Pedal your way around the state this weekend with the start of the Tour Down Under and opportunities to support bushfire relief.

Words Zoe Rice

Tour time

The Tour Down Under is back again, from January 16 to 26, with stages going through Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, the Adelaide Hills, Unley to Paracombe, Norwood to Murray Bridge, Glenelg to Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill for the men’s event. The women’s event goes through the Hills, Murray Bridge to Birdwood, Nairne to Stirling and through the city. Keen cyclists will take on the Challenge Tour or Family Ride, a Legends’ Night Dinner will be held and there will be celebrations at the end of stages.

Lion Arts Factory Bushfire Relief Show

On Sunday, January 19, SA musicians and artists will take to the Lion Arts Factory stage. Joint headliners Electric Fields, Luke Million, Motez (pictured) and Neon Tetra will be supported by Felicity, J. Hennessy, Kamleh, Kiki and LL Cool Dré. Donations, all proceeds from ticket sales and all profits from artist merchandise will be split across the Vinnie’s SA Bushfire Appeal, First Nations Relief Fund, RSPCA SA Bushfire Appeal, Kangaroo Island Mayoral Relief and Recovery Fund and the CFS Foundation.

Port Local Bushfire Charity Auction

The Port Admiral Hotel, in collaboration with the Port Adelaide Guide, are hosting a fundraiser Sunday, January 19, with prizes and packages on offer totalling more than $10,000. Many businesses from Port Adelaide, and around South Australia, have contributed to the fundraiser, with all proceeds – including bar sales, pool table takings, flash tattoo sales, and gold coin donations – being donated to the SA State Emergency Relief Fund, SA CFS Foundation, KI Mayoral Bushfire Fund, Australian Red Cross and SAVEM (SA Veterinary Emergency Management). Doors will open at midday.

Raw talent

Following extensive auditions, four Australian boys have been cast in the blockbuster Billy Elliot the Musical, which is at the Adelaide Festival Theatre until February 8. Sharing the celebrated lead role are Omar Abiad from Brisbane, River Mardesic from Melbourne, Wade Neilsen from Newcastle and Jamie Rogers from Canberra. The Australian tour includes Kelley Abbey, Justin Smith, Vivien Davies and Robert Grubb. Featuring music by Elton John and choreography by Peter Darling the production has received more than
85 awards internationally.

An evening witih David Sedaris
January 18
Dunstan Playhouse

Following his best-selling book Calypso, author and humourist David Sedaris hosts an evening filled with storytelling, observations and unpublished tales.