The Bach Ensemble gives a stirring pair of performances in the coming week. Photo: LiveMusic.
Australian cinematic retrospectives, live performances about beloved royals, classical choirs, classic car showrooms and everything in between, it’s all on this week in Canberra.
Multiple Days
Australian cinema is the focus of this week’s NFSA program. Image: NFSA.
This week at the NFSA
When: 20 February to 22 February
Where: 1 McCoy Circuit Acton, Canberra
Cost: Tickets range from free to $16.
The NFSA has a stacked program this week to keep you entertained.
On Thursday, they continue their recent Batman theme with 1993’s Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, an animated film telling the story of the caped crusader as he attempts to clear his name.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit gothic, there will be a Friday night screening of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and a double feature of 1931’s Frankenstein and 1935’s Bride of Frankenstein on Saturday.
On Friday at 10 am, the NFSA will host a very special event delving into the often lost and forgotten history of Australian film. Screening a rare selection of surviving silent films from 1896 to 1930, presenters will explore the identification and research of early Australian cinema.
Savoy Dance turns 10 – help them celebrate! Image: Savoy Dance.
Savoy Dance 10
When: 21 February to 23 February
Where: Friday, 21 February, at the Ainslie Arts Centre from 7:30 to 11 pm; Saturday, 22 February, Louie Louie in Verity Lane from 7:30 pm, an “after-party” at Latin Dance Canberra will run from 11:30 pm to around 2:30 am; on Sunday, 23 February, the ‘winddown’ above the Duxton Pub in O’Connor from 7:30 pm to 11 pm
Cost: from $25 to $45, depending on the venue.
Ever wanted to try your hands – and feet – at a spot of swing dancing? Well, here’s your best chance.
Enjoy two jam-packed days of workshops offering intermediate through to advanced concepts in swing dance styles and three nights of cracking live and DJ music – and help Savoy Dance celebrate its 10th anniversary.
The Royal Canberra Show takes over the Capital for three days. Photo: Royal Canberra Show.
Royal Canberra Show
When: 21 February to 23 February, Friday/Saturday 8:30 am to 10 pm, Sunday 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra, Flemington Rd
Cost: Tickets from $13.27.
Three jam-packed days of events await at the Royal Canberra Show, with events for all ages and all tastes. Show-jumping, motorbike stunts, fireworks, the grand stock parade, fireworks, a farmyard nursery, stomach-churning rides, bumper cars, as well as drinks, a beer garden and food stalls with cuisine from all over the world.
It’d be easier to list the things they don’t have going on at the Royal Canberra Show … you can even milk a cow if that’s been sitting on your bucket list (geddit?) for a while.
Rare artefacts that illustrate the history of music and print. Photo: National Library of Australia.
Exhibition – The Excellencies of Musick: Highlights from the Jamie and Michael Kassler Collection
When: 21 February to 27 February, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Treasures Gallery, National Library of Australia, Parkes Place
Cost: Free entry, no booking required. For more information visit the National Library of Australia’s website.
Enter the musical world of Stuart and Georgian Britain, a world of concert-going music-makers and thinkers, printers and publishers.
This exhibition at the National Library of Australia features exquisite and intriguing rare prints, rare books and manuscripts dating from 17th to early 19th-century Britain. It will delight anyone interested in the history of music and the history and technology of books and printing.
This exhibition showcases highlights from the collection of musicologists and longstanding National Library patrons Dr Jamie Kassler and Dr Michael Kassler. Assembled over 50 years, their collection reflects their interests.
The flora of Australia in miniature. Photo: Eventfinda.
Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition
When: 22 February 9:30 am, 23 February 9:30 am to 4 pm
Where: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross St, Acton
Cost: Tickets are $5, door sales only.
The Australian Botanical Gardens is holding its annual Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition with over 40 Australian trees on display in the miniature form of bonsai.
Marvel at the skilful work of arborist-artists as they turn a towering gum into something small enough for the palm of your hand.
It’s a once-in-a-year display of a unique art form that has survived for over a millennium.
The exhibition will also include technique demonstrations at 11 am and 2 pm about training Australian plants as bonsai.
The best of Bach on for two days at St Christopher’s Cathedral. Photo: LiveMusic.
The Canberra Bach Ensemble sings ‘Herr, wie du willt!’ (Lord, as you will!)
When: 22 February 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, 23 February 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: St Christopher’s Cathedral, Cnr Franklin and Furneaux Sts, Manuka
Cost: Tickets from $24.50 to $74.50.
Join the Canberra Bach Ensemble for two hours of the timeless music of Johann Sebastian Bach, one of history’s most acclaimed and loved musicians. The ensemble will play four of Bach’s cantatas: BWV 111, 92, 73, and 72, taking you into the rich world of baroque music with a choir and orchestra of talented musicians.
