What’s On: Fringe festivities, Chinese New Year, the Art of Teese

Events and shows over the week ahead, including Fringe opening weekend festivities and shows, Chinese New Year with the ASO, “DJ Albo” at the Kings Head, the final weekend of Moonlight Cinema and burlesque with Dita Von Teese.

Feb 06, 2018, updated Feb 19, 2018

Adelaide Fringe kicks off next weekend. Photo: Trentino Priori

Adelaide Fringe opening night

The 2018 Adelaide Fringe opens tonight with the Tindo Utpurndee (sunset ceremony) at 8pm on the SA Museum lawns followed by the switching on of the Parade of Light projections on significant North Terrace buildings, and a street party with artist performances, night markets, food and wine. This year’s Fringe comprises around 1220 events including comedy, music, theatre, visual art, magic and children’s shows. See the full program here and view all InDaily‘s coverage of the Fringe and Adelaide Festival here.

Opening week Fringe shows to check out include:

Tabarnak – Gluttony

Quebec’s Cirque Alfonse, creators of previous Fringe hit Barbu, are back this year with a new show in Gluttony called Tabarnak. A kind of circus rock musical described as “a celebration of Heaven and Hell and everything in between”, it will be launched with a special church service at the Church of the Trinity on Goodwood Road, Clarence Park, at 10am this Sunday (details here).

Saltbush – Children’s Cheering Carpet – Grounded

Follow the story of two friends and their journey across the diverse landscapes of Australia in this interactive dance performance at Fringe’s newest venue, Grounded in Victoria Square. The family show teaches young audiences about Indigenous Australians’ connection to land and animals through dance, performance and visual animation. Read InDaily’s article about the production here.

An Evening with Malcolm Turnbull – Garden of Unearthly Delights

Comedian Lawrence Mooney will present his show channelling Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at The Factory in The Garden of Unearthly Delights from tonight. Mooney promises “the real Malcolm” is “witty, charming, hilarious and sexy”; he’s also presenting some special guests throughout the show’s Fringe season. Read his Q&A with InDaily here.

Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams – Royal Croquet Club

Circus Abyssinia contortionists. Photo: Andrey Petrov

Ethiopian circus troupe Circus Abyssinia will present its acrobatics Fringe Show from this Saturday at the Royal Croquet Club’s Grand Auditorium. The show tells the story of two brothers who dream of running away to join the circus. Along the way they encounter a host of other circus dreamers, from dancers and contortionists, to acrobatic artists. Details here.

Borders by Henry Naylor – Holden Street Theatres

This new show by British playwright Henry Naylor (Angel, Echoes) is inspired by his encounters and interviews with refugees. It delivers a moving, no-holds-barred commentary on the Syrian conflict and the West’s response to it, through the story of two different characters – an anonymous Syrian street artist and a London-based paparazzo photographer. Borders is at Holden Street Theatres until March 18. Read InDaily‘s Interview with Naylor here.

Rouge – Gluttony

Locally produced acrobatics and burlesque show Rouge will debut at The Octagon in Gluttony tonight. From the creators of Fringe favourite Papillon, Rouge will blend acrobatics, cabaret and tongue-in-check burlesque. Details here.

ASO Chinese New Year Concert – Festival Theatre

Coinciding with Chinese New Year, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra will present a blend of popular Australian music and Chinese sounds in this Sunday night concert at the Festival Theatre. The ASO will be joined by artists from Australia and China – including didjeridu player William Barton, drummers from the Shanghai Empireast Culture Group, pianist Warren Lee and soprano Yafen. Also on the program is the Australian premiere of “Rooster Fanfare”, which was played at the AFL match in Shanghai last year. Concert details here.

DJ Albo – Kings Head Hotel

Photo: Supplied

Federal Labor Minister Anthony Albanese will unveil his alter ego “DJ Albo” at the Kings Head Hotel this Sunday. Expect a mix of Albanese’s favourite tunes, including songs by Vera Blue, Tkay Maidza, Sticky Fingers, The Cure, New Order, Polish Club and David Bowie. Read InDaily’s interview with DJ Albo here.

Roger Waters – Entertainment Centre

Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters is in Adelaide tonight to perform his US + THEM tour at the Entertainment Centre. Audience members will be able to hear Waters perform tracks from his most recent album, Is This the Life we Really Want?, for the first time live, as well as a variety of songs from his career both with Pink Floyd and as a solo artist. Last time we checked, tickets were still available.

George Michael: Listen to Your Heart with the ASO – Festival Theatre

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra is paying a symphonic tribute to pop star George Michael to mark 30 years since he released his seminal debut solo album, Faith. Hugh Sheridan, Rob Mills, Casey Donovan, Andrew De Silva and Bobby Fox will join the orchestra on stage to perform a selection of George Michael chart-toppers in the final performance tonight. See concert details here.

Dita Von Teese – Thebarton Theatre

Burlesque star Dita Von Teese. Photo: Kaylin Idora

American burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese will be in Adelaide this Tuesday as part of the Art of Teese tour. The show features a number of new acts including “Lazy”, previously performed at The Crazy Horse in Paris, and the ballet-themed “Swan Lake Stripteese”. Teese will also present four of her most popular performances. The show is strictly 18+ only. Tickets here.

Moonlight Cinema – Botanic Park

The Moonlight Cinema will wrap up its 2017-18 run this weekend with new-release sci-fi and crime flicks. The second instalment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy Star Wars: The Last Jedi screens tonight, followed by Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Saturday), and The Commuter (Sunday). Gates open at 7pm and films begin at sundown.