Monday 20th January

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: It's Monday, January 20.

⛅️ Weather: 31° and partly cloudy.

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This Weekend: FLIGHT Drone Show

Across three nights, the sky over Lake Burley Griffin will transform into a canvas of lights as 600 drones tell stories. Two 15-minute shows will run each night: Through the Lens at 9pm and ‌Into the Mind at 10pm. Complementing the drone spectacle are the night markets at Commonwealth Place, open from 5pm, and a smaller selection of food vendors at Regatta Point. The drone show is free, and no tickets are required Details here.

Last year, parking near the event was a challenge. This year, public transport is free on light rail and buses from 4pm each evening. Shuttle buses will also run from the Woden and City interchanges, as well as Tuggeranong and Belconnen, on Sunday. Details here.

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Something to do: Watch the Drone Show on a SUP

Want to avoid the crowds and enjoy an exclusive view of this weekend's drone display? SUP Canberra is running Stand Up Paddle Board tours during the drone show, departing from the National Carillon at approximately 8:30pm for a two-hour event. Details here.

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🎨 Arts Around Canberra

Here's your weekly wrap of what's happening in Canberra's art scene:

Pattern Recognition: This Friday and Saturday, artist Hannah Quinlivan will create a drawing using salt live in the Canberra Contemporary gallery, inviting visitors to slow down and witness this ephemeral artwork take shape. The salt drawing will be created in response to her work Subaqueous, which is featured in the exhibition Pattern Recognition. Details here.

The Cage Project: Percussionist Matthias Schack-Arnott collaborates with renowned French pianist Cédric Tiberghien to reimagine John Cage's Sonatas and Interludes (1948). Schack-Arnott's kinetic sound sculpture hovers above the piano, moving in sync with Tiberghien's performance, creating a mesmerising spectacle that blends sight and sound. Details here.

Hiroe Swen Talk: Join Hiroe Swen for a floor talk about her exhibition, Hiroe and Cornel Swen: Making a Creative Life at CMAG. Details here.

Martyn Thompson: In this new exhibition at the Canberra Glassworks, Sydney artist Martyn Thompson has taken existing ceramic vessels and re-invented them in glass. Details here.

Botanical Connections: Local artist and printmaker Jo Hollier's exhibition of botanical-inspired prints opens at the Botanic Gardens this Wednesday. Details here.

M16 Exhibitions: The next round of exhibitions at the M16 Artspace open this Thursday evening. Details here.

The Chalk Pit: Peter Wilkins’ true-crime story, The Chalk Pit returns to Canberra at the Mill Theatre. The Chalk Pit is a gripping play that delves into the life of Thomas John Ley, Australian politician, lawyer, and murderer, whose controversial career spanned scandal, ambition, and dark secrets. Details here.

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🎺 Canberra Kids:

Instrument Petting Zoo: Explore the instruments of the orchestra with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra's Instrument Petting Zoo. Kids will have the chance to try violins, trumpets, flutes, and much more. The free drop-in sessions are happening all this week at CMAG. Details here

The 78 Storey Treehouse: Adapted from the bestselling book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, the show for children aged 6-12 returns to Canberra this week. Details here.

Operation Ouch: TV's favourite doctors return for a roarsome show packed with all-new crazy experiments that will take you back to the age of the dinosaurs. Details here.

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Something to do: 🥁 Raio De Sol

Raio de Sol is Canberra's community samba drumming band, bringing the vibrant rhythms of Brazil to the ACT. You may have seen them perform at the National Folk Festival and Multicultural Festival. Open to all, regardless of musical ability or experience, the band welcomes new members at almost every rehearsal.

Raio de Sol runs monthly beginner sessions, with the first lesson completely free. Details here.

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News: Plans for Gibraltar Falls

The popular viewing and swimming spot at Gibraltar Falls has been closed to the public since 2023 following the tragic deaths of two men. The ACT Government has released tender documents detailing plans for upgrades at Gibraltar Falls and the Woods Reserve campground, including new fencing, toilets, recreational picnic shelters, and car parking. The viewing platform is expected to reopen by mid-2025.

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Classifieds

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