In the lead up to the Canberra Writers Festival, revered Australian author Tim Winton will speak about his new novel, Juice, at ANU’s Llewellyn Hall on Sunday 20 October.

The Inheritance “an epic examination of survival, healing, class divide” will continue to hit the ACT Hub stage at Causeway Hall until 2 November.

As per usual, there are plenty of exhibitions for the public to attend.

EVENTS

Everyman Theatre, The Inheritance: Performed in two parts and inspired by E. M. Forster’s beloved novel Howard’s End, The Inheritance is an epic examination of survival, healing, class divide and what it means to call a place home. ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston, 12 October–2 November; acthub.com.au/production/the-inheritance

Peter and the Starcatcher: Winner of five Tony Awards™, this hilarious swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan originally developed by Disney Theatrical Group flies into Canberra from 15 October. A spectacular masterpiece that will hook you from the moment you let your imagination take flight. A magical adventure the whole family will enjoy! Canberra Theatre Centre, The Playhouse, 15 to 27 October; canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/peter-and-the-starcatcher-2024

Solace: David Frazer’s new series of relief prints stem from a collaboration with singer-songwriter Tom Waits, exhibition runs at Beaver Galleries, Deakin from 17 October to 2 November; beavergalleries.com.au/exhibitions/solace-2/frazer

This place, this time: This exhibition by Cathy Franzi shows the artists’ knowledge and appreciation for Australian flora. She drew inspiration for this exhibition from the Tinderry Range in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. The exhibition runs from 17 October to 2 November, Beaver Galleries; beavergalleries.com.au/exhibitions/this-place-this-time/franzi

Daniel Champagne In Concert: The young virtuoso recently described as “the finest guitar player of this generation” has been selling out shows all over the globe and will be bringing his dynamite live show to Canberra. The Street Theatre, 18 October, 7:30pm; thestreet.org.au

Two Strong Hearts: A tribute to John Farnham and Olivia Newton John: A musical match made in heaven! This show delivers the very best of these two iconic singers in a world class, high energy and emotional musical production featuring all their hits, The Q, Friday 18 October from 8pm; theq.net.au/whats-on/

Kaleidoscope III: In its third year, Kaleidoscope III is an open exhibition where LGBTQIA+ artists in Canberra and Australia-wide can express their experiences of queerness, sexuality, gender, and unique individuality through art. Opens at Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre on 18 October at 6pm, runs until 1 December; belcoarts.com.au/kaleidoscope-3/

The Australian Military Wives Choir: They will perform in Canberra from on Friday 18 October at the Parliament House foyer and grand hall at 10am and Russell Offices at noon and Saturday 19 October at Mount Stromlo Observatory 9:30am, National Carillon at 3pm and the Australian War Memorial at 4pm (booking for this show via the AWM website); some of the performances will be weather permitting.

Pinkalicious: Based on the popular book by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann, Pinkalicious tells the story of a young girl who can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents, the show is by Perform Australia’s Academy students, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Friday 18 October at 7pm, Saturday 19 October 11am and 2pm; tuggeranongarts.com/pinkalicious

It’s a wrap: Textile artists from the Canberra region showcase their design and making skills in the timeless scarf format, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, the exhibition runs from 18 October to 13 December, with an official opening on 18 October at 6pm; tuggeranongarts.com/its-a-wrap-18-oct-13-dec

Triptych: The award-winning audiovisual experience from Australian artist and composer Robin Fox: lose yourself in simultaneous sound and light as Fox crafts an immersive blend of live electronic music and laser projections, NFSA Acton; 18 October at 7:30pm and 19 October at 8pm; nfsa.gov.au/events/live-nfsa-robin-fox-triptych

Stonefest: Headlined by the band Teenage Dads, this local music festival will run at the University of Canberra lawns on Saturday 19 October; from 3:30pm; canberra.edu.au/events

Honour Your Ancestors: Sixty Years of Family History in the ACT book launch: This book will be launched at the Cook Community Hub on Saturday 19 October at 2pm.

ACT State Jigsaw Puzzle Competition 2024: Watch or participate in individual or pairs events, Saturday 19 October, 9am-5pm; eventbrite.com.au/e/act-state-jigsaw-puzzle-competition-2024-tickets-826746490007

Democracy sausage and bake sale: Cast your vote and grab a democracy sausage and delicious baked goods to support the school community. Snags, cakes, muffins, biscuits and more will be on sale with vegan, DF, GF and other dietary options, Campbell Primary School, Saturday 19 October 8am-4pm.

Salving Solos: An intimate evening with local singer-songwriter’s Deb Morgan, Ben Drysdale and Duncan n. Sargeant as part of the Crossroads Festival, Pulp Book Café, Saturday 19 October, 5-7pm; rebustheatre.com/performances/crossroads-mental-health-festival

Four Seasons: Kirsten Williams leads the Canberra Symphony Orchestra in a musical tribute to the seasons, ANU’s Llewellyn Hall, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 October 7pm; llewellynhall.com.au/events/four-seasons

Googong’s Rural Fire Service Open Day: Googong’s RFS Open Day is a fascinating adventure for the young and the young-at-heart, with lots of free family fun. Climb the big red fire trucks or have a go with the hoses under the watchful eye of our local brigade. Try the firies’ gear on for size and share some of the amazing stories from our local heroes. There will be live music, food vendors, stalls and more. Bunyip Park, Wellsvale Drive, Googong, 10am-2pm Saturday 19 October; googong.net/news-and-events

