What’s On in Canberra This Week: Special Events and Festivals
Taryn Brumfitt at the National Press Club
Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfiit is bringing her message of body positivity to Canberra when she delivers the National Press Club Address on Tuesday 31 October. Admittedly, the speech is five months later than originally planned after Taryn caught Covid the day before a scheduled address in May. Now she’s fighting fit and determined to address the nation on “A new era: Changing how we feel, think and talk about our bodies” — presented by Women in Media.
Tuesday 31 October | National Press Club, 16 National Circuit Barton | Book here.
Halloween Trick and Treat at BOUNCE
BOUNCE is taking the festivities to new heights this Halloween! Inviting thrill-seekers of all ages to embark on a freestyle play adventure like never before, from goulish decor and bone-chilling challenges to hair-raising tricks, with every jump, leap and hop you’ll come face-to-face with spooky surprises and eerie delights. And for those who don their spookiest capes, costumes and masks, you’ll have also the chance to bag some yummy prizes! It sounds like a fang-tastic time for the whole family.
Tuesday 31 October | MM3 Westfield Belconnen, 18 Benjamin Way, Belconnen | More information here.
Canberra SpringOUT Pride Festival
Canberra’s month-long pride festival is back with a bang! Celebrating our LGBTQIA+ community in all its fabulous diversity, this year there will be a diverse array of more than 40 events, ranging from workshops to exhibitions, tours, comedy shows, and more. From starting your day with the Big Gay Breakfast to celebrating at the ‘I should be so Kylie’ launch party with STUN Magazine, there’s something for everyone.
Wednesday 1 November until Sunday 3 December | Various locations | More information here.
LSKD BAF BUS X FITSTOP
Love fitness brand LSKD? Well, we have some exciting news: they’ll be parking their BAF bus at Fitstop Phillip with music, exclusive BAF merch, a recovery lab and heaps more. Fitstop Phillip will be running free classes for anyone between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm AND you’ll have a chance to win some freebies.
Wednesday 1 November | 101 Hindmarsh Drive, Phillip | More information here.
Back To The 80’s Trivia Night
Grab your leg warmers, it’s time to strut your stuff and prove you know all things 80’s. In this special trivia night you’ll answer questions like ‘What was the most popular console game in the 1980’s?’, ‘In what year did the Berlin War come down?’ and ‘What was the call sign of Val Kilmer in Top Gun?’ while enjoying a nice cold beer. Book and pay online to secure your spot!
Thursday 2 November | The Durham Castle Arms, Jardine Street, Kingston | Book here.
Canberra Symphony Orchestra Fundraising Gala
Don your best dress and get ready for a very glamourous evening filled with music. Raising much needed funds to help bring the next concert season to life, you’ll enjoy canapés, a three-course dinner and drinks, networking opportunities, and the chance to take home exceptional prizes and money-can’t-buy experiences (including performances by CSO ensembles and the Kingsland Strings).
Friday 3 November | Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | Book here.
Rock-A-Rokie
Ever dreamed of hitting the stage to sing your heart out, backed by an awesome professional band in front of lots of people? Well, now’s your chance! Rock-a-Rokie is here to level up your karaoke experience, complete with a cheering crowd, a hilarious emcee, a bangin’ setlist and a live backing band. Whatever happens, it looks like it’ll be tonnes of fun.
Friday 3 November | The Zeppelin Room, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | Book here.
La Grande Fête 2023
This year Telopea Park School celebrates its 100-year anniversary. What better way to celebrate than at La Grande Fête!? There’s something for everyone – with a diverse mix of stalls, amusement rides, entertainment, and activities! Get dizzy on the supa-cha ride, flip out on the bungee trampoline, get the kids face painted, eat and drink your way across many cultures whilst being serenaded by the Telopea talent. Don’t forget to pick up some bargains at the second handbook stall or the French bookshop van, and on your way out grab some plants to brighten your home.
Saturday 4 November | Telopea Park School, 25 New South Wales Crescent, Barton | For more information email [email protected]
Fraser Primary Fete 2023
It’s been many years since the last Fraser Fete, so this one is sure to be a special event! This year’s theme is ‘Around the World’ which celebrates the many cultures represented within the Fraser Primary Community. Showcasing food from around the world (think: Asian dumplings served alongside the Aussie snag), there will also be side show alley, showbags, pony rides, plant stalls, community stalls (with nothing over $5) and Reptile wildlife displays! A great event for all ages and interests, all money raised will be channelled back into community initiatives.
Saturday 4 November | Fraser Primary School, 177 Tillyard Drive, Fraser | facebook.com/fraserfete
Canberra Nara Candle Festival
This is one of Canberra’s most stunning festivals. See the Nara Peace Park at Lennox Gardens light up with thousands of candles to celebrate the Canberra Nara Sister City relationship and experience Japanese cuisine, music, dance and demonstrations (including Taiko drumming, martial arts, and more). This year marks the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship, so don’t miss out on this free event.
