20 ways to spend this weekend in Canberra (Gin Masterclass, anyone…?)
Posted on
This weekend, spoil the mother figure in your life with a gin masterclass, Tuscan lunch, music, dance, or a trip to the markets.
Looking for ways to fill your weekend? We have an idea or 15.
Taste Local Workshops with The Canberra Distillery
Discover local produce and enjoy unique experiences of tasting adventures and masterclasses at Canberra Centre’s Taste Local Festival – a month-long celebration of local producers and talents.
Consider yourself a master gin drinker? On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May, join the Canberra Distillery in a gin tasting masterclass.
Taste through six different gins and discover how to build the perfect gin and tonic. Experiment with garnishes and ask the distillers any burning questions you have about the gin process and learn about the history of gin and tonic. You’ll also be provided with some delicious snacks supplied by The Lazy Grazer!
Invite a friend to join you and bring your Mum to the Mother’s Day workshops on 8 May to have a chance to win a lucky door prize.
7–8 May | Sessions start at 10.30 am, 1 pm and 3 pm | Located inside the doors of City Walk, Canberra Centre | Each session runs for 60 minutes | Tickets: $20pp. Bookings are essential | Tickets: Buy online from eventbrite.com
Mother’s Day at Haig Park Village Markets
Haig Park Village Markets (pictured above) will be treating mums, grandmothers and all those special women in our lives to a celebration market event for Mother’s Day on Sunday 8 May from 8.30 am to 2 pm.
Live music, cooking demonstrations, pop-up bar, roving entertainment, high tea picnic, art workshops, Mother’s Day card making for kids and face painting, as well as the vibrant atmosphere of the Sunday market will provide Canberrans with the perfect opportunity to spoil those special women with a delightful day in the park.
Sunday 8 May | 8.30 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
TYPICA Nights
Starting with one night in May, just ahead of Mother’s Day, Typica hopes to activate the businesses around Manuka and bring the hospitality and creative industries together after two tough years.
Known for coffee and brunch, the menu will start with jazz, pop and wine. May 7 artists include Leisa Keen, John Mackey and Canberra’s own star of The Voice, Lucy Sugarman. Joanne Flowers of Manuka will also be open for late night trading.
Each evening of Typica NIGHTS is uniquely themed for an extraordinary and intimate night of entertainment. Musicians are in amongst the audience and the night is masterfully MC’d by radio host, Ryan Banks AKA ‘Banksy’.
Saturday 7 May | 7 pm – 9 pm | Typica Cafe Manuka, The Lawns, 4 Palmerston Lane, Griffith | events.humanitix.com
Sensory Art Lab
With a Sonic Archery Room, Audible Touch space and a giant Archiloom ready for your weaving, the Sensory Art lab is a great way to get those creative juices flowing.
Until 8 May (10 am to 2 pm, Wednesday to Sunday) | Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Ave, Braddon | agac.com.au
Suitcase Rummage in Canberra!
I don’t know about you, but the suitcase rummage always gets me doing excited backflips. (metaphorical ones of course, because of my bung back and lack of athleticism). The suitcase rummage is a vintage lovers hidden treasure seeker’s dream.
Get a coffee and fossick through a range of second-hand items. From artwork, bric-a-brac, clothing, books, jewellery, seconds, hand-made, shoes, records, music, badges, cards, handmade paper, ……you name it! And for those us with too many of these things, register for a stall and give your unwanted items a second life.
Saturday 7 May, 12 noon–4 pm | Haig Park | facebook.com
Hotel Sorrento
An Australian modern classic, Canberra REP Theatre’s Hotel Sorrento takes a family drama laced with love, secrets and betrayals, and overlays it with broader questions about cultural and national identity. Three sisters reunite in their sleepy hometown of Sorrento after 10 years apart and old tensions start bubbling to the surface. These are fuelled by a novel written by Meg, which has been nominated for the Booker, and which contains details that are uncomfortably familiar to her sisters.
See the Preview 8 pm 28 April, followed by a Q&A with the director and cast.
Until 14 May | Canberra REP Theatre, (Theatre 3), 3 Repertory Lane, Acton | canberrarep.org.au
Moro Spanish Film Festival
The Moro Spanish Film Festival presented by Palace will return in 2022 with a curated selection of dramas, thrillers and major box-office hit comedies from across Spain, plus a selection of gems from Latin America. Rediscover the big screen with this unforgettable celebration of Hispanic culture.
Until 15 May | Palace Electric Cinemas, 2 Phillip Law Street, NewActon | palacecinemas.com.au
Stir-Fried Science at Smith’s Alternative
Michele Conyngham, Phil Dooley and Patrick Trumper are serving up a cornucopia of science, comedy, music, and even a smidgeon of philosophy.
Featuring real live scientists: Dr Ed Simpson, Nuclear Physicist ANU; Dr* Meena Sritharan, Plant Ecologist ANU; and Dr* Kyle Hemming, Forest Ecologist, Uni Canberra. *nearly!
Want to debate the newsworthiness of black holes? Or apply Schrodinger’s theory to ringing doorbells? Perhaps you would like to see how a plant biologist might serve you in a florist, or philosophise about the nomenclature used on your cafe menu?
Saturday 7 May | 7–9 pm | Smith’s Alternative | smithsalternative.com
Back to the Boombox
Boomboxes, or “ghettoblasters”, are synonymous with music culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
These portable machines incorporated radio/cassette player formats, in-built speakers and a handle to ensure the music could travel with you wherever you went. This exhibition showcases the private collection of Kinloch Kilby – an avid collector and music appreciator. Discover the array of designs, sizes and features of these machines and enjoy being transported to the beat of an earlier era.
