2016 OzAsia Festival strikes a chord

2016 OzAsia Festival in AdelaideThousands of people recently stepped into the unknown and experienced the excitement and emotions of the 2016 OzAsia Festival with events that celebrated contemporary Asian performance. Not even the wild weather could dampen the spirit of OzAsia artists and audiences throughout the festival, which ran September 17-October 2.

 

From human trafficking to technology, bondage to baseball, racism to resilience, music to multi-culturalism – this was a festival that delved into themes at the core of who we are and how we can co-exist in an ever-changing world.

 

The 2016 festival lineup kicked off with the ever-popular Moon Lantern event, where a 40-person dragon leads a beautiful procession of lanterns in all shapes and sizes.

 

To mark the 10th anniversary of the festival, events were expanded into Elder Park, where the Good Fortune Market transformed it into an Asian adventure with music and performances every night at the Outdoor Live Music Concert Series, creating a high-volume and vibrant hub for visitors.

 

The festival concluded on a high note with the special performance of King of Ghosts, a score to a classic Indian film created by India’s Soumik Datta and performed live by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

 

Performers in this year’s festival were from diverse Asian countries including Japan, India, China, Taiwan, Korea, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

 

OzAsia Festival Director Joseph Mitchell said, “This year’s festival was about accessibility, as well as entertainment and engagement. Audiences tapped into the diversity and creativity of this year’s program, where world-class artists gave us a window into contemporary arts and culture from across Asia. We know that authentic and groundbreaking Asian performances resonate with South Australian audiences who are keen to experience something new.”

 

“Our aim this year was to ensure that OzAsia was a holistic experience – so rather than just see a show, we offered the invitation to eat at the Good Fortune Market, hear great music for free at the Outdoor Live Music Concert, and take in incredible visual arts exhibitions and more,” he continued.

 

“OzAsia Festival this year featured 49 major events, including 35 Australian premieres. There were more than 120 professional performances, as well over 100 performances by community groups, seven exhibitions, 16 film screenings, 59 workshop events and more. More than 360 professional artists performed in Adelaide, along with over 400 community artists.”

 

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO/Artistic Director Douglas Gautier said, “OzAsia Festival has grown enormously over the last 10 years and we are very proud of what it has become…”

 

The expanded program was 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 2016 AAPPAC Annual Conference was also held during the OzAsia Festival, from September 27-30. It saw 200 arts leaders from all over Asia, as well as Australian arts leaders seeking to deepen connections here in Adelaide and examine key issues affecting Asia Pacific arts centres and festivals.

 

One highlight of the festival included The Record by 600 Highwaymen, which brought together 45 South Australians for the first time on stage to create a live performance that captures and explores the essence of mortality.

 

In addition, Sk!n certainly got under your skin, as the show is based on true stories of human trafficking. A cutting-edge contemporary, promenade-style dance and theatre work by TerryandtheCuz, it had people well and truly out of their comfort zone.

 

To keep up with the OzAsia Festival in the future, visit http://ozasiafestival.com.au.