Autumn is finally stopping in to say hello to Canberra this weekend, 24-26 March.
With cooler weather and possible rain, CW recommends spending some time indoors – and there’s a heap of great events to choose from.
The National Film and Sound Archive celebrates queer storytelling in the Mardi Gras Film Festival, or if you prefer your queer history in the flesh, check out Holding The Man at ACT Hub.
The Canberra Comedy Festival wraps up this weekend with some great shows still available – on Saturday night, UC alumnus Wil Anderson takes over Canberra Theatre, then on Sunday, The Chaser‘s Andrew Hansen heads to ANU.
In the mood for something timeless? Dirty Jane’s hosts a Vintage Bike Exhibition and their first ever Pop-Up Market on Sunday in Fyshwick, while down the road in Kingston, the Canberra Fashion Market offers locals the chance to nab some second-hand bargains at the Fitters Workshop (beside the Old Bus Depot).
With school fetes well and truly back on the agenda, the Canberra Girls Grammar School hosts their 2023 Fete on Saturday 25 March at their Deakin campus.
EVENTS
Mardi Gras Film Festival: Celebrate the very best of queer storytelling from both homegrown and international creatives with Queer Screen’s 30th annual event at the National Film and Sound Archives, 24-26 March; queerscreen.org.au
Ted Lewis Landscape Masterclass: Discover the secret to painting beautiful and imaginative landscapes in this two-day course with one of Australia’s leading oil painters, at Aarwun Gallery, 25-26 March; aarwungallery.com.au
Wrack and Salvage: The free public program includes a postcard petition where attendees can make a collage postcard with artist Jacqui Malins before an artist talk. Belconnen Arts Centre, Saturday 25 March 10am; belcoarts.com.au
Canberra Girls Grammar School Fete: A day of fun for the whole family with stalls, food vendors, carnival rides, climbing wall and pony rides. Canberra Girls Grammar School, Senior Campus, Deakin, Saturday 25 March 10am-3pm;cggs.act.edu.au
Shearers Ball: The Monaro Folk Society Bush Dance Band present an evening of live music and dance, no partner or experience required. Folkdance Hall, Hackett, 25 March 7pm; monarofolk.org.au
Canberra Comedy Festival: Bringing laughs with its huge line-up of comedy superstars, the festival spreads joy across the capital at various venues, until 26 March; canberracomedyfestival.com.au
Vintage Bikes & Pop-Up Market: Love cycling? Love vintage? Love a bargain? Mark your calendars for a great weekend at Dirty Janes. On Saturday and Sunday, an exhibition of superb vintage bicycles. Then on Sunday, our courtyard is filled with bargains for our first-ever pop-up market from 10am to 2pm. Dirty Janes Vintage, Fyshwick, 25-26 March; dirtyjanes.com
Canberra Fashion Market: Shop preloved fashion with great deals on international brands, designers and more for women, men and teens. Fitters Workshop, Kingston, 26 March 10am-3pm.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Hussy Hicks: The Folk/Blues duo bring their national tour celebrating the release of their EP ‘Same Boat’ to Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, 24 March 7pm; harmonieclub.com.au
Odes to Peace: Musica da Camera tells the story of peacekeeping missions with War Memorial projections and music from ABBA and the Beatles to FS Kelly and Beethoven. Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Saturday 25 March 3pm; https://www.trybooking.com/CFYDK
Trios for 4: Apeiron Baroque presents a concert spanning the breadth of the Baroque era. Wesley Uniting Church, 25 March 5pm; wesleycanberra.org.au
Freestyle Kings Live: International motor-cross star Robbie Maddison joins the line-up of the hottest Aussie riders in this jaw-dropping stunt show. GIO Stadium, 25 March 6.45pm; ticketek.com.au
Live at the Polo: Presents Revved Up Jump + Swing + Country Rock ‘n’ Roll – an evening jam-packed with fun and musical talent. Polish Australian Club, 25 March 7.30pm; tickets.oztix.com.au
Wil Anderson: The UC alumna and comedy festival favourite brings his new show, Wiluminate, to Canberra Theatre Centre, 25 March 8.30pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Alex Lloyd: Returns with his Live & Amazing tour. The multi-platinum ARIA award-winning musician brings all his hits to the stage in one incredible night of music, singing and nostalgia. Enjoy this chance for an up close and personal night with Alex Lloyd in one of the Canberra region’s favourite venues. Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo NSW, Sunday 26 March 6.30pm; tallagandrahill.com.au
The Grogans: Bring their Which Way is Out Tour to UC Hub, University of Canberra, 26 March; thegrogansband.com
Andrew Hansen: The aussie comedy staple has covered it all from Chasers War on Everything to The Hamster Wheel – now he comes to the Canberra Comedy Festival with ‘Andrew Hansen is Cheap’. Big Band Room, ANU, 26 March 8pm; canberracomedyfestival.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Threads of Being: The Emerging Artists Support Scheme exhibition for 2023 displays works from previous students of ANU School of Art & Design. Canberra Potters, Watson, 23 March-23 April; canberrapotters.com.au
Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Three exhibitions are coming to a close on Friday 24 March – Andrea Bryant: A Lens on the Lake; Ruby Lucia Ballantyne: Colouring the Dance Floor; and Louise Curham: Kambah. Tuggeranong Arts Centre; tuggeranongarts.com
Distant Friends: Using Lego prints and print methods, local artist Peter McLean showcases his portraits as a response to the distance the pandemic opened between people. Megalo Print Studio, Kingston, until 25 March; megalo.org
Belconnen Arts Centre: Displays four new exhibitions from individuals and groups – earth unframed; Mycelium Sky; Wrack and Salvage; and ground whisper softly – until 26 March; belcoarts.com.au
Present Tending: Six artists present a showcase crafted from textiles, paint, colour, ethics of care, stories and places. ANCA Gallery until 26 March; anca.net.au
Through Light and Shade: Seven friends who met when volunteering at the National Gallery of Australia present their own collection of works at The Old Barn Gallery, Pialligo, until 26 March; pialligooldbarngallery.com
Ideas Worth Sharing: Canberra painter James Roswell showcases his new works addressing his concerns for caring for the natural environment. Canberra Contemporary Art Space Manuka, 19 Furneaux Street, until 26 March; ccas.com.au
Locations: Bernard Ollis works inspired by pre- and post-pandemic travels and encounters are on display at Aarwun Gallery, until 16 April; aarwungallery.com.au
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