Tag / Festival

by brandsa2018

SA wine labels pour in heart of city

Internationally renowned brands and smaller boutique labels from 17 South Australian wine regions will gather in the heart of the city this weekend.

The Adelaide Convention Centre will host the annual Cellar Door Fest from March 15-17, giving visitors the opportunity to learn not only about the state’s winemaking talents, but also the hottest craft breweries, distilleries and premium produce on offer in SA.

“Cellar Door Fest is all about celebrating the best of SA and showcasing our state’s vibrant food and drink scene,” says Adelaide Convention Centre general manager Simon Burgess.

“We’re delighted to be celebrating the festival’s ninth year and the fact that the event has established itself as a permanent fixture on our state’s festival calendar.

“With so many of our state’s principal wineries in attendance, Cellar Door Fest continues to be a terrific illustration of SA’s global reputation as a Great Wine Capital of the World in addition to highlighting our state’s emerging craft beer and distillery producers.”

Thousands of wine lovers are expected to descend upon the Adelaide Convention Centre over three days for the 2019 Cellar Door Fest.

Festival highlights include two long table dining events, the Jacob’s Creek Long Table Dinner on March 15 and the NOLA New Orleans-inspired Long Table Lunch on March 16.

For those wanting to immerse themselves in the world of wine and gin blending, a series of masterclasses will unfold including a cheese and sparkling session (sold out), a gin blending session with Settlers Spirits, a pinor noir wine blending session with Tomich Wines, and a cheese and wine session with Sheree Sullivan of Udder Delights and wine educator Rhys Howlett.

The Great Wine Capitals (GWC) Discovery Space will explain how Adelaide, SA, is ranked alongside some of the world’s top wine regions in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. GWC Best of Wine Tourism Award winners will be on hand for tastings and free masterclasses, including Chapel Hill Winery, Whistling Kite, Penfolds, d’Arenberg, Elderton, and Hentley Farm Wines.

Two long table dining events are among the festival highlights.

Wine lovers wanting to sample up-and-coming drops can head for the Emerging Winemakers Zone – introduced last year – to learn about a selection of labels that have been in the industry for three years or less. Emerging winemakers include Artis Wines, Auld Family Wines, Beklyn Wines, Blewitt Springs Wine Co, Dewey Station Wines, Eight at the Gate, Junnare Wines, Peter Teakle Wines, Peter Thompson Wines, Poppy the Frenchie, Saint & Scholar and The Hydropath Society.

Cellar Door Fest organisers say this year’s event is proud to highlight eco-friendly producers including those offering certified organic, biodynamic and vegan friendly products, as well as those who use sustainable packaging.

“We’re thrilled to be back and to once again provide a platform for SA producers to showcase their amazing wares and connect with consumers,” says Cellar Door Fest director Alex Bradford.

“Our team is proud to have assembled another fantastic program this year, including a great assortment of immersive experiences for guests to enjoy, from tastings to long table dining, masterclasses and live cooking demonstrations in Jessie’s Kitchen and the Wintulichs Beer Garden.”

Beer drinkers can visit the Wintulichs Beer Garden to taste a selection of local brews.

Jessie’s Kitchen will keep foodies satisfied with a series of free, live cooking demonstrations hosted by Adelaide food identity Jessie Spiby and other producers. Visitors inclined to sip on a fresh G&T will appreciate the popular Distillery District, showcasing many of the state’s emerging craft distilleries including Never Never Distilling Co, which took out the title for World’s Best Gin Classic at the World Gin Awards in London recently.

Beer drinkers can head for the Wintulichs Beer Garden to spot a showcase of top breweries and cidermakers. A new addition this year is the Dude Food stage, featuring a series of free lessons in grilling, smoking and searing meats. Burgers, tacos, hot dogs and sizzling steaks – we say no more.

To view the full Cellar Door Fest program and to purchase tickets visit the website.

What is a wine festival without a selection of local Brie cheeses to wash it all down.

Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.

