Lucy Sugerman will headline at Stonefest at UC. Photo: Ruby Boland.
Be inspired and get your body moving this week! There might have been a bit of a chill during the week, but we’re not letting it stop us. We have places to be – places like art installations, theatre shows, a festival dedicated to everything storytelling, country fun and a nautical-themed market …
Multiple days
The Department of Responsible Adulting
When: 18 October to 27 October, shows at various times
Where: 40 Cameron Avenue, Belconnen
Cost: Tickets cost $30 and are available online.
Canberra Youth Theatre’s latest production takes audiences into a government department with a twist. The department is run by children, set in a real-world office building. But when the children are in charge, will the world run smoothly or is chaos on the horizon?
This award-winning audiovisual experience from Australian artist and composer Robin Fox is coming to light up Canberra’s nights. Photo: Lachie Douglas.
Live at the NFSA: Triptych
When: 18 October, from 7:30 pm and 19 October, from 8:30 pm
Where: Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Tickets cost between $45 and $60 and are available via the NFSA’s website.
Triptych is a unique audiovisual show designed by Australian artist and composer Robin Fox. It uses custom-built hardware to create simultaneous sound from laser projections mapped to each performance venue. The show is influenced by the Polish émigré artist Stanislaus ‘Stan’ Ostoja-Kotkowski, who spent decades creating instruments and installations that combined sound and light.
This two-day event has been organised to support survivors of violence and trafficking. Image: Project Didi Australia.
Open Gardens and Markets
When: 19 October, 10 am to 4 pm and 20 October, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: 13 Holmes Cresent, Campbell and 87 Jansz Crescent, Griffith
Cost: $10.
Two Canberrans have opened their gardens – one in Campbell and another in Griffith – for a good cause. Attendees can also browse markets with Nepali textiles and jewellery and Indigenous art, as well as organic seeds, jams, pickles and chutneys. The proceeds will be donated to women and children in Nepal who are rebuilding their lives after violence and trafficking.
Murrumbateman Field Days are returning this October to offer a taste of life on the land. Photo: Murrumbateman Field Days.
Murrumbateman Field Days
When: 19 October and 20 October, 8 am to 4 pm
Where: Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds, 19 East Street, Murrumbateman
Cost: Tickets cost between $22 and $82.50 and are available via 123Tix.
Escape the city and head to Murrumbateman for a taste of rural life. The Murrumbateman Field Days bring together farmers, agricultural businesses and people living on the land from across capital country – and further afield. Attendees can check out visits from working dogs, a range of horse events, displays of agricultural technology and lifestyle exhibitors, camel rides, free face painting, a snake display and enjoy more country fun.
Booker Prize-shortlisted author Charlotte Wood is just one of the famous faces coming to this festival of storytelling. Photo: Canberra Writers Festival.
Canberra Writers Festival
When: 23 October to 27 October, events at various times
Where: Various locations around Canberra; see program
Cost: Depends on the event; see program.
Keen on some spring reading? The return of the Canberra Writers Festival is set to deliver, with a schedule packed with workshops, dinners, book launches, talks and other events. The events span a range of topics – including politics, crime, history, culture and how we can build a better world – but above all, storytelling.
Australian author Tim Winton will start the fun early with a special event on Sunday evening (20 October) before the festival formally begins on Wednesday (23 October). In the coming days, bookworms can enjoy an examination of how writers can push for social change, the impact of ambition on our lives and how taking a step back can be unexpectedly fruitful. Or maybe you want to hear about what impact progressive politics could have or the story behind one of Australia’s best-known novelists?
The festival will also include an opportunity to peek inside the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell and the world of the Trump family, a conversation about how unassuming books can carry an emotional impact and the story of what happens when three pound-hardened dogs find their forever home.
Tim Minchin is coming to the bush capital for a chat about his first non-fiction book. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.
A Conversation with Tim Minchin
When: 19 October, 2 pm and 7:30 pm (the later show is Auslan interpreted)
Where: Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Civic
Cost: Tickets cost between $69 and $109 (plus transaction fee) and are available via the Theatre Centre’s website.
