Dec 13

EVENT – IT’S THE WORLD TENNIS CHALLENGE KIDS DAY – Jan 5

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpikids day posterThe 2014 World Tennis Challenge Kids Day – held as part of the World Tennis Challenge Be Active Challenge will  be bigger and better than ever with special  guests Dora the Explorer, Spongebob Squarepants and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles making  appearances that will be sure to excite and delight participants.

Held on Sunday 5th January at Memorial Drive, the 2014 the free event will feature the opportunity for kids age 5-12 to come and try or demonstrate their already honed tennis skills via supervised Hot Shot* tennis activities as well as having fun with bouncy castles, face painters and the chance to look into the future and have their photo taken holding the World Tennis Challenge trophy (in suitable winner pose of course!).

Dora, Spongebob and the Turtles will make appearances throughout the morning providing photo opportunities and will wrap the event with a performance.

As in past years, some of the world’s greatest players in town for the World Tennis Challenge may also attended the event to spend time with the kids and offer them a few coaching tips in a money can’t buy sporting and photo opportunity.

Attendance at this free event is by registration only at kidstennisday.worldtennischallenge.com so grab your racquet (one will be supplied for those who don’t have one) and join in the fun at the World Tennis Challenge Kids Day.

WHAT:                       WORLD TENNIS CHALLENGE KIDS DAY

WHEN:                       SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY

WHERE:                    MEMORIAL DRIVE TENNIS COMPLEX, WAR MEMORIAL DRIVE ADELAIDE

COST:                         FREE

ENTRY:                      REGISTRATION AT  kidstennisday.worldtennischallenge.com.

 

*Hot Shots is the official junior tennis programme of Tennis Australia

 

spongeABOUT THE WORLD TENNIS CHALLENGE

 

The 2014 World Tennis Challenge will take place at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, Adelaide, from 7th to 9th January 2014.

Players in the 2014 event include Tennis legends Martina Navratilova, Martina Hingis, Tracy Austin, Yannick Noah, Pat Cash, Henri Leconte and Mats Wilander, Mansour Bahrami and Nicole Bradtke  as well as World Top 30 ranked players Feliciano Lopez and  Jurgen Melzer and World #34 Jeremy Chardy.  They will be joined by South Australian young gun and 2013 Wimbledon Junior Doubles winner Thanasi Kokkinakis.

World Tennis Challenge 2014 tickets are now on sale.   Tickets for the event start from $9.90 for children and $19.90 for adults and can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/bookadelaide  or call 13 28 49.

For further tournament information on how to participate in the WTC Be Active Challenge please visit www.worldtennischallenge.com  and select the ‘Play Tennis’ tab.

 

World Tennis Challenge is presented by the South Australian Government, through Events South Australia.

Dec 02

THE GARDEN OF UNEARTHLY DELIGHTS – Full Program Announced

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpiThe Garden of Unearthly Delights is unrivalled as Australia’s most vibrant and dynamic outdoor arts festival precinct. Running from 13 Feb to 16 Mar in the East End of Adelaide’s CBD, The Garden attracts more than 800,000 visitors a year and promises a cultural experience like no other.

We are proud to announce our incredible program line up for 2014.

A Storm In A D Cup

Abandoman. Moonrock Boombox

Adrienne Truscott’s Asking for It. A One Lady Rape About Comedy Starring Her Pussy and Little Else!

Altan

Amazing Drumming Monkeys. Drum along with the Monkeys!

Asher Treleaven Smaller Poorer Weaker Cheaper Cal Wilson. It Could Have Been Me Carousel and Clothesline. Vague de Cirque Cash Savage and The Last Drinks Charlie Pickering Chopper’s Big F*cken Late Show. Garden the F*ck Up!

Chris Taylor and Andrew Hansen. One Man Show Comic Strip Craig Hill. Tartan About!

Dan Sultan

Dave Hughes. Pointless

EastEnd Cabaret. Dirty Talk

Eddie Ifft. Train Wreck

Em Rusciano in Divorce The Musical

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo

Etypejazz

Four Screws Loose in Screwtopia!

