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Feasting on Raclette cheese, visiting the theatre, and sound healings at the Boho Luxe Market? Yep, that’s what’s happening in Canberra this week.
Read on for our curated guide to what to see, do and eat!
Special Events and Festivals
Pony
Hazel is no angel. In fact, she’s a delusional, reality TV-obsessed fantasist who swears like a sailor and has a fondness for greased-up male strippers. She’s also hugely, undeniably, ready-to-pop pregnant. Perfect for fans of Fleabag and The Letdown, Pony is a laugh-out-loud one-woman show that asks: when exactly do we as women switch from grinding to Ginuwine’s Pony and start singing nursery rhymes? What are you waiting for? Grab your mates and snap up your tickets now.
Thursday 22 until Saturday 24 June | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
The Raclette Igloo
Get ready to melt into a winter wonderland of French cheese and culture as the Raclette Igloo experience returns to Canberra. After all, why hibernate this winter when you could spend it in a private igloo, feasting on Raclette cheese, sipping on mulled wine, and enjoying your very own fire pit with marshmallows?
Thursday 22 June until Saturday 2 July | National Triangle, Park Place Lawns | Book here.
2023 Royals Volleyball Club Trivia Night
This trivia night has something for everyone! Think: trivia rounds, table rounds, games, lucky door prizes, raffles, silent auction, live auction and loads of prizes to give away! Just a little note—drinks will be available for purchase at the venue and light snacks provided, but BYO “fancy food”.
Friday 23 June | Weston Neighbourhood Hall, Corner Gritten and Hilda Streets, Weston | Book here.
Boho Luxe Market
Creative workshops, sound healings, fashion shows and free kids workshops….this market has everything. Experience one incredible weekend under the massive tipi, kombis, music, art, fashion, jewellery, entertainment, amazing food options and a dedicated psychic and wellbeing area (that’s perfect for enjoying with a beer or cocktail in hand).
Saturday 24 until Sunday 25 June | Budawang Pavilion EPIC, Flemington Road, Mitchell | Book here.
Club Euphoria’s Official Launch Party
Get ready to party at Canberra’s newest club. Head along for a night full of entertainment from Delilah Daniels who will tantalise and take you down the rabbit hole with her seductive and award winning Alice in Wonderland show to performances from showgirls Bailey Summers, Paige Cooper and Mercury Max. And that’s just the beginning. It’s time to be introduced to club Euphoria.
Saturday 24 June | 84/ 86 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick | Book here.
Poetic City
A poetry festival taking place until Friday 14 July, Poetic City will encompass a wide variety of poetry-centric events and I invite you to come along and find out what poetry might mean for you. From workshops to drop-in writing sessions, listening to performance or slam or taking the kids to school holiday workshops and activities, get ready for a serious, fanciful, sly, fun, witty, elaborate, blunt, silly entertaining, dark and hilarious time.
Until Friday 14 July | Various locations | poeticcitycbr.com
Fungi Feastival
The inaugural Fungi Feastival is a series of events celebrating the science, food and art of fungi. Head along to enjoy science events such as mushroom growing workshops, and truffle hunts, food events (including fungi-themed dinners) and even a fungi cooking class at Eastwoods in Bermagui! If that’s not enough fungi art includes fungi photography workshops and fungi movies at Narooma Kinema.
Until Sunday 16 July | Location varies for each event from Batemans Bay to Eden | Book here.
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
The National Photographic Portrait Prize is back for 2023. Selected from a national field of entries, the exhibition reflects the distinctive vision of Australia’s aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
Until Monday 2 October | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
How Cities Work
From sewers to skyscrapers, this interactive family exhibition reveals the secret workings of our busy urban centres. Bringing to life the best-selling book of the same name, visitors big and small will be able to traverse a spectacular cityscape full of tactile and sensory activities, including a lively hands-on construction site, a futuristic design station and a towering two-metre-high cityscape.
Until Sunday 8 October | Canberra Museum and Gallery, Corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City | Book here.
Food and Wine
The Dancing Queen Dining Experience
Ever been raging with jealousy whilst watching Donna and the gang sing and dance whilst on a heavenly Greek island? Well, rage no more, the Dancing Queen Dining Experience is back for an evening of dancing, dining and jiving. Because whilst being served a mouth-watering dinner in Niko’s Tavern, you will be serenaded by performers and leave begging for a man after midnight! See you there?
Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June | 21 London Circuit, Level 1, Canberra City | Book here.
