The weather is all over the place in the Canberra region at the moment, but this weekend, 8-10 September, could be a good opportunity to spend some time outside. Pack your puffer jacket, just in case.
Grab a bag, trolley or armful of new reads at the Lifeline Canberra Bookfair as the beloved fundraising event returns to Exhibition Park from Friday to Sunday.
A Community Fun Day in O’Connor and the Canberra Festival of Nature in Whitlam are the perfect excuses to slip, slip, slap and soak up some rays.
Theatre galore is available to Canberra audiences this weekend as The Hello Girls pick up the call at Canberra Theatre Centre, and Canberra Rep Theatre continues their season with Mr Bennet’s Bride.
Treat the kids to some live entertainment as guests from the 100 Acre Woods head to Canberra Theatre Centre, and R.A. Spratt tells an exciting new tale at Belconnen Arts Centre.
EVENTS
Lifeline Canberra Bookfair: The beloved charity fundraiser is back with even more books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, puzzles, games and collectibles with all proceeds going to support the local crisis support services. Exhibition Park, 8-10 September; lifelinecanberra.org.au
Mini-Con: QBD Books presents a celebration of manga with giveaways, gift vouchers, cosplay competitions and manga/anime standees. Westfield Woden, 7-10 September; qbd.com.au
Two Hands: This Australian comedy crime film presented on a 35mm film print starring Heath Ledger and Rose Byrne features an award-winning soundtrack. National Film and Sound Archive, 8 September; nfsa.gov.au
Community Fun Day: A free sausage sizzle, face painting, kids craft and activities, alongside community groups, stalls and entertainment. O’Connor Uniting Church, Saturday 9 September 10am-2pm.
Canberra Festival of Nature: Learn more about Canberra’s natural environment, biodiversity and the beauty of our native flora, fauna and unique ecosystems in this community event. Whitlam Display Village, Saturday 9 September 11am-2pm; landcareact.org.au/festival
Hawaiian Hula Dance Workshop: Learn about Hawaiian culture, language and dance at this Hula workshop. Saturday 9 September 2-4pm at 6thPosition Dance Studio, Canberra CBD. Cost: $60. Tickets: call Michelle on 0484 916 546.
Support Ukraine Fundraiser: Enjoy Ukrainian folk music and dance, and hear from Dr Vladimir Ivanovich Franchuk. Supper included. Mosaic Baptist Church, 9 September 7pm; 1wayfm.com.au
The X-Files: Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the TV series with a special screening of the first film, The X-Files: Fight the Future. National Film and Sound Archive, 9 September; nfsa.gov.au
Spring German Markets: The beloved markets return with lots of stalls, live entertainment, great food, German deli, and a jumping castle for the kids. Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, Sunday 10 September 9am-1pm; harmonieclub.com.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
The Children: In the wake of a man-made disaster, a pair of retired nuclear engineers and organic farmers are visited by an old colleague with mysterious motives. ACT Hub, Kingston, until 9 September; acthub.com.au
The Hello Girls: Canberra-based Heart String Theatre Co returns after the success of its debut production with a fun, witty musical about the trail-blazing women who turned the US Army upside down. Canberra Theatre Centre, 7-9 September; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Winnie the Pooh: The Broadway and West End sensation sees Pooh and all the creatures from the Hundred Acre Woods come to the Canberra Theatre Centre, 8-9 September; winniethepoohshow.com
Mr Bennet’s Bride: Canberra Rep Theatre presents a tragicomedy in a tale of family loyalties, social expectations and choosing a life partner. Canberra Rep Theatre, Acton, 7-23 September; canberrarep.org.au
Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt: Presents a brand new story for her podcast series and invites Canberrans to be part of the live audience. Belconnen Arts Centre, 9 September 2pm; belcoarts.com.au
Incy Wincy Spider: Musica da Camera presents a program of varied delights for young and old over two days and locations. Holy Covenant Church, Cook, Saturday 9 September 2.30pm and Soldier’s Memorial Hall, Gundaroo, Sunday 10 September 2.30pm; trybooking.com
Jimmy Rees: Is set to delight audiences with his Not That Kinda Viral? Live show. National Convention Centre, Canberra, 9 September 6pm & 8:45pm; premier.ticketek.com.au
Ash Grunwald: The blues sensation performs with special guest Lucy Sugerman at Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo NSW on Saturday 9 September 7pm. Tickets: tallagandrahill.com.au
Wesley Music Centre: Hosts a four-hand piano concert with Aaron Chew and Jennifer Hou playing works by Mozart, Brahms and more. 10 September 5pm; wesleycanberra.org.au
EXHIBITIONS
Craft + Design Canberra: Welcomes two new exhibitions – group collaboration Island Welcome, and Peter T. McCarthy’s N’Sazza: Making Things Work. Craft + Design Gallery, Canberra, 8 September-21 October; craftanddesigncanberra.org
The Overwintering Project: Jerrabomberra Wetlands: The newest iteration of this project explores the plight and habitat of migratory shorebirds at Canberra’s Jerrabomberra Wetlands. Megalo Print Studio, Kingston, 9 September-28 October; www.megalo.org
The Secret River: On the banks of the Hawkesbury River, convict William Thornhill discovers something new, a place of his own in this historically accurate tale. Lieder Theatre, Goulburn NSW, until 9 September; theliedertheatre.com
Out of the Shadows: An exhibition of digital drawings, crochet sculptures and video works reflecting on Megan Munro’s life as a queer artist and performer. ANCA Gallery, Dickson, until 10 September; anca.net.au
Day Dreamer/ Night Thinker: A solo exhibition from local artist Saskia Haalebos exploring questions of mortality, empathy and miscommunication. Megalo Print Studio 8, Kingston, until 12 September: megalo.org
For the Love of Watercolour: A collection of stunning, colourful works by Jan Vincent. Kyeema Gallery, Capital Wines, Hall, until 13 September; capitalwines.com.au
Rusten House Art Centre: Presents two new exhibitions for spring – Magpies and More by Maria O’Donahoo, and Huddlestone & Mortimer by Michael Huddlestone and Dennis Mortimer. Until 23 September; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Cruel Optimism: An exhibition exploring the liminality of queer experiences, construction of community, and the line between fantasy and fact. Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon, until 29 September; tributaryprojects.xyz
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
