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Puffio
It must be 'down-time' at Australian Dance Theatre HQ, for Artistic Director Garry Stewart is off in the UK being feted in his role as International Artist in Residence at the inaugural International Dance Festival Birmingham. Of course, it isn't that simple; in his absence the dancers of the ADT are busily preparing and choreographing works for the 'Ignition' programme, which they perform in Adelaide at the Belair Road premises next month. Meanwhile, over in England, Stewart is finishing a short work he started last year for leading contemporary dance company Bare Bones. He is also workshopping new choreographic material for six dancers from the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and conducting choreographic workshops for local dance artists.
Also in Adelaide - and down on the banks of the Torrens at the Adelaide Festival Centre - something is stirring... the return of the Something On Saturdays' programme, which runs from Sat 24 May to Sat 6 Sept. The season has been extended by a week to cater for demand and 13 performances have already sold out. A programme of events aimed at children, there's a little of everything: pantomime, puppetry, percussion (with and without musical instruments), circus and all types of dance - including ballet, hip hop, flamenco, and children can even learn the mambo and the shuffle. And in a first for Something On Saturday, this year's season also includes film.
Congratulations to Adelaide choreographer and director Alison Currie, who is the inaugural recipient of Arts SA's Triennial Project Grant for independent arts makers - worth $150,000. The three-year funding commitment from Arts SA is assisting Alison to present '42a' an interactive installation-based dance work at the Experimental Art Foundation (EAF). The grant will also assist her in the national and international touring of the work in 2009 and 2010. '42a' opens on Thurs 26 June and is one of three works to feature in the III Performances [in white cube] season curated by EAF Director Melentie Pandilovski.
Chamber music favourites will feature in the concert by Selby & Friends' when they present their cosy winter soiree on Sun 29 June at Elder Hall, University Of Adelaide. The programme will include Mozart's Piano Trio in G major K 496, Dvo‡k's Piano Trio No.4 in E minor, Op.90 'Dumky' and Schubert's Piano Trio No.2 in E flat D. 929. The concert will bring together old friends with internationally acclaimed concert pianist Kathryn Selby and guest cellist Julian Smiles, a regular member of the Goldner String Quartet and Australia Ensemble, joined by TRIOZ member, virtuoso violinist Niki Vasilakis.
 Perhaps nothing in the arts screams out in quite so virulent a way the sheer pleasure of being alive as does... basket weaving. After all, if there was a bumper sticker extolling its virtues, surely it would proudly proclaim "Basket weavers like to be bound". In any case, on Fri 6 and Sat 7 June there's to be an innovative two day workshop explaining the potential of traditional and contemporary basketry techniques, all in the confines of the wonderful Jam Factory and featuring the equally wonderful work of Sandy Elverd.
Musica Viva is delighted to present the virtuoso Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto and the acclaimed British pianist Simon Crawford-Phillips in a recital program that reflects their eclectic tastes in music. They'll be performing varied works by Schubert, Sibelius and Corigliano, and using these composers as starting points for their exploration of modern classical, jazz and folk music. The two will be performing at the Adelaide Town Hall on Thurs 3 July from 8.00pm.
The Adelaide Chamber Singers' second 2008 subscription concert is 'Alone Of All Her Sex', a programme featuring a selection of chant, sacred music and vibrant rhythms in honour of Mary, mother of Jesus. The ACS performances take place at Christ Church in North Adelaide on Fri 13 June (8.00pm) and on Sat 14 June (6.30pm). ACS Director Carl Crossin suggests "more sacred music has been composed about Mary than almost any historical figure. She is in a sense the mother of all that is feminine in Western Culture." The centrepiece of 'Alone Of All Her Sex' is a double-choir mass by the Mexican Baroque composer Juan GutiŽrrez de Padilla. The work will feature an ensemble of local musicians: Hilary Kleinig (cello), Young-Hee Chan (bass), Emily Stone (bassoon), Mark Joyner (organ) and Glenys March (harpsichord).
 The Helpmann Academy Board of Governors has appointed a new CEO to take over from the outgoing Libby Raupach, the hardest working networker in metropolitan Adelaide. The new CEO is Ms Alison Dunn, who has worked with SA Water as well as some of Australia's flagship cultural organisations and events including the Sydney Opera House, Adelaide Festival Corporation, Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design, the Powerhouse Museum, Belvoir St Theatre and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Libby Raupach is leaving the Helpmann Academy to take up the role of joint Chief Executive at Common Ground Adelaide, where she will establish a range of programs for homeless people, including arts initiatives.
The Premier, Mike Rann, announced last week that the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) will be relocating from their current Hendon facilities to what will become the Adelaide Film and Screen Hub on the Glenside campus. The new location will include new sound stages, production rooms, post-production facilities including mixing and foley studios, a set construction building, and a screening theatre. It's a 'clumping' kind of arrangement, as the Press Release makes clear: "The concept of a Hub is also a central part of this development, with a key aim being to bring as many of the South Australian screen industries as possible under a single roof, foster greater collaboration and cooperation in the sector, and provide opportunities for hot-housing and the development of creative incubators." The SAFC's new 'incubator' won't be in operation immediately as construction of the new facilities is expected to be completed by December 2010.
 "...In The Top Paddock", is the latest exhibition at the New Land Gallery, and it features the unique and innovative works by Margret Worth and Toyotake Yamauchi; works which reflect the harsh landscape in which our farmers work the land. The farmers plight apparently inspired the two artists, whose work can be found at the New Land Gallery until Fri 6 June, whereupon the exhibition starts its regional tour beginning in Wudinna from Wed 18 June to Sun 13 July.
The 2008 Winter Concert season at Wesley Kent Town presents 'Three Winter Warming Concerts' featuring a range of beautiful music for all tastes - from the sacred to light classical. Some concerts will revolve around the music of the Wesley's majestic JE Dodd organ. These seasonal concerts continue the great tradition of celebrating the elegance, and visual delight of this 19th century Adelaide landmark, which has been used as location for a number of popular Australian films. At 2.00pm on Wed 11 June Prince Alfred College ensemble Camerata are accompanied by PAC Director of Strings Erna Berberyan in concert. The ensemble will perform in quartets, duos and solo with piano accompaniment.
In a carefully worded statement released to media outlets, the publicist for ventriloquist David Strassman announced the impending retirement of Ted E Bare, one of Strassman's ego extensions. Carefully worded because the announcement says nothing of the future of Strassman himself, who presumably will fold the unmortal remains of Ted E Bare into a velvet lined box and then continue being a ventriloquist, using a number of his other 'characters'. Bare, who is perhaps Strassman's best known glove puppet, begins the 'Ted E's Farewell Tour' in Australia with performances at The Dunstan Playhouse from Tues 5 Aug.
It may well be that readers have no use for any further Cabaret activities, but surely a little fun and enjoyment elsewhere in the city is a good thing? So shouts out to our friends at La Boheme on Grote Street, who are hosting their first Cabaret Fringe from Sun 1 June, running for three full weeks, and featuring a programme of plenty. Check out www.cabaretfringefestival.com for all the details and bookings, the festival features some 15 acts, all performing in the intimate confines (yes, it's small) of La Boheme.
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