This Week in The Can

Posted on 5 December, 2016

Your essential guide to what’s on in Canberra this week!

HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO SEE LISTED IN THIS WEEK IN THE CAN? SUBMIT IT HERE BY COB WEDNESDAY PRIOR.

10 THINGS NOT TO MISS 

Latona Fountain of Versailles

Versailles Treasures from the Palace

Summer Soiree

Enjoy a relaxed sophisticated summer afternoon in Canberra at Summer Soiree . Celebrate the end of the year festive season in style with friends on the lawns by the lake with a decadent gourmet BBQ lunch, sparkling champagne and live music under the beautiful high top Sperry tent.

There will be a gourmet sizzling BBQ cooked on site by Little Lauren Catering, drinks flowing for the duration of the afternoon and live music by Silk Entertainment.

You can dine in under the Sperry Tent or relax out on the lawns under the umbrellas and picnic rugs. If you’re feeling energetic you can play one of the lawn games which include Giant Jenga, chess connect 4 and croquet.

Tickets are limited so book now. The event is for 18 yrs and over.

Happening Saturday 10 December, 12.30pm – 5.30pm at Patrick White Lawns, Parkes Place West, Parkes.

Night Market Canberra

Night Market Canberra returns this Christmas! You will be spoilt for choice with an array of market stalls selling a huge range of products. Browse through everything from homewares, accessories, clothing, jewellery, lifestyle and artisan products. There’ll be delicious street eats, live music, entertainment and more.

Night Market Canberra is the perfect place to do some Christmas shopping and catch up with family and friends for a fun evening under the stars!

Free entry and plenty of parking.

Happening Friday 9 December from 4pm to 9pm at Hotel Realm Precinct, Burbury Close, Barton. See website for more information.

Festive Family Feast at Pialligo Estate

See website for more information.

Circus 1903 – The Golden Age Of Circus

Discover the golden age of circus this summer as Circus 1903 sets to captivate audiences of all ages! The producers of the world’s biggest magic show, The Illusionists, have teamed up with the award winning puppeteers from War Horse to present a thrilling turn of the century circus spectacular.

Sensational puppetry puts Elephants back in the ring as never seen before along with a huge cast of the most unique, amazing and dangerous circus acts from all four corners of the world, from strong men to contortionists, acrobats to musicians, knife throwers, high wire and much more!

Happening Thursday 1 December to Saturday 10 December, Tuesdays to Sundays: 7pm. Weekend matinees: 3pm at Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra.

See website for more information.

Athol Shmith Fashion Photographs

Enter the elegant, bold and often glamorous world of Melbourne photographer Athol Shmith (1914–1990). A selection of stunning black and white prints from the National Library of Australia’s large collection will be on display.

Happening Wednesday 30 November to Sunday 16 July, 10am – 5pm at National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes.

See website for more information.

Christmas at The Old Bus Depot Markets

Immerse yourself in everything Christmassy! The Old Bus Depot Markets are open every Saturday and Sunday before Christmas in December.

Why visit? Stock up on everything you will need for Christmas. From the large array of unique and handcrafted gifts for loved ones, to items to decorate your home for the festive season.

You’ll find wreaths, table centre pieces, candles, handmade stockings and advent calendars. Purchase a live Christmas tree from St Nicholas Trees. Order a personalised Christmas bauble.

Buy delicious Christmas fare including cakes, gingerbread houses, mince tarts, puddings, shortbread, party dips, farmhouse cheeses, olives and more.

Happening Saturday 3 December to Sunday 18 December, 10am – 4pm at Old Bus Depot Markets, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston.

See website for more information.

FOOD & DRINK

Festive Family Feast at Pialligo Estate

PETIT FEAST AT BUVETTE

LATIN TUESDAYS 

Your Tuesday night at Highball just got hotter! Hosted by amazing people from Salsabor, you can learn how to shimmy and shake like a pro at the free latin dancing taster class every Tuesday from 6.30pm! Add a few piña coladas or a Banana & Maple Old Fashioned from their new cocktail menu and you’ve got yourself a Tuesday night that’s hard to beat. Be transported to Cuba and enjoy a night of Latin dancing you’ll want to keep coming back for.

