This year, Adelaide Festival’s new pop up ‘The Riverbank Palais’ is truly a first of its kind in Adelaide… or is it?
Rumour has it that in the 1920’s, a lavish ballroom floating on the River Torrens known as Palais de Danse (or more commonly: The Floating Palais) was deemed one of Adelaide’s most popular spots to dance and socialise (Don’t believe us? Check the history out here). After mysteriously sinking in the year 1928, we’ve not seen a palais like it until now.
Fast forward a century to the year 2017: The Riverbank Palais is bringing something special to Adelaide’s Mad March festivities, repeating local history with a magical floating bar and dance hall on the very same River Torrens.
Having launched just this week, we found ourselves immersed in the sparkling pop-up venue, dancing to live jazz bands playing in the mezzanine and admiring the colourful views of the Adelaide Oval reflecting against the river water.
Stretching into Elder Park, there are also plenty of food venues, bars, and picnic spaces to enjoy yourself on land, also. Not to mention the trippy House of Mirrors which costs only $10 to enter and is worth every cent! We found ourselves absolutely lost in this room full of floor-to-ceiling mirrors, attempting to find the exit frantically as if lost in a maze.
The Riverbank Palais will play host to a number of events and live acts this festival season, and will be sticking around until the 19th of March.
There’s sure to be a little something for everyone; underground hip hop and electronica fans will love Toro y Moi playing tonight (3rd of March)at the Palais, while soul lovers will froth over The Bamboos playing next Sunday the 12th. Breakfast With Papers is sure to interest anyone with a passion for current affairs and the news, hosted by Sydney Writers’ Festival events host Tom Wright bright and early in the mornings.
To find out more about the Palais’ extensive and versatile programme, follow through to http://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/2017/theriverbankpalais.
