The ShowRoom, Urzila Carlson and Reconciliation Day Eve 2022: 30+ things to do this week in Canberra
Posted on
From the ultimate expo for home improvement to a very special Reconciliation Day Eve concert, here’s what can’t miss this week in Canberra.
12+ things not to miss
The ShowRoom Canberra
The ACT’s largest Home Design, Build, Garden & Lifestyle Show. The two-day event brings together Canberra’s most creative, innovative and informative industry professionals all under the one roof in the Budawang Pavilion, Exhibition Park in Canberra.
Whether you’re looking to design your home, build your home, remake your home, decorate, furnish, cool or heat, buy, sell, enjoy or discover new and exciting ideas for your home and garden—you’ll find all the inspiration you need right here for one weekend only!
28–29 May | Budawang Pavilion, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | theshowroomcanberra.com.au
Taste Local Workshops with Underground Spirits Canberra
Discover local produce and enjoy unique experiences of tasting adventures and masterclasses at Canberra Centre’s Taste Local Festival – a month-long celebration of local producers and talents.
Underground Spirits is a boutique distillery that makes award willing premium spirits that are anything but typical. When it comes to taste, think the unexpected.
On Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May, Underground Spirit’s head mixologist will guide you to make two cocktails which will be sure to impress your next cocktail party guests. You’ll be given the opportunity to learn and create whilst enjoying some fresh treats from Betty’s Burgers!
Book your spot to one of the four 60-minute workshops available over the weekend:
- 1 pm Saturday 28 May
- 3 pm Saturday 28 May
- 1 pm Sunday 29 May
- 3 pm Sunday 29 May
Please note: This workshop is ideal for pairs as you will be seated at tables of two.
28–29 May | Located inside the doors of City Walk, Canberra Centre | Tickets are $20pp via Eventbrite
Reconciliation Day Eve 2022
The Australian Capital Territory observes Reconciliation Day, a public holiday marking the start of National Reconciliation Week. And on the eve of Reconciliation Day, Canberra Theatre Centre is the place where some of the strongest voices in the country unite.
Featuring the extraordinary talent of powerhouse rapper Briggs, soulful electronic music duo Electric Fields and the award-winning singer Christine Anu, this is an event not to be missed for those who love Australian music and believe in its power to change the country for the better.
29 May | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Terra Firma
Three works, three perspectives—QL2 Dance explores the diverse ways we perceive our changing world.
Melanie Lane explores the relationship between body, objects, and our built environment. Within a world in which we navigate excess, constructs and algorithms, her work Metal Park contemplates how we have become a part of the material world in which we operate and questions our desire for material necessity. Traversing through a choreography of meditation, resistance and collision, Metal Park unfolds the ways in which we both harness and negotiate our constructed habitat.
In Tides of Time, Steve & Lilah Gow (Synergy Styles) investigate our relationship with time in an era of constant change; how we project ourselves in the future or live in the past, exploring ways to remain in the present, onto solid ground, to fulfill our lives.
Cadi McCarthy’s Shifting Ground explores the physicality of solid versus shifting ground as concepts, embodying the strength and connection that holds us to our world in these uncertain times.
26–28 May | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
In Conversation: Aminata Conteh-Biger
After she was released, the UNHCR recognised that her captors still posed a serious threat to her safety. So, still in her teens, she was put on a plane and flown to Australia to start afresh as a refugee in a land she knew nothing about.
It is here that she has proudly built a life, while never allowing her trauma to define her. Yet it was a near-death experience she suffered during the birth of her child that turned her attention to the women of Sierra Leone – where they are 200 times more likely to die while having a baby than in Australia.
So she set up the Aminata Maternal Foundation, then returned to the land of her birth to help. This is her story. Join Aminata Conteh-Biger in conversation with HerCanberra Associate Editor Emma Macdonald at Muse on Wednesday 25 May.
Wednesday 25 May from 6–7 pm | Muse Bookstore, 69 Canberra Avenue | musecanberra.com.au/events/2022/5/25/aminata
Plan ahead for:
Reconciliation Day
The theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week is, Be Brave. Make Change. It’s a time for all Canberrans to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Creating important discussions to build better relationships among the Canberra community.
Monday 30 May, 10 am–3 pm | National Arboretum Canberra | events.canberra.com.au
Let it Be Live
Celebrate the closing chapter of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll story of all time. ARC—Antipodean Rock Collective—is comprised of Kram, Darren Middleton, Mark Wilson and Davey Lane, and they are self-confessed Beatles tragics.