On every Tuesday at Highball Express, Odgers Lane. Doors open at 4pm. Find out more at www.highballexpress.com.au.

SPIRITS TASTING BOARD – SINGLE MALT

TACO TUESDAY

Your choice of chicken, pork, or beef in a soft shell taco with cabbage, shallots & coriander.

Happening every Tuesday from 1pm-5pm at Ostani Bar & Restaurant, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton. For more information visit the website.

BURGERS & BEERS

A selection of Burgers and tap beer.

Happening every Wednesday from 5pm-10pm at Ostani Bar & Restaurant, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton. For more information visit the website.

WINE AND DINE WEDNESDAYS

Two-course chef’s menu, Chocolate Assiette to share and a bottle of house white, red, or sparkling. Tables of 2 only $75pp.

Happening every Wednesday from 6pm-10pm at Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton. For more information visit the website.

PIZZA & PALE ALE THURSDAYS

A selection of housemade Pizza paired with a schooner of James Squire Pale Beer.

Happening at 5pm every Thursday at Ostani Bar & Restaurant, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton. For more information visit the website.

MUSIC, DANCE, FILM & THEATRE

Circus 1903 – The Golden Age Of Circus

Discover the golden age of circus this summer as Circus 1903 sets to captivate audiences of all ages! The producers of the world’s biggest magic show, The Illusionists, have teamed up with the award winning puppeteers from War Horse to present a thrilling turn of the century circus spectacular.

Sensational puppetry puts Elephants back in the ring as never seen before along with a huge cast of the most unique, amazing and dangerous circus acts from all four corners of the world, from strong men to contortionists, acrobats to musicians, knife throwers, high wire and much more!

Happening Thursday 1 December to Saturday 10 December, Tuesdays to Sundays: 7pm. Weekend matinees: 3pm at Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra.

See website for more information.

Another Evening with Josh Pyke and Bob Evans

Beloved Aussie troubadours Josh Pyke and Bob Evans are embarking on a massive national co-headline tour, Another Evening with Josh Pyke and Bob Evans. The two friends have been playing music together for ten years and are thrilled to be coming to Canberra!

Having embarked on the first Evening with Josh and Bob a decade ago this year, fans can expect a finely honed performance and a varied, reminiscent repertoire of knockout songs from two of Australia’s best. Bob Evans, the moniker for renowned frontman of Jebadiah Kevin Mitchell, enthuses, “That first Evening with Josh and Bob ten years ago was a fairly rudimental affair in retrospect. We were both very much still finding our feet. Now, we have higher professional standards to which we hold ourselves and those bawdy jokes of a burgeoning bromance have developed in to, well, bawdy dad jokes. Bah, who am I kidding? We’re not that different ten years on.”

Happening Saturday 10 December, 8pm at The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street.

See website for more information.

Jimmy Barnes; Working Class Boy: An evening of stories and songs

Hear Jimmy Barnes telling his life story for the first time on the intimate Playhouse stage.

Jimmy Barnes; Working Class Boy: An evening of stories and songs will see Jimmy sharing stories from his troubled childhood and delinquent adolescence. It will also see him delivering intimate musical performances of some key songs drawn from his earliest years.

“Just like the book, this live show will tell the story of an imperfect childhood that has led to me becoming an imperfect adult”, explains Jimmy. “I spent most of my life running from my childhood and now it seems like my time to face it. So this is the story of a lifetime spent running away. Running from fear. Running from shame but at the same time running from hope. I’m not running anymore”

This unique live theatrical production is a companion piece to the eagerly anticipated first volume of his memoirs – Working Class Boy. The book was written entirely by Jimmy. It tells the raw and confronting story of fleeing the poverty of Scotland only to endure violence and abuse as an immigrant in the suburbs of Adelaide.

Happening Tuesday 6 December until Sunday 11 December, 8pm-10pm at The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square and London Circuit.

