National Museum of Australia director Katherine McMahon and ABC personality Tony Armstrong at the opening of the exhibition. Photo: Supplied.
Yeah, yeah, we know it’s cold, but with so many shows and exhibitions and markets and movies and sport and … you get the idea … it’d be a waste to stay at home. So brace yourself, Canberra; there’s a whole world out there to enjoy (and most events are indoors, so you won’t freeze for long).
Multiple days
After falling on hard times, Blanche DuBois goes to stay with her estranged sister in New Orleans. But her arrival isn’t welcomed by everyone. Image: Free-Rain Theatre Company.
A Streetcar Named Desire
When: until 29 June, shows from 1:30 pm or 7:30 pm
Where: ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston
Cost: Tickets cost between $36 and $42 and are available online.
Blanche is a former Southern belle with a complicated past. When she unexpectedly visits Stella, her estranged sister, she brings skeletons that will threaten Stella’s marriage – as well as her own future. As Stella’s husband, Stanley, digs into her façade, Blanche’s fragile world begins to fracture. This adaption of Tennessee Williams’ play is set in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1947 – the same year the play was written and contains coarse language, mature themes, and depictions of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Xmas in July (in June) is on this weekend at Parkes Place lawns! Photo: BBR Agency.
Xmas in July Festival
When: 27 June to 30 June, 4 pm to 11 pm (Thursday), 10 am to 11 pm (Friday and Saturday) and 10 am to 8 pm (Sunday)
Where: Parkes Place lawns, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free general entry, though some activities have a cost and require a booking.
Enjoy a Winter Wonderland at Xmas in July Festival this weekend. There will be street shows, more than 15 live concerts and other performances, over 40 pop-up stalls offering French and European cuisines and hot chocolate bars (as well as a snow lane and a chance to roast some marshmallows for a taste of white Christmas).
The 1985 letter to Tracey Corbin from Prime Minister Bob Hawke is just one of the special items featured in this exhibition. Photo: National Museum of Australia.
Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things exhibition
When: until 13 October, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cresent, Acton
Cost: Free entry.
A collection of some very special items is part of a new exhibition at the National Museum, inspired by ABC presenter Tony Armstrong‘s show of the same name. These objects have all been selected because of the interesting – and always unique – story behind them. Which will be your favourite?
As you cuddle up under the blankets, why not grab something new to read? Photo: Lifeline Canberra.
Southside Lifeline BookFair
When: 28 June to 30 June, 9 am to 6 pm (Friday), 9 am to 5 pm (Saturday) and 9 am to 4 pm (Sunday)
Where: Tuggeranong Southern Cross Basketball Stadium, 7 Pitman St, Greenway
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation.
Looking for something to read amid the winter chill? Stock up your shelves with books and other goodies, including rare books and collectables, magazines and pamphlets, sheet music, maps and atlases, comics, records, CDs and DVDs, games and jigsaws and more. But Lifeline Bookfairs are more than just a chance to indulge your inner bookworm – the money raised goes towards helping to keep Lifeline’s local mental health crisis support service running. Bring the family along between 10 am and 12 pm for some family activities on Saturday, or stop by for an accessible browsing hour from 9 am on Sunday morning for a calmer experience.
Pick up something new and support a good cause at the same time as this market returns. Photo: Handmade Canberra.
Handmade Market
When: 29 June and 30 June, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), corner of Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell
Cost: Free entry, with optional donation to charity on entry.
Whether you’re searching for a gift for someone else or you want to brighten up the mid-winter, check out this market. Handmade Market has more than 260 stalls featuring Australian designers, producers and creatives. There is even a dedicated gourmet food hall to fuel your browsing. This July, the market is once again offering a helping hand to those in need as the mercury drops. Marketgoers are invited to bring along good-quality blankets, sleeping bags, toiletries and warm clothes (think socks and gloves) for The Salvation Army‘s blanket drive.
