OzAsia Festival Opens Tonight

Jump down the rabbit hole for an unpredictable adventure at the 2016 OzAsia Festival. From a Cambodian circus to an emotive human trafficking experience, theatrical Chinese comedy to an artistic portrayal of the world of bondage and much more - push the cultural boundaries at Adelaide Festival Centre's 2016 OzAsia Festival which kicks off today.

Running from September 17-October 2, 2016 OzAsia Festival offers three weeks of visionary art that promises to move, amaze, shock, inspire, and entertain. Performers this year come from diverse Asian countries including Japan, India, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Cambodia, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Israel.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of this vibrant and diverse festival and to celebrate this milestone, the Festival has been expanded into Elder Park which will be transformed into a hub of Asian food, music and culture over the entire 10 nights of the Festival.

Minister for the Arts, Jack Snelling says:"This year there is something for everyone to experience during the 2016 OzAsia Festival. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the best culture including theatre, dance, music, circus, comedy and more from some of the world's most exciting contemporary artists.

"Additional funding of $750,000 a year announced at the State Budget has enabled the OzAsia Festival to expand the Festival into Elder Park with free family entertainment and an outdoor concert series at the new the Good Fortune Market which will strengthen the reach and appeal of this multicultural event. The atmosphere will be authentic and buzzing, just like stepping into an Asian street market."

The special 10 day Outdoor Live Music Concert Series starting on September 21 in Elder Park will see high profile International Artists performing for free, including Japan's Kenta Hayashi; Indonesia's Ega Robot, Eyuser and Ria Rhythm Chambers; India's biggest cultural and musical export Raghu Dixit along with Pung Cholom. Hong Kong will be represented by Jin Wong, four-girl band GDJYB, Jabin Law and SIU2. Don't miss super cool Singapore band The Steve McQueens and Charlie Lim and The Mothership, and much more.

The Good Fortune Market will also be based in Elder Park and will offer delicious food, stunning design and loads of free music and performances every night. From the creative minds behind the Royal Croquet Club and Alpine Winter Village, the Good Fortune Market will be a vibrant feast for the senses. The expanded program, including the outdoor concert series and the Good Fortune Market, has been made possible with additional annual funding of $750,000 from the State Government and a one-off $400,000 from the Federal Government Catalyst grant program.

The OzAsia Festival this year features 49 major events, including 35 Australian premieres. There are 112 professional performances, as well as 101 performances by community groups, eight exhibitions, 16 film screenings, 59 workshop events and more. More than 330 professional artists will perform in Adelaide, along with 458 community artists. More than 280,000 people are expected to attend OzAsia Festival over the 12-day event across a mix of free and ticketed events.

OzAsia Festival Director Joseph Mitchell says: "For our 10 year anniversary we have put together the largest and most diverse showcase of contemporary arts from Asia ever presented in Australia. With 35 Australian premieres, most of them exclusive to South Australia, it is a rare opportunity for audiences to discover the best arts practice from across the region in a fun and accessible festival environment.

"Artists such as Hiroaki Umeda, Meng Jinghui, Margaret Leng Tan, Soumik Datta and Toshiki Okada are world class in their field and it is such a rare opportunity for so many incredible artists to be gathered in one place to celebrate the innovation and excitement of contemporary Asia.

"Beyond what's happening on stages, the 10 year anniversary Festival is all about fun, collaboration, discovery and perhaps even taking a leap of faith into the unknown for a new experience into other worlds. We look forward to welcoming audiences from across South Australian and around the world to celebrate this year's Festival, where there is something for everyone."

The 2016 OzAsia Festival reflects the contemporary and vibrant Asian arts scene. The opening weekend will include the Australian premiere of one of Hong Kong's most acclaimed dance companies. City Contemporary Dance Company's performance of As If To Nothing captures the urgency and anxiety of modern day Hong Kong with a technically brilliant ensemble of 14 dancers, accompanied by live multimedia and sound in a moving set choreographed by internationally renowned Sang Jijia. 22 - 24 September, Dunstan Playhouse.

The Record brings together 45 people from South Australia to create a live performance that captures and explores the essence of mortality. 600 Highwaymen Artistic Directors Abigail Browde and Michael Silverston are known for their innovative theatrical works which focus on the inherent poignancy and theatricality of our innate desire and need for convergence. The show will provide an exciting record of Adelaide's social fabric in 2016. 21 - 24 September, Space Theatre.

An immersive and participatory event, Skin is based on true stories of human trafficking. It is a cutting edge contemporary new promenade style theatre and dance work by TerryandtheCuz, in collaboration with Australian choreographer Ashley Dyer. Redefining the experience of theatre, it strives to challenge our perception of performance. This achingly beautiful portrayal of the physical and mental torture suffered by refugees premiered in Kuala Lumpur before transferring to Adelaide. 28 September - 1 October, Her Maj Gallery.

"Bunny" is a nickname given to a person tied in rope bondage. A collaboration between Australian Luke George and Singaporean Daniel Kok, the two lead you down the rabbit hole to unleash your collective, often dormant desires in an interactive immersive experience. 23 - 24 September, Nexus Arts.

The 2016 AAPPAC Annual Conference will also be held during the OzAsia Festival, 27 - 30th September. The three-day conference will bring together 200 arts leaders from all over Asia, as well as Australian arts leaders seeking to make connections here in Adelaide and examine key issues affecting Asia Pacific arts centres and festivals.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO Artistic Director and AAPPAC Chairman Douglas Gautier says, "Hosting AAPPAC this year reflects our commitment to Asian engagement, as well as allowing delegates to experience this groundbreaking festival firsthand.

"The 2016 OzAsia Festival has been designed to allow all South Australians to explore and discover the best of Asian culture - from seeing an incredible show to experiencing the Good Fortune Market, the free Outdoor Live Music Concert Series and much more.

Artistic Director Joseph Mitchell has created a program that is as diverse, challenging, beautiful and eye-opening as Asia itself."

2016 OzAsia Festival is supported by the Government of South Australia - ARTS SA and the Australian Government Catalyst - Australian Arts and Culture Fund. Special thanks to all of the Festival's supporters:

Moon Lantern Festival Major Partner - Virtue Australia Foundation

Executive Festival Partners - Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Sydney Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, University of South Australia, Adelaide City Council

Festival Partners - ANZ, Adelaide Casino, Adelaide Airport, Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Port Power China Club, The Advertiser, Finlaysons, The Social Creative, Wilson Parking

Program Partners - Australian Indonesian Institute, Australian ASEAN Council, Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, Indonesian Creative Economy (Be Kreatif), Government of South Australia - Multicultural SA, Australia Korea Foundation, Government of Israel - Canberra, Japan Foundation, Australia-Japan Foundation, Confluence Festival of India in Australia, Ministry of Culture Republic of China (Taiwan), Playking Foundation, National Arts Council Singapore, Confucius Institute The University of Adelaide, Jembatan Flinders University

Photo Credit: Bernie Ng.

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