![Brenda Gifford](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/opening-gala-810x456.jpg)
Brenda Gifford will perform for CIMF 2021’s opening gala. Photo: Marissa McDowell.
Music lovers rejoice as the Canberra International Music Festival kicks off with a bang, bringing the ‘idea of Vienna to Canberra’.
The Spooky Men’s Chorale will also be performing in a special Saturday afternoon concert.
Fancy expanding your whiskey and wine knowledge? Yazzbar in Yass and Shaw Wines are both holding special events and tastings.
If you’re a history buff, the Lanyon Homestead is opening up for a special guided tour on Friday, and the Museum of Australian Democracy is restarting its Top Secret After Dark Tours with Tim the Yowie Man.
Over the weekend, there are plenty of activities for the whole family – CBRmade Etsy local markets and the Haig Park Play Outside Day.
Live in or near Denman Prospect? Communities@Work is hosting table tennis at Trinca Street Park, and there might even be a gelato van.
As the month begins, so too will the Karinya House at-home gala.
Have a great week, Canberra!
All week
Canberra International Music Festival
When: Friday 30 April to Sunday 9 May, various times
Where: Various locations around Canberra
Cost: Varies; see website for the full program.
Canberra International Music Festival kicks off on 30 April, bringing the idea of Vienna to Canberra.
Musicians from all over Australia will be performing on this 10-day music adventure, exploring Canberra’s iconic locations with music from the heart of Europe and sounds from the soul of our nation.
From piano to didgeridoo, from late-night jazz to Beethoven for Breakfast, the festival has something for everyone – and Canberra will be transformed by the idea of Vienna.
The opening gala will take place on Friday, 30 April, with Brenda Gifford’s long-awaited work to be revealed in the hands of the Australian Art Orchestra alongside Mozart’s Turkish credentials and the annual Beaver Blaze.
Highlights for this week include William Barton, who takes concert-goers on a journey through the history of Australian democracy.
Then Katy Abbott’s Do I Matter? asks the fundamental question we don’t all have the answer to yet.
The musicians of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra will perform the Greatest Mozart II in concert.
Hand to Earth is a celebration of First Nations artists. Women’s culture from Lightning Ridge will be followed by Yolgnu Songmen from Arnhem Land.
![Mother and child](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mothers_Love-810x540.jpg)
Karinya House is deeply grateful for Canberra’s support. Photo: Karinya House.
Karinya House May Day Appeal
When: Throughout May
Where: At home
Cost: Free, donations encouraged.
Every year in May, Karinya House celebrates the women in their community who inspire them, and they always invite their Karinya village to celebrate with them.
This year, the Gala has been cancelled but you’re invited to have your own ‘Gala at Home’ with your own aspiring MasterChefs during May 2021. Your menu options could include an invitation to your guests to make a small donation online to Karinya’s May Day Appeal.
Visit the Karinya House website to learn more.
![Shaw Wines](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Shaw-Wines-810x540.jpeg)
The Shaw Wines cellar door at Murrumbateman, which won a national award for Pier Projects. Photo: Pier Projects.
Private Cellar RIEDEL Tasting Experience
When: Every Wednesday and Thursday, 10:30 am to 2:45 pm
Where: Shaw Wines, 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman
Cost: $275 per person. Tickets available here. For more information, visit the Yass Valley event page.
Looking for a premium wine experience? Shaw Wines is located just 30 minutes from Canberra and offers a premium guided wine tasting experience in their private cellar. Finish the experience with a glass of Estate wine and a vineyard platter upstairs in their comfy lounges or out on the terrace overlooking the vineyard.
Friday
![Lanyon Homestead](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/lanyon.jpg)
Experience special access behind the scenes at Lanyon Homestead on this engaging guided walk ‘Beyond the Farm Gate’. Photo: Lanyon Homestead.
Beyond the Farm Gate – Lanyon Homestead
When: Friday 30 April, 10:00 am
Where: Lanyon Homestead
Cost: $25 to $30, tickets available online.
