The leaves are dropping from the trees and there’s plenty of things dropping into Canberra’s social calendar this weekend – from the first in-person Handmade Market since 2019 at EPIC, to the Zero Waste Festival at Kambri, the final weekend of the heritage festival and the first performances of the Canberra International Music Festival and Ausdance ACT’s Australian Dance Week.

Check out our guide to what’s on this weekend – Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May.

Six the Musical: The 75-minute non-stop “electrifying musical phenomenon” continues at Canberra Theatre Centre until 15 May; sixthemusical.com.au

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: Free-Rain Theatre’s production of the Aussie musical classic continues at The Q, Queanbeyan, until 22 May; theq.net.au

Canberra International Music Festival: The legendary 10-day festival features 41 events at venues across the ACT, from Friday 29 April to Sunday 8 May. The Australian Haydn Ensemble presents their period-instrument premiere of Haydn’s Creation at The Fitter’s Workshop, Kingston, 29-30 April 7.30pm; cimf.org.au

Hotel Sorrento: The Australian modern classic performed by Canberra REP at Canberra REP Theatre, Acton, 29 April-14 May; canberrarep.org.au

While You Sleep: A musical performance like no other featuring total sound and sight immersion at The Street, City West, 29-30 April 7.30pm; thestreet.org.au

Australian Dance Week 2022: Ausdance ACT host a series of events across town for people of all ages and abilities, from 29 April to 8 May; Ausdance.org.au

Sensory Art Lab: An interactive art experience for kids of all ages (accompanied by an adult), at Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon, 29 April to 8 May. Free, but bookings recommended; agac.com.au

Lucas Granpa Abela – Same but Different: Ecstatic performances with shards of amplified glass, Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon. 29 April, 8pm; agac.com.au

Luka Lesson: The Greek-Australian poet and rapper will premiere Agapi & Other Kinds of Love at the National Museum of Australia, until 29 April; nma.gov.au

Handmade Canberra: Is back in-person in full force with over 220 retailers at EPIC, Mitchell, 30 April-1 May; handmadecanberra.com.au

Zero Waste Festival: Speaker panels, stalls, workshops, a giant clothes swap and children’s activities at Kambri, ANU, Saturday 30 April 11am–4pm. Entry is free. Book your workshop or clothes swap place (fees apply) online at www.zerowasterevolution.net 

Art IRL: Live art activations, performances, music and more at this free event for young people 15-25 at the NGA, Parkes, 30 April 6-9pm; nga.gov.au

Children Collide: The three-piece bring their “epic and frenzied” live show to UC Hub, Bruce, 30 April 8pm; moshtix.com.au

Canberra Tree Week: The Australian National Botanic Gardens host a series of events from 30 April to 8 May; parksaustralia.gov.au/botanic-gardens

White Pearl: An entertaining satire of cancel culture, the online world, corporations, and intra-Asian politics at The Playhouse, Civic, until 30 April; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Singing in the Park: A fun-filled participatory heritage event at Queanbeyan Central Park & playground, 1 May from 2pm; Eventbrite.

Chinese Tiger & Lion Dance Workshop: Canberra Dragon Dance will teach the basics of their practice at Main Hall, Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon, 1 May 1-3pm; Eventbrite.

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

Canberra and Region Heritage Festival

Here’s a rundown of events on the final weekend of the 2022 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival:

Saturday 30 April

• Canberra Fire Museum Open Day: Come and visit the historic Forrest Fire Station, opened in 1939. See equipment, uniforms and vehicles from every decade of the ACT’s 109 extraordinary years of firefighting history.
• Preventing loss of valuables: Starting her business after the 2003 fires, Victoria is passionate about helping people to identify, document, prepack and plan for the most valuable items in their home.
• No more moths: Victoria Pearce, a qualified textiles conservator, has lectured around the world on how to manage pests in the museum collections from causing damage, with the minimum use of chemicals.

Sunday 1 May

• Junior Heritage Walks: Join the Conservation Council ACT Region and Friends of Grasslands to marvel at some native blooms at Kama Nature Reserve, guided through the area with local experts.
• Braddon Modern History Tour: Follow the transformation of Braddon from a former industrial area into Canberra’s most creative precinct as you observe architectural and street art gems, old and new. 
• Curious Cartography: This presentation is a medley of the interesting, curious and obscure aspects of the mapping of the ACT and Region. The stories behind the maps will deepen your appreciation of Canberra’s history, border and city design.
• Brindabella Sunset: Watch the sun set over the Brindabellas and enjoy food, drink, music, and stars at Strathnairn Arts, Holt, 4-6pm; strathnairn.com.au/brindabellasunset22

Last chance – Exhibitions ending Sunday 1 May

Jenny Blake: The Canberra artist’s solo exhibition Tipping Point is at Gallery 2 Strathnairn Arts, Holt until 1 May; strathnairn.com.au

Canberra Potters: The Watson Gallery hosts new exhibition, Connections: EASS 2022, until 1 May; canberrapotters.com.au

NMA: Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes at the National Museum of Australia until 1 May 2022; nma.gov.au

CCAS: The Manuka gallery hosts Both Ways Beyond the Sky by Emma Rani Hodges and Jacqueline Meng, until 1 May; ccas.com.au

What’s not on

Merryville open garden postponed: Due to inclement weather forecast for Sunday 1 May, Yass Red Cross Branch Open Garden at ‘Merryville’ Homestead near Yass NSW, in support of the Australian Red Cross QLD & NSW Floods Appeal, has been postponed to 23 October. Enquiries: 0408 289 906.