Things to do in Canberra this week (29 November - 5 December)

There’s heaps on this week in Canberra: rum tastings, cricket matches, a bit of baseball, some basketball, art classes, theatre, celebrations of innovation and more. So, where will you be this week?

Multiple Days

Short Course: Brush Up at Tuggeranong Arts Centre

When: 29 November – 5 December, 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway
Cost: $250 per person. Find out more through the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.

If you’re looking to expand your existing painting and drawing skills or you want to start from scratch, Brush Up is a great class for anyone looking to learn about the practical and technical side of artistic creation. Hosted by Canberra-based artist Sarah Murray, whose paintings and drawings focus on landscapes, you’ll receive technical advice and knowledge as well as guidance and encouragement in a collaborative space where artists or soon-to-be artists can let their creative juices flow. All paints, paintbrushes and surfaces are included in the ticket price.

Canberra Spirits Festival

When: 29 November, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, 30 November, 11:30 am to 7 pm (check specific events for times)
Where: University of Canberra UC Refectory, Building 1, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce
Cost: From $73.72.

Connoisseurs rejoice as the Canberra Spirits festival promises plenty of tastings, classes and explorations of a range of spirits both domestic and exotic. Discover the origins of up-and-coming spirits brands, from distilling in laundry rooms to award-winning white liquor with flavours balanced by Michelin-acclaimed chefs. Maybe you want something more tropical; if so, the Taste the Tropics class takes you from sun-drenched sugar fields to the process of ageing in oak barrels, then you get to savour the sweet and fiery tastes of rum from the West Indies. Finally, we have a private class with Alba Whiskey, an Australian business dedicated to bringing you the best of whiskeys from around the world. Taste test the fine differences between regions and methods of production.

Bloody Murder

When: Season: 22 November – 7 December 2024. Evenings 7:30 pm: Wed – Sat. Matinees 2 pm: 30 November, 1 + 7 December
Where: Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $25.

A standard cast of British murder mystery characters flock to an English summer house for a weekend retreat, but when one is inevitably murdered the Lady of the Manor rebels against the author and seeks to rally her unwanted visitors around her against the real killer, the writer. It’s a fun meta-story with twists and tricks that re-injects some much-needed life and humour into a well-trodden genre.

Richard Larter: Free Radical

When: 29 November to 5 December, 1o am to 5 pm, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Where: Drill Hall Gallery, Kingsley St, Acton
Cost: Free.

Larter’s works are bold and colourful explorations of colour, shape, line and composition. His work has a feeling of freedom and boundlessness in line with his stated working ethos as an anti-authoritarian; this thread is easy to spot throughout this exhibition, which focuses on his more abstract works, which still seek to interact with pop culture in novel and thought-provoking ways, but which are still firmly within the tradition of abstract art.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

When: Friday 29 November to Sunday 15 December, various times
Where: Aunty Louise Brown Park, The Q, 253 Crawford St, Queanbeyan
Cost: Pay what you feel. Find out more information at The Q.

Echo Theatre transports you to the enchanted forest this summer as they bring Shakespeare’s famous comedy to life in the great outdoors. Join a cast of our region’s finest (and funniest!) actors for an evening of laughter and romance, moonlit woods, love potions run amok and more than a few misunderstandings.

The Prime Minister’s XI

When: 30 November and 1 December, 2:40 pm
Where: Manuka Oval, Manuka Cir, Griffith
Cost: Tickets from $15.

The PM’s XI is a highlight of the sporting calendar – and this year is no exception.

For Aussie fans, it’s a chance to catch a glimpse of the stars of tomorrow, while it’s vital preparation for the touring Indian team keen to get some exposure to the pink ball under lights ahead of the second test in Adelaide.

Single Days

Friday

Nature Playgroup

When: 29 November 10 am to 12 pm
Where: National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Himalayan Cedar Forest, Molonglo
Cost: $15.

Get the kids outside at the National Arboretum. This event, aimed at children between 18 months and 5 years, will foster their love of the natural world, with an emphasis on natural play, hands-on experiences, exploration, motor skills and physical activity. For kids these days, it’s too easy to hop on an iPad and tune out the world. Playgroup lets them tune back in with other kids their age; you may be surprised just how quickly they get into the spirit of the outdoors.

Sunday

Symphonie Fantastique | National Capital Orchestra

When: 1 December at 3 pm
Where: Snow Concert Hall, 40 Monaro Crescent, Red Hill
Cost: From $32.15.

The National Capital Orchestra brings you three remarkable works from a variety of artists.

Miriam Hyde’s delightful Happy Occasion Overture is an uplifting and bright beginning to the evening, with an overall optimistic feeling, it’s a great start. Next, get ready for Viola Concerto by Rebecca Clarke, performed by Canberran violist Alina Zamfir; it’s a fantastic example of the beautiful ability of the Viola as an instrument, both as a solo instrument and in concert with an entire orchestra; it’s a rich performance, full of heart and soul. To finish off, steel yourself for a passionate tale of unrequited love (the worst kind), descents into madness and eventually Hell in Berlioz’s dramatic Symphonie Fantastique. It’s going to be an extraordinary night of drama, love, woe and happiness all expressed in the art and majesty of the orchestra.

