Adelaide Botanic Garden relights after-dark event program

Date posted: 31 August 2020

Following the success of the recent ‘Biennial After Dark’ event, and with the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions in South Australia, the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium is delighted to announce two October events as its Botanica Lumina program is officially re-lit.

Launched earlier this year, Botanica Lumina is a program of curated night-time events in Adelaide Botanic Garden, where the community can connect with nature and each other, and experience the garden and its living collections in a new way.

Describing the program, which is supported by SA Power Networks, Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Director, Dr Lucy Sutherland, said visitors can experience their much-loved garden in a contemporary, fun and immersive way.

“As twilight descends, Botanica Lumina will offer a variety of events that puts music, science, art and culture in the spotlight,” Lucy Sutherland said.

“The Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium is delighted to host this exciting event program, particularly in these challenging times.

“The Garden’s outdoor setting is perfectly suited to hosting socially-distant events, and we can’t wait to welcome people this October,” concluded Lucy Sutherland.

Program

Kicking off the spring calendar is Noise//Nature, a unique audio-visual experience presented in association with Umbrella Festival and Capital Waste Pictures.

Ticket-holders will be able to lounge back on the lawns, gaze upon vivid light projections over the natural landscape and listen to a synchronised soundtrack of music re-mixed with garden sound recordings.

The one-night-only event has been crafted by a local team including sonic artist, Michael Ellingford, and video cinematographer, Liam Somerville.

Umbrella Festival programmer, Steve Pitkin, said: “We’re delighted to partner with the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium so we can bring the public this amazing sensory experience. It was scheduled to take place back in August, so we’re excited to finally be able to offer Noise//Nature to the public”

Just one week later, visitors can treat their ears to an operatic performance - G.F Handel’s Acis & Galatea, presented in association with Co-Opera and supported by Creative Partnerships Australia’s Plus1 program.

Co-Opera has a long tradition of sharing opera in fun, accessible performances, and this Greek myth about the transitory nature of love and pleasure is no exception.

“We have taken our productions to pubs, parks, and even shearing sheds across the country, and are eager to now bring this beloved opera to Adelaide Botanic Garden,” said Co-Opera Artistic Director, Joshua van Konkelenberg.

“Twilight in the garden is the perfect setting for the opera and we’re thrilled to be part of the garden’s inaugural Botanica Lumina program”.

Visitors to both events can bring their own picnic, or consider complementing their evening by pre-ordering a Gardens Café and Kiosk gourmet picnic box, enjoying dinner at the Botanic Gardens Restaurant, or choose from many other dining options in Adelaide’s East End.

To stay up to date on all future Botanica Lumina news and event releases, subscribe to the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium e-newsletter via https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/contact-us/subscribe.

Event Details

Noise//Nature

Location: Conifer Lawn, Adelaide Botanic Garden

Date: Saturday 3 October

Time: Gates open 7pm – 10pm. Stay for an hour, or three!

The event has been styled for you to arrive and leave when it suits you.

Cost: $15 General Admission | FREE for under 12 year olds

Access: Entry and exit to the event is via the Main Gate on North Terrace only

https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/whats-on/noise-nature for more info and tickets.

Acis & Galatea

Location: Conifer Lawn, Adelaide Botanic Garden

Date: Friday 9 October & Saturday 10 October

Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm (includes intermission) – Gates open 6.30pm

Cost: $60 General Admission | $30 (concession/pension)

Access: Entry and exit to the event is via the Main Gate on North Terrace only

https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/whats-on/acis-and-galatea for more info and tickets.

Be COVID-Safe

Visitors can rest assured that their safety and wellbeing remains the garden’s highest priority. COVID-19 compliant protocols have been implemented to offer a safe and fun experience for all attendees.

These events are held in a large outdoor space with plenty of room for everyone to social distance and enjoy the experience whilst seated. Visitors are reminded to stay at least 1.5 metres from other groups in the garden, practise good hygiene and to stay home if feeling unwell.

Photographs are available on request.