Fresh from a Fringe World Nomination in Perth, Adelaide’s Cabaret Queen, Amelia Ryan, is currently sitting on Cloud Nine – bedazzled in sequins and Moet.
Amelia performed to sold-out venues and rave reviews across Australia, New York and Edinburgh with her last show “A Storm in a D Cup”, which you might have seen at the Cabaret Festival in 2014 or at Feast in 2015.
Her new show, “Amelia Ryan is Lady Liberty” is just as outrageously funny. Full of hilarious pop song mashups about her life and hot topic issues like marriage equality, she wows the crowd with her sparkles, story-telling and quick wit.
Amelia Ryan is a showgirl at heart but swapped “song and dance” for “comedy and cabaret” when she realised her ability to crack jokes was way more entertaining than her ability to light up a dance floor.
Her first solo performance, the autobiographical one-woman show “A Storm in a D Cup”, had many a standing ovation and won prizes around the world, including the Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award for Best Cabaret in 2014.
It doesn’t surprise me that some of the most talented Fringe performers are from Adelaide. This week, this sassy, smart, funny and super talented woman is our Inspirational Adelady.
These are her fave places in Adelaide!
Hayley x
FAVE BARS
I’ve lived in Adelaide for over two years now, and have love, love, LOVED watching the small bar scene bloom! Being a showgirl at heart, I can’t go past a cocktail (and a show of course) at Adelaide’s favourite cabaret room, La Boheme on Grote St. If I’m in the mood for a glass of bubbles (or three) with the besties, I’ll head to the new champagne bar upstairs at The Stag on Rundle St (the decor is FAB! So French, so chic). If I’m hanging out for an end-of-the-week work bevvie (lord knows, we all need them) I’ll head to Proof on Anster St or Udaberri on Leigh St in the city. And if it’s some live music I’m craving, The Wheatsheaf in Thebarton is the place to be for a schooner and a song.
FAVE RESTAURANTS FOR DINNER
I am ALWAYS on the hunt for new, quirky and delicious restaurants (food fiend that I am), and Adelaide never fails to disappoint. My newest fav is NOLA in the East End (the fried chicken is HEAVEN). Peel St is fresh and ever-so-tasty, and in my own hood, North Adelaide, Gin Long Canteen dishes out both divine food AND a fabulous atmosphere.
FAVE THINGS TO DO
As a relative newbie to Adelaide, it’s been a treat to get out and explore Mother Nature’s spectacular South Australian delights. I love a smart Mt Lofty hike on a Sunday (just leave plenty of time for parking), and have recently tried my luck at paddle boarding on the gorgeous beaches… Carrickalinga is stunning! Or, if it’s a bit of stretch and bend that I’m craving, I can be found getting my sweat on at Yoga Fusion in Norwood. Aaaaand…. relax.
FAVE BRUNCH SPOTS
I admit, I tend to feel a little empty inside if I haven’t treated myself to breakfast at least once on the weekend. What a lush. A Mother’s Milk in Unley is one of my all time faves, and on a nice day, basking in the sun at Mr Sunshine in Thebarton (aptly named) is splendid. As is the coffee! Or, if I’ve had a bit too much fun on a Saturday night, I’ll take my sorry self town to The Store on Melbourne St for a mean Big Brekkie. It’s the bomb.
FAVE ARTY FARTY SCENES
Adelaide Fringe… BUT OF COURSE! You can literally hear the heartbeat of the city at this time of year, as the city is infiltrated with Fringe Madness. It’s hot, it’s bustling, it’s the best! This year you’ll find me performing my show “Amelia Ryan is Lady Liberty” in the Garden of Unearthly Delights. And if I’m not there, I’ll be getting myself a hot seat to as many other shows as possible! But the fun doesn’t stop in March; we are blessed to host the biggest (and best!) Cabaret Festival IN THE WORLD, every June. This is my favourite time of year (along with Fringe, of course), with the Adelaide Cabaret bringing the cream of the world’s cabaret crop to the Festival Centre. If I’m not performing myself, I’ll be schmoozing in the Backstage Club in a sequinned frock, champagne in hand. Every night. Now can you see why I love it!
Amelia Ryan’s Fringe show “Amelia Ryan is Lady Liberty” is on at the Garden of Unearthly Delights, The Factory, from February 29 to March 13. Tickets $33/$28, book HERE!
