Dressing up for the Day of the Dead fiesta is one of the many things you can do in Canberra this weekend.
Elite sport, Mexican wrestling and power plays are all on this weekend in Canberra. Watch rising Australian tennis stars play at the Apis Canberra International, support Australia as they take on France in the Rugby League World Cup, or celebrate the Day of the Dead at Ainslie Arts Centre. The Street Theatre’s season of Boys will be Boys continues, as does the Canberra International Film Festival at the National Film and Sound Archive. Relax on Sunday with some fine food and wine at Pialigo Estate’s market day, followed up by an ambient aural experience at the Portrait Gallery.
All weekend
Apis Canberra International
Where: Canberra Tennis Centre
When: Friday 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm & Sunday 10 am – 3 pm
It’s finals time at the Apis Canberra International. Players from the world’s top 200 and a crop of rising Australian tennis stars have been battling it out all week at the Canberra Tennis Centre and the lucky few are ready to play off for the main prize. Entry for spectators is free, with a gold coin donation requested on finals day (Sunday). Check out the draw and order of play for each day here. The Canberra Tennis Centre is also hosting a kids day this Saturday from 9 – 11 am, with lots of tennis related activities, face painting, a jumping castle, Elsa and Spiderman characters wandering around, a reptile zoo and a sausage sizzle.
Boys will be Boys
Where: The Street Theatre
When: Friday & Saturday 8 pm, Sunday 4 pm & 8 pm
The Street Theatre’s season of Boys will be Boys, by award-winning playwright Melissa Bubnic, continues this weekend. Featuring an all-female cast, this play tells the story of Astrid, a ruthless currency trader at the top of her game who hasn’t only broken through glass ceilings, she’s re-modeled the entire building; and her protege, Priya, a junior on the trading floor. Directed by The Street’s Caroline Stacey, it stars Pippa Grandison as Astrid, and features Ish Menon as Priyah, as well as Dianna Nixon, Joanna Richards, and also Kiki Skountzos, who brought an incredible energy to her performance in The Street’s production of Cold Light earlier this year. Boys will be Boys is a no-holds-barred, biting satire about power and what it takes to get ahead in the world of finance. Tickets are $49 standard, $47 concession and $38 for students, book here.
Friday
Rugby League World Cup: Australia vs France
Where: Canberra Stadium
When: 8 pm
Australia is taking on France in the Rugby League World Cup this Friday at the Canberra Stadium. There are still some tickets available, from $10, book here.
Saturday
Day of the Dead Fiesta
Where: Ainslie Arts Centre
When: 1 – 9 pm
Experience the Mexican festival Dia de Muertos, or ‘Day of the Dead’ at Ainslie Arts Centre this Saturday. Celebrate being alive by remembering the dead. It will be a family-friendly festival featuring live music, Latin American cultural exhibitions, markets, food stalls, and of course, some incredible face painting. The music line-up includes The New Monos, a Melbourne based tango, punk and hip-hop band; Nativösoul, a Sydney band which combines soul and reggae with psychedelic Peruvian jams; the instrumental Flamenco band Kalidad; and popular local band Los Chavos. Other activities include a piñata for the kids, the opportunity to paint a skull, and dancing lessons. The festival will also feature an all-ages Lucha Libre show—Mexican wrestling presented by Lucha Fantastica. Then after the festival has finished, head to the Harmonie German Club in Narrabundah for more music and Lucha Libre. This part of the festival is an over-18’s, ticketed event. Tickets are $45 or $30 for concession, book here.
Icon Water Run for your Lifeline
Where: Patrick White Lawns
When: From 5 am
In its fourth year, Run for your Lifeline is on this Saturday. This event includes 5 km and 10 km races as well as half & full marathons, all run around Lake Burley Giffin. The money raised from your registration goes to supporting Canberra’s local 13 11 14 crisis support and suicide prevention phone line. There will be coffee, food and kids activities at Race HQ. Check out all the details for race day here.
Sunday
Farm Gate Markets
Where: Piallago Estate
When: 12 – 7 pm
Yes, Piallago Estate is still open after its recent fire and this Sunday it is putting on a Market Day in the main paddock. There will be local stallholders presenting their gourmet food, wine and spirits, a petting zoo, live music, coffee and hot food, and activities for the kids.
Soundwaves in Space
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: 2:30 – 4 pm
For a chilled out Sunday afternoon, head to the Portrait Gallery to experience an ambient aural experience. Christopher Chapman, Senior Curator at the Gallery will be looping soft environmental recordings with gentle percussive and synthesiser elements. Come and go as you please.
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