Freewheelin. A Bob Dylan Tribute

Fright or Flight

Germein Sisters. Because You Breathe

Glory Box! Seductive Spectacle, Live Art Exotica, Wild Child Circus, Jaw Dropping Cabaret!

Hannah Gadsby. The Exhibitionist

Hans. Like A German

Heath Franklin. May I Borrow A Crisis

Hot Dub Time Machine. Big Red Button

Ian D Montfort. The One. Britain’s Most Gifted Psychic?

In Vogue. Songs by Madonna

Sweet Dreams. Songs by Annie Lennox

James Reyne

Jamie MacDowell and Tom Thum

Josh Pyke

Justin Hamilton. Johnny Loves Mary Forever 1994 Kate Miller Heidke Katie Noonan and CIRCA. Love Song Circus Kids Comedy Gala Lili la Scala. Siren LIMBO Lords of Strut Loren Kate Luke McGregor. My Soulmate is Out of My League Mat Ricardo. Showman Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall Mr Snotbottom and The Curse of The Stinky Silly Zombie Babies.

Naked Girls Reading in The Garden. You Can’t Spell Literature Without T and A Nath Valvo. Almost 30 Pants Down Circus. Rock Phatcave PRE PC. Songs before a time of Political Correctness Sam Simmons. Death Of A Sails Man Sammy J and Randy’s Difficult First Album Tour Sex With Animals Simon Taylor. Funny Sing, Swing Get in The Mood with The Pacific Belles featuring special guest Alan Fletcher!

Swamp Juice

The Audreys

The Bedroom Philosopher

The Boy with Tape on his Face. MORE TAPE The Fauves The Gin Club The Last Temptation of Randy The Late Show The Magnets. All This Time The Syndicate The Vaudevillians The Wau Wau Sisters. Death Threats (and other forms of flattery) Tom Ballard. UnAustralian(ish) Tom Gleeson. Quality Wagons Wil Anderson. Wiluminati Women in Docs Women Wine and Song featuring Martine Locke, Kelly Menhennett and Monique Brumby

PLUS awesome free entertainment at The BankSA Free Concerts and The Garden Sessions.

Come and play with us in The Garden!

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FROM gardenofunearthlydelights.com.au or adelaidefringe.com.au

THE GARDEN OF UNEARTHLY DELIGHTS

East Terrace, Rundle Park, Adelaide

13 Feb to 16 Mar 2014

Dec 01

CLOSET LAND – Bakehouse Theatre

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpiBy Peter Maddern

When the audience is admitted a young woman is at a table blindfolded and bound. As the play commences we find she is very much in a state of confusion; over how long she has been where she is, who is her interrogator and why is she, or her children’s books a person of interest. Is this sweet, frightened girl really a traitor?

Closet Land traces the development of her captivity and the gradual reversal of the roles of the two actors, Melissa Rayner as the girl and Ben Orchard as the contriving, creepy and evilly consumed captor.

Closet Land, the film, was first released in 1991, with Alan Rickman and Madeleine Stowe as the two protagonists in this two person stand-off in some unidentified police station in some unknown police state. The film like the play rests on the ability of the two performers to pull off the intrigue and where the film succeeded, unfortunately, the play, the first time it has been performed in Australia doesn’t.

Rayner does a good job dealing with her character’s fear and innocence and a resistance to want to talk about her book’s characters and meanings. Orchard however seems to struggle to establish the true nature of his character’s persona – is he a creep, a masochist or a madman – for someone in the driving seat, he just never seems to be able to command the situation convincingly. Ultimately, he seems rather miscast.

Being about two players in one room of course limits directorial freedom but the needs for claustrophobia and visual intensity were never much fulfilled by first-time director Olivia Jane Parker. The potential of the use of video from Daniel Vink and Andrew Shanks was also very much under realised.

Closet Land is a tough gig for audience and actors alike. This production sadly finishes up as a bit of stretch for everyone.

