Art Live, a festival bringing the Middle East to you, and 15+ other things to fill your week
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Welcome to real autumn Canberra – those few weeks when the leaves start to crisp and turn a glorious range of reds, oranges and yellows.
Here are our picks for what to fill your days with this week.
Special Events and Festivals
Illuminating Egypt
Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Egypt at the National Museum of Australia during this very special free event. As the sun goes down, the Museum lights up for Illuminating Egypt – an evening of culture and community under the stars.
See performances by Egyptian–Australian musicians and dancers, including percussionists Tarek and Youssef Sawires, the Zaffe Band Traditional Arabian Drumming, Banat Amar dance troupe, and masterful oud player George Wasef. The choir from St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church will uplift audiences with their ancient hymns.
Be transported by a souk-inspired marketplace, where you will discover exquisite treasures from hand-crafted drums, ceramics, scarves, clothing and jewellery to grocery items, fragrances and authentic Coptic giftware. Enjoy a feast of flavours with mouth-watering street food from across the Middle East and North Africa, homemade vegan dishes, sweets and delicious cuisine from Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and more.
Kids will love getting creative with Egypt-inspired family activities – art making with Egyptian papyrus, stamping with phonetic hieroglyphs, and Egyptian lantern making.
And don’t forget to explore the Discovering Ancient Egypt exhibition during extended opening hours.
Saturday 13 April | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cres, Acton | More information here.
Art Live
Created by the Gallery’s Youth Council, this is a free-festival style event that combines artists, ideas, exhibitions, music and creative experiences, exclusively for young audiences aged 15 to 25. Head along to celebrate the exhibition Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour, meet the artist behind the exhibition, craft your own photo book, take the spotlight in the Superstar Photobooth, connect with new people, relax in a quiet space or groove to the rhythm of rock music. There’s something for everyone!
Friday 12 April | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | Book here.
Bang On Live: Myf Warhurst and Zan Rowe
The smash hit Double J podcast Bong On Live is hitting the stage. Bringing together two of Australia’s most respected and loved music journalists and presenters – who are also great friends – it’s your one stop shop for music, art, life, and stuff. Think of it as all the conversations you need to be across each week (but don’t have the time to read a think-piece about).
Friday 12 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Relay For Life 2024
Join hundreds of Canberrans and make strides towards a cancer-free future – Relay For Life is back for another year. Offering the chance for the community to recognise and celebrate locals who are or have been impacted by cancer, to honour and remember loved ones lost and to raise money to help save more lives, this is a fun and philanthropic overnight event. Filled with activities, music and comradery, gather your family, friends and work colleagues to walk, run, or dance laps in a continuous 24-hour relay to signify that the fight against cancer never stops.
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April | AIS Athletics Track and Field Centre, Masterman Street, Bruce | Register here.
Canberra and Region Heritage Festival
The annual Canberra and Region Heritage Festival is back with a bang! You’ll need to plan ahead for this one because the jam-packed program has more than 120 events. It’s a great opportunity to learn about Canberra’s history from exhibitions and workshops to hands on activities. Visit their website to stay up-to-date with what’s happening!
Saturday 13 until Sunday 28 April | Various locations | More information here.
Discovering Ancient Egypt
Journey back in time to discover the wonders of ancient Egypt in this must-see exhibition featuring over 220 objects from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden). You’ll learn all about the lifestyles of the ancient Egyptians, their religion and society, their creativity and their belief in an afterlife where they hoped to live for eternity.
Until September 2024 | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | Book here.
Markets
Bonsai Reshaped
Whether you’re an established bonsai artist, or just starting out, this is for you. The annual celebration of the art of bonsai, this year the celebration welcomes internationally recognised artists Marija Hajdic from Croatia and Morten Albek from Denmark, to share their expertise, influences, experiences and enthusiasm through workshops and live demonstrations. There will also be a Bonsai Market and more!
Thursday 11 until Sunday 14 April | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo Valley | More information here.
