The Canberra region is alive with community and culture this weekend, 16-18 February.
Locals are invited to explore the flavours and cultures of the globe at the beloved National Multicultural Festival which takes over Canberra City CBD and Glebe Park from Friday to Sunday.
Stop by the Shannons Wheels 2024 show and shine and see a plethora of Hot Hatch cars with all proceeds going to help Respite Care.
Options for live entertainment are plentiful with great acts like the Queanbeyan Players, Freestyle Kings, Tim Rogers and more welcoming crowds across the region.
EVENTS
Chinese Film Festival: A journey of rich culture and storytelling with an outstanding collection of new and classic Chinese titles. Dendy Cinemas Canberra, 15-18 February; canberra.dendy.com.au
National Multicultural Festival: Experience the culture, art and flavours of more than 170 multicultural communities in this massive three-day event. Canberra CBD and Glebe Park, 16-18 February; multiculturalfestival.com.au
Tales from Trove: Professor Katherine Bode will discuss some of the extraordinary stories that challenge and reshape our traditional understanding of the role of newspapers in publishing fiction. National Library of Australia, Friday 16 February 6pm; nla.gov.au
Shannons Wheels 2024: The show and shine celebrates the Hot Hatch with an amazing display of veteran, vintage, historic, classic and modified vehicles; all proceeds go to Respite Care. Queanbeyan Showground, Sunday 18 February 10am-1.30pm; cactmc.org.au
Chinese Lantern Making Workshop: The Australia China Friendship Society welcomes adults and children to celebrate Lunar New Year with this fun crafternoon; pre-registration essential. Cook Community Hub, 18 February 1.30-3.30pm; acfs.org.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Next to Normal: Queanbeyan Players present the award-winning Brian Yorkey musical exploring how a suburban household copes with mental health and crisis. Belconnen Community Theatre, 15- 24 February; queanbeyanplayers.com
Freestyle Kings: Strap yourself in for an action-packed show like no other with a line-up of world-class freestyle motocross athletes showing you what they’ve got. GIO Stadium, Friday 16 February 7pm; freestylekings.com
Greece Lightning: A whirlwind performance that sees one man try to perform all of Greek Mythology in the hopes of saving his homeland. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 16 February 7.30pm; theq.net.au
The Back Tracks: Red Gum’s John Schumann and The Vagabond Crew perform the classic hits as well as selections from Schumann’s back catalogue. The Street Theatre, 16 February 8pm; thestreet.org.au
Tim Rogers: The You Am I front man kickstarts the 2024 Smith’s@Belco season with the support of local musician Cathy Diver. Belconnen Arts Centre, Saturday 17 February 7pm; belcoarts.com.au
Owen Campbell: The blues artist and special guest Jesse Redwing perform separately and then join forces in this rocking show. Live At The Polo, Turner, Saturday 17 February 7.30pm; humanitix.com
Canberra Symphony Orchestra: Opens the Sunday afternoon chamber series with Beethoven’s E-flat major Septet. Albert Hall, Sunday 18 February 2pm; cso.org.au
Wendy Matthews: The acclaimed artist performs an unhurried and exquisite journey through different genres in this intimate show. Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo NSW, Sunday 18 February 6.30pm; tallagandrahill.com.au
Maurice Murphy: Shares insight into the laughs and good times behind the scenes of Aunty Jack and Norman Guston. Smith’s Alternative, City West, 18 February 7pm; smithsalternative.com
EXHIBITIONS
Megalo Print Studio: Celebrates Megalo’s history of political and social activism with Cause and Effect: Politics and Protest from the Megalo Archives, 3 February – 16 March; megalo.org
With Nature: A group exhibition curated by Alexander Boynes brings together artists who have been influenced by landscape in their works. CCAS Lakeside, 10 February – 6 April; ccas.com.au
Liz Jakimow: Presents A journey with grief: exploring loss through photography and poetry, a personal exploration of grief and loss at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Barton, 15-25 February; csu.edu.au
Craft + Design Canberra: Presents three exhibitions: Seeing and Knowing: New Perspective in Furniture, Wilding Whitlam, and 2024 Emerging Contemporaries. 16 February – 16 March; craftanddesigncanberra.org
Simple Forms, Complex Times: An exhibition of watercolours by artist Lee Crisp that journey through nature’s generative force. CCAS Manuka, 16-25 February; ccas.com.au
Belconnen Arts Centre: Presents four new exhibitions: Lines of Sight by Patsy Payne and John Pratt; Interwoven 7 by Basketry and Textile Artists; atmo-sphere by Francis Kenna; The Benefit of Doubt by Fran Romano and Zoe Slee. 17 February – 28 March; belcoarts.com.au
Tyger Gallery: Presents The Road to Wee Jasper by Braidwood and Seattle-based collage artist Ray Monde. Tyger Gallery, Yass NSW, until 18 February; tygergallery.com.au
M16 Artspace: Showcases Trans(ap)parencies by Anthea da Silva, un/spoken by Saskia Haalebos, Glyph by Clare Martin, and There Is No Lead Mine Here by Andrew Robards, Gus Armstrong, and Jo Albany. Until 18 February; .m16artspace.com.au
Florisma: Canberra artist Caroline Reid presents an exhibition of ceramics and large acrylic paintings, painted en plein air. ANCA Gallery, Dickson, until 18 February; anca.net.au
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