Each month, sa move brings you our pick of SA events that everyone should have on their calendar.

October 2026

We might be setting our clocks forward and getting more daylight hours in October, but SA is turning the clock back with these events. Find out what’s on across South Australia this month.

1. Get up close with trucks at your local council

When: Up next 1 and 9 October, and throughout the year
Where: Marion and Onkaparinga respectively

Want your little ones to feel on top of the world? Then this is their chance to climb up, up, up and see the view from the cab of the giants of the road. With events held across the year at various local councils, in October there are two chances for kids (and big kids) to get behind the wheel, explore heavy machinery and meet the people who operate the vehicles that keep our communities moving. Think emergency vehicles, diggers, trucks, demonstrations and so many tempting buttons to try not to press.

Marion’s event, Touch a Truck is on 1 October at Mitchell Park Sports Community Centre, and Onkaparinga’s Trucks on Tour rolls into Wildfred Taylor Reserve, Morphett Vale on 9 October. Keep an eye on your nearest council’s calendar as more events like this are added throughout the year.

2. Australian National Busking Championships – Goolwa Heats

When: 3 October
Where: Goolwa Wharf Precinct

Head to Goolwa Wharf and you might just stumble across the next big thing in Australian music, then you’ll be able to boast you were a fan before they made it. Support the talented musicians putting it all on the line at the inaugural South Australian round of the Australian National Busking Championships, with performers of all ages competing for their chance to make it to the national final.

You can have your say too, so grab a coffee and a bite to eat, then cast your People’s Choice vote to make sure your fav makes it to finals in Cooma, New South Wales, in November. Want to try your hand on the stage? Entries close Friday 18 September, so get in quick.

3. RAA Bay to Birdwood

When: 18 October
Where: West Beach to Birdwood

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines and dust off your best vintage threads! The RAA Bay to Birdwood will see more than 1500 historic vehicles rattle and roar along the 67km journey from West Beach to Birdwood.

Don’t forget to wave to the drivers of beautifully restored turn-of-the-last-century motors and now-considered-classic 1980s engines as they take centre stage on Anzac Highway. Later that morning, they’ll be pulling into the National Motor Museum ready to answer all your questions at the Finish Festival. RAA members can soak up the atmosphere for less by unlocking 20 per cent off tickets when buying online. Add gourmet street food and local produce to the hundreds of rarely seen historic vehicles, and you have a fab day out in the Hills for the whole family.

4. Taste of the Best

When: 9 October
Where: Adelaide Showground, Wayville

The Royal Adelaide Show may have left town, but the festivities at the Adelaide Showground are far from over. Put your palate to work at Taste of the Best – an evening showcasing award-winning wines from the prestigious Royal Adelaide Wine Awards.

RAA members can play sommelier for a night, sampling a huge selection of medal and trophy-worthy wines, paired perfectly with the best cheeses, chocolates and other produce, all while saving 20 per cent when grabbing tickets online. Wine tasting is a tough job, but someone’s got to do it – bottoms up.

Want more cheese to go with your wine?
See how you can save on tickets to CheeseFest 2026 with your RAA membership.

5. Down Under London to Brighton Run

When: 25 October
Where: London Road, Mile End to Brighton

After blowing out the cobwebs at the RAA Bay to Birdwood, these veteran cars and motorcycles are having another run of it – albeit slowly, which gives you more opportunity to admire them as they trundle past.

The Down Under London to Brighton is an Aussie take on the iconic London to Brighton car run held annually in England. SA’s version starts at Adelaide’s own ‘London’ found on London Road in Mile End, and finishes our own Brighton. Watch these wonderfully preserved cars, built anywhere between the early 1900s to the 1920s, and chat with their proud owners at the finish.

6. Adelaide Strikers home games

When: 31 October – 16 January
Where: Karen Rolton Oval and Adelaide Oval

Do you like cricket, or do you love it? Summer is on the way, and that means one thing: so is cricket season. From 31 October, the Adelaide Strikers return to the crease as the excitement of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and Men’s Big Bash League (BBL) reaches fever pitch (pictured at top).

