19 June 2020

Eight things to do in Canberra this weekend (21 - 27 May)

| Hayden Fritzlaff
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National Gallery of Australia

Shaun Gladwell, Técha Noble & Kazumichi Grime, Storm sequence (2000) audiovisual, videos born digital media, single-channel digital video, 7:59 minutes, colour, sound. Photo: National Gallery of Australia.

Even though Canberra is slowly opening up once again, the community is continuing to find new and innovative ways to stay connected.

Restaurants and pubs are back this weekend, albeit with social distancing measures and reduced capacity on their regular numbers. Gauging the success of these cautious first steps into a post-isolation world will be incredibly important in helping the politicians and health experts decide what happens next.

Canberra’s artists are making the most of these trying times. Local music collective Undine Records is celebrating the release of their first compilation this week with a live streaming event. They’re also sending all proceeds from the record to support Canberra’s domestic violence crisis services, proving that meaningful change comes when we band together despite the circumstances.

All Weekend

Old Canberra Inn

Old Canberra Inn employee Matt pours a beer at the pub. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Book a table at your favourite restaurant

Where: Out in the world
When: Various. Check with each establishment for details.

Dining-in is back, albeit with a socially distant flavour. A number of local restaurants and pubs are open again for diners to enjoy. The take-home message is to get a group together to book in, and to check with your preferred restaurant about their availability and COVID-19 policy as it’s sure to vary from place to place. A private dining room at The Old Canberra Inn can be booked out for up to 10 people this weekend, and the taproom at Capital Brewing Co is also up for grabs for small groups. Check cbrstillopen.com for community-sourced information about whether your go-to is open this weekend.

CSO

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra are changing their approach to live performance. Photo: Supplied.

Connect with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra

Where: The CSO’s YouTube channel
When: Anytime

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has seen arts organisations face existential challenges. The Canberra Symphony Orchestra is taking the opportunity to pivot their 2020 program into a series of online offerings. Head to their YouTube channel to catch up on their recent digital output, including their recent performance of Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony. Stay tuned as they announce details of their upcoming Australian Miniseries series featuring solo performances from the orchestra’s star players.

Friday

gym-exercise-weights

Get your sweat on at home. Photo: File.

Train at home with Project Fit Mum

Where: Online, hosted by Project Fit Mum. Reserve your place here
When: 10:00 am to 10:45 am.

Following on from a successful Facebook live workout last week, mum of two and founder of Project Fit Mum, fitness coach Laura is back for another round of at-home exercise. From the comfort of your own home, or backyard, get ready to blast through a full-body workout with a combination of strength and cardio exercises. No equipment is required for this free fitness session. Well, maybe a towel if things get sweaty.

Reko Rennie (Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay/Gummaroi people), Message Stick (Green) 2011. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Purchased 2012.

Art IRL: Virtual Takeover

Where: Hosted online by the National Gallery of Australia. Sign up via Eventbrite.
When: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Teenagers will get the chance to come at art from all different angles this Friday during this virtual takeover hosted by the National Gallery of Australia. A program of ‘art labs’, workshops centred around artists featured in or responding to the national collection, is being run concurrently with an Instagram Live music festival of sorts. Teens are invited to log on and learn about portraiture and augmented reality face filters, as well as music and sound design. It’s a chance for young artists and art lovers to engage with their peers and connect with some of the country’s most adventurous artists at the same time. Sign up online for this free event.

So Fresh hits of the 'tine

Undine Records has just released its first compilation on Bandcamp. Image: Bene, Split Pea Comics.

So Fresh Hits of the ‘Tine Livestream

Where: Streaming online via Undine Records
When: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Canberra’s independent musicians are banding together in these trying times, pooling resources and sharing musical messages of support. None ring so true as the first release from brand new artist collective Undine Records, appropriately named So Fresh Hits Of The ‘Tine. The 20-track compilation features demos and unreleased songs from the city’s most beloved musicians, spanning folk, alt-country, blues and roots, electronic sounds, and punk music. Undine Records is streaming the whole thing online this Friday night with some special guests in tow. All proceeds from sales of the record are going straight to supporting Domestic Violence Crisis Service in Canberra.

Saturday

Live In Ya Lounge

Live In Ya Lounge returns this Saturday with another all-local lineup of performers. Image: supplied.

Live In Ya Lounge

Where: Join the event on Facebook
When: Saturday, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Canberra’s slickest live music stream continues this weekend with sets from three of the city’s finest roots, blues and folk artists. Northbourne Flats, Guyy & The Fox, and Bobby James will all be gracing your screens from 7:30 pm on Saturday for live performances from a decked-out studio. Live In Ya Lounge has weekly events scheduled all the way through next month so be sure to pencil in more doses of live local music from this new platform.

Sunday

Paint brushes

Kick back and enjoy an online paint and wine session this Sunday. Photo: supplied.

Online Paint & Sip

Where: Hosted online by Amici Wine Bar & Deli. Sign up online via Eventbrite
When: Sunday, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Wine and art? What more could you want? Join in with this Paint & Sip session, with an art pack and bottle of wine supplied by Amici Winebar & Deli. The two-hour painting session includes instructions on how to create your very own masterpiece. The event is hosted on Zoom, meaning you can partake in this wine and art evening (complete with tipsy banter) from the comfort of your own home.

Wednesday

The National Library of Australia

The National Library of Australia is home to an endless wealth of online resources and tools. Photo: Jack Mohr.

Get started with the National Library

Where: Webinar hosted by the National Library of Australia. Register online
When: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

This free, online seminar is designed for first-time users of the treasure trove of resources that is the National Library of Australia. From Trove, digitised collections, interlibrary loans and so much more, this one-hour session is perfect for the curious mind, history hunter or inquisitive student interested in getting stuck in to all the library has to offer. Long a favourite study spot, the National Library’s online resources are also world-class.

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