NAIDOC Week starts this Sunday and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme is Because of Her, We Can. Join in at the NAIDOC Family Day this Sunday, at the University of Canberra, or at the National Gallery’s Culture to Catwalk event this Friday or at its drop-in creative weaving event this Sunday. You can also drop-in to the Arboretum’s knitting circle this weekend, part of its popular Warm Trees event. In time for the school holidays, there are a couple of shows to see: a winter wonderland circus at the ice skating rink in Garema Place, and Little Beauty at the National Portrait Gallery.
All weekend
Warm Trees Drop in Knitting
Where: National Arboretum
When: Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Arboretum is starting up its drop-in knitting circle this weekend to complement its Warm Trees knitting installation—the largest knitted art installation in the world—which is currently wrapped around trees in the Arboretum’s forests. Everybody is invited to join in; bring your own project or use supplied materials and contribute to Warm Trees. This is a free activity.
EPIC Advanced Dog Sports Extravaganza
Where: Exhibition Park
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
In its second year, the EPIC Advanced Dog Sports Extravaganza is on this weekend. This is a three-day event that brings together dogs and their owners from all over Australia to compete in dog shows and dog sports events. Saturday is an Open Day with a number of demonstration events to watch including agility, obedience, flyball and dancing with dogs! Check out the program here. Entry all weekend is free.
Little Beauty
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Friday & Saturday, 11:30 am & 12:30 pm and Sunday, 12:30 pm
Commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery and created by Kim Carpenter, Artistic Director of Sydney’s Theatre of Image company, Little Beauty is a playful theatrical quest to capture ‘beauty’ and immortalise it in a portrait. The show will be performed by Adriano Cappelletta and Holly Austin and is aimed at pre-school and primary aged children, but there will be plenty in for their carers to enjoy too. No bookings required, but seats are limited. This show continues until July 22.
Circus Winter Wonderland
Where: Garema Place
When: Saturday & Sunday 11:00 am & 1:00 pm
As part of the Skating At Garema Place festival, the La Petite Grande theatre opens this weekend with a high-energy acrobatic show called Circus Winter Wonderland. This is a 45-minute show packed with silliness. Tickets are $27.50 for adults and $22 for concession. Book here. And don’t forget the ice rink is also open: Friday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am –1 1:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm. Tickets for ice-skating are $25 for adults (aged 14+), $18 for kids (aged 5–13), $9 for kids under 5, and $79 for a family ticket—2 adults and 2 kids. Book here.
Friday
Culture to Catwalk
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries
When: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Showcasing cultural adornment as the contemporary fashion of Indigenous women, this catwalk fashion event honours the NAIDOC week theme, Because of her, we can! Tickets include light refreshments and tours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries and The National Picture: the art of Tasmania’s black war exhibition. Entertainment will be provided by Microwave Jenny—husband and wife pop duo, Tessa and Brendon Boney—and there will be a bar. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for concession and $20 for members, book here.
Saturday
JamFest
Where: St James Uniting Church Hall, Curtin
When: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
JamFest is a celebration of jams, marmalades, sauces, chutneys, preserves and honey. Stock up on homemade spreads and indulge in a Devonshire tea, coffee, cakes, slices or, of course, a slice of toast with jam while you are there.
Sunday
NAIDOC Family Day
Where: University of Canberra Concourse
When: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Celebrate NAIDOC week with a family day out at UC. Hosted by the Canberra and District NAIDOC Aboriginal Corporation, the day will include free rides, face painting and kids activities, as well as food stalls, Indigenous arts and crafts stall, and live entertainment. The day will be hosted by Kevin Kropinyeri with entertainment provided by:
- Luke Carroll from Playschool
- Durrungan Cultural Dance Company
- Stewart Barton
- duo Todd Williams and Shane Graham
- Belinda Whyte; and
- Johnny Huckle
There is plenty of free parking on site or catch Bus no. 900, which leaves from all interchanges across Canberra on Sundays and stops at UC.
Create Space: Weaving
Where: National Gallery of Australia
When: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Drop-in to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries for creative weaving with Indigenous artist Ronnie Jordan from Culture on the Move, and friends. A free activity and no bookings are required.
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