35+ things to do this weekend in Canberra
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It’s another big weekend with book fairs, bands and brilliant exhibitions to end your week with a buzz.
Mid-Winter Nights at Questacon
Igloos are the coolest activity this winter with a light-up option also hitting the Canberra scene at the Mid-Winter Nights event at Questacon. As soon as the sun goes down the fun will go up, at this family-friendly event with a side of science. Learn about our five must-do experiences here.
Until Saturday 9 July | King Edward Terrace, Parkes | Tickets via Ticketek
Winter in the City
Skate into the school holidays when Civic Square is converted into an ice skating rink for Winter in the City. A perfect activity for the young (and young of heart) you’ll be racing to lace up your skates and hit the ice. For those looking for something a bit more chill head along to the Winter dRINKs Bar at Canberra Theatre Centre Terrace or get cosy around some fireplaces, while you enjoy some gourmet hot chocolate and toast your own marshmallows. Learn more about this winter fun here.
Until Sunday 17 July | Civic Square | winterinthecity.com
Christmas in July at Parliament House
Indulge yourself with a three-course Christmas feast with your family and friends while seated at the Queen’s Terrace Café, enjoying sweeping views of Canberra. You’ll enjoy Christmas classics reimagined by the Executive Chef, including pork fillet mignon, and panettone bread and butter pudding with eggnog custard.
Until Friday 22 July | Queen’s Terrace Café, Australian Parliament House | Tickets from Humantix
The Canberra Truffle Festival
That’s right foodies, the Truffle Festival is back to bringing exceptional gourmet products to your doorstep. And with plenty to do (think: hunting with truffle dogs, cooking demonstrations, growing and storing workshops, signature lunches and dinners, truffle tastings and more), it’s the ultimate celebration of the finest fungi.
Until Saturday 20 August | Various locations |trufflefestival.com.au
A Pooch Affair
The ulti-mutt (sorry) activity for you and fur babies has arrived. This Gatsby-themed event is your excuse to buy that adorable bow tie you’ve been eyeing off for your puppy and get dolled up yourself. Serving im-paw-sibly good food, drinks and puppachinos whilst raising money for organisations like the RSPCA you’re barking mad to miss it.
Saturday 9 July | Budawang Pavilion, Exhibition Park | eventscanberra.com
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
Buckle up for a night of stand-up, sketch, satire, silliness and song in this rip-roaring road trip designed to satisfy all your comedy cravings! The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow has made its way back to Canberra for one night only. You’re guaranteed a night of laughs with an all-killer, no-filler line-up of Australian stars and talented newcomers to comedy fans far and wide.
Saturday 9 July | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Bandaluzia Flamenco
The Spanish soul is fiery and best expressed by Flamenco music and dance!
Acclaimed modern flamenco ensemble Bandaluzia led by ARIA-nominated flamenco guitarist Damian Wright, presents a spectacular new show that showcases contemporary flamenco dance and music whilst displaying the essential characteristics of the flamenco tradition. A journey through this unique and incredible art form by some of Australia and Spain’s most revered flamenco artists.
Friday 8 July | Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre | theq.net.au
Champions Of Change Film Festival
Technically these are a little out of Canberra but each one is well worth the drive. Featuring five films created by local emerging filmmakers these screenings also come along with a Q&A session where you can tap into the behind-the-scenes knowledge and expertise of these local people sharing local stories.
Friday 8 July – Sunday 10 July | Crookwell, Gundaroo and Dalton | southerntablelandarts.com
Trivia Night with Recycled Racehorses
Dust off your pop culture and obscure geographically knowledge because the charity Recycled Racehorses is having a trivia night. It’s time to assemble the perfect team to take home a range of prizes including signed items and experiences whilst raising money to retrain and rehome ex-racehorses. Tickets can be purchased individually or bring a table of approximately 10 people. You’re ticket also comes with a three-course meal to help keep the hangry at bay and your trivia brain racing.
Saturday 9 July | Gungahlin Lakes Club | recycledracehorses.com
Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp
Take a tour of the National Museum’s Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden—a living museum of Indigenous food and medicine plants from across Australia—and enjoy the sights and scents of the season as Adam Shipp (Wiradjuri) of Yurbay Consultancies shares his passion for native plants.
Each tour finishes with tea in the garden and the opportunity to sample some of the flavours found in the Kennedy Garden and around the Canberra region
9.30 am and noon Saturday 9 July | National Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au
Traditional weaving workshop walk-up
Suitable for ages 12 and up, you can celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as you join Ronnie Jordan (a Kalkadoon Pitta Pitta woman) as she shares her traditional ecological knowledge.
