Festival program teaser

State Opera performance a coup for organisers

Opera South Australia will be heading to Penola for this year’s penola Coonawarra Arts Festival in an exciting coup for the festival committee.

Under the umbrella of G&S FEST, celebrating the very best of British comedy opera in Adelaide, performers Rosie Hosking and Rod Schultz, accompanied by Penny Cashman, will present a special cabaret style performance in Rymill Hall, taking the audience on a quirky, madcap and sentimental journey through the songs and times of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Titled Here’s a How-de-do, the one-off performance is set to recreate zany characters from the famous operettas The Mikado, Pirates of Penzance and H.M.S. Pinafore amongst others.

The Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival kicks off with its opening night at the Penola High School on Thursday, May 18, announcing the winners of the 2023 John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize, Local Art Prize and Design Prize, setting the scene for a weekend filled with music, art, workshops and events.

Live music is once again a firm fixture in the festival’s program, with Simon Weston securing established and emerging acts for the perenially popular Coonawarra Vignerons Shenanigans at the Coonawarra Hall on Saturday night and hosting an ‘Open Mic’ competition on Sunday afternoon at the ROAK Hotel.

On Sunday, families are invited to head ‘Down the Lane’ as Petticoat Lane comes alive with activities for kids along with food, wine and music. Centred around a ‘Green’ theme, everyone is invited to join in the fun and wear something green, Free rapid antigen tests for eligible groups are now available for collection at the following

The festival committee is calling for new and old Friends of the Festival to support the festival through a simple donation of $50 through www.artsfestival.com. au to assist with running costs The full program of events will be previewed on March 15 at an event for valued sponsors and Friends of the Festival, with tickets available for the wider community on Saturday, March 18, through www.artsfestival.com.au

ARTS FESTIVAL: All the action and entertainment of Shenanigans returns in 2023.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTY RADFORD (WITH LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY)