This weekend in Adelaide, head out with friends and enjoy the Cellar Door Fest and Summer Block Party, or get creative with the kids at the Art Gallery.

Words Elisabeth Marie

On the big screen

The Fleurieu Film Festival will return on Saturday, February 4 to the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre with the 2023 theme “gift”. The festival includes live entertainment as well as food and wine to accompany the viewing of short films under the night sky. Each film is eight minutes long, or less, and must depict the theme, which could be interpreted as the gifts we give to each other, or the more metaphorical gifts, such as life and love. Awards for the best films will be presented on the night with hundreds of film enthusiasts expected to flock to the region for the event.

Take a sip

Taste the flavours of South Australia at the 2023 Cellar Door Fest from February 3 to 5 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. More than 150 wineries, distilleries and food producers from across the State will offer an opportunity to learn about South Australia’s regions and the products made there through tastings, masterclasses and long table events with leading food and wine personalities. Discover up-and-coming producers in the Emerging Producers Zone before rubbing shoulders with established industry members as they showcase the best of their range.

Embrace tranquillity

Be transformed by the restorative power of music as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra performs Tranquillity as part of their Sanctuary Series at the Grainger Studio on Saturday, February 4. This unique concert experience is performed in near darkness and audience members may sit or recline as they listen to the richly textured repetitions of Philip Glass’ score for The Hours; find calm in the delicate sounds of Silent Music by Valentin Silvestrov; be moved by the gentle string textures of Arvo Pärt and become mesmerised by Glyn Lehmann’s The Wisdom of Trees.

Beachside beats

Set along the Glenelg Foreshore, the open-air festival Summer Block Party will be offering the four things that Adelaide does best – live music, delicious food, summer lifestyle and handcrafted drinks. Held on Saturday, February 4, the festival will host local bands throughout the day before deejays take the stage after sunset so attendees can dance well into the night. With an abundance of local food and drink on offer, this beachside event is the perfect way to spend a summer day.

Good start

Spend a day exploring arts and culture with the family at the Art Gallery of South Australia on Sunday, February 5 for Start at the Gallery: Wild Things. Wander on the wild side with a guided tour of the Bewilderness exhibit before exploring Evelyn Roth’s colourful, inflatable wonderland on the Courtyard Lawn. Enjoy music in the Courtyard Marquee with deejays Angel and Ruby Chew, or let your creative spirit soar at the art workshops, sketch tours and meditation and yoga sessions. When you get home, continue your exploration of art with the Start at Home Activities on the Art Gallery of South Australia website.

One with nature

Learn about your local native plants and creatively record what you discover at the Creative Nature Exploration event at Gallery Yampu on Saturday, February 4. Hannah from Wattle + Wonder will guide attendees through a selection of local native plant cuttings and discuss their relationships with other species and the importance of caring for native habitats. A selection of drawing and art materials will be available for attendees to creatively record the features of each plant and all the interesting stories about them that will be told on the day.

For more of what’s on around South Australia this month, pick up the February issue of SALIFE, which is on sale now.