The South Australian History Festival kicks off this week, so CityMag scoured the program and compiled our top picks.

A city pub crawl: an illustrated history 

Where: Burnside City Uniting Chuch, 384 Portrush Rd, Tusmore 5065
When: Friday, May 3 7:30pm ‘til 9pm
Price: Free

Don’t let the name deceive you; this is not an actual pub crawl, nor does it take place in a pub. But don’t hold that against it. This is a talk with professional historian Patricia Sumerling about Adelaide’s different hotels and the changing landscape of pub operations over several decades of social change.

She’ll talk architecture, plus divulge facts and biographies of publicans, barmaids and punters. Patricia even confirmed for CityMag that the Cranker – which is currently threatened by development – will likely be discussed.

The cultural value of the locally heritage-protected Crown & Anchor has been debated in parliament as a community campaign maintains pressure.

Drinking in History: The Power of Beer 

Where: Tin Shed, Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George Street, Thebarton 5031
When: Wednesday, May 29 6pm ‘til 8pm
Price: Free

If you’d rather have a pub-centric event actually taking place in a pub, the Wheaty has got you. This is a panel discussion hosted by Dr Adam Paterson, with panellists including Lewis Owens, Biony Liebich and Tony Jones.

Lewis is a family historian and brewer who’ll share the success story of Henry Lewis’ Macclesfield Ale in 1873 and the impact it had in SA as the colony expanded. Lewis is also keen to discuss opportunities women had to become publicans and hotel proprietors,  and the different rules of barmaids compared to publican’s wives and daughters.

Biony is a sensory analyst who loves to share how to better your tasting skills and is eager to talk you through beer sensory attributes like the aroma, lingering bitterness and high alcohol.

Tony is the former head brewer for West End, with over 36 years in the brewing industry. He’s been involved in safely preserving documents in the brewery museum area before it was demolished and sold in 2023.

The Wheaty is a humble home of beer-slinging in Thebarton.

From darkness into light: the power of visibility! 

Where: Port Adelaide Library, 2–4 Church Street, Port Adelaide 5015
When: Saturday, May 4 2:30pm ‘til 3:30pm
Price: Free 

Do you know your rainbow history? If not, allow Dr Gertrude Glossip PhD (Formal Drapery, Curtain University) to educate you. Dr Glossip will reflect on the significance of experiences from the 1970s ‘out and proud’ liberation movement and how it continues to have an impact today.

Dr Glossip is known for her advocacy work in Adelaide’s LGBTQIA+ community and has published a book called ‘Queen of the Walk’ which covers the murder of Dr George Duncan, some secrets of the Adelaide park lands, the life and work of Bert Edwards, queer café and bar culture over the decades, and more.

History Trust of SA event manager Dane Wilden says their rainbow history focus is particularly relevant to this year’s festival theme of ‘power’.

“Put simply, there is immense power in visibility. LGBTQIA+ histories are often overlooked – and in many historical cases, were actively ignored or suppressed – so the inclusion of a specific program of events exploring South Australia’s queer history is important,” he said.

Adelaide had its first Pride march in 1973, commemorated in Adelaide’s Pride Walk. This picture: Claudia Dichiera

‘If you don’t fight… you lose’: Politics, posters and PAM

Where: Flinders University Museum of Art ground floor, Social Sciences North Building, Humanities Road, Bedford Park 5042
When: Monday, May 6 – Friday, May 16
Price: Free

This exhibition explores the radical spirit of the ’70s and the Progressive Art Movement – known as PAM. PAM was formed 50 years ago and united artists, writers, poets, filmmakers, actors and musicians to cultivate a politically progressive culture locally and oppose US imperialism. 

This exhibition has been curated by Catherine Speck and Jude Adams, who also wrote about PAM as part of their 2023 book The Adelaide Art Scene Becoming Contemporary 1939–2000.

“The more we researched, the more we realised that here was a unique and radical part of Adelaide’s cultural landscape deserving of recognition and a place in Australian art history,” Jude says. 

Andrew Hill, ‘Management deliberately employ women, 1984, screen-print, ink on paper. From the collection of Flinders University Museum of Art.

Adelaide Central Market Audio Tour

Where: Adelaide Central Market, Federal Hall, 44-60 Grote Street Adelaide 5000
When: Throughout May, during Central Market opening hours
Price: Free

This year’s History festival is celebrating the 155-year home of the Adelaide Central Markets. Hosted by MasterChef alumni Adam Liaw and Adelaide food and hospitality writer Katie Spain is a 50-minute long self-guided, audio tour.

This tour takes people through hidden gems and old favourites moving through the Markets and meeting the families and retailers who call it home. The History Festival has kept its cards close to their chest as to what retailers they will be focusing on, but we’re putting bets (and hoping) for long-time lovers like Lucia’s, Con’s Fine Foods and Asian Gourmet.

In the heart of the market. This picture: Jessica Clark.

Now Showing… Cinema Architecture in South Australia

Where: Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, Level 3, Hawke Building, UniSA City West Campus, 55 North Tce, Adelaide 5000
When: every weekday from April 10 – May 30 9am ‘til 6pm
Price: Free

It only takes one trip to North Adelaide to be in awe of The Piccadilly cinema and its recent restoration in 2022. The cinema highlights its iconic architecture from when it first opened in 1940, only a year after the release of Gone With the Wind.

In Now Showing… Cinema Architecture in South Australia, film fans can admire this local architecture as a whole, as the free exhibition showcases photographs and drawings of some of the cinema greats. Think names like the Capri in Goodwood and the former Ozone Theatre in Victor Harbour.

The event came to be through a conversation co-curator Julie Collins had with fellow onlookers at a previous exhibition, discussing the memories and cultural significance these cinemas brought to Adelaide people.

“And I said [to them], ‘That sounds like an excellent idea. I think we might just do that,’” Julie told InDaily.

“It is lovely just seeing multigenerational visitors to these kinds of historical exhibitions and seeing how grandparents and parents and children can actually connect through buildings and through their reminiscences across different eras.”

The Piccadilly stands proud in North Adelaide. This picture: Tony Lewis/InDaily