See website for more information.

Keith Urban – ripCORD World Tour

Multi-Grammy and ARIA Award winning artist Keith Urban, who released his eighth studio album ripCORD on May 6th, has announced that he will be bringing his ripCORD World Tour 2016 home to Australia this December.

The tour, which will feature the 7-time Grammy-award winning, multi-platinum superstar Carrie Underwood, will no doubt send Keith’s legion of fans here into a frenzy.

Keith, whose concerts are always a non-stop, electrifying roller-coaster ride featuring world class production and a set-list jammed with all of his biggest hits, is known as one of the industry’s best live performers.

Happening Saturday 10 December, 6:30pm-10:30pm at GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce.

See website for more information and ticket purchase.

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: The King Who Loved Music

As part of the opening celebrations of the Versailles: Treasures from the Palace exhibition, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will perform an exclusive baroque concert at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA).

In a tribute to the allure of baroque music from the court of Versailles, musicians will perform Lully, Rameau, Couperin, Charpentier and Marais – composers who provided music to the King Louis XIV and his court.

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: The King Who Loved Music will rouse the magical sounds of Versailles with music of this opulent period influenced all the courts of Europe, and remains significant today.

Free concert, bookings are essential via the NGA website.

The concert will also be broadcast live by ABC Classic FM on radio, online and the ABC Radio app.

Happening Sunday 11 December, 5pm at Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes.

See website for more information.

Bill Bailey – Larks in Transit

It’s 20 years since Bill Bailey first performed in Australia, and he returns to mark this milestone with a new show. Larks in Transit is a compendium of travellers’ tales and the general shenanigans of 20 years as a travelling comedian.

With musical virtuosity, surreal tangents, and trademark intelligence, Bill tackles politics, philosophy, the pursuit of happiness, death metal, ringtones … and an excruciating encounter with Paul McCartney.

Two decades of life as a comic filtered through what the Daily Telegraph calls ‘the brainiest comic of his generation’.

Happening Thursday 8 December, 8pm at Royal Theatre, National Convention Centre, Constitution Avenue.

See website for more information and ticket purchase.

Alex Williamson: Open Up

Don’t miss Alex Williamson’s latest musical, multi-media spectacular! No one knows who Alex Williamson really is. International philanthropist? Depressed soul? Child slave trafficker? Luckily for us, Alex prefers a room full of rowdy strangers over a psychiatrists chair when it comes to outpouring his most degenerate thoughts & hilariously far fetched interpretations of this world.

Alex keeps going from strength to strength! In the last 12 months he’s had a starring role in his first feature film. Me And My Mates Vs The Zombie Apocalypse was released in late 2015 and is already achieving cult status, sold-out seasons at all the major Australian comedy festivals as well as the Edinburgh Fringe, and a social media following that’s grown to over 2 and a half million subscribers and hundreds of millions of views!

Warning: This show may contain extreme language.

Happening Friday 9 December, 8pm at The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street.

See website for more information.

Boy and Bear

Five-time ARIA winners Boy and Bear are headed to Canberra as part of their regional tour.

Excited to be hitting the road, Killian Gavin (vocals, guitar), enthuses, “We’ll be changing it up night to night really, often the venue depicts what kind of show we will go for. A nice noisy pub makes a great rock show while the intimate theatres allow a lot more room for dynamics and banter. Keeps us on our toes and stops us from being repetitive…It’s been a long time coming for us, this regional run. But we always love playing to as many local cities as we can, it takes time to get back there but we’re looking forward to it.”

18+ only.

Happening Thursday 8 December from 8pm at ANU Bar, Corner University Avenue and North Road, Acton.

See website for more information and ticket purchase.

The Monkees

On September 8, 1965, when producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider placed a classified ad in The Hollywood Reporter seeking four insane boys, they had no idea that they were about to unleash Monkee-mania! But that’s exactly what happened the following year when the first episode of The Monkees debuted on NBC on September 12, 1966.