The Forage
We hope you’re hungry—Canberra’s original street food event is back for winter. Bursting with local food from food trucks, to some of Canberra’s best restaurants and bars (as well as winter-themed entertainment) expect bon fires, fire twirling, mulled wine and more!
Saturday 24 June | Dairy Road Precinct, Dairy Road, Fyshwick | theforage.com.au
Stage and screen
Truth or Dare: Lightbulb Improv
Join Lightbulb for a seriously silly comedy showdown with no scripts and no sets. With the ‘wheel of truth or dare’ dictating it all, it promises to be a hilarious never to be repeated night of comedy all enjoyed from the safety of your seats. And for those those worried about audience participation, fear no more: the Lightbulbs train too hard to give up stage time so set aside any ‘participation’ anxiety and enjoy the show.
Thursday 22 June | 76 Alinga Street, Canberra City | Book here.
In His Words: Voices of Fatherhood
Nine fathers, nine interviews, nine lives. In His Words invites you to step inside modern fatherhood through a live performance event and immersive experience that weaves film, music and song together with feature narratives to take you into the experience of being a father. Get ready to be inspired and provoked and moved by the vulnerability, honesty and deep affection of the stories told.
Friday 23 until Sunday 25 June | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers St, City West | Book here.
Decadence and Debauchery
Prepare to have a decadent time. Jazida Productions is back to bring acclaimed burlesque stars from across the country to Verity Lane Markets, where they will delight with burlesque, cabaret, fire eating, sideshow and more. So, basically it’ll be a very fun time.
Saturday 24 June | Verity Lane Market, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | jazidaproductions.com
Storm Approaching Wangi and Other Desires
First commissioned by Lake Macquarie Multi-Arts Pavillion (mima) in 2022, this contemporary ballet is about the life and art of Australian painter William Dobell. The evening will commence with drinks, a performance by musicians, followed by the 30 minute excerpt from the ballet.
Saturday 24 June | Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley Street, off Barry Drive, Acton | Book here.
Home, I’m Darling
Judy is on a quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife to her husband Johnny. The problem is it’s 2018 and being a domestic goddess isn’t as easy as following a manual. This Olivier-winning contemporary British satire pulls back the gingham curtains, making sharp observations about responsibilities, nostalgia, and choice in a marriage that is unravelling at the tightly sewed seams. See you there?
Until Saturday 1 July | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton | Book here.
HSBC Spanish Film Festival
Here to spice up winter with award wining films, the HSBC is kicking off in June. Showcasing comedies, thrillers, documentaries and more, it’s the ultimate celebration of film and culture from Spain and Latin America.
Until Wednesday 5 July | Palace Electric Cinema, 2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra City | Book here.
Come From Away
The worldwide smash hit, Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Come From Away, is coming to Canberra. Sharing the remarkable true story of the small town that welcomed the world, Come From Away follows the incredible real-life journey of 7,000 air passengers who became grounded in Gander, Newfoundland in Canada in the wake of the September 11 tragedy. Telling a story of unity and kindness in adversity, capturing the generosity and hospitality of the small community of Gander, who invited the “come from aways’” into their homes, this musical is not to be missed.
Until Sunday 9 July | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Music
Korean Traditional Music Class with Sung Duk Hong
This is a chance to learn Korean traditional music from two master singers from Korea. Divided into two sessions, in the morning, you will be learning Pansori (a Korean opera) with Sung Duk Hong and in the evening, you will be learning Korean folk songs and Korean traditional dance with Dana Kim.
Monday 19 until Friday 30 June | ANU, Australian Centre on China in the World (Morning), ANU Law School (Evening) Fellows Lane, Building 188, Acton | Book here.
Tales from the Deep: Harmonies of the Sea
Join soprano Veronica Milroy and harpist Rowan Phemister in a Wesley Music Centre Lunchtime Concert of music that celebrates nature’s beauty and power. In Lisa Knapp’s “Shipping Song” and Miriam Hyde’s “Tone Poems of the Sea,” the performers seek to capture the ocean’s immensity, serenity and timeless fascination. Also included is Don McLean’s moving song “Vincent” (Starry, Starry Night), which encapsulates Vincent van Gogh’s transcendent relationship with the night sky.
Wednesday 21 June | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Red Desert Sand Concert
Experience the breathtaking Red Desert Sand Concert as William Barton, Australia’s leading didgeridoo player and composer, joins the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Ensemble at the National Museum of Australia as they pay homage to the vast desert landscape.