RAA members will be bowled over with exclusive access to 10 per cent off tickets to the Adelaide Strikers WBBL|12 and BB|16 home games hosted at Karen Rolton Oval and Adelaide Oval. Now that’s cricket!

Cricket not shooting hoops or kicking goals for you?
Check out more ways RAA members can save while supporting other local sports teams.

The post Events around South Australia in 2026 appeared first on samove.com.au.

Travelling at more than 250km/h, blink once and you might miss the Supercars zipping around when the bp Adelaide Grand Final returns this November.

It’s not often you get a look behind the wheel at the drivers who control their V8s through every twist and turn, until now. We chat to South Australian born and bred race car driver Jobe Stewart and Australian racing legend Thomas Randle who will buckle up for one of Australia’s most celebrated motoring events.

Jobe Stewart

Rising racing star Mount Gambier-born Jobe Stewart got a full-time promotion to the Repco Supercars Championship in 2026.

Lauren: My two-year-old son is absolutely obsessed with cars. So, I’m interested to know, were you a kid crazy about wheels?

Jobe Stewart: *laughs* I guess there are lots of young kids in the same boat. My dad never really raced anything himself, but he was into motorbikes a fair bit. Dad bought me a go-kart when I was about seven years old, and I think you’ll find it’s pretty similar among most other drivers as well.

L:  Last year was big for you with your debut in Supercars.  Can you tell us about that?

JS: So, we have the Bathurst 1000 – our biggest race of the year – and for that you have two drivers, and I was a co-driver last year, so that was my first really big race in Supercars.

L: You’re South Australia born and bred but recently made the move to Melbourne. What do you love most about being back on home soil?

JS: It [bp Adelaide Grand Final] is probably my favourite event of the year to be honest. [The track] has a pretty close spot in my heart because it’s somewhere I grew up going to with Dad, but also it kind of introduced me to the love of car racing. I’m excited to get back to Adelaide, and I’m proud to come back and race in my home state.

L: How does Adelaide’s circuit compare to other tracks around the country?

JS: I think it’s good because we have the track at Tailem Bend [in SA] and then the Adelaide street track as well. It’s kind of the best of both worlds. At Tailem Bend, it’s all brand-new facilities and a big open wide track so you get that F1 sort of style. Then you come into the city and you have the city atmosphere.

L: Most of us know what it’s like to drive a car, but not the types of cars you drive. What physical and mental training goes on before you even get behind the wheel?

JS: I guess on the mental side, it’s a competitive category. It’s just like AFL or NRL; you have to be pretty mentally fit to deal with the bad days because in motorsport there are normally a lot of bad days. Physically, most people don’t really think of it, but because our cars are all enclosed, you don’t get any cool air in your face and because they’re front engine, you get all the hot air from the engine coming through. So, the main thing for us is just heat tolerance and doing all the heat training, like sauna stuff.

Quick-fire questions

Favourite professional race car driver?

Probably Max Verstappen. He’s someone I grew up watching and I like his aggression on track.

Dream car?

It’s a bit of a tough one to be honest. I do like European cars and I’m a bit of a BMW fan, so maybe a really expensive BMW.

Superstitions or rituals before a race?

I like to keep quiet. A lot of people like to talk to calm their nerves, but for me, I like to take half an hour or so before the race to keep to myself.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thomas Randle

Supercars driver and cancer survivor Thomas Randle talks chemo, cars and career highlights.

Lauren: What are some of your earliest memories as a kid growing up around cars?

Thomas Randle: My dad used to race sports sedans, and I remember going to the track as a young kid. So yeah, my earliest memories were watching him race at Phillip Island. The racing genes have always been there. I remember getting my first go-kart when I was seven years old. It was probably the worst decision my parents ever made bringing me home a go-kart. *laughs*

L: What has been your biggest career highlight?

TR: Winning the 2020 Dunlop Super2 Series after being diagnosed [with testicular cancer] and having chemotherapy. That was pretty big; that was probably one of my biggest achievements.

