Floriade head gardener Tim Howard has been hard at work making sure this year’s event is ready to bloom in time for crowds. Photo: James Coleman.
There are treats for the stomach and food for the soul this week. Check out our top picks of things happening across the bush capital ranging from art exhibitions, a chance to get close to some scaly snake friends, the return of Floriade, a video-game-themed performance from a big band and much more.
Multiple days
National Portrait Gallery co-curator Emma Kindred with artist Joan Ross, NPG Director Bree Pickering and co-curator Coby Edgar. Photo: National Portrait Gallery.
Joan Ross: Those trees came back to me in my dreams
When: 24 August to 2 February 2025, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free entry.
Joan Ross: Those trees came back to me in my dreams places the ongoing impacts of colonisation under a microscope. In artworks spanning collage, printmaking, sculpture and video animation, the exhibition explores issues like climate change, greed and consumerism through a digital ‘cut and paste’ technique and Ross’s signature fluorescent yellow colour.
The show was curated collaboratively by Ross, Larrakia, Jingili, Anglo, Filipino curator Coby Edgar, and National Portrait Gallery curator Dr Emma Kindred. To prepare the exhibition, Ross was invited to select portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection and situate them alongside her artworks.
Floriade is returning to Canberra – just in time to bring some colour to the beginning of spring. Photo: James Coleman.
Floriade
When: 14 September to 13 October, events at various times; 3 October to 6 October, from 6:30 pm (NightFest only)
Where: Commonwealth Park, Canberra
Cost: Entry to the main Floriade event is free; individual tickets for NightFest cost between $27 and $35, while a family ticket costs $97 (children four and younger have free entry) and are available via Ticketek.
While the weather may have started warming up earlier than normal, Floriade gardeners have been hard at work preparing this year’s show since December last year when the bulbs arrived. But the wait is almost over – Floriade at Commonwealth Park opens to visitors this Saturday (14 September) and runs until the Great Bulb Dig Day (Monday, 13 October).
Among the flower-themed events happening over the next month is the Flowers in the Garden Tour. The historic gardens of Lanyon Homestead will be open to the public, showing a specially designed garden bed for Floriade inspired by the work of artist Sidney Nolan.
Head out onto Lake Burley Griffin and try some dragon boating. Photo: Dragon Boat ACT/Facebook.
Come and Try Dragon Boating
When: 14 September and 15 September, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Grevillea Park, Menindee Drive, Barton
Cost: Free entry.
If you’ve wondered what those people are doing out on Lake Burley Griffin in those special boats, this is your chance to get answers. Dragon Boat ACT is holding two free come-and-try days for anyone interested (attendees must be 12 or older).
The sessions will also feature a free barbeque, music and, of course, a chance for you to try your hand at dragon boating. With 20 paddlers to a boat, it’s not the fittest or strongest team that succeeds on the water – it’s the team that works as a single force. All equipment will be provided and no experience is necessary.
Friday
This four-course dinner will come with matching wines. Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Long Rail Gully Wine Dinner
When: 13 September, from 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: Tickets cost $95 per person and are available via the venue’s online booking system.
Head to Woden for a four-course dinner you’ll never forget! In a menu prepared by Executive Chef Suneel Gadipelli, the evening will include oysters, heirloom beats with whipped stracciatella and a strawberry dressing, Riverina lamb with trimmings, and chocolate pudding for dessert. Each course is matched with wines from Canberra’s cool climate wine region – coming right from Murrumbateman’s Long Rail Gully Wines.
You’re invited to the opening of Canberra’s newest gallery. Photo: Q Gallery.
Q Gallery launch
When: 13 September, 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: Q Gallery, 13a Edgar Street, Ainslie
Cost: Free entry.
Art fans from across Canberra are invited to the launch of Q Gallery, a hub for creative and wellness enthusiasts. The party will combine art, refreshments and a chance to make some new friends, so head along and be inspired.
How many of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards shortlist have you read? Photo: National Library of Australia.
In Conversation: 2024 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards winners
When: 13 September, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Canberra
Cost: Tickets cost $22 (for concession holders and National Library Friends) or $25 (for the general public) and are available via StickyTickets.
The winners of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards will be announced on 12 September. The winners will be in Canberra for a chat with the Artistic Director of the Canberra Writers Festival, Beejay Silcox, about how they went about creating their award-winning works. Following the discussion, the authors will be available to sign their books in the Foyer.