Thursday 22 June | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | Book here.
19-Twenty at the Zeppelin Room
This infectious riff and groove-based blue-billy-grass-rockin’-roots band is heading to the Zeppelin Room to blow away music lovers with special guest support James Southwell. And after the way they’ve been whipping up a frenzy on the festival scene, we’re expecting great things.
Saturday 24 June | Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | Book here.
A Winter Concert: Durufle and Boulanger
Enjoy a wonderful evening of French music from the Llewellyn Choir, with Maurice Durufle’s Requiem and works by Lili Boulanger performed. Featuring musicians James Porteous, Clara Teniswood, Anthony Smith and Rowan Harvey-Martin, and with performances of instrumental works by Boulanger with Smith on piano and Harvey-Martin on violin, this evening is not to be missed.
Saturday 24 June | Wesley Uniting Church, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Winter Festival
Shining a light on he young and dedicated talents of the Music for Canberra String Stream ensembles, this will be a musical journey through the many facets of winter’s charm, from icy landscapes to cosy hearths, from joyous celebrations to introspective solitude.
Saturday 24 June | St Benedict’s Primary School Hall, 10 Tallara Pkwy, Narrabundah | Book here.
Fado Night with Marcelo Costa
It’s the perfect way to celebrate Portugal National Day! A true treat for fans of Fado, Marcelo will be captivating audiences with his superb vocal control and stylistic flair. Get ready to enjoy his engaging and expressive interpretations of Portuguese fado music with special guests Manuel Iria, Tony Latina, Ricardo Da Silva and Tara Louise Duo.
Saturday 24 June | Canberra Greyhound Racing Club, 235 Narrabundah Lane, Symonston | Book here.
Canberra Strings perform Brahms and Mendelssohn string quintets
That’s right, some of the ACT’s finest musicians will be performing the beautiful string quintets of Brahms and Mendelssohn. One for the classical music lovers, don’t miss this talented ensemble.
Sunday 25 June | All Saints Anglican Church, 9-15 Cowper St, Ainslie | Book here.
ARC presents the Dark Side of the Moon 50th anniversary tour
Join Australian Rock Collective as they embark on a national tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of arguably the most successful concept album of all time, Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’. Performing ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ in its entirety, beginning to end (before returning to the stage to take on a selection of Pink Floyd favourites and classics) it’s a great way to celebrate one of the most successful and influential albums of all-time.
Sunday 25 June | Llewellyn Hall, William Herbert Place, Canberra City | Book here.
Exhibitions
Kathleen Potts: Gather In The Scene
In this solo exhibition presented at Strathnairn Arts, Kathleen Potts showcases a body of new work in paint and drawings. Exploring impermanency and using landscapes familiar to the residents of the ACT (such as Shepherds Lookout, Uriarra Crossing, and Dickson Wetlands), through her artwork Potts investigates how personal narrative is influenced by the subjective memory of place. Her goal? To evoke curiosity and stir emotion.
Until Monday 25 June | 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | strathnairn.com.au
Banksia Views
A showcase of works from the Painting with Parkinson’s program, this exhibition will reflect on member’s experience with the Australian National Botanic Gardens and the Banksia Centre over the Painting with Parkinson’s 25-year history (as well as featuring recorded soundscapes from the Canberra Symphony Orchestra).
Until Thursday 29 June | Visitor Centre Gallery, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton | parksaustralia.gov.au
Fiona Richmond: Revival
In her inaugural exhibition, artist Fiona Richmond explores a dimension of her inner world that “has been unattended to during all the conventional diversions of life.” Using medium to large formats, Richmond’s art is all about creating joy with bold colour in the simple forms of everyday objects and plant life.
Until Sunday 2 July | 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | More information here.
Bushranger Blue
We all know the legend and lore of bushrangers. Evolving from a personal exploration of isolation and grief, that surfaced during Rory King’s travels of remote Australia; ‘Bushranger Blue’ is an inquiry into the perennial themes of loneliness, death, and longing. Making no attempt to paint an accurate narrative of the history of the Australian bushranger, instead the exhibition see’s images that speak of a yearning for deep connection in the face of isolation.
Until Sunday 2 July | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com
Mutual acts: ecologies of a garden
Created by Lani Shea-An, this series of works employ abstract and figurative painting processes, collage, and printmaking to explore the connections and emotions that the plant kingdom evokes. It depicts her own experiences of joy and wonder in nature, particularly in reference to what she has learned through gardening.
