A long-running regional Adelaide Fringe event has been acknowledged at Arts South Australia’s annual Ruby Awards recognising the state’s biggest arts and culture contributors.

Desert Fringe, held annually in Port Augusta, won the award for Community or Regional Impact under $100,000 during a ceremony at the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s Grainger Studio on Sunday night (December 11).

Held since 2008, Desert Fringe will next year celebrate a decade of bringing together local artists and visiting performers for a celebration of arts, culture and community.­

Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall said Desert Fringe was an important opportunity to promote artists from the Port Augusta region.

“By showcasing locals alongside visiting performers, Desert Fringe is able to offer a diverse program that has something new as well as works that have context for the local community,” Ms Croall said.

“Since 2008, Desert Fringe has become an annual fixture on the Port Augusta event calendar. It provides an important platform for the performing and visual arts community while also treating locals to a selection of national and international Fringe acts.”

Recent Desert Fringe performers have included national headline acts such as indigenous dancers Djuki Mala from North East Arnhem Land and indigenous singer/songwriter Archie Roach.

The 2017 Desert Fringe will offer a weekend packed full of circus, comedy, music, dance, visual art and free family entertainment at the Yarta Purtli Cultural Centre and surrounding venues on Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4.

Among the confirmed acts is critically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Adam Page, who will be bringing a solo show to Port Augusta. Also Adelaide Fringe and Country Arts SA are teaming up to present Our Corka Bubs – the first-ever Aboriginal contemporary dance work choreographed specifically for a target audience of children aged four to 24 months, along with their carers.

As part of the event’s 10th anniversary celebrations, the famous Desert Fringe Club will be returning to The Barracks for one night only on the Saturday and will showcase an amazing line-up of local and visiting artists.

“With more artists and events to be locked in, the 2017 Desert Fringe program is shaping up to appeal to a wide audience,” Desert Fringe Producer Dearna Newchurch said.

“That way there is something for everyone and nobody misses out on enjoying the Desert Fringe weekend.”

Port Augusta Mayor Sam Johnson said he was “delighted” to hear that Desert Fringe had received an award.

“Desert Fringe makes an enormous impact on our community where, on average, around 2000 people from across the region attend the two-day event,” he said.

“The news of the award is especially exciting as we prepare for the 10th Desert Fringe event. We’re looking forward to another entertaining weekend of Fringe-inspired fun, and we appreciate the hard work of the Adelaide Fringe in conjunction with our local staff to make this happen for our community.”

For further details about the 2017 Desert Fringe, please visit www.adelaidefringe.com.au. The 2017 Adelaide Fringe will be held from February 17 to March 19.

For more information, please contact JP Media:

Ryneisha Bollard, 0417 575 392, media@adelaidefringe.com.au

Emma Altschwager, 0439 804 110, emma@jpmedia.com.au