YOUR GUIDE TO OZASIA FESTIVAL
Our region truly comes together when OzAsia Festival is in town. Here are some of the highlights of Australia’s leading contemporary Asian arts fest...
LUCKY BEATS
Seven artists will be performing at the Lucky Dumpling Market in Elder Park. Think everything from edgy J-pop to high-energy hip-hop to pioneering DJs. The party vibes are supplied by Emily Wurramara, Nathan Hui-Yi, Big Bao, Jade Zoe and Friends, Jaguar Jonze, A-Muse Project and Hyoshi in Counterpoint. Of course, there’s also food, with sizzling stalls selling plates from Korea, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Taiwan and Turkey.
Various dates | Lucky Dumpling Market, Elder Park
LUCKY DUMPLING MARKETS
Expect delicious food, free entertainment and plenty of family fun at everyone’s favourite spring festival hub. This Asian open air food market along the banks of Karrawirra Parri/River Torrensbrings colour, character and sizzling aromas from some of Adelaide’s best food vendors as they cook up authentic cuisine from Korea, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia Taiwan and Turkey. There’s also free live music and a DJs program (Thursday to Sunday), along with family-friendly workshops, cultural activities and performances.
October 19–November 5 | Lucky Dumpling Market, Elder Park
TIAEN TIAMEN EPISODE 1
tiaen tiamenis Paiwan for ‘me and us’. It’s also an act of rebellion from choreographer Bulareyaung Pagarlava. Spurring the constraints of a traditional creative process, Bulareyaung flings the doors wide open, allowing fellow young Paiwan artists singer-songwriter ABAO and visual artist Reretan Pavavaljung to lead the way. tiaen tiamen Episode1 delves into the rhythm of the Paiwan identity, humming with the optimism of youth, radiant colour, psychedelic electronic beats and the fearless energy of young dancers.
October 19–21 | Dunstan Playhouse
MOON LANTERN TRAIL
Returning for its third year, the Moon Lantern Trail offers four days of free, family-friendly fun. The event brings together mid-autumn festival traditions and stories from across Asia, as well as lively roving performances, puppetry, interactive workshops and live music. Of course, it’s the giant lanterns that are the drawcard – more than 12 beautiful installations that form a vibrant display of light and sound along Karrawirra Parri/River Torrens riverbank. Fan favourites (including the Hong Kong Dragon Lantern) will return but don’t miss the premiere of a spectacular new water lantern by South Australian artist, Jaydenlee Tong.
October 19–22 | Tarntanya Wama (Pinky Flat)
THE DEMOCRATIC SET SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
The Adelaide Festival Centre screens light up with award-winning Back to Back Theatre’s latest version of their short film project, THE DEMOCRATIC SET Seoul, South Korea. Tantalisingly strange yet oddly familiar, the film utilises a custom-made set– a neutral room framed by two opposing doors – giving rise to a swift succession of live performances and screen-based video portraits, all created in collaboration with communities. A cavalcade of portrait, soapbox and drama.
October 20–November 5, Outdoor Screens, King William Road
INFINITELY CLOSER
From T.H.E Dance Company, Infinitely Closer pushes back at apathy and the steady erosion of human expression and freedoms. The performance is brought to the stage by artistic director Kuik Swee Boon and a team of collaborators, including Australian dancer Billy Keohavong. It beckons the audience to step inside the work itself for an intimate, interactive and uniquely engaging experience.
October 27–28 | Festival Theatre, Riverbank
THE SPECIAL COMEDY COMEDY SPECIAL
This one-night-only comedy extravaganza is jam-packed with a line-up of Asian Australian comedians. Hosted by the bitingly funny Sami Shah, it showcases comedy superstars fresh from TheProject (TEN), Celebrity Letters and Numbers(SBS) and sold-out festival shows across Australia. The lineup includes AJ Lamarque, Jason Chong, Jennifer Wong, Jenny Tian, Leela Varghese, Michael Hing, Patrick Golamco, Sashi Perera and Suren Jayemanne.
October 28 | Dunstan Playhouse
BURIED TEABOWL – OKUNI
Described as a ‘Proustian, unruly, one-woman show ’Buried TeaBowl – OKUNI is a fusion of dance, text and song, all underscored by... a tea ceremony! Australia’s leading Butoh artist draws inspiration from the initiator of Kabuki theatre in early 1600s Japan to unearth precious sacred female powers all too often buried throughout history. Furious and funny, wistful and wild.
A NOTIONAL HISTORY
In this impassioned production, director Mark Teh calls for wider perspectives on history. A performer, a journalist and an activist excavate school textbooks, inherited memories, and video interviews of exiled revolutionaries – and in the process, uncover erasures, exclusions and questions around the Malayan Emergency. They investigate and speculate on the possible histories for a different Malaysia, intersecting the personal, the national, and the notional.
SAUDARA SOUND SYSTEM
Hip hop, electronic beats and soulful vocals meet traditional Balinese gamelan percussion orchestra and hypnotic Balinese dance at Saudara Sound System. Described as an ‘energetic and electric Bali block party’ the performance features powerful vocals from fast-rising superstar Komang (Rosie Clynes) and special guest Ria Soemardjo, recognised for her distinct and ethereal vocal sound. Renowned visitingBalinese artist Yande King adds virtuosic musical stylings while dancer Putu Ayu Lestari expresses Balinese stories through gesture.
