Published on 15 February 2022
Your guide to the Adelaide Fringe down south
Adelaide Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere and the City of Onkaparinga will be packed with events from 18 February to 20 March.
The Fringe's centrepiece spectacular drone artwork show, SKY SONG (pictured), headlines the festival and can be experienced at McLaren Vale's Leconfield and Richard Hamilton Wines (Friday 11 to Sunday 20 March).
SKY SONG - narrated by the iconic Archie Roach - is a collaboration between First Nations artists and drone art specialists, combining state-of-the-art technology with ancient Songlines to create a profoundly emotional experience.
You can also experience eclectic and vibrant events including cabaret, theatre, comedy, circus, music, contemporary dance, visual arts and much more (full event listing below), including at council's Port Noarlunga Arts Precinct, Noarlunga Library and the Hopgood Theatre.
There’s no need to travel into the city to get your Fringe fix this year, with Onkaparinga Now's guide to all the events down south so you can experience the best of Adelaide Fringe in your own backyard.
Choose your suburb location below and click on the link at each event for more information on dates, times, ticket prices and availability. For those who want to soak up more arts and culture all year round, visit council’s arts and culture website to see what’s on.
Aberfoyle Park
A Booster Shot of Song
The Adelaide Male Voice Choir and guest soloists Joanna McWaters and Andrew Turner present a lively program of favourite songs from musicals and operettas. Staged at Seeds Uniting Church, this production is just the perfect boost to lift your spirits.
Aldinga
South Coast Circus Variety Show
South Coast Circus believes in creating a safe, encouraging, welcoming environment and a safe place to ‘belong’. Come celebrate its wonderful students and see them all step outside their comfort zones to bring you a variety spectacular.
Granny Flaps – Up the Octave
Award-winning comedian Granny Flaps is back and looking forward to taking it up an octave. With some new Granny insights and songs plus some of the old favourites, this is a must see of the Fringe this year. Catch this show at Kick Back Brewing.
Kick Ass Comedy Tour
With four of Adelaide’s best comedians at every show – you cannot afford to miss this one at Kick Back Brewing.
Clarendon
Ukulele Love Story
Dave Clark and Kate Townsend invite you to join them in their intimate Singing Gazebo by the Onkaparinga River in Clarendon for a wonderful afternoon of entertainment. Bring your own ukes if you wish and your voices.
Folking Around
Derek Bruce and Dave Clark were part of the Adelaide Folk scene in the1970s and 80s and toured widely for Australian Arts Councils. They invite you to share a trip down memory lane at the Singing Gazebo in Clarendon, a perfect place for their fully acoustic show.
McLaren Flat
Man, I Feel Like a Woman
Amber Joy Poulton, a queen of country music herself, performs songs that truly encapsulate the wonderful careers of Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Linda Rondstadt and Shania Twain. Catch her show at Woodstock Wine Estate.
Studio Dog and Other Studies
Rod Bax is an established artist who has been exhibiting professionally for over 40 years and is best known for his gouache and watercolours of the wetland areas of the state’s southeast. His latest exhibition at DogRidge Cellar Door and Gallery includes drawings of the family Labrador, a perfect model to explore the elements of composition and linear expression.
McLaren Vale
SKY SONG
Drone art specialists, Celestial, and First Nations Artists invite you to gaze up, and reignite your relationship with the stars at Sky Song. Watch the sky come alive with hundreds of drones flying in majestic formation to a soundtrack of First Nations storytelling through poetry and song.
Narrated by singer, songwriter and tireless campaigner Archie Roach, Sky Song unfolds over five chapters, taking audiences through topics of belonging and connection to country, land rights, the hopefulness of reconciliation and much more.
Ten Years Gone ’65 – ’75 Classic Rock Show
Ten Years Gone concentrates on the heavier side of music from the mid-sixties to the mid-seventies. If you love artists like David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and The Rolling Stones, you can enjoy the show on the Shingleback Winery Lawns for a fantastic line-up of awesome classics.
By Fabiano
Fabiano Minchella presents his first collection of hand-grown and handmade wines that are the culmination of a determined vocation. Set in the heart of McLaren Vale, overlooking the Fleurieu, Fabiano will take you on a sensory adventure throughout the estate followed by a five-course dinner.
Wildlife of the Fleurieu
Emerging artist Chris Schulze explores the wildlife commonly found around the Fleurieu Peninsula, searching for the extraordinary in the ordinary. This exhibition, located at the Samson Tall Winery, showcases a series of watercolour paintings based on wildlife Chris has discovered around the peninsula.