Nov 21

SESSIONS 2014 – 2-25 Jan – Preview

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpiFollowing on from a successful 2013 season, Adelaide Festival Centre presents the return of Sessions, an assortment of live music from local, national and international acts over 13 nights in the Space Theatre. From 2– 25 January the Space will become a laid-back live music hub, with cabaret-style seating and plenty of room to dance in the venue and room to relax in the foyer pre and post show. Catch the summer vibe with chilled tunes and cold drinks, with happy hours.

The season kicks off in style with The Basics on 2 January! Kris Schroeder, Wally De Backer (Gotye) and Tim Heath come together after three years for a series of high powered, intimate gigs around the country. The 60s-cast retro rock band trio are set to entertain audiences over the summer season.

 

International soul phenomenon Lee Fields and the Expressions take to the stage on 3 January. Since the late sixties, the North Carolina native has amassed a prolific catalog of albums and has toured and played with such legends as Kool and the Gang, Sammy Gordon and the Hip-Huggers and Little Royal. With a career spanning 43 years, and having taken his raucous-yet-tender voice across the globe, the music he’s making today with Brooklyn’s own Truth & Soul Records is his best yet.

 Returning to Adelaide after their 2013 Womadelaide debut, The Correspondents aka Mr Bruce and Chucks will strut their stuff on 4 January with a multitude of genres from electro to hip hop and drum and bass. Arranged by Arts Projects Australia, the performance features songs of scats and raps, tales of love, lust and loss, along with a plethora of incredible dance moves. This show is a high octane of shake and pizzazz and is set to hypnotize music lovers.

French musical menagerie, Babylon Circus will rouse the crowd and lift the spirits with their multilingual chicanery, improvised comedy and big-top energy on 10 January.  This epic and infatuating sonic spectacle is full of funk, afro-beat and dancehall reggae, with a healthy dollop of European folklore – their energy will fill you with good humour. This 10-piece big band have been zigzagging the globe with their spirited style, supporting their new album release Never Stop.

Yellow Blue Bus perform on the Ukraine’s New Year’s Eve where east meets everything else in this uplifting performance on 14 January. A unique little known 60 stringed lute comes out of hiding. Revealing joyous music, the Ukrainian bandura adopts styles that are a far cry from traditional Ukrainian folk music. And yet, these new sounds, with violin, bass guitar and pulsing percussion, offer tales of heart and soul and show that exciting, contemporary Australian world fusion music is alive in Adelaide.

French soulful hip-hop artist Féfé, also known as rapper and singer Fe2 renowned for his explosive performance style plays 15 January. A fusion of jazz, funk, soul, blues and rock! The show will guarantee to have audiences jumping out of their seats, prepare to be captivated by his soulful sounds. 

Recently taking home the Best Female Performer of the Year at Les Victories de la Musique, the French equivalent of the Grammys, French model and actress, Lou Doillon is set to enthrall audiences with an intimate, emotional and romantic ensemble. Singing in English and playing guitar with her band on 16 January, Doillon’s performance will be so frenchy yet so chic.

Collaborating with the likes of Sinead O’Connor and having his music featured in the award winning-film Weekend, John Grant originally from the US and now based in Iceland will hypnotise audiences with his Adelaide premiere performance. Staged with gleaming electronica, emotionally raw lyrics and caustically funny songs, Grant will bring his mesmerizing baritone styling and smoky vocals on 17 January.

18 January will see acclaimed local dance troupe Flamenco Areti return to the Space Theatre joined by special guests international dancers, Tomás Arroquero and Rosalie Cocchiaro. A dazzling display of fiery flamenco footwork, vibrant guitar and stirring song will fire up audiences and reveal pure flamenco at its best.

Hot off the 2013 European tour, local act Vincent’s Chair are influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Sting, Paul Simon and Lior, these wonderful musicians play all-original, beautifully crafted songs. Performing on 23 January, the performance will celebrate the launch of their new album, The New Vibe and reveal a dynamic interplay of instruments, Middle-Eastern infected pop and folk ballads.

