Things are staying cool in the Canberra region this weekend, 12-14 May, and CW has just the list to help you stay warm and entertained.
Spoil Mum with a beautiful gift from the National Museum of Australia’s Tapestry of Cultures event on Saturday, or take her to meet prehistoric mamas at the National Dinosaur Museum’s Mother’s Day event on Sunday.
Stay warm at one of the incredible performances around town this weekend: The Q in Queanbeyan presents a slightly different wizarding world in Puffs; ACT Hub brings a story of support and love in Steel Magnolias; Canberra Theatre Centre tells a tale of mystery and murder in The Mousetrap; and Canberra Rep finish up their season of Crimes of the Heart.
EVENTS
Buddhist Vesak Alms Round: Male and Female Monastics from across Australia will be in a special Vesak “alms round” near Canberra Times Fountain, City Walk by the Canberra Centre. Come say ‘G’day’ and put some rice in each Monastic’s bowl to symbolise love, humility and gratitude. Canberra Times Fountain, City Walk, Friday 12 May 10.15am; australiansangha.org
Pop Up Party: The second in the series of 5 Friday night pop-up parties around the city happens at Glebe Park on 12 May 5-8.30pm. Enjoy free entertainment and activities including a 1.5-hour cabaret show, presented by Jazida Productions.
Tapestry of Cultures: Travel around the world without leaving Canberra at this family festival; explore the dance, live performances, music and food from countries near and far with market stalls and activities available throughout the day. National Museum of Australia, Saturday 13 May 10am- 4pm; nma.gov.au
Hoskinstown Chestnut Roast: Spend the day cooking and learning about chestnuts with market stalls in this free event. Hoskinstown War Memorial Hall, Sunday 14 May 10am-2pm.
High Tea and Tour: The National Dinosaur Museum invites locals to celebrate mums at their special Mother’s Day event which includes a savoury and sweet buffet, an ode to Mum gallery tour, and special treat for Mum. National Dinosaur Museum, Nicholls, Sunday 14 May 2.30pm; nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
German Film Festival: Take an inside look into German life and culture with this catalogue of their finest films. Palace Electric, until 24 May; germanfilmfestival.com.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
The Iron Maidens: The all-female Iron Maiden tribute act return with a long awaited tour, stopping in at The Basement, Belconnen, Friday 12 May 7pm; thebasementcanberra.com.au
Reuben Solo: The stand-up comedian brings his Palindrome show to The Street Theatre, City West, Friday 12 May 7.30pm; thestreet.org.au
Steel Magnolias: Women of the South support each other through thick and thin in this beloved story from Robert Harling. ACT Hub at the Causeway, Kingston, until 20 May; acthub.com.au
National Opera: The Canberra Sinfonia ensemble presents a short but wonderful pocket opera and supper in The Elixir of Love. Albert Hall, Yarralumla, 11 and 13 May; nationalopera.org.au
Puffs: See what the non-heroes were doing during the magical war and at that certain wizarding school. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, until 20 May; theq.net.au
The Mousetrap: The genre-defining murder mystery from Agatha Christie comes to life on stage at the Canberra Theatre Centre, 11-21 May; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Crimes of the Heart: Exploring past choices and how they affect our relationships and futures, three sisters reunite under the Mississippi sun. Canberra Repertory Theatre, Acton, until 13 May; canberrarep.org.au
Wendy Matthews: The multiplatinum artist transcends genres with her expressive voice, and comes to Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo NSW, 13-14 May; tallagandrahill.com.au
The Turner Brown Band: Returning to Canberra for one show only, The Turner Brown Band – a joint Australia/USA musical collaboration between Australian slide guitarist and music producer Dom Turner (Backsliders) and Ohio-based lap-slide guitar and vocal sensation Nikki D Brown – offers an eclectic uplifting duelling-guitar gospel-blues musical feast. This four-piece powerhouse band will blow your mind! Grab tickets before they sell out. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Saturday 13 May 7.30pm; tuggeranongarts.com
Ruth O’Brien: The Canberra singer-songwriter launches her second EP, Songs for Abby, at The Street Theatre, Saturday 13 May 7.30pm; thestreet.org.au
Copperline: The alt-country rock band bring their limited dates show to the Tourist Hotel, Queanbeyan, 13 May 8pm; touristqueanbeyan.com.au
Australian String Quartet: Present a moving and imaginative program in their national Utopias Tour, stopping in at the National Gallery of Australia, 14 May 2pm; asq.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Student| Teacher: An exhibition celebrating the works of the many children and adults undertaking classes at Canberra Potters. Canberra Potters Gallery, 11 May – 4 June; canberrapotters.com.au
flights of fancy: Canberra artist Lelde Vitols hosts her studio exhibition and sale weekend just in time for Mother’s Day. Warren Place, Chifley, 13-14 May; facebook.com/Leldesart
Beaver Galleries: Hosts two new exhibitions – Sue Lovegrove’s Slow Water, and Clara Hali’s Selected Works: 1992-2022. Beaver Galleries, Deakin, 11-27 May; beavergalleries.com.au
After the Past: A group exhibition from alumni of ANU School of Art & Design who have gone on to have successful careers both at home and abroad. ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, until 12 May; soad.cass.anu.edu.au
Warped and Twisted: An exhibition and sale of the works from the Fay Skyring Canberra Textile Works Gallery. Chifley Health and Well-Being Hub, 12-20 May; canberraspinnersandweavers.org.au
Craft ACT: Presents three new exhibitions – Homage, Boundaries, and Two Tones – showcasing the inaugural Indigenous artist in residence program, the national artist in residence program, and a collaboration of two glass artists. Craft ACT, Civic Square, until 13 May; craftact.org.au
Somewhere here: A print exhibition by artist collective, nowhereprint, shows works inspired by lutruwita/Tasmania’s unique ecosystem and cultural history. Megalo Print Studio, Kingston, until 13 May; megalo.org
Belconnen Arts Centre: Hosts three new exhibitions – Broads at Belco, a collection of works by women, A little bird told me by Nichola Leeming, and Staying with the trouble by a collective of artists. Belconnen Arts Centre, until 14 May; belcoarts.com.au
Under the Australian Sky: Melbourne artist Ji Chen presents a collection of paintings of the great Australian horizons, landscapes and blooms. Nancy Sever Gallery, until 14 May; nancysevergallery.com.au
Kathleen Rhee: Presents a solo exhibition with works to inspire a deep connection with others, our environment and ourselves in Art Everyday. Suki & Hugh Gallery, Bungendore NSW, until 11 June; sukihugh.com.au
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