Lunar New Year and the return of Cellar Door Market: What to do in Canberra this week
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Canberra seems to be slowly emerging from a sleepy (and shadow locked down) January into a cautiously optimistic February.
What does this mean for you? Events, events, events—from open-air food festivals to wine tasting markets, exhibitions, cocktail classes and comedy shows.
Get cultural at the National Museum of Australia’s Greek Culture festival
Join the festivities at the Agora — bringing the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of Greece to the Museum.
Much more than a market, the agora was the centre of athletic, social, spiritual and political life in Ancient Greece. Taste delicious food, browse market stalls, join a debate or sit back and take in music and dance performances.
As evening closes in, enjoy the Cellar Door Market. Please note, some activities may have a fee.
Saturday 12 February 10.30 am–4.30 pm | National Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au/exhibitions/ancient-greeks/agora-greek-cultural-festival
…and don’t miss Canberra’s Cellar Door Market
As part of the NMA’s Greek Culture Festival, Cellar Door presents the next event in their popular series at the National Museum.
From 5–7 pm, purchase a tasting glass and sample the best imported Greek wines and produce of local growers.
Non-drinkers and under 18s free. Tasting glass: $15 adult, $12.50 concession, $10 Museum Friends
Please note this event will be managed in line with the Museum’s Covid-19 safety plan and is subject to change at short notice.
Saturday 12 February 5–7 pm | National Museum of Australia | Facebook
Get creative at an interactive cocktail class
Admit it: you’ve always fantasized about getting behind the bar and whipping up your own cocktail. Well, now’s your chance. In this interactive session at NewActon’s High Jinks bar, you’ll learn how to whip up the perfect cocktail while enjoying exclusivity of the private venue.
A night of food, fun and mixology, see the website for more information.
Saturday 12 February | High Jinks, NewActon | highjinks.bar
Get laughing at Mono: A Three Person One Man Show
Described as “a comedy tour de farce from three of Australia’s best-loved performers”, Mono features Noeline Brown (The Naked Vicar Show), Max Gillies (The Gillies Report) and John Wood (Blue Heelers) as the cast of Mono; the brand new classic comedy by Angus FitzSimons (Senior Moments).
Ready to have some giggles in 2022? This is where you need to be.
Saturday 12 February | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/mono-a-three-person-one-man-show
Get thinking at Jess Cochrane’s new exhibition, Mixed Signals
Mixed Signals is a powerful new exhibition from Jess Cochrane, one of Australia’s fastest rising art stars. Opening at aMBUSH Gallery Canberra on 10 February 2022, it’s an exploration of perceptions of beauty and the polarising and often binary ways we view people.
Featuring over a dozen works created specifically for the exhibition, Cochrane’s stylised photographic portraits are embellished with rough, gestural mark-making using acrylic paint, to make the viewer question the intent of the original image and what truly lies beneath the surface.
10 February—15 March | aMBUSH Gallery Canberra (Kambri at ANU) | ambushgallery.com
Get celebrating the Lunar New Year in Dickson
Woolley Street in Dickson will come alive with the Lunar New Year Festival in a COVID-safe kaleidoscope of colour, sound, tastes and aromas over three consecutive long weekends.
Dickson will light up with a beautiful stage, roving performances, dancing, live music and workshops to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
The outdoor festival will extend to Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 February and Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 February. Entertainment is scheduled between 6-8 pm, plus a daytime component on Saturdays.
Want even more ways to celebrate Lunar New Year? Click here.
Until Sunday 13 February | Woolley Street, Dickson | act.gov.au/cityrenewal/places/dickson/lunar-new-year
Get revitalised with RenewYou: Praksis
Get your body moving and your mind focussed first thing in the morning with free movement classes provided by Praksis Canberra in Glebe Park. The classes are open to everyone, and adjustments are made as needed, including for those with injuries, immobility, or low levels of fitness.
Praksis, combines principles, techniques, and exercises from various disciplines where you will learn various exercises in an encouraging environment, to enjoy moving your body and to leave feeling energised and revitalised.
ReNewYou is a program of free, weekly healthy activity classes to encourage people to get out and enjoy their city centre. The ReNewYou program gives people an extra incentive to get out, be healthy and socialise. ReNewYou is proudly presented and funded by City Renewal Authority.
