It must be a good weekend to be in Canberra because 13-year-old Ned Thorn and his Dad, Adam Richards, have walked from Adelaide to be here. Apart from the attraction of spending this weekend in Canberra, the pair have undertaken this feat to raise awareness of the plight of asylum seekers in Australia’s offshore detention centres. You can welcome them and show your support at a number of events being held this Saturday.
You may not be finishing a walk from Adelaide, but many of you may need to recover this weekend from the feat of surviving the first week back to school. And there are plenty of events to help you do this. There are two music festivals on: Googfest, which has an amazing line-up of Canberra bands including the Young Monks (pictured above), and if you like your music less structured and more free-flowing, SoundOut 2017. On Sunday, the Jerrabomberra Wetlands are hosting an open day in the morning, and then from 5pm there a is soccer double-header at the Canberra Stadium. Canberra United is playing Melbourne Victory in a W-League semi-final at 8pm following the Central Coast Mariners’ A-League clash with Adelaide United at 5pm.
All weekend
Summer Sounds
When: Sat & Sun, 5:30–7:30pm
Where: Australian National Botanic Gardens
It is the last weekend for the Botanic Garden’s Summer Sounds events. It is all about the kids on Saturday evening with Mr Tim & the Fuzzy Elbows and Pablo’s 3D Stunt Show providing the entertainment. And then on Sunday evening the Royal Military Band of Duntroon will be playing the tunes and Jumptown Swing Dance will be encouraging you to get up and dance. Bring a picnic to spread out on the gardens’ Eucalypt Lawn or purchase food and drinks from stalls. Entry is $5 for adults, $2 for concessions and children under 12 are free.
SoundOut 2017
Where: ANU Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley St, Acton
When: Sat & Sun, 1–5pm & 7–11:30pm
SoundOut is an annual international festival of free improvisation, free jazz and experimental music. In its 8th year, the festival will feature over 20 artists from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, France, and Norway. Check out the program here.
Friday
Climbing equipment 1–3
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: 5–8pm
The National Portrait Gallery is open late again this Friday night. You will have another chance to view local artist Jac Bradley’s art installation while, this week, listening to tunes played by the John Mackey Trio. According to their Facebook page the John Mackey Trio used to be a three piece quartet before one of their members left turning them into a two piece trio!
Saturday
Walk for Freedom
Where: Mint Oval, Denison St, Deakin, Parliament House & Lakeside at Queen Elizabeth Terrace
When: 11:30am–4pm
Thirteen year old Ned Thorn has just spent his summer holiday walking from Adelaide to Canberra with his Dad, Adam Richards. They have undertaken this feat to raise awareness of the plight of asylum seekers in Australia’s offshore detention centres. They left Adelaide on 28 December and have walked, on average, 33km a day. Their journey finishes this weekend and a number of events will be held on Saturday to mark this. There will be more walking, but only from Deakin to Parliament House; guest speakers, including Ned and Adam; and a boat regatta of sorts on Lake Burley Griffin. Check out their Facebook page for more details. Ned is then going to hang around Canberra until Tuesday, for return of Parliament, so he can present a petition, containing the signatures he has collected over the course of his walk, asking the government to close the offshore detention centres.
Googfest
Where: Rockley Oval, Googong
When: Sat, 5–9pm
Head over the border to Googong this Saturday for Googfest. Kicking off at 5pm, this is a truly inclusive music festival providing an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy some stellar tunes. Headlining this year is Sneaky Sound System with their catchy dance tunes. But what is great about this festival is its focus on showcasing the depth of talent in Canberra’s music scene. On the line-up are Lucy Sugerman, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers; Slow Turismo; and the Young Monks. Sugerman is a 15-year-old who has already graced the stage at the Canberra Theatre, and has won her category at the Australian National Busking Championships in Cooma for the last two years. The Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are a grunge rock band of five 16 year old girls whose songs are getting noticed at Triple J Unearthed. Slow Turismo and Young Monks are both indie rock groups who are making a name for themselves both in Canberra and beyond. It is a treat to have them both on this line-up. The night will finish with fireworks, so bring a blanket and your Canberra pride, and settle in for a great night.
Sunday
World Wetlands Open Day
When: Sun, 10am–3pm
Where: Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Dairy Rd, Fyshwick
Where better to celebrate World Wetlands Day than at our own Jerrabomberra Wetlands? The day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance on 2 February 1971, and seeks to raise awareness of the value of wetlands. There will be stalls and activities including: guided ranger walks, reptile displays, art exhibitions, Indigenous cultural activities and kid’s activities.
Image: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
W-League Semi-Final: Canberra United vs Melbourne City
Where: GIO Stadium
When: Sun, 8pm
A confluence of events last weekend, the final round of the regular W-League season, saw Canberra United crowned the 2016/17 W-League Premiers. Canberra, who was second of the league table behind Sydney FC, beat Melbourne Victory 5–1, and in a massive upset Adelaide United beat Sydney FC 5–2. This saw Canberra rise to the top of the ladder and Sydney drop to third place behind Perth Glory. This has secured Canberra a home semi-final against Melbourne United. The game will be played at Canberra Stadium on Sunday, rather than McKellar Park, immediately following the A-League game between the Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United. The girls in green are playing for a spot in next week’s final against either Sydney FC or Perth Glory. The Central Coast Mariners are hoping for a record crowd at Canberra Stadium for their game and are offering four free junior tickets for every one adult ticket purchase. Get your tickets here and see our story about the A-League game here.
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