Wednesday 11th June

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: Looking for Alibrandi + Singing around Canberra.

⛅️ Weather: 13° and partly cloudy. Overnight low of -3°.

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Looking Ahead: 🎭 Looking for Alibrandi

The play based on the classic Australian novel and movie Looking for Alibrandi is coming to Canberra in October. It's an honest and empowered portrait of 1990s Mediterranean-Australian culture and one of the first works to speak openly about systemic racism in Australia from a migrant perspective. Details here.

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Coming Up: ❄️ Ray of Light

Celebrate the winter solstice with family and friends at the Ray of Light festival, happening next weekend at the Polish Club. Expect bands and buskers, funky stalls, free face painting and kids' crafts, plus a sausage sizzle. Details here.

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Something to do: 🎙️ Singing around Canberra

Warm up your vocal cords this winter with these singing events:

Mary Poppins Singalong: This Friday evening, the NFSA is hosting a special singalong screening of the 1964 classic film Mary Poppins.

Musicals Singalong: Love musicals? This event at Smith's Alternative is like karaoke—but just for songs from musicals. Details here.

Mixtape Chorus: Open to singers of all abilities—no auditions, no pressure, and no commitments. Each week, they sing a new pop song. The next term starts in July. Details here.

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🎙️ Talks, Workshops and More

Some interesting talks coming up:

Cult Bride: As an 18-year-old on her gap year in Canberra, Liz is approached at a shopping centre by a woman asking survey questions about her Christian faith. Liz is slowly drawn into a small, friendly church community—unaware that her new 'friends' are members of the South Korean cult Providence, which operates in more than 70 countries. Liz Cameron will be in conversation with Alex Sloan about her new book Cult Bride: How I Was Brainwashed – and How I Broke Free. Details here.

How Australia Acquired Its Antarctic Territory: Historian Marie Kawaja, who specialises in diplomatic history, will reveal how Australia acquired the Australian Antarctic Territory—42% of Antarctica—and its role in shaping the 1959 Antarctic Treaty to prevent militarisation of the region. Details here.

TEDxCanberra Open Mic: TEDxCanberra is hosting an open mic night with roughly 15 three-minute talks. It's happening next Tuesday at Verity Lane. Details here.

AI Unplugged: Ever wondered how the AI behind your favourite apps really works? The ANU School of Cybernetics is hosting a tech-free guide to understanding Large Language Models. Details here.

Michael Robotham: Two-time Gold Dagger winner and twice Edgar-shortlisted author Michael Robotham will be in conversation with Chris Hammer about his new PC Phil McCarthy crime novel, The White Crow. Details here.

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Something to do: ✂️ Origami at the Markets

Learn how to fold five unique animal models—each using different techniques and styles—at an origami workshop this weekend at the Old Bus Depot Markets. It only costs a gold coin donation to take part. Details here.

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Tidbits:

Dickson Library Construction: Dickson Library will be closed from June 23 to July 4 while the ACT Government upgrades the toilets. More.

Fish Portal: A new resource for anglers in the ACT—the Fish Dashboard from ACT Parks and Conservation, features fish population monitoring results, data on fish stocking programs, and a way for anglers to record and submit their catch. It will come as no surprise that 45% of all catches are carp! Details here.

Bus Driver Barriers: The upcoming ACT Budget will include funding to install barriers that protect bus drivers from dangerous passengers. A snap strike by drivers in November highlighted the need for better support in dealing with violent behaviour on board.

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Queer Canberra: 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Trivia

Gather your team and get ready to celebrate the end of Pride Month by joining in on a trivia night where we explore topics of LGBTIQA+ history and pop culture and a chance for the best teams to win some amazing prizes! Details here.

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Live Music this Week

Tonight:

• Autobahns (punk) @ Dissent.

Thursday:

• Jim E. Brown @ Shadows

Friday:

• Ball Park Music (indie) @ UC Refectory
• Cry Club (indie/pop) @ The Baso
• Kane Calcite (acoustic/indie) @ Dissent
• The Johnny Reynolds Band (blues/rock) @ Old Canberra Inn

Saturday:

• The Missing Lincolns / The Lonely Fates / Liberty Belle @ Dissent
• The Preatures (indie) @ UC Hub
• Dean Haitani (blues/roots) @ Old Canberra Inn

Sunday:

• Good Ramen / At Last / Speciman (indie) @ Dissent
• Inez Hargaden @ Old Canberra Inn

Later

• Velvet Bloom (soul/pop) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Matilda Lorenz (jazz) @ Smith’s Alternative

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Classifieds

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