Experience special access behind the scenes at Lanyon Homestead on this engaging guided walk.
Learn about the farming and irrigation of the Homestead, see the homes of workers past and enjoy a delicious damper and billy tea at ‘Bluebeard’s Cottage’ on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
![Whiskey tasting at Yazzbar](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cc08babcbb1530eeea630965fe5efedc.jpeg)
Whiskey lovers will be in for a treat at Yazzbar. Photo: Yazzbar.
Whiskey Tasting – Scotland vs The Rest
When: Friday 30 April, 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Yazzbar, 81 Comur St Yass
Cost: $80 per person.
Join Yazzbar for Round Two of Whiskey Vs The Rest – a Friday night tasting of worldwide whiskeys selected and presented by local whiskey legend Dennis Hart.
An evening of Whiskey education, drinking, and matching canapes and spots are extremely limited.
Call Deb on 0434 105 119 to book your spot. For more information, visit the Yass Valley event page.
Saturday
![The Spooky Men's Chorale](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Spooky-Men-in-concert-Banner-pic.png)
The Spooky Men’s Chorale will perform an afternoon concert. Photo: Spooky Men’s Chorale.
Face to Face with the Spooky Men’s Chorale
When: Saturday 1 May, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Where: Gungahlin College Theatre
Cost: $12 – $33, book online.
Come along to the renowned international hot spot for man-choirs – Gungahlin – for some drop deadpan beautiful man-singing that may well change your life.
Enjoy an intimate afternoon show with chortles and harmonies. It promises to be immensely pleasant.
![Play Outside Day](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/171015128_755224522051676_2584974273177244598_n-810x540.jpg)
Play Outside Day is a day of playing for all ages. Photo: Haig Park.
Play Outside Day with Suitcase Rummage
When: Saturday 1 May, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Haig Park
Cost: Free, register online.
Play Outside Day is an event designed to get your body and soul moving among the trees and tracks of Haig Park.
There will be slack-lining, dancing, family yoga, orienteering, aerial sports, nature play (including mud play!) and garden games available.
There’ll also be a Suitcase Rummage – a mini-market with giant rewards.
![Table tennis](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/171421697_1412434795757142_6784341570581608347_n-810x455.jpg)
Join Communities@Work to play street table tennis. Photo: Denman Prospect.
Trinca Street Table Tennis
When: Saturday 1 May, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Trinca Street Park
Cost: Free, register online.
Trinca Street table tennis is back! Join Communities@Work for casual games and table tennis at Trinca Street Park.
The Mellabella Gelato cart will also be there selling $2 gelatos!
Bring along table tennis bats and balls. This activity is weather permitting and any changes will be advised on the Facebook event.
If you have any questions, contact Michael Malone at [email protected].
![CBRmade Etsy Made Local markets](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/markets.jpg)
CBRmade Etsy Made Local markets are the perfect spot to find a Mother’s Day present. Photo: CBRMade.
CBRmade Etsy Made Local Winter Makers Market
When: Saturday 1 May, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Exhibition Park, Canberra
Cost: Free, register online.
At CBRmade’s Etsy Made Local Winter Makers Market you’ll find plenty of stallholders from Canberra and surrounding regions selling high-quality handcrafted items and delicious food and beverages.
RSVP on Facebook to get stall-holder announcements and updates.
Thursday
![Tim the Yowie Man](https://thisiscanberra.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_3869-600x450.jpg)
Tim the Yowie Man will present the top-secret after-dark tours. Photo: Tim the Yowie Man.
MOAD Top Secret After Dark Tours
When: Thursday 6 May, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD), Old Parliament House
Cost: $59, book here.
Tim the Yowie Man is back at MoAD for another season of his special After Dark tour.
The two-hour tour reveals the secrets of Old Parliament House – the building and its past occupants. It will also shine a light on the close links between Old Parliament House and its Historic neighbours.
For adults and people aged 16-plus.
Original Article published by Lottie Twyford on The RiotACT.