Wednesday 30th July

---

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: A viral food festival + cat videos at the cinema..

🌦️ Weather: 12° and cloudy. 40% chance of a shower.

---

Coming Up: 🍔 Viral Food Festival

The Viral Food Festival is rolling into Canberra next weekend, serving up over 40 “viral” treats made famous on social media—think Big Mac tacos, Dubai bubble waffles, rainbow toasties and Labubu bao. There’ll also be rides for kids, carnival games, roving performers and live music. Details here.

---

This Weekend: 😹 CatVideoFest 2025

CatVideoFest is a feel‑good, big‑screen mash‑up of the year’s funniest and sweetest cat clips, turning the cinema into a communal watch-along. A slice of the proceeds goes to local animal shelters and rescue groups. It’s on this weekend at Dendy. Details here.

---

Sport: 🏏 PM’s XI

England have been confirmed as this year’s opponents for the Prime Minister’s XI. The two-day pink-ball fixture will be played at Manuka Oval in November, between the first and second Ashes Tests. Tickets are now on sale. Details here.

---

Tidbits:

Canberra United Funding Boost: Capital Football has confirmed it will continue running Canberra United for the 2025/26 season after receiving a significant funding boost from the ACT Government. The club is still urgently seeking new owners. More.

Hail Increase: Hailstorms are expected to become more frequent in Canberra, according to a new study from the University of New South Wales. More.

New Southside Mental Health Centre: A new free mental health centre has opened in Tuggeranong. Located at 2–6 Eileen Good Street in Greenway, it offers support with no appointment or referral needed. Details here.

Squares Winners: I missed including this in yesterday’s arts wrap—the winners of the 19th Squares People’s Choice Awards have been announced. The community exhibition features 30 x 30 artworks by local artists of all ages and experience levels. Details here.

---

Classifieds:

🍲 Dinner Delivered: Dinner Ladies makes ready-to-heat homely meals delivered to your door. Stack your freezer with their crowd-pleasers, and any time you need it, you're just a hot step away from a belly full of comfort. New customers can use code 'CANBERRADIGEST20' to get $20 off their first order. Details here.

--

Classifieds support Canberra Digest

---

🎸 Live Music This Week

This weekend’s gig guide:

Thursday

• Chasing the Moon (jazz/folk) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Trail of Crumbs / Machine on a Break @ The Baso

Friday

• Illy (hip-hop/rap) @ UC Hub
• Timecult / Transit Dolls / Adventure St @ Pot Belly
• A Night of RATM + SOAD + INCUBUS + PRIMUS @ The Baso
• Miss Jolene & The Jinx (country) @ Irish Club
• Tilt Trio (jazz) @ Dickson Taphouse
• Phoenix 5 @ Burns Club
• Geedess @ Canberra Bowling Club
• Flynn Marcus Quartet (jazz) @ Old Canberra Inn
• Hugo Race and Michelangelo Russo (blues/alternative) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Charlie Owen @ Smith’s Alternative

Saturday

• Shady Nasty (punk) @ Gang Gang
• Melbourne Ska Orchestra @ UC Hub
• Covers for Cancer @ The Baso
• The Bad Habits (covers) @ Burns Club
• Honeyclub (blues/rock) @ Old Canberra Inn

Sunday

• The Stage Invaderz @ Canberra Bowling Club
• Ben Drysdale (folk) @ Old Canberra Inn
• Jenny Sawer (blues/roots) @ Dickson Taphouse

Later

• The Rubens @ The Baso