Friday 30th August

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: It’s Friday 30th August

⛅️ Weather: 19° and partly cloudy. Winds of up to 45km/h

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News: 🛶 The Paddle Boats Are Back

The historic paddle boats on Lake Burley Griffin will be returning to the lake after being removed last year. The paddle boats were last operated by GoBoat, but the NCA pulled them from the lake after they were left in a state of disrepair. The new operator, Love Boats, who currently run hire boats on the lake, have repaired the vessels and will be launching them this Sunday just in time for the spring tourist boom. The boats will be available for hire from Regatta Point, and an additional 9 paddle boats have been added and will operate from Commonwealth Place.

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Something to do: 🏴‍☠️ Canberra Shanty Club

The Canberra Shanty Club is a community singing group that sings sea shanties, working songs and folk chorus tunes. They hold open singing sessions at Smith's Alternative, where all singing levels are welcome. Due to the all-sing nature of the songs, the sessions are very friendly and great for those who get nervous singing in front of others. The next session is this coming Monday at 6pm. Details here.

Thank you, Tom, for suggesting this!

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Concert: 🦸 Heroes and Villains

The National Capital Orchestra will be making their Snow Concert Hall debut next weekend with a special Heroes and Villains performance featuring an exciting lineup of iconic movie music. The program includes music from Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Dam Busters, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Interstellar, and How to Train Your Dragon. It's happening next Sunday at 3pm. Details here.

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Coming Up: Craft + Design Festival

The program for the 2024 Craft + Design Canberra Festival has been released. Now in its 10th edition, the festival celebrates Canberra's vibrant design scene. It’s running from November 1-10, featuring over 22 exhibitions and more than a dozen workshops. Early bird tickets are now available. Details here.

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Stage: 💃 Chicago

The longest-running musical on Broadway, Chicago, will be opening in Canberra next week. It's a dazzling musical set in the roaring 1920s with an iconic score, including 'All That Jazz' and 'Razzle Dazzle'. Chicago is ending its Australian run in Canberra and will be here for 3 weeks. Details here.

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This Weekend in Canberra

There's a family-friendly Father's Day rave, a fair in Kambah, an urban beer crawl, and much more happening this weekend in Canberra. Get the full rundown here.

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Classifieds

Vinyl Record Sales: Two record sales are happening this weekend. Music from the 1930s to 1990s. 16 crates of LP records, mostly mint, sealed re-issues, 4 or 5 crates are used originals from the 1970s/80s. Jazz, Soul, Funk, Blues, RnB, Rock'n'roll, Folk, World, Zydeco!

Saturday August 31st: Good Goodies Flea Market at Gang Gang Cafe in Downer. 2 Frencham Pl. 3pm to 6pm. The event is Outside, but under eaves cover.

Sunday, September 1st: Harmonie German Club. 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue. 9am to 1pm. The sale is inside the club.

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Classifieds support Canberra Digest 😊 Book yours here.

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Tidbits:

Commonwealth Avenue Closure: The southbound lanes of Commonwealth Avenue will be closed between London Circuit and Parkes Way from 8pm tonight until 6am Monday. More.

Athletes Welcome: An official welcome home celebration will be thrown for ACT Olympians and Paralympians on September 17th. It will take place during Floriade on Stage88. I'll have more details before the event.

No Home of Football: The Home of Football planned to be built in Throsby has been scrapped. The site would have hosted Canberra's A-league team. The decision was made after Capital Football could no longer afford their contribution to the project. Playing fields will now be constructed on the site.

Little Burley Market Cancelled: Due to the expected high winds this weekend, the Little Burley Market has been cancelled this week.