Wednesday 27th August

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: The Inspire Festival is back + Big Bash tickets.

🌧️ Weather: 15° and cloudy. 95% chance of rain, most likely in the morning.

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Coming Up: 🍃 Inspire Festival

A festival of ideas, art and nature is set to light up Ginninderry next weekend. The Ginninderry Inspire Festival returns with a packed program celebrating art, nature and sustainability. Expect talks, workshops, market stalls, live music and more.

Hear from Dr Karl, Indira Naidoo, Lish Fejer and Gina Chick, and take part in workshops on composting, sustainable decluttering, mindful meal planning and more. Kids will be kept busy with face painting, bug hunting, craft activities and a visit from Grug. And for art lovers, Strathnairn Arts artists will be opening their studio doors. Details here.

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Looking Ahead: 🏏 Big Bash

The Big Bash is coming to Canberra this December. Tickets to the two games—Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat and Thunder vs Melbourne Stars—are now on sale. Details here.

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🤣 Canberra Comedy

Noah Szto: Noah endured four years of med school in the hope that it would make for a good show one day. This is that show. Noah was the winner of the Directors’ Choice award at the 2025 Melbourne Comedy Festival and will be making his Canberra debut at The Street in November. Details here.

Canberra Comedy Club: Ray O’Leary, the Kiwi comedian known for his deadpan delivery and iconic grey suit, is headlining with his first visit to the Canberra Comedy Club. The support bill features MC Chris Ryan, Greg Kimball, Charlotte Kuruc and David Graham. Happening next Wednesday at Fun Time Pony. Details here.

Kirsty Webeck: After sold-out shows at the Canberra Comedy Festival, former Canberran Kirsty Webeck brings her cheerful show all about sea creatures to The Street this September. Details here.

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📰 Tidbits:

Swooping Season: It’s that time of year! Swooping season has already begun with numerous reports made over the last two weeks. You can check Magpie Alert to see where swooping birds, including aggressive magpies, have been reported, and hopefully find a safer cycling/walking route. Details here.

Seagull Plague: Seagulls have begun swarming the forecourt of Parliament House in huge numbers. I wonder what they’re protesting—perhaps inaction on climate change, overfishing, a lack of chips—although it’s more likely they’re just here for nesting. The birds see the water feature out the front of Parliament House as a perfect nesting ground. More.

New Coworking Space: Canberra Airport Group is opening a massive new coworking space at Brindabella Business Park (Majura). Collab Brindabella, an 186-desk shared workspace, will feature a podcast studio, event spaces and meeting rooms. It will be opening in November.

Headline Acts at Summernats: The headline acts for January’s Summernats have been announced. Pub rock icons The Living End, The Screaming Jets and Killing Heidi will take the stage on Friday, and on Saturday night, Canberra duo Peking Dukheadline.

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Classifieds

Special: 🎨 studioMAP 50% Off Half-Term Bookings
SOME SPACES AVAILABLE for studioMAP’s after-school and Saturday art classes for children & teens in painting, drawing and illustration. Suitable for ages 6-10 / 8-14 / 11-15 / Teen only 15+. Book now

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Classifieds support Canberra Digest

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Live Music: 🎶 Band Beng Bing Bong Bung

Smith’s Alternative hosts the Band Beng Bing Bong Bung open mic night, featuring 40-minute sets from four or so emerging bands. The next session is happening this Friday. Details here.

Thank you Cee Cee for sharing this!

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🎸 Live Music this Weekend

Thursday

• Starve (metal) @ The Baso
• Maggie Carty (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative

Friday

• Luude @ Dairy Road
• Slowly Slowly (pop/punk) @ The Baso
• R&B Fest @ UC Hub
• Crazy Mistake @ Smith’s Alternative
• The Cuttings (rock/pop) @ Irish Club

Saturday

• Flowermarket (indie) @ Dissent
• Garth Prentice (rock/blues) @ The Hive
• Metal Fiesta @ The Baso
• Mr Tim & the Fuzzy Elbows (kids) @ Smith’s Alternative

Sunday

• All That's Left of You / Proxy Diver / Bodyshirt / Spouse @ Dissent
• Buckingham Trad Trio (jazz) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Andante Andante (ABBA Choir) @ Live at the Polo
• Cassanovid (covers) @ Canberra Bowling Club
• Cuba! (Cuban music showcase) @ Smith’s Alternative