Autumnal markets, Australian Dance Week and a wine festival: 40+ events to fill the last week of April
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It’s already the last week of April and all we can say is…how?
Luckily from plenty of autumnal markets to Australian Dance Week and a very special wine festival, your calendar will be exploding with options to keep you busy. Read on and start planning!
Special Events and Festivals
Anzac Day
This Anzac Day, come together in person and in spirit, to commemorate and reflect upon the service and sacrifice made by Australians in all wars and on operations at the Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
Tuesday 25 April | Australian War Memorial, Treloar Crescent, Campbell | More information here.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association Commemorative Ceremony
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association Commemorative Ceremony will be held at 7.30 am to honour those Australian servicemen and servicewomen who continue to serve in our Defence Force. The ceremony is hosted by members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association (ATSIVSA). All members of the public are welcome to attend.
Tuesday 25 April | Australian War Memorial, Treloar Crescent, Campbell | More information here.
Ausdance ACT presents Australian Dance Week
Throwing the spotlight on Canberra’s thriving and diverse local dance scene (from studio classes, workshops and activities for many ages with loads of free classes and events) Australian Dance Week is back. Get ready for plenty of high quality professional performance, community events and workshops. It’s time to immerse yourself in dance!
Friday 28 April until Sunday 7 May | Various venues | ausdanceact.org.au
2023 Canberra International Music Festival
Forget booking a flight overseas in 2023—the Canberra International Music Festival is back to transport you around the world. From Britain and France to Ukraine, West Africa, and (of course) Australia, the Canberra International Music Festival (CIMF) will be filling the city with a colourful and diverse selection of music as 28 concerts—and 150 international and Australian musicians—bring a kaleidoscope of powerful performances to the nation’s capital!
Friday 28 April to Sunday, 7 May | Various locations | Book here.
ANU Women’s Football Club Trivia Night
It’s time to test your knowledge…and raise funds for the first and largest women’s only football club in Canberra. It’s the most competitive night of the season—on or off the pitch!
Friday 28 April | 13 Moore St, Canberra City | Book here.
Stomp Festival
Celebrating local winemakers and producers through two days of wine, food, entertainment, activities, demonstrations, special offers, and much more, this is the perfect way to welcome autumn. And with over 25 wineries showcased, grape stomping, farm animals, live music, art, behind-the-scenes tours, barrel room tastings, back vintages, bike tours, demonstrations, picnics with pups and more, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Saturday 29 until Sunday 30 April | Various locations | Book here.
Retro Fashion and Cocktail Masterclass
Join the Style Liberation team as they break down on how to bring back the best of the ‘50s, ‘70s, and ‘90s to your wardrobe. Running across an hour and a half, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn some style secrets that you can shop in the Canberra Centre while you nibble away on some delicious snacks—and with special guest Phillip Jones (AKA The Martini Whisperer) hosting a cocktail masterclass, you’ll also be able to choose from one of two retro-inspired drinks to sip away on while learning how to make your own concoctions at home. Cheers to that!
Saturday 29 April, 1 pm – 2:30 pm | Canberra Centre, Level 1, Monaro Mall (Near David Jones) | Book here.
Canberra and Region Heritage Festival
Back for it’s 40th year, this year the theme of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival is ‘Sharing Stories’—and there will be more than 160 activities to spark your interests. From open days, tours, workshops, exhibitions and entertainment, what will you book into?
Until Sunday 30 April | Various locations | environment.act.gov.au
Corin Forest’s 40Fest
Free snowplay, snowmaking tours, stalls, food, drink, live music and more…this is one big birthday bash, because Corin Forest is hosting their 40th birthday party and everyone’s invited! The best part is entry to 40Fest is by gold coin donation and all funds raised will assist the Starlight Children’s Foundation in brightening the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children. It promises to be a special day.
Sunday 30 April | 1268 Corin Road, Paddys River | corin.com.au
Markets
CraftAlive Canberra
For four big days, CraftAlive will be in Canberra to showcase local and interstate craft experts, as well as craft supplies, kits and equipment. It’s also a great opportunity to learn from world class specialists with interactive classes.
Wednesday 26 until Saturday 29 April | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | Book here.
Autumn Handmade Market
The Handmade Market is back! Get ready to shop over 250 genuine Australian designers and producers while discovering everything from limited edition fashion, handcrafted furniture, original sculpture, ceramics, fine art and prints, textiles, children’s toys and clothing, beautiful jewellery, accessories and a much-loved gourmet food and wine hall. See you there?