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by brandsa2018

Mad March reaches peak as world acts prepare for WOMADelaide

Vibrant explosions of colour and a kaleidoscope of world dance and music are expected to once again add to Adelaide’s busiest time of year as preparations for this long weekend’s WOMADelaide festival enter their final stages.

Thousands of people, including locals and interstate and overseas visitors, will descend on Botanic Park from March 8–11 to enjoy four packed days of world dance, music and art installations from the peak of the day into the late of the night.

Event organisers say they’re expecting similar attendance numbers to last year’s event at 96,000 people in total.

Hundreds of artists from more than 30 countries will work their magic at WOMAD, performing at multiple areas spread throughout the park. Inspirational young soul performer Adrian Eagle, of Adelaide’s northern suburbs, joins this year’s line-up of local talent as does hip hop princess Tkay Maidza and folk talent Timberwolf. Headlining acts include African singer and three-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo and Australia’s John Butler Trio.

Aside from artists from across the globe, WOMAD will also attract festivalgoers from far and wide who contribute to the local tourism and hospitality industry during their stay. The event is estimated to generate $14 million in visitor spend each year, while the total economic benefit in terms of incomes is estimated at $16.9 million and 164 FTEs (full time equivalent jobs).

WOMADelaide director Ian Scobie says festival research has shown almost half of the attendees come from outside of SA, with more than 40% also attending at least one other event during their stay.

“I believe it (WOMAD) is the second highest attractor of visitors behind the Adelaide 500 … it’s very efficient from a tourism perspective,” he says.

“Over that long weekend, a high number of visitors are from interstate and we also know from our research that a high portion of them stay an extra day, so they’ll visit wineries, McLaren Vale or Kangaroo Island.

“From a tourism perspective, it (WOMAD) is the hook that brings them in, and they do other things. It’s grown significantly in that regard.”

Photo by Tony Lewis.

While WOMAD is one of Adelaide’s biggest annual events – helping South Australia earn its ‘festival state’ name-tag – the timing of the event comes during the city’s busiest time of year.

Mad March, (and increasingly Mad February), is also a host to the Fringe Festival, Adelaide Festival and Adelaide 500 car race – events which collectively draw hundreds of thousands of people to the city centre.

“I think the key part of WOMAD’s success and why it works in Adelaide is that we’re a unique festival city,” Ian says.

WOMAD festivalgoers can travel around the world in four days, through the spread of art installations, musical acts and dance performances which all draw upon one common thread – unity.

“An event like WOMAD shows people that in the end there is a common humanity that unites everyone, whether you’re an Arab musician from Morocco or Adrian Eagle from the northern suburbs of Adelaide, in the end people are all connected, and they have common human aspirations,” Ian says.

Photo by Badstance.

Aside from the performance lineup, cultural installations such as the Colour of Time are also festival favourites. Explosions of coloured gulal powder will be set off in a tribute to the traditional Indian Holi Festival.

Other attractions include those with a local focus such as the WoMADE design market, supported by I Choose SA and showcasing locally crafted products.

The market comprises about 15 local stalls selling jewellery, homewares, artwork and gifts by SA designers including Julie White, Bluebell Design and Hey Reflect’o.

Still feeling the choose local vibes? Head for the Botanical Gin Bar for a range of SA gins to suit the palate of every gin lover. Coopers, Hills Cider, T Bar and Yalumba Winery are some other names to keep an eye out for.

For more info on WOMAD or to purchase tickets click here.

Feature image is The Colour of Time by Steve Trutwin.

Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.

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by brandsa2018

Adelaide to host 2020 Fringe World Congress

Delegates from Fringe festivals across the globe will descend upon Adelaide in 2020 when the city hosts the biennial Fringe World Congress.

The formal gathering of international Fringe representatives, directors and organisers will visit Adelaide during the Adelaide Fringe Festival (February 14 to March 15) to share ideas and network.

It will be the first time since its establishment in 2012 that the World Fringe Congress has been held somewhere in the southern hemisphere, with past gatherings occurring in Edinburgh and Montreal.

