Things to do in Canberra this week (21 - 27 July)

The Matildas take on Nigeria in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Queensland this week – but that doesn’t mean Canberra-based fans have to miss out, thanks to the University of Canberra!

Sporting fans will also get a kick out of Caribou CBR Brave taking on the Central Coast Rhinos in one of the last ice hockey games of the season at Phillip Ice Skating Centre.

For those who prefer the theatre to the stadium, comedy group Swag on the Beat, a stage adaptation of Are We There Yet? and Jane Campion’s films are all in town.

Plus, a festival for cat lovers, a special evening at the National Library, mosaic art workshops and a drop of live music to wash down this week’s entertainment.

Friday

Celebrate with Friends

When: Friday 21 July, 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Canberra
Cost: $55, book here.

Join the National Library of Australia for its mid-winter celebration to mark the new items on display in the Treasures Gallery. Enjoy a glass of bubbles, live piano music and hear from two of the library’s curators about their three favourite things in the Treasures Gallery. The galleries will be open to explore throughout the evening and curators will be available to answer questions.

Saturday

Are We There Yet?

When: Saturday 22 July, various times
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: $34.50 to $37.50 plus transaction fee, book here.

Join eight-year-old Grace and her family on their adventurous and funny expedition around Australia in this celebration of family, love and Australia’s diversity and beauty. Based on Alison Lester’s classic book, this adaptation by multi-award-winning playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer brings the story to life with song (and quokkas) for children aged three to 10 and their adults.

Rocking Down The Highway

When: Saturday 22 July, dinner from 6 pm and show from 8 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: $39.90 to $85.75 plus booking fee, book here.

Eagles tribute band The Heart of the Matter invite Canberrans to take a journey ‘down the highway’ with their favourite car songs, paired with a two-course meal dinner. Eagles songs like ‘Life in the Fast Lane’, ‘Heartache Tonight’, ‘Desperado’ and others will be performed alongside classics from Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, Paul Young, Chris Isaak, The Mavericks, The Cars and more.

Cat Fest 2023

When: Saturday 22 July, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Old Bus Depot, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston
Cost: $10 to $54.26, book here.

Described as “a festival to celebrate our feline overlords”, Cat Fest promises to return bigger and better than last year’s inaugural festival. Expect a lot more entertainment for cat lovers of all ages this year, including educational talks, a fancy dress competition (for humans and cats) and some celebrity appearances, along with the market stalls and games area that made last year a success.

Saturday and Sunday

Canberra Mosaic Lamp Making Workshop

When: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July, various times
Where: Yarramundi Cultural Centre, 245 Lady Denman Drive, Canberra
Cost: $89 to $119, book here.

Learn about traditional Turkish mosaic art from the comfort of Canberra with a mosaic lamp making workshop. During this 2.5-hour class, you will learn the techniques of this 500-year-old craft, including how to lay tile (tesserae) and selecting and assembling a geometric pattern template, while enjoying some complimentary Turkish delight and Turkish tea service.

Sunday

Caribou CBR Brave v Central Coast Rhinos

When: Sunday 23 July, 4:30 pm
Where: Phillip Ice Skating Centre, 1 Irving Street, Phillip
Cost: From $15, book here.

Caribou CBR Brave take on the Central Coast Rhinos for the 2023 Goodall Cup this weekend. Canberra’s team will hope to turn their luck around this Saturday after their 3-4 loss against Perth Thunder last weekend. Plus, the action is set to continue in the Brave Cave through to August, with Caribou CBR Brave taking on the Central Coast Rhinos for a second time next month.

Wednesday

Swag on the Beat: Unplugged

When: Wednesday 26 July, from 8 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: $51.09 plus transaction fee, book here.

Melbourne comedy sketch group Swag on the Beat bring their first-ever live show to Canberra this July. The former high-school mates Sam Zito, Jack Say and Isaac Gibbons rocketed to stardom after a lockdown TikTok post in their trademark laid-back relatable style, and since then they have amassed more than two million followers across TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

Thursday

Matildas vs Nigeria Watch Party

When: Thursday 27 July, 7 pm to 10 pm
Where: UC Refectory, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce
Cost: Free, book here.

Watch live as Sam Kerr and the Matildas take on Nigeria in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup – all from the comfort of the University of Canberra Refectory. The game will be projected onto a large indoor screen with plenty of seats and viewing areas. Plus, food and drink will be on sale and family-friendly activities will run throughout the night, including pop-up soccer and eSports.

All week long

Jane Campion Retrospective

When: Thursday 20 to Sunday 30 July, various times
Where: Arc Cinema, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: $10 to $30, book here.

Jane Campion – Her Way is a retrospective of films by pioneering director Jane Campion compiled by the National Film and Sound Archive. The program will include screenings of all nine of Campion’s feature films, as well as a selection of her short films and the Australian premiere of a new documentary about her life and career, titled Jane Campion: The Cinema Woman.