50 years later and The Monkees anniversary show is coming to Australia and New Zealand. After sell-out North American shows, and with a brand new album Good Times! in the charts, Micky and Peter are bringing the Monkees magic downunder.

The Monkees 50th Anniversary show is a unique concert experience. Times may change but infectious pop hits and wonderfully charismatic characters stay in our hearts and memories forever.

Happening Friday 9 December, 8pm at Llewellyn Hall, Childers Street.

See website for more information and ticket purchase.

SUNSET CINEMA CANBERRA

Watch the stars under the stars with Sunset Cinema.

Round up the crew and book yourself a spot at Sunset Cinema! Sit back, relax and enjoy the Canberra twilight with friends & family this November. Oh, and throw in some good food, great film (AND a bean bag) for good measure! This year the program is brimming with new releases, thrillers, adventure, family flicks… And the list goes on!  To find out about screenings, special offers and tickets join their free movie club via their website.

Happening Friday 11 November to Thursday 17 December at Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton. See website for showtimes. Find more information here: www.sunsetcinema.com.au

NO LIGHTS NO LYCRA

No Lights No Lycra is a dance community that started in Melbourne by unruly dance students Alice Glenn and Heidi Barrett in 2009. There is no light, no lycra, no teacher, no steps to learn, no technique, just free movement.

NLNL is a space where you can completely let go, shake out the stresses of the week, and lose yourself in the music and the physicality of your body. NLNL is a daggy, non-pretentious place to completely be yourself.

South Canberra: Mondays 7-8pm at South Kambah Scout Hall, 66 Springbett Drive, Kambah. Find more information here.

SPORTS, LEISURE & WELLBEING

2016 Australian National Fencing Championships

See top fencers from around Australia and overseas participating in Canberra at the 2016 Australian National Fencing Championships, the ultimate event in the Australian Fencing Calendar.

The tournament has 24 separate events, 6 individual open, 6 individual veterans, 6 team plus up to 6 team veteran events. You’ll see matches across three fencing weapons – Foil, Epee, and Sabre.

Happening Friday 9 December until Tuesday 13 December daily from 9am to 5pm at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Arena, Leverrier Street, Bruce. See website for more information.

WWE NXT

See all of your favourite WWE NXT Superstars in Canberra! NXT features diversified Superstars from all walks of life including the NFL, collegiate/amateur sports, competitive bodybuilding, and international sports such as rugby, kushti and kabaddi.

NXT provides the most passionate members of the WWE Universe with a unique vibe, energy and a worldwide social following.

Happening Wednesday 7 December, 7:30pm at the Australian Institute of Sport, Leverrier Street, Bruce.

See website for more information and ticket purchase.

Victoria Bitter ODI – Australia v New Zealand

Bring the family along and enjoy a great afternoon/evening at the cricket as New Zealand take on the Aussies in the Victoria Bitter One Day International at Manuka Oval.  Come and experience all the action and excitement – on and off the field.  Great opportunity for the family to enjoy International cricket in your backyard.

Did you know that you can pack your own food and even your own drinks (just leave the alcohol, glass and cans at home). Come dressed in your best costumes to be a part of all the fun. Book your tickets now.

Happening Tuesday 6 December, 2.20pm at Manuka Oval, Manuka Circle, Griffith. See website for more information.

RANGER GUIDED WALKS AND ACTIVITIES AT TIDBINBILLA NATURE RESERVE

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offers an extensive program of guided walks and activities and special school holiday activities throughout the year. Don’t miss your chance to see Australian wildlife in this beautiful natural environment.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is home to a wide range of Australian animals including kangaroos, platypus, potoroos, wallaroos, possums, wombats, echidnas, emus, lyrebirds and many other birds and reptiles.

Walks and activities cater for a range of different age groups.

Happening until 31 December at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Find out more at tidbinbilla.act.gov.au.

