20 September 2018

Ten things to do around Canberra this weekend (21–23 September)

| Zoe Pleasants
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Scott Chaseling, Adrift, 2017, cut glass construction, 300 x 300 x 300 cm. Photo: Hindmarsh Prize website.

The National Museum’s latest blockbuster exhibition—Rome: City & Empire—opens this weekend featuring 200 objects from the British Museum, and the Canberra Glassworks is displaying the works shortlisted for its annual Hindmarsh Prize in the Fitters Workshop in Kingston. Floriade continues, the Canberra Times fun is on, Palace Electric is screening films from the Korean Film Festival and the Canberra Moon Festival is on at Exhibition Park over the whole weekend. You could also enjoy high-tea in the courtyard gardens of Parliament House or admire German cars at Pialligo Estate.

All weekend

Floriade

Where: Commonwealth Park
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Floriade continues this weekend with its celebration of Pop Culture. There are retro-inspired flowerbeds, as well as flowerbeds containing emojis, superheroes and Where’s Wally. Check out the details about the flowerbeds here and the program of events here.

Rome: City & Empire

Where: National Museum of Australia
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
The Museum’s latest blockbuster exhibition—Rome: City & Empire—opens this weekend and it features 200 ancient Roman objects from the British Museum. These objects date from the 9th century BC to the 6th century AD and tell the story of both emperors, generals and powerful men of ancient Rome as well as the ordinary men, women and children. The exhibition is exclusive to the National Museum of Australia and is here until February. Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for concession, $16 for Museum member and $12 for a child. Book here.

Hindmarsh Prize

Where: Canberra Glassworks
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
The Hindmarsh Prize is an annual glass prize for glass artists who live and practice in the ACT and region. Last year’s prize was won by Scott Chaseling for his work Adrift. The prize is supported by arts patron John Hindmarsh AM and the Canberra Glassworks and this year’s prize includes $10,000 and a four-week residency at the Canberra Glassworks. In addition, the works of all finalists will travel to Japan to be exhibited at the Toyama Glass Museum after the exhibition finishes in Canberra. The works shortlisted for this year’s prize go on display this weekend, in the Fitters Workshop next to the Glassworks, and will remain on display until the beginning of October. The winner will be announced at 6 pm on Friday.

Canberra Moon Festival

Where: Exhibition Park
When: Friday 3 – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 10 pm & Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
The Canberra Moon Festival returns bigger and better this year. It has expanded to a three-day festival and has moved to Exhibition Park. A moon festival is a traditional mid-autumn festival held in many countries across south-east Asia where families gather and celebrate the harvest with lanterns and mooncakes. At the Canberra Moon Festival, there will be food stalls selling many versions of mooncakes (as well as more substantial meals); a cosplay party and contest on Friday night; an attempt to make Australia’s biggest mooncake; cultural performances including Dragon and Lion dancing, Peking Opera, and K-pop, Bollywood and traditional Chinese dancing; a talent show, lantern making; bilingual story-telling sessions; a Ferris wheel; carnival games and pony rides.

Korean Film Festival

Where: Palace Electric
When: Friday 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday 4 & 7 pm
Palace Electric is screening a selection of films from the Korean Film Festival this weekend. In its 9th year, the Korean Film Festival includes big-budget blockbuster films, gripping indie flicks, rom-coms, pop culture musings and more. The following selection of films will be shown:

Spring Tea in the Courtyards

Where: Parliament House
When: Saturday & Sunday 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Parliament House is hosting spring tea in its blossoming courtyard gardens this weekend. Enjoy a glass of bubbly with sweet and savoury delicacies created by Parliament House’s Executive Chef. Tickets are $75, book here.

Strong and Brave

Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday & Sunday 11 am, 12:15 pm & 1:30 pm
QL2, Canberra’s youth contemporary dance company, has created a dance work inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s exhibition So Fine. The work seeks to embody the strength and courage women have shown in Australia history. QL2 will be performing this work at the Portrait Gallery this weekend.

Friday

Talk: A Dubious Decision…A Disturbing Result

Where: National Film and Sound Archive
When: 6 pm
ABC Radio’s David Kilby is presenting an entertaining exposé of Australian disc jockeys who couldn’t resist cutting a record featuring their own vocals this Friday. But be warned—there are good reasons why you may never have heard some of these ‘shockers’ before! This event is free but you’ll need to book.

Sunday

Canberra Times Fun Run

Where: Rond Terrace
When: From 7 am
The Canberra Times Fun Run is on this Sunday and for those of you who regularly run this event, you’ll notice a few changes this year. There is no 14 km run this year—the longest distance is 10 km. And new this year, in addition to the 5 km event, is a 1 km event for kids and a 5 km paw parade event. The other big change is the route for the 10 km event doesn’t include Adelaide Avenue. This year, the start line for the 10 km run is Wendouree Dr, Parkes (near the finish line) but the start line for the 5 km event is still at King George Terrace in front of Old Parliament House. The finish line for all events and the event village is at Rond Terrace. If you haven’t already registered you need to do so by Saturday. More event information and register here.

German Auto Day

Where: Piallago Estate
When: 10 am – 3 pm
Get your fix of German cars and motorbikes this Sunday at Piallago Estate—Porsche, Mercedes Benz, BMW, VW and Audi—some old and rare, all cleaned and polished. Piallago’s Farm Gate Markets will also be on with a range of local stallholders showcasing gourmet food, wine and spirits.

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