Saturday 29 until Sunday 30 April | Exhibition park in Canberra, Corner Northbourne Ave and Flemington Road, Mitchell | handmadecanberra.com.au
Canberra Potters Emerging Makers Market
Celebrating some of the finest emerging potters and ceramic artists from the region’s vibrant ceramics scene, head along to meet and buy directly from the makers! Items for sale include tableware, planter pots, sculptures, jewellery, vases and more.
Saturday 29 until Sunday 30 April | 1 Aspinall Street, Watson | canberrapotters.com.au
Autumn Garage Sale
Looking for something different to do? This autumn themed sale is the perfect opportunity to pick up some plants, clothes, books, homewares, jewellery, bric-a-brac, handbags, craft, toys, accessories and more. All proceeds will go to Marymead—who doesn’t love shopping for a good cause?
Saturday 29 April | 255 Goyder Street, Narrabundah | marymead.org.au
Super Sunday
It’s one of the most bustling events at the Old Bus Depot Markets, so it’s no wonder this Sunday market is so super. Head along to enjoy the best of stalls from their Multicultural, Designer and Collectable markets. You’ll be able to taste a wide selection of delicious food, see an array of fine jewellery, try on the latest styles from your local designers and much more! You never know which mix of stalls you’ll see for this Sunday.
Sunday 30 April | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
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 28 and Saturday 29 April | 21 London Circuit, Level 1, Canberra City | Book here.
Our Kitchen, Our Growers—Sow, Grow, Share
Experience the best of local chefs and growers. Ginger at the Arboretum is hosting a Sunday lunch featuring Owner Janet Jeffs and her kitchen team creating a plant-based menu to delight the senses. Head along to enjoy the four course lunch (which features Eden Road Wines, Sully’s Cider, and Hazelwood Farm) with matched wines and cider.
Sunday 30 April | Village Centre, National Arboretum | Book here.
Stage and Screen
Rhys Nicholson: Rhys! Rhys! Rhys!
Get excited, the winner of the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show, Rhys Nicholson, returns for a very special one-off performance of their critically acclaimed show Rhys! Rhys! Rhys!
Wednesday 26 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Third Run Cinema curated by Hannah de Feyter
Love watching films and discovering new ones? The Third Run Cinema promises quirky films in a chill and fun atmosphere! Curated by Hannah de Feyter, it prioritises programming experimental, arthouse and classic world films that are otherwise unavailable to view or stream (legally) in Australia.
The screenings will be ticketed, and all proceeds will go towards future iterations of Third Run Cinema.
Wednesday 26 April | 50 Northbourne Ave, Canberra City | veritylanemarket.com.au
Dylan Moran—We Got This
We Got This is the brand new show from BAFTA and Perrier award winning comedian Dylan Moran. It promises to be a joyously furious romp through the frustration and folly of modern day life (because we all know, these times have not been easy).
Thursday 27 until Friday 28 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Crimes of the Heart
In this award-winning black comedy, the three MaGrath sisters are together in their hometown of Hazelhurst, Mississippi, for the first time in a decade. Without giving too much away, all we’ll tell you is that even crimes of the heart have consequences…
Thursday 27 April until Saturday 13 May | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton | Book here.
Wild Thing
How far would you go for a friend? This play is tale of sea eagles and pole dancing, of children and childhood dreams, of religion and rock ‘n’ roll. Most of all this is a tale of friendships that have stood the test of time. Following the friendship of Jackie, Elizabeth, Frances and Susan, you’ll leave thinking about moral consequences.
Friday 28 until Saturday 29 April | 253 Crawford St, Queanbeyan | Book here.
Batchelor + Lea
In celebration of Australian Dance Week, get ready for Batchelor + Lea: a dance week double bill. In this showcase, two acclaimed artists originating from Canberra—James Batchelor with Shortcuts to Familiar Places and Liz Lea with RED.
Saturday 29 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Reasons To Be Pretty by Neil Labute
This bristling comic drama from American playwright Neil LaBute focuses on modern day obsession with physical appearance, centering around four friends and lover who become increasingly dissatisfied. It’s sure to make you laugh—and make you question what really matters in life.
Until Saturday 6 May | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Building 3.3, Fyshwick | Book here.