Adelaide Fringe, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2020, is the second largest ticketed arts festival in the world after Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Adelaide Fringe director and CEO Heather Croall says winning the bid to host the World Congress is a major coup for South Australia’s arts community.

“We’re delighted that we’ll be celebrating Adelaide Fringe’s 60th anniversary with the worldwide Fringe family by hosting the congress in 2020,” she says.

A Fringe show promoter in Adelaide’s Garden of Unearthly Delights. Photo by Trentino Priori.

“The congress will be a great platform for our festival to increase its international exposure while also raising the profile of SA as an arts destination.

“Adelaide Fringe is the party that defines our city and we want everyone to be able to experience the festival’s vibrancy and transformative power for themselves.”

World Fringe managing director Holly Lombardo says she is delighted the next congress will be held in Adelaide.

“This will be the fifth global meet of Fringe directors like this, and after destinations like Edinburgh and Montreal it is right and fitting that it’s going to the southern hemisphere – especially for Adelaide Fringe’s 60th,” she says.

“I know Adelaide Fringe will be perfect hosts for such a wonderful conference of international Fringes and I look forward to being part of it.”

Last year’s Adelaide Fringe was a record breaker with artists selling 705,761 tickets worth $16.6 million. More than $15 million landed directly into the pockets of artists and venues, thanks to the abolishment of inside charges.

Adelaide Fringe also attracted more than 20,000 interstate and international visitors last year, up 8% on 2017, delivering $29.5 million for the state. Gross expenditure related to the 2018 Fringe hit a record $90.6 million.

Click here to view the 2019 Adelaide Fringe guide.

Header photo by Tony Virgo features the Fringe Wives Club.

by brandsa2018

Festival provides a richer taste of French culture

There’s nothing so sensual, so essentially French as indulging all the senses around the finest food, wine and music.

This is why Valerie Henbest, proprietor of the Adelaide Central Market’s Smelly Cheese Shop, has created special events for the 2019 Adelaide French Festival, pushing boundaries with innovative creative concepts that combine multiple art forms with culinary pleasures.

As part of the French-accented cultural festival being held in and around the Adelaide Festival Centre from January 11–13, Valerie is curating Sonic Seasoning on January 13, teaming a performance by contemporary Adelaide string ensemble Zephyr Quartet with a structured champagne and cheese tasting on the Dunstan Playhouse stage, to test whether music can heighten appreciation of fine wine and cheese.

“I’m so passionate about exploring food sensory experiences, so I want to test the relationship between the five senses and fine food through a musical journey,” says French-born Valerie.

“It’s an event that will allow people to get maximum pleasure from a tasting masterclass, so they truly remember a magical experience.”

Valerie Henbest of the Smelly Cheese Shop will bring the flavours of France to Adelaide in January.

Valerie has also created Le Salon for the Adelaide French Festival with the State Opera, featuring music by 18th century French composers while she instructs the audience how to best enjoy cheese, champagne and chocolate.

“I want to revisit the fantastic possibility that the 18th century Paris salons presented in creating a diverse cultural hub, but with 21st century influences. I see this as a way to reconnect people – as a way of getting people to stop hiding behind their screens.”

These shows are an example of how the Adelaide French Festival – created by the Adelaide Festival Centre and presented for the first time in 2018 – is growing for its 2019 program, and providing a springboard for creativity in how it presents aspects of French culture, and Adelaide’s connection to it.

The three-day program presents an eclectic mix of music, theatre, dance, food, wine, art, fashion, film and family activities.

Photo courtesy of So Frenchy So Chic.

Adelaide French Festival creative director Beck Pearce says it’s an important cultural signpost for Adelaide, which is forging many strong ties to French industry, triggering a recent influx of French families living in Adelaide – which has ensured a strong family and children’s components to the festival program.

“We want the widest possible reach, so we have encouraged creativity in building a very diverse and eclectic program,” she says.

“And that means there is something for everyone within this festival.”

