A multimedia artistic exploration of Australia and its history comes to the National Portrait Gallery Photo: National Portrait Gallery.
Delve into some democratic history at Parliament or check out some psychology, 60s band art, 80s teen comedies or biography launches. They’re all in the capital this week (so you don’t have to go far!)
Multiple Days
The ’60s, ’70s and ’80s music scene is coming to the NGA. Image: National Gallery of Australia
Enjoy This Trip: The Art of Music Posters
When: 22 to 28 November, during regular gallery hours
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Cost: Free.
Transport yourself to the 60s, 70s and 80s, one of the most exciting times for music and the art that made it famous. Sampling the huge collection of the gallery’s collection of musical artwork, you’ll get a nostalgic look into the groovy design that so easily transports you to the era of Nixon, the Rolling Stones and the Free Love movement. If you’re an authentic veteran of the summer of love or just an old soul, this exploration of graphic design, typography, music and eye-popping colour is worth it.
Joan Ross’s multimedia exploration of Australian Colonial history flips artwork of the era on its head. Photo: National Portrait Gallery.
Joan Ross: Those trees came back to me in my dreams
When: 22 to 28 November, during regular gallery hours
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free.
Joan Ross’ Those trees came back to me in my dreams is a lively, exciting multi-medium exhibit encompassing sculpture, video, collage and printmaking. Ross prods at Australian colonial history by manipulating colonial artworks with modern additions or by setting discordant subject matter against each other, creating a fascinating confluence of images that apart may seem unrelated but that together blend beautifully. Alongside Ross’ contemporary works are unaltered works from the colonial period, providing an opportunity to see Ross’ original subjects in their organic contexts.
Celebrate 12 women who fought for a more inclusive democracy. Image: Parliament of Australia
I am a new woman
When: 22 to 28 November, regular parliamentary opening hours
Where: Australian Parliament House
Cost: Free.
Learn about the history of the movement to enfranchise Australian women in I am a new woman. Alison Alder brings you a series of prints aimed at bringing life and colour to an often-forgotten part of the Australian democratic story. With an emphasis on quotes and photographs, the inspiring exhibit brings the struggles of women of all colours and backgrounds for representation to the forefront, and there’s no better place to host it than the seat of Australian democracy.
Canberra and Brisbane go head-to-head at Narrabundah. Photo: Canberra Cavalry.
Canberra Cavalry v Brisbane Bandits
When: Series runs between 28 November and 1 December
Where: Narrabundah Ballpark.
Cost: Adult $23, Concession $17, Child $12. Tickets are available on their ticketing website.
Round 3 will see the Cavs bring the action to Narrabundah Ballpark for their season home opener as they take on the Brisbane Bandits. There’s a stack of game day entertainment and events across the four days, so check out the Events calendar for the time that suits you.
Friday
Experience Questacon after dark for a vivacious celebration of science and pride! Photo: Questacon
SciNight: Refraction – Proud to be Curious
When: 22 November, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: $30 for adults / $23 for members and concessions. Tickets available online.
This LGBTQIA+ inclusive event is chock-full of great performances, activities and scientific demonstrations. There’s a little something for everyone; if you’re looking for a big flamboyant evening, then come to the drag performance or the colour show. Looking to learn? Come to the scientific hands-on demonstrations, or if you’re looking to relax, listen to Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ choir or go to the event’s dedicated quiet space.
Enjoy a disco night with DJ Sue at The Tradies on Friday night. Photo: The Tradies.
Disco night with DJ Sue
When: 22 November, from 8:30 pm
Where: The Tradies, 2 Badham Street Dickson
Cost: Free.
Get ready to groove to the best beats, let loose on the dance floor, and party with DJ Sue. Whether you’re a disco diva or a dance floor newbie, this is the night you don’t want to miss!
Saturday
Join the fun at Jacka Open Day on Saturday 23 November from 11 am to 3 pm. Image: Suburban Land Agency.
Jacka Open Day – Discover a community with plenty to love!
