Thursday 14th November

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: I'm rounding up some of the upcoming markets where you'll find quality, handmade goods + the gig guide for this week.

🌧️ Weather: 24° and a shower or two. It seems the rain forecasted over the past two days didn't quite arrive—0mm was recorded at the airport.

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🛍️ Where to Find Unique Gifts This Christmas

If you’re on the hunt for unique, locally made Christmas gifts this year, here are some upcoming markets worth popping in the diary. These are my top picks:

Undercurrent: The Undercurrent Design Market is put on by The Curatoreum (the shop at the National Portrait Gallery) and features both local and interstate makers. The market is happening November 22-24. Details here.

Museum Market Day: There will be over 50 local and regional stallholders at the National Museum's Market Day happening November 23 and 24. There will also be food and drink stands and a DJ in the Gandel Atrium. Details here.

Canberra Potters Christmas Fair: You'll find a wide array of handcrafted treasures that are both meaningful and locally made at the Canberra Potters Christmas Fair. There are 20 local studios and potters taking part in the fair happening from December 6 to 15. Details here.

Woodcraft Guild: The ACT Woodcraft Guild will be holding a pop-up store at South.Point from December 2-8. You'll find hundreds of beautifully crafted timber items made by local members.

Let me know if you have any other suggestions on where to find locally-made goods this Christmas.

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Coming Up: 🎅 Sleigh Slay

Sleigh Slay is an interactive murder mystery experience. Santa has stepped down as the elected master of Christmas, and working together with your delegation, you must present your party manifesto, but SHOCK HORROR! Not all parties have pledged to play fair, and during the night, someone will fall victim to politicide. It's happening on December 7 at Tuggeranong Homestead. Details here.

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Something to do: 🎄 Handmade Glass Ornaments

The Canberra Glassworks is running two holiday-themed workshops: make your own glass ornament and make your own bauble. Details here.

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Weekend Sport

🏀 UC Capitals: The UC Capitals will be looking for their first win of the season when they take on Perth tonight. Tickets.

🏑 Canberra Chill: The women's and men's Chill teams will be playing HC Melbourne at the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham this Friday night. It's their last home game of the Hockey One season. Tickets.

⚽️ Canberra United: In round 3 of the A-League, Canberra United will take on Adelaide at McKellar Park on Saturday afternoon. Tickets.

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Something to do: 🎶 Smith’s Musical Singalong

The Musical Singalong is a karaoke-style event featuring only songs from musicals. Add your name to the list with the song you want to perform, and you’ll be called up at random to sing karaoke-style. The next musical singalong is happening on November 23. Details here.

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This Weekend: 🍃 Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park

The Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park is a regional botanic garden showcasing species typical of the Southern Tablelands flora. The garden is maintained by volunteers, and this Saturday, they'll be hosting a guided tour of the park. Details here.

The event is happening as part of the Canberra Festival of Nature. There are several other tours and workshops happening throughout November. Details here.

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👩‍🎤 Live Music This Week

Local pop artist Sam Sly is moving to Melbourne and will be throwing a farewell show at the Polo. Peking Duk have returned home to perform two shows at The Vault this Friday. And Ripple Effect Band, an all-female rock band from West Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, will be performing at Gang Gang. Here's this week's Canberra gig guide:

Tonight:

• Tom Woodward and Evan Buckley (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative

Friday:

• Peking Duk (alternative/dance) @ The Vault
• Pop Filter (indie) @ Shadows
• Dog Trumpet (rock) @ Live at the Polo
• Velvet Sun (soul/blues) @ Cypher Brewing
• Mr Industry (rock) @ Dissent
• Loose Surface (rock) @ The Baso
• Tuck Shop Ladies (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Harakiri For The Sky (metal) @ The Baso
• What She’s Having @ The Irish Club
• Basement Spaceman (alternative) @ Pot Belly Bar

Saturday:

• Township Rebellion (techno) @ The Vault
• Sam Sly (pop/indie) @ Live at the Polo
• Ripple Effect Band (rock) @ Gang Gang
• Honest Crooks @ The Baso
• POSSESHOT (rap) @ The Baso
• Dan Costa (jazz) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Sex on Toast (R&B/Soul) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Moondog (blues) @ The Durham
• The Gbedu Music & Dance Concert (afrobeats) @ UC

Sunday:

• Dan Kelly @ Smith’s Alternative
• Folk Bitch Trio (alternative) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Pro Blues Jam @ Harmonie Club
• Eden Plenty @ Dickson Taphouse
• Inez Hargaden @ Old Canberra Inn

Also, thank you to Peter for sharing that there will be live music at the Bowling Club in Forrest on Sunday afternoons and at the Burns Club on Saturdays.

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Fetes This Weekend

Fete season continues...

Festival of Nature: The Canberra Montessori school is holding a Festival of Nature as their major fundraiser this year. There will be bush tucker talks and wildlife experiences as well as a sausage sizzle, raffle and market stalls. Details here.

Holy Family Fete: Holy Family Primary in Gowrie will be holding their fete this Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Details here.

Weetangera Primary School Fete: Weetangera Primary will be holding their fete from 10am to 2pm this Sunday. Details here.