Ngarrindjeri Ruwe
Ngarrindjeri artists Cedric Varcoe, Amanda Westley, Kyla McHughes, Kevin Kropindjeru and Sandra Saunders present a mixed media exhibition titles ‘Ngarrindjeri Ruwe’ – Our Lands and Waters. The exhibition, staged at Red Poles, includes a series of workshops, demonstrations, Indigenous live music, smoking ceremony and welcome to country.
Pico and the Golden Lagoon
Pico and the Golden Lagoon is an enchanting adventure story about courage, new friendships and the wonders of nature. The characters are created from re-purposed and recycled materials, using puppetry, live music and storytelling. Red Poles will host this family friendly puppet show.
Noarlunga Centre
The 60 Four: In Concert
The 60 Four present the biggest hits of the 60s including Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Beach Boys and the Bee Gees. The Hopgood Theatre will play host to this 60s tribute show including the backing of a spectacular nine-piece band.
Satori and Unfolding
The Hopgood Theatre will host a new double bill of contemporary dance by internationally renowned choreographer Lewis Major. Using 3D projection to light the performers and the space, Satori and Unfolding are both a perfect fusion of design, light and movement.
The No Bang Theory
Oliver Hetherington-Page is an artist on the autistic spectrum and constantly fighting against the stereotypes popular culture tells the world about the condition. Oliver presents his first one-man cabaret at the Hopgood Theatre in the form of a musical journey from dating disasters to diagnosis through autistic eyes.
Wilbur and the Optical Whale
Based on the book by Karen Lee Roberts, this is a tale about friendship, acceptance and celebrating difference. Wilbur and the Optical Whale is an immersive, interactive and accessible performance for children aged 3+. The Hopgood Theatre will be transformed into an exquisitely crafted underwater world full of visual imagery.
See You on the Other Side
A brand new work by Israeli-Australian choreographer, Liat Kedem, See You on the Other Side is an intimate dance portrait that pays tribute to the seemingly unimportant moments in our everyday lives that end up changing everything. Liat will be joined by four of South Australia’s hottest rising stars of contemporary dance at the Hopgood Theatre.
Special Fringe Storytime
Noarlunga Library is hosting a special Storytime featuring Wilbur the Optical Whale. The author Karen Lee Roberts will be giving a reading and book signing and performers from the live show will be on hand to meet and greet visitors.
Port Noarlunga
Creedence Revival
The Arts Centre hosts a world class tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty. Australia’s original and finest, a show not to be missed. Between five band members they play ten instruments over almost two and a half hours.
VHS the Video Hits Show
The best bits of your favourite VHS era movies on the big screen with nine performers creating the musical sound track live. You can sit back and watch the show or dance along to songs from your favourite videos at the Arts Centre.
Greg Hart – Neil Diamond and Me
Greg Hart’s first-class performance as Neil Diamond covers a huge repertoire of Diamond’s hits and leaves audiences enthralled. Book early at the Arts Centre as Greg’s shows always sell quickly.
Centre Stage
Centre Stage celebrates the amazing talents of Chooka Parker, Marty Summer, Ravie with Toni and Shireen. Covering music genres from rock, blues, folk, reggae and country, this show at the Arts Centre offers caters for a smorgasbord of musical tastes.
The South Season do Cash and Dylan
City of Onkaparinga presents local band, The South Season at the Arts Centre. They will perform a wide range of songs from the two country giants. This show is for anyone who loves Cash or Dylan, but is not looking for a band to replicate the artists exactly.
Surfing Escondido – Chica Chica Electricia
Chica Chica Electricia play toe-tapping, original Mexican, Surf and Cowboy Rock tunes with narrative and heart. The Arts Centre provides the stage for this dose of tongue-in-cheek humour together with loads of colour and positive vibes.
Southern Sounds
Some of South Australia’s best solo musicians come from the south of Adelaide. The Arts Centre will celebrate five of the most talented musicians in the region. Coming together for the show will be Tilly Tjala Thomas, Loren Kate, Jen Lush, Nick Vulture and Steve Ashley. Book your spot to enjoy the musical talent of the south.
Site Interrupted
Sauerbier House has hosted artist Inneke Taal for a five-week studio residency culminating in a visual arts and design exhibition. Using architectural structures and language in both a fluid and embodied manner, the artist challenges our concept of ‘heritage’.
Reed and Wires
Saxophonist Derek Pascoe joins sound artist and composer Christopher Williams at Sauerbier House to provide an engrossing listening experience. Expect cool, spacey, ambient and soulful music.
Reynella East
Fringe @ReynellaEastCollege
Come along to an evening of high energy dance, music, drama with visual art and film screenings in the college's theatre and courtyard spaces.
Woodcroft
Adelaide Fringe Comedy Showcase
Both local and international comedians, cabaret artists and magicians will provide late night variety, mayhem and laughter at the Vines Golf Club.