The Canberra region is offering locals and visitors a frighteningly fun selection of activities, events and performances this weekend, 27-29 October.
Get into the spooky spirit with a horror double feature at the National Film and Sound Archive, A Halloween Party at Squeaky Clean Bar, or a devilishly delicious degustation at Luna Bar.
Create community connections at the Canberra Brick Show with Lego masters from around the country and vendors selling goods with proceeds going back into the Canberra region.
Celebrate 60 years of Hackett with a community event featuring stalls, entertainment and some of the original residents of the suburb cutting a 60th birthday cake to share.
EVENTS
Mental Health Guitar Festival: Canberra resident Duncan n. Sargeant presents Eelworks Guitar Mental Health Guitar Festival 2023. Solo concert on Friday 27 October 7pm at Pulp Book Café, Gold Creek; Three-guitar recital on Sunday 29 October 2.30pm at All Saints, Ainslie; tickets $20. More info: eelworks.com
Halloween double feature: Strap in for a double feature of terror with Ti West’s horror cult classics, Pearl and X, with star-making performances by Mia Goth. National Film and Sound Archive, Friday 27 October 7pm; nfsa.gov.au
Canberra Brick Show: An incredible display of Lego creations with more than 120 local and interstate builders, stalls, food trucks and all proceeds going to local charities and specialty schools. Thoroughbred Park, 28-29 October; canberra.brickshow.au
Gunning Arts Festival: The picturesque town opens its doors to art enthusiasts, culture seekers and families with exhibitions, live performances, workshops and more. Gunning NSW, 28-29 October; gunningartsfestival.com
Geek Markets: Dive into all things geeky with cosplay competition, gaming tournaments, author and artist meet and greets, two floors of traders and so much more in this free event. Old Bus Depot, Kingston, Saturday 28 October 9am; canberrageekmarkets.com.au
Celebrating Hackett’s 60th birthday: The Hackett Community Association is partnering with local churches to celebrate Hackett’s 60th birthday. There will be stalls, displays, music, food, attractions for children and the Hackett Squares Artshow. Holy Cross Anglican and St Margaret’s Uniting Churches, Saturday 28 October 3-8pm; hackett.asn.au
M16 Artspace Open Day: An opportunity for the community to connect with resident artists, join workshops, hear from artists and enjoy refreshments. Griffith, ACT, 28 October 10am-4pm; m16artspace.com.au
Canberra Chill V NSW Pride: Round four sees the Canberra game chasing the JDH Hockey One attendance record, head on down and show your support. National Hockey Centre, Lyneham 28 October 3pm; intix.com.au
Halloween Party: The Gold St. Movie Club celebrates the spookiest time of year with an interactive screening of cult classic The Craft, movie games, food, drink, costume party, market stalls and special guest author Maria Lewis. Squeaky Clean Bar, Civic, 28 October 4pm; events.humanitix.com
Halloween at Luna Bar: A haunting and sophisticated degustation menu curated by AHA Chef of the Year Adrianne Davo who has created a spooky-themed six- or eight-course dinner menu. Luna Bar, Civic, 28 October from 6pm; lunabar.com.au
Garden Tour & Tea: Gain inspiration and practical tips for designing a multi-functional garden while enjoying morning or afternoon tea. Braddon, 29 October 10am & 2pm; gardenswithfleur.com.au
Book Launch: Local Canberra author launches his debut novel Ethereal Malignance, the of a misunderstood loner who uncovers a chilly secret about his city. The Book Cow Kingston, 29 October 3pm; bookcow.com.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Queensland Ballet: Presents a whimsical retelling of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Canberra Theatre, 25-28 October; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Speaking in Tongues: A study of love, marriage, infidelity and betrayal as nine lives interconnect and overlap. ACT Hub, 25 October-4 November; acthub.com.au
SAFIA: The Canberra trio celebrate the launch of their new album A Lover’s Guide To A Lucid Dream with a national tour kicking off in their hometown. Kambri Precinct ANU, Friday 27 October 8pm; moshtix.com.au
Genevieve Lacey in concert with James Crabb: A compelling program of music curated by Ms Lacey, composer of the NMA’s Breathing Space in this fundraising concert. Drinks and light snacks available at the bar. National Museum of Australia, Friday 27 October 7.30pm; Eventbrite
The Coal Miner’s Daughter: The story and hits of Loretta Lynn live on stage, joined by Patsy Cline and Conway Twitty, in this tribute show not be missed. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 28 October 8pm; theq.net.au
Oklahoma!: The Queanbeyan Players present this classic musical set at the turn of the 20th century and backdropped by the passionate rivalry between the farmers and the cowmen. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, until 29 October; theq.net.au
All that Glitters: The CSO Chamber ensemble presents a concert that discovers one of fair Portia’s suitors in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Albert Hall, Yarralumla 29 October 2pm; cso.org.au
Rockspeare Henry VI Part I: This is Shakespeare’s Henry VI Part I as you’ve never seen it, or heard it. Welcome to the Rockspeare universe where the history plays are recast as political plays and epic text is combined with an epic soundscape. Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick, until 4 November; milltheatreatdairyroad.com
EXHIBITIONS
Dark Matter 2023: A showcase of the works created throughout the 2023 Dark Matter Residency. PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, 26 October-2 December; photoaccess.org.au
The Data Imaginary: Fears and Fantasies: A group exhibition from artists and designers exploring how creative applications of data technology are crucial for an inclusive and sustainable future. ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, until 27 October; soad.cass.anu.edu.au
Interregnum – Afterimage: A collection of works from Robyn Veneer Sweeney whose paintings and sculptures transform expectations. CCAS Manuka, 27 October-5 November; ccas.com.au
The Overwintering Project: The newest iteration of this continuing exhibition explores the plight and habitat of migratory shorebirds at ‘Jerrabomberra Wetlands’. Megalo Print Studio, Kingston, until 28 October; megalo.org
Aggregate – Perspectives in Recycled Glass: A group exhibition from local artists and makers utilising recycled glass in beautiful and utilitarian ways. Thor’s Hammer, Griffith, until 28 October; thors.com.au
On the Move: This new child and family exhibition takes you on a journey through different modes of transport in an interactive space. Canberra Museum and Gallery, Civic, 28 October-28 January; cmag.com.au
Rusten House Art Centre: The Queanbeyan art centre presents three new exhibitions – Creative Curiosities, Alison’s Wonderful Life by Alison Archbold, Trees and Other Treasures by Judith Tokley, and Belonging by Jo Parsons (continuing until 16 December). 28 October-18 November; qprc.nsw.gov.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
The ballad of sexual dependency: Nan Goldin’s career-defining work captures the intimate lives of a community of friends in the 1970s-1980s in these raw and captivating shots. Viewer discretion advised. National Gallery of Australia, until 28 January; nga.gov.au
Grit & Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation: Relive the highs and lows of Australia through our rich sporting history. National Library of Australia, until 28 January; nla.gov.au
Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize: Nearly 100 works share the rich history of the competition; this exhibition arrives at the final destination of its three-year tour. National Portrait Gallery of Australia, until 28 January 2024; portrait.gov.au
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