16 August 2019

Ten things to do around Canberra this weekend (16–18 August)

| Zoe Pleasants
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dressmaker event

This is the last weekend to catch The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition. Photo: NFSA.

This weekend National Science Week, the Stronger Than Fiction Film Festival and the National Film and Sound Archive’s Dressmaker Costume Exhibition are winding up but The Street Theatre’s latest production, Metaphoris opens. On Saturday, the National Museum is taking its favourite old cars out for a spin at the Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn, there will be a slow fashion market at Albert Hall and a family bike riding day in the Turner Parklands. On Sunday, Rutherglen is visiting Pialligo Estate and Andrea Lam will be performing with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra.

All weekend

Stronger Than Fiction Film Festival

Where: Dendy Cinema
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
It’s the last weekend to catch films from the Stronger than Fiction film festival. The festival is showing a program of encore screenings of the audience’s top ten favourite films from the festival—five were shown last weekend, this weekend you can see:

Tickets are $19.50 for adults, $16 for concession, $14.50 for students, $14 for children and $13.50 for seniors. Book here.

Metamorphosis

Where: The Street Theatre
When: Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm
The Street Theatre’s latest production, Metamorphosis opens this weekend and runs until 31 August. Directed by Adam Broinowski, this play has been adapted from Franz Kafka’s seminal novel by Steven Berkoff. It tells the story of Gregor Samsa who is a young man with a bright future. He has served as a soldier, he works hard and is always polite. He plans to support her sister’s violin education and keep his parents in the comfort they have become accustomed to in their retirement. But one day, Gregor oversleeps his alarm and wakes up from unsettling dreams to find himself changed into a gigantic insect! This is a tale of alienation that still remains relevant today. Staring Christopher Samuel Carroll, Stefanie Lekkas, Ruth Pieloor and Dylan Van Den Berg. Tickets are $45 for adults, $42 for concession, $35 for students, book here.

Friday

Power Dressers

Where: National Film and Sound Archive
When: 10:30 am & 6 pm
It’s the last weekend to catch the NFSA’s The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition which closes this Sunday. This Friday the NFSA is celebrating the final weekend by screening The Dressmaker in the morning (10 am) and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries in the evening (6 pm). Both films feature fantastic costumes designed by Marion Boyce and Marion will be on hand to answer questions after both screenings. Tickets are $10, book here.

Love & Grief

Where: Albert Hall
When: 7:30 pm
Salut! is a chamber orchestra led by artistic directors Sally Melhuish and Tim Blomfield which specialises in performing baroque music. They are returning to Canberra this Friday evening to perform works by Vivaldi, Purcell, Handel, Monteverdi, Marais and Scarlatti that explore the themes of love and grief. Tickets are $45 for adults and $40 for concession book here.

Stargazing Soiree

Where: Fellow Oval, ANU
When: 6–9 pm
As National Science Week draws to a close, the ANU Astronomy Society is hosting an evening under the stars this Friday. There will be a number of fancy telescopes to look through, food trucks and free hot chocolate. Pack a picnic rug, warm clothes and maybe some blankets so you can last the distance.

Saturday

The Slow Fashion Market

Where: Albert Hall
When: 10 am–3 pm
Slow-fashion is a movement that is putting the brakes on the over-production, over-consumption and over-disposal of clothes. The Slow Fashion Market is coming to Canberra this Saturday. It will be a curated market of local and sustainable fashion brands. Check out which brands will be at the market here.

A Chequered Past

Where: Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn
When: 10 am–3 pm
The Saturday, the National Museum is taking some of the most significant vehicles in its collection up to the Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn for a spin! This collection includes:

  • Brabham BT23A-1 Repco V8, 1967, built and raced by Formula One legend, Jack Brabham
  • The Sundowner Bean 14hp car, 1925, driven by Francis Birtles on his record-breaking journey from London to Melbourne in 1927
  • Model-T Ford truck, 1924–26, used to promote Aeroplane Jelly from 1978 to 1988
  • Australian Six, 1918, prototype demonstrator model designed by American Louis Chevrolet and Australian entrepreneur Frederick Gordon
  • 5CV ‘Type C’ torpedo Citroen, 1923, the first car driven around Australia by Nevill Westwood
  • The ‘Canberra’ car, Crossley Landaulette, 1926, a rare coach-built vehicle imported to Australia that was used by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) during their 1927 royal tour
  • DE 36hp Daimler Landaulette, 1948, used by Queen Elizabeth II during the 1954 royal tour
  • Model 48/215 Holden FX sedan, 1949, delivered on the eve of 24 February 1949, the day before these Holdens were released for sale to the general public
  • Ceremonial Land Rover ‘Special 88’, 1958, used on Vice Regal occasions in Queensland during the 1960s and 1970s.
  • Wolseley 1500 saloon, 1959, driven and meticulously looked after by one owner for over 50 years
  • Bentley ‘S’ Series 3, 1964, one of four luxurious Bentleys purchased by the Australian government in 1964 for ceremonial and VIP use. The Bentley was assigned to Sir Robert Menzies on his retirement in 1966, until his death in 1978
  • Holden Calais V sedan, 2017, The Calais is one of the last motor vehicles produced by Holden in Australia

Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for concession, book here.

Kids and Families Bike Riding Day

Where: Turner Parklands (between McCaughey & Watson Streets)
When: 10 am–2 pm
Haig Park Experiments and the Physical Activity Foundation are hosting a family bike riding day this Saturday in Turner Parklands. Makin Trax Australia will be setting up a temporary bike track and inviting kids and their families to enjoy a ride. Trek Bicycle Canberra will be on hand to conduct free bike maintenance checks and provide some tips for ongoing maintenance. Take part in a 15-minute bike riding safety sessions covering basic safe riding skills, how to choose safe routes and helmet checks. Local cycling organisations Canberra Off Road Cyclists, Pedal Power ACT and We Ride Australia will be on-site to chat about events, activities and opportunities for kids and families to participate in the local cycling community.

Sunday

Rutherglen in the City

Where: Pialligo Estate
When: 10 am–5 pm
Rutherglen in the City brings the wine and food of North East Victoria to Canberra. The festival will include over 100 wines to taste, masterclasses, live entertainment, picnics and platters. Tickets for a 3-hour tasting session are $35 and include a Spiegelau tasting glass to take home. Book here. Pialligo Estate gourmet picnics and platters will also be available—$45 for a two-person hamper—pre-order here.

Canberra Symphony Orchestra—Recital Three

Where: Great Hall, University House, ANU
When: 2 pm
The Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Recital Series is a relaxed, informal performance featuring a guest soloist in a one-hour concert that showcases the soloist’s instrument, their skill in playing it and their musical preferences. This concert will feature Andrea Lam on piano. Andrea will play:

  • JS Bach’s French Suite No. 5 in G major
  • Schumann’s Papillons, op. 2
  • Vivian Fung’s Glimpses for prepared piano (2006)
  • Stravinsky’s Three movements from Petrouchka

Tickets are $40 for adults and $29 if you are under 30, book here.

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Jeff Laundess8:21 pm 15 Aug 19

There’s the local rugby grand final @ Viking Park kicking off from around 930.

There’s a Pokémon Go special event this Saturday 17th August from 4pm to 7pm too, it’s Suicune Raid Day. If you’re interested in Pokémon Go there are various organised groups participating, more info available if you are interested.

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