Get ready for a non-stop week in Canberra – here’s everything that’s happening
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Think you’ll have nothing to do this week? Think again, because your calendar is about to be jam-packed.
Think: the National Multicultural Festival, Shakespeare By the Lakes, Queers…the list is endless. Looking for things to do this Valentine’s Day? Check out our bumper guide for everything that’s happening!
Special Events and Festivals
National Multicultural Festival
The National Multicultural Festival is back with a bang. This year more than 170 unique nationalities come together for three days to share culture, music, dance, food and more. There will be kaleidoscope of colours, sights, sounds and tastes as performers wow you, food fills you and you try your hand at a cultural workshop!
Friday 16 until Sunday 18 February | Garema Place and Glebe Park, Canberra | More information here.
Shakespeare By the Lakes V: Henry V
Head along to a free park show (or pop down to the ticketed Pub Shows or ACTHub’s indoor Sunday matinee), for a modern and relatable version of William Shakespeare’s epic play Henry V. Believing that live theatre is an exhilarating, shared experience, the show will be happening at various parks and indoor venues, so keep an eye out to see where they’ll pop up next!
Thursday 15, Tuesday 20, Friday 23, Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Tuesday 27 February | Various locations | More information here.
Trivia at Mooseheads
Get ready to put your knowledge to the test at Mooseheads Trivia! Gather your friends, challenge you knowledge, win awesome prizes, and make unforgettable memories at Mooseheads’ Trivia. Don’t miss out on the excitement!
Thursday 15 February | London Circuit, 105, Canberra City | Book here.
Mooseheads Musical Bingo
Covering everything from Aussie pub classics to Pop hits, this musical bingo trivia night will have you singing and dancing in your seat as you compete to win some great prizes. It’s free to play and couldn’t be simpler, if you hear the song and it’s on your card, cross it off. Get two lines, you win! Bookings are not essential, but are recommended.
Friday 16 February | Mooseheads Canberra, London Circuit, 105, Canberra | Book here.
Balkan Nights
This will be a vibrant fusion of culture and fun! Featuring the amazing Toni Trubac (who will be getting the party hyped with his live trumpet performances), performances by HighKix Cabaret and more, this is your chance to experience the soul of Balkan music right here in Canberra!
Friday 16 February | Luna, 99 London Circuit, Canberra | Book here.
Monkey King Cabaret: Beneath The Dragon Moon
Get ready for a night of drag, burlesque, classical Chinese dance, Lion Dance, song, boylesque, dance, poetry, storytelling, and visual art. A celebration of culture, the Lunar New Year and the multifaceted kaleidoscope of Asian identifying artists in CBR and beyond, Beneath the Dragon Moon is nothing less than an unapologetic toast to brilliance.
Friday 16 February | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | Book here.
Food and Wine
Luna Saturdays
Have you been to Luna yet? On Saturdays watch the bar transform for an evening where intrigue and luxury intertwine. There will be Cabaret Dancers, DJs and more! Book online or walk in.
Saturday 17 February | Luna, 99 London Circuit, City | More information here
Tipsy Sundaze
A Sunday sesh with vino and live music? Yes please. Grab some friends and elevate your Sunday at Amici. Unwind, sip, and savor while experiencing the very best Canberra’s music scene has to offer!
Sunday 18 February | Amici Wine Bar & Deli, 59 Northbourne Avenue, City | Book here.
Sunday Soirée
Live music, a Bentspoke pop-up bar and gourmet food and drink offers…what’s not to love? Head along to the Hyatt Hotel for a relaxing Sunday afternoon that will have something for the whole family. Perfect for friends, families and couples looking for a chilled Sunday afternoon catch-up, book ahead or walk in on the day!
Sunday 18 February | Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | Book here.
Stage and Screen
Kevin McCloud’s Home Truths
Love Grand Designs? Ever wondered what doesn’t make it to the screen? Here Kevin McCloud will lift the veil. Packed with hilarious anecdotes, insights from his illustrious TV career, and even a no-holds-barred Q&A where you get to probe Kevin’s brilliant mind, this is your opportunity to get up close and personal with the man himself.
Wednesday 14 February | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | Book here.
Gang Gang Comedy: Luka Muller
Gang Gang Comedy is bringing you some of the best comedians from around the country, including the amazing Luka Muller. He has been performing around the country for a decade, having sold out shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Perth Fringeworld, Adelaide Fringe & Sydney Comedy Festival!
Wednesday 14 February | Gang Gang Cafe, 2 Frencham Place, 4, Downer | Book here.
Queers
Curated by Mark Gatiss and directed by Steph Roberts and Jarrad West, the critically acclaimed production Queers is coming to ACT Hub this summer. Celebrating a century of evolving social attitudes and political milestones in gay history, Queers is deeply personal, poignant, funny, tragic, and riotous – telling seven stories through the eyes of seven individuals as they relive major events.
