Ten things to do in Canberra this week (18 - 24 June)

We have to wait more than 100 days until we get our next public holiday, but we’re still in for a big week across the region.

The brave among us will be looking to grin and bear it for Monday morning’s winter solstice charity nude swim in Lake Burley Griffin to raise money for Lifeline.

Keep yourself entertained and warm during the cold evenings with Kiss Me, Kate at The Q and Magoo’s Cafe and Bar first birthday celebrations.

On the music front, Melbourne band Mere Women are releasing their new album, Gina Jeffreys is at the Southern Cross Club and the CSO is set to perform a ‘Classic Afternoon: The Elements’.

If you’re looking for whole family fun, A Pooch Affair presents A Doggie Day Out at Exhibition Park and the Canberra Roller Derby home league’s second bout will take place this weekend.

Art-wise, Hidden Genocide: An Exhibition is set to explore what is happening in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and there will be a RUST, pop-up environment gallery somewhere in Fyshwick.

Have a great week, Canberra!

All week

Kiss Me, Kate

When: Friday 18 June to Sunday 27 June, various times
Where: The Q, Crawford Street Queanbeyan
Cost: $30 to $55. Book online.

Love Shakespeare? Love hot jazz? Love to laugh? Then Kiss Me, Kate is the show for you.

Friday

Gina Jeffreys at the Southern Cross Club

When: Friday 18 June 2021, dinner starts at 6:00 pm and show at 8:00 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden
Cost: Dinner and show $79.75, show only $42.75, plus booking fee. Book online now.

Country music superstar Gina Jeffreys returns to centre stage with her exquisite new album Beautiful Tangle, exploring a roller-coaster of emotions that will immediately connect with her legion of fans.

Make a night of it and enjoy a two-course meal in a private dining area before the show with the ‘Dinner and Show’ ticket offer.

Saturday

Classic Afternoon: The Elements

When: Saturday 19 June 2021, 2:00 pm
Where: Llewellyn Hall, ANU
Cost: $30 under 30, $48-89 concession, $59-101 adult. Tickets at CSO.

The ancient Greeks believed all matter was essentially comprised of earth, water, air and fire. These elements undergirded philosophy, science and medicine for over two millennia.

Directed by concertmaster Kirsten Williams, the orchestra explores each element in this program: taking to the sky with Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, before diving into the tempestuous waters of Welsh composer Grace Williams’ Sea Sketches and bristling with Haydn’s spirited Fire symphony.

RUST: environmental pop-up gallery

When: Saturday 19 June, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: The gallery will ‘pop-up’ somewhere in Fyshwick, ticket-holders will be notified the day before the event
Cost: Free. Registrations essential at Humanitix.

RUST is a free-to-attend environmental pop-up gallery celebrating a diverse selection of local and interstate artists. You will have a chance to meet the artists and make bids in a silent auction.

This event is not-for-profit, and all proceeds will be donated to helping the environment.

BYO, glassware provided.

Mere Women – Romantic Notions – Album Launch

When: Saturday 19 June 2021, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Ave, Braddon
Cost: $15-$20 + booking fee. Tickets at Humanitix.

Mere Women celebrate the release of their fourth album Romantic Notions, four years after their critically acclaimed album Big Skies in 2017. Romantic Notions, released by Poison City Records, permeates the anxiety of recent times.

Canberra Roller Derby Home Season: Bout Two

When: Saturday 19 June, doors open 6:00 pm
Where: Southern Cross Stadium, Tuggeranong
Cost: $9.71 to $17.38, kids under five free. Book online.

After a nail-biting 16 point win for the Red Bellied Black Hearts over the Black ‘n’ Blue Belles, the Canberra Roller Derby League is excited for round two when the Brindabelters will take on the Surly Griffins.

In a show of support for the LGBTIQ+ community, Canberra Roller Derby League will have LGBTIQ+ aligned charities in attendance, taking donations and raising awareness within the community.

A Pooch Affair: A Doggie Day Out at the Barnyard

When: Saturday 19 June, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Exhibition Park, Canberra
Cost: $10, under 10s are free. Book online.

Exhibition Park is set to host Canberra’s premier doggie day out with a Doggie Market, Dog Sport Demos and Doggie Diner Café and Play Area.

Animal Rescue, Pet Services and not-for-profit community groups will also be in attendance on the day.

There will be loads of photo opportunities, a come and try agility course and a barnyard-themed best-dressed competition.

Magoo’s First Birthday

When: Saturday 19 June, 10:00 am to 11:45 pm
Where: Magoo’s Cafe & Bar, Kingston Foreshore
Cost: Free, bookings recommended.

Magoo’s Cafe & Bar at the Kingston Foreshore is celebrating the year that was with their first birthday celebrations.

It’s been a year since they opened their doors to the public and what a year it’s been!

Jen & Jim will be playing requests from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Monday

Winter Solstice Nude Charity Swim

When: Monday 21 June, check-in begins at 6:20 am
Where: Yarralumla Beach, corner Alexandrina Dr and Hopetoun Circuit, Yarralumla
Cost: $30. Register online.

This year, everyone can be brave, drop their towels and refresh their spirits in the chilling water of Lake Burley Griffin, all for a good cause.

COVID-19 continues to strain the community’s hard-working mental health support workers so 100 per cent of public donations will go straight to Lifeline.

Registration is open now and is compulsory. There is a non-spectator policy in place.

Hidden Genocide: An Exhibition

When: Monday 21 June, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Dame Enid Lyons Alcove, Parliament House
Cost: Free, register online.

This exhibition will explore the ‘hidden genocide’ underway in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia through a collection of photos and videos.

You’re invited along to hear stories of the conflict and learn about the region’s beauty and history.

Original Article published by Lottie Twyford on The RiotACT.