This week is Women’s Health Week and Canberra’s Active Travel office is encouraging women to get on their bikes for their health. Pedal Power is hosting a bike maintenance course for women this Saturday, and the ACT Parks and Conservation Service is hosting a guided mountain bike ride for women through the forests of the Namadgi National Park this Sunday. Lifeline is having another of its bookfairs, Opera Australia is in town with a production of Madame Butterfly and the National Gallery is celebrating the work of acclaimed American modern dancer and choreographer, Merce Cunningham as part of its American Masters exhibition. The Old Bus Depot Markets is trying a new theme this Sunday—Makers-con—and local designer, Yumi Morrissey is launching the Spring/Summer collection of her Zilpah Tart brand at the CARDIF Collective this Friday night.
All weekend
Lifeline Bookfair
Where: Exhibition Park
When: Friday 9 am–6 pm, Saturday 9 am–5 pm & Sunday 10 am–4 pm
Lifeline is having another of its Bookfairs this weekend with books, magazines, games, jigsaws, comics, maps, sheet music, records, CDs and DVDs for sale. Bookfairs are Lifeline Canberra’s biggest fundraising events, raising most of the money needed to run Canberra’s crisis support phone service. Doors open 9 am Friday, entry is by gold coin donation and parking is free. Saturday is Family Day with activities for the kids. More details here.
Opera Australia’s Madame Butterfly
Where: Canberra Theatre
When: Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 1 & 7:30 pm
Opera Australia is in town this weekend, performing Puccini’s popular opera Madame Butterfly. Directed by John Bell, this tragic opera tells the story of the marriage between Pinkerton, an American Naval officer and Cio-Cio-san (Madame Butterfly), a Japanese geisha. It features the famous aria One Fine Day and the Humming Chorus. Tickets from $69.90 for an adult and $59.90 for concession. Book here.
Merce Cunningham Dance Residency
Where: National Gallery of Australia & QL2 studios, Gorman House Arts Centre
When: Friday 12:45–1:45 pm, Saturday 11 am
Merce Cunningham was an American modern dancer and choreographer who is considered one of the most important choreographers of our time. As part of its American Masters exhibition, the National Gallery is celebrating Merce Cunningham with a dance residency in his honour. On Friday you can view a rehearsal of this dance residency in the Contemporary galleries between 12:45–1:45 pm, book here. On Saturday and Sunday at 11 am, the Gallery will be screening two dance performances choreographed by Merce Cunningham—Rainforest, filmed in 1968 (27 mins) and Tread, filmed in 1970 (20 mins). Book here for the Saturday session and here for the Sunday session.
Also on Sunday, Merce Cunningham Trust stager, Jamie Scott will be leading two 1.5 hour masterclasses in the Merce Cunningham Technique at the QL2 studios at Gorman House Arts Centre. The first masterclass is for kids aged 8–12 years and is from 10–11:30 am, book here. The second masterclass is for kids aged 13–18 years and is from 12:30–2 pm, book here. Each class costs $25, or $20 if you are a member of the Gallery or AusDance.
Friday
Photo: Zilpah Tart website.
Zilpah Tart New Collection Launch
Where: CARDIF Collective, Westfield Woden
When: 6 pm
Local brand Zilpah Tart, designed by Yumi Morrissey, is launching its Spring/Summer collection this Friday night at CARDIF Collective’s new shop in Woden. Yumi creates her fabrics by digitally printing photos on them. For this collection, she has printed photos of the ocean, taken by a drone, onto her fabrics. After the launch, the collection will be available at the CARDIF Collective and at the Fyshwick Niche Markets as well as online.
Saturday
Image: National Film and Sound Archive
The Mole People
Where: Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive
When: 4 pm
To mark the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the National Film and Sound Archive is presenting a short season of films about, or inspired by Frankenstein. On Saturday, catch The Mole People, a 1956 black and white film about two archaeologists who find a race of Sumerian albinos living deep inside the Earth! This subterranean Sumerian civilisation has existed for centuries, since an earthquake hit Mesopotamia some 3000 years ago trapping the Sumerian’s ancestors underground. Their only food source is mushrooms and they keep mutant humanoid mole men as slaves. On Friday night, catch The Rocky Horror Picture Show, screening at 7 pm. Tickets for both films are $10, book here.
Women’s bike maintenance course
Where: Girl Guide Hall, Clianthus Street, O’Connor
When: 8:30 am–12:30 pm
As part of Women’s Health Week, Pedal Power ACT is hosting a bike maintenance course for women on Saturday. The course will provide information on bike components, how to clean a chain, how to repair a puncture and what tools are useful to carry when riding. Bring a bike and helmet, tickets are $15, register here.
Sunday
Makers-con at Old Bus Depot Markets
Where: Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston
When: 10 am–4 pm
The Old Bus Depot Markets are trying a new theme this Sunday—Makers-Con. There will be stalls specialising in costume design, steampunk and comic books, and regular stallholders will be getting into the theme with superhero-inspired products. The AFK (Away From Keyboard) Choir—a geek-themed choir who sing acappella—will be performing and there will be a bat’leth duel!
Women’s mountain bike ride in Namadgi
Where: Bulls Head, Mt Franklin Road
When: 9 am–3:30 pm
Also as part of Women’s Health Week, the ACT Parks and Conservation Service is hosting a 45 km supported women’s mountain bike ride in Namadgi National Park. The ride will begin at Bulls Head on Mt Franklin Road and will follow the gravel road up to Mt Franklin Chalet for a morning snack. Riders will then take a short detour to the summit of Mt Ginini and will then travel deep into Namadgi National Park on narrow fire trails and through the historic Bendora Arboretum. After lunch, the ride will return uphill to Bulls Head. Participants will be guided and supported by women riders in a non-competitive environment. The event targets women and girl cyclists aged 14 years and over, with mountain biking experience and a good level of fitness. Participants will need their own mountain bike, tyre repair equipment, and a helmet, and will need to carry their own water and food. A ranger with a vehicle will be on call as needed. This event is free, register here.
Loading ...
