Glass-blowing and mind-blowing: National Science Week in the ACT kicks off at the Glassworks. Photo: Supplied.
National Science Week: glassmaking live at Canberra Glassworks
When: Saturday 13 August to Sunday 14 August, 11 am to 12 pm, 2 pm to 3 pm (repeated next weekend)
Where: Canberra Glassworks, Kingston
How much: Free.
How are fibre-optic cables made? How is glass coloured? What’s a Prince Rupert’s drop, and why is it called that? Discover everything about glassmaking as Canberra Glassworks puts on demonstrations with some of Australia’s leading glass artists for National Science Week.
Get up close to some show-ready Harleys at Saturday’s open day. Photo: Vlad Hilitanu.
Independence Day: Harley-Davidsons and burgers
When: Saturday 13 August, 8 am
Where: Harley-Davidson Canberra, 281 Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick
How much: Free.
They’re loud, they’re brash – and we all kinda wonder if we’d look good on one, right? There’s a family-friendly celebration of Harley-Davidsons at Canberra’s Harley dealership with food trucks and a show and shine, with prizes awarded for the most stunning bikes in four categories.
Is pottery-making your new hobby? Image: Supplied.
Fired Up Winter Festival: pottery-making, selling and food
When: Saturday 13 August, 3 pm to 8 pm
Where: Watson Arts Centre, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson
How much: Gold coin donation.
After last year’s successful event, Canberra Potters is back with another festival of pottery making! You’ll be able to watch ceramic artists create pieces in front of your eyes and browse for your next handmade coffee table bowl. There’ll also be live music, entertainment like wheel-hurling, and food and drink stalls.
We did a double-take, too. Photo: Supplied.
This is Elvis at Canberra Theatre
When: Sunday 14 August, 8 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
How much: $85.95; get your tickets here.
We’ve had Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie hit the cinemas, but what if you want a more realistic experience? In 2012, Elvis tribute Ben Portsmouth won the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, taking the crown as the Worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, an accolade never-won by a quiff-ed performer outside of the US. A year later, Ben performed on David Letterman’s Late Show for Elvis Week. Now he’s in Canberra as part of a 45th-anniversary commemoration tour around Australia. Portsmouth will be performing as The King at Canberra Theatre. It’s now or never!
If only all science lessons had happened at the pub. Photo: Supplied.
Dark Matter in the Pub
When: Sunday 14 August, 7 pm
Where: Smith’s Alternative, Melbourne Building, Civic
How much: Free.
The pub’s home to some of the best discussions, so where better a place to talk about one of the greatest mysteries in science? Dark matter is the invisible substance that scientists believe to be around galaxies, determining how they rotate – but where else is it?
Sit back on the sofas at Smith’s Alternative and hear a group of Australian researchers – including astronomers, particle and nuclear physicists and engineers – give eight short talks about their current quest to detect dark matter in an old mine shaft in Victoria.
The world-renowned Sheku Kanneh-Mason is coming to Canberra. Photo: Jake Turney.
A family affair: Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the Kanneh-Masons
When: Sunday 14 August, 7 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
How much: $84.95 to $124.95; get your tickets here.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason won BBC’s Young Musician in 2016, became the first cellist in history to hit the top 10 of the UK album charts, and at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, he performed to an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion.
He’s also just one member of what’s a modern-day Von Trapp family, with Simon Cowell calling the Kanneh-Masons the world’s most talented family on Britain’s Got Talent. And they’re now on their first Australian tour – with Sheku and his siblings Isata (26), Braimah (24), Konya (22), Jeneba (19), Aminata (16) and Mariautu (13) all performing works from popular composers in Canberra this weekend.
From jewellery to homewares, food and fashion, the Old Bus Depot Markets have something for everyone. But did you know they were themed? Photo: Old Bus Depot Markets.
Collectables Sunday at Old Bus Depot Markets
When: Sunday 7 August, 9:30 am to 5 pm
Where: Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston.
How much: Free.
Every week has a flavour at Canberra’s Old Bus Depot Markets – and this week is Collectables Sunday! There’ll be a range of antiques and collectibles for sale and a show of hot rods out the front. Check out the other regular Sunday markets in Canberra, including Haig Park Village Markets, Trash and Treasure Market and Tuggeranong Bric’a’Brac and Rummage.
The closing night of the Canberra Writers Festival will share some personal epiphanies from iconic Australians. Image: Supplied.
Canberra Writers Festival
When: until Sunday 14 August, various times. Final special event: Thursday 18 August, 11 am to 1 pm
Where: various locations
How much: $25 to $90, depending on the event. Check out tickets here.
Canberra’s foremost celebration of literature is in its last week, with a vast range of events – many of which are selling out fast. From discussions on issues from cancel culture and Henry Lawson to drug-running grannies, the closing night will feature nine movers and shakers including Indira Naidoo and Dr Norman Swan talking about those small, seemingly insignificant moments in life that change everything. Closing night isn’t quite the end, though – there will be a special encore on Thursday with Virginia Haussegger in conversation with John Howard.
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