Canberra Tri 4 Fun

When: 1 December 2024, 7 am to 10 am
Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Cost: From $60, register now.

The Canberra Tri 4 Fun event is an excellent opportunity for amateurs and pros to test their mettle in beautiful Stromlo Park. Swimming takes place in the beautiful Stromlo Leisure Centre, then cycle around the forest park and finish off with a run on the world class Robert de Castella Cross Country Running Track. If you’re here to really test yourself or just to come along at your own pace, the Tri 4 Fun event is for everyone of all skill levels. Just enjoy yourself, bring some friends and make a day of it.

Hartley Hall Markets

When: 1 December, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Hall Showgrounds
Cost: Gold coin donation on entry.

Get your Christmas shopping done early at the Hartley Hall Markets. This Sunday’s markets are set to be the biggest of the year, with passionate stallholders selling an array of homegrown, homemade and handcrafted goods.

Wednesday

Muriel’s Wedding – 30th Anniversary Screening

When: 4 December at 6 pm
Where: Arc Cinema
Cost: $45 Concession, $55 Full.

The NFSA is screening a restored and improved version of Muriel’s Wedding, along with a drink on arrival and a pre-screening show featuring an ABBA tribute band, Björn Again, that would make Muriel herself blush, as it’s approved by members of ABBA and has performed internationally in thousands of shows. It’s a classic piece of Australian pop culture and a subversive comedy that refuses to stay within the narrow confines of its own genre. After the film, there will be a Q&A with a special guest!

2024 Innovation Showcase

When: Wednesday, 4 December 2024
Where: Exhibition Park Showgrounds at Fitzroy Pavilion
Cost: Free entry.

The Canberra Innovation Network is putting on its biggest event of the year. The innovation showcase is an opportunity to recognise and applaud the successes of the best and brightest in the field of innovation and start-ups. The Canberra Innovation Network welcomes everyone to join them to see how locals are innovating and changing their industries in their businesses, careers, and the broader world. Celebrate 10 years of impact at the 2024 innovation showcase.

Round 6 WNBL: UC Capitals v Southside Flyers

When: Wednesday 4 December from 7 pm.
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier St, Bruce ACT 2617
Cost: Tickets from $20, available from Ticketek.

Back at their spiritual home of the AIS Arena, the UC Capitals host reigning champions, the Southside Flyers, in Round 6 of the Cygnett WNBL.

Caps superstar and WNBA draft pick Nyadiew Puoch will be going up against her former team for the first time at AIS Arena, and it’s set to be another epic battle between the two sides.

Thursday

Canberra Cavalry v Sydney Blue Sox

When: The Series runs between Thursday, 5 December to Sunday, 8 December
Where: Narrabundah Ballpark
Cost: Adult $23, Concession $17, Child $12. Tickets are available on their ticketing website.

The second home series sees the Sydney Blue Sox make the trip down south to Narrabundah Ballpark for Round 4.

Come out for Cavalry Game Day Experiences.

• Thursday (6:30 pm) – Join the Cavalry for an exclusive Member Night at the ballpark, filled with exciting games, giveaways, and special perks just for you!
• Friday (6:30 pm) –Celebrate Sponsor Night as the Cavalry honour their valued partners with special recognition and exciting game-day festivities! Also, remember the Japan Night this Friday and enjoy the Japanese culture with food, music, and traditional activities!!
• Saturday (6 pm) – Come and celebrate with the Canberra community and enjoy a night at the Fort. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a game day like no other.
• Sunday (1 pm) – Bring the whole crew to Family Day at the ballpark for fun activities, great baseball, and memories everyone will cherish!

A reminder that alcohol and external food is not permitted to be brought into the stadium but alcohol will be available for purchase.

Join the charge this 2024/25 season! Go to the Canberra Cavalry website for more information.

Late night Christmas shopping at the National Library Bookshop

When: Thursday, 5 December, from 9 am to 8 pm
Where: National Library of Australia Bookshop
Cost: Free event.

The National Library is hosting a late-night Christmas shopping event with sale tables discounted 30 to 50 per cent. Santa’s helpers will also gift wrap your books for a gold coin donation. It’s a great way to get your gifts sorted for Christmas, either for the bookworm in your life or as a little reward for yourself.

If you’re feeling shopped out, relax in the Library foyer with an author talk and book signing from noted fantasy fiction author Isobelle Carmody with the local launch of her new Canberra-based book Comes the Night. This evening event begins at 6 pm.

The Bookplate cafe will also have a refreshment stand selling wine and light snacks for the evening.

Members of the Friends of the National Library will be entitled to 25 per cent off storewide all day when shopping in-store on Thursday, 5 December.

To take advantage of exclusive discounts along with many other benefits, become a Friend of the National Library today.

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