23 August 2018

Seven things to do around Canberra this weekend (24–26 August)

| Zoe Pleasants
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All Japanese Car and Bike Show

Love a bit of Japanese motoring? The All Japanese Car and Bike Show is on this Sunday at Exhibition Park. Photo: Facebook.

There has been plenty of power, passion and politics in Canberra this week and the trend is set to continue into the weekend with the Canberra Writers Festival. Expect topical sessions on leadership, persuasion, sleep, and trauma cleaning, as well as sessions about crime writing, food writing, military writing, science writing and getting published—something for everyone. After you’ve had your fill of politics and power, unwind at the Fireside Festival with a glass of wine and a plate of nibbles in front of a blazing fire, or let off some steam at the Floating Moon Comedy Experience this Friday, a night of comedy and audio-visual hallucinations at the ANU. Also check out the National Gallery’s new exhibition, American Masters and the All Japanese Car and Bike Show, on at Exhibition Park all weekend.

All weekend

Canberra Writers Festival

Where: Various venues
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
The Canberra Writers Festival is on this weekend at various venues across town including the National Library, ANU, the National Museum, Old Parliament House, the Portrait Gallery and the National Press Club. It is a three-day celebration of literature, reading and writing with events featuring journalists, politicians and writers. There will be author talks, literary lunches and dinners, book launches, panel presentations, musical treats and family events. Check out the program, and book tickets to sessions here.

To know more about our local writers making Canberra proud, read their interview here.

American Masters: 1940–1980

Where: National Gallery of Australia
When: 24 August–11 November
This weekend, the National Gallery is launching its new exhibition, American Masters, which celebrates the Gallery’s collection of modern American art from the 1940s to the 1980s. One of those works is Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles which the Gallery controversially purchased in 1973 for $1.3 million. At the time, it was the most expensive American painting ever sold. This exhibition tells the story of the Gallery’s American art collection and will include works of abstract expressionism, colour field, pop, neo-dada, photo-realism, conceptual, land and performance art. As well as Blue Poles, highlights of the exhibition include paintings and works on paper by the New York School; Sol LeWitt’s huge Wall drawing No. 380 a-d 1982, specially re-made for this exhibition; and a selection of light works by Dan Flavin, Bruce Nauman, Keith Sonnier and James Turrell.

Fireside Festival

Where: Various Venues
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Get hygge this weekend at the Fireside Festival which celebrates food, fine wine and being indoors in front of roaring fire. There are events at venues around the region, including many wineries. Check out the program of events here.

Frock Up Canberra

Where: Griffith Neighbourhood Centre
When: Friday 6–9 pm & Saturday 10 am–4 pm
Frock up Australia is hosting another vintage fashion fair this weekend at the Griffith Neighborhood Hall. There will be racks of antique, vintage and retro fashion, and tables of textiles, jewellery, accessories, fashion books and magazines. Embrace the slow fashion movement with some guilt-free shopping. Entry is $2.

A Portrait of Mary Queen of Scots

Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre
When: Friday 7 pm & Sunday 5 pm
A Portrait of Mary Queen of Scots is a collaboration between artists of different disciplines which explores the life and influence of Mary Queen of Scots. Presented by Revival House Project, the performances on Friday and Sunday feature an art-song/lieder performed by soprano Louise Keast, mezzo soprano Shikara Ringdahl, violinist Helena Popovic and pianist Ella Luhtasaari with animation by visual artist Shags projected onto Tudor-inspired gowns created by fashion designer Hue MacCulloch. A curated exhibition of the costumes and animation will be on display in the Tuggeranong Arts Centre gallery until September.

Friday

Floating Moon Comedy Experience

Where: Molo Live, ANU Pop-up Club
When: 7:30 pm
For something different, the Floating Moon Comedy Experience is a night of stand-up and audio-visual hallucinations. Hosted by Frances McNair, the night will feature performances by comedians Anthony Tomic, Maddy Weeks, Nick Schuller, Taylor Coughric, Chris Marlton, James McMahon and Al Throne. Adding light and colour to the evening will be visual hallucinations produced by filmmaker Rafael Florez and a soundscape beamed directly from the moon created by sound artist Benjamin Harb. Tickets are $15 + bf for adults and $10 + bf for students, book here.

Sunday

All Japanese Car and Bike Show

Where: Exhibition Park
When: 11 am–2:30 pm
In its fourth year, the Japanese Car and Bike Show returns this weekend. It will feature Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru cars and Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha bikes as well as program full of music and entertainment including plenty of kids activities. Entry costs gold coin.

 

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I would have thought that going to Parliament House on Friday should be on the list. It’s likely to be a historic day with the Liberal Party formed by Robert Menzies in 1944 dying from within at the hands of people who are far right wing looney tunes characters.

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