Coming Up in 2014 #2

I didn’t expect that the second of these posts would come around so soon, but there’s so much on at the moment to tell you about! A number of the things I wrote about in the first post haven’t come around just yet, so head there for even more ideas.

• As you can imagine, the nation’s capital doesn’t just let Australia Day glide by unnoticed. In addition to the Hottest 100 parties across town this coming Sunday, the National Museum is having its own festival, and if you get bored there, you can head to Commonwealth Park (or vice versa) for similar activities. The big party at Parliament House, with Matt Corby and Megan Washington as featured artists, is on the Saturday night (25 January).

• Canberra has sadly failed to really take on the Summer of Riesling to the extent of other states, despite local winery Helm being in part behind the event. New Acton’s Parlour Wine Room is carrying the torch for us throughout January and February, with five new Rieslings by the glass each week, concentrating on the weird, wild and wacky (their words!) – and they’re not forgetting the great Canberra Rieslings, either.

• Peppa Pig is Live! at the Canberra Theatre Centre over 30 and 31 January, and 1 February, and, somehow, tickets are still available.

• Canberra lovelies Sparrow Folk who won the 666 Canberra Exhumed competition last year, brought us an ode to Canberra with Big Old Country Town, and also came to my attention with Bangarang (it might not be what you think…) are holding their album launch at the Turner Bowls Club at 7.30pm on 31 January. Tickets are $15 for general admission.

• The National Multicultural Festival is of course back again on February 7-9. I can’t even begin to name the amazing ranges of food and beer which I inevitably gorge myself on, but what I also can’t go past every time is Chips on a Stick (no judging please!). The Multicultural Festival also means that the Canberra Fringe Festival is back the same weekend. I’m intrigued by ‘Territory’ and ‘Theatre in a Car’ (the latter is promised to be an intimate experience!).

• On each Monday in February, Canberra Centre’s Dendy is screening a classic cult film. There are morning (10am) and evening (6pm) sessions, and the movies are shown in both the Premium Lounge ($21 if you’re not a Club Dendy member) and the normal theatre ($12 if you’re not a Club Dendy member). Movies include Blues Brothers, the Grease singalong, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. (I am totally keen on the Grease singalong…! Anyone with me?)

• If you miss out on the Grease singalong at Dendy, never fear: it’s also on at the Ben and Jerry’s openair cinema just a few weeks later! Phew! The movies – new, classic and a bit different – are on from 14 February to 8 March.

• The Canberra Food and Wine Expo at the National Convention Centre looks like it’s going to be huge over 14, 15 and 16 February. Tickets are $20 per adult per day, or $55 for a three day pass (cheaper for concession), and you can check out the exhibitors (including local Canberra faves!) here.

• Do you like baking cakes? Do you like eating cakes? Then the Canberra Cake Club – which has just had its first successful event this past weekend – might be for you. The premise is monthly meet-ups (‘cake-ups’) at a venue in Canberra, where attendees bring a cake. There’s no judging – just a lot of admiration and enjoyment.

• I mentioned Enlighten (28 February to 8 March) in the last post, but it deserves another plug because the huuuge list of events has been released. If you’re at all interested in an event and it requires a ticket, get in quick! We attended Dining in the House last year – try here for the review. The 20th anniversary showing of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert is listed as one of the events, complete with ‘tranny bingo’ (!). I’m also really interested in Questacon’s night photography workshop.

OPH during Enlighten in 2013

• The Canberra Comedy Festival is on from 4-9 March. The comedians coming are top notch, with faves like Hannah Gadsby, Charlie Pickering, Jimeoin, and (those who seem to me to be) newbies Matt Okine (the replacement for Tom on Triple J’s breakfast show) and Tommy Little (one of the recurring characters on Time of Our Lives). I’m particularly keen to see Sammy J.

• It seems like a while away, but the Narooma Oyster Festival on 5-6 April is going to come around super quick, I’m sure of it. As a big oyster lover, I’ve had my eye on this event for years but it’s always clashed with something else. Here’s hoping I get to go this year!

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