Today, Friday 2nd June, marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Adelaide Festival Centre.
Adelaide Festival Centre is one of Australia’s most active arts centres and presents a wide range of festivals, performances, exhibitions, major musicals and art activities for locals as well as attracting visitors from all over the world.
Tonight, there will be a 50th anniversary concert featuring an all-star line up of South Australian performers followed by an after-party celebration featuring cake, cocktails and DJs.
This special event hosted by Libby O’Donovan OAM, features the talents of Slava and Sharon Grigoryan, Katie Aspel, Michael Griffiths, Counterpoint Ensemble, Lazaro Numa and the South Australian Public Primary Schools Choir.
After the concert, the party will continue in the Banquet Room for some live music and birthday cake, and a pumping dance floor with DJ Trip, Jason Chong as MC, live music by Sabor A Cuba & Lazaro Numa, Soul Centric and Malibu Drive, and dancers from La Bomba.
An exhibition called Turn Up Your Radio, which celebrates 50 years of Adelaide Festival Centre with music memorabilia including original handwritten song lyrics, costumes, photographs and gig posters will also launch.
The 50th anniversary celebrations don’t end tonight, there will be special events continuing throughout the year. Next up will be Adelaide Cabaret Festival and its nod to the 50th festivities with the return of an all-star line-up of nine Artistic Directors, The Cabaret Collective – Julia Holt, David Campbell and Lisa Campbell, Kate Ceberano, Eddie Perfect, Ali McGregor, Julia Zemiro, Alan Cumming and Tina Arena.
South Australian atelier Paolo Sebastian has also designed a stunning commemorative gown to mark Adelaide Festival Centre’s Golden Anniversary.
As a lasting tribute, the one-of-a-kind couture piece by Paolo Sebastian designer Paul Vasileff, will be on display in the Festival Theatre foyer from June 2, before becoming a cherished addition to the Festival Centre’s beloved Performing Arts Collection.
The opening of Adelaide Festival Centre marked the beginning of SA’s globally renowned reputation as the “Festival State” and we have continued to lead the way ever since with so many extraordinary artists and performers taking to its stages during that time.
South Australians are rightly proud of our state’s legacy as the festival state with Adelaide Festival Centre at its heart.
Minister for the Arts Andrea Michaels says that Labor Premier Don Dunstan understood that art is a powerful way of connecting with each other and the world.
“South Australia has long been regarded as the arts capital of Australia and that reputation started with the vision of Labor Premier Don Dunstan when he opened the Adelaide Festival Centre, the first arts centre in Australia, alongside Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.”
“And 50 years later, I am thrilled to be celebrating this extraordinary milestone.”
“South Australians are rightly proud of our state’s legacy as the festival state with the Adelaide Festival Centre at its heart.”
When: Tonight from 5pm
Where: Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Rd, Adelaide
Price: $20pp, $50 family
For more information, click here.
More News
