The Adelaide Film Festival, a Tarnanthi Big Weekend at the Art Gallery of SA and an exhibition of “live artworks” at the historic Queen’s Theatre are among this weekend’s top picks.

Other events include State Theatre Company’s revenge tragedy/crime thriller Mortido (starring Colin Friels), Adelaide Symphony Orchestra show Mendelssohn’s Dream at the Town Hall, Russell Brand’s Trew World Order, Ben Lee’s gig at The Gov and a chamber music showcase at Ngeringa Cultural Centre

Near and Far – Queen’s Theatre

Taking place at the historic Queen’s Theatre over five days from today, Near and Far is an exhibition of live artworks exploring themes such as distance, time and communication. “There are four new works, an experimental criticism project, an afternoon of artist talks and a goat,” says new SA arts organisation Performance and Art Development Agency (PADA), which is behind the project. The goat appears in Sarah Rodigari and Josie Were’s performance work Reach Out and Touch Faith II. More info about Near and Far can be found here.

Adelaide Film Festival

Film fans are spoiled for choice over the 2015 Adelaide Film Festival, with more than 180 films screening over 10 days until October 25. This weekend’s screenings include the Australian premiere of new Cate Blanchett film Carol, Vanuatu drama Tanna (pictured above), documentaries Sherpa and Remembering the Man (the true story behind Holding the Man), and canine horror The Pack (filmed and produced in Adelaide by Kojo). See InDaily’s latest Film Fest stories and reviews here, and read creative director Amanda Duthie’s festival tips here. The full program can be viewed online.

Tarnanthi Big Weekend

To coincide with the Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, the Art Gallery of SA is hosting a weekend of free events, including bush-tucker barbecues, performances by musicians including Thelma Plum, dance, artist talks and Ngarrindjeri storytelling. There will also be guided tours at 11am and 2pm of the gallery’s Tarnanthi exhibitions. The inaugural Tarnanthi Festival is showcasing the work of more than 300 artists from across Australia in 22 venues, including Samstag Museum, The Jam Factory, State Library and Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.

Mendelssohn’s Dream – ASO and State Theatre

Adelaide Town Hall will be transformed into a magical fairyland for this joint Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and State Theatre Company show. Under the baton of Nicholas McGegan, Mendelssohn’s music for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be brought to life by two sopranos, a female chorus and a cast of actors. The program for the two performances (Friday and Saturday evenings) also features Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 1 and Mendelssohn’s Three Motets.

Mortido – State Theatre

Actor Colin Friels (above) stars in this revenge tragedy/crime thriller which begins with a Mexican fable about death and ends in Sydney’s western suburbs. Written by Australian Writers’ Guild Award winner Angela Betzien and co-commissioned by the State Theatre Company of SA and Sydney’s Belvoir Theatre, Mortido is having its premiere in Adelaide, with performances at the Dunstan Playhouse from tonight (Friday) until October 31.

Yesterday’s Heroes Mixmasters Sessions

This series of shows will see 10 classic songs by SA Music Hall of Fame inductees re-recorded by 10 South Australian emerging singer-songwriters. An initiative of the Adelaide Music Collective and the Hall of Fame, it will continue through to October 24 at the Mixmaster Studios in Hawthorndene. This weekend’s sessions include Kelly Menhennett and Mark Holden (Friday) and Tom West and John Schumann (Saturday).

Chamber Music Adelaide Gala Showcase – Ngeringa Cultural Centre

Six chamber music ensembles – Ensemble Galante, The Firm, Kegelstatt Ensemble, Recitals Australia, Soundstream and Various People – will play during this Sunday afternoon concert at new performance venue Ngeringa Cultural Centre at Mt Barker. The showcase, from 12.30-4.30pm, will encompass a range of musical styles, including baroque and romantic, with works by composers such as Telemann, Mozart and Messiaen. Bookings here.

Russell Brand – Trew World Order

Rabble-rousing comedian and actor Russell Brand (pictured right) is well known for his political activism and advocating a social revolution. Now, apparently, he’s decided that the only way to change the world is through the power of a crowd – hence the title of his current touring show Trew World Order. It’s at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

Frank Yamma – Nexus Arts

Singer Frank Yamma will present an intimate evening of acoustic storytelling featuring fellow Adelaide musician Max Savage at Nexus Arts tonight. Music lovers are told to expect a display of songs “that cut right through to the cultural psyche of Australia”. For an insight into Yamma’s music and influences, read this Q&A published on InDaily.

Fork in Blackwood – Wittunga Botanic Gardens

Fork on the Road food trucks will be converging on the Wittunga Botanic Gardens on Shepherds Hill Road between midday and 4pm on Saturday for an event celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the gardens opening to the public. There will be guided tours of the gardens, as well as entertainment from the Band of the SA Police and kids’ entertainment.

Nourish Festival – Rundle Park

This full-day yoga, fitness and wellbeing festival will be held at Rundle Park from 6.30am until 7pm on Saturday. It will include food markets, yoga and barre classes, PT sessions, a pop-up day spa and talks. Info here.

Ben Lee – The Gov

Pop singer-songwriter Ben Lee is playing a gig at the Governor Hindmarsh tonight (Friday) as part of a national tour on the back of his recently released Love is the Great Rebellion. The album is Lee’s first since signing on with Warner Bros records earlier this year, with the sound described as “upbeat, heart-on-the-sleeve pop”.

The Aspirations of Daise Morrow – Brink Productions

Patrick White’s timeless story Down at the Dump is brought to life in this new stage adaptation by Adelaide’s Brink Productions. The tale tells of two families – one of whom decides to spend the day at the dump, while the other attends a funeral – but at its heart is a pair of young dreamers taking their first steps towards love. The Aspirations of Daise Morrow is at the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Space Theatre until October 24, and InDaily reviewer Greg Elliott says it’s a must-see.

Alfie – Matt Byrne Media

Playwright Bill Naughton’s story of the sexploits of modern-day Don Juan Alfie Elkins was first presented on stage in 1963 and became a screen hit a few years later when Michael Caine stepped into the lead role.   Now Matt Byrne Media is taking audiences back to the swinging ’60s with a new production of Alfie at Holden Street Theatres until October 24. Read our review here.

Dirty Dancing – Festival Theatre

The classic ’80s film about a teenager seduced by both dance and the dance instructor while at a holiday resort with her family is brought to life in this touring stage production. It features catchy hits such as “Hungry Eyes”, “The Time of My Life” and “Dirty Dancing” alongside high-energy dance. Performances of Dirty Dancing will continue at the Festival Theatre until November 1.

Thailand Ladyboys Superstars Cabaret

More than 20 Thai Ladyboy cabaret performers star in this sequin and feather-filled show which blends cabaret, dance and comedy with lip-syncs performed to classic and contemporary songs. Shows continue under the Big Top in Bonython Park until October 17.

On screen

See InDaily’s reviews of the latest films screening in Adelaide:

Highly Strung (Adelaide Film Festival)
The Dressmaker (Adelaide Film Festival)
Legend
The Martian
Macbeth
Blinky Bill the Movie
Everest