This weekend features two events celebrating the strength of Canberra’s poetry scene. Under Sedation: Canberra Verse Remixed is a new theatre work playing at The Street Theatre that translates to the stage a collection of poems written by people who have a connection with Canberra. Also, the BAD!SLAM!NO!BISCUIT! Canberra National Poetry Slam is on this Friday night at Gorman House. There are also plenty of free community events to check out this Saturday — Floriade continues, Government House is having an open day, the Canberra Burns Highland Gathering is on at Kambah Oval, and the Jerrabomberra Creek fire brigade is rolling into Googong as part of the annual NSW Rural Community Open Day. There is a new market — the Canberra Style Market — coming to the Old Bus Depot in Kingston this Saturday and on Sunday the long-standing Old Bus Depot Markets is going retro.
All weekend
Under Sedation: Canberra Verse Remixed
Where: The Street Theatre
When: Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 4 pm.
A new theatre work is currently playing at the Street Theatre and will continue until mid-October. Conceived, developed and directed by Adele Chynoweth, this work puts onto the stage a collection of poems written by people who have a connection with Canberra. Some of these poems are old, some are new, some were originally sung, some are unpublished, others applauded and well known, some earnest, others irreverent. The names that jumped out to me when reading the list of poets this work is based on were local bands Coda Conduct, Cracked Actor, Fun Machine and the Fallen Joys who hailed from Canberra in the 80s; Queanbeyan rapper and poet Omar Musa, and You Am I frontman Tim Rogers who spent time at the ANU. The work is performed by local singer and songwriter, Ben Drysdale and actor, Ruth Rieloor. Tickets are $29, book here.
This Sunday at 3 pm, the Street is hosting a meet the maker session where Adele Chynoweth will talk about how she created this work. This is a free event, but you need to book.
Reef Up!
Where: The Courtyard Studio
When: Friday & Saturday, 11 am & 1 pm.
Acclaimed Canberra choreographer, Liz Lea is bringing her show Reef Up! back to the Canberra Theatre this weekend. This show is one of a series of Liz’s shows that uses dance to explore scientific issues. Reef Up! explores the interdependencies of organisms and species that live in and around the Great Barrier Reef. When a single organism or species decline in number, this can hugely affect other organisms and species both down and up the reef’s food chain. With a soundtrack of popular songs and original music, Liz’s choreography, and a sea-full of characters including Mantra and Ray, Slinky the shark, Minkie whales, and a devious Crown of Thorns starfish called Priscilla, this show promises to be highly engaging. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for concession or $15 each for a family of four or more. Book here.
Friday
The BAD!SLAM!NO!BISCUIT! Canberra National Poetry Slam
Where: Main Hall, Gorman Arts Centre
When: 7 – 11 pm.
The BAD!SLAM!NO!BISCUIT! Canberra National Poetry Slam is on this Friday night. This event is the ACT finals of the Australian Poetry Slam, and contestants will battle it out for the title of ACT Champion and the chance to compete at the Australian Poetry Slam national final to be held at the Sydney Opera House. Previous winners of the Australian Poetry Slam include locals Omar Musa in 2008, and CJ Bowerbird in 2012. The night will also feature a special guest performance from Wollongong poet Emily Crocker. Tickets are priced at $10 full and $5 concession. Book here.
Saturday
Government House Open Day
Where: Government House, Dunrossil Drive, Yarralumla
When: 11 am – 2 pm.
Sir Peter and Lady Lynne Cosgrove are opening the doors to Government House this Saturday. You can take a tour of the house and have a picnic on the lawns—either bring your own food or there will be food and drink available to purchase.
Canberra Burns Club Highland Gathering
Where: Kambah Oval, Kett Street
When: 10 am – 5 pm.
The Canberra Burns Club and Canberra College of Piping and Drumming are celebrating their Scottish heritage this weekend at the annual Highland Gathering. Now in its sixth year, this free community event will feature pipe bands, highland dancing, plenty of kilts, Scottish food stalls (including haggis), clan tents, displays of Scottish Heavy Athletics—think tossing tree trunks and events similar to the modern-day hammer throw and shot put—and a kids zone with a jumping castle and face painting. The ACT pipe band and solo piping and drumming championships will also be held on the day. Then after the gathering, continue the party at the Burns Club’s Scottish Ceilidh Night which will feature performances of Scottish folk musicians and, of course, bagpipes.
Canberra Style Market
Where: Old Bus Depot Markets
When: 10 am – 3 pm.
A new market is starting up this weekend—the Canberra Style Market—and it is all about looking and feeling great. The market will showcase local fashion boutiques and designers, including milliners and jewellers; ‘quality’ pre-loved labels; and beauty, style, food, health and well-being products and services. To give you some practical ideas on how to look and feel great there will also be a style workshop with Kimberley from The Style Side between 11 – 11:45 am (tickets are $35), and free cardio and yoga classes with Envie Fitness between 10 – 10:45 am (cardio) and 2 – 3 pm (yoga). There will also be live music, coffee and healthy food.
Live at the Polo
Where: Polish White Eagle Club
When: 8 pm onwards
Live at the Polo is on again this Saturday and it is featuring another stellar line-up of local bands. So grab some sausages and sauerkraut, wash them down with plenty of Polish beer, and settle in to listen to the big brassy sound of the Brass Knuckle Brass Band, the funky latin tunes of Rumblr, the sensual and succulent grooves of An Inconvenient Groove, and the good vibes of Massive Sherlock. Doors open at 88 pm music starts at 8:3opm, and tickets are $23.50. Book here.
Rural Fire Service Community Open Day
Where: Beltana Park, Googong NSW
When: 10 am – 12 pm.
The Jerrabomberra Creek fire brigade is rolling into Googong this weekend as part of the annual NSW Rural Community Open Day. You will be able to climb inside a fire truck, try out a giant water hose, check your handle on the emergency radio, and try on protective gear. More seriously, you will also be able to pick up tips about preparing your property ahead of the bushfire season. Head down to Beltana Park for live music, a jumping castle, sizzling sausages and truck-loads of free family fun!
Sunday
Music of the Baroque and Limestone Consort
Where: High Court of Australia
When: 1:30 – 3 pm.
This Sunday the High Court’s Great Hall will fill with the sounds of Baroque music. The Court’s Sunday Concert Program will feature the Canberra Baroque Brass, a group of brass, string, percussion and vocal musicians; and the chamber ensemble; Limestone Consort, who together will be performing music by Monteverdi, Gabrielli, Vivaldi, Leopold Mozart, Handel and Bach. Register for the event here.
Live Music around Canberra
If you’re looking for live music around Canberra check out The RiotACT Gig Guide (4-10 October).
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