Saturday 4 November | Canberra Nara Peace Park, Flynn Drive, Capital Hill | More information here.
The Southern Highlands Arts Trail
Immerse yourself in the creative environment that is the Southern Highlands. Renowned for its strong community of artists who are drawn to the region for the fresh air and natural beauty. During November, over 60 artists will open their studio doors for the annual Arts Trail. Giving the public for a unique opportunity to meet artists and see inside their creative spaces. And if you fall in love with their art, you will have the opportunity to purchase and take home!
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November | Various locations | More information here.
What’s On in Canberra This Week: Sport
A-League Women: Canberra United vs Perth Glory
Canberra United is aiming to bring another trophy home this season. Playing the Perth Glory, expect a match packed with goals and entertainment!
Saturday 4 November | Mckellar Park, Walkley Place, Mckellar | Book here.
Canberra Times Fun Run
It’s time to start training to join over 5,000 runners challenging themselves to be their best. The Canberra Times Fun Run is once again taking over the streets with pounding feet and laughter for the annual event. Once again offering the half marathon after the immense success last year, choose from four distances (21.1K, 10K, 5K or two kids run) and get going!
Sunday 5 November | Rond Terrace, Parkes, Parkes Way, Acton | More information here.
UC Capitals Game Day
Watch the UC Capitals as they fight for their tenth Championship this Women’s National Basketball League season. Playing at both the National Convention Centre and Southern Cross Stadium Tuggeranong across the season, you’ll see some entertaining talent and amazing games.
Saturday 5 November until Sunday 24 February 2024 | National Convention Centre Canberra, 31 Constitution Avenue, City | Tickets and more information here.
What’s On in Canberra This Week: Stage and Screen
House of Horror – Halloween Takeover
Calling all creatures of the night, Dendy Canberra is hosting a Horror Movie takeover! Showing five spooktacular horror films (from cult classics to modern must-sees), there’s no better place to celebrate Halloween and get your spook on. No matter your taste for terror, they’ve got you covered.
Tuesday 31 October | Dendy Cinemas, Bunda Street, City | More information here.
Untold Herstory 流麻溝十五號
This film screening tells a story of three female political prisoners at the concentration camps on Green Island (an islet off the east coast of Taiwan) in the 1950s. During that period, political parties—apart from the Chinese Nationalist Party—were banned and any discussion of democracy or Taiwanese independence led to arrest and detention. The female political prisoners chose to fight for freedom, but were more forcefully suppressed by the authorities. They held on to their beliefs, hoping for true freedom to come.
Tuesday 31 October | CIW Auditorium, Building 188, Fellows Lane, ANU | Book here.
Bollywood Film Festival
This is a brand new film festival that’s not to be missed. Curated from a selection of new and classic Bollywood titles in the lead up to Diwali, this weekend long festival highlights the cultural significant of India through a cinematic lens. It’s the perfect opportunity for a night out to enjoy some blockbuster films!
Thursday 3 until Sunday 5 November | Dendy Cinemas, Bunda Street, City | More information here.
She
Direct from a successful season at the Sydney Fringe Festival, Katherine Wolfgramme will be telling her the extraordinary experience of living as an ordinary transgender woman over the last three decades. Inspiring, educational and entertaining, this unique form of storytelling will see Katherine tell her story with humour and honestly with an hour long performance and Q&A session post show. Presented in association with the SpringOUT Festival, she ultimately hopes “the story and stats of my three-decade journey leaves your mind a little wiser and your heart a little bigger.”
Saturday 4 November | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, City | Book here.
What’s On in Canberra This Week: Music
Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones
Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones are married in life and in music. Old-time musicians and inspired tunesmiths from Hillsville, Virginia, they sing southern song-duets and play powerful fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo tunes. Don’t miss this sweet show.
Tuesday 31 October | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Melbourne Building, Canberra City | Book here.
Selby & Friends: Final Statements
There’s amazing artistry to experience with two highly accomplished guest artists, brilliant violinist Ike See, and acclaimed cellist Richard Narroway, in performance with pianist Kathryn Selby. This extraordinary program explores music for piano trio: Copland’s Vitebsk, the Tchaikovsky-influenced Piano Trio No. 1 by Arensky, and Schubert’s delightful, melody-rich Piano Trio No. 1, composed in the final year of his life – a delectable ending to this final concert of Selby & Friends’ 2023 Season.
Tuesday 31 October | James Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia | Book here.
Exploring the Akkordeon
The Wesley Music Centre Lunchtime Concert series is delighted to welcome back virtuosic piano akkordeon player, Anton Wurzer. This is a distinctive concert not to be missed!
Wednesday 1 November | 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
CSO Down South: Radiance
It’s another stunning one hour program from the CSO. Enjoy a beautiful night of music that includes Beethoven Trio in B-flat major for clarinet, bassoon and piano, an original composition by CSO Principal Bassoon Ben Hoadley and a solo work from Edward Neeman (and much more). Who can say no to an intimate chamber concert on a Thursday night?
Thursday 2 November | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Reed Street North, Greenway | Book here.
