First look at Enlighten 2015

There’s no mistaking it: Enlighten is one of the best events in the Canberra calendar. I love the fast moving pictures on Questacon, the reflections of our history on the National Library, and Old Parliament House is always exquisite. Here’s a little of what you can expect to see what it kicks off on Friday night (27 February):

Yes, they are on water!

Gotta get the rain out of the way…

Enlighten is on from 27 February to 8 March, and has a range of events associated with it.

Here’s a little look at what it looked like last year.

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Chef’s Table at Old Parliament House*

Reading back on my review of the Starlight Dinner at Old Parliament House as part of Enlighten earlier this year, you can hear the disbelief in my (writing) voice. The night appeared to have little connection to Enlighten, and we found the use of the venue, and the food, underwhelming.

It’s not very often I get a response to a poor review. But this time, within a matter of days, our group’s been contacted by the people behind the food: Restaurant Associates. They want to really show us exactly what their kitchen – and chef Sebastien Lutaud – are capable of, and we agree to attend a Chef’s Table experience.

Canberra – a review by my parents

My parents don’t live in Canberra, but they come here at least once a year. They love this city, and often remark on how much there is to do – on occasion they seem to have a better idea of events and activities going on than I do! I love hearing their ‘outsider’ perspective, and thought you’d love to, too.

Me with mum and dad when they were visiting last year (during Floriade)

Enlighten: Starlight Dinner

The Canberra blogging community is just that: a community. One of the things I love most about it is that I’ve been able to meet the people behind the blogs I adore – and through them, I’ve met more great people and more great blogs! With the help of Twitter, shortly after the 2014 Enlighten program was released, a group of seven of us agree to purchase tickets and enjoy something we all like: a dinner experience.

Enlighten 2014: Deviator*

The 2014 Enlighten program has a lot of very cool events… it’s hard to know where to start. I’m invited to tech run/preview the Museum of Australian Democracy’s event Deviator and I can’t help but agree – at the very least to find out exactly what it’s all about! My initial impression is that it’s a bit of a ‘treasure hunt’ but rather than finding things, it’s doing things a little out of the norm… and right in our Parliamentary Triangle. I’m not far wrong!

First look at Enlighten Canberra 2014

Enlighten Canberra 2014 looks set to be an absolute cracker again. I loved 2013 and there looks to be a lot to love for 2014. I was in the area for another Enlighten event and took a moment to take a few snaps… get excited!

Bright and exciting!

Questacon’s projections over two sides of the building are always brilliant

My favourite institution which displayed projections last year was the National Library… I think it’s my early favourite again!

Like the National Gallery, the National Library uses its Mapping Our World theme – and wonderfully

There are plenty of events on the Friday and Saturday of the next two weeks

My favourite this year… so far

I believe this to be the Circle of Light

Gorgeous!

Old Parliament House is always a huge feat with projections stretching across the long building. The “Guys and Polls” montage is excellent.

Guys and Polls

Great to see Canberra political cartoonist Dave Pope’s popular cartoon on the ‘big screen’!

Gorgeous

PJK!

See you there?

For more info and events over the next two weeks, try here.

Enlighten: Members’ Guests Dining Experience

With Enlighten Canberra comes the offer of experiencing dinner at the Members’ Guest Dining Rooms at Parliament House. We figure, at $90 a head, why not? It can’t be worse than our $75 pp experience at Siren Bar.