As they did with Abbey Road Live, the band will once again walk the tightrope to faithfully and lovingly bring another brilliant Beatles creation to life on stage—Let It Be from start to finish—followed by a second set playing a selection of favourites spanning the breadth of The Beatles’ catalogue.
24 May | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Meg Mac on Your Mind Tour
With her soulful tunes and radiant voice, Meg Mac is back in Canberra to showcase her new single and more of her signature sound.
23 May | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Urzila Carlson: It’s Personal
Welcome to the days of mind your own business and don’t comment on others’ business. Not their gender, sexuality, body, hair, education or career. Also, welcome to the days of total oversharing on social media, but STILL, mind your own business. We want to talk about things and want everyone to know IT’S PERSONAL!
This is a show about keeping your cards close to your chest but walking around naked, from one of the biggest names in comedy in Australia and New Zealand. Can we have it all? Yes, but also bloody no but also it’s none of your business because IT’S PERSONAL.
26–28 May | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Brumbies v Blues
Round 12 of the NRL premiership will be used to celebrate Indigenous culture in the game, with the annual NRL Indigenous round. The Raiders take on the sleek Parramatta Eels, who once again look like the team to beat in 2022.
29 May | GIO Stadium | brumbies.rugby
From Berlin to New York – Popular Songs from the Early 20th Century
On Wednesday 25 May from 12.40 to 1.20 pm, the Wesley Music Centre Lunchtime Concert series is delighted to present Madeline Anderson (soprano), Maike Brill (alto) and Hilda Visser-Scott (piano) in a delightful concert of popular songs from the early 20th Century, including works by George Gershwin, Kurt Weill, Norbert Schultze, Ralph Siegel, Frederic Wheatherly, Errol Garner and Richard Rogers.
Wednesday 25 May from 12.40 – 1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Cost: $10 (includes program & refreshments). Additional donations welcome | trybooking.com/BYANN
Poetry, not Luxury
The powerful feminist poet Audre Lorde said “Poetry is not a Luxury”. Poetry is for everyone. Poetry, not Luxury is an inclusive, non-competitive, feminist, queer, leftist poetry open mic event where everyone is welcomed to share original work.
The ground rules guiding the event are:
1. Everyone is welcomed and the space is safe. Bigotry, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, racism and classism are not tolerated.
2. The MC will call for signups 30 minutes before the event starts and will be open for the duration of the event.
3. Each poet will have a maximum of 3 minutes to read original work only.
4. Percussion, music, experimental styles and overtly political content is encouraged.
5. Poets are encouraged to allow their pieces to speak for themselves, keeping any explanatory comments to a minimum and preferably not at all. However, trigger warnings are encouraged.
Poetry, not Luxury will be held at Gang Gang cafe in Downer every two months on the last Thursday of every month.
Each event will have a general theme for poets to work from however strict adherence to the theme isn’t necessary and won’t be policed.
Thursday 26 May 7 pm | Gang Gang Cafe, Downer Shops | Free | Facebook
Reconciliation Week at the National Film and Sound Archive
This week, the National Film and Sound Archive is screening three contemporary documentaries to explore this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme: Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change.
- Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow – 27 May, 7 pm
- The Lake of Scars – 28 May, 2 pm
- Mabo Day 30th Anniversary – Mabo: Life on an Island Man – 3 June, 6 pm
27 May–3 June | National Film and Sound Archive | nfsa.gov.au/events/national-reconciliation-week-2022
Gunning Station Open Day
A family open day to explore the newly restored Gunning Train Station with exhibitions, live music, creative activities and more.
Transport for NSW and Southern Tablelands Arts is hosting a family open day to explore the newly restored Gunning Train Station. The event starts with an Opening Ceremony at 11 am, followed by a variety of creative making activities, live music and displays.
Transport for NSW is leading the project to restore the historic Railway Station buildings in Gunning. The Open day is the first opportunity for the public to explore the major restoration as it nears completion.
Saturday 28 May from 11 am to 2 pm | Gunning Railway Station | southerntablelandsarts.com.au
UBX Open Day Launch
On Saturday 28 May between 7am to 10 am, the newly rebanded UBX Belconnen is inviting all locals to experience their workouts for free.
With loads of giveaways, prizes and free food and goodies, as well as special sessions for one-on-one experiences with the coaches—it comes back to their mission of ensuring boxing is inclusive for anyone of any age and ability.
Saturday 28 May from 7 am | UBX: Boxing + Strength, 2/102 Emu Bank Belconnen | For more information visit ubxtraining.com
Feature image: Christine Anu. Image supplied.
