This weekend, have a roller coaster of a day at the Royal Adelaide Show, or head to the South Australian Museum for the 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Words Charlie Gilchrist

It’s showtime

Have a rollercoaster of a day this weekend at the 2024 Royal Adelaide Show as it returns from August 31 to September 8. Feed a baby animal, ride the ferris wheel, enjoy delicious carnival food, or see some of Australia’s best artists perform on four live entertainment stages. Now in its 185^th year, this year’s Royal Adelaide Show sees the return of fan favourites, including spectacular nightly firework displays, adorable animals at the farmyard nursery, free produce samples at the Taste SA Pavilion and dairy shed and exhilarating live entertainment at the woodchopping competitions.

Theatre with a message

No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability will present its latest production, HIGH, at the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Space Theatre until August 31. HIGH tells the story of Rachel High, who endeavours to inspire others by becoming Australia’s first university graduate with Down Syndrome. This play follows Rachel as she moves from country South Australia and overcomes barriers associated with disability.

Godwin Bradbeer solo exhibition

Contemporary Australian artist Godwin Bradbeer is known for creating art that is “mediative, contemplative, often dark, isolated, self possessed, pre-occupied with subtle, non-naturalistic hues and tones”. This September 6 to 28 at BMG Art, Godwin will be presenting his solo exhibition, New Works, Old Myth, featuring drawings and works on paper. “These drawings under the title; New Work, Old Myths suggest my continuing reflection upon the mystery of our selves and the search for an adequate means to describe our being,” says Godwin.

Nature Photographer of the Year

Head to the South Australian Museum this weekend for the 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition. Now in its 21^st year, this exhibition features the best wildlife and landscape photographs taken across Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea. “We hope these photographs ignite your curiosity and wonder as they did for us, offering artful windows into non-human worlds,” says Australian Geographic group picture editor Nicky Catley. This event takes place at the SA Museum from Saturday, August 31 until Sunday, November 3.

A night at the opera

Before there was White Lotus, there was Così Fan Tutte. This Italian language opera buffa by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart tells the story of two soldiers holidaying in a Naples resort who come up with an inventive scheme to test their girlfriends’ fidelity. This State Opera South Australia production is directed by Patrick Nolan, with conductor Dane Lam leading a live orchestra and playing on the historic fortepiano. Così Fan Tutte takes place at Her Majesty’s Theatre, with performances on Saturday, August 31, Thursday, September 5 and Saturday, September 7.

Stock up for your spring reading

Looking for a great new read? Head to the State Library of South Australia on Wednesday, September 4 for their Great Book Swap. Browse the wide range of books covering everything from thrilling mystery novels to history books and travel guides. Take one of these books home with you in exchange for a note or gold coin and support the Indigenous Literary Foundation in providing new, culturally relevant books to remote Indigenous communities. This event is part of SLSA’s Indigenous Literacy Day celebrations and takes place from 10am to 4pm.