Super Sunday
This special Sunday at the Old Bus Depot Markets will see some of the best stalls from their Multicultural, Designer and Collectable markets gather together for a massive day. You’ll be able to taste a wide selection of delicious food, see an array of fine jewellery, try on the latest styles from local designers and much more. It’s a celebration of the best the markets have to offer!
Sunday 14 April | The Old Bus Depot Markets, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | More information here.
Canberra Fashion Market
Calling all fashion lovers, this one is for you. The Canberra Fashion Market is back to help you shop from local and interstate designers, browse books, stock up on jewellery, score yourself some vintage, and more! Keep your eye out for some big brand labels.
Sunday 14 April | Fitter’s Workshop, Printers Way, Kingston | More information here.
Food and Wine
Paella Journey at 10 Yards
Spend an evening with celebrity chef and local poet Cameron Jones as he teaches you the origins of paella and how to make it delicious every time.
Sunday 14 April from 4 pm | 10 Yards, 68 Bandjalong Crescent, Aranda | Book here
Stage and Screen
RBG: One Of Many
After a wildly popular, sold-out premiere season in 2022, the Sydney Theatre Company smash-hit production about the woman who changed the face of the American legal system – the indomitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg – is coming to Canberra.
Bringing her life to the stage thanks to the extraordinary pen of Olivier Award-winning Australian playwright Suzie Miller (Prima Facie), you’ll watch a story that chronicles Ginsburg’s wins and dissents, traces her steps forward and the steps back, and brings you right into the room with Ruth at the most pivotal moments of her life.
Thursday 11 until Sunday 21 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Billy Elliot
Nothing was quite the same after Jamie Bell put on those ballet slippers for the first time in the 2000 film Billy Elliot – but did you know it was originally a musical?
Now Free-Rain Theatre Company is bringing the magic of this iconic story of struggle, class, freedom and the love of dance to The Q from 9 April until 5 May – plenty of time to let original songs by Elton John let you forget about our impending Canberra winter.
Tuesday 9 April – Sunday 5 May | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre | theq.net.au/whats-on/billy-elliot-the-musical
The Shoe-Horn Sonata by John Misto
Based on true events, the Shoe-Horn Sonata is a compelling revelation of the experiences of women imprisoned by the Japanese in WWII told through two who meet again fifty years later. First performed at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre in 1995 (and the winner of Australia Remembers National Play Competition in 1995 and the Play Award for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards 1996), head to the Mill Theatre at Dairy Road to see it for yourself.
Wednesday 3 until Saturday 27 April | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Building 3.3, Fyshwick | Book here.
DARKFIELD: FLIGHT
Calling all thrill seekers, this one is for you. Sitting at the nexus of technology and theatre, FLIGHT takes you on a deeply hypnotic journey that challenges your sense of what is real, and what is imagined through two worlds, two realities and two outcomes to your journey. We won’t say anymore, you need to experience it for yourself…
Until Sunday 14 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
DARKFIELD: SÉANCE
Step inside, take a seat but don’t get comfortable. SÉANCE is an intense sonic performance that explores the psychology of a group of people who have been bombarded with suggestible material. In complete darkness, your senses become vulnerable to persuasion. You’ll need to proceed with an open mind…
Until Sunday 14 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Want it That Gay Cabaret-Comedy starring Cara Whitehouse
I Want it That Gay is a cabaret-comedy that sheds light and humour on the challenges of growing up with starkly heteronormative music, popstars, and paradigms.
At times hilarious and at times heartbreaking, the show is an irreverent look at the way popular culture shapes what we see and therefore who we’re allowed to be. Think Destiny’s Child, Britney, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys and more – queerified!
Reminisce on your favourite hits from the 1990s-2000’s through a queer lens.
