With the South Australia History Festival running all month, now’s the perfect time to take a break from reality and transport yourself to the past. Whether you’re looking to party to ’80s tunes, learn about our state’s past, or admire antique artwork, you’ll find something to satisfy your inner history nerd in this month’s guide. (Image: Alana Pahor)
By Alana Pahor | @Alana_Pahor
Turn off your mobile phones and put on your vintage clothes, because May is the month to celebrate all things history.
It seems that the Federal Government agrees; its May budget allocates an extra $535.3 million to nine of our cultural and historical institutions over the next four years, including the National Museum of Australia and the National Library of Australia.
While these institutions are located interstate, there’s plenty of historical fun to be had here this month with South Australia’s 2023 History Festival, antique art exhibitions and retro music events.
As the South Australia History Festival alone features 517 events, we’ve compiled a guide of this month’s highlights so that you can avoid information overload and time travel to your heart’s desire.
Visual art/film
If you’re curious about the history of Adelaide department stores, then perhaps you should pay a visit to the Gone Shopping: Department Stores in South Australia exhibition at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery.
The exhibition, which runs from May 1 to May 31, features historical architectural drawings, photographs and advertising material from our state’s most renowned retailers, including Myer, Harris Scarfe and David Jones.
It also features material from department stores that are no longer in business, including John Martins, Charles Moore’s and Peoplestores.
The Art Gallery of South Australia is hosting Milton Moon: Crafting Modernism from May 6 to August 6.
The exhibition highlights the life and career of 20th to 21st century potter Milton Moon, whose modernist work had a lasting influence on Australian pottery.
If you’d rather sit down and watch a local film, Mercury Cinema is showing Australian documentary Mister Organ from May 2 to May 19.
The film relates the true story of journalist David Farrier, who is drawn into a game of psychological warfare by a “mysterious individual”.
Mercury Cinema has many other films on offer this month; it’s worth checking out its program.
Festivals/markets
The South Australia History Festival, which is running until May 31, offers a variety of events with a focus on wonder and the “constantly evolving nature of history”.
If you’re interested in the past of our state’s iconic buildings, you’ll be delighted to know that an array of historical building tours are on offer, including the Adelaide Arcade Guided History Tour, Themed Tours of Parliament House and Z Ward Asylum: Dark History Tour.
For those interested in how history influences current politics, Henry Reynolds’ Voice to Parliament: Voice to the World talk is on at the Bragg Lecture Theatre on May 7.
The historian will discuss “little understood” aspects of First Nations rights and struggles, and address current debates on the upcoming referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament.
Have you ever wanted to attend a historical ball? The State Library of South Australia is hosting a re-imagining of the Mayor’s ball of 1897 on May 17.
The free ball will feature Gilbert and Sullivan waltzes and polkas, costumed dancers, and an exhibition of documents from the 1997 event.
Amid all that history, it would be easy to miss Adelaide’s first Cinco De Mayo celebration, which is running from May 5 to May 7.
Head down to Morphettville Racecourse for traditional Mexican dancing, Mariachi music, Mexican food and other carnival delights.
Talks/plays/workshops
Pirates of Penzance, which was first performed in New York City, 1879, is showing at Her Majesty’s Theatre from May 11 to May 20.
The operetta follows the adventures of a pirate king and his young charge as they search the coastline for treasure and romance, featuring music played by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
If you’re looking for some historical writing inspiration, Writers SA is hosting its Words at West Terrace Cemetery workshop on May 13.
The workshop is quite pricey for non-members, but if you’re looking to be inspired by the cemetery’s stories and gain some hands-on writing experience, it sounds like a great opportunity.
In the modern realm, the Adelaide Festival Centre is showing Every Brilliant Thing until May 13.
The play centres around a young boy who makes a list of every brilliant thing in the world in an effort to ease his mother’s depression; its raw and intimate story offers a new way of seeing the world.
Music/concerts
If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I wish I was born in the ’80s or ’90s,” then you may be interested in Rewind at Morphettville Racecourse.
Rewind runs from May 12 to May 14, comprising of Totally ’80s Friday Night, Nothing but ’90s Saturday Night and Family Day Sunday Sesh. Each day features pop-up arcade games, retro markets, and food trucks and stalls.
While many of us wish we could go back to the 1970s and see Pink Floyd perform live, Echoes of Pink Floyd provides the next best thing.
The Adelaide-based cover band is playing at Thebarton Theatre on May 6, featuring some of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits.
Finally, Hindley Street Music Hall has plenty of prominent artists on offer this month as usual, with Mallrat performing on May 13 and the Jungle Giants playing on May 20.
We hope you enjoy exploring all things history in Adelaide this month. Have a good start to the second half of Semester One and stay tuned for our June edition!
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