TR: Your racing career has taken you all around the world, and soon you’ll be in good old Adelaide. What do you love most about racing here?

TR: I think just the circuit and history. I’d say arguably outside of Mount Panorama, it’s the best track we race on. And it’s just the turnout; it’s such a popular event. It always brings a huge crowd and just the fact that F1 used to drive on the same streets, albeit an extended version. It’s just got it all.

L: You’re also a pianist and featured on the ABC show The Piano last year. That seems like a big contrast to racing fast cars. What life skills are needed for both racing and playing an instrument like the piano?

TR: Good question. I mean, hand-eye coordination. Both have three pedals! *laughs* I just find it a really good way to wind down and take my mind off racing. I like the challenge of trying to learn a song and make no mistakes; it’s kind of like trying to do the perfect qualifying lap.

Quick-fire questions

Favorite professional race car driver?

Fernando Alonso.

Dream car?

Maybe an Aston Martin DB9.

Superstitions or rituals before a race?

*laughs* I don’t know; do I put my left glove on first? I don’t have any lucky underwear.

RAA is the major partner of the bp Adelaide Grand Final, which hits Adelaide’s streets from 26–29 November.

The post Meet the Supercars stars appeared first on samove.com.au.

The Adelaide Fringe program is just shy of 1600 shows. You’d need to see 42 shows every single day to catch them all and, without a time machine, that’s… well, impossible.

That’s where we come in. We’ve narrowed the lineup down to some of the standout shows, so you don’t have to.

Not only that, if you are an RAA member, you can enjoy each of them and get a discount.

So, what sparks your Fringe? Whether you love comedy, music, theatre, circus, or something completely unexpected, there’s a show waiting to become your new favourite.

Looking for a laugh

What: Danielle Walker: Bittersweet
Where: Le Cascadeur at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
When: 9–15 March

The Adelaide Fringe is bursting at the seams with side-splitting comedy, including Danielle Walker’s Australian premiere of Bittersweet. Known for her appearances on Taskmaster, Gold Diggers and Thank God You’re Here, the award-winning comedian’s new show doesn’t “put lipstick on a pig”. A little bit country farmer and a little bit big-city charm, you’ll just have to see for yourself what makes this show bittersweet.

Music to your ears

What: Gigs @ Gluttony presented by Pirate Life
Where: The Fantail (Open-Air) at Gluttony
When: 19 February – 22 March

Turn up the volume on your Fringe soundtrack with Gluttony’s live music program. Presented by Pirate Life, Gigs @ Gluttony is a mixtape of local favourites, international stars, cult bands and seasoned DJs. Relive the iconic sounds of the ’90s at Anthems: Old School Edition, catch the long-awaited return of indie legends Faker, or be moved by the powerful vocals of First Nations singer-songwriter Adrian Eagle. With a lineup as diverse as the Fringe itself, there’s a gig to suit everyone.

Free entertainment

What: The RAA Garden Party
Where: The Garden of Unearthly Delights
When: Every Sunday, 15 February – 22 March

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun in The Garden (pictured at top). Emceed by crowd favourites and showcasing the best Garden artists from across the globe, the RAA Garden Party will delight audiences of all ages. Best of all, it’s free. Come back each Sunday for a new lineup, because no two shows are ever the same.

Touring the regions

What: Ministry of Laughs: Fringe Comedy Roadshow
Where: Bordertown, Penola, Adelaide and Renmark
When: 13 February – 6 March

Some of the finest local and international comics hit the road to bring laughs from the city to the regions. Ministry of Laughs will tour the state, starting in Bordertown before heading to Penola and the Riverland via Adelaide. When the touring comedians arrive at Raidis Event Shed in Penola, the night will double as the kick-off to the Coonawarra Fringe suite of shows. RAA members can save on full-price tickets in Penola on Saturday 14 February, as well as a range of others, surrounded by the vineyards of SA’s oldest wine region.

