20+ ways to spend the first weekend of January
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The first official weekend of 2023 is here and you best believe it’s another busy one with 20+ things to do in Canberra.
Get ready to return to the office with a weekend of Summernats, sunset cinemas and so much more.
Special events + festivals
Street Machine Summernats 35
It’s a wild horsepower party. Summernats is back for four massive days as the modified car community celebrates the diverse, exciting and engaging event.
There will be competition driving events, an elite hall, show and shine, drifting, trade show and exhibition, concerts, cruising, burnouts and more, with Summernats being the finals showdown for the National Burnout Master for the year.
Thursday 5 until Sunday 8 January | Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Rd &, Northbourne Ave, Mitchell | Book here.
Disrupt, persist, invent
Australia, home of the ‘fair go’. But is it really the free and fair place you’d hope for? What can we change? From noisy protest to quiet persistence, Disrupt, persist, invent explores the many ways people have achieved social change in Australia.
Pop into the National Archives of Australia to discover powerful stories of people and their actions, from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Until Monday 12 June | National Archives of Australia | naa.gov.au
Feared and Revered: Feminine Power through the Ages
Celebrating the power and diversity of female spiritual beings in cultural traditions and beliefs across the globe, this exhibition explores how goddesses, demons, witches, spirits and saints have shaped our understanding of the world.
Featuring more than 160 objects from the British Museum’s exceptional collection, this is a timely exhibition that explores and questions feminine power, authority and identity.
Until Sunday 27 August | National Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au
Piazzolla and Tango
Join soprano Ayşe Göknur Shanal, as she brings her box office success performance from the Sydney Opera House to Canberra. She will be joined by Tango master Pedro Florentino Alvarez and pianist Gabriel Gonzalez. The audience will be treated to an intoxicating journey of Tango music and dancing, through sensual Argentina. A Tango feast you don’t want to miss.
Sunday 8 January | 15 Hickey Crescent, Weston | Book here.
Food + wine
The Wizard’s Den
Witches and wizards of Canberra, behold! Get ready to unleash your inner magical being as you brew potions, cast spells, and drink more mead than you can shake a wand at—at this pop-up bar, you’ll concoct devilish brews for good (or evil), all under the watchful eye of their wise potions master.
Until Tuesday 31 January | Zoo Bar, London Circuit, Canberra City | Tickets here.
Cressida Campbell: Grazing by the Garden
Inspired by Cressida Campbell’s love of gardens and shared food between friends, the National Gallery is hosting Grazing by the Garden. Design your own grazing experience and choose from a selection of delicious scones with ribbon sandwiches, local grazing boards or a rustic pizza flatbread prepared daily. Espresso coffee, specialty tea or wine and beer will also be available, perfect for a light lunch in the Gallery’s dining room with scenic views of the Sculpture Garden and Lake Burley Griffin.
Until Sunday 19 February | National Gallery of Australia | nga.gov.au
Hyatt Garden Party
End the week in the gorgeous gardens of the Hyatt hotel. Live music and a DJ will add a sense of charm, elegance, and liveliness to the atmosphere so that you can experience the best of summer evenings with delicious food from live food stations and refreshing drinks, including cocktails, G&T, beers, wines, and spirits. No bookings are needed – just walk on in!
Friday 6 January | 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Parkes | hyatt.com
Exhibitions
Pictures of You
Have you ever tried to explain it is to be YOU? To a friend, a partner, your family, a professional – even to yourself? Now imagine having a disability; of the prejudices that come with that, and the challenges of engaging people to look beyond the disability to the whole of your personality. This is the focus of the Pictures of You exhibition, which explores a unique approach to self-portrayals of people with lived experience of physical and mental health disabilities – collaborating as equals with a professional photographer to produce a portrait honestly reflecting the whole person.
Until Sunday 5 February | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Viewfinder: Photography from the 1970s to Now
Featuring 125 images from the last 50 years, all uniquely captured by celebrated documentary photographers, Viewfinder is an exhibition that provides a fascinating glimpse into the changing face of Australia.
Walk through the exhibition and you’ll see the faces and stories of migrants, shearers, dancers, miners, gardeners, surfers, and bronzed bodies at the beach—but it also reveals how much photography has evolved over the years, from black and white captures to the vibrant high-definition images of today.
This is a reflective exhibition that can be enjoyed by all ages. Read more here.
