Nine Things to do in Canberra this week (7 - 14 January)

After a confused Christmas and a no-fireworks New Year, there are still things for the whole family to do in Canberra, and as the weather (hopefully) warms up, Canberra Aqua Park might be the place to take the kids for some summer holiday fun. The Southside Farmers Markets are on again, so fill up your cupboards with some fresh food, and don’t miss the rescheduled card at the ballpark, where the Canberra Cavs will take on the Melbourne Aces.

Have a great week, Canberra!

Thursday through Saturday

Canberra Cavalry v Melbourne Aces

When: Thursday 7 January, first pitch 7:00 pm; Friday 8 January, first pitch 7:00 pm; Saturday 9 January, first pitch 4:00 pm, second game 7:00 pm
Where: MIT Ballpark, Narrabundah
Tickets: Keep an eye on the Canberra Cavalry website for tickets.

Your Cavs are taking on the Melbourne Aces in four big games over the next three days starting tonight in Narrabundah, including a two-game doubleheader on Saturday. Tickets available via the Canberra Cavalry website.

All week/end

Canberra Aqua Park

When: Every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Canberra Aqua Park, Black Mountain Peninsula
Cost: $20 per person, $70 for a family of four, bookings essential, tickets available online.

Canberra Aqua Park is back on Lake Burley Griffin this summer until 31 January. Get ready to have an awesome day out with friends, family, or colleagues as you climb, splash, slip and slide through the giant inflatable obstacle course.

Ticket price includes a rental lifejacket (mandatory), and all guests are required to sign a waiver. Adults (over 18) are required to sign for all guests under 18.

Yours Faithfully – the lost art of letter writing

When: Daily, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House, 18 King George Terrace
Cost: Free, timed ticketing only, tickets available online.

In an age of pithy one-liners, text messages and FaceTime, letter writing might seem redundant. Yet this lost art reminds us to slow down and share our inner thoughts with others.

Rediscover the lost art of letter writing in this interactive exhibition, Yours Faithfully, from the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old Parliament House.

Use the range of tools and supplies including beautifully restored typewriters and pop your mail in the post box – postage is on MoAD.

Family orienteering at the National Arboretum

When: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday 28 December until Saturday 30 January
Where: National Arboretum, Forest Drive, Canberra
Cost: $5 per family, no bookings required.

Active kids? Pick up your map and clue sheet from the Village Centre and head out into the forests and gardens on a letter search to discover which rare bird is nesting at the National Arboretum.

Saturday

Parkers Plants January Native Plant Sale

When: Saturday 9 January, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Parkers Plants, 9 Skipper Close, Weston
Cost: Free.

Come along Saturday, 9 January from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm to Parkers Plants in Weston for a native plant sale, with plants priced from $6 for 70 mm pots – and there’s a good variety to choose from.

All plants are tried and tested for the Canberra region, mostly grown from seeds and cuttings from our own backyard. Dog and kid-friendly, you’ll discover a range of groundcovers, vines, climbers, small shrubs, medium shrubs, tall shrubs and small trees.

Sunday

Summer Sundaze at the National Arboretum

When: 3 January, 10 January, 17 January, 31 January, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: National Arboretum, Forest Drive, Canberra
Cost: From $15 to $25 per person, book your tickets online through StickyTickets.

Every Sunday in January (except the 24th), the Arboretum will be the place to go. Start your morning from 11:00 am with a family-friendly Summer Sizzle – the perfect Sunday morning kick-starter. The bar opens at 2.30 pm, and Summer Sessions will be the place to cool off with cocktails, oysters, burgers and live entertainment. Book your ticket, bring your blanket, and enjoy a catch up with friends and family.

Live entertainment – South deck

10 January 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Live music by Marty K
17 January 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Live music by Nick Rigby
31 January 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Live music by Ryan David.

Indigenous Experiences of Democracy Tour

When: 11:30 am Sundays, 10 to 24 January
Where: Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House, 18 King George Terrace
Cost: Free, Bookings essential.

On this 45-minute tour at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD), you will hear stories of how Indigenous Australians and their supporters have taken different pathways to bring about change, many of which led them to Old Parliament House, the seat of Federal Parliament between 1928 and 1988.

Visit heritage spaces including the Senate, the Prime Minister’s Office and House of Representatives, and learn about the contributions of leaders and activists like Senator Neville Bonner, Wenten Rubuntja, Charlie Perkins and Faith Bandler.

Southside Farmers Markets returns!

When: Sunday 10 January, 8:00 am to 11:30 am
Where: 2 Launceston Street, Phillip
Cost: Free.

Southside Farmers Markets are back for the New Year! This Sunday, and then every Sunday throughout the year at Canberra College – Phillip (Woden) from 8:00 am to 11.30 am.

Enjoy the best little market on the southside of Canberra, where you can stock up the fruit bowl, get your fill of veggies and meats, enjoy the open air and support our farmers, producers and makers.

Paint your own Monet Water Lilies at The Boardwalk Bar and Nightclub

When: Sunday 10 January 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: The Boardwalk Bar and Nightclub, 114 Emu Bank, Belconnen
Cost: $65 per person, tickets available online.

Come and join Life with Paint at The Boardwalk for a fun night out to de-stress, rekindle your creativity and paint your own unique masterpiece. Bring your friends and make some new ones during a guided two-hour painting session from start to finish. No experience is needed to have a fantastic time!

You will be given step-by-step instructions to create your own interpretation of the painting in a supportive atmosphere. You will receive expert tuition from an experienced artist, all materials are provided, including paint brushes, a 50 x 40 cm canvas, paints, easel and apron.

Original Article published by Sharon Kelley on The RiotACT.