Dance News.

March madness is upon us! I hope you've filled up your tanks because the engine is running and things are looking like they're gonna be hot! With the Fringe Festival, Womad and a public holiday coming up, there's an abundance of things to do!

I normally don't talk much about Womad in this column because, although it's a great event, there's not much electronic or dance-focused music being played usually, but this year there will be acts there that would interest anyone who is into dance music. Held in the beautiful Botanic Park, this event is filled with wonderful sights, sounds and smells. Ninja Tune's resident fish monger Mr Scruff plays both Fri 9 March and Sat 10 March, which is sure to be a treat, whilst New Zealand's Fat Freddy's Drop plays Sat 10 March and The Mad Professor wraps things up on Sun 11 March.

Also on Sun 11 March, Arkaba Anthems returns over the Adelaide Cup Long Weekend. After playing a major part in the foundation of the Adelaide clubbing scene, the Arkaba has once again re-established itself as a premier entertainment venue. Almost untouched since the days when legendary acts like Carl Cox, Lenny D, Westbam and Frank De Wulf played regularly, Adelaide's DJs bring the past back so you can re-live one of the most special eras in Adelaide's dance music history.

But if you're into the newest and hottest music and, after all, isn't that what dance music is all about, head to Sushi on Sun 11 March at the HQ complex. Joining the HQ team for this event will be the Enchanted Crew and Adelaide's number one drum and bass promoters, Playtime, alongside Adelaide Massive, bringing together electro, drum and bass, house and trance together under one roof! All rooms will be utilised to make this the biggest party yet since HQ has been opened. Andy Van from Melbourne and those costume-wearing, sword-wielding freaks, Bad Robot, join Adelaide's finest to bring the noise to HQ once again.

The Future Music Festival is being held as part of the Fringe Festival and the Garden Of Unearthly Delights is opening up its doors on Mon 12 March to bring you one of the best dance line-ups Adelaide has ever witnessed. Seriously, when I heard about this, I didn't think it was going to happen and now that it's a hundred percent confirmed, I think I peed a little. Check out these names: Carl Cox, Ferry Corsten, Jon Rundell, Felix Da Housecat, Sander Van Doorn, LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad, Josh Wink, H-Man and Xenia Beliayeva live, Tom Novy, Princess Superstar, Joachim Garraud, DJ Falcon, Xpress 2, Fredde Le Grande, Nick Warren, Sebastian Leger, The Egg live, Serge Santiago, Chris Lake, Rex The Dog, JDS and Ali B - simply the biggest names in the dance scene across all genres available! Throw in the best locals Adelaide has to offer and you're in for what promises to be one hell of a party.

And quite possibly the cutest thing on the festival calendar is Baby Rave, to be held in the Banquet Room of the Adelaide Festival Centre on Sat 10 March. Developed for the Belfast Children's Festival in 2005, this event was conceived to fill a gap in events for very young children while also meeting the needs of their parents whose enjoyment of the contemporary music scene and club life is temporarily suspended. Floor areas will be partially covered with soft materials and the space will be accessorised with decorations and sensory toys such as parachutes and inflatable balls. Like an adult rave where dancers encourage the crowd, trained dance facilitators will persuade families to try different creative movements and to experiment with rhythms and beats. Complete with DJs, music, lighting and projections - but child-sized - (I wonder if Mini-Me is the DJ!) this sounds like an awesome event for those with little kids.

Julian Cram