The Canberra region is set to be frosty this long weekend 26-29 May and CW has compiled a list of events to keep you toasty, happy and entertained.
This weekend marks the start of Reconciliation Week, 27 May- 3 June, Canberra commemorates the importance of the week with several activities including Reconciliation Day at the National Arboretum Canberra on Monday.
Help raise funds for our leading animal welfare group RSPCA ACT by joining the convoy of canines walking around Lake Burley Griffin in the Million Paws Walk on Sunday.
Check out one of the many incredible exhibitions happening around the region, with it being the last chance to catch a number of them.
EVENTS
Festival of Everyday Art: Encouraging locals to take the time to look at our city with workshops, treasure hunts and walkable treasure trails. Until 16 July, full program; events.canberra.com.au
High School Musical Party: The Best of Both Worlds returns with another night of Disney music fun for adults. The Basement Canberra, Friday 26 May 7pm; thebasementcanberra.com.au
Million Paws Walk: Grab your four-legged best friend and take a stroll around Lake Burley Griffin to help raise some much-needed funds for animals in need at RSPCA ACT. Patrick White Lawns, Sunday 28 May 9am- 2pm; millionpawswalk.com.au/act
Italian Day: Enjoy the rich culture through authentic cuisine, cooking demonstartions, music and fun activities for the whole family in this free event. Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, 28 May 11am; fyshwickmarkets.com.au
Reconciliation Day: Canberrans are invited to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and how to move towards reconciliation in Australia. The day is full of culturally guided activities, demonstrations and workshops with food and drinks available. National Arboretum Canberra, Monday 29 May 10am; events.canberra.com.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Ruben Guthrie: Wander Theatre presents the gritty Australian comedy which explores a man’s journey through alcoholism and excess. ACT Hub, 25-27 May; acthub.com.au
Book of the Month: Tempo Theatre stages the Basil Thomas comedy about a young girl exposing family secrets in her debut novel. Belconnen Community Theatre, 26 May- 3 June; anberraticketing.com.au
The Alphabet of Awesome Science: A hilariously fascinating and slightly gross exploration into the wonders of science that promises to be fun for the whole family. The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 26-27 May; theq.net.au
Lakeside at 5: This month’s performance comes from funky jazz fusion band Bella Grove at The Lodge, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Friday 26 May 5pm; tuggeranongarts.com
Lior & Domini: With folk sounds likened to stars of the ‘60s, the duo launch their debut album Animal in Hiding at The Street Theatre, City West, 26 May 7:30pm; thestreet.org.au
Sammy J: A farewell tour to the comedians ABC TV characters in the Good Hustle. Canberra Theatre Centre, 26 May 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Holy Holy: Celebrating their new single Messed Up the band brings their national tour to Kambri Precinct, ANU, 26 May 8pm; moshtix.com.au
Canberra Sinfonia: Opens their 2023 Season with Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, Saturday 27 May 1:30pm; humanitix.com
Paul Taylor: Presents a one and done show, BisouBye x in association with Alliance Francaise. The Street Theatre, 27 May 7:30pm; thestreet.org.au
Sparrow, Autumn Leaves and Little Organs: ANU Choral Society presents a programme of classic and contemporary works. Wesley Music Centre, 27 May 7:30pm; eventbrite.com.au
Pictures at an exHERbition: A creative redress and balancing of the history books from the Luminescence Chamber Singers, children’s choir and pianist Sally Whitwell. National Gallery of Australia, Sunday 28 May 2pm; luminescence.org.au
Austrian Choir Canberra: Presents You Raise Me Up, a concert to lift your spirit with special guests the Forrest National Chamber Orchestra. Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, 28 May 2pm; harmonieclub.com.au/
Chris Masuak: The former Radio Birdman guitarist returns to Australia with Dog Soldier for a select number of shows. Smith’s Alternative, 28 May 7pm; smithsalternative.com
Reconciliation Concert 2023: Legendary band Yothu Yindi headlines the event and are joined by Canberra First Nations artists Alinta Barlow and Stewart Barton. Canberra Theatre Centre, Sunday 28 May 7pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Baayangalibiyaay: Lucy Simpson presents a story of materiality and memory encompassed in the art of glassmaking. Canberra Glassworks, Kingston, until 16 July; canberraglassworks.com
Craft ACT: Hosts two new exhibitions- Speculation Nation: Making Utopia a seven artist collab and 2022 CO:LAB the culmination of a year-long professional development program. Craft ACT, London Circuit, until 1 July; craftact.org.au
When the Lights Go Out: Artist Sam Suttie perfectly blends the real with the surreal in this collection of oil paintings. Tyger Gallery, Yass, 26 May- 18 June; tygergallery.com.au
bad vibrations: Francis Kenna presents a series of experiments in materials in an exploration of the way our minds perceive things. Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka, 26 May – 4 June; cas.com.au
Lauren Kalman: The Detroit-based visual artist brings her contemporary exhibition Embodied Subject: Performance, Craft, and the Body to the ANU School of Art and Design Gallery, 26 May- 8 June; soad.cass.anu.edu.au
Nurturing Nature: An exhibition of small-scale woodcut prints by Canberra artist Heather Groves from observing her surrounding at home and in nature. Rusten House Art Centre, Queanbeyan, until 27 May; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Exposed: A multimedia exhibition from the artists involved in the Marsden Art Group exploring themes related to exposure, vulnerability and revelation. Rusten House, Queanbeyan, until 27 May; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Beaver Galleries: Hosts two new exhibitions- Sue Lovegrove’s Slow Water and Clara Hali’s Selected Works: 1992-2022. Beaver Galleries, Deakin, until 27 May; beavergalleries.com.au
Changing From From to From: Immersive multimedia creations marry culture traditions and science, history and political events in this exhibition from Haegue Yang. National Gallery of Australia, 27 May- 24 September; nga.gov.au
National Portrait Gallery: Marks Reconciliation Week with a highlights tour in Be a Voice for Generations. 27 May- 3 June; portrait.gov.au
Light, Colour, Humanity: The Legacy of Alastair Swayn presented Alastair Swayn Foundation 2023 Showcase explores how the three concepts were reflected in the architects works. Canberra Museum and Gallery; until 28 May; cmag.com.au
Warmer- Warmer Dumpling World: A collaborative exhibition explores the intimacies in shared experiences through different mediums. Gorman Arts Centre, until 28 May; tributaryprojects.xyz
The Anything You Want Machine: Canberra artist Kirsten Farrell challenges the notion that textile is feminine and painting is masculine in her plastic textile works. ANCA, Dickson, until 28 May; anca.net.au
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