The final weekend in July definitely has a festive flavour to it with the Handmade Markets on all weekend, the Winter Snapps Fest on this Saturday night at the Harmonie German Club, and Queanbeyan’s Christmas in July Markets on this Sunday. There is also plenty of theatre to see. Bangarra is in town with its latest production, Dark Emu and the Street Theatre is showing the improvised long-form play, Unconditional, and a musical about Rugby League—something for everyone! There is also the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film tour to enjoy at the National Film and Sound Archive and a Winter Clothes Swap to attend on Sunday morning to revamp your winter wardrobe, guilt-free.
All weekend
Handmade Markets
Where: Exhibition Park
When: Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
The Handmade Markets are on again this weekend with stalls selling wares from 260 local and interstate designers and producers. There will be stalls selling art, books, fashion, kids’ stuff, Canberra themed produce, furniture, homewares, food, stuff for the garden and more. All set in a relaxed environment with plenty of food and good coffee to sustain you and live music to enjoy.
Dark Emu
Where: Canberra Theatre
When: Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 1:30 & 7:30 pm
The Bangarra dance company is bringing its latest production, Dark Emu, to Canberra this weekend. Inspired by Bruce Pascoe’s book of the same name, which argues that before colonisation, Aboriginal people were sowing, harvesting and storing plants, this production is a series of dance works which explore the vital life force of flora and fauna. Directed by Stephen Page, with music composed by Steve Francis, sets designed by Jacob Nash and costumes designed by Jennifer Irwin, Bangarra wants this production to feed your spirit and reconnect you to Country.
Improv ACT: Unconditional
Where: The Street Theatre
When: Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm
Unconditional is a long-form improvised drama directed by Nick Byrne in which a cast of characters are confronted with situations that test their unconditional love and support for each other. Performed by Improv ACT improvisers, this play will involve humour, jealousy, tragedy and love. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for concession, book here.
Friday
Sci Fight Comedy Debate
Where: Questacon
When: 7 – 9 pm
Hosted by Alanta Colley, this debate involves six comedians and scientists discussing the claim that ‘seeing is believing’. Scientists are all about the evidence but there are plenty of things they ask us to ‘believe’ that we can’t see with our own eyes—the moon landing, manatees, and a million dollars. Leave less certain about things than when you arrived! Tickets are $20, note this is an 18+ event, book here.
Saturday
Gutsy Girl Adventure Film Tour
Where: National Film and Sound Archive
When: 2 – 4 pm & 8:30 – 10:30 pm
The Gutsy Girl Adventure Film Tour is a two-hour screening of short films made by independent filmmakers from around the world, which celebrates gutsy girls doing adventurous things. Check out the trailer here. Tickets are $25.50 for adults and $16.50 for kids under 15, book here.
The Winter Schnapps Fest
Where: Harmonie German Club
When: From 7 pm
Prosit! The Harmonie German Club is hosting a Winter Schnapps Fest this Saturday night. There will be Gluhwine, Schnapps, German beer, wines and ciders and hearty German winter food. Entertainment provided by the Masters of Oompah, the German Music Show Band and Guter and Harmonics. Tickets are $20 on the door.
Sunday
Christmas in July Market Day
Where: Queanbeyan Showground
When: 10 am – 4 pm
Hark! Christmas in July is coming to Queanbeyan this Sunday. The Queanbeyan Showgrounds will be filled with over 200 market stalls selling gourmet food, beer and wine and handmade gifts. There will be an artificial snow area, Daschund races and fashion show, an art exhibition, a kids area, carriage rides, an outdoor obstacle course, bubble soccer, Santa pet photos and a giving tree. Check out the program of events here. It is also rumoured that Santa, with the help of the Queanbeyan Veterans Motorcycle club, will dig out his costume, warm up his ho, ho, hos and pay a visit. Free parking on site and free entry, with any donations to be passed on to Legacy, Queanbeyan War Widows, the Queanbeyan Scouts and the Queanbeyan Girl Guides. And to help people with sensory or mobility issues, and those who don’t like large crowds, there will again be early Christmas presence passes which will let a person in the markets an hour earlier. Find more information here.
Winter Clothes Swap
Where: Makeshift Space, Nishi Building
When: 11 am – 1 pm
Need to refresh your winter wardrobe? Then head to the Winter Clothes Swap and styling workshop this Sunday. There will tips and tricks for layering, using accessories, and styling a garment for multiple seasons and events. Fashion has become an industry with one of the highest levels of environmental pollution, so the organisers of this clothes swap are encouraging people to be sustainable in their fashion consumption and disposal by creating a circular economy that reduces fashion waste. To join in, book a ticket and bring 1–15 items of clothing or accessories to add to the pool of clothes to swap. Bring dresses, pants, skirts, tops, shoes, bags, scarves, hats and jewellery that are clean and in good condition—not too heavily worn, faded or too damaged. Tickets are $20.98, book here.
Rugby League—The Musical
Where: The Street Theatre
When: 7:30 pm
Written and performed by Dennis Carnahan, Rugby League—The Musical is a satirical comedy show about the-greatest-game-of-all and it’s many colourful characters and controversies. Tickets are $35, book here.