Enjoy the start of spring with an abundance of thrills at the Royal Adelaide Show, or visit one of the many flowering gardens as Open Gardens SA's new schedule begins.

Words Elisabeth Marie

Green thumbs rejoice

As spring blooms this September, the Open Gardens SA program will be inviting visitors to view South Australia’s most beautiful and beloved private gardens once again. With gardens full to the brim of blooms and others lush with greenery, there will be places near and far to discover. So, get some inspiration for your own patch or just enjoy a relaxing day out this season.

Better to be active

This September, join The Better Challenge and run, walk or roll 90 kilometres to help raise money for research into better treatments, better care and better outcomes for Australian children diagnosed with cancer. Register online, gather donations and get active for a good cause.

It’s showtime

The Royal Adelaide Show will return to the Wayville Showground this year from September 3 to 11. Peruse the market halls and get competitive, with every kind of talent imaginable being judged – from cake making and wood chopping to handicrafts and horticulture. Animal lovers will have plenty to see, with domestic pets such as birds, cats, dogs and guinea pigs on display along with all sorts of farm animals. South Australian food and produce will be there for the sampling, with good old dagwood dogs and hot doughnuts for those who can’t resist. Indulge your inner thrill-seeker on the rides, or slow things down with a visit to the Show Museum to explore the lives of our early farmers, gardeners, cooks, creators, animal lovers and winemakers.

Poetic life

On Friday, September 2, the centenary of Henry Lawson’s death, John Schumann, together with The Vagabond Crew and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra will perform Henry Lawson: A Life in Words & Music at the Festival Theatre. Under the baton of Luke Dollman and joined on stage by narrator Richard Roxburgh, the evening will pay tribute to one of Australia’s most revered writers and poets. The musical program will feature songs drawn from the poetic works of Henry Lawson, interspersed with reflections and stories from his life.

Silly versus snobby

Enjoy a comedic evening at the Capri Theatre on Saturday, September 2 with a screening of A Night at the Opera. Arrive at 6pm for drinks and nibbles at the bar before celebrity film buffs, Anne Wilis, Peter Goers and Nick Prescott dissect comedy greatness live on stage prior to the screening and chat about great comedy movie moments. A Night at the Opera will begin at 8.30pm and tells the story of two opera singers and how a sly business manager and two wacky friends help them achieve success while humiliating their stuffy and snobbish enemies.

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