Pilot Records – Adelaide’s preeminent electronic and experimental record label – teams up with play / pause / play – producers of over 50 podcasts celebrating the best music Adelaide has to offer – for the 2014 edition of PilotFest. Featuring an all-local lineup hand-picked by both organisations from the state’s most exciting beatmakers to psych-rock marvels, PilotFest 2014 offers an audiovisual music and art feast for the senses. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event on 24 January.

Single tickets can be purchased to any Sessions show or people can book to see four or more shows in the same transaction and enjoy great savings.

Under 30s have the opportunity to buy $20 Sessions tickets to select performances by joining Adelaide Festival Centre’s GreenRoom program. Join now at adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/greenroom

For the full Sessions lineup visit adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/

 

 

What

SESSIONS

When

2 – 25 January 2014

Venue

Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre

Suitable

All ages

Bookings

BASS 131 246 or online at www.bass.net.au

More info

For further information visit www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

Get social with us on Twitter @AdelaideFesCent #sessions2014

Facebook facebook.com/FestivalCentre 

Nov 21

THEATRE – Impro Unwrapped – Bakehouse – Sun 8th Dec

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpi

Christmas comes but once a year. For most of us, it’s a time of giving, of laughter and joy.

But for some less fortunate in our community, Christmas doesn’t come at all.

So this festive season, On the Fly is hoping to spread some Christmas cheer with their charity show, Impro Unwrapped.

This is how it works:

The audience brings shiny-new, wrapped Christmas gifts to the show to go under our on-stage tree. The On the Fly players randomly select and unwrap gifts during the show as inspiration for Christmas stories and songs all made up on the spot, without a script. At the end of the night, the presents that were used in scenes are re-wrapped and all gifts are then donated to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal, to pass on to those less fortunate this Christmas.

On the Fly artistic director Eugene Suleau: “Impro Unwrapped is our charity fundraiser for the year. It’s a chance for our players to have some fun, while knowing we’re doing something good for the community. Likewise, it’s an opportunity for our audience to do something nice at Christmas time while enjoying the fun of an impro show.”

Impro Unwrapped started interstate in 2011 and has since spread across Australia and to New Zealand. “On the Fly ran the successful Theatresports Celebrity Challenge for more than a decade where we raised over $10,000 for The Humour Foundation. Last year we decided to look for something fresh and when our colleagues interstate contacted us about being part of Impro Unwrapped we thought it was a great concept, so naturally we said yes”, says Eugene.

What sort of presents should the audience bring? “Well, it must be new. That’s important”, says Eugene. “Other than that, it can be anything that you think someone less fortunate might like or could use at Christmas time. And you can spend as much or as little as you like.”

And if you can’t find anything suitable? “You can still come to the show by all means, but we’ll charge you a little bit extra for your ticket. Those who do come bearing gifts will get a discount on their ticket price”, says Eugene. “Profits from the show, as well as all the presents, will be donated to Vinnies. So we’re really hoping for a sled-load!”

What: Impro Unwrapped, presented by On the Fly.
When: Sunday 8 December, 2013 at 7pm
Where: Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas St Adelaide
Tickets: Adults $12 with a gift ($20 without)
Concession $9 with a gift ($15 without).

Bookings:  http://www.trybooking.com/DYVV 

Nov 21

MAD MARCH – THE GARDEN OF UNEARTHLY DELIGHTS 2014

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpi13 FEB TO 16 MAR 2014

Rundle Park, East Terrace, Adelaide

The Garden of Unearthly Delights is unrivalled as Australia’s most vibrant and dynamic outdoor arts festival precinct. Running from 13 Feb to 16 Mar 2014 and attracting more than 800,000 visitors a year, The Garden promises a cultural experience like no other.

Every year The Garden presents THE most exciting shows from across the globe and 2014 is no exception. Highlights of the 2014 program include

The return of the astounding, record breaking, award winning Spiegeltent sensation, LIMBO following a 5 month sellout season in London

Adelaide Fringe Ambassador Katie Noonan and Circa’s stunning Love Song Circus

The ever popular, multi award winning Boy With Tape On His Face returns with More Tape!