Festive Workshop

You are invited to an evening of learning, laughter, tasty treats and Christmas festivities. Join us in making two decorative craft pieces, get tips on laying the perfect festive table, and enjoy a seasonal supper and glass of wine. Hosted by local designer and craft guru Kaye Lister and “A Forager’s Heart” cook and creative Jenni Gough, in the Main Hall of historical Gorman House. Tickets/entry: $65.00.

Happening Wednesday 7 December, 6.30pm to 8pm at Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Ave, Braddon.

See website for more information.

Weekend Photographic Intensive – The Camera and Canberra revealed

Travelling overseas soon, can’t sign up for long courses? Live out of Canberra, visiting Canberra for the weekend, need more practice with your  camera? Come to a condensed course – learn photography over one weekend – highly rewarding, fun with like-minded people, and learn from a professional photographer with a trained photo educator constantly at your side to help you achieve photographic

success.

Happening Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December, Canberra School of Photography 1/68-70 Dundas Court, Phillip.

See website for more information and bookings.

Digital Photography in a Day

Get your camera off auto and learn to take control. You’ll soon see the light, learn about creative composition and achieve camera confidence by the end of the day with a stunning collection of photos you’ve created during the workshop.  All levels, all cameras – have fun learning from professional photographer/trained photo educator Irene Lorbergs and join a small like-minded group of photo enthusiasts.

Happening Saturday 10 December, 11:30 – 5.30 at Canberra School of Photography 1/68-70 Dundas Court, Phillip, and the National Zoo and Aquarium.

See website for more information and bookings.

THE WORLD OF COIN DESIGN

Have you always wanted to enter the world of a coin designer? Visit the Mint now to see a pop-up display showing what a typical coin design studio looks like on the inside. Whether sketching in pencil, sculpting and carving in plaster or modelling using 3D software, the age-old skills and craft of creating miniature works of art are alive and well at the Royal Australian Mint.

Entry is free. On now at the Royal Australian Mint, Denison Street, Deakin.Visit the website for more information: www.ramint.gov.au.

NGA TALKS AND WORKSHOPS

Talks and workshops cater for a range of different age groups. For full details visit the NGA website.

MARKETS AND FESTIVALS

FOR OUR ROUND UP OF FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS, CLICK HERE. 

Landon Christmas Carols and Picnic

Lanyon Christmas Carols and Picnic offers an evening of magical Christmas fun. Bring your own picnic to enjoy in the beautiful Lanyon gardens. Sing-a-long with the Sing Australia Choir and Tuggeranong Valley Band as the sun sets over the Brindabella ranges.

The homestead is lit by candles and decorated for a nineteenth century Christmas. Enjoy Christmas ornament-making for children, a sausage sizzle, musical entertainment and carols on the lawns. Presented in association with Sing Australia Choir and the Tuggeranong Valley Band.

Happening Saturday 10 December from 5pm to 9pm at Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa Drive, Tharwa. See website for more information.

Joyeux Noel

Canberra City Salvos are hosting Joyeux Noel – a Community Christmas Celebration where you can relax on the ‘Village Green’ or browse the Christmas Market for last minute Christmas gifts. Free family fun activities will include a petting zoo, jumping castles, face painting, lawn games and much more. At 4.30pm there will be a Kid’s Christmas Concert followed by Christmas Carols at 5.00pm. Joyeux Noel is an all-ages alcohol-free event. Entry is free.

Happening Sunday 11 December between 2:00pm and 6:00pm on the corner of Elouera and Fawkner Streets, Braddon. See website for more details.

Canberra Christmas Market

Now in its fifth year, Canberra Christmas Market is a two-day market dedicated to shoppers looking for different Christmas treats and gifts not usually found in high street or shopping mall stores.

Conveniently located at Exhibition Park In Canberra, the market offers free entrance and parking at all times. From Christmas trees and decorations to gingerbread houses and toys and a caroling Santa, the market is a celebration of the spirit that is Christmas.

Happening Saturday 10 December until Sunday 11 December from 9am to 3pm at Fitzroy Building, Exhibition Park In Canberra, Corner Flemington Rd & Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell. See website for more information.