Music
Telenova Regional Tour
Telenova will be taking their sophomore EP Stained Glass Love to Canberra this April. Taking place at Transit Bar, expect a euphoric melting pot of strings, breakbeats and vocals taking influence from trip-hop, electronica and big beat.
Thursday 27 April | 143 London Cct, Canberra City| Book here.
Depth Disintegration by Sia Ahmad
As part of You Are Here’s ‘Cahoots Lab 2023’, Sia Ahmad presents the Canberra premiere of her APRA award-winning composition “depth disintegration”, performed by Benjamin Anderson. It’s promises to be a visceral work that allows space for vulnerability as it does a kick in the guts—and the perfect way to welcome this globally recognised artist home.
Friday 28 April | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
Two Blondes + A Bloke
This entertaining show will be full of iconic hits stirred with jazz, blues, and pizzazz. Featuring the formidable talents of Blues mama Gaye Reid, songstress Lisa McClelland with piano man extraordinaire John Black, their distinctive vocal stylings bring to life their own take on popular songs that have contributed to “The Soundtrack of Our Lives”. Get set to enjoy a thoroughly entertaining show of soul stirring songs, beautiful harmonies, piano mastery and cheeky fun.
Friday 28 April | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | Book here.
Björn Again: Thank ABBA For The Music Tour
Calling all dancing queens, it’s time to get excited as Björn Again brings ABBA’s timeless hits back to the stage in a sing-along, dance-along extravaganza. Playing play all the biggest ABBA hits (including ‘Waterloo’ ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ and more) as well as plenty of glitzy 70s costumes, Swenglish banter and hilarious stage antics, you’ll have the ‘time of your life’!
Saturday 29 April | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra City | Book here.
Jazz Next Door: a concert at the Australian Croatian Club
Your friendly neighbourhood jazz band is back! Featuring singer Dave Smith, the talented instrumental soloists of TraXion and vocalist Lucy Ridge, expect everything ranging from traditional big band swing to contemporary compositions.
Saturday 29 April | 68 McCaughey St, Turner | Book here.
Princess of Pop
Get ready to head on a journey through the lives, loves and greatest hits of Australia’s first three truly international superstars – Judith Durham, Olivia Newton-John and Helen Reddy. Featuring the classic hits: Georgy Girl, I Am Woman, Hopelessly Devoted, I Honestly Love You, The Carnival is Over, Magic, Delta Dawn, Let me Be There, Never Find Another You, I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Xanadu, Summer Nights, I Am Australian and many, many, more it promises to be a tour de force performance.
Sunday 30 April | 253 Crawford St, Queanbeyan | Book here.
Exhibitions
The Grand Scheme
Focusing on one of the world’s engineering wonders and its impact on various aspects of life in the surrounding Snowy Mountain Region of NSW, The Grand Scheme by Chris Round presents a contemporary documentation of the Snowy Hydro Scheme, exploring the delicate relationship between nature and our intervention upon.
Tuesday 27 April until Saturday 10 June | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | gallery.photoaccess.org.au
Huon
This exhibition explores the conflict between environmental preservation and industrial development on the southwest coast of Tasmania. Through the use of medium format film, Noah Thompson highlights how such apparent dichotomies affect the state’s socio-political and physical landscapes.
Tuesday 27 April until Saturday 10 June | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | gallery.photoaccess.org.au
Between Presumption and Melancholy
Between presumption and melancholy by Toni Hassan presents a series of video works that show conversations between women in the capital region about their experience of Australia’s Black Summer. The idea is the artist opens space for an embodied and cathartic experience around climate grief and negotiates what people bring to this unfolding reality within their own bodies.
Tuesday 27 April until Saturday 10 June | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | gallery.photoaccess.org.au
You Are Here presents Cahoots Lab
Dance, music, glass, cinema, theatre, interactive art, workshops, sculpture, sound, projection, digital art, poetry, and more—this is for everyone who loves art. Inviting the local community to a unique showcase of experimental artworks, Canberra’s very own experimental and interdisciplinary art festival is back for 2023.
Cahoots Lab consists of events featuring works from 19 exciting Canberra artists working in diverse art forms including dance, music, glass, cinema, visual art, theatre, interactive art, sculpture, projection, digital art, poetry, and more!