A hands-on experience, the workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to experience and heal through traditional culture.
11 am – 2 pm Saturday 9 July | National Portrait Gallery of Australia | portrait.gov.au
Ball Park Music at UC Refectory
Get excited, Ball Park Music head out on the road for the first headline tour in four years! And while this almost implies the band have been quiet, nothing could be further from the truth. With two new albums under their belt, expect the first taste from their forthcoming 7th studio record.
Saturday 9 July | 11 Kirinari Street, Building 1, Bruce | Tickets here.
British India at UC Hub
From neither Britain nor India, Aussie rock band British India is hitting the stage at the UC Hub this weekend. Accompanied by our very own Seasame Girl it will be a performance to get you up and dancing the night away.
Saturday 9 July | Kirinari St, Bruce ACT | Tickets here.
The Hard Aches at UC Hub
Beloved rockers The Hard Aches are touring with their first new single since 2019, Party Ghost, a lightning strike of a song that explores finding comfort in the uncomfortable. complete, brightly distorted guitars propel the song forward, reaching for tightly constructed arcs that follow the song’s lyrics in perfect tandem.
Sunday 10 July | Kirinari St, Bruce ACT | Tickets here.
Bula’Bula Arts: Miyalk buku-manapanmirri (women gathering together)
Focusing on the weavings made by women artists of Gurrwiliny (the Arafura wetlands) miyalk buku-manapanmirri showcases the beauty of how they use pandanus, sandbark and kurrajong fibres, spun and subtly coloured with natural dyes, to create exuberant and elegant woven pieces.
Including pieces by Daphne Banyawarra, Delilah Lilipiyana, Linda Dalparri, Margaret Djarrbalabal Malibirr, Lisa Gurrulpa, Jordina Milibiwirri, Kathleen Malpamba, Evonne Munuyngu, Julie Djulibing Malibirr, Mary Dhapalany and Mary Rrikili, the exhibition is a tribute to how the women’s fine techniques give rise to a variety of sculptural forms and textures which lay witness to the long and powerful cultural continuity.
Until Saturday 9 July | Beaver Galleries, 81 Denison Street, Deakin | beavergalleries.com.au
Deep in the Fallow Album Tour
Just off the road from supporting Paul Kelly throughout regional Australia, and simultaneously celebrating 10 years of her own touring brand, ‘The Country Halls Tour’, Fanny Lumsden and her band The Pack are bringing fallow out on its last hurrah in her notoriously entertaining live show. A family-friendly show perfect for anyone who wants to walk away with a little warmth and renewed hope in the world.
Saturday 9 July | Street Theatre | StreetTheatre.org
The Year of Magical Thinking
An intimate, powerful and deeply personal story, The Year of Magical Thinking is a journey from the comfort and contentment of life into the surreal and dark world of grief, and beyond. Joan Didion’s celebrated memoir is brought to life by Green Room Award-winning actor Jillian Murray in a critically-acclaimed solo performance that reunites her with director Laurence Strangio.
Until Saturday 9 July | Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre | theq.net.au
MEGAFauna afterDARK
Perfect for the whole family, step back in time at the National Botanic Gardens and experience an event like no other with MEGAfuna.
Start your adventure off by exploring the gardens to find the megafauna, ancient plants and more while learning about how they inspired some of Australia’s myths and legends, art and culture or book in and brave the dark to enjoy an immersive cultural event that offers a rare opportunity to explore the Botanic Gardens after the sun has gone down.
With the chance to be enchanted by a local Gurulidj (Bunyip) story and song by a First Nations storyteller, you can complete the experience by adding on a light supper of damper-style roll with pumpkin soup by Pollen café.
If you’re looking for more hands-on experience, join Ronnie Jordan (a Kalkadoon Pitta Pitta woman) in a bush animal weaving workshop where you can create your own MEGAfauna creature. Inspiring a connection to Aboriginal culture, both children and adults will learn techniques of the age-old art of traditional weaving while Ronnie shares her traditional ecological knowledge.
Until Sunday 10 July | Australian National Botanic Gardens | parksaustralia.gov.au
AustLang Code-a-thon
Ever wanted to make an important impact on First Australian’s cultural materials? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are invited to contribute their knowledge to collections from all over Australia and identify them for others by tagging items with the relevant language code from AustLang. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a cuppa at home while taking some time to look for your cultural material.
