Ten things to do in Canberra this week (11 February - 17 February)

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and there is something for everyone. Take your date to a live music performance or for a stroll around the Greek market. If you’re cooking enthusiasts, you will definitely enjoy seeing Analiese Gregory (from SBS show A Girl’s Guide to Hunting, Fishing and Wild Cooking) cook live in Dickson for the Lunar New Year celebrations. Couples can catch a movie together, like the all-time classic The Princess Bride, or if you’re anti-Valentine’s Day, catch the Tarantino classic double feature.

All week

Canberra Pro Tour

When: Tuesday 8 February to Sunday 13 February, from 10 am
Where: Canberra Tennis Centre, 1 Riggall Place Lyneham
Cost: Free entry.

The Canberra Pro Tour #1 kicks off on Tuesday 8 February at the Canberra Tennis Centre and features a host of top players as they continue their summer of tennis campaign in the nation’s capital.

All weekend

Lifeline Canberra’s EPIC 50th Birthday Bookfair

When: Friday 11 February to Sunday 13 February
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell
Cost: Entry via gold coin donation (tap and go facilities also available)

It’s back! Lifeline Canberra’s famous bookfair is returning to EPIC for its 50th birthday celebration. There’ll be plenty for everyone to find with more stock than ever.

Saturday

SBS presents Lunar New Year Cooking Demonstration with Analiese Gregory

When: Saturday 12 February, 5 pm
Where: Your place!
Cost: Free – the event is sold out, but you don’t have to miss out. Watch the live stream on the Riotact Facebook page at 5 pm.

Two cooking demonstrations, headlined by SBS chef Analiese Gregory, are taking place on Woolley Street, Dickson, to celebrate Lunar New Year. Analiese is a Tasmanian-based chef of Chinese background who hosts A Girl’s Guide to Hunting, Fishing and Wild Cooking with Analiese Gregory on SBS Food.

She will demonstrate how to cook XO abalone noodles for a live audience. Inspired by the noodle dishes her mum used to make for them growing up and her diving adventures in Tasmania, this is a dish Analiese often makes for friends around Lunar New Year.

The demonstration is sold out, but it will be live-streamed from Woolley Street to the Riotact Facebook page at 5 pm.

Greek Cultural Festival and Wine Market – The Agora

When: Saturday 12 February, 90-minute sessions between 10:30 am till 6:30 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cres, Acton
Cost: Non-drinkers and under-18s free. Tasting glass: $15 adult, $12.50 concession, $10 Museum Friends. Get your tickets here.

More than just a market, the Agora was the centre of athletics, social, spiritual and political life in ancient Greece. The National Museum will celebrate everything Greek and Greek-Australian with local artists and importers bringing clothing, sweets and pastries, jewellery, perfumes, beauty products and, of course, wine. Greek food will be served by Broadbean Catering and other local suppliers in the Forecourt Garden. Visit the market, take part in a debate, watch live music and dance performances or enjoy a specific wine tasting event at Canberra’s Cellar Door Market as the evening draws to a close. More information on the National Museum of Australia website.

Sunday

Wanderlust 30th Anniversary In Concert

When: Sunday 13 February, 4 pm
Where: The Street Theatre, 15 Childers St
Cost: Standard: $35, Concession: $32, Student: $29. Get your tickets here.

One of Australia’s most innovative jazz bands, Wanderlust combines global beats with jazz improvisation to create a journey of sound. With highly original compositions and new additions to their repertoire, superb ensemble work and imaginative improvisation, Wanderlust celebrates 30 years of music-making around the world with a six-piece band and soloists. Wanderlust launched on stage in 1991. Since then, they have appeared at many major European jazz festivals and venues in Australia, China, Japan and Europe.

Galentine’s Day Film: the Witches of Eastwick

When: Sunday 13 February, 6 pm
Where: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, New Acton
Cost: $35/$28. Get your tickets here.

Galentine’s Day takes place on February 13, a day before Valentine’s Day. This day is dedicated to celebrating how much you love your lady friends, no matter whether they’re single or not. For this special day, the National Film and Sound Archive is screening The Witches of Eastwick.

Starring Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jack Nicholson, this was George Miller’s first full-length Hollywood studio movie since the Mad Max trilogy. This film could either be seen as a feminist manifesto or as a story about men keeping women in their place with supernatural overtones. The film has definitely earned its place as a classic and is a great option for a night out with friends. The tickets include a drink on arrival.

Hayley Jensen: Breaking Hearts tour

When: Sunday 13 February, 8 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden
Cost: From $21 / Dinner and show: $59. Get your tickets here.

Hayley Jensen has won millions of fans since 1999. She rose to fame as a finalist on Australian Idol and has built a successful career beyond television as a country-pop songstress and entertainer. She has worked with a Grammy Award-winning producer in Nashville and performed at concerts in Australia, the UK and Canada, including Calgary Stampede and Dauphin’s Country Festival, and was the only Australian in both line-ups. Hayley’s biggest tour yet is set to kick off in 2022 to celebrate the release of her highly anticipated 4th studio album, Breaking Hearts.

Monday (Valentine’s Day!)

Valentine’s Day Film: The Princess Bride 35th Anniversary

When: Monday 14 February, 5:45 pm
Where: Palace Electric, NewActon
Cost: $18. Get your tickets here.

Enjoy an evening of romance with one of the most romantic films ever screened and a glass of prosecco upon arrival. Fly solo or bring your significant other for a unique, intimate screening. This 1987 American fantasy romance film spawned a 1000 memes and stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant and Christopher Guest. It tells the story of a farmhand named Westley, accompanied by those he befriends along the way, who must rescue Princess Buttercup from Prince Humperdinck. The film is number 50 on Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies list, number 88 on The American Film Institute’s 100 Years … 100 Passions list of the 100 greatest film love stories.

Anti-Valentine’s Day Film: Double Kill Bill

When: Monday 14 February, 5:45 pm
Where: Dendy Cinemas, Canberra Centre
Cost: $18. Get your tickets here.

If you’re not a fan of the love-mongering of Valentine’s Day, this plan might be right up your alley. Dendy’s Anti-Valentine’s double feature screening offers 4 hours of non-apologetic action for a very different Valentine’s day. The Bride (Uma Thurman) wakes from a coma four years after her ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) attempted to murder her on her wedding day. With an insatiable desire for revenge, she vows to get even with every person who contributed to the loss of her unborn child, her entire wedding party and four years of her life.

Thursday

Gorman Sessions: Pheno + Sebastian Field + Lily Morris

When: Thursday 17 February, from 11:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Ainslie Arts Centre: Ainslie Main Hall
Cost: $10-$20 + booking fee. Get your tickets here.

PHENO (aka Jess Green) is an Australian electric guitarist, vocalist and composer who has opened for Joan as Policewoman (US) and The New Pornographers (CAN), as well as local artists Moaning Lisa and Odette. Sebastian Field promises to deliver a live performance filled with processed guitar textures and lo-fi compositions, while Lily Morris is a singer-songwriter from Braidwood who writes in a variety of styles. She writes about growing up, her hometown and the things that go through her mind at night. More information on the Ainslie Arts Centre website.