Ten things to do in Canberra this week (5 - 13 August)

There really is something for everyone this week.

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra will be playing iconic themes from the cinema at Lewellyn Hall while further afield, country singer Catherine Britt will pay a visit to a Murrumbateman winery.

Canberra artisans are coming together to throw a festival dedicated to the ancient craft of making pottery and ceramics with Fired Up.

If wheels are your thing, both the Forrest Fire Station and Canberra Miniature Railway are holding open days over the weekend. In Woden on Thursday, there’ll be yoga lessons and truffles available (although not simultaneously).

If you can hear wedding bells, get top tips to make it the day you’ll never forget with a special Lovers Brunch in Fyshwick.

And Hudsons Circus is sure to provide a breath-taking performance for all ages.

But because of you know what, make sure you check that no last-minute changes ruin your plans. Fingers crossed …

All week

Hudsons Circus

When: Thursday 5 August to Sunday 22 August, various times
Where: Queanbeyan Showground
Cost: $15 to $60; book tickets.

Hudsons Circus presents a two-hour traditional-style circus with a modern twist featuring edge-of-your-seat daredevils, hilarious clowns and beautiful animal acts in a fast-paced show for the whole family.

All this and more presented by Australian Ringmistress Jane De Goldi.

Saturday

Forrest Fire Station Open Day

When: Saturday 7 August, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Forrest Fire Station, Empire Circuit, Forrest
Cost: Donations appreciated; register on Facebook.

Come and visit the historic Forrest Fire Station, which opened in 1939. See equipment, uniforms and vehicles from every decade of the ACT’s 108 extraordinary years of firefighting.

Enjoy the exhibitions and take a tour to discover astonishing stories of Canberra’s past from the firefighter’s perspective.

Fired Up 2021

When: Saturday 7 August, 3:00 to 8:00 pm
Where: Canberra Potters, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson
Cost: Free entry.

Canberra Potters are excited to present a festival celebrating Canberra’s ceramics community. The resident artists will throw open their studios and welcome visitors, and offer an opportunity to purchase original artwork directly from the maker. Food and drinks will be also available to purchase from selected vendors, with visitors invited to buy handmade bowls by Canberra Potters members and students, and have them filled with delicious warming home-made soup for free.

Musicians and entertainers – and fire twirlers! – will add to an atmosphere of cosy conviviality as the artists share their enthusiasm for this ancient craft.

CSO at the Cinema

When: Saturday 7 August, 7:30 pm
Where: Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music
Cost: $30 to $101; book tickets.

Be swept up in the magic of film music, with selections from Psycho, Schindler’s List and more. Spend a Saturday night out with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, celebrating iconic works from the silver screen.

Sunday

TEDxCanberra 2021: Lost/Found

When: Sunday 8 August, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Cultural Centre Kambri (ANU Building 153), University Ave, Acton
Cost: $45-$90; book tickets.

TEDxCanberra 2021 is showcasing Canberrans who are setting out to change the world with great ‘ideas worth spreading’. This year’s theme is Lost/Found, and will include two sessions of TED Talks, music performances and selected short films.

All aboard Canberra Miniature Railway open day

When: Sunday 8 August, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
Where: End of Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston
Cost: Free entry; $4 per ride or $15 for unlimited rides.

Have you ridden a miniature train before? Now is your chance as the Canberra Miniature Railway opens to the public! Wear enclosed shoes, and you’ll be able to jump on one of their miniature trains and ride along one of three tracks that venture across the grounds at the Miniature Railway.

A Lover’s Brunch

When: Sunday 8 August, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: HQThirtyFour, 1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick
Cost: Free; register online.

Are you planning on tying the knot? You are invited to plan your day at A Lover’s Brunch, Canberra’s newest boutique wedding expo. Come along to chat with some of Canberra’s finest wedding vendors and listen to a panel as they share their insights into planning a wedding.

Nibbles and drinks provided. Couples, bridal parties and families welcome.

Catherine Britt – live at Tallagandra Hill

When: Sunday 8 August, 4:30 pm
Where: 1692 Murrumbateman Road, Gundaroo
Cost: $35 + booking fee; tickets at Humanitix.

Catherine Britt has a voice that instantly gets your attention … but it’s the craftsmanship of this singer-songwriter who unashamedly boasts a worthy story to tell that truly keeps her audiences enthralled.

Join Tallagandra Hill for an evening of great songs, mighty fine singing and some local wine! This show is part of Tallagandra Hill’s We Love Local Festival, supporting local Australian artists and producers.

Thursday

Woden Women’s Network – Community Yoga

When: Thursday 12 August, 10:45 am to 11:45 am
Where: Canberra Yoga Space, 6/13 Botany Street, Phillip
Cost: Free; tickets available at Eventbrite.

The Woden Women’s Network connects female-identifying community members of all ages in Woden and surrounding areas. As part of the Wellbeing Series, Radhika from Nirvana Yoga will guide you through relaxed yoga classes that suit your needs. These sessions are free and are a great opportunity to meet new people, and participate in whatever way you feel most comfortable.

Truffle Dinner at Woden

When: Thursday 12 August, 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: $95 for 5 courses; optional matched wine package for $30; book online.

Enjoy a delectable five-course dinner highlighting the rich earthy flavour and aroma of our locally sourced truffles at Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden.

The five courses will be matched with a selection of wines from the cellar range, and the evening will be hosted by Jayson Mesman, the owner of Canberra’s own Truffle Farm.