The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards were established in 2008 to recognise individual excellence and the contribution Australian authors make to the nation’s cultural and intellectual life. This is the second year that Creative Australia has delivered the awards. This event is presented in partnership with the Canberra Writers Festival and Creative Australia.
Did your favourites make the shortlight – or the winner’s list?
Saturday
It’s Canberra versus Queensland in round three. Photo: Volleyball Australia.
Canberra Heat v Queensland Pirates
When: 14 September, first serve at 5 pm
Where: Lyneham Hockey Centre, 196 Mouat St, Lyneham
Cost: Tickets cost $6 (for those under 15) or $13.50 (for an adult) and are available via Volleyball ACT.
Round three of the Australian Volleyball Super League is approaching. The Queensland Pirates will seek to raid Lyneham for victory – but will the Canberra Heat bring the fire?
Spice up your evening with some live (video game-themed) music. Photo: Vanessa Hooley.
64-Bit Big Band Videogame Music Night
When: 14 September, 6:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Zeppelin Room, Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah
Cost: Tickets cost between $20 and $25 and are available via Humanitix.
Many of us grew up playing video games (or maybe just fighting with our siblings for time on the controllers), but one thing that we’ll always remember will be the scores. ConneXion Big Band will bring computer game music to life, performing pieces that will transport you to a wide range of video game worlds.
Community Day is your chance to check out all that Mogo Wildlife Park has to offer. Image: Australian Wildlife Parks.
Mogo Wildlife Park 2024 Community Day
When: 14 September, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Mogo Wildlife Park, 222 Tomakin Road, Mogo
Cost: General admission tickets cost $15 and are available online.
Mogo Wildlife Park is opening the gates for their annual Eurobodalla Community Day! The day has a discounted entry price of $15, with the young and young-at-heart able to travel to Mogo and make some new animal friends (or say hello to your old friends from your last visit). This special event is a way to bring the community together for a day of celebration, connection, and appreciation. Bookings are recommended, and attendees can choose their arrival window of 9 am, 11 am or 1 pm.
Take a look at what life at the University of Canberra can be like. Image: University of Canberra.
UC Open Day 2024
When: 14 September, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Building 1, University of Canberra, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce
Cost: Free entry, though attendees can register via Eventbrite.
Whether you’re finishing high school or looking to come back to study, this is where you can have your questions about studying at the University of Canberra (UC) answered. See what UC has to offer by taking a tour of campus and the facilities you’d use during your degree. When you need to refuel, grab a coffee, a bite to eat – or track down some of their famous blue donuts!
Sunday
This is one show not for the faint-hearted! Photo: Andrew Ly.
Live Snake Demonstration with Gavin Smith
When: 15 September, 11 am to 12 pm
Where: The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn
Cost: Family tickets cost $20 (plus booking fee) and are available via Humanitix.
Come and explore the fascinating world of snakes with Professor Gavin Smith. Professor Smith will lead a talk about snakes – but don’t worry, you won’t be made to hold one.
Wednesday
Elisha Adisa (drums), George Butler (saxophone) and Cian Boesen (guitar) at the Friends of the School of Music Ensemble Prize 2024. Photo: Yun Hu.
Student lunchtime concert
When: 18 September, 1 pm to 2 pm
Where: The Big Band Room, Peter Karmel Building (Building 121), ANU School of Music, 4 Childers Street, Acton
Cost: People can choose between free entry or paying $10 or $20, with tickets available via Humanitix.
Relax during your lunch break with some music! Students at the ANU School of Music will perform jazz and contemporary music in this lunchtime concert. All proceeds from the concert will go to the ANU School of Music Community Outreach Fund, which promotes access to musical experiences for all members of the Canberra community.
Thursday
This dinner will celebrate local wines (and there will be plenty of delicious food). Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Brindabella Hills Wine Dinner
When: 19 September, from 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong, corner of Pitman Street and Holwell Street, Greenway
Cost: Tickets cost $95 per person and are available via the venue’s online booking system.
This is one evening you won’t need to cook dinner for! Brindabella Hills Winery’s premium range of wines will be expertly matched to a four-course meal prepared by Chef Maria Le. The menu includes prawns with miso aioli, a slow-cooked pork belly and a roast lamb with trimmings. But leave room for dessert – it’s a mouthwatering mandarin and vanilla tart.
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