Until 21 May | Canberra Museum and Gallery, London Circuit, Canberra City | CMAG.com.au
Australian Cocktail Month
Australian Cocktail Month is back in May 2022 with discounts on delicious cocktails at six Canberra bars – supporting bars, bartenders and spirit makers along the way.
Your Australian Cocktail Month ticket lasts for the duration of May, allowing you access to a special menu of cocktails created exclusively for the month. So grab your ticket, gather your friends, support the bar industry and discover what your city has to offer at the following participating bars throughout May: Bar Rochford, High Jinks, Miss Van’s, Molly, Volstead Repeal and Zaab
Like cocktails? Love good times? Australian Cocktail Month is for you.
Until 30 May | Various locations | australiancocktailmonth.com.au
SIX
International smash-hit pop musical SIX lands in Canberra tomorrow night! What can you expect? A modern take on the tale of the six wives of Henry VIII and an electrifying, high-octane journey as these Tudor Queens turned Pop Princesses take to the mic to reclaim their story.
The six Queens are set against the theatrical backdrop of a pop concert, and battle it out to be the lead singer in their band. Each having their moment in the stoplight, it’s a catchy way to brush up on history while also keeping “girl power” at the fore—where it should be.
Until 15 May | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Mother’s Day Tuscan Lunch
This Mother’s Day, give your mum a taste of la dolce vita and celebrate the art of Jeffrey Smart with a Tuscan-style lunch in the National Gallery’s dining room overlooking the Sculpture Garden.
Inspired by the great Italian trattorias, the seasonal menu showcases locally sourced and fresh produce with Primi, Secondi and Dolce courses.
7- 8 May and 14 – 15 May | National Gallery of Australia | Adult: $55 per person, National Gallery Members: $49.50, Child (up to 12 years): $25 | National Gallery Member Child: $22.50 | Tickets are available here
Ausdance ACT 2022 Australian Dance Week
Ausdance ACT curates an annual umbrella festival of events for Australian Dance Week, highlighting a thriving and diverse local dance scene from studio classes, workshops, and activities for all ages with loads of free classes and showings.
Many local studios, dance artists and arts centres offer free, trial and taster dance classes during Australian Dance Week. This is the time to get out and try a new dance experience, see a show, take a class, and celebrate dance. Plan your week by checking out the program.
Until Sunday 8 May | various venues | ausdanceact.org.au/adw-2022
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Yass, that’s right, the drag queens of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, have taken their magical bus all the way to The Q. Rally your fellow queens for a magic show of love, friendship, dazzling costumes, and a lot of laughs.
Until 22 May | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre | theq.net.au
Super Sunday for Mother’s Day at Bus Depot Markets
It’s a Super Sunday for Mother’s Day. Take mum out for a day at the Markets. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and see some of the best handcrafts and high-quality items on offer. Get along to see some of the best stalls from our Multicultural, Designer and Collectable markets.
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. It’s a celebration of the best the markets have to offer—you don’t wanna miss it.
Sunday 8 May | Old Bus Depot Markets, Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Made for Mum: Celebrate Mother’s Day at Marketplace
Spend $25 or more from Thursday 28 April–Sunday 8 May 2022 at Marketplace Gungahlin to redeem a FREE ticket to the Made for Mum event on Mother’s Day weekend.
Be treated to a session hosted by local Canberran Mums—with tips and tricks on how they make the most out of their day-to-day routine as a Mum. You will be spoilt with small edibles and drinks from retailers. Snap a pick at the photobooth and upload with #MadeforMum to enter the major prize—a Pamper Pack from Marketplace. You will also walk away with a Marketplace Goodie bag including a gift card. See marketplacegungahlin.com.au for how to enter.
Saturday 7 May–Sunday 9 May, Session 1: 11.30 pm – 12.15 pm, Session 2: 12.30 pm – 1.15 pm | Outside BIG W | marketplacegungahlin.com.au
Canberra International Music Festival
Intimate performances, exceptional musicianship, in some of the capital’s most iconic settings. It’s classical music, and more. The program includes early music, contemporary music, world music and occasionally a hint of jazz.
Until 8 May | Various locations | cimf.org.au
Haiku Hands at UC Hub
Haiku Hands brought their singular, rebellious, and outright fun sound across multiple continents over the past four years. On the heel of their breakthrough performances at the UK’s Great Escape, Haiku Hands has been touted by NME as “Australia’s most electrifying pop prospect” and “a thrilling pop hybrid” who combine the pure pop attitude of Charli XCX with the energy and swagger of The Beastie Boys.
Saturday 7 May | UC Hub | Tickets via Moshtix
INXS Show: Live Babe Live!
Live Baby Live! The INXS Tribute Show is Australia’s premier rendition of one of the most iconic bands in Australian history, delivering a stunning replication of all the classic INXS tracks, performing songs from their first album all the way through to their latest hits.
Saturday 7 May | 8 pm | The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre | theq.net.au/whats-on/productions/inxs-show-live-baby-live
NRL: Raiders vs Bulldogs
The Raiders take on a new look Bulldogs team in 2022, with the boys from Canterbury playing their first match in Canberra since 2020. The match will also be used to help recognise the Raiders history, with the annual Forever Green match to hold special significance due to the 40th anniversary of the club.
Be there for the family-friendly kick-off time of 6pm and get the weekend started with a high quality game of rugby league at GIO Stadium.
Friday 6 May | GIO Stadium | raiders.com.au
Feature image: Haig Park Markets
