The RSPCA’s Millions Paws Walk is on this Sunday. File photo.
With the election and the Eurovision Song Contest—featuring the fabulous Kate Miller-Hiedke—on this weekend it may be hard to tear yourself away from the TV. But if you do there is plenty to reward you.
The Canberra Wool Expo is on at the Old Bus Depot Markets both Saturday and Sunday. I look forward to this event each year as it’s a great opportunity to stock up on locally made winter woollies. For some contemporary performance art, the Australian Dance Party is giving a free performance of its work Soul Defenders in the city this Friday and Jump First, Ask Later is on at the Queanbeyan Arts Centre, also this Friday. Then on Saturday get out your fluoro clothing and hairspray and head to the National Museum for its Absolutely 80s concert or enjoy opera with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra at Llewellyn Hall. Celebrate World Bee Day on Sunday at the Embassy of Sweden and Parliament House or join in the Million Paws Walk to raise money for the RSPCA.
All weekend
Canberra Wool Expo at the Old Bus Depot Markets
Where: Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston
When: Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
With winter almost here stock up on woolly jumpers, beanies, scarves and gloves this weekend at the Old Bus Depot Markets’ Wool Expo, or buy the yarn to knit items yourself. The markets are open both Saturday and Sunday for this special event. Check the full list of stallholders here. There will also be shearing demonstrations—four demonstration each day on the hour from 10:30 am—and workshops including macrame, crochet, and knitting. Sign up for workshops here.
Friday
Soul Defenders
Where: Garema Place, City
When: 5 pm
Local dance company, the Australian Dance Party, will be performing its work Soul Defenders this Friday afternoon in the city. Created by Olivia Fyfe, Alana Stenning, Steve Gow, Ryan Stone and Alison Plevey, this show is about moving in defence of the soul and dancing to connect to movements of the heart. The performers are not contained by judgemental blocks and instead embrace and release their soul. The performance features a 14-tonne ex-military cargo truck, DJ Vince Peach and the ADP Soul Defenders upholding the values of joy, spontaneous play and festivity.
Jump First, Ask Later
Where: Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
When: 10 am & 8 pm
Jump First, Ask Later is a high-octane award-winning urban portrait of the streets of Western Sydney and it is being performed at The Q this Friday. The show tells the stories of six young artists from Fairfield’s underground parkour and street style community. It combines street culture, parkour, breakdancing, gymnastics, kinaesthetics and martial arts and explores the challenges and collective freedom the artists discovered when mapping their city through movement. Every flip, trick and drop of sweat is a celebration of the will to succeed—it’s a show about finding your path by jumping over life’s obstacles. Tickets are $45 for adults and $40 for concession, book here.
Saturday
Museum of Australian Democracy’s Election Festival
Where: Old Parliament House
When: 8 am – 6 pm
Cast your vote this Saturday in the place where decisions that shaped our nation used to be made. Old Parliament House is celebrating Election Day with plenty of entertainment for the whole family, and plenty of democracy sausages. There will be a mini-election in the Museum’s PlayUp area for the kids.
International Museum Day
Where: National Film and Sound Archives
When: 10 am – 4 pm
The National Film and Sound Archive is celebrating International Museum Day with free entry to its Dressmaker Costume Exhibition for people aged 17 and under, craft activities and screening of the film Wonderstruck on the big screen at 2 pm. Wonderstruck tells the story of Ben and Rose, children from two different eras who wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he never knew, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress (Julianne Moore) whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. Both set out on quests that unfold with mesmerising symmetry, leading them to the wondrous Museum of Natural History in New York.
Absolutely 80s concert
Where: National Museum of Australia
When: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
The National Museum is turning 80s music into a museum piece this Saturday. It is hosting a concert starring Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-men), Scott Carne (Kids in the Kitchen), Sean Kelly (Models) and the sensational Ally Fowler (Chantoozies). They will all perform their hit songs before forming as an all-Aussie 80s super-group. There will be a cash bar and food available. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for concessions and $30 for Museum Friends. There are also VIP tickets for $60 which gives you the opportunity to meet the stars before they perform. Book here. Wear something big and fabulous—there will be prizes for the best dressed.
Canberra Symphony Orchestra Opera Gala
Where: Llewellyn Hall
When: 7:30 pm
It’s the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Opera Gala this Saturday night featuring two of opera’s most exciting young stars—soprano Jacqueline Porter and bass-baritone Jeremy Kleeman. The concert will feature excerpts from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, spurned Micaela’s heartbreaking aria from Carmen, Colline’s touching love song to his favourite coat from La Bohème, Hanna and Danilo’s tender duet from The Merry Widow, and the uplifting Sunday from Sondheim’s Broadway hit Sunday in the Park with George. The Canberra Symphony Orchestra will present these operatic gems along with some other hidden treasures in a concert designed to give you goosebumps. Tickets from $29–$95, book here.
Sunday
World Bee Day
Where: Parliament House and Embassy of Sweden
When: 9 am – 5:30 pm
Celebrate World Bee Day at Parliament House and the Embassy of Sweden this Sunday. Parliament House, which has its own beehives, will be hosting a bee exhibition in the Great Hall with talks about bees, honey tasting and plenty of bees from 9 am–12 pm and 2:30–5:30 pm. The Embassy of Sweden is opening its gates from 12–3 pm with talks about bees, entertainment including kids activities, Nordic dancing, live music, and Nordic national dress and education stands around the Embassy’s grounds with information about beekeeping, beehives, honey bees, native bees and have bees in your garden. Bring your own nude (rubbish free) picnic to enjoy. Register here to attend the Embassy of Sweden event.
Million Paws Walk
Where: Patrick White Lawns
When: 9 am – 2:30 pm, walk starts at 11 am
The RSPCA’s Millions Paws Walk is on this Sunday. It is the RSPCA’s biggest annual fundraiser and a great event for you and your dog to enjoy. There will be live entertainment, stalls, food, giveaways and activities to enjoy with your pooch including dog-friendly games and a best-dressed doggy competition. The walk starts at 11 am and is 5 km around the central basin of Lake Burley Griffin for the Big Paws walk, or 1.5 km for the Mini Paws Walk. Registration costs $28 for adults, $18 for concession and $12 for kids, register here.
Original Article published by Zoe Pleasants on The RiotACT.
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