Hailed as the greatest Broadway musical of all time, West Side Story is the modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet; this tragic love story tells the tale of two young people whose happiness is destroyed by the hate of two enemy camps in New York City’s urban jungle. The “Jets”, sons of previous immigrants to America, battle the new arrivals from Puerto Rico, the “Sharks”, for domination of the streets.

The moment the curtain first went up on the original West Side Story on Broadway, musical theatre changed forever.

Powerhouse creatives Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Robbins produced an iconic dance musical that has swept audiences off their feet for over 60 years.

Bernstein’s world-famous score features unforgettable songs including Maria, Tonight, Somewhere, America and I Feel Pretty, which have been universally adored for generations.

Happening 10 – 27 October at Canberra Theatre Centre.

See canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/west-side-story for tickets and more information.

BELL SHAKESPEARE’S MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Much Ado About Nothing is a saucy and razor-sharp battle of wits between the bickering Beatrice and Benedick, who wield words as weapons, their banter betraying their love for each other.

Claudio, however, is quickly consumed by envy and his idyllic world threatens to come tumbling down as he humiliates Hero. Beatrice and Benedick must join forces to defend true love – even if they can’t recognise it in themselves.

But will truth and honesty win the day, and does love really conquer all?

Directed by Bell Shakespeare’s Associate Director, James Evans (Julius Caesar)and starring Zindzi Okenyo (Antony and Cleopatra, MTC’s An Ideal Husband) as Beatrice, this Much Ado About Nothing will be a powerful exploration of the struggle for identity and self-knowledge in a male-dominated world. The pursuit of love is framed in a social context that enhances the darker themes in this timeless comic gem.

Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s contemporary comedies where romance is thwarted by dastardly plots, misinformation, false accusations, broken promises, and bumbling cops. Or is it?

Happening 11-19 October at Canberra Theatre Centre.

See canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/much-ado-about-nothing-bell-shakespeare for tickets and more information.

WOMEN IN VOGUE: CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN AUSTRALIA

Vogue Cover Image April 2018 Fernanda Ly, Akiima Ajak, Charlee Fraser ,Andreja Pelic photographed by Patrick Demarchelier Courtesy VOGUE Australia and Patrick Demarchelier.

WOMEN IN VOGUE: Celebrating 60 years in Australia showcases 60 years of the Vogue Australia archive together with a special tribute to some remarkable Australian women who have featured in the pages of Vogue, and includes iconic portraits of Kylie Minogue and Elle Macpherson, among others.

Rare examples of archived magazines will be on show, from the early decades of publication through to bold photographs of women of the 21st century.

Cost: Tickets are now on sale ($12 adults, $10 concession, under 18 years free). Her Canberra readers receive a special discounted price $10

Happening 11 October to 24 November at National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes.

See portrait.gov.au for more information.

OPEN STUDIO: TIM FAIRFAX LEARNING GALLERY AND STUDIO LAUNCH

To celebrate the opening of the Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery and Studio the whole National Gallery of Australia will be transformed into an open studio where everyone is welcome to create and express themselves on Saturday 12 October.

Celebrate the opening of the Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery and Studio with Gallery-wide activities for the whole family.

Roaming guest performers will help ignite your creativity to roll up your sleeves and bring your own artistic creations to life. Drop into the Studio for a workshop inspired by Body Language on Level 2, draw from life and representations of the body in the Bodies of Art exhibition, Lower Ground, craft your own poem in response to Urs Fischer’s ‘Francesco’—a sculpture that melts before your eyes—or pose for a fun polaroid snap in Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia on Level 1.

From the Confucian school of thought comes the maxim, ‘I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand’, and it is this idea that underpins the studio’s development and the National Gallery’s broader learning strategy.

Enjoy a program of tours, talks, performances and storytelling throughout the day to help you deepen your understanding and appreciation of art. Get physical and express yourself in the open studio!

Happening Saturday 12 October from 10am to 4pm at National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes. Visit nga.gov.au/learningstudio for more information.

We can’t think of a better way to finish up the work week than with a pamper session (and a free gin cocktail, if you’re into that!),

Throughout Temple of Beauty at Canberra Centre (from 27 September until 27 October), every Friday night the Beauty Night Markets will be the place to chill out and ring in the weekend.

We’re talking complementary treatments, live music, free HerCanberra x The Canberra Distillery French Earl Grey gin cocktails and an indulgent candy cart.

Happening every Friday night from 5 pm to 8 pm until 25 October at the Temple of Beauty (Ground Level, near R. M. Williams) at Canberra Centre.

See canberracentre.com.au for more information.

CANBERRA FASHION FOOD AND WINE MARKET

GAME MASTERS: THE EXHIBITION

Installation imagery of Game Masters at ACMI. Courtesy and copyright ACMI. Photographer Mark Ashkanasy.

With the opening of Game Masters: The Exhibition, the NFSA turns into Australia’s biggest video game arcade with the world’s greatest designers, characters and 80 playable games.