Until Sunday 10 July | trove.nla.gov.au
The Alice – An Immersive Cocktail Experience
Fall down the rabbit hole and come along on a 90-minute topsy-turvy journey into the magical realm of Wonderland. Brought to you by the interactive team behind The Wizard’s Den, Beyond Cinema, and A.K Wregg, this immersive cocktail adventure is the tea party to end all tea parties.
Join them for a theatrical, alternate reality experience that will take you down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass! Across 90 minutes you will create two bespoke Wonderland cocktails, solve riddles and challenges just like Alice, devour “Eat Me” cakes and cookies, paint the roses red and much, much more.
*Disclaimer – No flamingos will be hurt during this adventure*
Until Saturday 31 Dec | Zoo Bar, London Circuit | Tickets $49.50pp via explorehidden.com
Satinder Sartaaj: Australian Rejuvenation Tour
This four-hour show stopper by multi-talented songwriter, singer, composer, poet and actor, Satinder Sartaa will be an experience worth staying up a bit later for. Since he started performing in 1999, he has released 24 albums and sold millions of albums worldwide, capturing millions of hearts with his hit song Sai you will love all he has to offer.
Sunday 10 July | Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre | theq.net.au
Exhibitions
Its exhibition galore in Canberra at the moment but there’s two brand new offerings hitting the stage this weekend at the Canberra Museum and Gallery–perfect for those who have already crossed off all the current exhibitions showing around town.
Sidney Nolan: Search for Paradise Exhibition
Ned Kelly is probably one of the first thoughts to pop into your mind when you think of artist Sidney Nolan and your chance to see more of this iconic mastermind’s work has landed in Canberra. Nolan’s creativity was fuelled by a life-long fascination with the elusive notion of paradise and the consequences of its loss. From his nostalgia for St Kilda, his childhood heaven, to his explorations of the Australian landscape and restless travels abroad, Sidney Nolan: Search for Paradise examines one of the artist’s deepest impulses and the journey of self-discovery it engendered.
Saturday 9 July – Saturday 22 October | Canberra Museum and Gallery | cmag.com.au
Dean Cross: Sometimes I Miss the Applause
Accompanying Nolan’s work are Dean Cross’ pieces where he has developed a dual-channel moving image work that draws upon some of Nolan’s most recognisable imagery, including his stylised Ned Kelly helmet. Wearing Nolan’s likenesses as a mask, Cross creates a complex narrative in which autobiographical moments from both his and Nolan’s life become inextricably intertwined, suggesting a series of convergences, and cultural collisions and slippages in time.
Saturday 9 July – Saturday 22 October | Canberra Museum and Gallery | cmag.com.au
Changemakers
A new exhibition at the Australian Museum of Democracy (MoAD) is celebrating the female torchbearers who have played a pivotal role in shaping Australian society, who rallied against limitations, forging new paths, and changing policy, laws, and opinions.
Changemakers will focus on 54 Australian women and shine a light on how the politicians, artists, activists, and sportswomen have shifted the national conversation and changed the future.
From Ash Barty and Chanel Contos to Rosie Batty, Barbara Cummings, and Louisa Lawsone, Changemakers will give a voice to the women via a series of images, objects, and videos while leading visitors through themes of equality, financial independence, birth and care roles, the challenges of gender and race, and more.
Now showing | 18 King George Terrace, Parkes | moadoph.gov.au
Life Source
A collection of works that speak of culture and Country as the foundations of life, Life Source is an exhibition created by Leah Brideson that focuses on the rivers in her Country, Kamilaroi, and the land she lives on—Ngunnawal.
Representing her own healing journey, Leah consolidates old ideas and explores new designs through a visual conversation, consistent with her feelings and visions of culture and Country. Representing the physical to spiritual, illustrating diverse elements of culture and Country, and illuminating the spiritual connection through colour, movement and story, it’s a great opportunity to see the work of a local artist.
Until Sunday 21 August | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre | belcoarts.com
Colonisation Exhibition
Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist of Aboriginal (Southern Arrernte), Chinese and Anglo-Celtic descent and her latest exhibition is here to challenge dominant socio-culture taboos. Breaking silences around Colonisation by documenting her cancer journey—taboos people shy away from talking about—she aims to start conversations about both.
