Adelaide Fringe 2020 program celebrates diamond anniversary

The Adelaide Fringe 2020 program is set to entertain audiences as it celebrates its 60th anniversary with 1210 events and more than 7000 artists and 361 venues set to take part in the event.

The 2020 event will commence with opening night festivities on 14th February, including the Tindo Utpurndee – Sunset Ceremony at Rymill Park, Yabarra: Dreaming in Light opening, Baker Boy at RCC and East End road closures providing the perfect stage for audiences from all over to celebrate the return of Fringe in its 60th year.

Adelaide Fringe Director and Chief Executive Heather Croall explained that the substantial growth this Festival has seen in the last 60 years has solidified its place as the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

She advised “we can’t wait to flood the city with the joy and mayhem that comes with Adelaide Fringe. It’s a time to be entertained and snuggle up under the cultural blanket we throw over Adelaide. The open and inclusive nature that goes to the very heart of Fringe really does mean that everyone can participate and there almost certainly will be something in the program for everyone”

Also announced today is the signature project for 2020, Yabarra: Dreaming in Light, an immersive Aboriginal storytelling experience held at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.

Croall went on to say “at Adelaide Fringe we see First Nations participation as vital to the arts, I’m so proud of our organisation’s signature project for 2020, Yabarra: Dreaming in Light, which speaks to this core value. Thanks to the support of the State Government of South Australia we have also given out $100,000 in grants to support the voices of First Nation artists s to present works at the 60th anniversary of Adelaide Fringe.”

Building on the success of the 2019 Yabarra: Gathering of Light, the new iteration is moving indoors to Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Centre where an immersive Dreamtime experience will be created. This will provide more opportunities for school groups, families and other diverse audiences to experience the project with daily opening hours running from 10am to 10pm. Working in collaboration with Kaurna Senior Custodian Karl Telfer, Yabarra: Dreaming in Light tells the Dreaming story of Tjirbruke, an ancestor of the Kaurna people.

To celebrate the diamond anniversary a range of free and family-friendly events have been planned. The Fringe Walk, located on North Terrace between King William Street and Frome Street, will allow Fringe lovers to take a trip down memory lane with all 32 Adelaide Fringe posters being displayed in large format from 25th January to 15th March.

This year a variety of Fringe ‘hubs’ will span across suburban and regional Adelaide – from Gawler to Port Noarlunga and Whyalla to Mount Gambier – with more than 60% of Adelaide Fringe venues popping up in regional and suburban areas. Outdoor hubs Gluttony and The Garden of Unearthly Delights will return to the city’s eastern parklands, while RCC will reappear at The University of Adelaide.

Of the 361 venues hosting festival attractions, more than 100 newcomers are joining the festivities including a new hub at the heritage listed Ayers House on North Terrace.

Adelaide Fringe Chair David Minear said the Fringe is infamous among artists and audiences across the globe and considered an incubator for the arts.

Minear advised “our city wouldn’t be the same without Adelaide Fringe, it’s an incredible injection of colour into South Australia and really puts the state on the map.

“However, it would not happen without the significant support of our partners – in particular the Government of South Australia, City of Adelaide and our Principal Partner, BankSA. We can all take immense pride in being the second biggest Fringe in the world and the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest arts festival.”

BankSA Chief Executive Nick Reade said BankSA was proud to be the Principal Partner of the Fringe in its Diamond Anniversary year, adding "at BankSA, we’re backing the events that contribute to the growth and prosperity of South Australia, so it’s no surprise that this is our 15th consecutive year as Principal Partner of the Fringe.

“The Fringe generates an uplift in visitation, activity and vibrancy, delivering a significant economic benefit for the state.

“Adelaide Fringe always delivers something new and exciting. This year we’ll be focussed on ensuring shows are accessible and great value so that more people can experience the magic of the Fringe.”

The 2020 Adelaide Fringe runs from 14th February to 15th March.

For more information, visit adelaidefringe.com.au.