The Tjanpi Desert Weavers are composed of women from remote Central and Western deserts who use native grasses to make contemporary fibre art. Photo: National Portrait Gallery.
Muggles, Jedis, Whovians and members of other popular culture fandoms are invited to the nation-touring Oz Comic-Con for a weekend of pop culture-filled family fun.
Meanwhile, the Tjanpi Desert Weavers are set to share their craft with Canberrans, who can also hear from some of the best poets and comedians this week.
There’s also lots more to do with some entertaining pub events, a fashion showcase, world premiering theatrical production and much more.
Friday
Get your salsa moves ready for the first Friday of every month. Photo: Old Canberra Inn.
Salsa Night at Old Canberra Inn
When: Friday 4 August, from 8 pm (the first Friday of every month)
Where: Old Canberra Inn, 195 Mouat Street, Lyneham
Cost: Free, no booking required.
Hit the dance floor in a piece of living Canberra history. The Old Canberra Inn building, where you’ll bring your salsa grooves on the first Friday of every month, is older than the city itself, having been built in 1857. Guests are also invited to enjoy a pre-salsa meal from a menu featuring parmigiana, steaks, burgers and more and quench their thirst with one of 10 craft beers beer on tap.
Saturday
ACT Poetry Month Showcase
When: Saturday 5 August, from 2 pm
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes
Cost: Free to $5, book here.
Join some of the ACT’s finest poets and spoken word artists to celebrate Poetry Month. Hosted by Andrew Cox, the showcase will include works from Barrina South, Judith Nangala Crispin, Elfie Shiosaki, Andrew Moss and others, and a performance by singer-songwriter Alinta Barlow. Canberra Writers Festival artistic director Beejay Silcox will also read her favourite Australian poem.
Which beer will emerge triumphant? Your vote will decide the outcome. Photo: Dickson Taphouse.
Battle of the Brewers, Grand Finale
When: Saturday 5 August, beer tapped from 12 pm
Where: Dickson Taphouse, 30 Woolley Street, Dickson
Cost: Free, no booking required.
The past 12 months of hard-fought battles have narrowed the field to 12 breweries competing at the Battle of The Brewers grand finale. Canberrans are invited to sample the beers, vote for their favourite and see the winner rewarded with a permanent tap at Dickson Taphouse, with the backdrop of live music. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet the brewers and win some merch.
Join Deborah O’Toole on a deep dive into the various themes of love. Photo: Olessia McGregor Photography.
Matters of the Heart Cabaret
When: Saturday 5 August, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (bar open from 6:30 pm)
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Tuggeranong
Cost: $35 to $38, book here.
Deborah O’Toole takes a cliche-free deep dive into the various themes of love through song, canvassing topics from body image and babies to relationship baggage. Expect an emotional journey from heartbreaking to hilarious, featuring a unique interactive multi-art experience, woven with powerful yet emotionally touching vocals accompanied by Jake Bristow on grand piano.
Beer and British-made Electric Blues will both be flowing this Saturday. Photo: Old Canberra Inn
Celebration of Beer at The Old Canberra Inn
When: Saturday 5 August, beer pouring from 12 pm, live music from 2 pm
Where: Old Canberra Inn, 195 Mouat Street, Lyneham
Cost: Free, no booking required.
Join Old Canberra Inn for a celebration of beer. Unique, specialty and limited styles from Australian independent brewers will be tapped from midday. These include German Hefeweizen (Slow Lane Brewing), Dry Irish Stout (Black Hops Brewing), California Common (Capital Brewing) and more. Plus, enjoy British-made Electric Blues from UK guitarist Chris Harland’s Blues Duo.
Saturday and Sunday
There will be fun for the whole family at Oz Comic-Con. Photo: Oz Comic-Con.
Oz Comic-Con
When: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: EPIC, corner of Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell
Cost: $21 to $130, book here.
Australia’s annual celebration of popular culture is coming to Canberra. Oz Comic-Con welcomes fans of all ages, interests and pop obsessions to an immersive two-day experience sure to please Muggles, Marshmallows, Earpers, Jedis, Whovians and other fandoms alike. Expect celebrity guests, lip sync battles, exhibitors and artists, cosplay competitions and parades and more.
Sunday
The Tjanpi Desert Weavers is composed of women from remote Central and Western deserts who use native grasses to make contemporary fibre art. Photo: National Portrait Gallery.
Art.Make.Create. with the Tjanpi Desert Weavers
When: Sunday 6 August, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free, no booking required.
Join artists from the Tjanpi Desert Weavers for a family-friendly day of weaving workshops and activities. Internationally acclaimed Japanese-born and trained ice sculptor Kenji Ogawa will also be hosting a live demonstration on the day. Plus, live music from two musical duos, Mr Tim and Ms Nat and Jac Bradley and Matt Nightingale, joined by local jazz guitar legend Viktor Rufus.
Hartley Hall Markets are on this Sunday 6 August at Thoroughbred Park. Photo: Zen Creation Photography.
Hartley Hall Markets
When: Sunday 6 August, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham ACT 2602
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation.
One of Canberra’s favourite markets, Hartley Hall Markets, is back this weekend at Thoroughbred Park. With a range of goodies on offer, from delicious food & drink to handmade creations, books and plants – there will be something for everyone.
Thursday
The best of the best comedians from the Sydney Comedy Festival are coming to Canberra! Photo: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Tour
When: Thursday 10 August, from 7:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: $42 plus transaction fee, book here.
The best of the best from Sydney’s biggest annual comedy event, the Sydney Comedy Festival, are coming to Canberra for one hilarious night. A diverse hand-selected line-up featuring festival favourites and emerging talents will be showcased live on stage in two hours of hard-hitting laughter. Expect everything from musical maestros to deadpan comics to absurdist acts and more.
Attend the world premiere of this psychological thriller. Photo: Ben Appleton / Photox – Canberra Photography Services.
You Can’t Tell Anyone
When: Thursday 10 to Sunday 20 August, various times
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: $35 plus transaction fee, book here.
Winner of the 2021 Emerging Playwright Commission, Joanna Richards’ You Can’t Tell Anyone world premieres in Canberra. The psychological thriller invites audiences to listen to the intimate secrets of friends and the cruelty of growing up and growing apart. Taut with suspense and malevolence, it delves into the mind games you can only play with people you’ve known your whole life.
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