Ten things to do in Canberra this week (16 – 22 July)

With increasing border restrictions around the country, Canberrans pretty much have no option other than to stay in the capital for the coming week.

Luckily, there’s plenty happening to keep you occupied even as we shiver through the depths of Canberra’s winter.

If you haven’t seen Reflections of My Country yet, it’s well worth a visit, as are the Yass Community Markets if Canberra is starting to give you cabin fever.

You can truly escape with Winter Levels and the Super Rats’ Eastern European melodies at Gang Gang Cafe.

Take the whole family along to see the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular or let the kids try out some free classes at Kulture Break.

Dance lovers will enjoy seeing some of the city’s youngest talent shine in Unveiled or check out Bangarra Dance Theatre in SandSong.

Want to laugh? See Growing Pains at Smith’s Alternative.

Why not head along to the National Library to learn about Bennelong, the first significant Indigenous interlocutor in New South Wales.

Rug up warm while you head out to Glebe Park for Wuthering Heights Day, and be sure to drop DVCS a donation, too.

Have a great week, Canberra … but be sure to stay up to date with the latest from events organisers to avoid disappointment due to COVID.

All week

Reflections of My Country

When: Friday 9 July to 15 August
Where: Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank Belconnen
Cost: Free

Duncan Smith presents an exploration of Wiradjuri Country using traditional ochre and acrylic paints on board. His works reflect rivers, waterholes, meeting places, animals, trees, grinding stones, artefacts, scar tree patterns and land patterns.

Sesame Street Circus Spectacular

When: Friday 25 June to Monday 2 August, various times
Where: Majura Park Shopping Centre (opposite Costco) – Majura Park
Cost: $40-$80; tickets from Ticketmaster.

Sesame Street Circus Spectacular has already wowed Canberra audiences over the past few weeks and isn’t showing signs of stopping (well, until 2 August at least).

This 90-minute circus spectacular features incredible performers from all over the globe joined by all of your favourite Sesame Street characters.

All weekend

SandSong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert

When: Thursday 15 July to Saturday 17 July, 7:30 pm (extra show at 1:30 pm on Saturday)
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
Cost: $40-$79 + $5.95 booking fee; book at Canberra Theatre.

SandSong is a journey into ancient story systems framed against the backdrop of ever-changing government policy and the survival of people determined to hold strong to their Culture.

Unveiled

When: Friday 16 July and Saturday 17 July, 7:00 pm
Where: Erindale Theatre, Canberra
Cost: $35 to $50; book at Sticky Tickets.

This otherworldly tale revolves around Giselle, a young woman fatally betrayed by the smooth-talking Albrecht. Beyond the veil, she becomes part of a plot for vengeance, leading her to reflect on the events and relationships in her life that shaped her.

Based around the traditional ballet, Unveiled deconstructs Giselle’s original plot through movement to reveal a more modern tale of infidelity, deception, depression and self-reliance, led by a cast of incredibly talented young performers.

Kulture Break Open Week

When: Monday 12 July to Saturday 17 July, various times
Where: Gold Creek Senior School, 130 Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls ACT or 115 Grattan Court, Wanniassa ACT.
Cost: Free event; register at Kulture Break.

Kulture Break, a Canberran dance and music institution, is opening its doors, for free, to any students who want to try something new this July.

Free classes will be available all week long and everyone is encouraged to try as many styles and classes as possible.

Growing Pains

When: Friday 16 July to Saturday 17 July, 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm, doors open 7:30 pm
Where: Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra
Cost: $20; book online.

Growing Pains is a collaboration between Chelsea Heaney and Sarah Ison that takes the audience on a journey through the chronology of their lives.

A show of half sketch, half stand up comedy, it will take you back in time, then forward, then to the present and then to our heroines’ less than glamorous future.

Saturday

Super Rats – Winter Levels

When: Saturday 17 July, 7:00 pm
Where: Gang Gang Cafe
Cost: $43.90, book online.

A midwinter’s evening with timeless eastern European melodies that your ears can snuggle into like a well-worn cosy jumper, a plate of hearty stew and a nip of the good stuff!

Super Rats and Gang Gang Cafe present ‘Winter Revels’ dinner and concert.

Yass Community Markets

When: First and third Saturday of every month, 10:00 am
Where: 62 Comur Street, Yass
Cost: Free entry. For more information, visit the Yass Valley event page.

Yass Community Market is held on the first and third Saturday of the month at the Yass Memorial Hall. Stalls include a variety of local produce, including jams, sauces, oils, and baked items, along with arts and crafts.

The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever

When: Saturday 17 July, 10:00 am for a 10:30 am start
Where: Canberra Theatre Foyer
Cost: Free; donations encouraged.

Wuthering Heights Day is an annual global dance event that raises money for charities and services that support women impacted by violence.

Canberra Cathies have been hard at work practising their steps to Kate Bush’s interpretive dance.

Friends and family are welcome to watch the dance, and all are encouraged to donate via the donations page, card, or cash on the day.

Thursday

NLA Fellowship presentation: Revising the Life of Bennelong

When: Thursday 22 July, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Where: National Library of Australia and streamed online via Facebook
Cost: Free; register at Sticky Tickets.

While Bennelong is a well-known name in Australia as the first significant Indigenous interlocutor with the founding governor of NSW, Arthur Phillip, he is still misunderstood by many.

In her presentation, 2021 National Library of Australia Fellow Professor Kate Fullagar aims to correct this by presenting neglected evidence about his later life.