Ready, set, Fringe! It is finally here! We say finally, but really it has all come up so quickly. How is it February already?! Seriously! But February does mean all thingsĀ Fringe and we are SO excited. It basically has us running around like small children hopped up on all of the sugar! And with what is set to be the biggest Adelaide Fringe ever, and it all kicking off this weekend, here is all of the action you can be a part of…
With everything from a stunning Kaurna Sunset Ceremony, the Fringe Illuminations, wild street parties, the spectacular Fringe Parade, hundreds of Fringe shows and much more, we weren’t joking when we said it will be the biggest and best ever.
Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall said she was eager to begin what was one of the best times of the year to be in Adelaide.
āThe Fringe is the time of year that everyone looks forward to. Itās summer and the streets come to life with creativity. There is so much happening on the opening weekend of this yearās Fringe that it would be almost impossible for anyone to stay home. With brand new venues to explore and so many free events, thereās no excuse for people not to get involved,ā Ms Croall said.
The opening weekend festivities will kick off on Friday with performances at the Unfold Fringe in the Mall stage under the Gawler Place Canopy in Rundle Mall from 4pm-7pm. Rundle Mall will also be home to the beautiful, giant Hybycozo sculptures, which will glow with light every night of the Fringe and be a sight to behold during the day.
Street parties will be held across the CBD and inner suburbs, including a New Orleans Fat Tuesday carnival party on Vardon Ave in the East End, the Topham Mall Love Slam, a Japanese-themed celebration in the laneway next to Sugar Nightclub, a relaxed affair outside Rigoniās on Leigh Street and live music, art and food and drinks in Little Rundle Street, Kent Town.
Also on Friday night to celebrate the official opening, a moving Kaurna Sunset Ceremony in the South Australian Museum forecourt will begin at 8pm before the Fringe Illuminations are officially switched on at 8.30pm. The Fringe Illuminations will light up the cultural institutions of North Tce like never before with immersive projections from illuminart and The Electric Canvas, including an interactive projection.
āFor the first time, Fringe-goers will be able to manipulate the projections and choose how the building is illuminated, bringing a whole new meaning to āinteractiveā. We encourage Fringe-goers to explore the city until late and take in the Fringe Illuminations in-between shows,ā Ms Croall said.
On Friday night, Fringe-goers will also be able to take advantage of BankSA and Channel 9ās āTake a Friend for Freeā tickets available to a wide range of shows. A full list is available at here.
On Saturday night, the highly-anticipated Fringe Parade will take a new route down North Tce and is set to be the most breathtaking yet. With more than 80 luminous floats, pumping tunes from DJ TR!P and more than 1,500 artists involved, it promises to be a jaw-dropping spectacle.
The Adelaide Night Markets will be held along North Tce from 5pm followed by pre-parade entertainment from 7.30pm before the Parade starts at 8.30pm. One of Australiaās favourite entertainers, Hugh Sheridan, will also lead revellers in a mass dance-off of The Madison to Tina Turnerās classic, Nutbush City Limits.
For 32 blissful Summer days and nights, thereāll be no better place on earth to be than in Adelaide. This yearās Adelaide Fringe program is an embarrassment of riches and features more than 1100 events. More than 5000 artists will take part in 228 music events, 24 interactive events, 112 cabaret shows, 35 circus and physical theatre shows, 305 comedy events, 12 magic events, 32 dance shows, nine film and digital events, 151 theatre productions, 111 art and design exhibitions, 58 childrenās events and 45 special events.
āFor this yearās Fringe, I really encourage everyone to be brave, think pink and hit the streets,ā Ms Croall said.
ADELAIDE FRINGE OPENING WEEKEND EVENTS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Street Parties
East End traders, including newest addition NOLA, will be hosting a Fat Tuesday street party, bringing the flavour of New Orleans to Vardon Avenue from 5pm ā 11pm. Find out more info in our story here.
Topham Mall will play host to the Topham Mall Love Slam, with businesses staying open until the wee hours, along with a bar and DJs. Thereāll also be an informal poetry/music/comedy slam and a pop-up vinyl record shop from 5.30pm ā 11.30pm.
SATO ROJI in the laneway next to Sugar Nightclub will celebrate all things Japanese, before offering express entry into Sugar to party the night away from 5pm ā 12am.
Little Rundle Street in Kent Town will celebrate the opening of the littlerundlestreetartproject with all the good things in life ā live music, art and a whole array of food and beverages from 6pm ā 10pm.
Celebrate the colour of the Fringe with a relaxed pink party at Rigoniās on Leigh St from 5pm ā late. Kaurna Sunset Ceremony and Fringe Illuminations
The Kaurna Sunset Ceremony will be held in the South Australian Museum forecourt at 8pm.
The Fringe Illuminations, which will light up the cultural institutions along North Tce, will be switched on at 8.30pm.
The Fringe Illuminationsā immersive projections have been created by illuminart and The Electric Canvas.
The Digital Playground at the State Library of South Australia will be open for play from Friday.
Fringe-goers will have the opportunity to experience immersive virtual reality from creatives from around the world and even participate in workshops to design their own.
The Digital Playground will also be home to The Cube from Googleās Creative Lab; a whole new storytelling experience where users will be able to manipulate a six-sided narrative and control the story themselves.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Fringe Parade
The Fringe Parade will take a new route down North Tce from King William Rd to Frome St kicking off at 8.30pm.
The Parade will feature more than 80 luminous floats, pumping tunes from DJ TR!P and more than 1,500 artists.
The Adelaide Night Markets will be held along North Tce from 5pm and pre-parade entertainment will start at 7.30pm.
Actor and singer Hugh Sheridan will lead revellers in a mass dance-off of The Madison to Tina Turnerās classic, Nutbush City Limits at the end of the Parade.
Rundle Mall shops will also remain open until 8pm on Parade night.
Road closures will start at 12pm on Saturday, February 13, and for details visit adelaidefringe.com.au.Ā For information about public transport timetable changes, please visit adelaidemetro.com.au.
Family Zones will be in place between King William St and Kintore Ave.Ā A wheelchair accessible viewing area will be located opposite the Radio Adelaide building at bus stop G3 on the north side of North Tce.Ā Audio description of the Parade will be available on Radio Adelaide by tuning to 101.5FM.Ā In the tradition of the Christmas Pageant, Parade-goers are asked to please stay behind the blue line.
And there you have it, Adelaide. One of the most epic weekends ever in our beautiful city and it all kicks off from this Friday! Excitement levels, extreme!!!
Check out more Fringe stories below:
All Aboard The Boat That Totally Rocks, Before It Sells Out Again
Interview: Get Intimate With Ellen Briggs Ahead Of The Adelaide Fringe
Five Funny Fringe Shows You Must See In 2016
Five Reasons To See #DearDiary At The Fringe, According To The Artist Herself!
Interview: Hugh Sheridan ā Famous Local Boy Croons Into Adelaide For Fringe 2016
Your Mind Says That You Will Want To See This Fringe Show
Make Your Fringe Experience Extra Magical With These Unmissable Shows
One Caravan, Three Shows; The Most Unique Fringe Shows You Need To Read About
Jazz, Food And A Cruise On Popeye; Donāt Miss This Fringe Show With A Difference
Behind The Scenes: The Inner Workings Of A Fringe Artistās Mind (Part Two)
More News
