3 February 2022

11 things to do in Canberra this week (4 February — 10 February)

| Ben Arnedo
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lunar new year performance

Light and colour is returning to Canberra after the COVID-19 shutdowns. Photo: File.

The start of February feels like a reawakening for the city as more events announce their rescheduled dates, and more people make plans to enjoy activities in the nation’s capital.

For those who find outdoor events more appealing at the moment, there are plenty of activities in Dickson for the Lunar New Year celebrations of the Year of the Tiger, as well as the inaugural Chilli Festival in Gold Creek.

For those ready to venture indoors, check out the wedding expo, or enjoy a night at one of Canberra’s recently reopened nightclubs (as long as you are happy to boogie from your chair). Please follow the official channels for the latest information, as times and dates are subject to change.

lunar new year lion costume

A Lunar New Year wish from the Canberra Dragon Dance group. Photo: Buda Arnedo.

All week

Lunar New Year in Dickson

When: Continues to Saturday 12 February
Where: Woolley Street, Dickson
Cost: Free.

K-Pop dance demonstrations, learn to lion dance workshops, DJs, live music – many free and fantastic events and entertainment in Dickson for everyone to enjoy the Year of the Tiger. View the full program on the City Renewal Authority website.

Christopher Samuel Carroll

Christopher Samuel Carroll shows in Smokescreen, the dark arts of manipulating the message. Photo: Supplied.

Smokescreen

When: Wednesday 2 February to Saturday 5 February, various times
Where: The Q, Queanbeyan
Cost: Adult – $50, Concession – $45. Tickets are available here.

A subversive play by Christopher Samuel Carroll, Smokescreen focuses on the dark arts of manipulating the message by imagining a clandestine meeting between two advertising executives who are sowing the seeds of 21st-century fake news culture.

art of Fiona Pfennigwerth

The art of Fiona Pfennigwerth. Photo: Supplied.

Illustrating Five Australian Regions And Their Flora And Fauna: Illuminating The Book Of Psalms

When: Daily, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Visitor Centre Gallery, Australian Botanic Gardens
Cost: Free.

Fiona Pfennigwerth exhibits naturalistic watercolours depicting the flora and fauna of Tasmania, the Kimberley in Western Australia, Gariwerd (The Grampians) in Victoria, the Red Centre in the Northern Territory, and The Hunter in NSW. Images featured in this exhibit are illustrations from a book published by the artist, The Book of Psalms illuminated.

All weekend

Canberra Chilli Festival 2022

When: Saturday 5 February 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 6 February 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Federation Square at Gold Creek
Cost: Free.

The inaugural Canberra Chilli Festival has arrived in the capital. Over two days in Nicholls, two courtyards will be filled with pop-up stalls by chilli producers and local small businesses. There is no charge for admission, but donations are appreciated.

Saturday

boy dancing on stage with crowd behind him

Kulture Break is opening its doors to students who want to try something new. Photo: Kulture Break.

Kulture Break’s Free Open Day

When: Saturday 5 February, 9 am to 3 pm
Where: Gungahlin – Gold Creek Senior School, 130 Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls ACT (9 am to 11:30 am) and Erindale – 115 Grattan Court, Wanniassa ACT (12 pm to 3 pm)
Cost: Free, but registrations are essential at Eventbrite.

Does your child dream of dancing? Take them along to Kulture Break’s open day to try a range of different classes for free! With two convenient locations in Erindale and Gungahlin, plus a whole list of classes and activities, it will be a great way to try the Kulture Break experience before you buy.

Rockin' Down the Highway performing

Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, presents Rockin’ Down the Highway on Saturday 5 February at 8 pm. Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.

Rocking Down the Highway

When: Saturday 5 February, dinner from 6 pm and show from 8 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: Dinner and Show $66.75. Show only $29.75, plus booking fee. Tickets at Canberra Southern Cross Club.

The Heart of the Matter presents Rocking Down the Highway featuring Paul McGovern. A brilliant new show featuring the greatest driving songs of all time. Join them as they take you down the highway with all the road-trip favourites, like ‘Life in the Fast Lane’, ‘Heartache Tonight’, ‘Rocky Mountain Way’, ‘Boys of Summer’ and many more.

Make a night of it and enjoy a two-course meal in a private dining area before the show with the ‘Dinner and Show’ ticket offer. Dinner starts at 6 pm.

Sunday

Canberra’s Biggest and Best Wedding Expo

When: Sunday 6 February, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: National Convention Centre Canberra
Cost: Free. Get your tickets here.

Wedding Expo in Canberra is the only expo for couples planning their weddings. Bringing together a variety of leading wedding professionals in your local area, the expo helps you find the best team to cater to your wedding needs. Speak to exhibitors, see the latest bridal fashions and go in the running to win prizes.

Wednesday

Jazida looking in a mirror

Jazida explores what it means to be labelled ‘exotic’ with Exotic Hypnotica on Wednesday 9 February. Photo: CaptaVitae.

Jazida Productions presents Exotic Hypnotica

When: Wednesday 9 February, 8 pm
Where: Belconnen Arts Centre, Belconnen
Cost: $52 Adult, $42 Concession. Get tickets here.

This show stars Jazida, who is considered one of the Top 50 burlesque stars in the world. Among her many awards, Jazida has performed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, and is a festival headliner. This burlesque theatre extravaganza explores race, ethnicity, and what it means to be “exotic”.

Thursday

Matt Omo

Matt Omo is one of the leaders of the sound healing movement in Australia. Photo: Supplied.

Yoga & Sound Healing

When: Thursday 10 February, from 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Where: Flow Yoga Canberra, 1 Dairy Road. Fyshwick
Cost: $69. Tickets here.

The Gong Guru Matt Omo and Odona Farska lead a deep sound healing session followed by Prana Flow yoga. Matt Omo is one of the world’s leading sound healers and this workshop is always a powerful experience. Odona’s gentle asana practice yoga compliments Matt’s incredible journey combining spiritual psychology with meditation, ancient cultures, breathwork, didgeridoo, gongs, crystal bowls, Tibetan bells, mantras and channelled sounds.

Opening Night Emma Beer: Zooper Dooper

When: Thursday 10 February, 7 pm
Where: Drill Hall Gallery
Cost: Free, book tickets here.

Emma Beer is the youngest artist to present a solo exhibition at the Drill Hall Gallery. Her new paintings are a reflection of the architecture and scale of the exhibition space. Alive and resonant, they sparkle with vitality, responding to the light’s subtle shifts in hue and tone, shade and shadow. Although Beers’ work may be motivated by the formal capabilities of paint, there is an undeniable parallel between her work and our relation to space and time. More information via the Facebook page.

Go Clubbing

Canberra’s night-time shines once again as local clubs and bars open their doors to revelry and good times. Keep your eyes on these hot venues for the latest talent and special events.

Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 February

  • Cube, 33 Petrie Plaza.

Friday 4 and Saturday 5 February:

  • Fact Bar at Fiction, 50 Bunda St.

Saturday 5 February:

Sunday 6 February:

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