Saturday 13 April from 7.30-8.30 pm | Tuggeranong Arts Centre | tuggeranongarts.com/events/i-want-it-that-gay
Seagull
Pack a picnic rug and enjoy this indoor-outdoor performance as you watch love triangles, quarrels about the theatre, and egos erupt. A vivid and contemporary, site-specific translation and adaptation by Karen Vickery of Chekhov’s masterpiece starring local talent, this is a bitter-sweet tragi-comedy in an idyllic setting.
Wednesday 10 until Sunday 21 April | 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | Book here.
Bang On Live: Myf Warhurst and Zan Rowe
The smash hit Double J podcast Bong On Live is hitting the stage. Bringing together two of Australia’s most respected and loved music journalists and presenters – who are also great friends – it’s your one stop shop for music, art, life, and stuff. Think of it as all the conversations you need to be across each week (but don’t have the time to read a think-piece about).
Friday 12 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Science. Art. Film: Vesper & Panel
Have you seen the film Vesper? Set in the wake of an environmental catastrophe, wrought by out-of-control genetic technology, it presents both positive and negative dimensions of genetic engineering, and explores ‘biohacking’ – genetic engineering by lay people. Inviting audiences to consider the implications for the ‘real’ world, watch the movie and then join an insightful panel discussion exploring these and other questions with Dr Dan Santos.
Wednesday 17 April | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Book here.
Music
John Williamson
In 2024 this Aussie music icon will celebrate his 54th year in the entertainment industry, so don’t miss this opportunity to see him, accompanied by his full band.
With accolades including induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the Australian Roll of Renown, an Order of Australia, 28 Golden Guitar Awards, over 5 million albums sold, over one billion music streams reached in 2022 and a catalogue of over 500 self-penned songs, it’ll be a memorable show.
Saturday 13 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
‘Birth & Rebirth’ Music for Harp, Viola & Cello
Three of Australia’s outstanding young performers are coming to Canberra to play their most recent program. Don’t miss Sarah Zhu, James Monro and Paul Nicolaou as they share their music with the community. Highlights include the premiere of Nicolaou’s ‘Of Light, Divided’ and Monro’s ‘Saturated Reflection’!
Sunday 14 April | 20-22 National Circuit, Entrance via, Fitzroy Street, Forrest | Book here.
Heavenly Sopranos
World-class sopranos join the Australian Haydn Ensemble for Baroque masterpieces this April and you’re invited. Featuring two of Australia’s most talented sopranos – and long-time friends of the AHE – Celeste Lazarenko and Helen Sherman, the performances will introduce concertgoers to evocative and beautiful Baroque-era pieces from German composer, Johann Adolph Hasse, and Italian composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.
Thursday 11 April | 20-22 National Circuit, Entrance via, Fitzroy Street, Forrest | Book here.
Exhibitions
Place
In this playful exhibition, Alexander Thatcher pays homage to two things: his love for creating tiny ceramic architecture and his passion for clay.
It’s his hope that when you explore this exhibition of tiny buildings (or take one home), they ignite your imagination and fill your heart with wonder.
Until April – 19 May | The Nook, Belconnen Arts Centre | Find out more here.
All Sorts Collective – From The Outside To The Inside
Showing at the Strathnairn Arts Association, From The Outside To The Inside explore the relationship between public and private spaces through a series of works in acrylic, watercolour in and pastel.
Featuring contrasting views of outside lives to personal interiors exploring the quiet sanctity of a home, head along to see the works of Shakir Rayman, Stephanie Boyle, Louise Spencer, Katie Volter and Belinda Gill.
Until Sunday 21 April | Strathnairn Arts Association, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | More information here.
Layered Land: Time, Fragility, Repair
This is a solo exhibition by Barbara Dawson. Creating a series of drawings and textiles that investigates the way a place is remembered, Barbara’s intention is not to represent the landscape, rather it is to capture and communicate her lived experience of being in it.
Through combining and layering different procedures – reclaiming and repurposing materials, drawing, layering, dyeing, stitching – she is able to capture and communicate her relationship and concern for landscape. And remind us we are not separate from it but are inextricably part of it.
