From foodie events to local gigs, in-conversations with authors and more, this month’s On The Record guide to What’s On showcases a diverse range of activities that won’t break the bank. (Image: Pixabay)
By Sophia Lattas | @SophiaLattas
With the success of the Adelaide Fringe Festival and Adelaide Festival under South Australia’s belt, sporting events such as the AFL Gather Round and LIV Golf provided another notch for the state to celebrate.
According to the South Australian Tourism Commission, South Australia’s world-renowned Mad March delivered a record-breaking average nightly revenue of $2.1 million and saw the average number of hotel room bookings eclipse previous records.
April followed suit, with the AFL Gather Round sporting an increase of 16 per cent in revenue compared to last year on each night it was held.
In a statement Premier Peter Malinauskas said that because of events like these, South Australia is being recognised globally as a hub for arts, culture and sports.
“This is an important platform for us to tell the rest of the world our story as a state,” Malinauskas said.
Major events like these create a positive buzz; the month of May is no exception, heralding South Australia’s annual History Festival and Tasting Australia.
On The Record has compiled a handful of free events to help you navigate the festivals.
Not much of a history buff or foodie? OTR has also found a range of other activities that you can indulge in without breaking the bank.
Concerts
My Chérie Double Single Launch
Australian-based Afrikaans multi-instrumentalist and producer My Chérie’s pop-tinged songs feature ambient guitar, atmospheric synth, live looping and hip-hop grooves.
My Chérie will grace Jive goers with her angelic vocals on May 25 in celebration of the launch of her singles “Darkness & Gold” and “Don’t Compare Yourself”. Get tickets here.
Blue Lucy “Cigarettes & Forget” EP Tour
Blue Lucy, who label themselves Adelaide’s very own “five-piece public freakout machine,” will bring psych rock and punk vibrations to Jive’s stage on May 31.
Concluding their energetic new EP tour in Adelaide, the live act is said to “flex the bolts of stages” with their tunes. Buy tickets here.
Festivals
History Festival
Presented by the History Trust of South Australia, SA’s annual History Festival returns this May with “POWER” as its theme.
Power means different things in different contexts—this year’s History Festival aims to highlight the power of storytelling:
“Everyone has a story… We carry these stories with us; some of them are written across our faces. And every one of our stories is enmeshed with South Australia’s vibrant, living history.” – History Festival website
SA’s History Festival runs until May 31, so OTR has compiled a bite-sized list of free events:
A Nurse’s Sketch Book: The Drawings of Lorna Moore
When: Thursday, May 16 to Friday, May 31, 9am until 5pm
Where: THRF Group — Creative Health Gallery, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, 207 Hampstead Rd, Northfield 5085
The art exhibition showcases sketches dating back to the 1940s drawn by artist-turned-Royal-Adelaide-Hospital-general-nurse-trainee Lorna Moore.
Moore’s sketches reflect her fascination with the human condition; inspired by her surroundings, she took each and every opportunity to sketch what she saw in hospital.
Goddesses and Gods in Adelaide Walking Tour
When: Sunday, May 26, 2pm until 4pm
Where: Adelaide National War Memorial, Corner of Kintore Ave & North Tce, Adelaide 5000
Presented by Festival Hellenika and the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens, tour goers will embark on a journey of Hellenic inspired goddess and god statues in Adelaide.
Delve into history and mythology, as well as the power of artistry, peace, poetic beauty and place, with this tour.
Drinking in History: The Power of Beer
When: Wednesday, May 29, 6pm until 8pm
Where: Tin Shed, Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton 5031
Putting South Australia on the map, beer is a humble yet powerful draught.
Learn about beer making history while sipping on your brew of choice alongside Dr Adam Paterson and a panel of historians and brewers.
Tasting Australia
Celebrating “people, produce and place,” Australia’s longest running eating and drinking festival — Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel — returns this month.
Embark on deliciously diverse experiences between May 3 to 12.
When: Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 12, 11am until late
Where: Victoria Square, Adelaide 5000
Town Square is Tasting Australia’s festival’s hub—and it’s free and fun.
Go for a drink, stay for a meal — Africola Canteen, Cheekies Hot Chicken and One Sneaky Cheetah are but a taste of the Town Square vendors — and enjoy the live music with local musicians, nightly acoustic sets, DJs, orchestral sounds and more.
Open from 11am ‘til late, go early and stay until morning.
When: Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 12 (times vary)
Where: Gawler Place, Rundle Mall, Adelaide 5000
Urban Kitchen showcases SA’s finest artisans, regional producers and icons through its $12 daily masterclasses hosted by Sprout chefs.
Watch chefs cook, then taste their creations; each session pairs fresh produce with local beer, spirits and wine.
When: Sunday, May 12, 11am until 7pm
Where: Adelaide Central Market, 44/60 Gouger Street, Adelaide 5000
The Adelaide Central Market houses over 70 traders and, according to the South Australian Tourism Commission, is one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the southern hemisphere.
Self-guided audio tours, which are hosted by renowned foodies and self-professed market-lovers Adam Liaw and Katie Spain, dive into the rich culinary heritage of the market’s multigenerational traders.
Watch and learn from some of SA’s top chefs as they demonstrate signature recipes utilising fresh market produce through Adelaide Central Market’s Tasting Australia program.
Markets
Fashion for $5
The University of Adelaide’s student-led collective, Adelaide Fashion Collective, is bringing back their long-awaited fundraiser, Fashion for $5, this month.
Shop second-hand accessories and clothing from brands such as Emporio Armani, Forever New and Tommy Hilfiger for just five dollars.
Held in The Hub from 10am to 2pm, the two-day fundraiser will run from May 15 to 16.
Accepting card payment only, Adelaide Fashion Collective says proceeds will go towards supporting their events and initiatives.
Theatre
Candide
For the first time in over a decade, State Theatre Company South Australia and State Opera South Australia will co-present a concert version of American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein’s comic operetta and vaudeville Candide.
This major theatrical event, bringing together some of Australia’s most celebrated musical and opera stars, runs from May 23 to 25—full-time student card holders can purchase tickets from $67.50.
Talks
Her Majesty’s Theatre Guided Tour
Her Majesty’s Theatre is more than 100 years old, having survived two world wars, the Great Depression and both the Spanish flu in 1918-1920 and Covid-19.
Constructed in 1913, The Maj’s 110-year-old façade makes it one of Australia’s oldest theatres, but its recent $66 million redevelopment has thrust it back into the 21st century.
Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of SA’s iconic venue — rich in historical significance — run from Monday, May 6 to Thursday, May 9.
In conversation with Becky Albertalli
Bestselling Young Adult (YA) author Becky Albertalli — author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, now a major motion picture: Love, Simon — is coming to Adelaide.
Albertalli will be in conversation with SA’s own YA legend Allayne Webster on Monday, May 13 at Dymocks Adelaide. The event is free, but bookings are essential—book here.
OTR thanks you for reading May’s edition of “What’s On”. We hope one, or a few, activities have piqued your interest and spared your bank account balance. See you next month!
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