Damien Leith In Concert – Roy Orbison Orchestrated
Taking the audience on a nostalgic journey through the legendary music of Roy Orbison, this concert will feature elegant and uplifting arrangements of Roy’s timeless classics. Expect all of his biggest hits (including ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ ‘You Got it’ and ‘Crying’), lots of emotion and (of course) world class musicianship.
Friday 3 November | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | Book here.
Kristin Hersh
She’s a musical genius and a fearless rock innovator. And she’s coming to Canberra with her 20th album, Clear Pond Road. Described as a ‘cinematic road trip’, there will be a lot of rock, roll and a touch of creative firsts and inspirational thinking. Playing since the age of 14, you can expect a memorable night out.
Friday 3 November | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Melbourne Building, City | Book here.
An Afternoon of Baroque
Musica da Camera is directed by Baroque specialist John Ma and with Ariana Odermatt on harpsichord. Playing a program of Baroque delights for string orchestra, Musica da Camera will recreate the “pop” music of an era 400 years before iPhones.
Saturday 4 November | Holy Covenant Anglican Church, 89 Dexter Street, Cook | Book here.
Soweto Gospel Choir: Hope
A brand new concert from the three time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, this special event celebrates songs and anthems from the Freedom movement of Nelson Mandela’s South Africa, back to the Civil Rights Movement of Martin Luther King’s 1950’s America. Receiving much critical acclaim and audience adoration for their powerful renditions of African American spirituals, gospel and folk music, this is one unique and inspirational concert.
Sunday 5 November | Llewellyn Hall, 100 William Herbert Place, City | Book here.
What’s On in Canberra This Week: Exhibitions
Canberra Potters 2023 Members’ Exhibition
Featuring ceramic works created over the past 12 months by Canberra Potters’ members, this exhibition is a celebration of some fantastic local works. From delicate porcelain vessels to bold, hand-built sculptures, and everything in between, you can explore the ever-evolving world of contemporary ceramics through the diverse displays that push the boundaries of pottery.
Friday 3 November until Sunday 3 December | 1 Aspinall Street, Watson | More information here.
On Fire: Works from the Strathnairn Arts’ Wood Firing Group
From raw clay forms with wood ash effects, large sculptural forms, to glazed pieces utilising ash effects from the long firing process, this exhbition will display a stunning range of works from the Strathnairn Arts’ Wood Firing Group. Head along to see what beautiful results from hours of preparing wood, work, packing, firing and unpacking.
Saturday 4 until Sunday 26 November | Strathnairn Arts Association, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt | More information here.
Voyage
Showcasing animated watercolours from Southeast Asia, Voyage: Experience the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings of Southeast Asia is a digital installation bringing to life a stunning selection of botanical and zoological watercolours from the National Museum of Singapore. The best part? This exhbition is free!
Until Sunday 5 November | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Truth & Beauty by Penelope Boyd, Colleen Stapleton and Narelle Zeller.
From the colourist hues of Collen Stapleton’s alla prima portraits, to the hyper-realism of internationally acclaimed Narelle Zeller and the magical realism of Canberra artist Penelope Boyd’s mischievous beauties, this exhbition is a stunning display of works from adored figurative realists. Running until Sunday 5 November, make sure not to miss it!
Until Sunday 5 November | Grainger Gallery, Bldg 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | More information here.
Spoon Theory Exhbition
Spoon Theory is an exhibition of spoons crafted to abstractly represent some of the emotions and traits experienced and exhibited by a person living with an invisible illness. Highlighting autism and depression, spoon has been crafted from scratch and represents an emotion or trait faced by a specific individual, the artist herself.
Until Saturday 9 December | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, Canberra City | More information here.
Guns & Flowers: Ex de Medici
Ex de Medici grew up and lives in Canberra and is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. In this exhbition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, audiences will have the opportunity to see Medici’s earliest works, made when she was part of the energetic first wave of independent artist-activists in Canberra in the early 1980s, to some of her most recent, travelling from her acclaimed retrospective at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.
Until early 2024 | Canberra Museum and Gallery, Corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City | More information here.
Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize
The National Portrait Gallery is hosting the Art Gallery of NSW’s touring exhibition Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize. Celebrating 100 years of Australia’s oldest and most-loved portrait award and reflects upon the changing face of the nation, this exhbition delves into the controversies and the commonplace, the triumphant and the thwarted, and honours the artists who have made the Archibald Prize the most sought-after accolade in Australian art today.
Until early 2024 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | More information here.
Quote from the Website Author:
“There are endless things to do in Canberra this week. From the stunning Nara Candle Festival to the beginning of our month-long pride festival and a very funky 80s trivia night, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out on all the fun!”
Conclusion from the Website Author:
With a wide range of special events, festivals, sports games, stage performances, music concerts, and exhibitions, Canberra is buzzing with excitement this week. Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends, a family-friendly activity, or a cultural experience, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss out on all the fun and make the most of what Canberra has to offer!”
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
