Ten things for South Australians to be excited about in 2019

South Australians love a major new road opening, particularly one worth almost $1 billion. And there’s plenty more to get excited about in 2019, including a beloved institution’s 150th birthday, international airlines converging on Adelaide and some major arts productions.

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South Australians love a major new road opening, particularly one worth almost $1 billion. And there’s plenty more to get excited about in 2019, including a beloved institution’s 150th birthday, international airlines converging on Adelaide and some major arts productions.

1: EASIER DRIVING

South Australians love a good road opening and, doubtless, will be excited when traffic starts flowing on the Northern Connector at the end of 2019. The $885 million Northern Connector will be a six-lane, 15.5km motorway providing a vital freight and commuter link between the Northern Expressway, South Road Superway and Port River Expressway. This means motorists will be able to travel from, for example, the Barossa Valley to Regency Park (corner Regency Rd) without a traffic light. There will be three lanes in each direction, with a 110km/h speed limit. Cyclists and pedestrians will “enjoy” a 16km path, connecting with the NEXY’s 23km path.

2: DARE TO DREAM

Some of Adelaide’s seemingly never-ending stories might actually reach a conclusion, of sorts. Almost 12 years after the new Royal Adelaide Hospital was announced, there is significant, lasting activity at the old RAH site, now known as Lot Fourteen. Most enticingly, the Australian Space Agency’s headquarters will be there, reigniting an enthralling industry in which this state was a pioneer. A battery firm and five other hi-tech companies will boost the workforce at the old Holden site at Elizabeth to 1600.

Adelaide has won a City Deal to transform Lot Fourteen into an international drawcard, with Lot Fourteen as its centrepiece. Further along North Tce, Adelaide Casino’s $330 million expansion is taking shape. It includes a luxury hotel and three signature restaurants, expected to be finished by 2020. Perhaps, after years of debate, we can even look forward to some activity on the Festival Plaza and – dare we dream – North Adelaide’s long-dormant former Le Cornu site.

Lot Fourteen, which will host the space agency.

3: SEDUCTION, BETRAYAL, MURDER

Swedish choreographer Johan Inger won the Oscar of the ballet world, the Prix Benois de la Danse, for his first full-length work Carmen, one of the centrepieces of the 2019 Adelaide Festival program, performed by Germany’s Dresden Semperoper Ballett. This large-scale, contemporary take on the classic story of seduction, betrayal and murder broadens both its view of sexual suppression and the traditional Bizet/Shchedrin score with additional new music by Marc Alvarez, alongside massive rolling sets and mirrored backdrops. There are four shows at the Festival Theatre over three days, starting on March 8.

A contemporary dance take on the classic story (originally an opera) of seduction, betrayal and murder, Inger’s Carmen focuses beyond its fearless and freedom-loving heroine.

4: TREASURED BIRTHDAY

One of the state’s beloved institutions, the Adelaide Central Market, turns 150 on January 23. According to the History Trust of SA, about 3am on January 23, 1869, a small but noisy procession of produce traders made its way from the East End Market, on East Tce, to a new retail market site close to Victoria Square, between Grote and Gouger streets. The City Market, as it was known then, started trading that day. Work started on a much-needed upgrade in 1965 and the renamed Central Market was opened on June 17, 1965. Last November, newly installed general manager Jodie Kannane told The Advertiser the market faced challenges over Sunday trading and redevelopment in nearby areas and suburbs. But, appropriately, she said the “soul of the market” would not be changed, because that’s why people flock there.

5: DISNEY DEBUT

It will be A Whole New World for Adelaide audiences in more ways than one when Aladdin opens. It is the first time that the Disney company has ever brought one of its stage musicals here – complete with its flying carpet ride. There’s potential for Adelaide to become a regular stop for Disney’s touring Broadway shows, from classics such as The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast to its latest hit stage adaptation of Frozen. While Disney has brought its arena and ice spectaculars to SA before, none of its stage musicals – including Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King – has ever had a professional season here. The production is based on Disney’s 1992 hit animated film. Festival Theatre, April 6 to May 26.

6: FLYING HIGH

The world’s largest aviation forum heads to Adelaide in September for World Aviation Routes conference. About 3000 people from 300 airlines, 700 airports and 130 tourism authorities gather to discuss and develop new aviation routes and strategies. It is expected to inject $20 million into state economy and put Adelaide at the forefront of new air routes or expanding capacity. Federal Tourism Minister and SA Senator Simon Birmingham says this is a unique opportunity for Australia and SA to take centre stage and have the biggest players in world aviation in our backyard. “By hosting this conference, we’ll be front of mind when the biggest aviation companies have discussions about new air routes or expanding capacity on existing routes,” he says. Hopefully that means more direct flights from Adelaide, capitalising on the terminal expansion to upgrade international arrivals and departures.

The Atura Adelaide Airport Hotel has opened in time for the World Aviation Routes conference.

7: MAGICAL MYSTERY

Discovery – with all the joy, surprises and sometimes shock that entails – is what the Fringe is all about. With more than 1300 events, unless a show has been here before, it’s almost impossible to tell in advance what the biggest and best attractions will be … so finding out is half the fun. However, the big circus tent spectaculars are usually a sure bet, and this year’s new offerings included Life – The Show (from the creators of Blanc de Blanc and Limbo) at the Garden of Unearthly Delights and Finale, a party tribute to Berlin by German company Analog, at Gluttony. Adelaide Fringe, across SA, February 15 to March 17.

8: ROCK & RACING

Red Hot Chili Peppers at Superloop 500 (formerly Clipsal 500): One of the most successful acts in rock history meets one of the nation’s top car races. The Chili Peppers have more than 16 million monthly Spotify listeners (ranked 143rd in the world), they’ve sold more than 60 million albums and won six Grammy Awards. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Fans can enjoy a day’s racing on the flagship Sunday, plus the Chili Peppers, from $99.

Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which will headline the Superloop 500 concert.

9: ADELAIDE ALIVE:

Some might remember the 1980s slogan for the now-departed Australian Grand Prix. But, for the annual Tour Down Under cycling WorldTour race, Adelaide really does come alive. Starters for this year’s event, from January 10 to 20, are set to include flamboyant former world champion Peter Sagan, arguably the rock star of his sport. This year, event organiser Mike Turtur wants to recreate the glory days of international cycling at the Adelaide SuperDrome, with a new track cycling event featuring world champions and Commonwealth Games gold medallists. And, for those not really into cycling, there’s always the street parties.

10: TWISTED TALENTS:

The Book of Mormon musical does for The Church of Latter-Day Saints what South Park did for Scientology – which is not surprising, given they both come from the twisted talents of co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. If you believe that making love to a frog will cure AIDS and enjoy catchy songs about female circumcision, this is the show for you. Those whose sensibilities are more easily offended had best go to Aladdin instead. Festival Theatre, June 27 to July 21.

More events coming this year

North by Northwest – until January 20

BBL Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Sixers - January 6

Macclesfield Horse Show and Family Picnic - January 6

FOMO – January 6

Summer Sets Festival – January 5-13

Santos Tour Down Under – January 10-20

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias – One Show Fits all World Tour – January 10

So Frenchy So Chic – January 11

BBL Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars – January 11

Adelaide French Festival – January 11-13

Barossa Seasons: Summer – January 11-13

Rivafest! – January 12

Pilwarren Maslin Beach Nude Games – January 13

Gillette ODI Series: Australia v India – January 15

A Doll’s House – January 16-19

Florence + The Machine tour – January 16

Sasha Velour LIVE – January 16

Strathalbyn Race Day – January 16

Unley Gourmet Gala – January 17

The Empire Strips Back – January 17

Madiba the Musical – January 17-20

SA Confest – January 18-21

BBL Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes – January 21

Mumford & Sons – January 24

Port Lincoln Community Bank Tunarama Festival – January 24-27

Phil Collins Not Dead Yet: Live! Tour – January 25

Under the Southern Stars – January 25

Crush 2019 – January 25-27

Australia Day in the City – January 26.

The Prodigy – No Tourists Tour – January 26

Compass Cup – January 26

Electric Gardens Festival – January 27

George Ezra – January 29

Elaine Paige – January 31

BBL Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat – February 3

Northpoint Fleurieu Strathalbyn Cup – February 3

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival – February 8

Queen Tribute Show at Morphettville Racecourse – February 9

Trixie Mattel – Skinny Legend – February 9

Chilli Fest Willunga – February 9-10

Chinatown Adelaide Lunar New Year Street Party – February 9

Fleurieu Film Festival – February 9

Rudimental – February 9

RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq The World Tour – February 10

RNB Vine Days – February 10

Chinese New Year Concert – February 10

FIVE + S CLUB 3 + Big Brovaz – February 11

Sarah Millican – Control Enthusiast – February 12

Adelaide Fringe – February 15-March 17

Bananarama – February 19

Rüfüs Du Sol – Solace Australian Tour – February 20

Hands Like Houses – February 22

The Adelaide International Comedy Gala – February 23

A Day On The Green ft. Rodriguez – February 23

West End Redbacks v TAS – February 23, 24, 25 & 26

Tash Sultana – February 27

Superloop Adelaide 500 – February 28 – March 3

Fiona O’Loughlin “Gap Year” – March 1

Adelaide Festival – March 1-17

Adelaide Writers’ Week – March 2-7

Day Dance McLaren Vale – March 4

Tim Minchin – March 5-9

WOMADelaide – March 8-11

Kylie Golden Tour – March 11

Adelaide Cup at Morphettville Racecourse – March 11

Ross Noble – Humournoid – March 12-16

Slayer – March 13

Washington – March 15

Cellar Door Fest – March 15-17

Renmark Rocks On – March 15-18

140th annual Maitland Show – March 16

Memory Walk & Jog – March 17

Rob Brydon – March 18-19

Animal Farm – State Theatre Company of SA – March 21-30

AFL Round 1: Crows v Hawthorn – March 23

Curramulka Speedshear – March 23

Mt Barker Show – March 23

Michael McIntyre’s Big World Tour – March 26

Riverland Harvest Festival and Great Stomp – March 29

SA Carp Frenzy – March 30

Women’s AFL Grand Final – TBA

Melanoma March – March 31

Boyzone The Farewell Tour – April 2

The Smith Street Band – April 5

Tasting Australia – April 5-14

Leo Sayer – Just a Boy at 70 – April 6

Disney’s Aladdin The Musical – April 6-May 26

Beer and Bite Festival – April 7

The Five Peaks SA Trail Running Festival – April 7

McLaren Vale Vintage & Classic – April 7

Matt Corby: Rainbow Valley Tour – April 9

Hiking Expo & opening of the bushwalking season – April 14

Mt Pleasant Easter Twilight Farmers Market – April 18

Bike SA Easter Cycle Moonta – April 19-22

Adelaide International Kite Festival – April 20-22

Nutella Palooza at Morphettville Racecourse – April 20

Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival – April 20 and 22

Barossa Vintage Festival – April 24-28

Groovin The Moo – April 26

Parkinson’s Unity Walk – April 27

South Australian Wooden Boat Festival – April 27-28

SA History Festival – April 27- May 31

Post Malone Australian Tour – April 28

Clare Valley Running Festival – April 28

Stirling Laneways season finale – April 28

Human Nature – April 29