Game Masters is an interactive journey through five decades of video game history, offering both a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind the world’s most popular characters and franchises and a chance to play them.

Featuring interviews, never-before-seen concept artwork, an amazing display of vintage consoles and collectable items, and 80 playable games, visitors won’t want to leave!

Created and curated by ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), Game Masters first opened in Melbourne in 2012. It has since toured to nine museums worldwide including venues in the USA, Germany, New Zealand, Scotland and Sweden. Much loved by audiences around the globe, the exhibition has been updated to include the latest gaming blockbusters as well as Australian creations.

Game Masters is divided into three sections: Arcade Heroes, Game Changers and Indies. It features unique experiences such as a spectacular multiplayer dance stage for Dance Central 3(2012), hands-on experiential music booths and a selection of original classic arcade machines from the 1970s and ‘80s acquired especially for the exhibition, all playable in their original form. See the full list of 80 playable games and their Australian classifications.

Sign up to join the Game Masters club and receive the latest news from the NFSA plus updates about special gaming events and guests, and exclusive offers and discounts.

Open daily 10 am–4 pm until Monday 9 March 2020 at the National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton.

See the nfsa.gov.au for tickets and more information.

SOUTH.LIFE LAUNCH AT SOUTH.POINT TUGGERANONG

Are you a southsider and proud of it? You’re about to have a whole lot of company next week when South.Point Tuggeranong unveils its new South.Life dining precinct on Saturday 12 October.

Located on Anketell Street, the South.Life dining precinct will see a whole new range of dining options—from family-friendly eateries to cafes, burgers and more—and to celebrate, South.Point is holding a huge day of delicious deals and family fun.

Keep an eye out for an array of giant inflatable foods along Anketell Street. If you see one, make sure you snap a pic and post it to social media with the hashtag #SOUTHLIFE—you could go into the draw to win one of 10 $200 South.Point vouchers.

NEW RESTAURANTS

Anketell Street is set to become a dining hotspot and with over 10 venues in one place, there will be plenty of reasons to keep coming back, including Rashays, La Pasteria, Zambrero, Streets of Asia, Café Milligram, Brew Bar, Little Istanbul, Chalisa, Asian Noodle House and Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant.

Keep an eye out for the Mookie Burger pop up, where they’ll be treating southsiders to a taste of their iconic American-Japanese fusion burgers, fries and shakes.

VIP GIFT BAGS

To make your first experience of South.Life even sweeter, be one of the first 500 people to register and sign up to the South.Life VIP list here and you’ll receive a South.Life goodie bag full of treats on the day!

GIVEAWAYS

Can’t wait to try all the new venues? Make sure you grab a South.Life Passport from the Customer Service Desk before you head out. This important little document is your chance to win $500—that’s right, $500!

Simply take your South.Life Passport along when you eat at each of the new venues and when you’ve ticked them all, hand your passport back to Customer Service Desk to go into the draw to win a $500 South.Point Gift Card!

But wait, there’s more. Limelight Cinemas will also be doing giveaways on the day and keep your eyes out for other retailer giveaways. We don’t want to spoil it for you, but we heard there might be some South.Point Gift Cards up for grabs…

Happening Saturday 12 October from 11 am – 4 pm at Anketell Street, South.Point

See southpointcanberra.com.au for more information.

OKTOBERFESTIVAL 2019 AT PIALLIGO ESTATE

Come eins, come all! Oktoberfest is almost here and we’re bringing it to you in true Pialligo Estate style – a high-quality experience with steins full of authentic fun!

Complete with traditional German foods including Bratwurst, Kransky and Schnitzels, and Pig on a Spit, your Oktoberfest will be complete with premium Zierholz brews on tap – it’s going to be a big day, make sure your belly is ready to be filled to the brim!

Come in your finest lederhosen and dirndls, be part of Mr and Ms Oktoberfest, flex your muscles in beer barrel races and Hammerschlagen, and if you’re really game, there’ll be yodelling too…after you’ve had a few bier, perhaps?

Buy your ticket now for just $20 to get your Commemorative Stein full of your first bier, and entry to all competitions, games and entertainment. Free entry for kids U18 and free access to the Kinder Zone.

The fun runs over two days from Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 of October from 12 pm – 7 pm each day.

See thepialligoestate.com.au for more information.

GOOGONG’S RURAL FIRE SERVICE OPEN DAY

The Rural Fire Service’s Open Day is a fascinating adventure for the young and the young-at-heart.

The local crew from Jerrabomberra Creek Rural Fire Brigade will be on hand at Googong with lots of free family fun.

Climb the big red fire trucks or have a go with the hoses under the watchful eye of our local brigade. Try the firies’ emergency gear on for size and share some of the amazing stories from our local heroes.

Everyone is invited to join in the free fun at Beltana Park, Beltana Avenue, Googong, from 10 am to 2 pm, with live music, food vendors plus a sausage sizzle.

