Another great weekend is in store for the Canberra region.
Geeks and nerds are in for a treat as Oz Comic Con returns to Exhibition Park with even more cosplay, performances and markets.
Take in a show or two (or three); there is something for everyone with circus, music and theatre abounds. Enjoy the small moments with ACT Hub’s Every Brilliant Thing or appreciate a long-loved farce with ANU Shakespeare Society’s version of The Comedy of Errors.
EVENTS
Oz Comic Con: All your nerdy dreams can come true at the 2024 fiction entertainment and comic convention; cosplay, panels, performances, competitions, markets, and so much more. Exhibition Park in Canberra, 24-25 August; ozcomiccon.com/canberra
LIVE PERFORMANCES
ANU Shakespeare Society: The Comedy of Errors follows two sets of identical twins who don’t know about the other. Now set in the ‘80s, the show promises to be whimsical and full of shenanigans. Canberra Theatre Centre, 21-24 August; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Cirque Bon Bon: An all-star cast of contortionists, acrobats and dancers present an extravaganza of light, acrobatics, dance and comedy. Canberra Theatre Centre, 22-24 August; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Jurrungu Ngan-ga [Straight Talk]: Blending movement, music, soundscape, spoken word and projection, Marrugeku’s unique intercultural work reflects the impact of government-sanctioned brutality. Canberra Theatre Centre, 23-24 August; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
The Merry Widow: The National Capital Opera invite you to Step into the dazzling world of high society in Paris, where love, laughter and mischief collide in Franz Lehár’s timeless masterpiece. The Q- Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 23-25 August; theq.net.au
The Mersey Beatles: The Liverpool-born Beatles tribute honours the music of the unforgettable Fab Four. The Q- Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Friday 23 August 7:30pm; theq.net.au
Celeste Barber: The comedian promises a night of laughs from inappropriately texting your therapist to what it would be like to be on the road with Taylor Swift in Backup Dancer. National Convention Centre, Friday 23 August 7:30pm; ticketek.com.au
Some Like It Marilyn: A cabaret show celebrating one of the biggest icons off the 20th Century with songs and scenes from Monroe’s classic movies. Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, until 24 August; milltheatreatdairyroad.com
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs: Invites you to step back to a visionary age when music evoked emotions in Voices of the Italian Baroque Treasures. Snow Concert Hall, Saturday 24 August 2:30pm; snowconcerthall.com
Hayley Jensen: The powerhouse country pop artist plays a collection of her hits with the full band. Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan, Saturday 24 August 7:30pm; humanitix.com
The Roy Orbison Story: Mark Shelley performs some of the best hits of the iconic performer including Only the Lonely, Pretty Woman and Penny Arcade. The Q- Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Saturday 24 August 7:30pm; theq.net.au
Every Brilliant Thing: A transcendent and tender celebration of life, that reminds us to pay attention to life’s smallest joys, and to each other. ACT Hub, until 25 August; acthub.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Showcases three exhibitions- Anitu, Old Gods, Beliefs and Superstitions by IDioM; Longing and Belonging a group show; and Kambah 50 a group exhibition. Until 12 October; tuggeranongarts.com
Malcolm Cooke: An exhibition highlighting more than five decades of practice, dedication and creating ceramics in 55. Canberra Potter Gallery, 22 August- 22 September; canberrapotters.com.au
Moving in Circles: A showcase of past and recent printworks highlighting the ongoing topics of concern such as nuclear disarmament and human rights. Megalo Print Studio, until 24 August; megalo.org
Belconnen Arts Centre: Showcases five exhibitions- Bloodlines by Jessika Spencer; Reclamation: Stories of Thrivival by Wallabindi; Murrook by Krystal Hurst; Respecting Country by William Walker; and Yurwang Bullarn by Strong Women’s Group. Until 25 August; belcoarts.com.au
ANCA Gallery: Stephanie Scroope and Jay Kochel present Lineaments, an exhibition meeting somewhere between abstract geometry and portraiture. ANCA Gallery Dickson, until 25 August; anca.net.au
Change: Stories from your pocket: The Royal Australian Mint curates an exhibition exploring the stories our coins tell about our history. Canberra Museum and Gallery, until 31 August ; cmag.com.au
Beaver Galleries: Showcases two exhibitions- The Memory of Place by Peter Boggs and Tidal Threads by Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott. Until 31 August; beavergalleries.com.au
Photo Access: Presents two exhibitions- Memory Sites by Fletcher Aldous, Kailum Graves, Starry Kong and Remi Siciliano and Experimental Fields by Xi Li. until 7 September; photoaccess.org.au
Discovering Ancient Egypt: On loan from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities is a deep dive into the culture of the ancient society with more than 220 objects, spanning more than 3,000 years. National Museum of Australia, until 8 September; nma.gov.au
Ella Barclay: Presents works developed whilst on residency at ZK/U The Centre for Art and Urbanistics I Berlin. CCAS, Lakeside, until 14 September: ccas.com.au
Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024: The 12 finalists for the Little Darlings competition that saw students from kindergarten to year 12 respond to the theme My Story through different mediums. National Portrait Gallery, until 15 September; portrait.gov.au
Cobi Cockburn: The contemporary artist uses glass, light and line to create works that explore the notion of the temporal nature of existence in Pink Moon. Canberra Glassworks, until 22 September; canberraglassworks.com
Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao: Experience the enduring art of the French Post-Impressionist Paul Gaugin through some his most recognised works. National Gallery of Australia, until 7 October; nga.gov.au
Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize: Artists from around the country present natural themed works in this renowned competition. National Archives of Australia, until 27 October; naa.gov.au
Napier Waller Art Prize 2024: Featuring 17 highly commended entries by Australian Defence Force veterans, this powerful exhibition is open to the public at Australian Parliament House until 13 October. More info: awm.gov.au/napier-waller-art-prize-hub
Materiality…but not as we know it: Ten artists and designers with Canberra connections explore the ideas around truth to materials and functionality and design. Canberra Museum and Gallery, until 20 October; cmag.com.au
William Yang’s Mardi Gras: An exhibition celebrating the works of the photographer, artist and filmmaker with his works from the 1981- 2003 Mardi Gras events. National Library of Australia, until 3 November 2024; nla.gov.au
Hope and Fear: Australian Migration Stories: Celebrate the journey of those who come to call Australia home through an incredible collection of imagery, documentation, memorabilia and personal stories. National Library of Australia, until 2 February; nla.gov.au