When: 23 November, 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Jacka playground, Zubrzycki Crescent Jacka (access from Horse Park Drive)
Cost: Free, find out more via Suburban Land Agency.
Join in for a day of family fun in Jacka’s newest playground and discover what this growing community has to offer! This free family event will include food, a variety of activities and an excellent line up of entertainment for all ages.
Squeaky Clean celebrates its birthday. Photo: Trent Poulos.
Squeaky clean bar laneway party
When: 23 November, 4 pm to 2 am
Where: Level 1, 45 Verity Lane, Canberra City
Cost: Free.
Squeaky clean bars birthday is here and they’re keen to put on a big bash. There’s live music, food and drinks flowing till late. Spill from the bar to the laneway and say cheers to a local bar quickly becoming a staple in town. Nod your head and sink a few, it is Saturday after all.
The Canberra Community Toolbox will be open to visitors this Saturday for its 3rd birthday. Photo: Supplied.
Canberra Community Toolbox Open day
When: 23 November, from 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Zelling Street, Watson
Cost: Free.
Community Toolbox Canberra is a community-led, volunteer-run tool and equipment library in Canberra, ACT, operating with the support of the local sustainability non-profit SEE Change.
The Toolbox is membership-based. For less than it would cost to buy a drill, members can borrow a wide range of tools and equipment for activities such as DIY, craft, cooking, home projects, leisure activities and more.
To mark its 3rd year in Canberra, Toolbox members and volunteers will celebrate this Saturday with DIY experts on hand to give advice and demonstrate the safe use of Toolbox equipment – with kitchen equipment used to cook up goodies for the guests. There will also be guided tours of the Toolbox (and people joining on the day will receive a bonus three months’ membership!)
Sunday
High school flunkies, time travel and bodacious riffs at NFSA. Photo: NFSA
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure at Arc Cinema
When: 24 November, 1 pm
Where: Arc Cinema
Cost: $10 concession, $12 adult.
Legendary duo Bill & Ted travel back in time to collect just enough historical figures to help them pass their history tests in this 80s classic featuring Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves. An added bonus is the inspiration to torture your friends with 80s surfer slang for the next few weeks.
Canberra’s Qwire will celebrate its 30th anniversary as only it knows how – in song. Photo: Peter Hislop.
Qwire 30th anniversary celebration The Sound of Us: A Celebration of Community in Song
When: 24 November from 3 pm
Where: Llewellyn Hall, Canberra School of Music
Cost: from $44.
The Sound of Us: A Celebration of Community in Song, put on by Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ Qwire, is not just a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the choir’s creation but also of the fulfilment of one of its main goals: to create a choir inclusive of regional singers, proudly and openly living as they are. For the members and friends of the Qwire it’s about more than just singing, it’s about being comfortable, welcome and at home in their communities. Share the joy and love of music with this fantastic choir. It’ll be a tearjerker, though, as the choir says farewell to its musical director, Lachlan Snow.
Monday
Get some psychological insight at Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night 2024
When: 25 November, 7:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Cct, Canberra
Cost: $79 to $250 plus transaction fee. Tickets are available through the Canberra Theatre Centre.
Jon Ronson expands on his bestselling work, The Psychopath Test, with this exploration of the elusive and strange world of psychopathy. Now more than ever, people seem to be looking at each other, trying in vain to divine their intentions. Ronson may be able to provide just a little insight. With his typical wit and sharpness, he delves into the world of what is normal and abnormal in the mind. If you’ve stopped and wondered why everything seems so mad, here’s the opportunity to find out.
Thursday
Book launch – Max Dupain: A Portrait by Helen Ennis. Image: National Library of Australia.
When: 28 November, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place
Cost: Entry is free to this event, but bookings are essential.
Journalist Alex Sloan joins multi-award-winning writer Helen Ennis to discuss her biography of photographer Max Dupain. Dupain was at the forefront of Australian photography and took classic photos that are now considered iconic in Australian culture, such as The Sunbaker. Ennis provides a deep insight into the work of Dupain, an artist whose work and life is often simplified, Ennis goes to great lengths to show the breadth and depth of this often misunderstood artist.
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