Adelaide has been named Australia’s coolest city; and, with the abundance of artistic talent on offer this November, it’s no wonder why. Check out this What’s On guide for the top events running this month. (Image: Alejandro Ortiz)
By Alana Pahor | @Alana_Pahor
If last month’s Adelaide Film Festival is anything to go by, we city-dwellers sure do love our local arts and culture.
This year’s festival set a new box office record, with a 13 per cent increase in ticket sales compared to 2022.
Other parts of the world are also taking notice of our local scene, with the Wall Street Journal recently naming Adelaide Australia’s “coolest city”.
With the array of local talent on display this month, we can’t say we’re surprised by their verdict.
Between Good Music Month, the “Students Got Talent” competition, and everything in between, you’ll find an event this November that brings out your Adelaide pride.
Our local artists may even inspire you to explore a few projects of your own these summer holidays.
Visual art/film
This month, The Mill Adelaide presents its latest Showcase, featuring Adelaide-based artists Hamish Fleming and Juliane Brandt.
Fleming’s “moody, evocative” oil paintings and Brandt’s fiery clay sculptures will be on display until December 1.
If you feel like catching a film (or a few) this Friday night, Mercury Cinema is hosting Heaps Good Queer Shorts at 7pm.
The 90-minute screening features a series of South Australian-made queer short films.
At the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Tarnanthi exhibition is on display until January 21.
The exhibition showcases contemporary artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, featuring Indulkana artist Tiger Yaltangki’s adaptations of AC/DC rock posters.
Festivals/markets
Adelaide’s Multicultural Festival is coming to Victoria Square for one day only this year on November 12.
The day is a celebration of South Australia’s interculturalism, with over 55 cultures set to share their music, dancing, food and more.
The day features a “come and try” activity area for dancing and music, an indoor arts and crafts activity area, goods stalls and a main performance stage.
Feeling hungry? CheeseFest is returning to Rundle Park on November 18 and 19.
The event aims to showcase Australia’s greatest cheese producers, along with wineries, musicians, local artisan food producers and more.
CheeseFest features an array of stalls and tastings, including the SA Toastie Bar and the Bubbles & Barnacles Bar.
Music/concerts
Good Music Month is a new state-wide music festival that is set to become an annual hit in South Australia.
The festival will keep a steady beat going across South Australia for the entire month, with nearly 130 venues participating in the fun.
If you’re after a night of jazz and French cuisine, head down to festival venue La Lousiane anytime this month and see The Big Easy Group and Gonzo Group perform.
If acoustic music is more your style, check out the rotation of musicians who will be playing acoustic tunes at the Adelaide Central Market throughout November.
Plus, it gives you an excuse to pick up some fresh local produce.
To wrap up the month, The Gov is hosting their Ausmusic T-shirt Day Fundraiser quiz on November 30.
Quiz Mistress Natty will test how well participants know Australian musicians, with proceeds going towards the Support Act to help musicians doing it tough.
Talks/plays/workshops
This month, the Adelaide Festival Centre is determined to showcase our local arts students.
The showcase kicks off from November 15 to 17 with be/ginning, a presentation of new works and short plays by graduating Flinders University actors.
On November 25, the venue is hosting Students Got Talent, a talent competition for students aged 18 and over.
The event promises a night of “fierce competition” between ten student performers, with over $2000 in prizes up for grabs.
If you’d like to support — and even more excitingly, meet — local authors, you can attend Writers SA’s free End of Year Soiree on November 27.
The event, which will be held at the Belgian Beer Cafe, encourages attendees to celebrate another year of the South Australian publishing scene.
In performing arts, State Theatre Company South Australia is showing Dead Man’s Cell Phone from November 24 to December 10.
The satire comedy forces its protagonist — and its audience — to confront “assumptions about morality, redemption, and the need to connect”.
If there’s one thing Adelaide has, it’s talent. We hope our guide helps you make the most of our “cool” city as you head into your well-deserved summer break.
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