Like all good things, Barossa Contemporary is starting small.
Locals to the Barossa Valley and artistic directors Zac Tyler and Ruth Blythma hope that Barossa Contemporary: Festival for the Curious will be a massive event of more than 200 performances with dining experiences and art installations when it debuts in full in 2022. Before then, though, the pair is pretty chuffed to be giving South Australians a preview this October of what’s to come.
We’re pretty excited too because this preview of what’s to come is looking like a top-notch affair and if it’s anything to go by, then 2022 is going to be blooming beautiful. So, what’s on this tasting menu on October 8 and 9? Basically, art, food, music, wine at five different locations, from Angaston to Seppeltsfield and a few other places in between.
A Bit More Detail
On both Friday and Saturday night, an abandoned warehouse at Beckwith Park will be transformed into the perfect space to cut loose for Transcendence.
First up will see Australia’s disco edit king Late Nite Tuff Guy headline for every and anyone that needs to bust a move. He’ll be joined by the Diva of Destruction herself, Carla Lippis, and experimental collective The Bait Fridge with lighting and design by Matthew Adey. The latter three make a return on Saturday night with Temple Magic Orchestra (ex Pilot Records boss Ben Smith) curating an electronic music wonderland.
Earlier in the evening, it’s time for Lightwaves. The jazz, funk and electronic music odyssey by prodigies Er@ser Description who will be joined by Dave Court working his multidisciplinary technologic magic and former lighting designer of Sydney Opera House Peter Rubie for a live music and light experience that will blow you away.
Other events include Hunter Gather, a slow roving degustation lunch with matched wines at Seppeltsfield Winery; a high-end pairing of food, wine, and design in a secret location titled Irridescence; a performance by two of South Australia’s most celebrated classical musicians, Anthony Hunt and Desiree Frahn; a floral art installation by Studio Botanic’s Nadia Travaglini paired with a sensitive soundscape; and Fireside Songs where we all get to come together for the opening night sing-along by Charmaine Jones and Gospo Collective.
”The skills of our South Australian artists are world-class, and we get to unleash them in one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions,” says Zach. We’re hoping that this first installment grows into the largest regional arts and culture festival in the country.
Barossa Contemporary: Festival for the Curious takes place on October 8 and 9. For more info, the program and tickets to the events, see here.