Singer-songwriter, musician, actor, writer and comedian Tim Minchin is sitting down for a chat with Beejay Silcox. The pair will discuss his first non-fiction book – You Don’t Have to Have a Dream – and how we can live a beautiful life. The show may contain strobe lighting and haze effects and is suitable for audiences aged 12 and older (or with parental discretion).
Friday
Wine Meets Design will bring together glamour, creativity and entertainment – and give attendees a chance to see local producers and creatives. Photo: Dirty Janes.
Wine Meets Design
When: 18 October, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Dirty Janes, 80b Collie Street, Fyshwick
Cost: Tickets cost $37 per person and are available via the venue’s website.
Relax after a long week in style. Attendees can sip local wines as they enjoy live magic, burlesque and jazz performances and view artworks by a range of artists. Make sure your eyes open for something special – the store will be open late for an exclusive shopping opportunity.
Saturday
See Canberra in a different link with this walk. Image: Localjinni
Localjinni’s Lakeside Moonwalk
When: 19 October, 8 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Canberra Contemporary Art Space, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Tickets cost $28 and are available via Humanitix.
When was the last time you explored Canberra at night? Localjinni will take participants on a walk through the National Triangle, with plenty to sightsee – from the landscape to projections and sculpture. The walk is part of the many events organised as part of the Canberra Art Biennial 2024, which continues until 26 October. The route is about 2 km and requires a low level of fitness (it is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters).
Bring your dancing shoes as the festival returns to the university lawns. Photo: Stonefest.
StoneFest
When: 19 October, from 3:30 pm
Where: University of Canberra, 1 Kirinari Street, Bruce
Cost: Tickets cost $49 (for University of Canberra students) and $99 (for general admission tickets) and are available via Moshtix.
Get your groove on as Stonefest returns to the UC Lawns. This year’s line-up includes Lucy Sugerman, Wallabindi, Sonic Reducer, The Buoys, Teenage Dads, Nach Knows and other artists. Head along and prove you have better dance moves than your mates!
Celebrate the high seas (or rather, Lake Burley Griffin) in this nautical-themed market. Image: The Little Burley Market/Facebook.
The Little Burley Nautical Market
When: 19 October, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free entry.
The Little Burley Market is celebrating one very special birthday with a special market! Lake Burley Griffin is turning 60, and this nautical-themed market is part of the celebrations. Browse through the range of stallholders or take in some new experiences at this very special market.
Visitors can also try their skills on the water in a dragon boat, canoe or Love Boat or stay on land and meet a dingo or snake (visiting from the National Zoo and Aquarium). Nautical-themed arts and crafts, face painting and games will also keep the young (and young-at-heart) entertained.
Hindley St Country Club will be taking over on Saturday. Photo: Hindley St Country Club.
Hindley Street Country Club live show
When: 19 October, from 8 pm (dinner option from 6 pm)
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: Tickets cost $89.50 (show-only option) or $135.35 (dinner and show option) and are available via Ticketek.
The Hindley Street Country Club has gathered more than a billion views online, and now they’ve arrived in Canberra for one show. They will take to the stage with their set list of 1970s and 1980s hits. There is also a two-course dinner option for those looking to keep the fun going!
Sunday
Connect with fellow veterans while enjoying a bike ride around Canberra. Photo: We are Explorers.
Veterans Health Week Bicycle Ride
When: 20 October, from 9 pm
Where: start at the On-Lake Café, Bowen Park, 6 Bowen Drive, Barton
Cost: Free entry, though online registrations are essential.
Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association has organised a bike ride. Defence force veterans (current or ex-serving), first responders with peacekeeping deployments and civilians involved in operations are all invited to come along.
The ride is part of Veterans Health Week and will take a loop around Lake Burley Griffin. There isn’t a focus on speed, with attendees asked to ride together at a pace that suits them. After the ride, On-Lake Café will host a free lunch.
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