Kick off the weekend by listening to iconic Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers talk at the National Library of Australia about the release of her book, Just Don’t Be a D**khead and Other Profound Things I’ve Learnt.
Fans of whodunits can attend a special limited season of 8 Women, an iconic French murder mystery, translated by Canberra’s own Céline Oudin, at the Belconnen Arts Centre until 19 October.
Or, if you’re looking for something fun for your child or children to do these school holidays, why not send them to the Gorman Arts Centre for a session of singing through Mixtape Chorus?
It is also the final week to visit Floriade.
EVENTS:
Floriade: Australia’s biggest celebration of spring returns with the theme of Art in Bloom with countless bulbs and plenty of stalls and entertainment lined up until 13 October; floriadeaustralia.com
Free-Rain Theatre Company’s The Boy From Oz
A jukebox musical, The Boy from Oz is the extraordinary biography of legendary singer-songwriter Peter Allen. It weaves many of his most famous and beloved songs into his life story – exploring all the highs: entertainer, pop-star, meeting Judy Garland, marrying her daughter Liza Minnelli, Oscar winner, Broadway performer, and all the lows.
The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan, 1-20 October; theq.net.au
Pomona: Join ANU’s National University Theatre Society for their season of Alistair McDowall’s play Pomona at the Ralph Wilson Theatre, 9-12 October 7:30-10pm; ainslieandgorman.com.au/whats-on/theatre/pomona
Mixtape Chorus: This school holiday activity gives children the opportunity to take part in an indie pop choir, which is open to singers of all ages and abilities, Gorman Arts Centre, Thursday 10 October, 7:30-9pm; /ainslieandgorman.com.au/whats-on/music/mixtape-chorus-2/
8 Women: Award-winning Mockingbird Theatre Company’s Canberra premiere of the iconic French murder mystery, 8 Women, by Robert Thomas and translated by Céline Oudin, Belconnen Arts Centre; Performances: 10-19 October at 7:30pm, 19 October at 2pm; belcoarts.com.au/8-women/
Kasey Chambers book launch: Join musician Kasey Chambers to celebrate the release of her book Just Don’t Be a D**khead and Other Profound Things I’ve Learnt. She will be joined by NLA director of curatorial and collection research Dr Barbara Lemon to talk about the book, the stories that have inspired her and a few songs inspired by her unique life stories, NLA, Friday 11 October 6-8pm; bookings nla.gov.au/whats-on/events/kasey-chambers-book-launch
Jeonghwan Kim Piano Concert
At just 23, Jeonghwan Kim won First Prize at the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition, stunning audiences with his “deeply impressive performances”. Now, he’s back in Australia, ready to dazzle once again. Don’t miss the chance to experience this remarkable talent live for one night only in Canberra.
Wesley Music Centre, Friday 11 October 7:30pm. Bookings via Sydney Opera House box office (02) 9250 7777. Booking link: sydneyoperahouse.com/piano-plus/jeonghwan-kim
Shibaraku: Wait a Moment: ANU Za Kabuki is holding its 47th annual performance of the production that is “famous for being one of the “famous Juuhachi-ban: the 18 Kabuki plays performed by the members of the Ichikawa family”, Canberra REP Theatre, 11 and 12 October, doors 5:30pm for 6.30pm start and Sunday 13 October doors 12.30pm for 1:30pm start; https://canberrarep.org.au/content/book-online-choose-performance?ID=ZA24
Little Shop of Horrors: Dramatic Productions’ show runs at Gungahlin College Theatre from 11-26 October; stagecenta.com/showid/8707/theatreid/1132/ShowdetailsC.aspx
Angel Gowns Australia Canberra wedding dress collections: 10th anniversary, they transform donated wedding dresses into free baby burial gowns for Australian families who experience infant loss before, during or after birth, Canberra Southern Cross Club, Saturday 12 October 1-5pm; angelgownsaustralia.org.au
Salsa: The class runs at Ainslie Arts Centre on 12 October from 7-11.30pm; /ainslieandgorman.com.au/whats-on/dance/sos-salsa-on-saturday-73/
Arj Barker – The Mind Field: All of reality, as we can ever possibly know it, exists exclusively in our minds. Armed with this knowledge, Arj sets out to answer some of life’s biggest questions, Canberra Theatre Centre, Saturday 12 October at 8:30pm; https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/
Village Market: Stalls include trash and treasure jewellery, books, plants, homemade cakes and goodies, handmade craft items and cards, Saturday 12 October, Kangara Waters Retirement Village, 8:30am-12:30pm.
