With only a couple of weeks of winter left, this weekend, 18-20 August, the Canberra region is teasing temperatures in the mid-teens.
Enjoy the (slightly) warmer weather outside with prehistoric pals at the Canberra Dinosaur Festival at Commonwealth Park. Keep warm with one of the excellent exhibitions opening this weekend, or stop in at Feared and Revered at the National Museum of Australia before it heads to its next stop.
Some of the country’s best authors and journalists share their experiences during the Canberra Writers Festival at various institutions across the weekend. Continue learning and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of science as the National Science Week events wrap up.
EVENTS
Canberra’s Writers Festival: In the spirit of passion for words and ideas, the festival welcomes authors, journalists and writers of all kinds to our institutions to share their experiences. Various venues, 16-20 August; canberrawritersfestival.com.au
Canberra Dinosaur Festival: Things get prehistoric with some giant creatures stomping their way into Commonwealth Park, Canberra, 18-20 August.
Canberra Region Honey Weekend: Celebrate the rich flavours of honey with a number of honey tasting master classes, many paired with grazing boards and wine. Various locations, 18-20 August; eventbrite.com.au
Children’s Book of the Year: The Royal Australian Mint launches a three-coin series celebrating children’s books to celebrate the 77th annual Children’s Book of the Year awards. National Library of Australia, 18 August 11.30am; nla.gov.au
Blade Runner (Director’s cut) screening + discussion: This next instalment in the SCIENCE. ART. FILM. series explores memory, emotion and self-hood through the cult classic Blade Runner. Followed by a panel discussion around science and ethics with Associate Professor Adrian Carter and Dr John Noel Viana. National Film and Sound Archive, 18 August 6pm; nfsa.gov.au
Pickleball competition: Tennis World in Lyneham will host Canberra’s first outdoor Pickleball competition on Saturday 19 August 1-3pm. The fastest growing sport in Australia, Pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis; www.canberrapickleball.com.au
88.9 Radio Redfern screening + panel discussion: This award-winning documentary illuminates the impact of Aboriginal community radio program Radio Redfern. The panel includes broadcasters Cheryl Rose and Chris Kirkbright and producer Nicola Joseph. National Film and Sound Archive, 19 August 6pm; nfsa.gov.au/events/889-radio-redfern-panel-discussion
Game On Community Pop-up Series: The Physical Activity Foundation’s Game On Series is fun, free, family-friendly physical activity in local neighbourhoods, for children of all ages. Free activities, fruit, coffee/hot chocolate. At Corroboree Park, Ainslie: Walk, Talk, Workout on Sunday 20 August 10am-12pm. Other activities on Thursday 25 August 3-4.30pm; Tuesday 30 August 3-4.30pm; paf.org.au
National Science Week: Celebrate the incredible world of science with interactive, engaging and fun events around the Canberra region until 20 August. Full program at scienceweek.net.au
LIVE PERFORMANCE
Snow Concert Hall: Presents Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis in this not-to-be-missed jazz experience. Snow Concert Hall, Canberra Grammar School, 17-18 August; snowconcerthall.com
Vietnam Veterans’ Day: John Schumann, best known as the former lead singer of Redgum, will perform the chart-topping hit ‘I Was Only 19′ at the Australian War Memorial on Friday 18 August 4.45pm. The performance, immediately before the Last Post Ceremony (LPC), will be part of the Australian War Memorial commemorations on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, on the 57th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
Too Deadly Night: A night of First Nations created entertainment with drag, comedy and singers. Smith’s Alternative, 18 August 9.30pm; smithsalternative.com
Gretta Ziller: Touring her upcoming third album, All These Walls, the Golden Guitar-nominated Melbourne powerhouse brings her sunny melodies, exultant horns and joyful jazzy/soul vibes to Smith’s Alternative, Saturday 19 August; smithsalternative.com
You Can’t Tell Anyone: An end of year party spirals out of control with mind games, cruelty, fear and confusion as childhood comes to an end in this production from Canberra Youth Theatre. Canberra Theatre Centre, until 20 August; canberrayouththeatre.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
2023 Drawing Prize: A showcase and celebration of the art of drawing from students, vote for your favourite work. ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, until 15 September; soad.cass.anu.edu.au
Oblique Objects: An exhibition from Tim Phillips exploring concealment, a visual and poetic strategy in figurative painting. ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, 17 August-15 September; soad.cass.anu.edu.au
For the Love of Watercolour: A collection of stunning, colourful works by Jan Vincent. Kyeema Gallery, Capital Wines, Hall, 17 August-13 September; capitalwines.com.au
Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Presents three new exhibitions: Georgia Claridge’s Open Home; Yamile Tafur and Carlos Sanchez’s In the Warmth of the Kitchen; and group collaboration, Dust Collectors. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 18 August-21 October; tuggeranongarts.com
Returning to Light: Emerging artist Yalan Chen was inspired by their studies at the Australian National Botanic Gardens when creating the works. Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka, 18-27 August; ccas.com.au
Endless Possibilities: All Sorts Collective presents a group show with more than 30 paint and pastel works featuring local landscapes and wildlife. Rusten House Arts Centre, Queanbeyan, until 19 August; www.qprc.nsw.gov.au
PIN 9 Show: This intricate collection sees 45 artists explore the world of miniatures as they created wearable art. anca gallery, Dickson, until 19 August; anca.net.au
At Mid-Career, James Drinkwater: Recognised as an exceptional early talent, the artist shares the vibrant and striking works for which he is known. Drill Hall Gallery, ANU, until 20 August; dhg.anu.edu.au
Belconnen Arts Centre: Hosts four exhibitions: Josh Evan’s ngadhi murangidyal – My Healing; Kayannie Denigan’s Reflections of Country; Julie Bradley’s Resonant; and Rebekah Lane’s Inherited. Until 20 August; belcoarts.com.au
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