Visitors and locals are spoilt for choice in the Canberra region this weekend, 22-24 September.
School holidays kick off for NSW and ACT on Friday with this weekend the perfect time to get out of town – the Boorowa Rotary Markets make for a great day trip on Saturday.
Spend some time outdoors closer to home and visit Floriade in Commonwealth Park, the Tulip Top Gardens at Sutton, or the Grow Your Own Garden Plant Fair at Lanyon Homestead.
Relax with one of the exceptional live performances around town, such as Free-Rain Theatre’s laugh-out-loud retelling of Monty Python’s Spamalot or Bread Revue’s sophomore charity sketch show, Mother Doughs Best.
EVENTS
Open House: A secret garden in the heart of the city opens its doors to reveal the magic that happens behind the scenes every day with markets, entertainment and more. Gorman Arts Centre, 22-23 September; ainslieandgorman.com.au
Friday Night Drinks: Start your weekend right with vibes, tunes, mates and a few drinks in the House of Reps’ Courtyard at Old Parliament House. Friday 22 September 5pm; moadoph.gov.au
Fright Night: The Truman Show: Hosted by Venus Mantrap, Fright Night is a late-night celebration of cult cinema classics. This one stars Jim Carrey in his first critically acclaimed dramatic role. National Film and Sound Archive, 22 September; nfsa.gov.au
Queanbeyan Medieval Fair: Step back in time to the Ye olde town of Queanbeyan with a weekend of jousting, combat, arts, workshops delectable food and more. Queanbeyan Showground, 23-24 September; facebook.com/p/Queanbeyan-Medieval-Fair
Grow Your Own Garden Plant Fair: Talks, workshops, activities and tours help you learn all about achieving the perfect garden – plus the added goodness of food trucks, entertainment and stalls selling seeds, plant tools and more. Lanyon Homestead, Saturday 23 September 10am-2pm; historicplaces.com.au
Mid-Autumn Festival: Also known as the moon festival, the Chinese cultural event brings a program of food, culture and beautiful lanterns to Westfield Woden, until 30 September; westfield.com.au
Tulip Top Gardens: Wander through an incredible display of tulips, blossoms and other flowers, and enjoy the birds, live entertainment, food and wine for a beautiful day soaking up spring. Tulip Top Gardens, Sutton NSW, until 15 October; tuliptopgardens.com.au
Floriade: Australia’s favourite Spring festival of beautiful blooms, engaging entertainment, workshops, markets, food and wine, art displays, events and more, enters its second week. Free entry. Commonwealth Park, until 15 October; floriadeaustralia.com
ST. ALi Italian Film Festival: Transports audiences to Italy with a stunning selection of the best in contemporary Italian cinema – award-winning dramas, comedies and documentaries. Palace Electric until 18 October; www.italianfilmfestival.com.au
LIVE PEFORMANCES
Mother Doughs Best: Bread Revue returns for their sophomore charity sketch show full of laughs, big dance numbers and not-to-be-missed skits. Belconnen Arts Centre, Saturday 23 September 7pm; belcoarts.com.au
Jack Jones: The acclaimed Southern Sons singer and guitarist celebrates his return to music and a new album. Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo NSW, 23 September 7pm; tallagandrahill.com.au
Victor: A Homage: In tribute to renowned Chilean singer Victor Jara killed during the Pinochet dictatorship, father and daughter duo Jorge and Karina Bontes and the Latin Collective will hold a concert on Friday 22 September 7.30pm at Polish White Eagle Club, and an art exhibition, film and talk on Sunday 24 September 1pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/victor_2023
Jason Leong: The Malaysian comedian and former doctor returns to Australian shores with his acclaimed show Brain Drain. The Street Theatre, City West, 22 September 8pm; thestreet.org.au
Mr Bennet’s Bride: Canberra Rep Theatre presents a tragicomedy in this tale of family loyalties, social expectations and choosing a life partner. Canberra Rep Theatre, Acton, until 23 September; canberrarep.org.au
Fulminare: The Australian Wind Symphony presents a program showcasing the works of living composers in this electrifying event. Llewellyn Hall, ANU, Saturday 23 September 2.30pm; australianwindsymphony.com.au
Dreams: Australia’s finest tribute show to the mastery of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks comes to the Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah for one unforgettable night, Saturday 23 September 7pm; eventbrite.com.au
Victor Valdes: Tells the stories of Mexico’s musical landscapes with full Big Mariachi Band in the Viva Mexico Tour. The Street Theatre, City West, 23 September 7.30pm; thestreet.org.au
Sugar Showgirls: Present a moonlit soiree full of burlesque, cabaret song and dance in Cabaret Cherie. Flazeda Hub, Belconnen, 23 September 8pm; flazedahub.com
Monty Python’s Spamalot: Experience the uproarious hilarity of Monty Python’s Spamalot, as you join King Arthur and his knights on a quest for the Holy Grail. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, until 24 September; theq.net.au
National Capital Orchestra: Continues its 40th anniversary celebrations with a strong program of Hope, Struggle, Victory. Albert Hall, Sunday 24 September 3pm; trybooking.com
MARKETS
Night Markets: The community-run event runs every Friday 4-8pm at Anketell Street, Tuggeranong.
