Take time out from trick or treating this Halloween weekend to catch an Australian premiere at the British Film Festival, world top 200 tennis players at the Canberra International qualifiers, Fair Day at Westside; the season opening party at Civic Pool and domestic violence crusader Rosie Batty in conversation with journalist Sarah Ferguson.
ALL WEEKEND
Canberra International tennis tournament
Watch the stars of the future and those who have already reached the top 200 in the world compete for a spot in the $50,000 ATP Challenger and ITF Women’s $50,000 event during qualifying rounds this weekend. The men’s qualifiers are from 9am Saturday and women’s from 9am Sunday. Main draw action starts on Monday. Entry to the Canberra Tennis Centre at Lyneham is free throughout the event.
BBC First British Film Festival
Palace Electric is host to the 2015 British Film Festival till November 18. Highlights of the first weekend include the Australian premieres of sweeping romance Dare to Be Wild; Suffragette, a drama tracking the early feminist movement in Britain starring Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep; the Nick Hornby-written love story Brooklyn; and The Program, an incendiary take on the recent controversy surrounding cyclist Lance Armstrong.
Myth + Magic: Art of the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
Myth + Magic showcases tribal artist masterpieces from Papua New Guinea at the National Gallery of Australia and wraps up this weekend. The exhibition features extraordinary and rarely seen examples of art from the region surrounding one of the largest river systems in the world. This is the first exhibition in more than 30 years to explore art from the area. The NGA is open from 10am daily.
Come Alive! Festival of Museum Theatre
Canberra school students present free theatrical performances at Come Alive! bringing the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery to life for visitors. Bookings are essential, but tickets are free. Performance times at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.
SATURDAY
Outdoor Pools Summer Season Opening Day
Entry to the Canberra Olympic (aka Civic) Pool will be free all weekend to mark the official opening of Canberra’s outdoor pools for the summer on Saturday. Minister for Sport Shane Rattenbury MLA will launch the festivities just after 11am to get the family fun day underway. There will be a sausage sizzle, diving displays, a pool inflatable, jumping castle, aquatic novelty races and a kids’ disco.
Fair Day 2015
The AIDS Action Council’s Fair Day at Westside Acton Park will celebrate Canberra’s diverse LGBTIQ community with a fabulous day of markets, gourmet food, social groups and advocacy stalls, music and drag, kids’ entertainment and more. The popular pet parade will be a highlight and chance to win some great prizes. Fair Day runs from 1pm to 6pm and is followed by the Fair Day Rooftop After Party from 6pm to 11pm featuring DJ Sveta, drag sensation Vanity Faire and Arq dancing boys Ripley, Garret and Thomas.
NFSA Fright Fest – All Nite Late Show
The National Film and Sound Archive is said to be one of Australia’s most haunted buildings, so it is only fitting that it is host to an all-night movie-thon for Halloween. Local ghost hunter Tim the Yowie Man kicks off the 12-hour evening after doors open at 9pm. The ticket price includes all-night tea and coffee and breakfast.
Canberra Zombie Walk
The 2015 Canberra Zombie Walk is a free event for all ages to raise awareness for the Brain Foundation. Organisers ask that you register and bring a gold coin to donate. Participants dress up like zombies and the undead to shuffle through the city streets, starting from 3pm at Regatta Point.
Canberra Girls Grammar School P&F Fete
It’s fete season, and there are local school and church fairs all over town this weekend. The Canberra Girls Grammar School P&F fete is one of the biggest in the capital with over 50 stalls. You’ll find hot food, bake stalls, Greek sweets, plants, pre-loved books, carnival rides, a fashion parade, animal nursery and show bags and more between 10am and 3pm at CGGS, Melbourne Avenue in Deakin.
An Introduction to Fermentation
Health and wellness coach Jane McIntyre introduces you to fermentation with a hands-on demonstration. Each participant will walk away with a jar of beetroot, carrot, sauerkraut and sour cream that you can replicate at home. Bookings are essential and the cooking demonstration starts from 10am at YMCA Bush Capital Lodge.
Sri Lankan Food Fair
The annual Sri Lankan Food Fair is on again this Saturday from 11am at Kambah Buddhist Vihara (30 Jenke Circuit). The menu looks amazing (check out the link above), and it is recommended that you get there early, or the food may run out.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
As part of the Globe Series, Manuka’s Event Cinemas is screening A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 3pm on the big screen. Filmed at the Globe Theatre in London, you will feel like you are part of the audience, but without the tired feet. Screening at 3pm, get tickets online or at the cinema.
University of Canberra Capitals vs Melbourne
In the third home game of the WNBL season, watch the Capitals take on the Melbourne Boomers at AIS Arena this Saturday (though without Lauren Jackson who strained her knee at training last week. The game starts at 7pm, get your tickets from Ticketek.
SUNDAY
Bungendore Rodeo
The Bungendore Rodeo Equestrian Sports and Recreation Reserve draws big crowds once a year for its signature event. The action includes team roping, barrel races, bareback riding, steer wrestling and open bull riding and runs from 8am to 5.30pm. Held annually since 1960, the event raises funds for the local Catholic and Anglican Churches. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children aged 12-16 with the under-12s free.
2015 ICON Water Run for Your Lifeline fun run
The Majura Parkway hosts this year’s Lifeline fun run, hosting half-marathon, 10km and 5km distances. Races start from 6am, so its best to register and arrive early so you don’t miss your start time. Enjoy the views of vineyards and grassland as you support a worthy cause.
Soundscapes with Recorders at the High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia provides a unique acoustic environment to experience the Canberra Recorder and Early Music Society’s recorder orchestra. Enjoy the tranquil harmony of ensembles and the entire orchestra playing early and modern music this Sunday afternoon. Bookings are necessary.
In Conversation with Rosie Batty
Award-winning ABC journalist Sarah Ferguson is in conversation with Australian of the Year Rosie Batty this Sunday from 2pm at the National Museum of Australia. Domestic violence crusader Batty’s memoir, A Mother’s Story, was published earlier this month.
The Waifs
Following the release of their latest LP, Beautiful You, The Waifs return to Canberra for a live show. With more than two decades of national and international touring, The Waifs have a dedicated and loyal fan base – you will want to get your tickets for Sunday’s show at the Canberra Theatre now. The performance starts at 7.30pm.
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