Riverbank Palais, to open in March 2017, was inspired by the Palais de Danse, a floating dance hall popular in the 1920s

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Riverdance will take on a new meaning when a massive, floating entertainment venue is launched for the Adelaide festival in March 2017.

The two-storey, purpose-built Riverbank Palais will open in March on the River Torrens, inspired by the Palais de Danse – a floating dance hall popular in Adelaide in the 1920s and known as the “Taj Mahal of the Torrens”. The Palais de Danse sank in 1928, following mysterious explosions.

Festival co-director Rachel Healy told ABC radio the venue would float on the river throughout the festival, hosting live music, DJs and special events. Food and wine will be curated by Gill Minervini (Dark Mofo Winter Feast), with the surrounding precinct in Elder Park hosting bespoke local food and beverage pop-ups.

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It’s been two years since the festival had an official hub. “[The Riverbank Palais] will be, we hope, a kind of beacon for everyone here,” Healy said.

“It’s an enormous project and the most challenging project of all of the festival hubs that the Adelaide festival has created in its history.”

The full Adelaide festival program, under the artistic direction of Healy and theatre and film director Neil Armfield, will be released at midday.