The Inheritance: Inspired by the novel Howard’s End by E.M. Forster, ACT Hub will tackle this two-part play, various showing from Saturday 12 October to Saturday 2 November, ACT Hub at Causeway Hall; acthub.com.au/production/the-inheritance/
Open Gardens Canberra
BeaverLea, Narrawong and Hillside
12 and 13 October, 10am-4pm
BeaverLea and Narrawong are two cottage-style gardens side-by-side, featuring spring flowering shrubs, perennials, lawns, an arbour and courtyards. Hillside, on a large block sloping south to views, contains a huge number of native and exotic shrubs in terracing. Free for members. For non-members, $10 entry only for entry to both BeaverLea and Narrawong and $10 entry to Hillside for those 18 years and over. BeaverLea and Narrawong, 17 and 19 Astelia Place Rivett and Hillside, 49 Sullivan Crescent, Wanniassa, 12 and 13 October, 10am-4pm; Opengardenscanberra.org.au
French lessons with Alliance Française
Ready to take your French to the next level? Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, our Term 4 courses offer something for everyone! Join us for engaging language classes, all taught by experienced native-speaking teachers, 12 October to 14 December, Alliance Française de Canberra, 66 McCaughey Street, Turner, 2612, ACT
02 6257 6696, [email protected]; afcanberra.com.au
The Great White Whale: Film premiere and Q&A with filmmaker Michael Dillon and historian and adventurer Ian Dillon, Dendy Cinemas, Sunday 13 October, 4-6:15pm and NFSA’s Arc Cinema on Monday 14 October at 6pm; events.humanitix.com/the-great-white-whale-film-canberra-premiere-and-q-and-a-with-filmmaker-michael-dillon-and-historian-adventurer-ian-dillon
Brass on the Grass: 40th anniversary of the banding together of the Canberra Brass, Victoria Street Brass and Newbery Brass. They will perform at Victoria Street Hall as a fundraiser for the Hall Heritage Centre, 13 October, 60-piece marching band at 1pm followed by music from 1:30pm.
The Alchemy of Ancient Song Roads: The debut concert of Canberra’s Jazmourian Ensemble, playing music inspired by ancient Persia and early western music on Iranian traditional instruments, Ainslie Arts Centre, doors 2:40pm for 3pm start; ainslieandgorman.com.au/whats-on/music/the-alchemy-of-ancient-song-roads
Two Feet and a heartbeat: four-kilometre walk in honour of the four lives lost each week to childhood-onset heart disease, Weston Park, Yarralumla, 9am-1pm; 13 October, twofeetheartbeat.org.au/Canberra
Singing the Legends: Rhythm Syndicate, a Canberra-based four-part community singing group will be accompanied by pianist Harrison Whalen and directed by Sarah Louise Owens to play the hits of Elton John, The Beach Boys, Queen and more; Wesley Music Centre, Sunday 13 October at 2:30-3:30pm; trybooking.com/events/landing/1255096
Wine Meets Design:
6pm, Friday 18 October, 2024
Art, wine and carnivale at Dirty Janes. Dirty Janes’ highly anticipated Wine Meets Design is back, an event that blends local art, wine and cheese, and live performances like magic, burlesque and jazz plus exclusive late-night shopping. Tickets just $37 include entry, a glass of sparkling wine, nibbles and entertainment. Dirty Janes Canberra, 80b Collie St, Fyshwick, Friday 18 October, 6pm;
dirtyjanes.com/wmd24
GOOGONG’S RURAL FIRE SERVICE OPEN DAY
Googong’s RFS Open Day is a fascinating adventure for the young and the young-at-heart, with lots of free family fun. Climb the big red fire trucks or have a go with the hoses under the watchful eye of our local brigade. Try the firies’ gear on for size and share some of the amazing stories from our local heroes. There will be live music, food vendors, stalls and more. Bunyip Park, Wellsvale Drive, Googong, 10am-2pm Saturday 19 October; googong.net/news-and-events/events
ONGOING
ANU Classics Museum: The museum houses a beautifully curated collection of Ancient Greek and Roman antiquities and is open to the public on weekdays between 9:30am and 4:30pm. Volunteer guides conduct a free one hour guided tour of the museum on the second Friday of each month at 11 am. All welcome. No need to book, A D Hope Building ANU.
Ghostland: Julie Gough presents an exhibition founded in archival research and connection to country through sound, film and sculpture. ANU School of Art and Design Gallery, 26 September- 25 October; soad.cass.anu.edu.au
Rockspeare Henry Sixth Part Two: Opens at The Mill this month, the show runs 9-26 October following previews, sessions running at 7:30-9.30pm on Wednesdays to Saturdays, 2:30-4:30pm matinee shows on Saturdays; milltheatreatdairyroad.com
EXHIBITION no.1: Works by eleven distinguished artists working in and around Canberra. The exhibition runs at the Civic Art Bureau, Melbourne Building until 26 October; civicartbureau.com/exhibitions/exhibition-no-1/
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