Wednesday 14 until Saturday 24 February | ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | Book here.
Next To Normal
Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards (including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize), the Queanbeyan Players are presenting their February 2024 production of Next to Normal – and it sounds amazing. Exploring how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness, Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy and heart.
Thursday 15 February | Belconnen Community Theatre, 23 Swanson Court, Belconnen | Book here.
Garry Starr Greece Lightning
This show looks like an hour of madcap mayhem – perfect for comedy lovers. Following the story of ‘an overzealous idiot’ who attempts to perform all of Greek Mythology to save his Hellenic homeland from economic ruin, this is a show for adults only – and with full frontal nudity and a lot more happening on the stage, you can guess why.
Friday 16 February | The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | Book here.
Chinese Film Festival
Immerse yourself in the rich storytelling of the Chinese Film Festival at Dendy Cinema as they take you through a curated selection of new and classic Chinese titles. With an extensive program – including Farewell, My Concubine (1992) and Snow Leopard (2023)– there’s plenty to see.
Thursday 15 until Sunday 18 February | Bunda Street, Canberra City | Book here.
Henry Winkler: The Fonz and Beyond
Join the legendary Henry Winkler as he shares his life and times with tales from his 50 years in Hollywood. The universally-loved Emmy-award winning actor, best-selling author, director and producer will take you through his life, from the achingly vulnerable lows to the stratospheres of global acclaim.
Saturday 17 February | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | Book here.
Music
William Jack
Best known for incorporating his jazz guitar background into an unconventional style of cello playing, with a passion for breaking boundaries between genres and cultures, Wesley Music Centre is welcoming their first performer of 2024: William Jack.
Wednesday 14 February | Wesley Music Centre, 20-22 National Circuit | Book here.
Kreator & In Flames ‘Klash Of The Titans’ Australian Tour
Calling all heavy metal fans, two legendary bands Kreator and In Flames are embarking on a colossal “Klash of the Titans” co-headline tour across Australia in 2024. Promising to deliver unforgettable performances (showcasing the very best of European metal), they’ll be hitting the stage in Bruce.
Thursday 15 February | UC Refectory, University of Canberra, Bruce | Book here.
Tijuana Cartel
This Australian eclectic collective is renowned for their imaginative fusion of diverse music genres. Encompassing a wide range of global influences, the band is widely acclaimed for their mesmerising live performances and their unique blend of organic house music.
Friday 16 February | The Baso Canberra, 2 Cohen Street, Belconnen | Book here.
Reggaeton (Worldwide)
Fiction Club’s 100% Reggaeton event is sure to be an exciting way to end your night during the Multicultural Festival. A night of Reggaeton and Latin music celebrating all cultures and countries, it’ll be a special night full of fun.
Friday 16 February | Fiction Club, 50 Bunda Street, Canberra City | Book here.
The Genuis
Salut! has delighted audiences for 29 years by presenting the best of baroque music. In this concert they will perform works by Bach, Telemann, Handel and Monteverdi, an amazing mix of composers.
Friday 16 February | Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | Book here.
The Back Tracks Concert Starring John Schumann & The Vagabond Crew
Back Tracks is a concert set that includes the all the classic tracks but it also explores John Schumann’s back catalogue – great album tracks and singles that people love but don’t get to hear live. For one night only head along to here all of the songs and stories.
Friday 16 February | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra City | Book here.
Smith’s@Belco: Tim Rogers
Tim Rogers (whom you might recognise as the frontman of You Am I, one of the essential Australian rock n’ roll band), is kickstarting the 2024 at the Smith’s alongside Canberra-based singer-songwriter, Cathy Diver. Don’t miss it!
Saturday 17 February | Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen Arts Centre, Belconnen | Book here.
Chamber Classics: Beethoven Septet
The CSO Chamber Ensemble is presenting a lovely Sunday afternoon chamber series with Beethoven’s charming E-flat major septet. The Septet illuminates the fantastically conversational art of chamber music, showcasing winds alongside the traditional quartet of the chamber setting. An absolute masterpiece, this timeless work will leave you invigorated and uplifted.
Sunday 18 February | Albert Hall, Yarralumla, 100 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | Book here.
Canberra Blues Society Sunday Pro Jam
The Canberra Blues Society Sunday Pro Jam often features outstanding musicians from further afield and sometimes overseas. There will be a fine feast of excellent blues playing from a selection of Canberra’s finest blues musicians. It will be a fantastic afternoon, with an open bar, restaurant food available to order, and amazing music.
Sunday 18 February | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | Book here.
Exhibitions
Radio 100 Symposium: 100 Years Of Commercial Radio In Australia
The NFSA is proud to partner with the Centre for Media History at Macquarie University to present three fascinating presentations on Australian commercial radio’s ‘golden days’. You’ll learn all about how the first officially licensed radio broadcast in Australia hit the airwaves in November 1923 and how Australia is a nation of audiophiles.
