6 October 2022

Things to do in Canberra this week (7-13 October)

| Evelyn Karatzas
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Bonsai

Most people know very little about bonsai – the Bonsai Society knows a lot! Photo: Canberra Bonsai Society, Facebook.

There’s so much to see and do this week in the capital! Where will you go first?

Aussie PMs

Hear from some of the voices that shaped our democracy at this fascinating exhibition. Photo: MOAD.

Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World

When: Throughout October, daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Museum of Australian Democracy, 8 King George Terrace, Parkes
How much: Free entry.

Curious about the world we live in today? Why is it the way it is?

The Museum of Australian Democracy’s new exhibit will shed some light, turning the spotlight onto Australia’s notable political persons and prime ministers from 1901 to today. Explore the events that shaped the nation and the stories of the people who created our democracy. Hear from some of the voices that shaped our democracy as they charted their way through the events, the debates and the challenges of their day.

Cruel Intentions image

Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical on 5 to 8 October at the Canberra Theatre Centre. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.

Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical

When: Thursday 6, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 October, 2: 30 pm and 7: 30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square London Circuit, Canberra
How much: $79.00 – $119.00 plus transaction fee. Tickets at Canberra Theatre Centre

Cruel Intentions, a hit new musical based on the cult Hollywood film is coming to Canberra for a strictly limited season this October.

Featuring over 21 iconic ’90s songs, including ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ (The Verve), ‘Bye Bye Bye’ (*NSYNC), ‘Sometimes’ (Britney Spears), ‘Genie In A Bottle’ (Christina Aguilera) and more, this show is funny, nostalgia-filled and offers the best of the 90s.

NMA indigenous food exhibit

The National Museum is hosting tours to learn about Indigenous foods this October. Photo: NMA.

Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp

When: Thursday 6 October, 12:30 pm and 3 pm, Saturday 8 October, 9:30 am and 12 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cres, Acton
How much: From $17.50, book here.

The Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden is described as “a living museum of Indigenous food and medicine plants from across Australia”. Let Wiradjuri man Adam Shipp from Yurbay Consultancies walk you through as he shares his passion for native plants. Each tour finishes with the opportunity to sample some of the flavours found in the Kennedy Garden and around the Canberra region.

A Divine Degustation image

A Divine Degustation is on at the CSCC this October. Photo: CSCC.

Divine Degustation

When: Friday 7 October, 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong, corner of Pitman and Holwell streets, Greenway
How much: $65 pp, book here.

Head chef Alex Kimmorley presents a variety of delicious vegan dishes for this degustation. Indulge in a six-course menu featuring a twist on their popular surf and turf and a fruity finale.

Add to the experience with a wine package for $30 more. Dishes range from ‘bacon’ wrapped ‘scallops’ to potato and leek soup, zucchini carpaccio, cashew-based ‘Camembert’ and caramel pineapple.

Celebrate Gungahlin

Come and celebrate with the Gungahlin community. Photo: Drew Sikorski.

Celebrate Gungahlin 2022

When: Saturday 8 October, from 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Gungahlin Enclosed Oval
How much: Free entry.

After two years of lockdowns and isolation, Gungahlin will finally have the opportunity to gather and celebrate all the things that make the region’s community so special.

READ ALSO One day’s not enough to ‘Celebrate Gungahlin’ (that’s why there are three!)

Aiming to capture Gunaghlin’s unique sense of community and showcase everything it offers, the Celebrate Gungahlin Festival will be held over three different events over three weekends, from 8 to 22 October. Produced by Gungahlin Arts, the events include the Celebrate Gungahlin Sports and Wellbeing Expo, the Celebrate Gungahlin Cultural Showcase – Presented by Communities at Work and the Celebrate Gungahlin Community Picnic – Presented by Suburban Land Agency.

The Sports and Wellbeing Expo will feature 30 stallholders representing various clubs and organisations in the Gungahlin community. There will also be plenty of ‘come and try’ demonstrations and activities to participate in on the day.

