August 5

Hello Canberra,

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: The Art of Music Posters + Pop Line Dancing.

🌦️ Weather: 16° with a possible shower. 40% chance of rain, most likely in the morning.

🧑‍🎨 Arts Around Canberra

This week’s arts wrap—there’s so much coming up in August!:

The Art of Music Posters: Enjoy This Trip: The Art of Music Posters opens at the National Gallery this Friday. Journey back to the Summer of Love and be transported to a time when the music was funky, the art was kaleidoscopic, and psychedelia was in full swing. Enjoy This Trip presents a nostalgic exploration of the era through art, graphic design, music, colour and typography. Details here.

The Chosen Vessel: A young Aboriginal woman, made a mother against her will, lives in the bush, surrounded by Country she knows and respects. From award-winning Palawa playwright Dylan Van Den Berg (Milk, Whitefella Yella Tree) comes this bold new adaptation of Barbara Baynton’s The Chosen Vessel. It opens at The Street this Friday. Details here.

Funny Old Stuff: Gorman Arts Centre is hosting an exhibition of oil paintings by Canberra artist Julie Loudon. Part fairy tale, part fever dream, Julie’s paintings tread the line between the familiar and the surreal, domestic and epic. Details here.

Craft + Design Exhibitions: Two new exhibitions are opening this Thursday at Craft + Design Canberra. Material Transformations draws together the work of three practitioners—Emma Bingham, Svenja Kratz and Sarah Stubbs—who explore, through the act of making, how the body holds and sheds material memories. holy arm gauntlet presents recent work by Tom Campbell, positioning embroidery as a location for disagreement. Details here.

Cool Music, Hot Brass: Canberra Big Band Collective presents Cool Music & Hot Brass. Join two of Canberra's best-loved community jazz bands for an afternoon of cool tunes and hot brass at The Polo this Sunday. Details here.

Canberra Bach Ensemble: Canberra Bach Ensemble will perform some of J.S. Bach's finest works around the timeless theme of “feeding the poor” this Saturday and Sunday. Details here.

Animalia: A group exhibition of Australian artists celebrating the animal world at the Q Gallery art hub in Ainslie. Come along and vote for the People’s Choice Award. It opens this Friday. Details here.

‌Bella Italia: Phoenix Collective presents a program showcasing three different facets of Italy’s rich musical tradition—ranging from the elegance of virtuoso cellist Boccherini’s early quartet to Verdi’s glorious melodies, and concluding with Giovanni Sollima’s nostalgic depictions of Italian life. Details here.

Jazz Haus: Following the success of their debut EP, Lyhra proudly launches their first full-length live album, Live at Church Street Studios, with a special one-night-only performance at Tuggeranong Arts Centre. Details here.

Hullabaloo: A hullabaloo is a state of commotion and excitement. Ceramic sculptures by Molly Desmond and paintings by Sophia Childs embrace this term. It’s opening tomorrow at ANCA in Dickson. Details here.

Block 8 at M16: Block 8 of exhibitions at M16 Artspace opens this Thursday. Details here.

💃 Something to do:

Pop Line Dancing: Dance studio ilLustrious Dance is running Pop Line Dancing sessions—pop hits, easy-to-follow moves and a whole lot of fun. It’s beginner- and kid-friendly. Details here.

ACT Jigsaw Puzzle Competition: The ACT Jigsaw Puzzle Competition 2025 is coming this October. Open to puzzle lovers of all abilities—compete solo or in pairs to finish fastest. Best of all, ACT residents get an official ranking (and bragging rights). Details here.

Pint and Paint: Enjoy a Capital Brewing pint at the taproom while painting a sun-drenched dreamscape. Pinot & Picasso is hosting a pop-up session at the brewery on 17 August. Details here.

CBR Gals Podcast Club: A feminist podcast club that creates space for meaningful connection, reflection and growth. Think of it as your monthly chance to gather with other thoughtful women and unpack powerful podcast episodes that inspire curiosity, laughter and introspection. The next session is coming up at Contentious Character on 21 August. Details here.

Classifieds

🍷 Canberra Cellar Door: Stop by the Canberra Visitor Centre every Saturday, 11am–3pm, to taste incredible local wines. Canberra Cellar Door also hosts small‑group classes and special events—subscribe to their newsletter to be the first to know what’s coming up. Details here.

--

Classifieds support Canberra Digest

Tidbits

Federation Centenary Fountains: The NCA is launching a project to address the state of the Federation Centenary Fountains. The fountains near Old Parliament House haven’t operated since 2014. They were costly to run and, due to their shallow design, had high evaporation rates. The long-term plan will see the fountains transformed to include a garden bed element while still retaining a central water feature. In the interim, work will be done to “make the area presentable”. More.

Power Outages: Have you noticed an increase in power outages? Outages in Canberra were up 20% this June compared to the same period last year. Molonglo Valley and Gungahlin were the two worst-affected areas. The ACT’s electricity grid was half-privatised in 2000 under the Carnell/Humphries government. Gungahlin and Molonglo were primarily built after 2000. Weird 🤔 More.