July 29

Hello Canberra,

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: An Opera first in Canberra + This week’s arts wrap.

⛅️ Weather: 13° and cloudy with a 40% chance of rain.

Coming Up: 🍾 The Opera Australia Gala Concert

For the first time in 42 years, the full forces of the Opera Australia Orchestra, Chorus and soloists are coming to Canberra Theatre Centre for a one-night-only Gala Concert. This is a rare opportunity to hear the country’s leading opera artists perform some of the most dramatic music ever written, as it was meant to be heard. Tickets are going fast. Details here.

🎭 Arts Around Canberra

This week’s arts wrap:

The Drawerboy: This brilliantly touching and often hilarious multi-award-winning play follows Miles, a young actor from the big city who moves in with two friends, Morgan and Angus—ageing bachelor farmers—to do research for a new play. Details here.

Tea for Two: Songs from the Golden Age of Hollywood, featuring Lorina Gore (soprano) and Andrew Goodwin (tenor). Gore and Goodwin present musical favourites made famous in the classic films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including songs from Oklahoma, West Side Story, and of course, Tea for Two. Details here.

In Harmony with Nature: A vibrant and heartfelt exhibition by The Magic of Artistry Group—Canberra-based artists Irina Bastrakova and Galina Amelina—exploring the profound emotional connections between people and the natural world. Opening at Strathnairn Arts tomorrow. Details here.

Edith Pageaud: French classical guitarist Edith Pageaud picked up the guitar at age 7 and won her first national title by 9. She brings a solo program to Albert Hall in August. Details here.

M’ap Boulé: Haitian Creole for “I’m on fire”, M’ap Boulé is a play with songs about a child born of immigrants growing up in a country called Australia. It’s on at The Q on August 8. Details here.

Still Disenchanted: Set in a Parisian salon and hosted by the Godmother of Fairy Tales, this touching and topical cabaret features disgruntled fairy-tale side characters who sing their side of the story. Details here.

🧒 Canberra Kids:

Art Competition: ACT primary school students can take part in Transport Canberra’s Active School Travel Artwork Competition. Draw something that shows walking, riding, taking public transport, or road safety, and you could win a $100 Smiggle voucher. Details here.

Megafauna: It’s your last chance to see the Megafauna at the Botanic Gardens this year. Encounter the massive megafauna that once roamed Australia and discover the megaflora they ate. It ends August 3. Details here.

Little Griffins: A free monthly program for preschool-age children run by the NCA. Coming up in August is Wattle Babies—celebrate the beginning of spring and National Wattle Day. Details here.

Wildbark Nature Play: Bring your toddlers to a free playgroup at Wildbark on Friday mornings, with a variety of activities and crafts to enjoy. 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.

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Classifieds support Canberra Digest

Tidbits

DonateLife Week: The ACT Government has named a street in the suburb of Macnamara ‘Annette Street’ honouring the legacy of the ACT’s first organ donor, Annette Taylor. At 11 years old, after learning about organ donation from a family friend, Annette told her mother she wanted to donate her kidneys. In 1975, three weeks before her 12th birthday, Annette suffered an unexpected cerebral haemorrhage. Her mother honoured her wishes, and her kidneys were successfully donated to two recipients. More.

The ACT sits below the national average for registered organ donors. This week is DonateLife Week—raising awareness of organ donation. It takes just one minute to register! Details here.

Climate-Wise Verges: Sustainability organisation SEE Change is looking for Tuggeranong volunteers to host free climate-wise verge gardens. Three expert landscapers are ready to install water-wise gardens on the verges of three Southside homes. These gardens help cool streets, support pollinators, and reduce erosion. To register your interest, email [email protected].