The 7 Best Things To Do In Adelaide This February
With the ever-intimidating “Mad March” looming, “Frantic February” is bourgeoning into quite the formidable challenger, crammed with heaps to do, see and taste.
#1 Wine, dine and celebrate of the vine
South Australia = wine. Wine = wine tours. Wine Tours = bus trips and headaches. BUT. What if you brought all the best cellar doors from the finest wineries to the same spot? That’s precisely the thinking behind Adelaide’s Cellar Door Festival, showcasing 180 producers over three days under one roof.
Hosted at the Convention Centre, the festival kicks-off with after work drinks on the night of Friday February 26 and runs until Sunday 28. Alongside tastings from the state’s famous regions and breweries runs a schedule of masterclasses, Meet The Maker events, lush dinners and even a kids area for you to drop-off the little ones while you swig ‘n’ spit.
RELATED: MEET THE MISFITS OF THE AUSTRALIAN WINE INDUSTRY
#2 Sink golden beers (for Bowie)
The recent passing of David Bowie days after his 69th birthday and the release of ★ [Black Star] left millions feeling more than somewhat slightly dazed. Even little ol’ Adelaide feels heavy with the loss. If you love bands when they’re playing hard, then pour one out for Major Tom at hipster Mecca The Hotel Metro as they throw a tribute night of epic proportions.
Taking the stage to belt out Bowie’s best are a line-up of local heroes featuring all the young dudes (and dudettes) of Wireheads, Old Mate, Theta, Rule of Thirds, High Beamers, Men With Chips, Bruff Superior, Doe, Gentleworms and possibly more. You’d better hang on to yourself. Curtains up at 9pm on March 3, with the bar staff pulling half-priced Golden Ales for all you pretty things.
#3 Catch festival fever in the world’s second-largest Fringe Festival
It’s festival season and February is where it all starts with the Adelaide Fringe, The Garden of Unearthly Delights and Royal Croquet Club all launching this month. FAR. FREAKING. OUT. From theatre to dance, comedy, a Big Lebowski themed club / bowling alley, travelling circus, cabaret and dining… there’s way too much going on to make anything like a useful shortlist. Just check out these links to see what’s happening, and plan your attack.
#4 Party in the streets, New Orleans style
Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras, aka Shrove Tuesday, aka February 12) comes to Adelaide with a New Orleans street party hosted by the folks from NOLA. Part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival’s new-look opening night celebrations, Vardon Ave in the city’s vibrant East End will come alive to the sound of Louisiana ragtime and DJs from 5pm until (proper) late. It’s gonna be one heluva party, featuring pop-up bars, craft beers, Creole cuisine and more.
#5 Watch pros slinging joe
Adelaide’s coffee scene is one of the fastest developing and most intriguing in the country, with specialty cafes and roasteries popping up across the state. The Double Shot Coffee Fiesta on February 28 will feature some of the biggest players in the game brewing, pouring, serving, talking about and experimenting with all things coffee.
Attracting coffee geeks in their droves, the free outdoor event includes food and tastings from some of the state’s most popular cafes, live music, family activities and an educational brew bar run by the boys from Monastery Coffee. Watch the best in the west dual it out in the ASCA Western Region State Barista Championships and Brewers Cup, with finals playing throughout the day (qualifying on Saturday 27).
#6 Listen, live
Adelaide-based and internationally renowned hardcore / rockers and all-round top blokes Paper Arms have been burning the candle at both ends since 2008. Short on wick, they’re calling it quits with their final ever Adelaide show at The Jade Monkey on Feb 26. Recognised for their tuned, no-holds-barred punk rock sound and poignant lyricism, the band have toured extensively overseas and around Australia, always pulling an impressive, spirited crowd. Also on the bill are Stolen Youth, Fear Like Us and Hightime.
Max Savage has cultivated a strong following for – apart from having the best name in showbiz – his live performances of iconic albums from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison. Savage will be playing The Boss’ Born To Run in its entirety, backed by a host of locals from SA’s backstreets, at Jive on February 19. Opening for Savage and Co on this all Bruce double-bill is Ryan Oliver, playing 1982’s Nebraska cover to cover.
#7 Cut the crap and do something properly romantic on Valentine’s Day
Whether you think Valentine’s Day is an overrated sham, or an excuse to plan the ultimate date night, be original – think outside the chocolate box…
Heat things up with a cooking class at the Cooks Pantry. These are seriously a good time and conclude with a massive feast (that you made), all matched with local wines. The February program offers a choice of cuisines and classes including Simply Spanish, Seafood Surrender or Gourmet BBQ.
For something fun and free, head to Unley (a few minutes south of the CBD) and recline under the stars in their outdoor cinema, where Intouchables screens from sundown. Sure, an emotional drama featuring a quadriplegic aristocrat and his caregiver is something of a strange choice, but maybe says, “love comes from the strangest places”. Abbey Howlett and Kaurna Cronin will be playing acoustic sets in the earlier hours, to set the mood, plus there’s food a drinks from a host of local businesses.
Totally forgotten to plan anything for the special day? Get yourself out of a jam with a trip to Beerenberg Farm in Mt Barker (40 minutes up the freeway from the CBD) where you can pick all the strawberries your guilty heart desires. Follow-up your time in the field with a romantic picnic at nearby Hahndorf, or a trip to the flicks.
(Lead image: Beerenberg Farm/Facebook)
