Events are aplenty around the Canberra region this weekend, 5-7 May.
For the first time in 20 years, the Carrington Inn in Bungendore hosts a murder mystery on Friday and Saturday evenings, where guests are invited to work out who committed the act.
Some of our institutions are hosting exciting days out. On Saturday, grab your pooch and head over to the National Library of Australia for a photoshoot. Then on Sunday, check out the National Museum of Australia’s Market Day with local and interstate stallholders sharing their goods.
If inside entertainment is more your style, this weekend is your last chance to see Reasons to be Pretty at The Mill Theatre at Diary Road in Fyshwick. Cult gothic burlesque troupe, Dracula’s, jumps from the crypt to the stage at Canberra Theatre, while the German Film Festival shares some of the language’s best flicks at Palace Electric.
EVENTS
Canberra International Music Festival: Travel the world without leaving the capital at scores of performances across various locations, until 7 May; cimf.org.au
Australian Dance Week: Ausdance ACT hosts the country’s biggest program dedicated to the craft of dance with performances, events and workshops spread around the Territory. Until 7 May; ausdanceact.org.au
German Film Festival: Take an inside look at German life and culture with this catalogue of their finest films. Palace Electric, until 24 May; germanfilmfestival.com.au
Murder Mystery: Historic Carrington Inn at Bungendore hosts this fun murder mystery game from Australia’s leading hosting company, Host a Murder. The scene is 1936 in the English mansion of Sir Roger Watersdown. The game is played with a cast of 8 at each table, where each person assumes the role of one of the guests invited on that fateful evening of his untimely death. Investigate who killed Sir Roger – was it you?! 5-6 May; thecarringtoninn.com.au/entertainment
Robertson Potato Festival: A mashing day celebrating everyone’s favourite vegetable with great competitions, live music and tasty snacks. Robertson Showground, NSW, 6-7 May.
Open Gardens Canberra: Yellow Box at Spring Range, north of Hall will be welcoming visitors as part of the Autumn program over two days, 6-7 May; opengardenscanberra.org.au
St Anthony’s Fete: Returning for the first time since 2018, the fun day features amusement rides, live entertainment, face painting, a photobooth, stalls selling goods (great for Mother’s Day) and a selection of food and drink options. St Anthony’s Primary School, Wanniassa, Saturday 6 May 10am- 3pm.
Pawtraits: A special event to celebrate the launch of Australia’s Dogs, come bring your furry bestie, strike a pose and take home a print of your pooch. While waiting, grab a copy of the new book. National Library of Australia, Saturday 6 May 12pm; nla.gov.au
Market Day: Local and interstate stall holders showcase their goods alongside live entertainment, music and more. National Museum of Australia, Sunday 7 May 9am- 2pm; nma.gov.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Dracula’s: The cult gothic-style sultry burlesque, music and comedy show brings some of the best acts from its crypt to Canberra Theatre Centre in The Resurrection Tour. 4-6 May; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Crimes of the Heart: Exploring past choices and how they impact our relationships and futures, three sisters reunite under the Mississippi sun. Canberra Repertory Theatre, Acton, until 13 May; canberrarep.org.au
Apprentease: The production returns to shine a light on a fresh round of new and semi-established burlesque talent. Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, Friday 5 May 7pm; theapprentease.com
Ainslie Salon: Megan Alice Clune returns to launch her recent release, Furtive Glances, a work of ambient piano and electronic processing. Ainslie Arts Centre, 5 May 7pm; ainslieandgorman.com.au
Reasons to be Pretty: A comedy about four friends and lovers who are bored with life and each other, a narrative on our obsession with physical appearance. Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, Fyshwick, until 6 May; milltheatreatdairyroad.com
The Tap Pack: Australia’s hottest tap dance sensation returns home after sold-out international stints with their high-energy comedy show. Canberra Theatre Centre, Saturday 6 May 1.30pm & 7pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Wuthering Heights: Local and visiting performers and creatives host an evening inspired by Kate Bush, with dance, poetry, music, drag, performance art, trivia and disco. Smith’s Alternative, City West, 6 May 9pm; smithsalternative.com
An Afternoon at The Proms: Experience an extravaganza of performance in this musical spectacular saluting the concerts of London’s Royal Albert Hall and the greatest love songs ever written. Canberra Theatre Centre, Sunday 7 May 2pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
The Necks: The musical trio celebrate the release of their twenty first album, Travel, at The Street Theatre, City West, Sunday 7 May 4pm; thestreet.org.au
EXHIBITIONS
Figure IT: Tilly Davey explores expressions of human vulnerability, and the way people approach daily struggles. Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka, until 7 May; ccas.com.au
Enigma: The solo exhibition from Madhumita Satpathi featuring striking life-like images. Kyeema Gallery, Capital Wines, Hall, until 4 June; capitalwines.com.au
Photo Access: Hosts three exhibitions exploring the ecological challenges our world is facing: Chris Round’s The Grand Scheme, Noah Thompson’s Huon, and Toni Hassan’s Between Presumption and Melancholy. Photo Access, until 10 June; photoaccess.org.au
Seasons: The May exhibition explores the many colour changes, bird life and flora that coincide with the different seasons of the year. Bungendore Fine Art Gallery, throughout May; bungendorefineart.com.au
Exposed: A multimedia exhibition from the artists involved in the Marsden Art Group exploring themes related to exposure, vulnerability and revelation. Rusten House, Queanbeyan, 6-27 May; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Kathleen Rhee: Presents a solo exhibition with works to inspire a deep connection with other, our environment and ourselves in Art Everyday. Suki & Hugh Gallery, Bungendore, 6 May- 11 June; sukihugh.com.au
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