Greta Claringbould (Soprano), Maartje Sevenster (Alto) Timothy Reynolds (Tenor) and Andrew Fysh (Bass) will be accompanied by an orchestra led by Stephen Freeman and directed by Andrew Koll.
Saturday
Car design throughout the decades is on display at Ollie’s Display Day. Photo: Eventbrite.
Ollie’s Garage Classic Car Display Day
When: 22 February, 9 am to 12 pm
Where: Ollies’ Garage, 72 Gladstone Street, Unit 1, Fyshwick
Cost: Tickets are $15; book now as they sell fast. Supervised kids under 12 enter free.
Ollie’s Garage is holding its monthly display day, where motor enthusiasts and the curious can see an amazing collection of stunning classic cars. For the aficionado of Australian motors, the collection covers 70 years of Holden history, an impressive display of classic Rolls Royce and Bentley vehicles, cars from the annals of Canberra motorsports history and heaps of memorabilia.
Escape to the country at Yarrah. Photo: WMD Group.
Open Day at Yarrah
When: Saturday 22 February, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 2 Nelson Street, Yass, NSW, 2582
Cost: Free.
The Yarrah sales team welcomes you to experience Yarrah for yourself this weekend. View the masterplans, available lots and House + Land packages.
You can also walk around the completed Stage 1 and Stage 2A areas, enjoy the river corridor and a free barbecue, light refreshments and face painting!
An Aussie music icon at the Belco Arts Centre. Image: Belconnen Arts Centre.
Alex Lloyd at the Belco Arts Centre
When: 22 February, 7 pm
Where: The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen
Cost: Tickets $49 concession, $59 adult.
The music of award-winning Australian singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd blends genres and styles to create a unique musical style that has earned him years of acclaim and respect since he first burst onto the music scene in the 90s.
He’s bringing that distinctive style and his captivating vocals to the Belco Arts Centre this Saturday. Book now as tickets will sell fast.
Experience the art of Argentinian barbeque with live cooking and a masterclass! Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Parrilla Tipi at the Yacht Club
When: 22 February, 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club
Cost: $135 Members Price / $160 Non-Members. Bookings essential.
Experience live cooking and a hands-on masterclass with Parrilla Chef Juan and Master Butcher Matthew Edouard-Betsy on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. There will also be live music and a premium drinks package.
Sunday
Join team Goodwin for the 2025 Memory Walk & Jog in Canberra. Photo: Goodwin.
2025 Memory Walk & Jog
When: Sunday 23 February, 7:30 am
Where: Barrine Drive, Lake Burley Griffin
Cost: $45 to 55. Kids 5 years and under free, dogs $10. Register today.
Dementia is a growing public health crisis and the second leading cause of death in Australians.
Goodwin is deeply committed to providing high-quality care for seniors and is proud to sponsor the 2025 Memory Walk & Jog.
Join Team Goodwin and help make a difference in the fight against dementia.
Tuesday
Join the Gift of Life walk to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Photo: Michelle Kroll
Gift of Life Walk 2025
When: Tuesday 25 February, 6:30 to 8:30am
Where: Lake Burley Griffin – meet at Rond Terrace, Canberra
Cost: Sign up for free via Gift of Life.
Bring your family, friends, colleagues and pets on a walk at Lake Burley Griffin to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Free barbecue, coffee, t-shirts, hats, dog bandanas and fun! The walk will be joined by Canberra United players and a DJ.
Thursday
Test your knowledge for a good cause at the RSPCA Trivia Night. Image: RSPCA ACT.
RSPCA ACT Trivia Night 2025
When: Thursday, 27 February, 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Hellenic Club of Canberra
Cost: $45 per person, or $450 for table of 10. Book tickets now.
You’re invited to test your knowledge at RSPCA ACT’s Trivia Night!
Join them for eight rounds of team trivia and battle for the illustrious RSPCA ACT Trivia Champions Trophy.
Score team prizes, enjoy a complimentary finger food platter on each table, order drinks and hot chips and wedges from the Hellenic Club Canberra bar and most importantly, support RSPCA ACT with all money raised going directly back into our Shelter.
You can book a table for a team of 10, or book individual seats at random tables.
Di in drag. Image: The Street.
Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story
When: 27 February, 7:30 pm
Where: The Street Theatre, 15 Childers St, City West ACT
Cost: Concession $55, adult $65.
Using drag, multimedia, audience interaction, and puppetry, performer Linus Karp tells the tragic and strange story of Princess Diana, from heaven, of course. This strange compelling post-mortem show takes the audience through the various twists and turns of the life of the people’s princess as she navigates the madness of marrying into the most famous family on earth.
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