Ten things to do in Canberra this week (9 - 15 July)

It’s the last weekend of the winter school holidays, and while they haven’t quite been the normal break most of us had anticipated, there’s still plenty going on to keep everybody busy (and warm).

The much-anticipated performance of Carmen is set to light up the stage at Canberra Theatre, while over at The Street Theatre, young people have some big questions to ask of adults.

Dust off your old racket and jump on court with some Wimbledon-inspired court sessions at Reid Tennis Club or experience the great public art Tuggeranong has to offer with a huge scavenger hunt.

Gather the whole family and check out Heart Strong at Belco Arts, learn about Canberra’s history through the eyes of a firefighter at Forrest Fire Station, or head out to Binalong for Community Markets.

Take the kids for a very special PlaySchool ABC Concert or music lovers – rug up warm and check out QT’s twilight sessions or experience the Roaring ’20s at Southern Cross Club.

Have a great week, everyone … but make sure you check with events organisers before heading out in case you know what gets in the way of your plans.

All weekend

Carmen

When: Thursday 8 July to Saturday 10 July, various times
Where: Canberra Theatre
Cost: $59.90 to $129.90, book online.

In Bizet’s famous opera, Carmen sings her sensual Habanera and lures Don José into her world. He gives up everything to follow her. But (spoiler alert) Carmen’s wandering eye has already found a new lover – the dashing bullfighter Escamillo.

Carmen is the femme fatale you can’t forget.

I’ve Been Meaning To Ask You

When: Friday 9 July to Saturday 10 July, various times
Where: The Street Theatre
Cost: $18 to $29; book online.

They asked. You answered. The next generation is about to drop some truths … and the mic!

Performed inside a theatre-turned-playground-turned-battleground, this is a riotous theatrical experience full of questions asked by young people and answered by adults.

Heart Strong at Belco Arts

When: Opening night 9 July, 6:00 pm. Exhibition open from 10 July to 15 August, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen
Cost: Free; see Belco Arts for more information.

Heart Strong at Belco Arts features new works by six strong Aboriginal women who currently reside on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra, where their individual stories come together.

Each artist uses their unique perspective to tell stories of Country, care, connection and strength.

PlaySchool ABC Concert – Let’s Play Together

When: Friday 9 July to Sunday 11 July, 10:00 am and 12:00 pm sessions
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden
Cost: Adult $22, child $22, babies under 12-months free. Tickets available at Canberra Southern Cross Club.

Everyone’s favourite children’s television show, Play School, is coming to Canberra these July school holidays with a brand new show, ‘Let’s Play Together’.

The brand new concert is all about fun and games with friends. Set in the Play School games room, the two presenters, Matt Backer and Emma Palmer, and the helpful toys discover different coloured boxes filled with surprises.

Saturday

Wimbledon-inspired Open Court Sessions

When: Saturday 10 July, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Where: Reid Tennis Club, 17A Dirrawan Gardens, Reid
Cost: $10 per person; tickets at Play Tennis.

Reid Tennis Club is celebrating the oldest tennis tournament in the world. Tennis activities will be running for the duration of the event. Drop-in for a hit or stay for the whole event.

There will be plenty of action happening off the court, including delicious Wimbledon-inspired food and beverages.

All welcome!

Public Art Treasure Hunt

When: Saturday 10 July, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: PeopleLab Hunt Headquarters
Cost: Free; see Facebook for more information.

Have you noticed that really nice tree near the lake? That tree – along with many other pieces of ‘underlooked beauty’ – is about to be transformed into a piece of valuable art.

It’s all thanks to the power of white gallery labels and you.

Forrest Fire Station Open Day

When: Saturday 10 July, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Forrest Fire Station, Empire Circuit, Forrest
Cost: Donations appreciated; register on Facebook.

Come and visit the historic Forrest Fire Station, which opened in 1939.

See equipment, uniforms and vehicles from every decade of the ACT’s 108 extraordinary years of firefighting history.

Enjoy our exhibitions and take a tour to discover astonishing stories of Canberra’s past from a firefighter’s perspective.

Sunday

Binalong Community Markets

When: Sunday 11 July, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Cafe on Queen, 13 Queen Street, Binalong
Cost: Free entry; for more information, visit the Yass Valley event page.

If you haven’t been to Binalong for a while, why not stop by and check out their beautiful town and the unique and create markets held every second Sunday of the month?

QT Twilight Sessions

When: Sunday 11 July, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: QT Deck, QT Canberra
Cost: Free entry; see QT Canberra for more information.

It’s no secret that Canberra gets a little more than ‘chilly’ in the winter. Instead of hiding and hibernating, QT is bringing a little bit of music and mulled wine to your Sundays.

Alex Gibson will perform on Sunday, 11 July.

Geoff Power’s Great Gatsby Orchestra – Jazz at Jamison

When: Sunday 11 July, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Jamison Southern Cross Club
Cost: Free; bookings encouraged.

The Roaring 20s come to ‘Jazz at Jamison’ in July with Geoff Power’s Great Gatsby Orchestra!

Don’t miss this acclaimed 11-piece orchestra, playing hot jazz, dance music and novelty songs from the 1920s and 30s and into the Swing Era.