Highbrow art and sculpture

What: Gluttony Sculpture Walk
Where: Gluttony parkland, Murlawirrapurka/Rymill Park
When: 19 February – 22 March

For the very first time – and completely free – you’re invited to stroll through the Adelaide Park Lands to discover the work of talented artists, from striking large-scale visual art installations to outdoor sculptures. The Gluttony Sculpture Walk is free to explore anytime that Gluttony is open, or grab a ticket for the free guided tour on 28 February. At the end of your stroll, cast your vote for your favourite to win the People’s Choice Award presented by Foodland – it’ll be a tough decision!

Something for the kids (and the young at heart)

What: The Alphabet of Awesome Science
Where: The Roundhouse at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
When: 24 February – 22 March

Science is fun and it’s even cooler to see it in action. Kids and parents alike will be gobsmacked and entertained by the onstage shenanigans of The Alphabet of Awesome Science. Race through the alphabet of fast facts, wily words and scientific surprises – including 26 quirky onstage demonstrations. From the hilarious to the messy (with a few explosions thrown in), this is a show the whole family will be talking about long after it’s over.

Circus and acrobatics

What: Primal
Where: The Octagon at Gluttony
When: 20 February – 22 March

How can the human body even bend that way? Circus is a huge part of the Adelaide Fringe, and the creators of Rouge bring all the raw energy of the animal kingdom to the stage in Primal. With a splash of cabaret, a pinch of burlesque and simmering aerial artistry acts, this is a show that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Featuring flavours and food

What: THE FEAST – Decanted Delights and Fermented Fun
Where: Coonawarra Hall at Coonawarra Community Club
When: 21 February

Does award-winning Coonawarra wines paired with a decadent feast sound delicious? How about a generous helping of comedy on the side? Enjoy a long-lunch among the vines as local chefs and Coonawarra winemakers share their stories, and host Damian Callinan brings hilarity to the table. Get in quick because seats are limited.

Magic moments

What: Charlie Caper – The Future
Where: The Paragon at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
When: 13 February – 22 March

He’s dazzled audiences in more than 70 countries, performing in seven different languages, and won Sweden’s Got Talent. But enough about the past – magic man Charlie Caper has his sights set on the future. Combining illusion, comedy and cutting-edge robotics, this family-friendly show will make every person in the audience believe in magic.

Theatre on stage

What: Casual Receptionist of the Quarter
Where: The Lark at Gluttony
When: 17–22 March

Have you ever worked in customer service? Even if you haven’t, nearly everyone has been (and routinely is) on the other side as a customer. This live workplace mockumentary will feel all too familiar.  Step behind the counter with this people-pleasing receptionist as she navigates the treadmill of customer service at a commercial gym. Warning: your laughter muscles are in for a serious workout.

The variety of cabaret

What: FLOP! The Best Songs from the Worst Musicals
Where: Spiegal Zelt at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
When: 13 February – 8 March

Returning to the Fringe for its second time, FLOP! proves that this show is anything but. Join The Voice finalist Arthur Hall as he showcases hidden gems from musicals that didn’t quite make it. From hidden gems in the failed Spiderman: Turn off the Dark, to songs that have outshone their shows (like My Funny Valentine from the unsuccessful Babe in Arms), Arthur pairs his impressive musicality (and occasional acrobatics) with charming insights into why these productions missed the mark.

The post Which 2026 Fringe show should you see? appeared first on samove.com.au.

In the idyllic Coonawarra, you’ll find a mini Fringe within a Fringe, packed with wining and dining, cabaret songs and cabernet sauvignon, laughter and the hereafter.

After a sellout season in 2024, the Coonawarra Fringe returns to the region with four diverse acts to suit all tastes. Throw in a splash of red wine (you’re in SA’s own ‘red centre’ after all), the free Wineries Walking Trail and historic landmarks, and you have a recipe for a great weekend.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a suggested itinerary for your Coonawarra Fringe.

Friday 21 February

If you’re lucky enough to already live in the Coonawarra or Limestone Coast, you won’t have far to travel, and for everyone else, make your way leisurely and safely to the region.

