Eight things to do in Canberra this weekend (14 - 20 May)

With COVID-19 restrictions easing around the city this week, some Canberrans can start to take their first tentative steps towards normality.

Small groups are now permitted to get together for outdoor exercise, paving the way for some dance, yoga and fitness activities to resume in various forms.

It’s a refreshing change of pace for those who are able to get out and make the most of it. That said, Canberrans are being encouraged not to become complacent. That means taking advantage of all the intriguing happenings taking place online might still be the best course of action.

Whether it’s tuning in to a live-streamed gig, or learning about the history of your house, there’s plenty going on this week to get involved with both at home and out and about.

Friday

Tarot Reading Introduction Course

Where: Delivered over Zoom. Sign up via email
When: 5:00 pm start

Dip your toes into the world of Tarot with this intensive introductory course. Maybe you’ve always wanted to have a crack at reading fortunes, or perhaps you received a Tarot deck as a gift and you’ve been waiting for an excuse to use it. Learn the basics of Tarot history, symbolism and reading the cards in this intimate online class.

Saturday

Live In Ya Lounge: ARCHIE + Aya Yves

Where: Streaming via Live In Ya Lounge
When: Saturday from 7:30 pm

Live In Ya Lounge has popped up in recent weeks providing a whole string of live-streamed music events with high-quality audio-visual production. There are weekly sessions booked in for every Saturday night into June. More are likely to be announced in the coming days. It’s a welcome change from the decidedly more lo-fi sets that artists are able to stream from their homes (even though listening to your favourite songwriter playing in their living room with nothing but an acoustic guitar is undeniably charming and special). This week’s iteration sees local acts ARCHIE and Aya Yves taking to the Live In Ya Lounge stage. Check out this week’s RiotACT Gig Guide for more live music action.

Sunday

Balanced Community Yoga

Where: Green Square, Kingston
When: 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Balanced yoga is providing you with your in-person yoga fix this weekend, albeit with a strict limit of 10 participants. It’s a chance to ease back from the fog of isolation for yoga enthusiasts with a responsibly distanced brunch to follow this outdoor session. Bring your yoga mat and your warm clothes. Make sure you book online to reserve your place.

Blues Bootcamp

Where: Weston Park Beach. Sign up online
When: 10:30 am to 1:00 pm

As Canberra inches slowly back towards normality, the urge to get together and dance has never been stronger. Savoy Dance is taking up the challenge of running their blues dancing bootcamp this weekend, with COVID-19-appropriate measures in place. As such, spaces are extremely limited for this in-person dance class. It’s a chance to learn and practice a brand new routine, meet up with some fellow dance-lovers and get in a solid workout while you’re doing it.

Move Your Body: Online children and carers ballet workshop

Where: Book online for this Zoom workshop
When: 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm

As part of their Let’s Play series of creative workshops, Woden Community Service this week presents Move Your Body. This online ballet workshop is a chance for children and carers to step back from study or work and move their bodies. From stretching and cardio, all the way through to the basics of ballet, all you’ll need to take part is a clear space and the will to dance. Bookings are essential for this free workshop.

Eurovision Shine a Light Watch Party

Where: Join the event on Facebook. Tune in to the telecast on SBS
When: 8:30 pm start

Eurovision tragics will no doubt still be reeling from the cancellation of this year’s event. Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light is bringing a taste of Eurovision splendour to the world this Sunday in place of the traditional Eurovision finale. Honouring all 41 song entries in a non-competitive format, this televised event is likely to be something special. Greens political candidates Emma Davidson for Murrumbidgee and Johnathan Davis for Brindabella are even hosting their own viewing party for those wanting to reach out to their Eurovision compadres in isolation.

Wednesday

Tracing The History Of Your House Webinar

Where: Webinar hosted by the National Library of Australia. Sign up via Zoom
When: 1:00 pm start

There are myriad techniques you can use to delve into the history of your house. Reference librarians from the National Library of Australia will be taking you through some of them in this intriguing online seminar. Journals, photographs, archival records and more can all be used to date houses, identify architectural features and even trace the history of the surrounding area. If you’re curious about when and why that dubious living room extension took place, this free webinar is for you.

Wizards’ Worldwide Kids’ Quiz

Where: Streaming online. Join the event on Facebook
When: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Witches and wizards, get ready for Quizzic Alley’s Wizards’ Worldwide Kids’ Quiz. Harry Potter fans can go head-to-head in this ultimate test of knowledge with questions drawn from the books and films in the Harry Potter saga. Prizes on offer include vouchers for Canberra’s own Harry Potter haven, Quizzic Alley, and the quiz isn’t just for kids – the whole family is invited. Join the event on Facebook to receive updates.