18 February 2021

Eleven things to do in Canberra (19 - 25 February)

| Sharon Kelley
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VIEW2021

Explore the ‘VIEW2021′ exhibition at PhotoAccess’ Open Day on Saturday 20 February. Photo: Gemma Fischer.

Whether you’re celebrating the incoming Year of the Ox at the Republic precinct, or seeing some fine artwork at the JamFactory or the National Portrait Gallery, there’s plenty to plan on our events calendar. PhotoAccess is having an open day, and you can raise some funds for organ donation by walking 5 km. Don’t miss the new season of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at The Q, and there’s a huge indoor plant sale this weekend.

Have a great week, Canberra!

All week/end

Huge indoor plant sale – Rumble in the Jungle

When: Saturday 20 February 8:00 am to Sunday 21 February 2:00 pm
Where: Causeway Hall Kingston, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston
Cost: Free, bookings essential through Eventbrite.

Enjoy thousands and thousands of indoor plants in one big warehouse sale. Receive style inspiration on how to incorporate plants into your home, chat to the on-site horticulturist about your specific needs, choose from plenty of Designer Pots and enjoy the Jungle tunes and vibes.

Dress as an animal for $5 off – face paint, onesies, headpieces, you name it! Minimum spend $10 and not valid with any other offer. EFTPOS only.

Canberra Fair

When: Saturday 20 February, 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Sunday 21 February, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Thoroughbred Park, Randwick Road
Cost: Free entry, registrations essential, register here.

Join the Canberra Fair to experience a showcase of Canberra’s market leaders in weddings, events, food, travel and lifestyle. Visit the premier wedding exhibitors, wander through the Take Flight Market displaying boutique Canberra businesses, and eat your way through the Foodie Fair.

There will also be two fashion runways as part of ‘The Parade’.

Charles Teo

Visit the Portrait Gallery to see their exhibition on Portrait Allsorts. Artwork: Charles Teo, 2012 by Adam Chang.

Portrait Allsorts

When: Friday 19 February to Sunday 7 March, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Gallery 7, National Portrait Gallery, Parkes
Cost: Free, timed ticketing through the National Portrait Gallery.

Offering portraiture in all its flavours – painting, photography, drawing, textiles, printmaking and sculpture – this exhibition is a feast for minds and eyes. Much-loved favourites of their collection including portraits of Deborah Mailman by Evert Ploeg, Lee Lin Chin by George Fetting and Dame Elizabeth Murdoch by the Victorian Tapestry Workshop will be joining exciting new acquisitions in an exhibition made to inspire.

Angela Valamanesh

‘Angela Valamanesh: About Being here’ opens on 22 February. Photo: Supplied.

JamFactory ICON, Angela Valamanesh: About Being Here

When: Monday 22 February to Sunday 7 March, 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
Where: ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, Cnr Ellery Cres & Liversidge St, Acton
Cost: Free.

‘Angela Valamanesh: About Being Here’ is part of JamFactory’s Icon series, celebrating the achievements of South Australia’s most influential artists working in craft-based media. Inspired by the symbiosis between science and poetry, Valamanesh’s artworks elicit intrigue and a strong sense of personal investigation as she manipulates seemingly familiar anatomical, botanical and parasitic forms in beguiling and unusual ways.

15th annual Gift of Life’s DonateLife Walk

When: Monday 22 February until Sunday 28 February
Where: Anywhere
Register: Sign up online at Gift of Life.

It’s the 15th annual Gift of Life’s DonateLife Walk, and this year they are doing things a bit differently. During the week of 22 to 28 February, participants are encouraged to walk up to 5 km any time, anywhere.

Sign up for the walk online and invite your friends, family and colleagues to join you for your daily steps.

Friday

Burlesque Idol Australia 2021

When: Friday 19 February, 7:00 pm
Where: Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah
Cost: $37.38 general entry, VIP tickets $48.32 bookings through Eventbrite.

