Scratching your head wondering what to do this weekend? Look no further, here’s your guide to what’s on in and around Canberra this Reconciliation Day long weekend, 28-31 May. And remember that in Australia, Monday 31 May is a public holiday only in the ACT.
Friday 28 May
With a variety of caravans and more on site, get along to the New Age Caravan and Lifestyle Expo, running all weekend until 30 May at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC); visit Facebook for more.
The Queanbeyan Art Society’s annual awards and accompanying exhibition, the QPRC Art Awards, is on at The Q’s exhibition space, Queanbeyan from 28 May through to 19 June; theq.net.au
Tempo Theatre presents Hello…Is There Any Body There? at Belconnen Community Theatre, 28-29 May and 2-5 June 7.30pm, with additional performances; canberraticketing.com.au
Pop sensation Tina Arena brings her Enchanté: The Songs of Tina Arena tour to Llewellyn Hall ANU, 28-30 May; tegdainty.com
Augie March dusts off their 2000 album Sunset Studies for a live performance at Canberra Theatre, Civic, 28 May 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Australian Wind Symphony perform The New Era, a program demonstrating the full brilliance the wind orchestra experience, at The Q, Queanbeyan, 28 May 7.30pm; theq.net.au
Jess Locke launches new album Don’t Ask Yourself Why with guest Lily Morris, 28 May 7pm at Ralph Wilson Theatre, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centre; Humanitix.
To celebrate Reconciliation Week, the National Portrait Gallery’s 30-minute free highlights tours will focus on some remarkable, resilient and inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their collection. Bookings are essential and can be made here.
The National Film and Sound Archive will host a special matinee screening of Rabbit-Proof Fence at 10.30am, and a slide night from 7pm as part of their Mervyn Bishop exhibition, celebrating the renowned Indigenous news photographer. Visit nfsa.gov.au/events to book.
Saturday 29 May
Sydney Dingo Rescue will host a furtastic Pups’ Picnic fundraiser at Haig Park, Braddon from 10am to raise funds for the 61 dingoes currently in their care. Dogs and humans of all ages encouraged to come along and enjoy the variety of stalls, including dingo merchandise, a vegan barbecue, cakes and baked goodies, dog coats, treats and toys, a puppy kissing booth as well as other pet-themed vendors; click here for more information.
Join Ngunnawal man Richie Allan and Wiradjuri woman Dhani Gilbert for Reconciliation Week on a Bush Tucker & Family Walk at Jerrabomberra Wetlands; two sessions: 10am and 1pm; $20 adults, $15 children. Enjoy a taste of bush tucker straight from the fire and head out on a walk to learn about Indigenous connection to country. Suitable for ages 5 and up. Tickets: jerrabomberrawetlands.org.au/whats-on
The winter Gemcraft and Mineral Show will be held across two days of the long weekend, on 29-30 May 10am-5pm, at the Mallee Pavilion, EPIC; entry $7 adults, $12 family, $4 child/concession.
Enjoy the sweet sounds of classical guitar as Matt Withers serenades you with Seasonal Live Music at Regatta Point on Saturday 29 May (the last Saturday of autumn) 12-2pm at Canberra & Region Visitors Centre.
Join Gillawarra Arts and Craft ACT and try your hand at assembling a mini dilly bag as part of their Mini dilly (butjin) bags workshop at Craft ACT, Civic, 29 May, 12.30-3.30pm; craftact.org.au
10 years of Live at the Polo, a celebration of the iconic Canberra music venue featuring Endrey, Kim Yang, Julia Johnson, and more rocks the Polish White Eagle Club, Turner, Saturday 29 May 1.30pm till late; tickets $35 via Trybooking.
Acclaimed baritone and composer/pianist Teddy Tahu Rhodes & Guy Noble join forces at The Playhouse, Civic, 29 May 2pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Vertikal Indoor Snow Sports, Fyshwick, is hosting a Snow Dance Party to celebrate the 2021 snow season, 29 May 6.30pm to late; vertikalsnowsports.com
A new movie filmed in Canberra and Queanbeyan by The Australian Voice Collective titiled Hello? It’s me, The Universe will be screened on Saturday 29 May, 7pm at Palace Electric Cinemas, New Acton; click here to book.
Darren Coggan and Damien Leith perform their show Two Of Us – The Songs Of Lennon & McCartney at Bicentennial Hall, Queanbeyan, 29 May 8pm; theq.net.au
Sunday 30 May
Head to Pialligo on Sunday 9am-2pm and support local businesses at the Love Local Markets, held on the last Sunday of the month at The Plot, 12 Beltana Road. You’ll find lots of fresh food, drink and lifestyle stalls as well as Plot residents – Pialligo Market Grocer, the Farm Shop Cafe, Wren & Rabbit Interiors and Pink Flamingo Interiors, Bison and Crusoe & Co.
Bring in broken items and learn repair skills at the SEE-Change Tuggeranong Repair Cafe on the last Sunday of each month, 1-4pm at Tuggeranong Community Centre, Greenway; click here for more.
The Canberra Men’s Choir perform their first concert since COVID-19 at the Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah on 30 May 2-3pm; canberramenschoir.net
Avant-garde classical guitar legend Victor Martinez Parada returns to Smith’s Alternative for a special concert, 30 May 4pm; victormartinezparada.com
Monday 31 May
The ACT remains the only jurisdiction in Australia to mark Reconciliation Day with a long weekend including the first Monday on or after 27 May. This year, the public holiday falls on Monday 31 May.
For a great way to mark the day, the ACT Government will host the fourth annual Reconciliation Day community event at the National Arboretum Canberra from 10am to 2pm. There will be loads of activities and performances including live music from the Griffyn Ensemble, Wiradjuri Echoes, and Johnny Huckle; a yarning circle with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders; Ngunnawal language workshops; creative activities including basket weaving, butterfly craft, and Sturt desert pea making; guided cultural walks through the forest; bush tucker tastings; and more. Click here for the full program.
