Adelaide Fringe

Fringe Opening Celebration Tonight!

Adelaide Fringe 2012 kicks off this tonight in spectacular fashion – as the sun goes down the streets of Adelaide will light up for the biggest party of the year – and everyone’s invited!

Adelaide Fringe 2012 kicks off this tonight in spectacular fashion.

As the sun goes down the streets of Adelaide will light up for the biggest party of the year – and everyone’s invited!

Adelaide Fringe Director and Chief Executive Greg Clarke has announced an exciting line up of events for opening night including 250 ticketed shows, 21 venues hosting special parties, and a new location for the highly anticipated Fringe Parade.

“King William Street will become a massive 460 metre stage for the Fringe Parade,” Mr Clarke said. “Spectators will watch from the eastern side, as the buildings along the western side become an enormous illuminated backdrop to the passing procession.”

King William Street will be closed to traffic from 6.30pm allowing for spectators to be in place when the celebrations begin at 8pm with a Welcome to Country ceremony featuring Kaurna Elders, Paitya Dance Group and live yidaki (didgeridoo) performers.

Following the ceremony, Fringe artists will spill from alleyways and the parade will travel north from Victoria Square as a vibrant, eclectic moveable stage show.

“In keeping with the Tour of the Unexpected theme, there will be customised vehicles, bikes, creatures, floats and animals – including three camels and a big red rocket – all set to an explosive soundscape created by Adelaide’s own DJ TR!P,” Mr Clarke said.

The Fringe Parade will run for approximately one hour, culminating at 9pm with a large-scale dance routine and a 3D projected animation sequence.

Adelaide Fringe Principal Partner BankSA will participate towards the end of the parade. Managing Director Jane Kittel said, "We're ecstatic to be supporting the Adelaide Fringe again this year, and we're embracing the spirit of the Fringe with our own space-age float having been specially built to rocket along in the spectacular parade.”

Major partner PwC will also be involved in the Fringe Parade. Managing Partner Scott Bryant said, “Opening Night is such a magical event in the Adelaide calendar and this year even more so with the Parade in the heart of the City. It’s been terrific working with the Fringe to create fresh ideas and to see the depth and breadth of community involvement which is simply tremendous. There's a real buzz and sense of excitement amongst our people, both for those in the Parade and those looking forward to the spectacle on the night.”

Adelaide Fringe Chair Judy Potter welcomes the start of Adelaide Fringe 2012. "For 24 days and nights Adelaide will become a stage to the world. We are proud and excited to be presenting a brilliant program with over 4000 artists including 100 international events. Thank you to all the performers, producers and venue operators. We invite audiences to immerse themselves in the Fringe experience on opening night, and throughout the days that follow."

For information on opening night celebrations go to adelaidefringe.com.au

For information on road closures and changes to public transport visit adelaidemetro.com.au

Photograph by Wesley Hellyer

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