February 5

Hello Canberra,

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: The Lifeline Bookfair + Live Music this Week.

⛈️ Weather: 31° and a shower or two. 70% chance of rain, most likely in the afternoon and evening. There’s a chance of a possible severe storm.

This Weekend: 📚 Lifeline Bookfair

The Lifeline Bookfair is a book lovers’ paradise. You’ll find a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, including rare books and collectables, children’s books, textbooks and foreign language books. You’ll also find magazines, sheet music, comics, records and CDs, DVDs, games and jigsaws. The Lifeline Bookfair raises a major portion of the funding needed to keep our local crisis support service running. The bookfair is running from Friday to Sunday this weekend at EPIC. Details here.

Coming Up: 🎵 Fanning Dempsey National Park

Australian music legends Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey joined forces in 2024 to create Fanning Dempsey National Park. The duo will perform in Canberra for one night this May. Details here.

This Weekend: 👰 Canberra Wedding Expo

Canberra’s only major wedding expo is coming to the National Convention Centre this Sunday. Meet with local industry suppliers and professionals to help plan your special day. Details here.

🤝 Connect Up 2617

Developed by and for locals, Connect Up 2617 helps 18- to 30-year-olds in Belconnen and Bruce meet others and share experiences. The program hosts events like collaborative street art, walking tours, bushwalks, and nature journaling. It’s part of a research project from the University of Canberra. Details here.

Coming Up: 🎶 Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell

There are just a handful of tickets left to Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell’s upcoming show in Canberra. The duo will be performing the songs of Elton John and George Michael. Details here.

Something to do: 🇫🇷 French Cooking Class

The Alliance Française de Canberra is running French cooking classes this February. Each Saturday, a different teacher will guide the class through preparing a delicious French recipe. Details here.

Tidbits and News:

London Circuit Closes: From today, the western side of London Circuit will be closed to traffic for Stage 2A of light rail construction. Fencing will be in place from Northbourne Avenue to Edinburgh Avenue until late 2027.

Licence Renewal Discount: Did you know you’re eligible to receive a 30% discount on your licence renewal if, in the past 5 years, you haven’t received a traffic infringement notice? The discount is automatically applied when a renewal notice is sent.

Live Music This Weekend

Here’s Canberra’s gig guide for this week:

Thursday

• David Flower (folk/alt) @ Smith’s Alternative

Friday

• Chimers (rock) @ Dissent
• The Grooveyard (rock/pop) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Fearetical (metal) @ Live at the Polo
• Silentia (metal) @ Pot Belly
• Metropolis @ The Irish Club
• Woodface @ Burns Club
• Wayne Kelly Trio (jazz) @ The Street

Saturday

• The Necks (jazz/alt) @ The Street
• Bluegrass & Country Fest @ Old Canberra Inn
• Rachael Fahim (country) @ Live at the Polo
• VAMP! Alt Music Night @ Shadows
• What She’s Having (indie/country) @ Smith’s Alternative
• B.C. / Timecult @ Smith’s Alternative
• Stein @ Smith’s Alternative
• Jack Lowman @ Ainslie Club
• Special K @ Burns Club

Sunday

• Sam Fletcher (folk/indie) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Tim McNally @ Dickson Taphouse
• Lewis DeLorenzo (folk) @ Old Canberra Inn
• Johnny Huckle (folk) @ The Irish Club

Nightlife

Luke Combs V Morgan Wallen: DJs will be spinning hits from Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and other country stars at The Baso this Friday night. Details here.

Multicultural Festival Afterparty: Transit Bar and the Australia Colombia Friendship Association are hosting the afterparty for the National Multicultural Festival. It’s happening this Saturday. Details here.

Indulgence Drag Show: Alias Cabaret presents Indulgence—a night of dazzling queens, luxurious kings, trashy cryptids, & piping hot performance art. It’s on at Smith’s this Friday. Details here.