Wednesday 14 February | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Book here.
Life Drawing: Lee Crisp
Presented at the Belconnen Arts Centre, in this exhbition, Lee Crisp looks at the contemporary lives of women from the perspective of the embodied subject. Drawing from life experience as an artist and her love of art history, Lee is reclaiming the female nude as her own by exploring agency, strength, sensuality and sexuality as lived by mature women.
Friday 16 February until Sunday 24 March | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
Emergence of Materials and Self by Natalie Hill
Emergence of Materials and Self by Natalie Hill is a collection intuitive impressionistic abstracts born of high energy and playing with a multitude of materials. Natalie hopes that viewers to see the joy they had in creating the piece.
Friday 16 February | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
Interwoven 7
Interwoven 7 brings together basketry and textile artists from the Canberra region and the NSW South Coast. Using a range of fibre traditions, combining natural, synthetic and recycled materials, artworks have been created using twining, coiling, looping, stitching and assemblage to reinterpret fibre art from functional vessels to sculptural forms. Born of an idea by artist Gabrielle Powell, this is a beautiful fusion of traditional and experimental works.
Friday 16 February until Thursday 28 March | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | More information here.
Atmo-Spheres: Francis Kenna
Francis Kenna is a Kamberri/Canberra based interdisciplinary artist, who engages a number of different media to explore our experience of space and perception, temporality and the body. In this exhbition, Francis a takes transitory states of atmosphere as a place to begin questions around the mutability of space and humanity’s own experience.
Friday 16 February until Thursday 28 March | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
The Benefit Of Doubt: Fran Romano and Zoe Slee
This exhibition is an experimental project, exploring the idea of self-doubt. Working collaboratively, Zoe Slee and Fran Romano are focusing on concepts of self-doubt, self-image and related preconceptions and biases. But they are being exhibited with a twist: they have each chosen what the other puts up for display.
Friday 16 February until Thursday 28 March | The Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
Lines Of Sight by Patsy Payne and John Pratt
Lines of Sight by Patsy Payne and John Pratt is the outcome of three years worth of phone conversations and postcard dialogues mostly at a distance of 1,100 kilometres between Darkinjung and Ngunnawal country. The focus of this exchange is a particular zone of the environment between Gulaga and the ocean on the rugged south coast of NSW, in Yuin country.
Friday 16 February until Thursday 28 March | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.
100 Stars Installation
Visit the Star Mandalas and the exhibition of handwoven stars hosted at Civic Library. The creator of the Star Mandala Project, has always felt an irresistible connection to stars. Reading about the disappearing stars inspired her to bring together her community to create a celestial artwork representing freedom and love. Want to get involved in star making? Visit Civic Library during the Multi-Cultural Festival to make your own star!
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February | Civic Library, Civic Square, London Circuit | More information here.
Trans(ap)parencies by Anthea da Silva
This is a contemporary meditation on perceptions of human value by Anthea da Silva. Using charcoal, oil and acrylic mediums, collaged X-rays and light-boxes, the exhbition challenge social constructs around bodies and gender. Head along to see it for yourself.
Until Sunday 18 February | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Un/spoken by Saskia Haalebos
Last January Saskia got an autism diagnosis. Suddenly parts of her life made sense. All of those times when words tumbled out awkwardly or wrong, when their tone was ill-fitted for situations, when their order seemed random, when their humour brought a laugh, when they didn’t appear at all. un/spoken is about things not said, things she wishes she could take back, and some terrible puns.
Until Sunday 18 February | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Glyph by Clare Martin
Glyph, an exhibition by Clare Martin, is an interesting exploration on purposeful marks and the combination of image and text. Falling loosely into three sections (symbols and numbers, mark-making and time and zines that combine image and text), Clare’s aim is to work in the region where they overlap.
Until Sunday 18 February | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | More information here.
Nicholas Burridge Solo Exhibition
Head along to the Canberra Glassworks to see a unique exhbition featuring intriguing rock-glass hybrids inspired by the concept of terraforming. Created by Nicholas Burridge, the works touch on themes of geology, time, and industrialisation – serving as a poignant reminder of the immense geological forces that have shaped our planet over millennia.
Until Sunday 25 February | Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | More information here.
Friend Or Foe – The Rise Of Artificial Intelligence Exhibition
This exhibition at Questacon features more than 100 AI-generated artworks curated by Australian digital artist Luke Millanta. The centrepiece of the exhibition is a digital artwork presented on the Questacon QMAX large format screen, along with a range of other stunning digital artworks that seek to interrogate society’s relationship with AI.
