Best of the 'berra, ANZAC Edition
How lovely of Canberra to offer you such a lot of things this week. There are lots of belly laughs to be had with stand up comics in town and there’s all sorts of old things to fall in love with like vintage clothes and national treasures…
Wednesday April 25
When Wishing Still Worked
Where: Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Gorman House, Ainslie Ave, Braddon
When: Open Tues-Fri 11am-5pm | Sat 10am-4pm
Do you watch Disney movies and dream of being a princess? If you’re partial to a good fairytale or two then check out this new exhibition which looks at famous fairytales and their connection with reality. In their first show together, Sister Wives (Helen Braund, Tiffany Cole and Shellaine Godbold) take us into a magical world where they explore the female identities in fairytales and how these stereotypes influence our expectations for our own lives. Running until May 12, for more info head to http://www.ccas.com.au/.
Thursday April 26
Live Music @ Mint
Where: Mint Garden Bar, Gorman House, Batman Street, Braddon
When: From 5pm
Mint is a great place to grab a drink, as it’s close to the city and ever so stylishly secluded. Set next to Sage restaurant, Mint has a lovely outdoor ambience and a wine list that is sure to wow you. They also sell the great White Rabbit beer and have live music on Thursday evening to help you celebrate the fact that tomorrow is Friday.
Friday April 27
Ross Noble: Nonsensory Overload
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
When: 8pm
The ever-so-quirky Ross Noble is back in Australia, fresh from travelling the globe and hosting his own TV show and he has lots of new nonsense to share with you. Following the success of his UK tour last year, Noble is now touring with his brand new show, Nonsensory Overload. Two new shows have just been added but tickets are selling fast so get along to http://www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au to make sure you don’t miss out on seeing one of the world’s best international comics live.
Saturday April 28
Love Vintage Show
Where: Budawang Building, Exhibition Park, Flemington Road, Mitchell
When: Saturday 10am to 5pm
Attention fashionable types and friends of aforementioned fashionistas. Three days of fashion festivities are approaching and you’d best prepare by saving your pennies now. There’ll be quality vintage and original couture fashion (for guys and girls) as well as a vast range of hats, shoes, accessories, homewares, and antique collectables like lovely perfume bottles and sewing kits. Oh and did we mentions the fashion parades, live bands, masterclasses, hair and makeup deonstrations and pretty prizes to be won? Yep, three whole days of fashion festivities, Friday Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit http://lovevintage.com.au/wp
Sunday April 29
Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience
Where: National Archives of Australia, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes
When: 9am to 5pm (Saturdays and Sundays)
If you think Canberra is the capital of cold weather, stop your whining, put on some mittens and imagine living in Antarctica, the land of ice and blizzards. If you’re wondering what could possibly motivate someone to make the chilly choice of moving to such a place, we have one word for you. Discovery. This exhibition reveals how Australia’s relationship with this frozen land has developed over the last 100 years. There’s a rare collection of original equipment and diaries from early expeditions on display together for the first time as well as inspiring interactive displays and imagery.
Monday April 30
Treasures Gallery
Where: Ground Floor, National Library of Australia,
When: Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm
The Treasures Gallery is the new permanent home for lots of the library’s greatest treasures. New treasures have been installed in the gallery, while pages have been turned on many of the popular items, including James Cook’s Endeavour Journal and Keith Murdoch’s 1915 Gallipoli Letter. There’s also new items on display like a first draft of Mem Fox’s Possum Magic manuscript as well as a letter of support to Lindy Chamberlain and a copy of a speech given by Edward Koiki Mabo in 1981.
Tuesday May 1st
Shane Dundas: Believe
Where: Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic
When: TBC
You might know Shane Dundas better as the balder half of the Umbilical Brothers. He has travelled the world entertaining people but this time he’s by himself and instead of making you laugh by falling down lots he’ll be doing some stand up. If his first solo show is even half as funny as the Umbilical Brothers shows then you’re in for a treat. Tickets to his comedy hour can be yours if you head to http://www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
WORDS: Ashley Hamilton