11 March 2013

TODAY CANBERRA CELEBRATES

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Canberra Day Celebrations

It’s the day we have all been waiting for – the public holiday Monday that sees all of Canberra get together around Lake Burley Griffin for the party of a century.

Big numbers are expected to the event, which starts at noon and continues until 11pm.

Event organisers heaved a sigh of relief late last week as the Canberra weather settled into a perfect early-autumn pattern of warm, sunny days with lights winds, made to order for a day-night outdoor party.

The event involves 500 volunteers, 150 Boy Scouts, about 500 performers, 144 security guards, more than 50 boats and about 1000 multicultural community members, many working at their HOME projects.

There are 1,628,590 square meters of event site including the lake, bridge to bridge, and the land areas being used. At the World’s Longest Bubbly Bars 1040 bottles of Centenary sparkling wine are chilled and ready to be served, and 200 bottles of Centenary bubbly have been used in the menu (for the dessert, champagne jelly).

“This event really has been three years in the planning,” said Centenary of Canberra Creative Director Robyn Archer.

“I’m delighted that Geoff Cobham agreed to be Event Director, and that we had someone has gifted as Joanne Currey in our team to take on the role of Operations Manager.

“They’ve both done a fantastic job, and working with them to put together an event of this scale has been full of fun and energy.

“There really has never been an event like this in the capital, and I’m trusting that all Canberrans are planning to come along, park themselves at their favourite stage and then savour all the terrific stuff going on around them. Just don’t miss it!”

With so much to see and do the best advice is to plan ahead, take a free bus, wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and light clothing, and take a water bottle. There are fresh drinking water refill stations on site, and plenty of food and drink available for purchase.

It’s your party – make the most of it!

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switch said :

1913 was also the year “The Rite of Spring” was released, with riots! Has ANY bit of classical music written since then been worth listening to?

RODRIGO Concierto de Aranjuez
Elgars Cello Concerto
Peter and the wolf
Bolero
http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Article/282134,the-classic-100-20th-century-masterpieces-revealed.aspx/11

Like pop music, you’ll find rubbish if you look for it but you’ll also find gold if you look for it.
Every era of classical music has rubbish. Even Beethoven had haters.

RegGrundies said :

Lowlight – the funeral type dirge that was the ‘special symphony’

Ditto. 1913 was also the year “The Rite of Spring” was released, with riots! Has ANY bit of classical music written since then been worth listening to?

For the most part, my family and I really enjoyed the day. Arrived at around 1pm, parked at west block, walked down to the lake and enjoyed a hour stroll around all the attractions. While it was an enjoyable afternoon, it was noted (by more than just my family) that there wasn’t much to do for kids in the 9 – 12 year age group. The games at Commonwealth park were more for smaller children and some attractions (such as Cococolo’s ‘Best Thing’) at Regatta point was strictly for over 12’s. That said, one of the most enjoyable things for the kids was looking over the Rat Bikes when they stopped in the trees next to Stage 88.

Loved the Falling Joys and The Church. 78 Saab went alright too.

Apart from the bands, the rest was very meh.

I parked near the ATO on London Circuit. Stacks of parking there, and about a 10 minute walk to Regatta Point.

Holden Caulfield11:28 pm 11 Mar 13

In true Canberra fashion I rocked up the the small car park near the tunnel opposite Reid CIT, arsed a spot straight away, took 5 minutes to walk to the stage to catch the end of the Gadflys, watched the next three bands, had a great time.

Then went for a bit of a stroll to Rond Terraces, found a 10 min queue for some chips and a drink and ate them while watching the symphony thingy on the little big screen. Yum.

Managed to get position A right on the axis line on the edge of the lake for an awesome view of the fireworks (shh, they were a bit lame).

Was then back in my car 5 or so minutes after the crackers and home to the glorious inner north in 10 minutes.

Happy days!

wildturkeycanoe said :

Yeah, great one. The last bus to anywhere near our house comes at 6:34PM. After that we have to take a half hour walk to get home from the nearest bus stop. That’ll be fun with 3 kids tired from an exhaustive day of celebrating! Guess the taxi would be the next best option. Not free though is it?

Erm… Here’s a revolutionary idea, drive to and then leave your car at the bus stop, when you get back later it should still be there – thus allowing you to drive home again.

Well, I had a good evening out. Went and saw the symphony, then the fireworks (a bit of a slow start, but came good at the end), then waited for buses to whisk me to Woden. Buses were packed, including familes and prams. Got to Woden, ironically I had to call a taxi in- I was expecting several at the taxi rank waiting for fares. Chatting to the taxi driver he said the controller warned every driver that tonight would be busy. The driver told me the controller was new to Canberra- didn’t the controller know that every long weekend 70% of Canberra piss off to the coast?

The parking wasn’t that ferocious. The free bus during the day meant you were able to move around the lake without having to walk (or get in the car and find another spot).

Of course, I just made damn sure we parked close (but not too close) to where we watched the fireworks… which were great!

Highlight – nearly getting run over by the GG’s car and Katy telling me to “watch where you are going”
Lowlight – the funeral type dirge that was the ‘special symphony’

Crackers took way too long to warm up, too many pauses & dull, finished off OK though

NATION?

ummmm yeah ….

disappointed in the quality of the bands on show too … could’ve thrown some money at barnesy, farnsey, goodesy or anybody who has sold a record in the past 20 years

Well I drove and had the best day out in Canberra for ages.
I had two drinks at the bubbly bar which was fantastic, as was the food. Got a park at Treasury and thought that finally Canberra has got it spot on. Great day, good crowds, well organized.
Thanks Canberra

wildturkeycanoe said :

Yeah, great one. The last bus to anywhere near our house comes at 6:34PM. After that we have to take a half hour walk to get home from the nearest bus stop. That’ll be fun with 3 kids tired from an exhaustive day of celebrating! Guess the taxi would be the next best option. Not free though is it?

Park and ride at the interchange?

wildturkeycanoe4:15 pm 11 Mar 13

Yeah, great one. The last bus to anywhere near our house comes at 6:34PM. After that we have to take a half hour walk to get home from the nearest bus stop. That’ll be fun with 3 kids tired from an exhaustive day of celebrating! Guess the taxi would be the next best option. Not free though is it?

Sooooo, other then wine what’s actually happening?

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