Arts

Sizzling program of shows for Summer 2021 at Adelaide Festival Centre

By Kelly Noble

Posted on December 3, 2020

Adelaide Festival Centre is gearing up for a summer packed with entertaining and inspiring performances for people of all ages to enjoy.

Featured Image: On Stage. Photo by Kelly Carpenter

Adelaide Festival Centre is gearing up for a summer packed with entertaining and inspiring performances for people of all ages to enjoy.

Kicking off Summer 2021 is Christmas Junior Proms at Adelaide Festival Centre’s Banquet Room on Saturday, December 5. The Adelaide Youth Orchestra will perform a delightful mix of the Christmas music audiences know and love.

Adelaide Festival Centre and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra will also celebrate the festive season with A Christmas Celebration in the Festival Theatre from December 10 to 12. A stellar line-up of special guests including ARIA award-winning vocal quartet The Idea of North will bring tidings of comfort and joy led by master of ceremonies Mitchell Butel.

*A Christmas Celebration – photo by Claudio Raschella*

Moving into 2021, Adelaide Festival Centre will celebrate the Year of the Ox with a Chinese New Year Concert on February 13. Presented by the South Australian School of Chinese Music & Arts, the performance will take audiences on a musical journey to explore the beauty, complexity and variation of eastern and western cultures.

Coinciding with the concert is a Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition (February 3 to March 14) of paintings, sculptures and installations celebrating the cultural exchange between China and Australia.

As part of the Festival Centre’s exciting new Student Summer Series, a number of free tickets are available to Chinese New Year Concert and Amazing India for international students who may be far from home and adversely affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions and looking for local entertainment to enjoy during the summer break.

The series also includes Bollywood dance workshops presented by Mudra Dance Academy, hip hop workshops with local choreographer Azusa Kyushiki and even a talent show – Students got Talent – with prize money of $9500 up for grabs.

Students got Talent is open to entries from international students aged 18 years and older and will see performers compete on stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre on February 13. Applications close this Sunday, December 6.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier said the Student Summer Series, part of StudyAdelaide’s Summer in Adelaide program, aimed to address the feelings of isolation and loneliness being experienced by international students:

“It’s certainly a challenging time for international students in South Australia and all over the world. They’ve been separated from their loved ones for several months, and now they face a lengthy study break without the option of going home to their families.

“Our Student Summer Series aims to connect international students more fully with our community and hopefully make a positive difference in their lives in this time of pandemic.”

Adelaide Festival Centre is also excited to bring together the best dance, theatre and vocal instructors for its two-week On Stage January School Holiday Program for children aged 8 to 16. Running from January 4 to 15, the course teaches kids about all aspects of musical theatre and concludes with a special performance for their family and friends.

In the lead-up to this year’s Adelaide Guitar Festival, free events to be held around Adelaide and regional South Australia include Hidden Hindmarsh, which will see live music by some of the state’s best guitarists pop up in suburban cafes, bars and libraries on February 14.

For more information about upcoming performances and events, visit www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au.