This weekend, head to the Adelaide Town Hall for virtuoso pianist David Helfgott's Farewell Tour, or watch the creative process in action at SALA's Open Studios Weekend.

Words Charlie Gilchrist

An unforgettable performance

The virtuosic Australian pianist David Helfgott returns to Adelaide one final time this August for his Farewell Tour. David is globally recognised for his masterful interpretation of Romantic composers such as Mussorgsky, Rachmaninoff, Schumann and Rimsky-Korsakov. His tragic yet uplifting life story was depicted in Scott Hicks’ moving 1996 film Shine. This unforgettable performance will feature David’s favourite solo piano works from the likes of Chopin and Liszt, as well as Beethoven’s heroic Appassionata Sonata. David Helfgott’s Farewell Tour is at the Adelaide Town Hall on Sunday, August 11.

Showcasing McLaren Vale

Back by popular demand, the McLaren Vale Winter Wine & Food Market returns for a second year, showcasing the best the McLaren Vale wine region has to offer. Head to the Market Shed on Holland in the Adelaide CBD on Saturday, August 10 for an evening of fine wine, food and entertainment. The night will begin with a Shiraz masterclass by wine critic Nick Stock, followed by wine, beer and spirit tastings, gourmet nibbles and live entertainment by the band Bon Bear. This event is ticketed with limited spaces, so get in quickly.

Beauty in the modern age

Join Praxis Artspace in Bowden next Thursday, August 15 for the opening night of Yasemin Sabuncu’s Axis Mundi, with drinks provided by Ortus Wines. Yasemin’s work will appear alongside separate solo exhibitions by Dan Withey and Caitlin Möhr as part of this month’s SALA festival. Yasemin’s installation explores hyper-individualism, the effects of social media and the commodification of beauty in the digital age. Yasemin is a recipient of the SALA Solo Photographic Prize in collaboration with Praxis Artspace, Atkins Lab and the Centre for Creative Photography, as well as a recipient of the 2024 SALA Don Dunstan Foundation award.

A fusion of flavours

Savour a vibrant fusion of flavours as chef Rosheen Kaul brings her dynamic fusion of flavours to arkhé for arkhé & friends – a year-long series of chef collaborations at the Norwood restaurant. This evening will include a five-course menu from Rosheen paired with a Laphroaig cocktail and a curated selection of wines. Formerly of Etta restaurant in Melbourne, Rosheen’s dishes blend flavours from Kashmiri, Peranakan Chinese, Filipino and Australian flavours. arkhé & friends with Rosheen Kaul takes place on Thursday, August 15 at 6:30pm, with tickets costing $300 per person.

SALA’s Open Studios

Enjoy a weekend of art for SALA’s Open Studio weekend, as collectives and individual artists from across the state open their studio doors and let the public in. Chat with the artists about their work or watch the creative process. Highlights of this weekend include the Central Studios Open Studio in Kent Town, the Collective Haunt Studios and Gallery Open Day in Norwood, the Open Studio at Mezzanine 55 in Kent Town and the Golden Goose 10^th Anniversary in the CBD. The SALA Open Studios Weekend takes place on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11.

Our best friends

The Top Dog Film Festival paw-trays the unbreakable bond between dogs and humans. Fetch your friends for this dog-themed film marathon featuring short films, comedies, dramas, documentaries and animations from around the world. A portion of the proceeds from this festival will go towards Australian dog charities, who will be present at the screening. This nationwide film festival will arrive at the Capri Theatre on Saturday, August 10 from 2pm to 4:45pm.

Travel back in time

Travel back in time for the Talking History lecture series this month. On Tuesday, August 13, the expert panel will explore South Australia’s past through paintings in the Painting South Australia’s Past seminar. This discussion will be chaired by SA’s History Advocate Dr Kiera Lindsey, with speakers Dr Susan Marsden, Jenny Molloy, Karen Briggs and Dr Mark Staniforth. Talking History is a collaboration between the History Trust and the University of South Australia and is held in the Hawke Building at the University of South Australia’s City West campus.