Until Sunday 30 April | National Library of Australia | nla.gov.au
Blueprint
A ballot box designed to be carried 500km on the back of a camel. A ball gown hand-sewn to celebrate the peaceful achievement of Federation. A boomerang-shaped petition calling for constitutional recognition in 2013. These objects speak to what makes Australia’s democracy so, well… Australian.
Blueprint at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) is a new exhibition that shares the blueprint upon which our distinctive democracy has been built. Head along today!
Running until late 2023 | 18 King George Terrace, Parkes | moadoph.gov.au
Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland
The first in a three-part series, this exhibition captures generations of cultural knowledge shaped by the diverse First Nations peoples who live there and their connection to Country. Enjoy the established and emerging artists from across Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait as they explore art using new materials and techniques as they share what it means to belong.
Until Sunday 12 February | National Museum of Australia | nma.gov.au
Cressida Campbell
From her molasses-rich colour palette to her ability to re-imagine kitchen scraps with the deceptive ease of a film dissolve, it’s easy to get lost within Cressida Campbell’s world.
Her latest exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia is intimately soaked in her identity, the beautiful details of painted wood blocks and a ‘hard to pinpoint’ temporal energy that will disarm and transport audiences along the way. Featuring more than 140 works of art from the renowned artist, including new acquisitions and key works from private and public collections it will offer new insights into her life and work, featuring research and writing from a range of curators, artists, poets and other voices.
Until Saturday 19 February | The National Gallery of Australia | nga.gov.au
Changemakers
Celebrating the female torchbearers who have played a pivotal role in shaping Australian society, who rallied against limitations, forging new paths, and changing policy, laws, and opinions, Changemakers will focus on 54 Australian women and shine a light on how the politicians, artists, activists, and sportswomen have shifted the national conversation and changed the future.
From Ash Barty and Chanel Contos to Rosie Batty, Barbara Cummings, and Louisa Lawsone, Changemakers will give a voice to the women via a series of images, objects, and videos while leading visitors through themes of equality, financial independence, birth and care roles, the challenges of gender and race, and more.
Now showing | 18 King George Terrace, Parkes | moadoph.gov.au
Beyond the Milky Way
Be swept away into a different galaxy as you experience the greatest scientific endeavour in history as you step onto Australia’s future site for the incredible SKA telescope and journey to the edges of the Universe in spectacular 360-degree virtual reality at the National Museum of Australia.
Narrated by physicist Professor Brian Cox, travel to the radio-quiet Western Australian outback to explore where the world’s largest radio telescopes will be capturing the corners of the universe and breaking new ground in astronomical research.
Until Saturday 29 January | National Museum of Australia, Acton | nma.gov.au
Stage + screen
ELVIS: Summer Screenings at the NFSA
Get ready to rock and roll: you can watch Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS at the NFSA.
Visit the newly refreshed Australians and Hollywood exhibition before the screening to see costumes and props from ELVIS (exclusively on display). It’s sure to be a good time.
Sunday 8 January | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Book here.
Sunset Cinema
Cozy up under the stars with a picnic and some popcorn to catch some old favourites and new releases at the Sunset Cinema. This weekend head along and catch the new Black Pantha: Wakanda Forever on Friday night or take the whole family to enjoy an old favourite The Land Before Time on Saturday night. Make sure you check the weather before you head along to ensure you can’t caught out in a storm.
Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January | Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton | Book here.
Teeny Tiny Stevies
Fun for the whole family head along to the Canberra Theatre Centre to enjoy a performance including a mix of fan favourites and brand new material from their new album, the band will be leaving no stone unturned. How to be Creative is a ten song masterclass in embracing the creative urge, overcoming self-doubt, trying new things, learning from mistakes, working with others, and the superpower that is perseverance.
Sunday 8 January | The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Sport
PS Advisory Canberra International
It’s a summer full of tennis—and it’s in full swing (get it?) when the top players from across the globe arrive in the capital to compete in the Canberra International.
Get ready to witness some of the worlds best tennis players battle it out for a total prize pool of USD $190,000.
Sunday 1 until Saturday 7 January | Canberra Tennis Centre, 3 Riggall Place, Lyneham | Book here.
Round 9: UC Capitals vs Townsville Fire
It’s game time. Head along to watch the UC Capitals take on the Townsville Fire at the National Convention Centre!
Saturday 7 January | National Convention Centre, Constitution Avenue, Campbell | Book here.