Until Sunday 21 August | The Window, Belconnen Arts Centre| belcoarts.com
Connection
Yes, that’s right, the creators and producers of the multi-sensory spectacular that was Van Gough alive are back and back with a vengeance. Connection is reinventing visual storytelling, giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists a voice through 360-degree, large-scale projections and cutting-edge light and sound technology. A powerful and captivating exhibition that seeks to bind together spiritual connections to land, water, sea and sky through a vibrant and multi-sensory symphony of sound, light, and colour, it’s an important and much-needed tonal shift that we all should be popping on the top of our must-see June lists.
Until Sunday 9 October | National Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au/whats-on/connection
The Darling Portrait Prize and National Photographic Portrait Prize
Head along to the National Portrait Gallery of Australia to view the 2022 Darling Portrait Prize and the National Photographic Portrait Prize. Your ticket gets you into both, so what are you waiting for?
Until Sunday 9 Oct | National Portrait Gallery | portrait.gov.au
Reception this way: motels – a sentimental journey with Tim Ross
Travel around Australia revisiting your memories of the classic Aussie motel, from family holidays and long road trips to continental breakfasts and mid-century mod-cons.
In a land where the car has provided us with the ultimate freedom to hit the road and explore, it is no surprise that Australians wholeheartedly embraced the American concept of the motel. When motels began springing up in the 1950s, they represented a new, stylish and sophisticated way to travel.
Join National Archives and Tim Ross on a driving holiday through the quintessential Australian experience of staying in a motel. And find out why these images are part of the National Archives’ collection.
This exhibition is supported by the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to the national collections for all Australians.
Until Sunday 4 Sep 2022 | National Archives of Australia | naa.gov.au
While You Were Sleeping Volume 2
Back for its second instalment While You Were Sleeping Volume 2 brings together a showcase of contemporary First Nations artists from multi-disciplinary backgrounds including street art, fine art, photography, illustration, digital, sculpture, film and more. The art explores the joys and despair of the quest to secure recognition, equality and respect for the First Nations culture, heritage and people.
Until Sunday 31 July | Kambri Precinct ANU | ambushgallery.com
Shakespeare to Winehouse: Icons from the National Portrait Gallery, London
From Shakespeare to Winehouse, Darwin to Dickens, the Beatles, the Brontë sisters and Beckham, the National Portrait Gallery London holds the world’s most extensive collection of portraits. While they undergo the largest renovation of their building in 125 years, more than 80 treasures from their collection are on show in Canberra for this exclusive exhibition.
The exhibition will be open for extended hours, 9 am – 7 pm on its final two weekends, Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 July, and Thursday 14 to Sunday 16 July. The café and bookshop will also be open.
Until 17 July | National Portrait Gallery | portrait.gov.au
Fourth National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony
Ceremony remains central to the creative practice of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. From the intimate and personal to the collective and collaborative, ceremonies manifest through visual art, film, music and dance. This immersive exhibition and program of events will challenge and unsettle; animate and heal.
Through the work of 35 artists from around Australia, Ceremony reveals how the practice of ceremony is at the nexus of Country, culture and community.
Until 31 July | National Gallery of Australia | nga.gov.au
An Aboriginal Culinary Journey
See First Nations objects from the National Museum of Australia’s collection alongside a newly commissioned range of appliances featuring stunning designs from contemporary artists in An Aboriginal Culinary Journey: Designed for Living.
Part of the Breville Art Series, this exhibition is a partnership between First Nations peoples, Breville and the National Museum of Australia, producing objects for the heart of the home that celebrates contemporary design and reflects 65,000 years of ongoing Indigenous culture.
Until Sunday 18 September | National Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au
Between You and Me: Eggpicnic Solo Exhibition
From the design duo that brought us the sulphur-crested Cockatoo balloon, the Instagram filter comes a solo exhibition celebrating the undeniable bond humans have with animals. Eggpicnic’s first solo exhibition in Canberra, includes large-format flocks of hand-painted birds, sculptures in different mediums, original sketches, over 30 new prints, augmented reality and animation.
Until Saturday 16 July | 10 Mildura St, Griffith | thors.com.au/exhibitions/eggpicnic
On Stage: Spotlight On our Performing Arts
This exhibition brings Australia’s performing arts history into the limelight, also providing a backstage pass to the action behind the scenes, showcasing perspectives on stage direction, costume design, scripts, contracts and musical scores used by performers.
Presented together for the first time and drawing exclusively from the collections of the National Library, the exhibition features items that have never before been on display. Other highlights include the earliest surviving Australian printed document, selections from the JC Williamson theatre archives, and other contemporary live music and theatre posters.
Until 7 August | National Library of Australia | nla.gov.au
Feature Image: Pew Pew Studio.