Friday night: Secure a spot on the lawns at DiGiorgio Family Wines with your deck chair, and prepare for a night filled with laughter.

To kick off your Coonawarra Fringe, SA’s own Kel Balnaves and the Northern Territory’s Amy Hetherington take you on a raucous road trip in Kel & Amy’s Comedy Road Trip. Filled with relatable travelling stories and jokes, this is the second night of their lap around SA during the Fringe.

Saturday 22 February

Saturday (late) morning: We know your sides are aching from laughing at last night’s show, but it’s time for brunch. Try the sourdough woodfired pizzas at Ottelia’s or take a short drive into Penola where you’ll find a range of bakeries and cafes.

The next show on your Coonawarra Fringe schedule is at Redman Wines. Start with a wine tasting, then settle in and prepare to be thoroughly spooked.

Not for the faint-hearted, this immersive experience by paranormalist Kevin Kopfstein will have you jumping out of your seats as he shows off his collection of haunted and cursed objects – recounting their grisly and ghostly stories. Thank goodness Haunting 2.0 The Witching Hour isn’t at night.

Saturday night: For a change of pace and to settle the nerves after your supernatural afternoon, it’s time for dinner. But this isn’t your regular run-of-the-mill restaurant.

Take a seat at your table in the Coonawarra Community Hall and prepare to be served – and entertained – by none other than grumpy Basil, down-to-earth Sybil and well-meaning Manuel. In Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, your three-course meal comes with a side of chaos and hilarity.

Sunday 23 February

Sunday (late) morning: How did you sleep? After yesterday’s ghouls and giggles, Sunday’s pace is much more leisurely. You’ll be visiting Parker Estate’s cellar door for today’s Coonawarra Fringe show.

Parker Estate opens at 10am so if it’s a little early for their gin or regional wine tasting, try one of their homemade pies and locally made arancini before the show. Let SA vocalist Bonnie Lee Galea and her Jazz in Cheek Quartet put a spell on you in NINA SIMONE – A Musical Life. Their midday revue honours the legendary Nina Simone as they take the audience on a journey through jazz, gospel, blues and funk.

Bringing the Fringe to the regions

What a wonderful way to spend a weekend. The Coonawarra Fringe is brought to you by co-producers Belinda Redman and Deb Redman, who are passionate about bringing the Adelaide Fringe to the region.

RAA members are in for an extra special treat, with 10 per cent off all four Coonawarra Fringe shows as well as the chance to win great prizes.

The post Decanting Coonawarra’s Fringe appeared first on samove.com.au.

Watt’s up, Adelaide? Illuminate Adelaide’s celebration of technology, innovation, music, and art returns to brighten the darkest corners of the city this winter.

Now in its fourth year, creative directors and co-founders Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge are excited to see how Illuminate Adelaide has been accepted into the Adelaide festival scene.

“Human beings are drawn to light,” Lee says. “So, we’ve extended that idea of a light festival into the areas of science and technology and music. Adelaide isn’t just a summer-time place.

“We wanted something different for Adelaide and to give people an opportunity to come out in winter.”

Both creative directors encourage festival goers to embrace the cold, and support their favourite city restaurants by warming up while on route. And if it’s raining?

“You can buy an Illuminate Adelaide umbrella,” Lee laughs.

Rain, hail or shine, here’s a snapshot of some of the new installations to check out this year.

Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights

When: Thursday through Sunday, 4–21 July
Where: Adelaide Zoo

Calling all future zoologists, palaeontologists and conservationists – get ready to step back in time! Adelaide Zoo’s inhabitants will live side-by-side with creatures from our prehistoric past in this brand-new event, featuring a world crafted by renowned creative studios ERTH and A Blanck Canvas. Walk among bioluminescent early life forms, see dinosaurs frolic with their hatchlings, and even look Australia’s own sharp-toothed megaraptor in the eye.

“This is the first chapter,” Lee hints, “and over the next three years the story will evolve.”

Gather your intrepid explorers and be immersed in a land before time.