Until Sunday 14 May | Various locations | youareherecanberra.com.au
Chiaroscuro
Mixing street edge with technical calibre, Chiaroscuro explores the inspirations of tattooist and emerging visual artist Bella Black. Electric, vibrant and visceral, the collection draws a line from her lighter early work in digital hyper-realism to a recent focus on darker contemporary impressionistic portraiture. Exploring the journey of feminine form and energy with recurring themes of agency, transcendence, and control, don’t miss this.
Until Sunday 7 May | Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | strathnairn.com.au
Shift
Materials and processes are integral to Joanne Searle’s practise. This new body of work makes visible the material explorations that come about during making—explorations which are often ephemeral, fragile and are overlooked.
Until Sunday 7 May | Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | strathnairn.com.au
From The Series ‘Light Jelly Sweet’
An showcasing new work by Henry Hu, this exhibition features animation, paintings, and photographs that spotlights the artist’s continued interest in abstraction, as a force that might signify life without directly defining it. What arises from Light Jelly Sweet, whether on canvas, board, or paper, are testaments of existence as remembered, imagined, invented, and observed.
Until Sunday 7 May | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Cres, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Dialogue
Saskia, Nicola, Jonathon and Cathy met in the ANU’s Gold & Silversmithing workshop in 2018. After leaving the workshop behind—and missing the camaraderie, inspiration and influence that is a feature of a shared space—they decided to challenge each other to extend their practices. This is the result.
Until Sunday 7 May | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Cres, Griffith | m16artspace.com
Homage
The 2022 Indigenous Artist-in-residence exhibition is back at Craft ACT! The program facilitates access for the artist to national cultural, tertiary and research institutions and their collections, curators and researchers. This group exhibition of new work by each artist is held annually, and a catalogue produced about the program is disseminated internationally. Don’t miss out.
Until Saturday 13 May | Craft ACT, North Building, 1, 180 London Cct | craftact.org.au
Two-Tone
Two-Tone is a collaborative exhibition featuring two contemporary artists, Louis Grant and Madisyn Zabel, who primarily work within a glass discipline. Head along to see the stunning work that opens up a discourse around dualities, contrasts and material in person.
Until Saturday 13 May | Craft ACT, North Building, 1, 180 London Cct | craftact.org.au
Boundaries
Showing the works of artists Julie Ryder, Mel Robson and Bev Hogg, this is another Artist-in-Residence exhibition that you shouldn’t miss.
Until Saturday 13 May | Craft ACT, North Building, 1, 180 London Cct | craftact.org.au
Jessica Murtagh: Collective Histories in Blue
Have you heard of Jessica Murtagh? Creating the most stunning glass amphoras inspired by antiquities from past societies such as the ancient Athenians, her work explores what future artefacts could be, and to question what our contemporary culture will one day leave behind.
She has won numerous prizes, including Highly Commended in the Waterhouse Natural Science prize 2021, the Vicki Torr Emerging Artist Prize, and most recently, the Helpmann Post Grad Prize 2023. Her amphoras have been collected by the National Gallery of Victoria, the Powerhouse Museum, Parliament House Collection and the Hamilton Art Gallery—and now she’s presenting her first solo exhibition at Granger Gallery.
Until Sunday 7 May | Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
SYNERGY: Tony Tuckson – Drawing into Painting
Curated by Terence Maloon and Tony Oates, this exhibition explores the work of Tony Tuckson. Showcasing works on paper that have been drawn from a residue in the Tuckson estate which has proved to be full of surprises, it shows Tuckson as an inexhaustible source of creative improvisation.
Until Sunday 18 June | Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley Street, Acton | dhg.anu.edu.au
Portrait23: Identity
This is portraiture, but not as you know it. Portrait23: Identity is a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, showcasing new work from multi-award-winning contemporary Australian artists and collectives working across every state and territory.
Twenty-three artists and collectives present dramatic, ambitious and thrilling work about who they are and what it means to represent themselves, their communities, histories and contemporary society. Expect street art, textiles, performance, photography, ceramics, painting, drawing, soft sculpture and more.
Until Sunday 18 June | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Workshops, webinars and more
Clanship: A lecture by Stephen Page AO
In this lecture former Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre and descendent of the Ngugi/Nunukul people of the Quandamooka Nation and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh Nation from South East Queensland, Stephen will draw upon personal and professional experiences to explore connections between the traditional and the contemporary and the interplay of music, design, choreography and costume to tell rich stories.
Thursday 27 April | National Portrait Gallery, Parkes | portrait.gov.au