Until Sunday 2 July | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Professor Hyatt’s Tarot Exhibition
Featuring unique and original artwork by artist John Hyatt (Professor of Contemporary Art at John Moore University), this exhibition will highlight the often-overlooked status of tarot cards as art pieces in their own right, and explore an art form that is truly interactive with the viewer by its very nature. The best part? Full tarot decks will be available to buy and two local Tarot readers will be dropping in throughout the exhibition to do Tarot readings.
Until Tuesday 4 July | Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra City | hyattstarot.weebly.com
Sea Poems
Including two styles of Jane Millington’s artwork, this exhibition is a must see. The first part of the exhibition focuses on soft blending to create the liquid undulations of the ocean while the second is more linear, using strong lines that run off the canvas edge to create a sense of boundlessness. Freeform and curved lines lead through both these styles, communicating the flow and direction of both the water and our emotional response to it.
Until Sunday 9 July | Aarwun Gallery, Shop 11, Federation Square, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | aarwungallery.com.au
Del Amor Y Los Animales
The artworks in this exhibition have been chosen by artist Carlos Barrios, who was studio assistant to the late artist John Olsen for many years. Reminding us to be present in the moment, this exhibition explores the feeling of loving another, expressions of love for animals and nature. These works are offerings and studies of moments where people, places and animals coexist.
Until Sunday 9 July | Aarwun Gallery, Shop 11, Federation Square, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | aarwungallery.com.au
Our Coloured Earth – Abstract Impressions
The first solo exhibition in Canberra of New Zealand born artist Lisa Taylor King, in this exhibition you will feel the pull, the sense of awe and power, in our landscape and nature. We won’t say anymore—you’ll have to go see if for yourself.
Until Sunday 9 July | Aarwun Gallery, Shop 11, Federation Square, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | aarwungallery.com.au
Workshops, webinars and more
Scratch
Scratch is an informal event hosted by Canberra Youth Theatre which offers a platform for emerging artists aged 16 to 25 to meet and experiment with new works-in-progress. Audiences are then invited to participate in a guided critical response process to offer feedback and insights into the artists’ work. It’s a relaxed evening of new, different, surprising, bite-size performances—like a taster menu of theatre. Expect to see early drafts of soon-to-be-great plays, solo shows in the making, and virtuoso routines fizzing with potential.
Tuesday 20 June | 76 Alinga Street, Canberra City | Book here.
Women’s Leadership in Troubled Times: a dialogue across cultures and religions
Despite the many manifestations of violence in our world, we are seeing an increasing push to have women lead in all areas of life. This event, hosted by Rev Dr Stephane Dowrick in conversation with Sister Jayanti, the Administrative Head of The Brahma Kumaris, will explore how women’s unique qualities can help pave the way to a better world. They will be joined by eminent women leaders in Canberra, Professor Karima Laachir, Head of Arabic and Islamic Studies, ANU and Professor Kim Rubenstein, University of Canberra, as well as guest musician and renowned soprano Heather Lee.
Tuesday 20 June | The Chapel, Burgmann College, 52 Daley Road, Acton | Book here.
Acting The Playtext
ACTING FOR THE FUN OF IT presents Acting The Playtext, a six week course on developing skills and techniques to bring a playtext to the stage. Suitable for actors, teachers and students of theatre the course comprises exercises in text analysis and interpretation and performance skills.
Comprised of six two hour sessions commencing on Wednesday June 21 until Wednesday July 26, the course consists of approaches to the performance of contemporary monologues and scenes. and explores the theories and practices of leading directors such as Stanislavski, Grotowski and Peter Brook.
Wednesday 21 June until Wednesday 26 July | 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling | For more information contact Peter Wilkins at [email protected] or 0408034373.
Book Event: In Conversation with Inga Simpson
Join Inga Simpson in this free event as she discusses her latest book Willowman. Following the discussion in the Theatre, Inga Simpson will be available for book signings in the National Library of Australia Foyer. Can’t make it in person? Watch online!
Thursday 22 June | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | Book here.
A Room in June
You’re never too old for a good story and the ACT Storytellers Guild have plenty to tell. After three years of storytelling over Zoom, the Guild are excited to be sharing their love of oral storytelling at The Front in Lyneham. There will be plenty of tales to delight young and old and the café will be open for food and drinks.
Saturday 24 June | 1 Wattle Place, Lyneham | Book here.