Saturday
This movie takes a look at the dark side of our fascination with true crime. Photo: a still from Nightcrawler (directed by Dan Gilroy, 2014).
Nightcrawler screening
When: 29 June, from 6 pm
Where: National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Tickets cost between $12 and $16 and are available via the Archive’s website.
Nightcrawler is the story of down-and-out grifter Louis Bloom (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). When he realises he can film and sell exclusive true crime videos, he thinks he’s found a cheat code to make some easy money. Louis quickly realises that being first on the scene can come with a cost. How far will he go to get the most graphic, sensational image? This critically acclaimed thriller from director Dan Gilroy explores the ethics of crime journalism and the consumeristic news cycle. But above all, it asks what we will do to get ahead.
Head down to the Brave Cave as the team takes on the visitors from Newcastle. Image: David Tate.
Caribou Canberra Brave v Newcastle Northstars
When: 29 June, from 5:15 pm
Where: Phillip Ice Skating Centre, 1 Irving Street, Phillip
Cost: Tickets start at $15 and are available online.
The Caribou Canberra Brave take on Newcastle Northstars this Saturday in a top-of-the-ladder clash that’s sure to get hearts racing. If you haven’t been to the Brave Cave, you’re missing out! Don’t know anything about ice hockey? Doesn’t matter! A few minutes in and you’ll be on your feet.
Wednesday
Head along for a celebration to mark one hundred of the networking events. Photo: Canberra Innovation Network.
100th First Wednesday Connect
When: 3 July, 5 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: ACT Government building, 220 London Circuit, Civic
Cost: Free entry, though registration via Eventbrite is essential.
The Canberra Innovation team is celebrating a very special anniversary: 100 First Wednesday Connect sessions. They started on 1 July 2015, and went on to hear 1038 remarkable pitches from almost 20,000 people. The monthly sessions bring together entrepreneurs of all kinds for advice and networking. To mark the occasion, they‘re hosting a special event in Civic on Wednesday evening – and everyone is invited.
Thursday
Award-winning musicians Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will be stopping by to talk about the importance – and power – of keeping First Nations languages alive. Photo: National Museum of Australia.
Spotlight Conversations: Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse
When: 4 July, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cresent, Acton
Cost: Tickets cost between $17.50 and $25, and are available via Eventbrite.
Award-winning musicians Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will speak on the power and resilience of keeping First Nations languages alive. The conversation will also explore how First Nations peoples are reclaiming their stories and the importance of language survival post-colonisation.
Dr Jo Langdon will dive into the world of Australian women pilots in her presentation. Photo: Supplied.
Tracing aviatrix archives presentation
When: 4 July. 12:30 pm to 1;30 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra; view live online via the Library’s Facebook and YouTube pages
Cost: Free entry, though registration via StickyTickets is necessary for in-person attendees.
Make sure your seat is upright and strap in for Dr Jo Langdon’s lecture on her 2024 Creative Arts Fellowship research. Dr Langdon has been examining the lives and records of Australian women pilots and will discuss how she will transform her research into poetry. Head along and learn the stories of women pilots and aviation innovators such as Millicent Bryant, Maude ‘Lores’ Bonney, Freda Thompson, Nancy Bird-Walton and Robin Miller Dicks (aka ‘The Sugarbird Lady’). This lecture is part of the National Library of Australia Creative Arts Fellowship program, which offers writers and artists an opportunity to undertake a four-week residency.
It’s that time of year when truffles appear on our menus again. Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Truffle Dinner
When: 4 July, from 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: Tickets cost $95 per person (dinner-only option) and are available via the venue’s online booking system.
Treat your palette with some truffles – and good quality wines and other ingredients, of course. This four-course dinner has been prepared by executive chef Suneel Gadipelli, with the menu including smoked caviar, duck breast with truffles, creamy mushroom ragout and more. Diners can add to the experience with a matched wine package for $30.
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