The appreciation of culture and heritage is rich across the Canberra region this weekend, 12-14 April.
Be immersed in the splendour of the Egyptian culture in an evening of dance, performances, activities and extended opening hours at the National Museum of Australia.
Explore the history of Canberra and surrounding region with workshops, exhibitions and a plethora of exciting activities in the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival and the Queanbeyan-Palerang Heritage Festival.
The Canberra theatre scene is in full swing with local companies offering some fantastic performances including Seagull at ACT Hub, The Shoe-Horn Sonata at Mill Theatre at Dairy Road and Billy Elliot the Musical at The Q-Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre.
EVENTS
Relay For Life: An overnight event full of activities, music and comradery as locals gather to walk, run or dance as many laps as possible to raise funds for the Cancer Council. AIS, 13-14 April; relayforlife.org.au/event/canberra-2024
Canberra and Region Heritage Festival: The annual event returns with more than 120 events planned to share the rich history of our region featuring exhibitions, workshops and engaging activities. Various locations, 13- 28 April; environment.act.gov.au
Illuminating Egypt Festival: Experience an evening of culture under the stars with music and dance, markets, street food, family activities and extended opening hours. National Museum of Australia, Saturday 13 April 4pm; nma.gov.au
Darkfield: A sensory deprivation experience that will challenge your realty, set in shipping containers choose between Flight and Séance. Canberra Theatre Centre, until 14 April; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Taste Bud Boogie: Embrace the creative and exciting taste experiences from six local makers in the Murrumbateman and Gundaroo regions. Various locations, until 14 April; tastebudboogie.com.au
Queanbeyan-Palerang Heritage Festival: Learn about the history of the region and get connected where you live with workshops, exhibitions and events. Various locations, until 25 May; qprc.nsw.gov.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
RBG: Of Many, One: Brings the life and wins and dissents of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court to the stage. Canberra Theatre Centre, 11-21 April; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Bang On Live: Myf Warhurst and Zan Rowe bring their podcast to audiences as they connect, laugh and share stories with those in attendance. Canberra Theatre Centre, Friday 12 April 6:30pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Giants vs Saints: Watch local stars Tom Green and Jack Steele battle it out as Manuka Oval hosts its first match of the AFL premiership season when the Giants take on the Saints on Saturday afternoon. Manuka Oval, Saturday 13 April 1:45pm; ticketek.com.au
John Williamson: Accompanied by his full band, the beloved Aussie musician performs a mix of newly released songs and favourites of decades past. Canberra Theatre Centre, Saturday 13 April 7:30pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
I Want It That Gay: A cabaret comedy that reminisces on your favourite hits from the 1990s-2000s through a queer lens. Tuggeranong Arts Centre 13 April 7:30pm; tuggeranongarts.com Cancelled
Birth & Rebirth: Three outstanding young performers bring their most recent program to the region after it was created as part of the Emerging Artist Concerts Series. Wesley Music Centre, Sunday 14 April 2pm; humanitix.com
Raiders vs Titans: After an impressive win at home last weekend, the Raiders will be looking to make it back-to-back victories when they take on the Titans on Sunday evening. GIO Stadium, Sunday 14 April 6:15pm; ticketek.com.au
Seagull: A translation of the Anton Chekhov classic in which a country house plays the stage for love triangles, quarrels about theatre and egos to erupt. ACT Hub, until 21 April; acthub.com.au
The Shoe-Horn Sonata: Based on true events, the experiences of women imprisoned by the Japanese in WWII told through a pair that meets 50 years later. Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, until 27 April 7:30pm; humanitix.com
Billy Elliot the Musical: Inspired by the movie of the same name, an 11-year-old boy dreams of dancing and breaking free of what life has in store for him. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Until 5 May; theq.net.au
EXHIBITIONS
Remake Remodel: Bruce Reynolds showcases an array of paintings on linoleum wood inspired by modernist sculptures. CCAS Manuka, 12-21 April; ccas.com.au
Moraig McKenna: Explores the surface effects of texture, glaze, salt and as on clay in Surfacing at Canberra Potters Gallery, Watson, until 21 April; canberrapotters.com.au
Told. Retold. Untold.: A site-specific exhibition from artist Rosalind Lemoh that highlights the rich history of the Kingston building. Canberra Glassworks, until 28 April; canberraglassworks.com
Deep Inside My Heart: Bringing together sculptures, drawings and other works from the national collection by female artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. National Gallery of Australia, until 19 May; nga.gov.au
Belconnen Arts Centre: Showcases 6 exhibitions; Lee Crisp Life Drawing; Emergence of Materials and Self by Natalie Hall; Hold III group exhibition; The Bone People by Brenda Runnegar; Place by Alexander Thatcher; Dog by Lisa Jose. Until 19 May; belcoarts.com.au
Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Showcases three exhibitions: Sitting Standing Turning by Robbie Karmel; Abode; and I Know My Age and I Act Like It by Louis Grant. Until 8 June; tuggeranongarts.com
Focus: Australian Government Photographers: Undertake a journey spanning six decades of Australian life with works from some of the government photographers working between 1939 and 1996. National Archives of Australia, until 10 June; naa.gov.au
Vincent Namatjira: Australia in colour: The first survey exhibition of the Western Aranda artist, showcasing paintings, works on paper and moving images from worldwide collections. National Gallery of Australia, until 21 July; nga.gov.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
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
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