The outrageous comedy antics of Sammy J and Randy

Provocative cabaret superstars Moira Finucane’s Glory Box, The Wau Wau Sisters and EastEnd Cabaret

The Australian debut of Montreal’s acclaimed acrobats Vague de Cirque

Comedy greats Wil Anderson, Heath Franklin, Dave Hughes, Abandoman and Cal Wilson

Our best music lineup ever including Josh Pyke, Dan Sultan, Kate Miller Heidke & James Reyne

Exciting new faces Adrienne Truscott (2013 Panel Prize Winner Foster Comedy Award), Nath Valvo, Luke McGregor and Four Screws Loose (UK)

Fun family circus action by Pants Down Circus and so much more…

TICKETS ON SALE ON 29 NOVEMBER 2013

Bookings gardenofunearthlydelights.com.au or adelaidefringe.com.au

Nov 21

(No title)

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpiBFF JumpBRITISH FILM FESTIVAL – Jump – 3.5K

The setting is in Ireland’s Derry on a New Year’s Eve where dressing up in costume, having a few drinks and fireworks is the order of the day.

Jump starts by introducing three seemingly disparate sets of young people and after 15 minutes you kind of wonder whether the directors are just asking too much of their audience to keep all this varied material from their circumstances in their heads; a girl who wants to jump from a bridge, a dodgy bar owner who has been robbed and bill posters advising of a missing man are just some of the elements introduced by that time.

But soon after the threads start to come together and one becomes ever more engrossed in the story as our confidence in the narrative grows. In the end, it is a good fun film that thankfully the producers have not then sought to pan out for a further 30 minutes. It is over after about 85.

A highlight of Jump is the photography which is luscious and dreamy when required and grainy and harsh as bad things happen. The surreal feel of a New Year’s Eve in a cold place is stunningly delivered.

Be sure to concentrate on what’s being said as sub-titles are almost required but Jump is a worthwhile indulgence in this year’s inaugural British Film Festival.

Kryztoff Rating  3.5K

Jump is showing Tuesday 26th and Friday 29th at 8.45pm at Palace Nova.

Check out more on the British Film Festival By Clicking Here

Nov 18

THEATRE – The Lake – By Fivepointone – Holden Street – 3K

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpiBy Peter Maddern

Fivepointone is a progressive Adelaide theatre group that possesses some of our best young performing arts minds and talent.  In their productions one can almost sense a tension between its members as to who can push the boundaries the most and yet keep a harmony in the production.

The Lake certainly lives up to that reputation where director, Edwin Kemp Attrill and designer, Mandy Webber, team up to cleverly use the Arch at Holden Street, presenting it in a dilapidated state, requiring audience members to almost climb over debris to get to their seats. Then they are separated on either side of the stage area and the dusty, dark, cold setting for the play is cleverly made real through Lighting Designer, Chris Petridis, having patrons carry and use small torches to illuminate the players. It has a very real sense of light squeezing through old nail holes in corrugated iron into an emptiness.

Matt Crook gives another strong performance this time as Karl, a pedantic man, a stickler for the ‘permissions’ and one who, with his slightly Germanic accent, is consumed by a cold regard for human life, especially one he feels may threaten his own. Brad Williams as Joseph, is excellent as his foil, one more keen on pragmatically solving the issues in order to get out of their dilemma.

The problem with The Lake is Ben Brooker’s play itself. It’s not that it is bleak or bereft of humour (which it is not); it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The meaning of Patrick Frost’s appearance as ‘the Man’ just gets lost in later scenes and just what so much stuff that goes on adds to the story is often a mystery. There was also a certain cognitive disconnect between the cold that the players were feeling in their bodies and the mostly blaisé concern they possessed for their exposed fingers and toes.

I would like to have enjoyed it all rather more, especially given the support, through a Pozible campaign of so many generous sponsors, the names of which are listed in the program. But The Lake is what it is, a challenge, but certainly it is worth seeing to catch up on how so much of Adelaide emerging arts’ talent is applying itself.

