A carnival wonderland will pop-up on Leigh and Peel Streets in Adelaide’s CBD this evening to celebrate the launch of the 2016 Adelaide Fringe program.

The 2016 Adelaide Fringe program features more than 1100 events – a new record. More than 5000 artists will take part in 228 music events, 24 interactive events, 112 cabaret shows, 35 circus and physical theatre shows, 305 comedy events, 12 magic events, 32 dance shows, nine film and digital events, 151 theatre productions, 111 art and design exhibitions, 58 children’s events and 45 special events. Magic is a new genre in the Fringe for 2016, as is the interactive genre. 

A breathtaking event that will straddle the film and interactive genres will be the Fringe Illuminations, which will see many of Adelaide’s North Terrace cultural institutions transformed into living canvases of light for the first two weeks of the Fringe. The facades of the State Library of SA, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum and The University of Adelaide will be brought to life by Adelaide’s illuminart and Sydney-based company, The Electric Canvas. The Fringe Illuminations will run from Friday, 12 February, – Sunday, 28 February, from 8.30pm until 1am. The spectacular display will be opened with a special Kaurna Sunset Ceremony on the South Australian Museum forecourt on 12 February at 8pm.

Unveiling the program for her inaugural Fringe, Director and CEO Heather Croall said “I’m thrilled to see the diversity on display in the 2016 Adelaide Fringe program. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the best ever Fringe program, including work from the new genres, and as always there really is something for everyone. The Fringe Illuminations will be a fantastic event to enjoy while going from one Fringe show to another. I encourage everyone to get out and get amongst it all”.

Another first for the 2016 Adelaide Fringe will be the Digital Playground at the State Library of SA. A mind-bending world of virtual reality and six-sided moving image, featuring works by Australian and international artists created to be experienced with virtual reality headsets and the Google Cube.  

Adelaide Fringe Ambassador Julian Clary said he’s all for taking a chance on an unknown show or artist.

“My motto – in life and at the Fringe – is to take some risks. I’m all for sticking a pin in the program and going to see something random and obscure,” Mr Clary said.

In 2016, the Fringe will truly permeate every corner of town. There will be an increase in Fringe venue spaces, with more than 430 – up from 376 in 2015. These will include 221 venues in the CBD and 211 in suburban and regional areas.

Adelaide Fringe will continue to be a hotbed for rising talent in 2016, with more than 290 Fringe first timers showcasing their work to brave Adelaide audiences. Among the first timers will be companies and performers from Australia and places as far afield as Bangladesh, Sweden, Mexico, Ghana, Fiji, France, Hong Kong and many other exotic locales.

Adelaide Fringe’s Youth Engagement Program, YEP! will return in 2016 and provide amazing opportunities for school and youth organisation groups to engage in the Fringe. A tailor-made YEP! Guide is available to help schools and youth organisations navigate the extensive Adelaide Fringe program.

 

 

Adelaide Fringe Chair David Minear acknowledged Adelaide Fringe’s economic contribution to South Australia and also thanked the partners and organisations who contributed to making the Fringe a reality each year.

“It is important to remember just how enormous our Fringe is – there is no other Fringe like it in Australia – and as one of the largest arts events in the world, Adelaide Fringe attracts a large contingent of visitors from interstate and overseas and makes a significant economic contribution to our state.

“It wouldn’t be the event it is without the support of so many organisations – in particular our Principal Partner BankSA, the Adelaide City Council and the State Government through Arts SA and the South Australian Tourism Commission,” Mr Minear said.

BankSA Chief Executive Nick Reade said “now in our eleventh year as Adelaide Fringe Principal Partner, BankSA is proud to bring South Australians an event that creates a significant economic and cultural boost for our great state”.

Fringe’s special free events have been expanded and in 2016 will include the Fringe Illuminations, the iconic Fringe Parade, an expanded Fringe Street Theatre program, Hybycozo and Fringe in the Mall in Rundle Mall, Fringe at the Airport, Hospital Hilarity, Desert Fringe, Fringe at Westfield, Fringe at Flinders University and the Digital Playground.

Minister for the Arts, Jack Snelling highlighted the open nature of the Adelaide Fringe and the buzz it will bring to Adelaide in 2016.

“Once again we are on the cusp of the Adelaide Fringe – one of the largest, open-access, non-curated arts festivals in the world and the excitement is contagious.

“It really is a true people’s festival and Adelaide Fringe 2016 will no doubt exceed all of our expectations,” said Minister Snelling.

The 2016 Adelaide Fringe will kick off with street parties and Fringe shows, along with the switching on of the Fringe Illuminations on North Terrace on Friday, 12 February. The Fringe Parade on Saturday, 13 February will run along North Terrace in 2016 and will be part of the biggest opening weekend Adelaide has ever seen. Adelaide Fringe will then run until Monday, 14 March.

Tickets and gift vouchers can be purchased at adelaidefringe.com.au, FringeTIX box offices and outlets or by phoning 1300 621 255.

A digital Fringe Guide can now be downloaded from adelaidefringe.com.au before the printed Guide hits the streets from 2 January, 2016.