Created to help support emerging talent, Burlesque Idol is a high-energy and deliciously entertaining evening, jam-packed with talent, humour, and audience participation (from your seats to keep it COVID-safe).

There will be over 100 talented contestants, an array of gorgeous guest judges, celebrities and hosts in 10 cities and prizes for YOU, the audience!

Saturday

Artwork

There will be plenty of photo-fun activities at the PhotoAccess Open Day on Saturday 20 February. Photo: Gemma Fischer.

PhotoAccess Open Day

When: Saturday 20 February, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Manuka Arts Centre, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith
Cost: Free.

Join us for the 2021 PhotoAccess Open Day and explore VIEW2021, the current Huw Davies Gallery exhibition, meet some of our city’s most exciting early-career artists as they talk about their works, learn and see how current artists-in-residence are experimenting with new photo-media practice.

Fancy something more hands-on?

Bring the kids and join all-ages, photo-fun activities including designing your own cyanotype t-shirts, creating lenticular magnets, hunting for augmented reality treasure, and sitting for your take-home, large-format family portrait.

When you need a break from all this photo-making, relax in the beautiful Manuka Arts Centre gardens and enjoy live music and a barbeque lunch. ArtsoundFM will be broadcasting live from the event, so you might even end up on the radio!

Lunar New Year Celebration 2021

Enjoy music, food and live performances and celebrate the Lunar New Year. Image: Supplied.

Lunar New Year Celebration 2021

When: Saturday 20 February, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: 1 Grazier Lane, Belconnen
Cost: Free.

Come and celebrate the Year of the Ox – a symbol of strength and positivity. Celebrate Lunar New Year 2021 at Grazier Lane in the Republic Precinct which will come to life with the vibrant sights, tastes and sounds of Asia. Bring along your family and friends for a lively day of glowing lanterns, sizzling cultural food served up by local businesses, live music, lion dancing, activities for the kids and much more.

Sunday

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Get your tickets for the Canberra Rep’s season of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Image: Supplied.

Cat on a hot tin roof

When: Thursday 18 February, 8:00 pm
Where: Canberra REP Theatre (Theatre 3), 3 Repertory Lane, Acton
Cost: From $20.00 to $45.00, book online.

In Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the wealthy but dysfunctional Pollitt family gathers to celebrate aging patriarch Big Daddy’s birthday. For the Pollitts, the truth is as hazy as the late summer sun in Mississippi, and sometimes the only way to find it is to journey through the lies.

Wednesday

Heston Russell

ADF Veteran Heston Russell will speak at the event. Image: Supplied.

A Candid Discussion with Heston Russell

When: Wednesday 24 February, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: High North Courtyard, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Free, registrations essential via Eventbrite.

The Australian Peacekeepers, Peacemakers, and Veterans Association invites current and former ADF personnel to a candid discussion with Heston Russell, founder of Voice of a Veteran. A retired Special Forces Major, Heston is on a mission to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and vulnerability, encouraging veterans to support veterans, helping all Australians to better understand contemporary veterans and the value they represent.

This special event will be hosted by Effective People ACT Manager Kris Milne and the APPVA, and will include a question and answer session about the issues confronting the veteran community, including veteran suicide, Interim Commissioner vs Royal Commission, ex-Services organisations, DVA and OpenArms and Heston’s own story.

88 mph Live Karaoke Night

When: Wednesday 24 February, 8:00 pm
Where: 88mph, Basement, 8-10 Hobart Place, Canberra City
Cost: Free, bookings essential, book online.

Whether you’re looking to step out of your comfort zone or live out your dreams of Broadway superstardom – you’ll have a chance to ‘Take On Me’ at 88 mph’s live karaoke night. Pick from their hefty book packed with iconic songs from all the great decades and their awesome announcer and video DJ will guide you through the rest. Dennis will also dish out spot prizes throughout the night as a little incentive for those who need it.

The vibe will be super-welcoming, and the bar will be stocked full of colourful cocktails, refreshing beers, and hand-stretched pizzas for those feeling peckish.

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