With so much happening around the Capital this weekend, 8-10 July, it’s hard to choose how to spend those precious days off.
Step into a Pooch Affair to see dogs dressed to the nines in this year’s Gatsby inspired fashion event, or continue the mid-year yuletide festivities at Queanbeyan’s Christmas in July markets.
NAIDOC Week concludes on Sunday; catch a live performance by two of Canberra’s finest First Nations artists at Cornerstone Pub in Gungahlin on Saturday afternoon.
EVENTS
A Pooch Affair: Break out the feathers and pearls, this year’s theme is Gatsby – the roaring 20s. Enjoy a day filled with live music, the launch of the Pooch Burgers, Beers and Pastries Bar and so much more! EPIC, Saturday 9 July 10am-3pm; trybooking.com
Dilly Purse Weaving: Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta artist Angela Jane Pisciotta Firebrace teaches attendees how to create their own dilly purse, Woden Library, Saturday 9 July 1pm; belcoarts.com.au
Tea Ritual & Renewal: Amore Tea takes you on a journey into the world of Single Estate Teas and the healing powers of Australian wildflowers while enjoying the delights of the iconic Hyatt High Tea. Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Saturday 9 July 3pm; eventbrite.com.au
Mid-Winter Nights: After a long two years, Questacon’s school holiday program is back; an evening of scientific fun will have you sipping nitrogen, creating snow globes, and hitting the dance floor. Questacon, 6-9 July from 5.30pm; questacon.edu.au
Pialligo Estate: A special Winter Harvest Feast at the estate lets you experience their finest produce as well as an extra tasty dessert. Sunday 10 July 11.20am; thepialligoestate.com.au
MEGAfauna afterdark: Explore the Australian National Botanic Gardens for megafauna, hear tales of a local bunyip and enjoy light refreshments in this special night time event, 2-9 July. Costs apply; anbg.gov.au
NAIDOC in the North: Belco Arts concludes its NAIDOC Week activities this weekend with a bunch of stuff happening around the northern suburbs, 2-9 July; belcoarts.com.au
MARKETS
Christmas in July Markets: A quiet sensory hour kicks off Queanbeyan’s Christmas in July markets, jam-packed will festive stalls, competitions, performances and more. Queanbeyan Showground, Saturday 9 July 10am-3pm.
Old Bus Depot Markets: The much-loved markets have returned to the Old Bus Depot in Kingston every Sunday 9.30am-2.30pm; obdm.com.au
Trash and Treasure: Local produces, snacks and second-hand goods on sale at Jamison Centre carpark every Sunday 7am-12.30pm; trashandtreasuremarketjamison.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Craft ACT: Two freshly opened exhibitions – Confluence, the annual artists in residence program featuring work by Valerie Kirk and Harriet Schwartzrock, and Beeing, by Dr Julie Bartholomew and Mahala Hill, which explores the need for the continuing survival of bees, until 27 August; craftact.org.au
Belco Arts: Four new installations start on this weekend – Leah Brideson’s Life Source; Collaborative showcase Step Change; Michael Winters’ My Greece; Jennifer Kemarre Martinello’s Colonisation. Belconnen Arts Centre, 8 July-21 August; belcoarts.com.au
Eclectic Ensemble: A collection of works by Rosemary Brock at the Kyeema Gallery, Hall, until 10 July; capitalwines.com.au
Step Change: A large-scale painting, video and sound work that explores the urgency of transitioning in the age of climate crisis. Belconnen Arts Centre, 8 July-21 August; belcoarts.com.au
Canberra Glassworks: Hosts two exhibitions: Annette Blair’s quietly spoken, an exploration of the nostalgia in everyday items, and Kate Nixon’s On Reflection, a glam trash installment. Canberra Glassworks, Kingston, until 14 August; canberraglassworks.com
Connection: An immersive journey through indigenous culture at the National Museum of Australia, until 9 October; nma.gov.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Amy Shark: The Australian singer-songwriter sensation brings her 2022 regional tour to Canberra Theatre, 8 July 7.30pm; amyshark.com
Bandaluzia Flamenco: The acclaimed ensemble Bandaluzia led by guitarist Damian Wright play Bicentennial Hall, Queanbeyan, 8 July 8pm; theq.net.au
Get up! Stand up! Show up!: A day with Indigenous artworks, live music and a drop-in workshop with Dale Huddleston as part of Woden Arts’ NAIDOC Week celebrations, Friday 8 July 10.30am.
Canberra Symphony: CSO presents Handel’s timeless Messiah in two magnificent concerts at Llewellyn Hall, ANU, Friday 8 and Saturday 9 July 7.30pm; cso.org.au/messiah
Bella Taylor-Smith: The winner of the Voice Australia 2021 launches her new EP Look Me in the Eyes ahead of her first solo headline tour. The Street Theatre, 8 July 8pm; thestreet.org.au
The Year of Magical Thinking: Joan Didion’s celebrated memoir is brought to life by award-winning actor Jillian Murray at The Q, Queanbeyan, 9 July; theq.net.au
Fanny Lumsden: The award-winning country music singer-songwriter and her band The Pack bring their Deep in the Fallow tour to the Street Theatre, City West, Saturday 9 July 7.30pm; thestreet.org.au
Saturday tunes: Two of Canberra finest First Nations artists, Dale Huddleston and Alinta Barlow, perform an intimate show at Cornerstone Pub to round out NAIDOC Week celebrations, Gungahlin, Saturday 9 July; belcoarts.com.au
