All you need is love … and a couple of days to relax and enjoy yourself, which is exactly what Canberra is offering locals this weekend, 10-12 February.
The National Museum of Australia celebrates gender diverse love in their celebration of WorldPride at Night At The Museum: Queer on Friday night. Spend Friday and Saturday afternoon/evening witnessing a modern, dysfunctional love in At Dinner at ACT Hub in Kingston, or celebrating the love of a musical icon in To Barbra With Love at Canberra Theatre Centre.
Fall in love with Nepalese culture at Nepal Festival 2023 in Commonwealth Park on Saturday, then on Sunday, grab the perfect homemade and heartfelt gift for your Valentine at the beloved Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston.
EVENTS
Lifeline Bookfair: Reading enthusiasts favourtie Canberra event, the charity book sale helps keep the local crisis support service running. Browse the books, games, music and movies at Exhibition Park in Canberra, 10-12 February; lifelinecanberra.org.au
Sports and Wellbeing Expo: Celebrate Gungahlin invites Canberrans to an afternoon of sporting fun with local sporting personalities, live demos, the chance to connect with new groups, and food and drinks to keep energy levels high. Amaroo Playing Fields, 10 February 3.30-6.30pm; celebrategungahlin.com.au
Night at The Museum – Queer: To commemorate Australia hosting WorldPride in Sydney, this after-hours event features live performances, a drag queen glow-up, pop-up exhibition celebrating Australia’s queer history. National Museum of Australia, 10 February 6pm; nma.gov.au
The Ovations Awards: The inaugural awards evening recognising excellence in performing arts in the Canberra and Queanbeyan region. Hellenic Club Woden, 10 February 6.30pm; ovations.org.au
Nepal Festival Canberra 2023: Explore the ethnicity and culture of Neapal and the Nepalese community, at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, Saturday 11 February 9am-11pm; communityswitch.com.au/events/view/23380/nepal-festival-2023/
Coffee and Crepes: bumperlove, a bumper sticker business, presents a morning of tasty treats at Kings Park, Lake Burley Griffin, 11 February 9am-11am.
A Day at the Lake: Royal Life Saving NSW/ACT are hosting a free water safety day to help build awareness and safety skills with practical demonstrations, a BBQ lunch, prizes and discounts at the Canberra Aqua Park. Black Mountain Peninsula, 12 February 10am- 2pm; drowningprevention.org.au
Dancing Queen Dining Experience: Enjoy a three-course meal while being serenaded with a theatre performance dedicated to the songs of ABBA. Templo Theatre, until 30 November; explorehidden.com
LIVE PERFORMANCES
At Dinner: The audience gets an intimate insight into modern love as two young lovers share a meal together. ACT Hub, Kingston, 9-11 February; acthub.com.au
To Barbra With Love: Celebrate the incomparable songstress, Barbra Streisand in this 80th birthday event with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and some of the biggest names in musical theatre. Canberra Theatre Centre, 10-11 February; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Catch Jazida: An immersive theatre/dance experience from Canberra’s most recognisable burlesque performer, Jazida, who is on the run from the law. The Courthouse Studio, 10-12 February; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Lost Legends Showcase: Long standing Australian musicians perform the hits of their friends and bandmates – the Aussie Legends – with the likes of Bon Scott, The Bee Gees and many more. The National Theatre, Braidwood, 11 February 7.30pm; circlemusic.iwannaticket.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Reflections on Nature: A showcase of the works created during the pandemic lockdown, the artists in residence virtual program. The Old Barn Gallery, Pialligo, 9-12 February; natureartlab.com.au
Kelly Austin: The Tasmanian-based ceramic artist showcases her still life arrangements in Duality at Beaver Galleries, 9-25 February; beavergalleries.com.au
Alex Asch: The Canberra artist explores constructed landscapes through recycled materials in the newest exhibition, Climacteric, at Beaver Galleries, Deakin, 9-25 February; beavergalleries.com.au
Belconnen Arts Centre: Welcomes four new exhibitions from individuals and groups – earth unframed; Mycelium Sky; Wrack and Salvage; and ground whisper softly. 10 February-26 March; belcoarts.com.au
Canberra Museum + Gallery: Two exhibitions – Tom Moore’s Abundant Water, and Blanche Tilden’s ripple effect – a 25 year survey, until 12 February; cmag.com.au
MARKETS
Night Markets: The community-run event runs every Friday 4-8pm at Anketell Street, Tuggeranong.
Capital Region Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal produce and gourmet goods at EPIC, Saturdays 7-11.30am; capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets: The much-loved markets continue at the Old Bus Depot in Kingston, Sundays 9.30am-2.30pm; obdm.com.au
Bric-a-Brac Rummage: Hunt for second-hand treasure in front of South.Point, Tuggeranong, Sundays 9am-3pm.
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