Night Market Canberra

Night Market Canberra returns this Christmas! You will be spoilt for choice with an array of market stalls selling a huge range of products. Browse through everything from homewares, accessories, clothing, jewellery, lifestyle and artisan products. There’ll be delicious street eats, live music, entertainment and more.

Night Market Canberra is the perfect place to do some Christmas shopping and catch up with family and friends for a fun evening under the stars!

Free entry and plenty of parking.

Happening Friday 9 December from 4pm to 9pm at Hotel Realm Precinct, Burbury Close, Barton. See website for more information.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT CARDIF

Is shopping local high on your Christmas list? If so, pop by CARDIF Collective this Wednesday, for some Christmas cheer . Fun. Friendship. Festive shopping. Free drinks, nibbles and entertainment. CARDIF Collective stocks 35 local and regional designers and makers, who create fashion, jewellery, homewares and more, at all price points. It’s your one-stop shop for Christmas 2016. Ho ho ho!

Happening Wednesday 7 December, 6pm – 9pm at The Cusack Centre, Green Square, Kingston.

See website for more information.

Road to Bethlehem

Road to Bethlehem is a Christmas program run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. During the program, you’ll be taken through an interactive tour of some of the scenes surrounding the birth of Jesus. You’ll wander through the streets of Jerusalem, meet some Roman soldiers and the Wise Men, visit King Herod’s palace, witness an angel’s visit with shepherds in a field – all before coming to Bethlehem itself and finally meeting the newborn King in the manger.

The experience begins upon arrival with market stalls, food and drink, jumping castle, animal rides and entertainment from 6pm. Step back in time and be immersed in the excitement and drama of the first Christmas. Walking tours commence every 15 minutes from 7pm- 9:30 pm.To ensure your place in a tour pre-book your tickets.

Happening Monday 5 December, Tuesday 6 December and Wednesday 7 December at Canberra Christian School, 64 Ainsworth St, Mawson. The first tour begins at 7pm. Visit website for more information.

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. On every Sunday from 10am to 4pm at the Old Bus Depot Markets building on Wentworth Avenue, Kingston.

Find out more at obdm.com.au.

CAPITAL REGION FARMERS MARKETS

Visit the largest regional markets in the Southern Tablelands — the Capital Region Farmers Market! Be tantalised by fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, seafood, cakes, condiments, meats, cheeses and more.

Fresh produce reflects the exciting seasonal characteristics and diversity of the region providing opportunity for you to learn more about the food you’re eating and the region it comes, and discuss what you’re buying with the growers.

On every Saturday from 7.30am to 11.30am at Exhibition Park on Flemington Road.

FARMERS AND FOODIES MARKET 

Farmers and Foodies will feature 30 stalls selling anything from tea to dog treats to organic vegetables and wood-fire sour dough all the way from Adaminaby. There will also be live music and a small bar.

For those who struggle to make it to the Farmers Markets on Saturday or Sunday, come out for some music, food and seasonal shopping at Farmers and Foodies Market!

Happening every Friday evening from 3-7pm at the Kingston Foreshore, within the Old Bus Depot Markets. See the Facebook page for more details: www.facebook.com

SOUTHSIDE FARMERS MARKETS

The Southside Farmers Market is a village market that provides all the fresh food that you need for your weekly shop. The market has a great range of fresh, seasonal produce from around 60 stallholders each week – including fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, fish, honey, bread, gourmet treats and much more.

Open every Sunday morning from 8am until 11:30am at Canberra College, corner of Launceston Street and Yamba Drive, Phillip. Visit the website for more information.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Image via instagram/hercanberra

Joyeux Noel

Canberra City Salvos are hosting Joyeux Noel – a Community Christmas Celebration where you can relax on the ‘Village Green’ or browse the Christmas Market for last minute Christmas gifts. Free family fun activities will include a petting zoo, jumping castles, face painting, lawn games and much more. At 4.30pm there will be a Kid’s Christmas Concert followed by Christmas Carols at 5.00pm. Joyeux Noel is an all-ages alcohol-free event. Entry is free.

