SALA Festival

The month-long South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival officially opened this week, with weekend highlights including a street art tour with Vans the Omega and Jake Holmes (tomorrow, and again on August 11 and 25), a sculpture exhibition at Government House Gardens (open Sunday and again on August 19), and a site-specific video installation at the Adelaide Festival Centre by Elise Bonato, who will also give a live performance on the centre’s terrace on Saturday. Next Thursday, the West End will also come alive with Art After Dark (more about that here). The SALA program showcases painting, sculpture, video, multi-media, photography and more in more than 700 shows and events across Adelaide and regional SA.

The Mastersingers of Nuremberg Act III

To celebrate 20 years since its first production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, the State Opera of South Australia will perform The Mastersingers of Nuremberg Act III at the Festival Theatre tomorrow night. The third act presents a famed signing contest, where young Walther competes against vengeful rival Beckmesser for the hand of Eva. The performance is headlined by soprano Kate Ladner, who returns to Adelaide to perform the role of Eva, alongside Bradley Daley (Walther), Shane Lowrencev (Hans Sachs) and British Wagner specialist Andrew Shore (Beckmesser). Conductor Nicholas Braithwaite will lead a 60-voice State Opera chorus and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, with the performance to be sung in German with English surtitles.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The National Theatre of Great Britain’s adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is described as an “eye-popping visual spectacle” and “possibly the best stage adaptation you’ll ever see” in this InDaily review. The part-detective, part-coming-of-age production tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher John Francis Boone, who discovers a dead dog stabbed with a garden fork. He sets out to solve the mystery of who killed it and ends up on a frightening journey that upturns his world. Final performances are at the Entertainment Centre tonight and tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Suzanne Vega

American folk singer Suzanne Vega. Photo: Matt Crossick / PA

Eclectic folk superstar Suzanne Vega will perform at the Thebarton Theatre tomorrow night as part of her world anniversary tour. The 1980s icon is known for her distinctive vocals, emotional live performances and leading role in the revival of folk music, with international hits including “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner”. Her performance is promoted as a journey of “distinctive vocals and many of the songs that encapsulate an iconic career”. Australian musicians and long-term collaborators Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier will support Vega for tomorrow’s performance.

Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize 

An installation view of finalists’ work in the 2018 Waterhouse Prize.

This weekend will be the last chance to see the finalist artworks from the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, which are on display at the South Australian Museum. The prize invites artists to present their perspectives on natural science and make a statement about the scientific issues facing the planet, with works across a broad range of media. This year’s open category winner was Metamorphosis by Canberra artist Erica Sercombe, while Hayley’s Lander’s The great forgetting won the emerging artist prize. See a photo gallery of finalists’ work here.

Round She Goes Market

Preloved and vintage fashion market Round She Goes returns to the Woodville Town Hall tomorrow. The market will feature 50 stallholders selling a mixture of women’s preloved designer, vintage and retro fashion, handmade jewellery and accessories. Coffee and food will also be available to purchase. Doors open at 10am.