Wednesday 9 February from 7.30–8.30 am | Glebe Park | Register via Eventbrite
Get jazzy at Wanderlust’s 30th anniversary concert
One of Australia’s most enduring and innovative jazz ensembles, Wanderlust takes audiences on musical journeys of original multi-layered sounds blending global beats with jazz improvisation.
Wanderlust celebrates thirty years of music-making around the globe with a six-piece line-up that inspires musical ideas and personalities in an anniversary program featuring the band’s highly original compositions over three decades with new additions to their repertoire, superb ensemble work and imaginative improvisation and interplay.
Sunday 13 February | The Street Theatre | thestreet.org.au/shows/wanderlust-30th-anniversary-concert
Get to the good stuff at Armada Bar
Have you visited summer’s hottest bar? The vibe: Elevated lakeside chic.
It’s the second summer of The Boat House’s outdoor offshoot, Armada Bar, and there are plenty of cocktails to go around—not to mention their phenomenal menu of snacks and share plates designed by The Boat House’s talented team of fine dining chefs.
Read more here hercanberra.com.au/food-drink/food-wine/summers-coolest-outdoor-bar-is-back-for-2021
Get cultured (deliciously!) at Jeffrey Smart: A Tuscan Lunch
Inspired by the excellent Italian trattorias, Head Chef Samuel McCarthy’s menu showcases locally sourced fresh produce as he introduces his spin on the traditional Italian Primi, Secondi and Dolce courses. Guests will be invited to choose two courses: Primi and Secondi or Secondi and Dolce. Guests will be able to select their courses from the menu on the day.
One glass of white or red wine is included in the adult per person price, and one glass of juice or soft drink is included in the children per person price. A third course is not included in the per person ticket price but can be ordered on the day as additional.
A Tuscan Lunch ticket does not include the exhibition entry. If you wish to visit the exhibition, please purchase your exhibition ticket separately.
National Gallery of Australia | Until 6 March | nga.gov.au/jeffreysmart/tuscanlunch.cfm
Get inspired by iconic moments in contemporary Australian film
Kicking off on Friday 21 January, Australians & Hollywood: A Tale of Craft, Talent and Ambition is a Canberra-exclusive exhibition celebrating iconic moments in contemporary Australian film.
This blockbuster exhibition by the NFSA features beloved cinema moments, rare behind-the-scenes footage and costumes and props from the NFSA collection on display for the first time. Discover the creativity and craft that goes into making a classic and get up close with personal treasures from Eric Bana, Paul Hogan, Baz Luhrmann and more.
Until 17 July | National Sound and Film Archive of Australia | nfsa.gov.au/australians-hollywood-exhibition-nfsa
Get snuggled up at Sunset Cinemas
Gather your friends and family, sit back, relax and watch the stars at your new summer local! Open multiple nights each week from November through to February at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
The season is packed with new release blockbusters, quirky comedies, award-winning features and cult classics—perfect for a date night, girls’ night out or some family fun.
Until 26 February | Australian National Botanic Gardens | sunsetcinema.com.au/canberra
Get caught up in history with Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes
This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition can’t be missed. Showcasing the competitive spirit of the Ancient Greek world through sports, politics, drama, music, and warfare, Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes is illuminated by more than 170 objects from the British Museum.
From large marble statues of athletes and gods to richly illustrated pottery and bronze weapons, the exhibition reveals a vibrant and innovative society that endures in its art, culture, and legends.
Until 1 May | National Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au/exhibitions/ancient-greeks
Get tasting at Lerida By The Lake
Join Lerida Estate at the Canberra Visitors Centre at Regatta Point for a one-hour personal wine tasting for two people with delicious antipasto and the best views in town—the only way to spend summer, in our opinion.
One of the team will guide you through five different wines whilst you graze on meats and cheeses. When your wine tasting session concludes, grab a seat in the wine bar and relax with award-winning wine and views over Lake Burley Griffin.
Various times and dates | Canberra Visitors Centre, Regatta Point | Tickets via eventbrite.com.au
Get immersed in Australian art history at Jeffrey Smart
The year 2021 marks one hundred years since the birth of acclaimed Australian artist Jeffrey Smart. The National Gallery of Australia’s major exhibition celebrates and commemorates this significant centenary.
One of Australia’s most celebrated artists, Smart sought inspiration from the world around him – looking to the environment of urban and industrial modernity – which he transformed through his imaginative sense of theatre and intimate understanding of geometry and composition. These potent and intriguing images have become emblematic of 20th and 21st-century urban experience.
Showing until 15 May 2022 | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes | nga.gov.au
