12 February 2018

Seven things to do around Canberra this weekend (18–20 Aug)

| Zoe Pleasants
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Courtesy of World Photo Day, captured by Marklin Ang.

Spring definitely feels closer this week, and there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the warmer (or maybe just less cold) weather this weekend. It is World Photo Day this Saturday, a global event started right here in Canberra. We all have cameras in our pockets these days, so use yours to share your story with the world, and join in the events around town, including a Photo Walk on Saturday afternoon. Or celebrate the natural play spaces that have recently been built in parks around town at Parties in the Park on Sunday. Science Week winds up with Strictly Science at Belconnen Arts Centre this Saturday night, and the Geoscience Open Day this Sunday. And the National Museum is holding the last of its Night at the Museum events for 2017 this Friday, hopefully these events will be back next year.

All weekend

Poem every day

Where: Ainslie Arts Centre
When: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 7 pm
The Canberra Youth Theatre’s latest work is a physical theatre piece inspired by the poetry of local poet Joshua Bell, who periodically sets himself the task of writing a poem every day. The piece was developed from the cast’s responses to Bell’s poetry with a particular focus on his poem, Don’t hide your weirdness. Good advice for all of us. The piece is co-directed by Tracey Bourne and Katie Cawthorne. Tickets are $15, Saturday’s performance has already sold out but there are tickets available for Thursday and Friday, book them here. Because of the themes addressed in the piece, it is recommended for ages 13+.

Friday

Night at the Museum: Uncharted

Where: National Museum of Australia
When: 6 – 9:30 pm
It’s the final Night at the Museum event for 2017 this Friday and the theme is Uncharted. The Museum’s galleries will be open, the music will be pumping and there will be food and drink to consume. For those of you looking to test your boundaries, there will be edible insects to sample, the pros and cons of polyamory and ethical non-monogamy to consider, and laser tag games to join. Wear something off the charts. This is an over-18s event, tickets are $15 + bf, book here.

Saturday

World Photo Day: Photo Walk

Where: Canberra Visitors Centre, Regatta Point
When: 4:30 pm
This Saturday is World Photo Day, a global event started by Canberra photographer, Korske Ara in 2010. Korske is passionate about connecting people and telling stories through photography. Basically, this event is a global photo competition where you can share your world with the world by submitting up to 12 of your best photos into a competition. Register here. The best photos will be included in a number of photo books, including a Canberra photo book which you can pre-order. Note, you don’t have to take your photos on Saturday, so if you already have some good photos, submit them. And because of Canberra’s special connection with World Photo Day, there will be a number of events on in Canberra to celebrate the day including:

Finish the day with a Photo Walk + Gathering starting from the Canberra Visitors Centre, Regatta Point at 4:30 pm. Then hang around afterwards to mingle with Korske, Martin, Lori, Paul and Helen. Register here.

Strictly Science

Where: Belconnen Arts Centre
When: 7:30 – 10:30 pm
See out Science Week with a bang. Strictly Science is an event that will bring together some of Canberra’s best performers and scientists for an explosion of science and art. There will be presentations about astronomy by Dr Brad Tucker, gravitational waves by Professor Susan Scott and Antarctic research by Dr Merryn McKinnon, and Dr Graham Walker will be blowing things up! And there will be performances by Liz Lea, Australian Dance Party, Miss Chocolate Eclair, Alchemy Chorus, Griffin Ensemble and many others. Nudity and hilarity are promised. Tickets from $28, book here.

Sunday

Geoscience Open Day

Where: Geoscience Australia, Symonston
When: 9 am – 2 pm
It’s Geoscience Australia’s hugely popular annual Open Day this weekend. Meet some real geoscientists, discover how important their work is for the future of the planet and our every day lives, and consider a career in geoscience! There will a series of 15-minute talks throughout the day, several aimed at kids, where you can learn more about earthquakes, rocks, Antarctica, the usefulness of satellite images and much more. The kids can pick up a visitor passport at the door and get involved in the many activities that will be set up around the building such as erupting their own volcano, exploring the geology behind Minecraft and building their own satellite. There will be food available at the cafe and a sausage sizzle outside.

Parties in the Park

Where: Tuggeranong Town Park, Telopea Park & Finn Street Park, O’Connor
When: 10 am – 12 pm (Tuggeranong), 12 – 2 pm (Telopea) & 2 – 4 pm (O’Connor)
If you live near Tuggeranong Town, Telopea or Finn Street Parks you may have noticed some renovations occurring of late. Natural play spaces have been built in each of these parks and they are now ready to be climbed on, jumped off and explored. To celebrate, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the ACT Government are hosting parties at each of these play spaces. There will be:

  • Painted rock hunts, a live painting installation and hill rolling in Tuggeranong;
  • Clay nature sculpting, orienteering and face painting in Telopea; and
  • Parkour demonstrations, tugs-of-war, tree planting and a mosaic craft activity in O’Connor.

And, of course, sausage sizzles at all parties.

Sunday Assembly: Health

Where: Majura Hall
When: 2:30 – 4:30 pm
The theme for this month’s Sunday Assembly is Health and the guest speaker is Michael Moore AM who is the CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia and President of the World Federation of Public Health Associations. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and Visiting Professor at the University of Technology Sydney. He was a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly from 1989–2001 and was Minister of Health and Community Care for some of that time. You will also be able to enjoy a sing-a-long, tea and cake at the end, and great company throughout.

If you’re looking for live music around Canberra check out The RiotACT Gig Guide (16-22 Aug).

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