Have a deeper look at the world around us this National Science Week. Photo: ACT National Science Week.
Got plans?
How about cheering the Raiders when they tackle the Sea Eagles and stake their claim for a spot in the eight? Or help the Caribou Canberra Brave as they charge to the semis?
Not the sporty type? We understand.
How about music and theatre, trying your hand at art, a leisurely walk or a journey through Australia’s immigrant past?
Let’s get into it!
Multiple days
Director of Exhibitions Dr Guy Hansen, with one of the posters enticing migrants to Australia for just 37 pounds (it costs more than that today). Photo: Sally Hopman.
The Hopes and Fears: Australian Migration Stories
When: open until 2 February 2025, Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra
Cost: Free entry.
Hopes and Fears is the first exhibition in the library’s exhibition gallery after a five-month hiatus. It features hundreds of items from the National Library’s collection, including posters encouraging migrants to move to Australia, biographies and journals, a rare Van Diemen’s Land convict uniform and a model of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme showcasing stories about Australia’s migrant community.
Above all, this exhibition is a look into what drove people to come to Australia and how they rebuilt their lives in a new country.
Try your hand at something creative this winter as a new series of classes kick off. Photo: Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Winter season of short courses
When: Programs have various dates and times
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway
Cost: Ticket cost depends on the exact course or program, with more information available via the Arts Centre’s website.
Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s winter season of short courses introduces participants to new kinds of art and expands their skills. The six-week courses are designed for curious adults who are keen to explore their creative side, expand technical abilities, refine theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and try new things. The program includes a six-week introduction to print-making and botanical drawing, as well as a deep dive into colour.
The Canberra Brave will take to the ice over two days against the tourists from South Australia. Photo: Paul Furness.
Canberra Brave v Adelaide Adrenaline
When: 10 August from 5:15 pm; 11 August, from 4:45 pm
Where: Phillip Ice Skating Centre, 1 Irving Street, Phillip
Cost: Tickets start at $15 and are available online.
The semi-finals are beckoning for the Caribou Canberra Brave, but before that, they’ll hit the ice to take on the Adelaide Adrenaline. Get out to Phillip and make some noise – this is going to be big!
Celebrate National Science Week with Science in the Centres at your local shopping centre this August! Photo: Ben Calvert.
National Science Week 2024
When: 10 August to 18 August, events at various times
Where: Various locations around Canberra and virtually; see program
Cost: Free entry.
Join in the fun of National Science Week from 10 to 18 August, with plenty of in-person and online events ready to inspire you. Learn more about our world through virtual tours, hands-on science experiments, a show at Questacon partnering comedy and science, art exhibitions with a (scientific) twist and much more. While there are events across the country, there are plenty in Canberra to keep the young and young-at-heart busy.
Some Like It Marilyn first premiered nearly 15 years ago. Now, a new cast is bringing it back to life for a series of shows in Fyshwick. Photo: Esh Photography.
Some Like It Marilyn
When: 7 August to 10 August (preview shows) and 14 August to 24 August (full run), shows at various times
Where: Mill Theatre, Building 3.3, Dairy Road Precinct, 1 Dairy Road Precinct
Cost: Tickets cost between $40 and $50 and are available via Humanitix.
Four-person cabaret show Some Like It Marilyn is returning to Canberra. The show, which explores the life (and work) of one of the biggest screen and culture icons of the 20th century, runs for about 100 minutes. It premiered nearly 15 years ago and has been reworked and performed several times. This production has a new cast, with newcomers Sam Thomas, Zeke Chalmers and Tania Jobson joining Leisa Keen and Annette Sharpe from the team behind the original show.
Friday
Grab some mates and relax after the working week with some live music. Photo: Canberra Irish Club.
Welcome to Friday: The Wildfires
When: 9 August, 8 pm to 10 pm
Where: Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson Street, Weston
Cost: Free entry.
What’s better than some live music after a long week at work? Every Friday evening, the Irish Club opens its stage to performing artists from Canberra and the surrounding regions. Country, blues and roots band The Wildfires will take over the club this Friday, so head along and enjoy the music.
