Image: Birds of Tokyo. Photographer Cybele Malinowski
The first large scale indoor live music event in SA since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, Aus Day in the Arena will be held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, 26 January.
One of Australia’s most successful contemporary rock bands, Birds of Tokyo, will take centre stage as the headline act for the major event hosted by The Australia Day Council of South Australia (ADCSA) and featuring an exciting new program.
Guests will be treated to a mesmerising Welcome to Country ceremony, civic ceremonies, stylised multicultural parade and an amazing 15-piece modern orchestra celebration.
5,000 people will be able to attend each of two separate two-and-a-half-hour free concerts at the Entertainment Centre from 12.30pm and 6.30pm, as part of the COVID safe Australia Day event.
ADCSA Chief Executive Officer Jan Chorley says this year’s Australia Day theme is encouraging South Australians to “Reflect, Respect and Celebrate. The Story of Us.”
“We have witnessed throughout 2020 Australians demonstrating their resilience as individuals, communities and as a nation. We invite South Australians to reflect on this great land and its people as we embrace the spirit of Australia Day 2021.
“We reflect and pay respect to our First Nations peoples, we will honour our essential workers who have risked their lives to save ours and celebrate the diversity of who we are, our spirit and endless optimism as we look into the future.”
Australia Day celebrations will kick off from 8am at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla with a Smoking Ceremony performed by Kaurna elders – encouraging South Australians to connect with the land, participate with the Dusty Feet Mob and experience truth telling with First Nations peoples.
“We’ve been working together with members of our First Nations communities to ensure a day of meaning is created for all,” Ms Chorley says.
At midday, a flag raising ceremony and 21-gun salute will be held at the Torrens Parade Ground for the official “Salute to Australia.”
“More than ever before, ADCSA encourages every Australian to acknowledge Australia Day in a way that is meaningful to them.”
Australia Day 2021 FREE event program – Adelaide:
• Adelaide Central Market – Thursday 21 January, Friday 22 January, Saturday 23 January: 11am until 2pm at the Market Kitchen. Multicultural cooking demonstrations in conversation with Rosa Mato and Kevin Kropineri, kids activities and interactive art by local artist Cynthia Schwertsik.
• Rundle Mall – Saturday 23 January, Sunday 24 January, Monday 25 January, Tuesday 26 January: 11am until 2pm at the Gawler Place canopy. Rundle Mall will come alive this Australia Day with a euphony of sounds and sights that tell the story of us. Join us in Gawler Place as we reflect, respect and celebrate through a free daily program of live music, storytelling and participatory art.
• Australia Day, Tuesday 26 January: As the sun rises on 26 January, connect with the world’s oldest living culture at the 2021 Australia Day Smoking Ceremony at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla, 8am until 9am with Kaurna Elders.
Bookings essential at australiadaysa.com.au
Salute to Australia at Torrens Parade Ground, midday. Flag raising ceremony and 21-gun salute.
Aus Day in the Arena at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Two shows at 12.30pm and 6.30pm featuring headline act Birds of Tokyo, a Welcome to Country ceremony, civic ceremonies, parade honouring our multicultural communities and frontline workers, Australian Girls Choir and Tutti and Nexus Orchestra conducted by Julian Feraretto. Bookings essential. Tickets on sale from midday today 13 January at australiadaysa.com.au.
Aus Day in the Arena and Australia Day 2021 program is assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council. Supported by the Government of South Australia, Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
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