Fire Gardens

When: Thursday through Sunday, 4–21 July
Where: Adelaide Botanic Garden

Fire was our first form of light. Return to a time before incandescent bulbs and be mesmerised by the ever-changing flames that transform the Adelaide Botanic Garden in this brand-new experience. Renowned French creators Compagnie Carabosse paint with a palette of fire, colour, warmth, sound and scent to create entrancing flaming sculptures using thousands of burning fire pots, complete with live performers and musicians.

Lee says Fire Gardens is a massive immersive experience.

“Each night, it gets lit in a ceremony with the artists from France lighting all of the sculptures and installations,” Lee says.

Eden

When: Thursday through Sunday, 4–21 July
Where: The Light Room Studio at ILA

Be like Alice in your own wonderland as you’re enchanted by a world where art and nature collide, created by Berlin studio flora&faunavisions. An Adelaide exclusive event, create your own paradise in a digital garden using cutting-edge technology as it merges on ILA’s top of- the-range digital screens. Let curiosity and movement guide you and see firsthand how every little action you take can have a big impact on the world around you.

Rachael says you’ll feel like you’re in a vibrant, imaginative garden at the Light Room Studio.

“It’s a really beautiful screen-based work that really intersects art and nature,” she says.

The City Lights Trail

When: Every evening, 5–21 July
Where: Across the Adelaide CBD

At the flick of a switch, the City Lights trail will transform the city centre into a wonderland of immersive light and sound. From the new time of 5:30pm each night, play and interact with more than 30 installations for free.

“It’s a very important part of what Lee and I set out to do: to make art accessible to everyone,” Rachael says.

“You can come into the city, rove around for free and have a great time. we’re very proud of the City Lights program.”

Here are a few installations on display this year from local, national and international artists.

Launch your evening at Base Camp, located this year at Lot Fourteen on North Terrace. Warm up with delicious food and beverages and plot your course for the evening. While you’re there, check out the ever-changing archways of Proximity State by Miles Dunne who is returning to Illuminate Adelaide after a successful run last year.

RAA members can get the VIP treatment at the new and exclusive RAA Lounge, right in the heart of Base Camp.

A stop at Bonython Hall is a must on this year’s trail, with the historic space opened especially for City Lights to help celebrate The University of Adelaide’s 150th anniversary. Your focus will be laser sharp gazing wide-eyed at Japanese artist Shohei Fujimoto’s dazzling display intangible #form. Tailored to fit one of Adelaide’s most beautiful buildings, more than 1000 laser beams have been used to craft a magical, high-tech world.

Outside, near the moreton bay fig tree at the front of the university, you’ll find a glowing enchanted forest. Local talent Bailey Donovan presents the sweet-like-candy Incandescent, featuring more than 30 unique handmade glassworks illuminated from within. Take a moment to relax and reset while watching the tranquil colours and sounds.

Continue along North Terrace until you reach the State Library of South Australia. Be moved by the epic Ngarrindjeri Ruwi tale, beamed directly on the library’s surface. Using imagery and artificial intelligence, Tjarutja Dance Theatre Collective retells the Ngarrindjeri story of Kondili – the whale who is the keeper of the spark of fire.

A bit further along at Flinders University’s new city campus, located at Festival Plaza, you’ll find STORM. This artwork has been created by local Tim Gruchy, one of Australia’s longest-running multimedia artists. Dance like nobody’s watching at this interactive installation and be amazed at the intersection of technology and the human experience.

These radiant works of art and more are scattered throughout the city, so plan your journey with the online City Lights map and let the lights guide you.

The post Dark nights, bright lights appeared first on samove.com.au.

“I want it on my tombstone!” says Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director Virginia Gay when I ask about her self-appointed chief mischief maker title.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Virginia about the program for this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the event’s world-class reputation.

In the role of chief mischief maker, the star of screen and stage has used her effervescent energy to curate a smorgasbord of acts.

Virginia travelled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to scope international acts to bring to Adelaide,

“I would say [to acts], ‘We would love you to join us at the Adelaide Cab’,” she says.

