Seven things to do around Canberra this weekend (20–22 September)

Floriade continues to brighten our world this weekend with plenty of events to enjoy at the festival, as well as in Belconnen, where Floriade in the Suburbs will venture.

There is also plenty of action at the Dairy Road precinct in Fyshwick this weekend. Organic cafe and grocery store As Nature Intended is celebrating its relocation to the precinct on Saturday, while the Australian Dance Party will be performing its latest work, From the vault, from one of the warehouses on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Canberra Unscripted, an annual festival of improvised theatre is on at The Street Theatre with five shows to catch over the weekend. The National Museum is hosting a Meet the Maker evening on Friday night featuring local designers Brian Tunks from Bisonhome and Gretel Harrison from F!NK + Co.

All weekend

Canberra Unscripted

Where: The Street Theatre
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday various times
Canberra Unscripted is a festival of unscripted theatre presented by Alchemists Improvisation, Chrysalis Theatre and Lightbulb Improv. The festival comprises six shows. Catch these five over the weekend:

• Femme Noire—Nobody gets what they want, but everybody gets what’s coming to them. Nothing’s as it seems in this gender-swap makeover of the classic film noir genre. Directed by Heidi Silberman.
• Sunday Brunch—”Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city”, according to comic legend George Burns. Watch this family saga unfold over the course of a Sunday Brunch. Directed by Christopher Thomas.
• Late Night Cabernet—A rich vintage best enjoyed after dark, this cabaret show only gets better with age. Directed by Lou Maconachie and Amy Crawford.
• The Adventurers—It’s a critical hit! Join these Adventurers on their quest that rests on the fate of the roll of the die. Directed by Damien Ashcroft and Brad Hoff.
• Canberra Impro Challenge—You decide the winner in this final of the Canberra Impro challenge. See live improvised comedy and scenes unfold before your eyes. Directed by Reid Workman.

Check out session times here. Tickets for each show are $19 for adults and $15 for concession. Book here.

Floriade

Where: Commonwealth Park
When: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Floriade continues this weekend with its theme World in Bloom. The festival will feature over 1000 flowers, music, cultural performances, food and wine, horticultural workshops, markets, rides and other activities. Highlights this weekend include:

• a visit from Poppy and Branch from The Trolls straight from the National Museum’s DreamWorks Animation exhibition
• leaning how to Create a Bush Tucker Garden, 10:00 am Saturday at the Parlour
• painting a gnome
• listening to a Thai Bilingual Storytime, 11:00 am Saturday at the Tipi
• a yoga class 9:45 am Sunday at the Tipi
• the opportunity to make a Story Stone 10:30 am Sunday at the Parlour.

Check out the full program here.

From the vault

Where: 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick
When: Friday & Saturday, 7:30 pm, Sunday 6:00 pm
This weekend the Australian Dance Party is presenting its new work From the Vault from a secret warehouse somewhere in the Dairy Road precinct. The warehouse was once used to store valuable goods and from within it, the Australian Dance Party will unlock what we value: freedom, truth, money, safety and connection.

Choreographed by Alison Plevey and her creative team, with music composed by Alex Voorhoeve and Andy McMillion, the performance features dancers Alana Stenning, Eliza Sanders, Olivia Fyfe, Ryan Stone and Stephen Gow.

A bar will be open for 30 minutes before and following each performance, and there will be Q&A session following Saturday night’s show. Wear warm clothes. Tickets are $35 + bf for adults and $25 + bf for over 65s and under 30s. Book here.

Friday

Meet the Maker

Where: National Museum of Australia
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Museum Shop is celebrating Canberra design this Friday evening with a Meet the Maker event featuring Brian Tunks from Bisonhome and Gretel Harrison from F!NK + Co. There will be a Q&A session with these local makers to discuss their inspirations, influences and design aesthetic.

Brian founded ceramics company Bison in 1997. Bison evolved into Bisonhome lifestyle but ceramics are still at its heart. His early training in ancient history and archaeology at the Australian National University, and especially his excavation work in the Middle East, has greatly influenced his design practice over the years.

F!NK + Co was established by Robert Foster in 1993 to create opportunities for Australian designer-makers. Gretel Harrison joined in 1995, and together they built a business that is recognised internationally for its iconic tableware, hollowware, jewellery and lighting.

The Museum Shop will feature Bisonhome and F!NK + Co products at this special shopping event as well as other local brands Jasper + Myrtle, Tea Garden Co, Altina Drinks and Scott Leggo Gallery. There will be 20% off storewide, a cash bar and food available for purchase.

Saturday

Floriade in the Suburbs

Where: Emu Inlet, Biessel St, Belconnen
When: 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Floriade is travelling to Belconnen this Saturday. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy an afternoon of food, drinks, live music and family entertainment. There will be face painting, a bouncy castle, kid’s art and craft activities, and live entertainment provided by Hit ‘n’ Miss African Drumming, Marty Kooistra, Canberra Dragon Dance, and Shakshuka and Ghawazee Moon Bellydance. Food and drink will be provided by the Pop Inn and the Pizza Trailer. And you will get the opportunity to meet Floriade’s giant pink gnome, Floyd!

As Nature Intended–Happy Opening Celebrations

Where: 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick
When: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
After 19 years at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets, the popular organic wholefood cafe and grocery store As Nature Intended has moved to its new digs in the Dairy Road precinct in Fyshwick.

This Saturday, it’s celebrating its reopening with African drummers, mulled wine, chai tea, nibbles and special discounts. As Nature Intended’s grocery store sells organic fruit and vegetables, bulk food and natural cleaning products, and its cafe has all dietary requirements covered with vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options, as well as organic coffee, fresh juices and smoothies.

With a spacious outdoor area at its new home, adorned with plants and flowers, comfy benches, chairs and stools, and cosy crotched blankets, it’s the perfect place to bring the whole family for a blissed-out breakfast or a lazy lunch.

As Nature Intended is open 8:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Sunday.

Sunday

Southern Cross Club Family Fun Day

Where: Southern Cross Yacht Club, Yarralumla
When: 11:00 am–4:00 pm
This Sunday the Southern Cross Club is hosting a Family Fun Day on the lawns of the Yacht Club in Yarralumla. There will be food stalls, kids activities, live entertainment and free lake cruises. A share of proceeds from the day will go to supporting Karinya House which provides support for women who are pregnant and parenting.