Project Didi Australia’s Open Gardens and Markets: Come along to Project Didi Australia’s two open gardens and markets in support of women and children in Nepal rebuilding their lives after trafficking and violence. See Heather’s mix of native and dry tolerant species, herb garden with a fishpond and delightful tea house or explore Jill’s Italian market garden, home to chickens, native birds, fruit trees and a round peace garden. Have a momo (Nepalese dumpling) and take some flowers home, homegrown produce and Nepalese textiles and jewellery.
$10 entry to both gardens, children under 16 free. 13 Holmes Cres, Campbell, 87 Jansz Cres, Griffith, Saturday 19 October 10am–4pm, Sunday 20 October 10am–2pm, projectdidiaustralia.org

Murrumbateman Field Days:
Come and enjoy Murrumbateman’s big farming family day out! Experience all our Field Day favourites, including tractors, livestock, farm equipment, entertainment, and rural lifestyle shopping. This year we welcome the Hawkesbury Working Sheep Dogs, racing pigs, camel rides and more than 300 exhibitors. Bring the family for a day out you won’t want to miss! Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds, 19 East Street, Saturday 19 October 8am–5pm, Sunday 20 October 8am–4pm; mfdays.com

Adorable Salvage: A pop up by Ralph and Leisa Fox. The exhibition gives visitors the chance to explore and purchase a range of quirky animal and character sculptures made from repurposed materials the duo has been collecting that would otherwise have gone to landfill, including stainless-steel kitchen elements and other bric-a-brac, Rusten House, 19-20 October 2024 pop up, 10am-4pm.

Postcards from Queanbeyan: Postcards from Queanbeyan miniature quilts exhibition by the Queanbeyan Quilters. The members were prompted to reflect on what Queanbeyan means to them, The exhibition runs at Rusten House from 31 August-20 October but will be at Letchworth Community Centre on 19 October as part of the QBN Arts Trail; queanbeyanpalerang.com.au/visit

Canberra Riding Club Pony Club Gala: Canberra Riding Club Pony Club (CRC Pony Club), the 2023 Australian Pony Club of the Year, will host its second horse gala event on Sunday 20 October 2024, 2 Randwick Road Lyneham, Sunday 20 October, 9am-3pm

A night with Tim Winton: Author Tim Winton will speak about his new novel, JUICE, as part of the Canberra Writers Festival, ANU’S Llewellyn Hall, Sunday 20 October 8pm; llewellynhall.com.au/events/night-tim-winton

Stuck in a Moment – The U2/INXS Story: A one-of-a-kind tribute experience! The Q, 20 October, 2:30-5pm; theq.net.au

Book Club: The Drover’s Wife (short) and The Drover’s  Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson + discussion: Two thought-provoking interpretations of Henry Lawson’s iconic Australian short story, followed by a discussion with Australian filmmaker and creative polymath Leah Purcell AM in partnership with Canberra Writers Festival, NFSA Acton, 20 October at 1pm; nfsa.gov.au/events/book-club-drovers-wife-short-feature-discussion

ONGOING

The Boy from Oz: A jukebox musical that tells the extraordinary biography of legendary singer-songwriter Peter Allen. It weaves many of his most famous and beloved songs into his life story – exploring all the highs: entertainer, pop-star, meeting Judy Garland, marrying her daughter Liza Minnelli, Oscar winner, Broadway performer, and all the lows; 1-20 October 2024, The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan, theq.net.au

EXHIBITION no.1: Works by eleven distinguished artists working in and around Canberra. The exhibition launch will be held at the Civic Art Bureau, Melbourne Building on Saturday 5 October at 3pm, the exhibition runs until 26 October; civicartbureau.com/exhibitions/exhibition-no-1/

Little Shop of Horrors: Dramatic Productions’ show runs at Gungahlin College Theatre from 11-26 October; stagecenta.com/showid/8707/theatreid/1132/ShowdetailsC.aspx

The Department of Responsible Adulting: Canberra Youth Theatre’s next production is an inventive, immersive new work that takes audiences into the belly of a new government department – run entirely by children, 40 Cameron Avenue, Belconnen, October 18-27; canberrayouththeatre.com.au

Continuing

Pixar Putt: This fun pop-up mini golf experience returns to the region, Civic Square, runs 20 September to 18 October; canberradaily.com.au/pixar-putt-returns-to-take-canberra-to-infinity-and-beyond/

Love From a Stranger: is on at Belconnen Community Theatre from 25 October to 2 November, for 9 shows only.

Landscape and Memory a retrospective and LOOKS: Both are running at Rusten House Art Centre from 28 September to 20 October.

Witness, collector, archivist, narrator: Running at the Canberra Contemporary Art exhibition runs until 19 October.

Canberra Art Biennial: Various works at different places around the city; runs 27 September to 26 October; canberraartbiennial.com

To gather, to nourish, to sustain: This exhibition by Jenna Lee will run at COX Gallery as part of the 2024 Canberra Art Biennial until 25 October; coxarchitecture.com.au/perspective/category/cox-gallery

Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia: Check out Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia returns to Kamberri/Canberra for its final showing at the NGA. The exhibition showcases more than 260 historical and contemporary works of art by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, also exploring Australia’s complex histories. The exhibition runs until 24 August 2025.

Guided tours of ANU Classics Museum: The museum houses a beautifully curated collection of Ancient Greek and Roman antiquities and is open to the public on weekdays between 9:30am and 4:30 pm. Volunteer guides conduct a free one hour guided tour of the museum on the second Friday of each month at 11am.  All welcome. No need to book.

Art Classes with Smitha Dudaga: These classes are designed for anyone over 6 years old, and who loves to paint! Ainslie Arts Centre, 19 October to 14 December; ainslieandgorman.com.au/whats-on/class/art-classes-with-smitha-dudaga

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