Kryztoff Rating   3K

Nov 14

FEAST FESTIVAL – In Vogue: Songs by Madonna – Nexus – 4K

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpimichael-griffithsBy Peter Maddern

Adelaide born Michael Griffiths portrayal of the life and music of pop idol Madonna has been a hit around the world and it seems sure to be the highlight of this year’s Feast Festival.

The blonde wigs, the alluring lipstick and the salacious antics are all stripped back and done away with and replaced with a monochromatic staging that cleverly sets the scene for a focus on the woman herself and her song writing abilities.

Griffiths in tight white shirt and black and white striped braces eases us into the pop phenomenon’s oeuvre linking lyric with life event and giving a new emphasis to the song writing itself and not the sugar coating of the production that accompanied them. However, over the hour he gradually gives up his control of the material to the form of the songs we are more familiar with, a trend much appreciated by last night’s opening show audience.

His delightful voice and abundant camp enthusiasm keeps us transfixed as the diva is demolished and then reconstructed as not just a two dimensional event but a crafted woman.

No night at the Feast festival would be complete without seeing Griffiths’ show, so do treat yourself.

Kryztoff Rating   4K

Nov 13

THEATRE: Maggie Stone – STCSA – Space Theatre – 4K

SMA Kryztoff banner Nov 13 100dpiPhoto by Matt NettheimMaggie Stone (Kris McQuade) works for a bank, evaluating potential borrowers for small loans. She has quite clearly been around the block a couple of times and knows that life isn’t all puppies and rainbows. After her refusal to grant Precious Deng (Shedrick Yarkpai) money leads to him making a decision that has tragic consequences, Maggie finds herself unexpectedly involved in the lives of his wife Amath (Sara Zwangobani),teenage son Benedict (Shedrick Yarkpai again, showing his versatility) and baby daughter Grace.

In the cavernous world of the Space Theatre, the stage is filled with a cleverly designed maze of wooden planks and mirrors (Victoria Lamb). From within this web, the various settings appear. The scene changes, performed in half light and accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack (Andrew Howard) somewhat reminiscent of eighties video games, are swift and precise. This provides an adaptable space for director Geordie Brookman to allow the characters’ stories to take centre stage.

In Maggie, playwright Caleb Lewis has created a character that is extensively flawed yet somehow still likeable. McQuade instils in her a realistic mix of cynicism, compassion and racism. Maggie is someone who could easily be your relation, your neighbour, or your colleague. This doesn’t mean that her behaviour isn’t cringe-worthy at times, but it is always authentic. Yarkpai matches McQuade in truth, able to move between loving father, sullen teenager, hooligan baddie and empathetic object of circumstances, with easy and believability. Zwangobani also gives a strong performance as the resilient Amath, who has already faced so much in her life but is still determined to work with what she’s got and forge ahead on her own steam.

Photo by Matt NettheimAnsuya Nathan does well as both the convenience store proprietor Mahira, who has come to Australia to make a life for her and her family through hard work and cannot fathom the attitude of Benedict, and the ethnic (though probably Australian born) doctor who deals admirably with Maggie’s less than respectful attitude. As loan shark Leo Hermes, Mark Saturno doesn’t quite physically fit the stereotype but excells in the slimy stakes and creates an interesting character. It challenges the expected and highlights that it is often in the more mundane and unimposing individuals that the danger lies. Rounding out the cast, Genevieve Mooy, is Georgina, Amath’s friend from church, in whom we witness the desire to be doing “the right thing” while also suffering from naivety in relation to the realities of those she is trying to help and an inherent selfishness that is almost inevitable in today’s society.

This is an Adelaide story and it’s excellent to see a play that doesn’t shy away from setting its action in our city and making very specific references to this. It is woven throughout the prose in a way that provides pleasing shout-outs for locals while also not being too pervasive to alienate interstate or international audiences. The writing is pleasingly naturalistic, though occasional phrases do stick out as less than genuine.

This is a play about the people in our community and the attitudes that make up our society. It will make you question your own views and actions, and remind you that there is always more going on than you may appreciate.

Kryztoff Rating: 4K