Saturday
Ghost Trees is showing at NFSA from 10 August. Image: James McGrath and Gary Sinclair.
Ghost Trees
When: daily from 10 August, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Gallery, NFSA Acton
Cost: Free entry.
Immerse yourself in the endangered Rushworth Forest on the lands of the Ngurai-illam Wurrung people in Victoria. Bringing together science, big data and audiovisual art, Ghost Trees offers a new way to connect to nature and reflect on our place within it – and our impacts on it.
Created by Australian artists James McGrath and Gary Sinclair using data captured by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, it’s a show you won’t forget.
With four games, there’s more than enough footy for even the biggest fan. Image: Canberra Raiders.
Canberra Raiders quadruple header
When: 10 August, games from 10:30 am
Where: GIO Stadium, Battye Street, Bruce
Cost: General admission tickets cost $35 and are available via Ticketek.
Saturday is a big day at GIO Stadium as it hosts two Viking Claps in one day for the first time. The Jersey Flegg squad will open the day from 10:30 am before the Canberra Raiders Women take on the Cronulla Sharks in their first meeting since Round 1 in 2023. Afterwards, the NRL team will keep trying to break into the top eight as they take on Manly for the second time this year. But make sure to stick around afterwards because the NSW Cup will play from 5:15 pm.
These monthly walks will have you exploring new parts of the bush capital. Photo: David Barber.
Ginninderry Guided Walks
When: 10 August, 10 am to 12 pm (also held monthly)
Where: The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn
Cost: Free entry, though registration via Humanitix is essential.
The winter chill is slowly (very slowly) thawing, meaning it’s time to head outside for a taste of spring. Get a bit of colour in your cheeks in these monthly guided walks to explore the plants and animals that call the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor home. Each walk is led by Ginninderry rangers and the pathways are moderate-level walks along an earthen track. Participants are asked to bring hats, sunscreen and water.
Sunday
This choir is taking over Narrabundah for an afternoon of music. Photo: The Canberra Men’s Choir/Facebook.
Come Fly With Me concert
When: 11 August, 2:30 pm to 4 pm
Where: Zeppelin Room, Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue
Cost: Tickets cost $15 (for an individual ticket) or $30 (for a family ticket) and are available via Trybooking.
Finish your weekend with a treat for your ears! The Canberra Men’s Choir will take over the Harmonie German Club for their latest concert. The group, established in 1986, is a non-auditioned choir that welcomes all men who enjoy singing, regardless of their musical experience.
Monday
Internationally recognised materials scientist, engineer, and inventor Professor Veena Sahajwalla has arrived in Canberra to deliver a presentation on recycling science. Photo: National Library of Australia
2024 Ann Moyal Lecture: Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla
When: 12 August, 6 pm to 8 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 for essential in-person attendees.
The annual Ann Moyal Lecture is given on a contemporary question that draws on their experience from their field of study. In 2024, the lecture will be delivered by Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, titled A smart vision for a sustainable future: SMaRT technologies and MICROfactories creating sustainable materials and products from waste. Professor Sahajwalla has pioneered the high-temperature transformation of waste at the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre, where she is the founding director. She is also the inventor of polymer injection technology (known as green steel), an eco-friendly process where recycled tyres can be used in steel production. A reception with complimentary drinks and canapes will follow the presentation.
Thursday
This concert will include the Tubular Bells album, as well as some other works composed by Mike Oldfield. Image: Supplied.
Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells in Concert
When: 15 August, from 7:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Civic
Cost: Tickets cost between $79 and $129.90 (plus transaction fee) and are available via the Theatre Centre’s website.
If you’ve heard Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells before, it might have been as part of the soundtrack for the horror film The Exorcist. You’re invited to sit down and hear it again (in a less scary setting) when the album is performed live in a show arranged by Mike Oldfield’s long-term collaborator, Robin A Smith. The show will also include other compositions by the English multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter.
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