Affordability is key, and food and drink is integral to the mix – such as the Junior Sous Chef classes allowing kids to enjoy a hands-on pastry cooking class with Le Cordon Bleu pastry chef Jenni Key at the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Star Kitchen and Bar.

At the top end of culinary treats, chef Nathalie Beauvais, hailing from the restaurant Le Jardin Gourmand in the Brittany port town of Lorient, is presenting a special French cooking class featuring the flavours of Brittany, and an extravagant seafood feast with SA ingredients.

Photo courtesy of So Frenchy So Chic.

Local businesses are plugging into the festival program, none more enthusiastically than Dominique Lentz, the French owner of Adelaide small bar La Buvette. He’s presenting four short events on January 13 – French Spirits Masterclasses hosted by Mikael Gillard, and two novel sessions on the art of French flirting and seduction.

Within the festival’s music events, Adelaide musicians are showing great creativity. Percussionist Jarrad Payne and jazz violinist Julian Ferraretto are doing live accompaniment to a vintage Georges Méliès film, A Trip to the Moon, at Nexus Performance Space on January 13.

Jarrad is also part of the Piping Shrike Brass Band, a raucous nine-member New Orleans-inspired marching jazz ensemble, led by brass virtuoso Adam Page, performing at the Space Theatre on January 12.

There’s even a mini festival within a festival, with one-day pop music garden party So Frenchy So Chic being held on the Torrens riverbank at Pinky Flat on January 11, featuring French pop starlets Camille, Yelle, Clara Luciani and Clea Vincent.

Photo courtesy of So Frenchy So Chic.

Organiser Jean-François Ponthieux has been presenting events under the So Frenchy So Chic brand in Australia for 15 years – initially in Melbourne, then Sydney – but brought his outdoor festival to Adelaide for the first time in 2018, and is delighted to be working in partnership with the Adelaide French Festival.

“It’s the perfect setting to be showcasing the best of what modern French pop music has to offer right now,” says Jean-François. “I have a taste for French music as others have a taste for fine pinot noir, and I want to share my discoveries.”

It all underlines strengthening ties between Adelaide and France, especially since the SA Government officially opened an SA office in Paris in September 2017.

Connections are not only being made in culture, food and wine (such as Adelaide joining Bordeaux as a member of the Great Wine Capitals), but also in industry, research and education – from submarine and warfare destroyer construction, to an Australian-French Entrepreneurship Challenge, and Flinders University’s growing ties with scholarships and research partnerships in France.

“This festival makes a big cultural statement – and it’s an idyllic way of introducing a wider audience to all that French culture has to offer,” says Bec Pearce. “It’s going to be delicious fun.”

Photo courtesy of So Frenchy So Chic.

by brandsa2018

Best places to find SALA art where you’ll least expect it

Cemeteries, airports and distilleries aren’t places usually brimming with art, but works forming this year’s 2018 South Australia Living Artists (SALA) Festival will be hard to miss.

The annual festival kicks off on August 1 and runs until August 31, with a ground-breaking 9000 artists taking part in more than 700 exhibitions and events across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Aside from the usual galleries, museums, libraries and cafés, some unsuspecting locations will also show paintings, sculptures and creations.

“Art doesn’t have to hang on gallery walls or be hard to access,” says SALA festival director Penny Griggs.

“This year’s program reflects the diversity and inclusivity of the SALA Festival.

“We are thrilled that 9000 people will showcase their unique concept of living art to the people of SA.”

Here’s five places to find SALA art where you’ll least expect it!

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1. Distilleries

Sip a G&T and enjoy contemporary abstract works exploring “the passionate collision of emotions and colour” at Prohibition Liquor Co in the Adelaide’s CBD.

Artist Katie Spry’s works will be on show at this Gilbert Street craft spirits producer, which recently took a sweep of awards both here and overseas. 

Catch Katie’s exhibition Colour Ascension from August 2-30.

Regional SA isn’t immune to SALA festivities, nor has escaped spirit fever.

