Adelaide's festival season begins this weekend, so head into the CBD and celebrate at Gluttony and The Garden of Unearthly Delights, or head to one of the many other festival destinations around the state.

Words Elisabeth Marie

Get your Fringe on

Adelaide Fringe opens this weekend with events registered across venues all over the state. The festival has introduced changes to ensure a COVID-safe event this year ­– including more open-air performances and multiple entry points to large hubs. The Garden of Unearthly Delights and Gluttony have both redesigned their sites for 2022, so there will be more space to move about between shows. There are also watch-from-home shows available for people to embrace the Fringe season from the comfort of their own homes. With the usual eclectic mix of cabaret, comedy, physical theatre, music, dance, magic, children’s events and more, there is something to keep everyone entertained until the festival draws to a close on March 20.

Giddy up

Travel to Kangaroo Island this month and experience the SeaLink Kangaroo Island Racing Carnival at Cygnet River Racecourse from February 17 to 19. Dress up in true racing style and enjoy trackside entertainment, colourful marquees, fashions on the field competitions and an abundance of local Kangaroo Island food and wine.

Hot stuff

Things are heating up at the Willunga Recreation Park on the weekend of February 19 and 20, with Chilli Fest. Enjoy all things chilli with sauces, rubs, jams, oils and condiments on show at the community fundraiser. Indulge in chilli-spiced food and wash it down with local beer and wine alongside live music in the beer garden. Browse the artisan stalls and take a chilli plant home to keep the spicy food flowing in your kitchen.

Back in the lab

The Lab at Light Adelaide will be hosting an abundance of Fringe shows as the festival season kicks off on Friday, February 18. From Gill Hicks’ sensory adventure, Hippocampus, to street moves from the Cherry Poppers, The Lab will be using its inspiring staging and technology to bring the shows to life. Aurora restaurant will be open for pre and post-show dining while the Beags outdoor bar will be serving up drinks and nibbles.

Brief run

Go for a run this February for the 10^th anniversary Cupid’s Undie Run and fundraise for neurofibromatosis research and support. Join the 1.5-kilometre run on Sunday, February 20 or run your way with a DIY event and raise money among friends and families for the cause.

Party on the Popeye

Endless Grooves will be hosting Dream Boat, a party on the Popeye from February 18 to March 20. Embarking from the Elder Park landing, you will cruise along the River Torrens onboard the heritage riverboat and soak in the sights of the riverbank precinct. Float on as the sun sets to a sublime soundtrack provided by a selection of Adelaide’s finest DJs while sipping on some of your favourite local beverages.

Learning through art

Opening on Saturday, February 19, the Children’s Artspace at the Adelaide Festival Centre is a place for families to share ideas and engage in art created by South Australian children. Each school term a new exhibition will be featured in the space. There will also be workshops, interactive experiences, and performances that accompany the exhibitions. The first exhibition is Kaleidoscope: Playing with Colour, an exhibition featuring students from Adelaide primary schools.

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