“The international stars would interrupt, responding ‘Oh, we’ve heard about the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. We hear it is so much fun, so warm, the audiences are so loving, it’s such a brilliant vibe – yes, we want to be involved.’”

Variety is the spice of life

When shaping the festival, Virginia was particularly eager to cater to all tastes.

“I wanted to offer the audience as much variety as possible,” she says. “Not only incredible cultural and linguistic diversity, and body [and gender] diversity but also age diversity.”

Cabaret fans may recognise iconic trio Fascinating Aïda, who are celebrating their ruby stage anniversary with The 40^th Anniversary Show! Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will be premiering A Life in Notes – a retrospective look at the music that shaped her life.

Virginia considered all generations when creating the program for this year’s Cabaret Festival.

“When I was thinking about this program, I wondered ‘what is Generation Z doing with cabaret, and what that looks like,” she says.

Fringe favourites Mel and Sam fit that bill perfectly. Birthed from Instagram and TikTok, the young comedy cabaret duo will be performing the best of their original hits in a show called, naturally, The Best of.

And what better variety than to see Christina Bianco’s In Divine Comedy, where the world-class impressionist uncannily performs with the voices of your favourites, from Celine Dion to Bernadette Peters.

Virginia says that show alone is worth a trip to Adelaide alone because none of us can afford to go to New York to see these performers.

Why cabaret?

I asked Virginia what makes cabaret so special.

“For me cabaret is sex, mischief, wit, community, celebration – and it’s funny,” Virginia gushes.

“It’s joyful. These beautiful [cabaret] performers will have the audience laughing and laughing and laughing – and then sing a ballad and rip our hearts out.

“It’s such a wonderful artform.”

Virginia was adamant the festival should be accessible no matter a person’s budget.

“We want to be whatever the opposite is of gatekeepers,” she says.

“We want to be welcomers. Especially as it’s a mid-winter festival. We don’t want you out there in the cold – we want you in here in our warm, sequin-y embrace!”

New to 2024, the Festival Late Nights variety show is capped at $39 and features performers from across the program. Artists will perform regular numbers as well as some that aren’t in their shows. No two nights will be the same.

“We [also] have free shows that exist in the foyers that are about singing along. Sometimes you’ll be standing beside and singing along with big stars from across the festival!” Virginia says.

Top-notch audiences

While not performing a solo show of her own, you’ll see Virginia in her ‘glad rags’ meeting and greeting audiences in the foyers before and after shows.

“Adelaide Cabaret Festival audiences are so loyal,” Virginia says. “They’re so wonderful and welcoming. They’re the most integral part of the feeling of the festival.”

You may even spot her in some cameos across the program including Comedians on Stage Auditioning for Musicals, which she described as “every actor’s nightmare turned into audience gold”.

This year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival is running from 7–22 June and features 79 performances from spectacular local and international artists. I told Virginia that I am very excited about the line up.

“I’m really excited that you’re excited,” she says. “It’s a magical, magical collection – I really love that it made you feel like that too. I’ll see you in the foyer!”

The post Virginia Gay talks cabaret appeared first on samove.com.au.

Adelaide is set to experience the electrifying and inspiring smash hit show, TINA – the Tina Turner Musical.

We sit down with Adelaide-born cast member Nadia Komazec to discuss her background and role as Tina Turner’s long-time friend and manager, Rhonda Graam.

sa move: How did you get into dance and theatre?

My mum owns the Barbara Jayne Dance Centre in Norwood. When she was eight months pregnant with me, she was still teaching six days a week, so the rhythm got into me. From walking age, I was learning the different facets of dance from Mum, and I had some singing lessons along the way.

I auditioned for the role when I was 39 weeks pregnant and wasn’t sure I could go through with it – I could barely breathe, let alone sing. A week or so after I auditioned, I gave birth and soon after I had a callback for another audition. I still had stitches during the second audition but received a call from my agent a couple of weeks later saying I had the role.

sa move: What’s best about visiting and performing in your hometown?