Most of the state’s best spirit producers are based in regional areas, including in Renmark, where Twenty Third Street Distillery can be found.

The Riverland distillery will host There is no place like home featuring works by five artists exploring what home means no matter how little or much you have.

For those wandering through the Barossa, the Barossa Distilling Company in Nuriootpa is showing Botanical by Lottie Rosenzweig.

Spot her quirky embroidered Italian line wall hangings and illustrations.

Drove to the airport to get my art on 🖼 #salacitizen #universalcitizen #sala

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2. Adelaide Airport

Photos, paintings and computer generated imagery will take over the Adelaide Airport this SALA Festival for Universal Citizen. 

The installations created by eight talented SA artists will be on display until September 23.

SA institutions the SAHMRI building and the Adelaide Central Market will also make an appearance.

Artists include Aida Azin, Liam Bosecke, Tracy Lymn, Kaspar Schmidt Mumm, Brianna Speight, Harry Thing, Dan Withey, and Emmaline Zanelli.

Adelaide Airport processes more than eight million passengers a year, so it’s fair to say that thousands of people will view these works!

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3. Cemeteries

There’s probably no better place to contemplate life and art than in a cemetery.

Adelaide’s largest cemetery, Centennial Park, has a sculptural SALA walk featuring works by 13 artists.

The pieces are scattered throughout the park and tranquil gardens, and visitors can also explore the cemetery’s permanent art installations.

In another SALA event, community artist Koruna Schmidt Mumm has been working with the Friends of Walkerville Wesleyan Cemetery and St Andrew’s Primary School on activating the historic Wesleyan Cemetery.

From August 9–17, visitors can explore the ideas of what lies below, who the buried citizens are, and how cemeteries are viewed by modern society.

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4. Tattoo parlour

Black Diamond Tattoo studio in Port Adelaide isn’t just about inking up – it’ll also host a series of Aboriginal artworks by Anangu woman Elizabeth Close for SALA 2018.

Using a fusion of contemporary and traditional Aboriginal art styles, Elizabeth has collated new works and old favourites for her solo exhibition Red Dust Rough Diamond.

Prints will be for sale at the launch on August 10, with mulled wine and cider on offer.

A live smoking ceremony will unfold, as will live tattooing featuring designs by Elizabeth.

You can also spot Elizabeth’s street art on Adelaide’s inner city walls.

Come escape this dreary weather with Mt Compass G3 Botanical Gin. Normally we serve this Gin with Passionfruit & Basil but since it’s our Gin of the Week, we’re mixing it up with some lively Pineapple & Mint.🍍🌿 Mt Compass have created this Navy Strength Gin by increasing the alcohol & tripling the botanicals of its base Gin. This consists of earthly notes of Angelica, Coriander & light Citrus flavours with indigenous Lemon Myrtle to deliver a Gin with plenty of strength, character and flavour. From 7-8pm we’ll also be serving $5 Pikes Pilsner or Lager or 2 for $20 Flower Bomb, Blackberry & Basil Bramble or Espresso Martini Cocktails. #thehowlingowlcafe #mcspirits #navystrength #ginisourthing #ginstagram #gin #ginlovers #ginoftheweek #happyhour #cocktails

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5. The pub

Adelaide-based artist Luke Thurgate will lead participants on an art pub crawl where participants can “draw under the influence”.

The 18+ Sketchy Art Tour is an interactive art event that will explore drawing in a number of bars and watering holes across Adelaide’s CBD.

The crew will depart the Grace Emily Hotel on Friday, August 24, at 7pm. It’s free!

Luke is also hosting a separate SALA event, Date Night Tour, departing the Howling Owl bar on August 17, at 7pm.

Get new sparks flying or rekindle the flame as you bar hop across the city while drawing and enjoying a tipple or two. Also free!

