Archie Roach to Headline 2016 Desert Fringe
Port Augusta will get a taste of the Adelaide Fringe for the ninth annual Desert Fringe in March 2016, featuring a program of local and international talent, a twilight concert headlined by world renowned performer Archie Roach and a host of local artists including many talented Aboriginal performers.
With 19 artists over two days and a wide range of activities to suit all ages (many of them free), there’ll be no excuse to stay away from this year’s Desert Fringe.
Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall said “it’s wonderful to be able to give regional audiences a slice of the Fringe in their own back yard and bring the amazing atmosphere of Adelaide Fringe to Port Augusta for an unforgettable weekend. It is made even more special knowing that this will be the frist time Archie Roach has ever played in Port Augusta”.
Kicking off the festivities on Friday, 4 March, will be the rowdy return of the Desert Fringe Club at The Barracks. Desert Fringe Club host Katie Wright Dynamite (SA) will share a lineup of guest artists and performers from around the world. Leo the Human Gumby’s (USA) contortions will amaze, circus duo manoAmano (Argentina) will delight and musician Nathan May (SA) will impress with his gorgeous sounds. Special guests, Port Augusta’s own Desert Voices choir and the Dusty Feet Mob will treat audiences to a stunning performance and Desert Fringe favourites Jeremy Whiskey & Iwantja Band will play all the right tunes to dance the night away.
On Saturday, 5 March, Desert Fringe-goers will be treated to the critically acclaimed theatre work, HART. Created and performed by Noongar man Ian Michael, HART uses testimonials gathered from survivors of the Stolen Generation to share the silenced stories of his country. HART was hugely successful when it premiered at last year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival and was awarded the Adelaide Fringe Tour Ready Award.
Following HART, there’ll be a Twilight Arts Market and Family Show in Gladstone Square, which will transform into a bustling arts market for the day. Showcasing local wares from Port Augusta artists and craftspeople, the market will also include A Bus Full of Art featuring works from the contemporary to the quirky. The kids will love the manoAmano Family Show, featuring tricks and comedy from gravity defying acrobats all the way from Mar Del Plata, Argentina.
After the manoAmano Family Show, audiences can grab a spot on the grass in Gladstone Square for the Twilight concert headlined by internationally acclaimed, ARIA Award winner Archie Roach. Accompanied by Nancy Bates and Ellie Lovegrove, the trio promise to deliver a soul touching live performance – the perfect way to complete the Desert Fringe experience.
Throughout the weekend, there will also be art exhibitions at Port Augusta Cultural Centre – Yarta Purtli Gallery.
There is truly something for everyone at this year’s Desert Fringe and it would not be possible without the support of the Port Augusta City Council and Umeewarra Media.
More 2016 Adelaide Fringe Previews
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