I love performing to Adelaide audiences. They’re welcoming and very excited because we don’t always get every mainstream musical here. When one arrives, everyone seems to go wild for it. It’s nice to bring a show back home where everyone can see the hard work that goes into it.

My husband and I are big foodies and love the Adelaide Central Market. We might also do a Barossa trip in our decked-out camper van which has a built-in cot for our toddler.

There’ll be lots of family time and catching up too. After a show, I love seeing the reactions of people I know. And my family is so proud. That means the world after years of being away on tour.

sa move: Tell us about your role in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical.

I play Rhonda Graam, who was Tina’s friend and original manager. Rhonda managed Tina and her husband Ike and they became best friends. Rhonda was Tina’s maid of honour when she married [her second husband] Erwin Bach. She stood by Tina through her adversities with Ike and the music industry. They were a powerhouse female friendship duo.

sa move: What can audiences expect from the show?

First and foremost, a rock and roll concert, because Tina was the queen of rock and roll. Towards the end, in particular, you feel as if you’re watching Tina in concert.

Expect to be confronted by the adversities she faced when she was with Ike. We take a hard look at their relationship and some of the abuse she endured, so it can be quite confronting. But above all, it’s a story of inspiration that she had the most success in her 40s. That doesn’t happen very often for women in the entertainment industry.

You leave thinking, ‘What a woman’. Many people don’t realise what she went through behind the scenes, so you’ll learn about her upbringing and her life. You’ll probably leave belting out Tina Turner songs all the way home and for the rest of the week.

Tina was a powerhouse – a wonderful, strong, fierce woman, and that’s what this show is about.

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is on from 24 April to 31 May at the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Festival Theatre.

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Acclaimed global artistic director Ruth Mackenzie speaks to sa move about what makes the Adelaide Festival unique and shares some insight into the line-up.

History of greatness

Adelaide Festival brings some of the most acclaimed events, artists, authors and performances to Adelaide from 1–17 March. This is the first time Ruth has curated the program, and her world-class selections will continue in 2025 and 2026.

“When I started thinking about curating the program for this year’s festival, I started with the incredible tradition of the Adelaide Festival,” Ruth says.

“It was founded in 1960 with the ambition to be one of the world’s great festivals.

“The traditions and the values are about world-class excellence, but also about surprise, giving you not just the big stars of today, but the artists we think may be the big stars of tomorrow.”

Adelaide on the world stage

This year’s program boasts 16 world premieres, 12 Australian premieres and 23 South Australian exclusives.

“I’m the luckiest person in the world,” Ruth says.

“I sold my flat in London and I moved to Glenelg. I think sometimes we take for granted how amazing our home is. Not only do we have the Adelaide Festival, but we are inviting visitors from all around the world to come and discover the wonders of Adelaide and South Australia – our beaches, our food, our wine, our wildlife.”

More for less

This year’s Adelaide Festival has more than 100 free events, exhibitions and talks, which Ruth says makes the event more accessible.

“One of the great glories of the Adelaide Festival is Adelaide Writers’ Week,” Ruth says.

“You can see up to 160 writers from all around the world talking about the books they have written, debating and giving you the change to ask questions.

“Honestly, in the Southern Hemisphere, I cannot tell you of another opportunity to meet some of these great writers.”

Another important part of the festival line-up, Create4Adelaide is a new addition. For this event, Ruth handed her artistic directorial reigns to the young people of South Australia. The result is an exciting exhibition in the Botanic Gardens Conservatory focusing on climate change and featuring poignant artwork made by young people from across the state.

Ruth suggests visiting the Adelaide Festival website to explore the many exhibitions on offer; “All of them are free; all of them are fascinating.”

The importance of the arts

As a child, Ruth loved arts in all its forms, but her main talent was music. She sang in choirs and played in the old London Schools Orchestra.

“All children adore playing with art, and one of my missions as a festival director is to rekindle that creativity in everybody,” Ruth says.

“As a young singer, I performed in opera houses and concert halls in London. This opened my eyes to what the arts could be.

“It gave me my first sense of the inspiration and joy that music and the arts can give.”

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