Happening Sunday 11 December between 2:00pm and 6:00pm on the corner of Elouera and Fawkner Streets, Braddon. See website for more details.

350 Canberra End of Year Party & Movie

Join 350 Canberra for our end of year party – enjoy some FREE FOOD and watch Leonardo DiCaprio’s Before the Flood. 350 Canberra is the ACT chapter of 350.org, the global grassroots climate movement working to preserve a liveable climate and bring CO2 in the atmosphere back to 350 parts per million. Come along on Wednesday 14 December and learn how you can join us in driving action on climate change. Get dressed up in your best Red Carpet digs (or come as you are), and enjoy some free food and drinks.

Happening Wednesday 14 December, 5:30pm – 6:30pm (Pre-film Red Carpet end of year party), 6:30pm: Free Screening of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Before the Flood at Manning Clarke Centre, ANU

See website for more information and to RSVP.

KIDS

Miss Millie at the Bricks4Totz session. Photo by Mel Hill Photography.

A free program for toddlers and pre-schoolers. At 10am on the last Friday of each month come along for an hour of constructive fun at the National Capital Exhibition, Barrine Drive Commonwealth Park (just off Commonwealth Avenue).

Prams welcome and bookings aren’t necessary. 2016 dates for LITTLE GRIFFINS:  28 October, 25 November. Click here for more details: www.natcap.gov.au.

PLAY UP

Play Up pokes its tongue out at the idea that museums are hands off. Stand up, muck up, dress up, make up, think up and step up in a fabulous space that has turned the traditional idea of what goes on in museums completely on its head.

The exhibition has been developed with children and celebrates the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Play Up celebrates the important role children have in the cultural life of our communities. Most importantly Play Up is a place for fun.

Open from 9am to 5pm daily at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

LEAP INTO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

Your local library is a treasure trove…not only are there free books and resources, there are regular amazing events! Giggle & Wiggle with your little ones (up to two years) and help them learn through language play using interactive rhymes, songs, games and stories.

Looking to improve your English and make new friends, then head along to your local library for one of the informal English conversation groups. For more events and info check them out here.

STORYTIME FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Take your little ones along to the Australian National Botanic Gardens for some fun with stories, songs, rhymes and creative activities brought to life by the ACT Storytellers. An engaging treat for pre-school children, parents and carers.

First Friday of the month (different theme each month) and commences at 10am (duration one hour). Tickets are $5 per child and bookings are not required. Visit www.anbg.gov.au for more information

THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 100 OBJECTS

MEMORIES OF THE STRUGGLE

This exhibition features the voices and memories of some of the Australians and South African expatriates who worked hard over decades to bring about the end of apartheid. They often faced bitter opposition, and some were jailed for their actions. Memories of the Struggle pays tribute to the dedication and commitment of everyone who took part in the movement.

On exhibition now at the Museum of Australian Democracy, inside Old Parliament House, Parkes.

AUSTRALIA IN THE GREAT WAR

Australia in the Great War is the Australian War Memorial’s new exhibition in the First World War Galleries. Discover one of the world’s great collections of material related to the First World War.

The First World War Galleries integrate a wide variety of items from this collection, including dioramas, art works; uniforms; medals; technology such as artillery and firearms; photographs; film; and letters and diaries.

On display now until 1 January 2017 at the Australian War Memorial.

ART IS A WEAPON

Art is a Weapon explores how the Eureka story, legend and iconography have been used by groups and causes of all political flavours to spread their message. Alongside the portfolio of works, other objects and artworks using the Southern Cross motif show how the idea of Eureka has been adopted by groups as diverse as young communists and motorcycle clubs.

Showing now at the Museum of Australian Democracy.

MAGNA CARTA – AN AUSTRALIAN STORY

This exhibition celebrates the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, one of the most famous and significant documents for democracy and human rights around the world. First written in 1215, it set down rules limiting the power of the monarchy and safeguarding basic human rights and freedoms. This exhibition explores the history and relevance of Magna Carta from an Australian perspective.

Showing now at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.