Bonsai

Come and check out the bonsai display at Canberra High School this weekend. Photo: Canberra Bonsai Society, Facebook.

Canberra Bonsai Society Annual Show

When: Saturday 8 October, 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday 9 October, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Canberra High School, Bindubi Street, Macquarie
How much: Tickets are from $4; find out more here.

Taking place in Macquarie this weekend is the Canberra Bonsai Society Show,

This unique display will feature high-quality bonsai from the collections of Canberra Bonsai Society members, including some created by local artists who are currently represented in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia at the National Arboretum. Traditional exotic and Australian plant species will be part of the display.

At 11 am and 2 pm on both days, there will be a Bonsai Basics and demonstration session where aspects of designing and maintaining bonsai are covered, raffles will be held and pots and plants will also be available to purchase.

Lanyon Homestead

Enjoy the beautiful grounds of Lanyon Homestead to the sounds of jazz pianist Wayne Kelley. Photo: ACT Historical Places Facebook.

Family Picnic and Jazz at Lanyon Homestead

When: Sunday 9 October, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Where: Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa
How much: Entree is free with picnic platters available from the Barrack’s Cafe.

Come along to Lanyon Homestead’s own Barrack’s Cafe this weekend for an afternoon picnic with live jazz music by pianist Wayne Kelly. The Cafe will be offering 2 platters for purchase including a Harvest Picnic Platter, which includes three types of cheese, house-made relish and dip, pickled vegetable, olives, herb and fetta frittata, fresh and dried fruit, damper and crackers. There’s also the Paddock Platter, which includes 3 deli meats, three types of cheese, house-made relish and dip, pickled vegetables, olives, herb and feta frittata, fresh and dried fruit, damper and crackers.

There’s no better way to spend a Spring day than with beautiful melodies, a glass of wine, great food and good company.

Mental health month image

October is mental health month. Photo: Supplied.

Mental Health Month ACT 2022: Wellbeing Expo

When: Sunday 9 October, at 4 pm
Where: Online via Hopin
How much: Free. More info here.

Log into the Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo for presentations and workshops from mental health and community organisations, exhibition stalls, networking and entertainment, all from the comfort of your home this Sunday.

Mental Health Month ACT is coordinated by the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT, with support from ACT Health, Riotact and WIN.

Fairytales on Ice image

Fairytales On ice will enchant your little ones. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.

Fairytales on Ice

When: Sunday 9 October 2022, 4 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square London Circuit, Canberra
How much: From $42.90 to $89.90, book here.

The ice skating spectacular Fairytales on Ice comes directly from its sell-out tour in the US.

This incredible showcase will bring your favourite fairytale characters to life in a unique showcase on ice with singing, skating and music. It will feature stories and characters from childhood favourites, including The Little Mermaid, The Pirate Adventures, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood and more.

CBR small business market

Spooky season is just around the corner! Photo: Canberra Small business Market.

Canberra Small Business Market

When: Sunday 9 October, 9 am to 3 pm
Where: Exhibition Park Canberra ( EPIC)
How much: Gold coin donation.

The Small Business Market is back this weekend at Exhibition Park. This weekend’s market is Halloween-themed and will feature a dress-up competition where Halloween candies and goodies will be handed out for the best costume. There will also be more than 60 stalls selling anything from handmade earrings and clothes to customised tumblers, pots, bibs and more.

Acrobats from Backbone on stage

Do not try this at home. Photo: Hamish McCormick.

Backbone

When: Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 October, 7 pm
Where: The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square
How much: $72 plus booking fee, book here.

For the first time since its inception, boundary-pushing Australian circus company, Gravity & Other Myths is bringing a full-length physical theatre work to Canberra. Backbone tests the limits of strength by combining sexy, virtuosic circus with innovative concepts.

READ ALSO Gravity-defying circus brings its physical theatre to Canberra

Backbone examines the various perceptions of strength, where it comes from, and how it is measured. This frenetic celebration of human interconnectedness will test the limits of strength: physical, emotional, individual, and collective.

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