There really is so much on this weekend. The You Are Here and Australian Running Festivals are on, the Brumbies are playing the Reds (GIO Stadium, 7:40pm), Canberra Wine Week continues, and the National Gallery of Australia’s Versailles: Treasures from the Palace ends on April 17, so if you haven’t seen it yet you need to, especially if you’re going away for Easter.
All weekend
You Are Here Festival
Where: various venues
When: 5–9 April
In its seventh year, the fabulous homegrown alternative arts festival, You Are Here is on this weekend with a smorgasbord of events to choose from. The festival is happening in various venues around town, including The Phoenix and Gorman Arts Centre, and some more unusual ones like laneways, car parks, rooftops, green strips, roundabouts and even residential homes. The Festival Hub is again at the old North Bar, 46 Northbourne Avenue in the Sydney Building. Pop in to pick up a program. Friday lunchtime take a Walk to Remember with a group of randomly selected new friends. Two expert History Guides will lead singalong history lessons and group hug sessions designed to foster a spirit of community trust. Then on Friday night, Haig Park is going to get transformed for Electric Avenues: a festival within a festival. Expect thrilling performances, mysterious masks, tents filled with music, installations to explore, pumping basslines and some serious dancing. There will also food and drink stalls to keep your sugar levels up.
At Gorman House, Escalate is a performance that has come out of Ausdance ACT’s new mentoring program for dancers aged 15–25. On Saturday between 2–3pm, join Canberra’s inclusive Mixtape Chorus in Garema Place for a Big Indie Sing Along, then join a Run Amok session to hunt for dinosaurs, participate in activities with strange beings, and see Canberra’s city centre through new eyes. Part treasure hunt, part adventure game and an all-immersive journey through the city centre, there are three hour-long Run Amok sessions available, book here. Then on Saturday night, or Sunday afternoon check out Telling Myths, Telling Lies at Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman House. A vibrant and playful exploration of Canberra mythology through the eyes of young people who live here, book here.
Australian Running Festival
Where: King Edward Terrace, Parkes Place West
When: Sat 7am–5pm & Sun 6am–2pm
Autumn is the perfect time to run in Canberra: not too hot, not too cold. The Australian Running Festival has a number of options, depending on how keen you are. On Saturday morning there are 5km and 10km runs, and on Sunday morning the marathon, half-marathon, and ultra-marathon. There is also a half-marathon for elite wheelchair athletes on Sunday morning. These runs take in the sites of Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle; they start and finish at the Event Village, which is located on the lawns next to Parkes Place West. There are family packages for the 5km and 10km runs where a child runs for free with two adults. Feel good about your fitness before you start hibernating for winter!
Friday
Kate Miller-Heike with National Pops Orchestra
Where: Canberra Theatre
When: 7:30–9pm
The music of Kate Miller-Heike seems particularly well suited to being accompanied by an orchestra. With her operatic voice, Miller-Heike’s songs range from the sweeping epic O Vertigo to the intimacy of Space You Cannot Touch, written for Miller-Heike by her husband Kier Nuttal. With the Canberra Theatre’s own 38 piece pops orchestra sharing the stage, this show is sure to be a treat.
Saturday
CARDIF Collective Fashion Alley
Where: Highgate Lane, Kingston
When: 7:30pm
If you haven’t discovered it yet, the CARDIF Collective is both a retail outlet and working design studios for local designers and makers. It is located on the first floor of the Cusack Centre in Kingston and this Saturday the Collective is putting on a fashion show in Highgate Lane. The show will feature new collections from Zilpah Tart, Corr Blimey, Hana Apparel, Jinkiku and more. Zilpah Tart, a label by designer Yumi Morrissey, has gorgeous pieces created from fabrics featuring prints of photographs taken around Canberra. Wear your Canberra pride on your sleeve! Hana Apparel is Iranian-born Neda Alemohammad’s label. Neda has been a fashion designer since 2007 and moved to Australian in January 2014. Since moving here Neda produces contemporary pieces with traditional cultural motifs, inspired by her Persian background. And Jinkiku is a funky, modern-yet-retro label featuring designs that inspire a sense of adventure, personality, and fun. Book tickets here.
Sunday
Welcome Refugees – National Palm Sunday Rally
When: 1pm
Where: Civic Square
Organised by Canberra Refugee Action Committee, join this rally to show your support for refugees. The rally will be demanding an end to mandatory offshore detention and the resettlement of all the refugees that are currently in these camps. Speakers will include Jamila Ahmadi, member of the Hazara community, refugee, and student of International and Development Studies at the University of Adelaide; John Falzon, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society of Australia; and
John Minns, academic and refugee activist.
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