Adelaide's winter arts scene heats up with new exhibitions, live music and theatre

Adelaide's arts and entertainment calendar is packed this winter, with fresh exhibitions, live music and theatre productions drawing crowds across the city. The Art Gallery of South Australia opened a new contemporary Aboriginal art show last week, featuring works from more than 30 Indigenous artists across the state. Meanwhile, the Adelaide Festival Centre is hosting a four-week run of a critically praised adaptation of The Lighthouse, a stage drama about isolation and connection that has sold out two of its first three performances.

Gallery shows and live music

The Art Gallery of South Australia's exhibition, titled Karu: Desert Stories, runs until October 11 and includes paintings, weavings and digital installations from artists in the APY Lands, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara region, and the far north. Gallery director Sarah Price said the show 'offers a rare window into the living cultures of South Australia's desert communities.' Entry is free for all visitors on weekdays before noon, with a $15 ticket for general admission after that.

On the live music front, the Grace Emily Hotel on Waymouth Street is hosting a series of intimate acoustic sets every Thursday through August, featuring local acts like The Weathermen and Caitlin Park. Tickets are $20 at the door. The Gov on Port Road has a bigger lineup: indie rock band The Ocean Party plays there on July 25, with tickets starting at $45. Across town, the Crown and Anchor on Grenfell Street is running its weekly 'New Noise' showcase every Wednesday, spotlighting emerging punk and metal bands from Adelaide's western suburbs.

Theatre and comedy in the city

Over at the State Theatre Company South Australia, The Lighthouse has extended its run by a week due to demand. Performances are at the Odeon Theatre in Norwood, with 7:30pm shows Tuesday through Saturday and a 2pm matinee on Sundays. Tickets range from $49 to $89. The company's artistic director, Elena Kats-Chernin, noted the play's 'universal themes of loneliness and hope resonate especially in winter.'

Comedy fans have the Adelaide Fringe Festival's winter warm-up series at the Garden of Unearthly Delights in Rundle Park. Every Saturday night until August 15, the venue hosts stand-up sets from local comedians and headliners from Melbourne and Sydney. Doors open at 6pm, shows start at 7:30pm, and tickets are $25. The series kicked off on July 12 with a sold-out crowd of 400 people.

For families, the South Australian Museum is running its 'Winter Wonder Nights' program every Friday evening through August. The event includes storytelling workshops, hands-on science activities and live music in the museum's foyer. Entry is by donation, with a suggested $10 per adult. The museum's education manager, Lisa Brown, said the program 'aims to keep kids engaged during the school holidays.'

With these options and more, Adelaide's winter arts scene offers something for every taste and budget. Most events require advance booking, so check the venues' websites for availability.