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

This week marks the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 1915, with several ANZAC Day events for Canberrans to choose from this Tuesday.

On a lighter note, the week also includes a festival celebrating all things Africa, two comedy performances at Canberra Theatre Centre and a new program by Canberra Symphony Orchestra.

For the sports fans, CBR Brave hits the rink to take on Sydney, plus there are workshops hosted by First Nations artists, an upcoming oyster festival on the South Coast and more.

Saturday

Africa Festival in the Park

When: Saturday 22 April 2023, 10 am to 8 pm
Where: Commonwealth Park, Parkes
Cost: Free; book here.

Africa2Australia is bringing the African continent to the bush capital for the fourth time to celebrate Africa’s many cultures, traditions and people. The free family event will feature live entertainment on Stage 88, including dancing and drumming, fashion, and market and food stalls with a wide range of traditional African cuisines available to sample on the day.

CBR Brave v Sydney Ice Dogs Game

When: Saturday 22 April, from 5 pm
Where: Phillip Swimming & Ice Skating Centre, 1 Irving Street, Phillip
Cost: From $15; book here.

Fresh off the back of CBR Brave’s 5 – 3 win against the Central Coast Rhinos, the defending Goodall Cup champions will face off against Sydney’s Ice Dogs in the Brave Cave this April. Then from May, CBR Brave will take on the Newcastle Northstars, Sydney Bears, Brisbane Lightning, Melbourne Mustangs, Adelaide Adrenaline, Perth Thunder, Melbourne Ice and Central Coast Rhinos.

Belonging Weekend Artist Workshops

When: Saturday 22 April, 9:30 am to 12 pm and 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, 1 Lawson Crescent, Acton
Cost: From $43.66; book here.

Senior First Nations artists from Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait will host two hands-on creative workshops, using some of the materials and techniques featured in the Belonging Exhibition. Badu Art Centre will host the first workshop on linocut block printing, while Girringun Art Centre will host the second workshop on traditional and contemporary weaving.

Tuesday

Anzac Day in Canberra

When: Tuesday 25 April, various times
Where: Canberra, various locations
Cost: Free; see full event guide here to book tickets.

Commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 1915 and honour the Australians who have served and died in military operations by attending an Anzac Day event. Region has compiled an event guide to help Canberrans choose how to remember Australia’s service personnel, whether through the Australian War Memorial’s annual service or several other events.

Wednesday

Rhys Nicholson: Rhys! Rhys! Rhys!

When: Wednesday 26 April, from 8 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit
Cost: $39.90 plus transaction fee; book here.

Australian comedian, actor and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under judge Rhys Nicholson returns to Canberra off the back of winning the award for most outstanding show at the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. “Let’s squeeze as much cash out of this cow as possible. Lovely,” said Nicholson of the one-off Canberra performance of his critically acclaimed show.

Wednesday and Thursday

Canberra Symphony Orchestra presents Electric Blue

When: Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 April, from 7:30 pm
Where: Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music, Building 100, William Herbert Place
Cost: $17 to $109; book here.

Inspired by Derek Jarman’s film Blue, this program highlights personal responses to the colour. The four-part program features two world-premiering performances by Miriama Young and Harry Sdraulig (featuring CSO principal cellist Patrick Suthers) alongside Alexander Scriabin’s piano concerto and one of the greatest hits of classical music, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

Thursday

Andrew Sayers Memorial Lecture – Clanship

When: Thursday 27 April, 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: $35 to $45; book here.

Former Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic director Stephen Page will deliver this year’s Andrew Sayers Memorial Lecture. Drawing on his background in dance theatre and deep understanding of culture and community, Stephen will explore connections between the traditional and the contemporary and the interplay of music, design, choreography and costume to tell rich stories.

Equipping Australia’s Future

When: Thursday 27 April,
Where: The Commonwealth Club, 25 Forster Crescent, Yarralumla
Cost: $179 to $229; book here.

This industry luncheon by AmCham, voice of international business interests, brings together minds from industry and government. These include Defence Science and Technology Group’s Tanya Monro, Skykraft’s Dr Mark Skidmore, the Department of Industry, Sciences and Resources’ Lucas Rutherford, BSI Learning’s Kala Philip and CMAX Advisory’s Tyson Sara.

Thursday and Friday

Dylan Moran – We Got This

When: Thursday 27 and Friday 28 April, from 7:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: $89.90 to $99.90 plus transaction fee; book here.

BAFTA and Perrier award-winning comedian Dylan Moran brings his brand new show, We Got This, to Canberra for two nights only. The show explores the frustration and folly of modern-day life, with questions such as, how can it be you have spent 10 minutes staring at a banana? Also, learn how to make breakfast without even knowing you are out of bed (surely a life skill we all need to master).

Coming up

Narooma Oyster Festival

When: Friday 5 May to Sunday 7 May, various times; see the full program here
Where: Quota Park, Narooma, NSW
Cost: From $15; book here.

Celebrate the rock oyster on the NSW South Coast, the only place in the world where the delicacy naturally grows. The three-day program features a blend of food experiences and entertainment, beginning with a twilight affair and fireworks on Friday, a day of tastings, exploring and competition on Saturday, and then rounded out with a Sunday brunch at the Hangtown Fry at Club Narooma.