Capital Region Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal produce and gourmet goods at EPIC, Saturdays 7-11.30am; capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Boorowa Rotary: Present their springtime Makers and Growers Market with treasures old and new up for grabs. Old Courthouse Park, Boorowa NSW, Saturday 23 September 9am-1pm.
The Little Burley Market: Bringing gourmet food and artisan handicrafts lakeside each week. Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes, Saturday 9am-1.30pm; thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Pearce Crafters Market: The bespoke market returns for the spring edition, showcasing the best crafters and artisans in the region to help raise money to assist women across the globe. Pearce Community Centre, 23-24 September, Saturday 10am–3pm and Sunday 10am-1pm.
Trash and Treasure: Hunt for second-hand goods, fresh produce and homewares every Sunday at the Jamison Centre, 7am-12.30pm; trashandtreasuremarketjamison.com.au
Bric-a-Brac Rummage: Hunt for second-hand treasure in front of South.Point, Tuggeranong, Sundays 9am-3pm.
Old Bus Depot Markets: The much-loved markets continue at the Old Bus Depot in Kingston, Sundays 9.30 am-2.30pm; obdm.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Backdrop: A showcase of new works from celebrated figurative painters Lucy Culliton and Graeme Drendel. Beaver Galleries, Deakin, until 23 September; beavergalleries.com.au
Rusten House Art Centre: Presents two new exhibitions for spring – Magpies and More by Maria O’Donahoo, and Huddlestone & Mortimer by Michael Huddlestone and Dennis Mortimer. Until 23 September; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Changing From From to From: Immersive multimedia creations marry culture traditions and science, history and political events in this exhibition from Haegue Yang. National Gallery of Australia, until 24 September; nga.gov.au
Canberra Potters: Ceramic artist Christine Murphy and painter Sandra McMahon explore the relationship between 3D forms and 2D works in Synergy: Pattern & Patina. Canberra Potters, Watson until 24 September; canberrapotters.com.au
Elm: A collaboration between Quinn and Maximillian Gosling exploring the similarities and differences in the mediums of etching and metalwork. CCAS Manuka, until 24 September; ccas.com.au
Hanging By A Thread: The ACT Textile Arts Association presents a collection of works through different mediums, along with a bazaar and pieces for sale. Queanbeyan Art Society Gallery, until 24 September; acttextiles.org.au
Canberra Contemporary Photographic Prize: Images that capture the essence of the contemporary in an ever-changing world. PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, until 14 October; photoaccess.org.au
Canberra Contemporary Art Space: Presents two exhibitions – Sad State by Dean Cross, and Signal to Noise by Anna Madeleine Raupach. CCAS Lakeside, Parkes, until 14 October; ccas.com.au
ACT Historic Places Art Prize: Features 29 works from 26 artists. Locals are invited to come along and vote for their favourite piece. Lanyon Homestead, until 15 October.
Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Presents three 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, until 21 October; tuggeranongarts.com
White Out: From sheets to shirts, this refreshing exhibition from CIT Fashion School features upcycled garments to challenge fashion industry norms. Canberra Museum and Gallery, until 14 January; cmag.com.au
Capturing Canberra: A display of Canberra Museum and Gallery’s recently acquired Press Photography Collection with over 3,500 images telling the story of our region. Canberra Museum and Gallery until 28 January; cmag.com.au
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