Their hard-hitting sounds, skittering turntables and ferocious energy saw them ascend to become one of the most influential hip hop groups of all time. The hip hop heavyweights and self-proclaimed prophets of rage hit up Chevron Festival Gardens, 28 Feb.

British artist Jeremy Deller has created a life-size Stonehenge and will set up in our very own Supreme Court Gardens from 17 Feb – 1 March. Whether you've been drinking and want to bounce around your bellyful of grog, or you have small children keen to make themselves sick from jumping, this is going to be fun. Sure, it's not the real thing, but, in a certain light, you could almost argue that it's better.

Since his debut album's induction into the Guinness Book Of World Records as the first album to be comprised entirely of samples, DJ Shadow has dominated the electronic music scene. The instrumental hip hop trailblazer, known for his experimental sounds and, obviously, dominant use of samples, will hit the Chevron Festival Gardens, 15 Feb.

The exquisite drama and world class skill of NoFit State Circus will blow away the Big Top, Ozone Reserve from 11 Feb-1 March. For the first time, Australia will look on as performers from all corners of the globe engage in aerial escapades that combine acrobatics, drama and live music in all manners of artistic grandeur. Bianco promises to be a knockout performance and Perth Festival highlight.