For those wanting a traditional art fix:

  • Head to the Lenzerheide Restaurant in Adelaide’s southern suburbs to spot painting and photography exhibition, Apokalypsis. Featuring works by Corey Gray and Peter Hall, the exhibition aims to reveal the “public, private and secret immersions of our everyday lives”. Corey will also unveil his commissioned work of Australian comedy legend, Dave Flanagan. The launch is on August 3, but the exhibition continues until the end of the month.
  • The West Gallery Thebarton gathered 13 of the state’s most innovative contemporary artists and asked them what drives them to paint. The result is APPROACHES |13 SA Contemporary Painters on display at the gallery until September 2. There will be an artist talk on Saturday, August 18, 2pm.

For the full SALA program and further details head here.

Header image: SALA Still Life Tour Clare Valley, 2017, photo by Sam Roberts.
by brandsa2018

Your guide to WOMADelaide’s market scene

Will you be one of 90,000 festival goers who dance the world away in Botanic Park at this weekend’s WOMADelaide?

The four-day open air festival is back from March 9–12, but aside from the beats, street theatre and visual artists, be sure to check out WoMade, a South Australian-only design market featuring some of the state’s best creators.

The market will showcase fashion, homewares, accessories and goodies designed and handmade locally.

WOMADelaide is one of the strongest instalments in Adelaide’s Mad March period, as almost half of attendees are interstate visitors, delivering $15.1m to the SA economy.

So do your bit in choosing SA by stopping by WoMade.

Stallholders include Bluebell Design, the Butcher Byrd, Colour This. Design and Print, Delilah Devine, Hello Cactus, Hey Reflect’o, Julie White, Naomi Murrell, One Thousand Lines, Renee Damiani Jewellery, Shanghai Lil & The Scarlet Fez, Squink, Wonder What You Were and Wrappa Reusable Food Wraps.

Here’s our top six WoMade picks:

1. Julie White 

Adelaide-based artist Julie White creates these beautiful bold and original silk scarves and specialty socks inspired by native flora and fauna, deserts and the sea.

She recently gained a Master’s in textile print at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art and her label is renowned in Adelaide fashion circles for its individuality and colour.

Julie White’s new Gone Troppo collection will have you missing summer. Big time.

2.  Naomi Murrell

Spots, soft pinks and sailboat stripes are aplenty in Naomi’s new fashion collection Paradiso.

She’s been designing clothes, jewellery and accessories since 2009, working out of a small studio on Ebenezer Place in Adelaide’s CBD.

The accessories, which include earrings, rings, necklaces and bangles, are delicate and feminine with a bright and bold twist.

3. Renee Damiani Jewellery

Just looking at Renee Damiani creations will make you feel happier.

The playful, bold and original jewellery pieces are guaranteed conversation starters and once you purchase your first pair of earrings it’ll be hard to stop.

The jewellery line is handmade from Renee’s Adelaide studio from a mix of hand-dyed plastic tubing, PVC, acrylic, plastic bubbles and polymer clay.

4. Hey Reflect’o

Finally, safety is stylish!

Hey Reflect’o is a funky cycling safety gear designer, creating vests, caps and bag covers to ensure riders can be seen when pushing pedals.

Just look for the fluorescent stall.

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5. The Butcher Byrd

These leather pieces are handcrafted by Adelaide’s Sasha Carroll and made in SA from start to finish.

From soft travel bags to structured old-school backpacks, The Butcher Byrd pieces are examples of craftsmanship at its finest.

Think trusty leather satchels, totes and purses that last more than just the weekend – but a lifetime.

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6. Wonder What You Were

These one-of-a-kind eco-conscious accessories are festival gold.

Designed in SA, handcrafted using recycled textiles and made in Cindy Choua’s home studio, these earth-friendly clutches and zippered pouches are essential for carrying your coins, festival passes, lippy and other essentials.

Many of the fabrics are vintage inspired, mixed, and clashing – exactly how it should be at WOMAD.

 

Can’t wait until WOMADelaide to check out an array of local artists and makers? Head to Shop South Australia, Brand South Australia’s online marketplace.

Visit I Choose SA to find out how you can support our state by choosing South Australian businesses, products and services.

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