Until Sunday 14 April | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
# by Guy Morgan
Guy Morgan’s debut solo exhibition, ‘#’ features Morgan’s ‘Evaporation’ series – a blending of oil and acrylic paintings with archival prints and his acclaimed ArtScreen 2023 project. Exploring the transient nature of creativity, the exhibition also features works from Morgan’s book, ‘The Empire Sells Out’, offering an alternative societal narrative.
Until Sunday 14 April | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
HARD YAKKA
HARD YAKKA delves into the cultural significance of the flannel shirt, a beloved garment transcending social divides from artists to farmers and labourers. Created by UK Frederick, it delves into the intersection of art and labour, drawing on photographic practices, ceramics and pattern to investigate the sensory qualities of disembodied clothing and the memories they invoke.
Until Sunday 14 April | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Ralph Heimans: Portraiture. Power. Influence
This is the first major exhibition of the Sydney-born artist’s work in his home country. Featuring some of the most significant portraits in the artist’s career to date (from early major works such as his painting of HM Queen Mary of Denmark through to his most recent paintings), you’ll see some amazing works that have cemented Ralph Heimans as a internationally sought-after portraitist known for his meticulously realised paintings.
Until Monday 27 May | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour
This exhibition of acclaimed Western Aranda artist Vincent Namatjira, Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour, charts the artist’s career, revealing the power of his painting and the potency of his words. Showcasing Namatjira’s burgeoning artistic practice, this major exhibition brings together paintings, works on paper and moving image from public and private collections nationwide, the exhibition will also feature a selection of watercolours from the national collection by the artist’s great-grandfather and critically acclaimed Western Arranda artist, Albert Namatjira.
Until Sunday 21 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
Sport
ACT Brumbies Women vs Western Force Women
Park footy returns as your Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies Women’s team takes on Western Force Women on Saturday 13 April at Viking Park.
Led by Head Coach and Wallaroos Assistant Scott Fava, the round 5 fixture is set to be an exciting one for Brumbies Members and fans, with the match kicking off at 2:35pm.
Gates open from 1pm, with the ViQueens hosting the Royals for a curtain raiser match up, kicking off at 1:05pm.
Saturday 13 April | Viking Park, McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa | Tickets here.
Giants v St Kilda Saints
Grab some friends or bring the family for this Saturday afternoon classic, as the GIANTS taking on the St Kilda Saints, in their first home game of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season at Manuka Oval. It’s perfect for the whole family – keep your eye out for giveaways, face painting, inflatables and more!
Saturday 13 April | Manuka Oval, Manuka Circle, Griffith | Book here.
Raiders v Titans
We’ve been told that Raiders v Titans clash has been one of the most entertaining matchups at home in recent years, and in this game the Raiders are looking to make it three wins in a row. Get there early to cheer on the Raiders NSW Cup team as they take on the Bulldogs, and then sit back and enjoy as the two teams battle it out.
Sunday 14 April | GIO Stadium Canberra, Battye Street, Bruce | Book here.
Workshops, webinars and more
Pyramid Making at the NMA
On every Wednesday during the ACT school term from 10.30 am until 11 am, your little archaeologist can take part in a hands-on activity where they’ll explore and experiment with a range of materials and textures to shape their own sandy pyramids.
Perfect for children aged two to six, it’s free with entry to the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre.
Wednesday 10 April | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cres, Acton | Book here.
The Journey of Australian Science: Tracing Our History, Discovering New Paths
Join the Australian Academy of Science in their 70th anniversary year for a look at history and into the future, at this public speaker series. In each installment, you’ll follow the story of one scientific discipline (think: geology, virology, astronomy and more), with an Academy Fellow and an early-career researcher as expert guides.
Tuesday 9 April | Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton | Book here.
Feature image: Art Live at The National Gallery of Australia.