Find out more at googong.net

FLORIADE: DOGS’ DAY OUT

Image: Lean Timms

Floriade wouldn’t be complete without the return of Dogs’ Day Out.

For one day only, event organisers invite visitors to bring their four-legged pals!

All pups, big and small, are invited to soak up the sunshine and explore Floriade on Sunday 13 October with speciality stores just for dogs, lots of extra doggie activities and breed group photos it’s definitely a day not to be missed!

Find out more at floriadeaustralia.com.

CAR MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP

It’s the school holidays, and some of us will be heading out of town. But how much attention do you usually give your car in the lead up to hitting the highway, other than filling up the tank?

If you’ve ever broken down and stood gazing helplessly at the ‘bits under the hood’, wondered if your tyres are safe to drive on, or blown a headlight while driving at night, we’ve got an event for you.

Autoco is hosting a workshop to ensure you feel empowered when it comes to understanding your vehicle. Focused on three key components: checking your tyres, getting under the hood, and being prepared for a dark, wet night.

Happening Saturday 12 October from 9.30 am – 12 pm at Autoco, 5 Rickerby Street, Phillip.

See Eventbrite for tickets and more information.

VOGUE AUSTRALIA Q&A SESSION

Join Vogue Australia’s Senior Beauty and Health Editor, Remy Rippon, and Market Editor, Kaila Matthews, as they bring you the lowdown from the world of beauty and fashion.

Explore the latest seasonal trends, get expert advice, and learn how to become a total style sensation.

Don’t miss special guests Shani Grimmond, Elle Ferguson, Rae Morris and Danh Doan. Come and be immersed in the beautiful.

Cost: $10

Happening Saturday 12 October from 12 – 1 pm at Canberra Centre’s Temple of Beauty, Level One (outside R.M. Williams).

See cc.sproutix.com.au for tickets and more information.

WINDOWS TO THE WORLD

Bulgaria.

DREAMWORKS ANIMATION: THE EXHIBITION – JOURNEY FROM SKETCH TO SCREEN

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World™ © 2019. © 2019 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

From the makers of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Trolls, comes and extraordinary exhibition celebrating over 25 years of DreamWorks Animation.

DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition – Journey from Sketch to Screen brings together rare concept drawings, models and original artworks, interviews and interactive displays from DreamWorks’ much-loved animated classics.

Take a thrilling journey, from original sketches of grumpy ogres and friendly dragons, to amazing stories and fantasy worlds brought to you by DreamWorks’ award-winning artists.

An ACMI touring exhibition developed in partnership with DreamWorks Animation. © 2019 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved

Happening until 2 February 2020 at National Museum of Australia.

See nma.gov.au or more information.

Delight your tastebuds and indulge them in beautiful Pialligo Estate delicacies, all while you enjoy the atmosphere at Floriade.

While you enjoy the gorgeous view across the tulips in comfort from Pialligo Urban’s sunny deck, you’ll have the chance to unwind and spoil yourself with a range of sweet and savoury treats handmade by the renowned chefs at Pialligo Estate.

Beautiful china will accompany the variety of Moroccan inspired sweet treats, classic ribbon sandwiches, Pialligo Estate smokehouse sausage rolls, seasonal fruit and more, all while enjoying a selection of quality drinks including housemade lemonade and kaffir, loose leaf and herbal tea or barista coffee.

You may also purchase bubbles or other alcoholic beverages to help you really relax and recharge.

Pialligo Estate’s High Tea will be the perfect enhancement to your Floriade experience–it’ll add that extra little something to your weekend, go on, you deserve it!

Happening 21 September – 13 October at various times at Pialligo Urban, Floriade, inside Commonwealth Park.

See the website for times and more information.

Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, returns to Commonwealth Park from Saturday 14 September until Sunday 13 October 2019.

With over one million blooms on display and free entry, Floriade is the perfect place to experience the beauty of spring.

With a diverse and ever-expanding program of music, cultural celebrations, food and wine, horticultural workshops, market traders, artistic displays, entertainment, recreational activities and more, you’ll find something for everyone.

Celebrate this year’s theme, World in Bloom daily from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Happening 14 September – 13 October from 9.30 am – 5.30 pm seven days a week at Commonwealth Park.

Visit floriadeaustralia.com for more information.

It’s time to truly unwind and be blown away by the breathtaking views over the fields, watching the sun go down with a drink in hand.

Pialligo Estate is bringing Canberra a new style of fun–with next-level drinks by our funky bar crew, Canberra’s first Gintonica bar experience and the finest craft beers, you’ll taste your way to a new happy place.

Think great beats, highest-quality share platters, space for the kids to run around, and fun you won’t be expecting; Pialligo Fields is the place to bring your family and friends for some fresh air in style.

Whether you have an event that needs some personality, or you just want to find some weekend balance with the family and friends, Fields is a multi-purpose space that will deliver experiences you talk about.

Happening Wednesday to Friday from 3 pm until late and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm until late at Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo.

See thepialligoestate.com.au/pialligo-fields for more information.