Mad March must-dos

We’ve come down with festival fever.

By Lauren Ferrone
Published: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

It’s nearly here – the most manic month on South Australia’s events calendar. To make this your most memorable Mad March yet, see how many of our epic must-dos you can tick off your list.

Don’t forget: just by being an RAA member, you can save on heaps of competitions and amazing deals during Mad March.

Freebies

Yabaraa – Dreaming in Light

When: 15 February–15 March

Where: Tandanya, National Aboriginal Cultural Institute

The Adelaide Fringe showcases the very best of the best, and the spectacular light show, Yabaraa –Dreaming in Light, is no exception. Experience state-of-the-art illuminations come to life during this unique indoor experience which educates audiences about Aboriginal culture. The stunning light show is so surreal, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were dreaming.

60 years of Adelaide Festival

When: 28 February–15 March

Where: Adelaide Festival Centre

SA Performing Arts Collection opens the vault for the first time on all things Adelaide Festival. From costumes to set design, this exhibition will display amazing memorabilia in the Festival Theatre foyer.

Adelaide Writers’ Week

When: 29 February–5 March

Where: Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, King William Rd

Find a shady spot under a tree and hear from celebrated and emerging writers during free panel sessions at Adelaide Writers’ Week. When you’re flicking through the autumn edition of samotor – which is out now – read about our chat with renowned South Australian writer Peter Goldsworthy, who you can hear talk during Adelaide Writers’ Week. Check out the full Adelaide Writers’ Week program for more ideas.

Shows to check out

An Andrews Sisters Tribute

When: 21–23 February

Where: Norwood Concert Hall

Adelaide’s sweetest vintage vocal trio Three Little Sisters will take audiences on a nostalgic trip back in time with their award-winning hit cabaret show An Andrews Sisters Tribute. Enjoy the most popular wartime hits from Patty, Maxine and Laverne Andrews in this 90-minute cabaret spectacular, which features the 10th/27th Battalion Royal South Australia Regiment Band. Just for being an RAA member, you can get two tickets to the show for only $60.

RCC Fringe

When: 14 February–15 March

Where: The University of Adelaide

RCC is a festival within a festival and one of the main hubs of Adelaide Fringe packed with international superstars, underground cult heroes, local legends, top-class music, stellar shows, beautiful art and delicious food. Need help choosing from the epic line-up? RAA members get 25% off tickets to Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster, Luminarium: Daedalum and Disco Conversion Therapy at RCC. It’s easy to book tickets to any of these shows using your RAA membership card – just head to the RAA website for more info.

Festival favourites

WOMADelaide

When: 5–8 March

Where: Botanic Park

To officially get you in the rhythm of Mad March, head to outdoor music festival WOMADelaide, where a diverse range of artists from around the globe celebrate music, art and dance. As an RAA member, you can save 14% on selected pre-sale adult passes to WOMADelaide – just head to the RAA website for more info. You can even try your luck at winning tickets to WOMAD. Lastly, don’t forget to check out one of the festival’s headliners: Thandi Phoenix, who we chatted to recently. See the latest edition of samotor for the full interview.

Bright lights at festival and crowd cheering.
WOMADelaide, Botanic Park. Image: WOMADelaide

Adelaide Fringe

When: 14 February–15 March

Where: All over SA

As one of the world’s largest annual arts festivals, you can imagine that there’s a lot happening at the Adelaide Fringe. Take your pick from a range of events around South Australia, from comedy shows to acrobatic extravaganzas. Make a weekend of it and venture out of Adelaide’s CBD to catch a regional show. Check out the full Fringe program for ideas.

Superloop Adelaide 500

When: 20–23 February

Where: Victoria Park

Hear that? That’s the sound of supercars zooming into town as part of Superloop Adelaide 500. Buckle up as this year’s event will again feature trackside twists, turns and awesome after-race concerts. Rock out with Grinspoon, The Living End and local boys Hilltop Hoods after a day on the track. Maybe you’d like to know a little more about the drivers behind the wheel. In that case, read our chat with SA-born supercar driver Todd Hazelwood in the autumn edition of samotor, out now. Don’t forget: RAA members get 10% off general admission tickets to Superloop Adelaide 500. Be quick though, as the deal ends 17 February.

Supercars driver around the track, Adelaide.
Superloop Adelaide 500, Victoria Park. Image: SATC

In the regions

Desert Fringe

When: 21–23 February

Where: Port Augusta

There’s more to the Outback than red dirt. Whether you reside in or are just visiting Port Augusta – the gateway to the Flinders Ranges and Outback – don’t miss the town’s 3-day Desert Fringe. Think of it as a mini Fringe, away from the city lights. The program is packed full of circus, comedy, music, dance, visual art and free family entertainment.

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Whyalla uneARTh Festival

When: 20–22 March

Where: Whyalla

If you’ve been to WOMADelaide, you’d know there’s nothing quite like an outdoor festival to get you in the rhythm of Mad March. If you can’t make it to WOMAD in Adelaide, Whyalla has its own mini version – the annual unARTh Festival. There’s more than just pumping, live tunes though. Watch Whyalla come to life with circus and cabaret shows and even a film festival, including feature films and short flicks.

Petit Circus

When: 29 February

Where: Murray Bridge

We knew there was a reason February had an extra day this year. If you missed the jaw-dropping talent of Petit Circus in Adelaide and the hills, catch thrilling acrobatic stunts at Murray Bridge Town Hall. From juggling to hula hooping, this family of travelling circus performers will leave the little ones – as well as those young at heart – laughing and spellbound.

Lift-Off Street Party

When: 20 March

Where: Mount Gambier

Are you ready for lift-off? Mount Gambier is launching into Fringe festivities with its Lift-Off Street Party. The city’s main street will come to life for a night of dancing, food and live music. Dress in your best neon outfit to celebrate this year’s 80s theme. Walk in the annual parade or flaunt your vocal ability by starring in the event’s singing competition named, you guessed it, Flaunt It.

Something different

Cold Blood

When: 5–8 March

Where: Adelaide Showground

Using only their fingers, hands and forearms, watch in awe as performers in the Adelaide Festival show, Cold Blood, take to the stage. This isn’t your typical dance show. Magnified hands intertwine to tell a story to a soundtrack that ranges from Doris Day and Nina Simone to Ligeti and Schubert. RAA members get 10% off tickets to Cold Blood and other selected shows at Adelaide Festival.

DeGOONStation Dinner

When: 13 March

Where: Tea Tree Gully Library

There’s no denying South Australia produces some of the best food and wine in the world. Now try something, shall we say, different. Sit down for 7 courses of low-rent Australian food (think party pies and chocolate crackles) which will be paired with – wait or it – a matching cask wine.

Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel

When: 27 March–5 April

Where: All over SA

We can’t think of a better way to end the maddest month than indulging our senses and raising our glasses to good food and wine. Held last year in April, Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel is part of Mad March in 2020. Check out the full Tasting Australia program for what’s on, from cooking demonstrations to gin trails. We’re feeling satisfied with all that’s on offer this Mad March. How about you?

People enjoying the night life in Adelaide, South Australia.
Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel. Image: John Montesi

MORE FOR MEMBERS THIS MAD MARCH

Mad March is jam-packed with exclusive RAA member deals and competitions.

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