Culture, community and summer fun are alive and well around Canberra this weekend, 17-19 February.
Canberra City and Glebe Park bustle with entertainment all weekend with the return of the beloved National Multicultural Festival. Indulge in delicacies from all over the globe, watch a cultural performance, and immerse yourself in one of the many activities on offer.
Queanbeyan Showground heads back in time to the 1950s with Shannon’s Wheels Car Display 2023, a day of fine automobiles and tasty snacks, with proceeds going to help local charities.
If a quiet trip through a gallery is more your speed, catch the last weekend of Cressida Campbell at the National Gallery of Australia.
EVENTS
National Multicultural Festival: Three full days of food, drinks, performance, and cultural activities to celebrate the diversity of Australia, in Canberra City and Glebe Park, 17-19 February; multiculturalfestival.com.au
Shannon’s Wheels Car Display: The fundraising event returns for the 41st time with this year’s theme of ‘Back to the 1950s’ showcasing beautiful cars from that decade and more. Queanbeyan Showground, 19 February 10am-1.30pm.
Summer Soiree: An afternoon in the garden with wine tastings and afternoon tea as the voices of the Luminescence Chamber Singers surround you. Gorman Arts Centre, 19 February 3pm; ainslieandgorman.com.au
Sunset Cinema: Continues at the ANBG with its signature mix of new release blockbusters, classics and family favourites; Wednesday-Sunday until 25 February; sunsetcinema.com.au/canberra
LIVE PERFORMANCES
MAZA: The Queensland based Balkan-French inspired folk group come to Canberra to host a music workshop and performance. Smith’s Alternative, 18 February, 2pm & 6pm; smithsalternative.com
Bandaluzia Flamenco: A dazzling display of musicianship and dance comes to The Street, City West, 18 February 7.30pm; thestreet.org.au
Multicultural Comedy Gala: An all-out stand-up show celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Australia, hosted by John Safran. Canberra Theatre, 18 February 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Joseph Tawadros: Fresh off recording a new album, the seven-time ARIA Award winner brings his signature music to The Street Theatre, 19 February 4pm; thestreet.org.au
Katie Noonan: SOLD OUT! Celebrates Joni Mitchell’s Blue 50th anniversary performing iconic tunes. Tallagandra Hill Winery, 19 February 6.30pm. Check tallagandrahill.com.au for other upcoming shows.
Samantha Fish: The Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll musician brings her national tour to The Basement, Belconnen, 19 February 7pm; tickets.oztix.com.au
White Rabbit Red Rabbit: With the actor getting the script only once they step on stage, in a role they can play only once, every performance of this play, starring a different actor each night, promises to be something different. Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, until 24 February; humanitix.com
EXHIBITIONS
Strathnairn Arts: Welcomes two new exhibitions to its galleries – Amelia Mollett’s collage and mixed media pieces in Shorelines, and Cassandra Dove’s acrylic and mixed media works in The Heartland. Strathnairn Arts, Holt, 15 February-12 March; strathnairn.com.au
X Rainbow takeover: A patchwork of pieces celebrating LGBTIQA+ pride and community, created by queer artists from around the country. Craft ACT, 18 February-23 March; craftact.org.au
Cressida Campbell: FINAL DAYS! The artist’s largest exhibition ever features more than 140 of her works, spanning her entire career, at the National Gallery of Australia, until 19 February. In ‘Grazing by the Garden’, design your own grazing experience inspired by Campbell’s love of gardens and sharing food between friends, Fri-Sun 11am-2.30pm until 19 February; nga.gov.au
Regular/Irregular: Al Munro continues to investigate pattern, form and colour in the new exhibition at ANCA Gallery, Dickson, until 19 February; anca.net.au
Scapes: Valeska Tilly’s works are on display in the newest exhibition at Kyeema Art Gallery, Capital Wines, Hall, until 28 February; capitalwines.com.au
Beaver Galleries: Tasmanian-based ceramic artist Kelly Austin showcases her still life arrangements in Duality, while Canberra artist Alex Asch explores constructed landscapes through recycled materials in Climacteric. Until 25 February; beavergalleries.com.au
Memory Persists: Dan Maginnity, aka byrd, showcases his incredible works at the Nancy Sever Gallery, until 26 February; nancysevergallery.com.au
Net Worth: Emerging artists combine ideas of identity, societal stereotypes, and technology with history and craftmanship. Canberra Glassworks, until 26 February; canberraglassworks.com
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