Until 2025 | King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Sport
Native Cup Fishing Competition
You read that right. The Canberra Native Cup is a dedicated native catch and release fishing competition that’s each Thursday, from February through most of March. With a first prize of AUD1000 cash, if you love fishing you might want to check this out.
Monday 15, 22 and 29 February | Various locations | More information here.
Super Bowl LVIII Las Vegas at the Onyx Lounge
Looking for somewhere open that is showing the Super Bowl live and loud? Look no further! Join the team at Casino Canberra’s Onyx Bar for an action filled night and a special Super Bowl menu that includes some American burgers, hot dogs, wings and more… all to be washed down with some American beer!
Monday 12 February | Onyx Lounge @ Casino Canberra, 21 Binara Street, Canberra City | Book here.
UC Capitals v Bendigo Spirit
Join Jade Melbourne, Gemma Potter, Nicole Munger and more, as they go up against the Bendigo Spirit. This is their second last home game of the regular season so don’t miss out!
Thursday 15 February | Southern Cross Stadium, 7 Pitman Street, Greenway | Book here.
Canberra 6HR Adventure Race
Take on the challenge of an epic six hour adventure race! You can run, kayak, mountain bike and navigate your way over a 15km or 30km un-marked, off road course with six hours to collect all the check points and get back to the finish line. It’s a two person team based challenge, so grab a friend.
Saturday 17 February | National Rock Garden, Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla | More information here.
Canberra United v Sydney FC
Two clubs, two cities, and two culture clash in this awesome game! Having been two times Grand Final champion and three times Premiers of the regular season, Canberra United aims to bring another trophy home this season. Help cheer them on!
Saturday 17 February | Mckellar Park, Walkley Place, Mckellar | Book here.
Workshops, webinars and more
The Journey of Australian Science: Tracing Our History, Discovering New Paths
Ignite your curiosity with a series of epic science journeys, as the Australian Academy of Science looks at history and into the future, with a public speaker series to celebrate their 70th anniversary year. Each installment, will follow the story of one scientific discipline, with an Academy Fellow and an early-career researcher as expert guides. They will discuss everything from geology, virology, astronomy and more.
Tuesday 13 February | Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton | Book here.
Art Talk: Anne O’Hehir and Shaune Lakin On 1970s Video Art
Here photography curators Shaune Lakin and Anne O’Hehir are hosting a free talk focused on performance within the 1970s video art of Cuban-American artist, Ana Mendieta and American artist, Lynda Benglis. Focusing on Mendieta’s, Blood sign (1974) and Lynda Benglis’s Female sensibility (1973) currently on display as part of the exhibition, Deep Inside My Heart, the talk will explore how Mendieta and Benglis used performance and their own bodies to assert their politics, gender and sexuality.
Friday 16 February | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | Book here.
Architecture In The Archives
This is a unique opportunity to delve into the rare architectural plans that have shaped Australia. You will enjoy a tour of exhibitions featuring architectural drawings and interact with a selection of the original plans preserved in the national archival collection.
Friday 16 February | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | Book here.
Tales From Trove: Discovering Australia’s Lost Literary History
Ever wondered about Australia’s literary past? Whether you’re a literature enthusiast, a history buff, interested in contributing to Australia’s bibliographical record, or simply curious about the potential of fusing storytelling and digital innovation, this talk is for you. In it Professor Katherine Bode will discuss some of the extraordinary stories and long-forgotten authors discovered in Trove’s digitised newspaper pages. These discoveries shed new light on Australia’s literary past, challenging and reshaping our traditional understanding of the nation’s literary heritage and the role of newspapers in fiction publishing internationally.
Friday 16 February | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | Book here.
A Floral Design Workshop with Miss Moss
This is a hands-on Floral Design Workshop held in a beautiful garden setting, and catering for all levels of experience. Using seasonal locally grown flowers and providing information on climate and cultivation (as well as the design aspects of arranging flowers), you’ll learn from a qualified floral designer, and build your confidence to create with flowers.
Saturday 17 February | Miss Moss Florals Home Studio, 19 Derwent Street, Lyons | Book here.
Painting The Figure & Portrait: Oil Painting with Chelsea Lehmann
Join Chelsea Lehmann as she leads you through fun workshop where you’ll explore oil painting techniques. In this course, you’ll paint from a life model and witness demonstrations of various methods and materials. Designed to cater to the individual needs of each student, you’ll learn the foundational skills required for painting the human figure.
Saturday 17 February | Canberra Art Workshop, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Studio B, Griffith | Book here.
Chinese Lantern-Making Workshop
This is a fun activity for the whole family! You’ll learn how to make your own Chinese Lanterns at the Cook Community Hub. Instruction and materials will be provided but you’ll need to bring your own cutting board, scissors, ruler and pencil.
Sunday 18 February | Cook Community Hub, 41 Templeton Street, Cook | Book here.
Feature image via the National Multicultural Facebook page.
