Make the Most of This Festival Season on The Parade

For the next two months the Fringe and Adelaide Festival will take over Adelaide. But you don’t need to go into the city to get your culture fix: here are some of the best acts to catch right here on The Parade.

Music

Schnithouse is transforming into Club 134 And All That Jazz to host A Lady Sings The Blues. Head out to the open air balcony and take a journey back in time as Zkye Compson-Harris harnesses the passion and power of the great ladies of jazz like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone.

Buy tickets to A Lady Sings The Blues here

Three Little Sisters also hark back to a bygone era with An Andrews Sisters Tribute. This award-winning cabaret takes audiences on a musical and historical journey that celebrates the original girl group in the Norwood Concert Hall. The Andrews Sisters’ trademark close harmonies are backed by the 10th/27th Battalion Royal South Australian Regiment Band as they play all the toe-tapping hits and bring these musical legends to life.

Buy tickets to An Andrews Sisters Tribute here

Several acts are taking advantage of the excellent acoustics in the Clayton Wesley Uniting Church. A soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone join forces for a range of jazz and classical standards in Sax To The Max, while blues pianist Tim Barton pays tribute to his Chicago roots alongside his favourite ragtime, boogie and contemporary tunes.

Buy tickets to Sax To The Max here

At the Norwood Hotel you can find a new act almost every night, including tributes to Frank Zappa, The Rolling Stones and the classic swing of Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr and Michael Buble. For something a little different, join a singalong dance party celebrating the music of the 90s, get down to a fabulous dress up disco or listen to original live music from local band The Deer Johns.

Buy tickets to The Deer Johns here

 If you’re in the mood for a pre-show dinner, book a table at the Norwood Hotel and you can take advantage of their $13 T-bone steak special every night.

Theatre

In the elegant Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide Theatre Academy’s Peter Pan is a story for those who wish they never grew up. The swashbuckling, family-friendly adventure brings Peter Pan, The Lost Boys and Tinker Bell together for a musical journey through Neverland.

The Adelaide Festival’s more adult offering is the provocative Mouthpiece. This tale of two artistic souls from different sides of the tracks is both moving and funny and was one of the highlights of last year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

After the show, swap Peter Pan for a pizza pan at 400 Gradi, where traditional Neapolitan pizzas are served alongside innovations like dessert calzones and the record breaking 154 cheese pizza.

Buy tickets to Peter Pan here

Comedy

Matt Byrne has been delighting Adelaide audiences for decades as a playwright, director and actor. And after 22 years hosting Fringe shows at Maxim’s Wine Bar he’s moving across the road to the Don Pyatt Hall. The True Story Of Dad mixes moments of laughter with poignant recollections of his father’s remarkable life, while Vegans skewers Australian eating habits through a range of characters who enjoy mock meat and mocking meat eaters alike.

If that puts you in the mood for a vegan treat, Argo On The Parade has a range of vegan options including smoothies, salads, burgers, nachos and lasagne.

Buy tickets to The True Story of Dad here

Buy tickets to Vegans here

Dance

The Odeon is the home of Australian Dance Theatre, so it’s fitting that it’s hosting one of the most exciting dance performances of the Adelaide Festival. Black Velvet is a powerful duet between teacher and student, two androgynous figures who explore the strength and fragility of the human body. The muscular dancers gleam like bronzed idols but move fluidly as they explore ideas of interconnectedness and the way that strangers become partners.

During Tasting Australia, you can get even closer to the action by stepping On Stage, With Henschke and The Australian Dance Theatre. This exclusive event includes a rare pre-release tasting of the 2015 Hill Of Grace and other Henschke wines paired with a five course dinner. The entire event will take place onstage, with soloist Kimball Wong performing specially choreographed works between courses.

You won’t need to eat after a five-course meal, but there’s always room for more dessert. The Red Velvet Royale at Gelatissimo has red velvet cake folded through rich cream cheese gelato that’s made fresh in-store without any artificial flavours or colours.

Buy tickets to On Stage, With Henschke and The Australian Dance Theatre here