A handy guide to what’s on this weekend (it’s a lot)
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Struggling to think of things to do this weekend? Here’s a handy guide to events happening around Canberra.
There’s something for the whole family.
Don’t miss…
National Wine Experience
A three-hour tasting of 900 wines? Sign. Us. Up. This is your chance to sample more than 900 (yes, 900) wines from across the country at Exhibition Park, including the just-announced winners of the 2024 National Wine Show awards.
But there’s a catch – there are only 250 tickets for this three-hour event. Get booking!
Saturday 1 June, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Coorong Pavilion, Exhibition Park | Book here.
Suitcase Rummage
Pack your suitcase and load up the car, this is a community market with no tents, no tables, no racks, no overheads and most importantly, no elitism. All you need to do it grab your pre-loved wares and/or handmade creations and you can sell straight out of your suitcase. It’s as easy as that!
Saturday 1 June, 11 am – 3 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | More information here.
Hartley Hall Markets
This fine family-friendly market is proudly organised and operated by Hartley Lifecare, and it promises to be a lovely day out. Explore over 200 stalls offering a variety of products including food, locally grown vegetables and fresh produce, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, children’s toys, arts and crafts, unique gifts and more and make the most of the live entertainment and children’s activities!
Sunday 2 June | Hall Showground, Hall Street, Hall | More information here.
Markets
Capital Region Farmers Market
Fresh produce, flowers and the ready-to-eat food and coffee. What more could you need? The Capital Region Farmers Market has everything you need.
7 am – 11.30 am Saturday | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Old Well Station Road, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Little Burley Markets
Offering a diverse array of multicultural foods, much-loved beverages and brunchables, beautiful blooms, locally made art, fashion, photography and homewares, artisanal bread, delectable pastries, seafood, smoked charcuterie, truffles, meats, puppy treats, and much more, you’ll be able to find plenty of goodies at this bespoke lakeside market
8 am – 1 pm Saturday | Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Southside Farmers Markets
This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta and pet treats.
8 am–11.30 am Sunday | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com
Haig Park Markets
Moments away from Lonsdale street’s boutiques and cafes, the Haig Park Village Markets will delight your senses with delicious cuisines, tasty treats, beautiful blooms, fresh produce, delectable charcuterie and artisan products. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a picnic whilst feasting your senses on the culinary delights on offer or to browse the fabulous local handmade design stalls.
8.30 am – 2 pm Sundays | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Food and Wine
Marble & Grain and Canberra Distillery: Lunch and Gin Masterclass
Know your base spirits from your botanicals? Well, even if you don’t, you’ll enjoy this. The Canberra Distillery is hosting a Lunch & Gin Masterclass at Marble & Grain where they will walk you through the world of gin.
Sip and savour your way through a five-course lunch (think: gin cured salmon Carpaccio and lemon gin cheesecake) with matching gins that are perfectly paired to make the most out of the flavours!
Sunday 1 June, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Marble & Grain, 25 Mort Street, Braddon | Book here.
Tipsy Sundaze
At “Tipsy Sundaze” the weekend doesn’t have to end on a flat note.
Come together with friends and elevate your Sunday at Amici. Unwind, sip, and savour while experiencing the very best Canberra’s music scene has to offer.
Every Sunday from 2.30-5.30 pm | Amici, Northbourne Avenue, City | Find out more here
Stage and Screen
The Art of Disruption
In Rebus Theatre’s new original work by disabled actors and actors with mental health challenges, step behind the curtain and into the tumultuous world of activist theatre, where the struggles of everyday life collide with the magic of storytelling.
Asking the question ‘Will the forces of creativity and resilience triumph over adversity, or will the weight of reality prove too great to bear?’ it promises to be an unforgettable journey into the heart of the theatre, where the show must go on, no matter what.
Until Saturday 1 June | ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | Book here.
SENES Flamenco Trio
Experience the passion and beauty of SENES Flamenco for one night only! Featuring Aya Kitaoji, Alejandro Florez and Nathan Slater, the trio’s captivating performance will leave you breathless with each stamp of the foot and flourish of the arms. With stunning costumes, dynamic live music, and breathtaking dance, SENES Flamenco is sure to be a feast for the senses. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the artistry and tradition of flamenco firsthand.
Saturday 1 June | 38 David Street, Turner | Book here.
Reconciliation Week Screenings at the NFSA
In honour of Reconciliation Week, the National Film and Sound Archive is holding some special screenings of powerful films telling First Nations stories.
The Last Daughter is an inspiring documentary chronicling Brenda Matthews’ journey of trying to understand her story and reconcile the two sides of her family. TOOMELAH is a powerful feature from award-winning First Nations director Ivan Sen, following the story of troubled 10-year-old Daniel. Both showing on Saturday 1 June, they offer a fresh insight into the lives and experiences of First Nations Australians.
Saturday 1 June, with sessions at 1 pm (The Last Daughter) and 6 pm (TOOMELAH) |
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Book tickets here.
Terror by Ferdinand von Schirach
Guilty or not guilty? Enter the courtroom, hear the evidence, and make your judgement. An interactive show where the fate of a fighter pilot is placed in the audience’s hands, you’ll be the jury and judge.
Until Sunday 16 June | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Building 3.3, Fyshwick | Book here.
Exhibitions
NYARU
This is an exhibition of new works in glass by Yankunytjatjara / Western Arrernte artist, Robert Fielding. Co-curated by Erin Vink and Aimee Frodsham, the works challenges the perception of Central Desert artwork in the medium of glass with the artist combining strong cultural roots with contemporary views on the tensions between community life and global concerns.
Until Sunday 21 July | 11 Wentworth Avenue Kingston | More information here.
Djaadjawan: Natalie Bateman
Natalie Bateman is a Walbanja-Yuin artist, hailing from one of the largest families on the NSW south coast. Using traditional Yuin line work (a method of storytelling deeply ingrained in her cultural heritage), most of her artworks revolve around themes of fish and sea creatures, reflecting the natural connection she feels towards the ocean.
Her most recent exhibition “Djaadjawan” explores the significance of sand. Through her paintings, Natalie aims to honor the often overlooked aspects of nature, such as sand, which play a crucial role in sustaining life. Head along to see it for yourself.
Until Friday 26 July | COX Gallery, 1/19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston | More information here.
Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024
Officially opening on Saturday 25 May, Little Darlings is an exhibition of finalists works from the Gallery’s annual Youth Portrait Prize. First launched in 2022, Little Darlings is a competition for primary and secondary students, with four separate age categories across Kindergarten to Year 12.
Monuments
‘Monuments’ is a body of work that investigates and celebrates the forms found within our landscape. Created by Emma Pattenden, it reinterprets the rock forms found in different parts of the Australian landscape to express the monumental value of these forms and places, inviting you on a transformative journey through the sculptural wonders of our Australian landscape.
Until Sunday 9 June| M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Field Of Vision
‘Field of Vision’ a solo exhibition by Lee Leibrandt. It presents a collection of woven tapestries that reflect the connection between the natural landscape and personal experience of place.
In combining the traditional medium of tapestry weaving with modern design elements of mixed-media collage and mark making, Leibrandt aims to make pattern and colour manifest as dream-like representations via a meditative and intentional practice.
Until Sunday 9 June | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Creating Apart, Together
M16 Artspace Gallery in Canberra is where the exhibition Creating Apart, Together is on show from 16 May to 9 June, with an opening on 16 May at 6 pm. It brings together 21 local visual, fibre and textile artists from Networks Australia (@networks_australia_artists), and proposes an alternative to the privilege of visiting artists’ studios.
The visitor is offered three perspectives – the works themselves (painting, machine and hand-stitching, tapestry, weaving etc); a ‘concept board’ for each artist and photographs by Networks member, Fiona Bowring. The artists are brought together in a bank of portraits of each in their studios.
Free entry.
Until Sunday 9 June | M16 Artspace Gallery, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here
Focus: Australian government photographers
Focus: Australian government photographers brings Australia’s government photographers out of the darkroom and into the spotlight.
Between 1939 and 1996, dozens of photographers were employed by government agencies to capture Australian life. This fascinating exhibition delves deep into the lives and work of these talented individuals who helped to preserve our rich visual heritage, including Harry Frauca, Max Dupain, Mervyn Bishop and many more. Focus invites visitors on a journey spanning six decades of Australian life.
Explore a diverse selection of work that includes intimate nature photography, striking architectural shots and images that capture everyday memories from Australia’s past. Step into our virtual darkroom and experience the magic of photography by watching pictures develop before your eyes. Experience the power of photography to shape perceptions, ignite conversation and preserve memories.
Until Monday 10 June | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Golden Hour
Sophie Ryan is an emerging artist originally from Bathurst, New South Wales, driven by a deep connection to her surroundings and a desire to convey the vitality and movement of the world around her.
Currently looking into different ways of representing landscapes through gesture, embodiment, emotion and memory while combining elements of drawing and painting, this solo exhibition will feature a series of landscapes and other depicted moments to respond to feelings of growth, and what it means to live in a new place but yearn for the grounding of familiarity and comforts.
Until Sunday 16 June | Strathnairn Arts Association, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | More information here.
Joan McKay: Touched By Fauna
In this exhbition at the Strathnairn Arts Association, artist Joan McKay uses hyperrealism to invite the viewer to connect with the beauty, gentleness and vulnerability of local animals and birds. Presenting a new body of work using scratchboards, you’ll see everything from red-necked wallabies to swamp wallabies, peewees, magpies and more.
Until Sunday 16 June | Strathnairn Arts Association, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | More information here.
