Wednesday 18th June

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: July Holiday Activities + Canberra Comedy.

🌤️ Weather: 12° and mostly sunny, with an overnight low of -4°.

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Kids: 🏛️ School Holiday Activities at our Museums and Galleries

Here's a roundup of activities happening at our museums and galleries—lots of low-cost and some free events! These activities often have limited places and tend to sell out, so it's worth planning ahead.

National Arboretum: In the Kite Making workshop, kids will design, decorate, and fly their very own kite in one of Canberra's most picturesque outdoor locations. Details here.

In the Botanical Printing Magic workshop for 8–14 year olds, they'll roll, press, and print enchanting botanical art. Details here.

And for young children up to 5 years old, there will be a Winter Play Day on July 11. Details here.

Canberra Museum and Gallery: CMAG is running three workshops these school holidays.

In Wearable Whimsy, kids will design colourful accessories. Details here.

In Make a Layered Lyrebird Drawing, they'll explore textures and patterns through collage. Details here.

And in Mask Making, they'll craft imaginative masks with artist Tom Buckland. Details here. All workshops are inspired by the Sidney Nolan Lyrebird currently on display.

National Archives: Inspired by their latest exhibition, Camel trains to steel wheels: life on the Trans-Australian Railway, kids will explore how the circus once travelled by rail from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie. Then, they'll unleash their inner circus performer with juggling balls, costumes and more. Details here.

National Library: There are two workshops for young creatives at the National Library:

For teens (13–17), there's a creative writing and drawing workshop with youth advocate and media personality Brooke Blurton and author and academic Melanie Saward. Details here.

For younger children (6–10), there's a hands-on, creative workshop with picture book creator Ronojoy Ghosh. Details here.

National Museum: There's lots happening at the NMA, including the new Mr Squiggle exhibition opening on July 4:

In Marionette Makers, children (10–15) will learn the art of marionettes with puppeteer and artist Marianne Mettes and build their own puppets. Details here.

In Make, move, perform! children (6–10) will take on the role of puppeteer in this hands-on workshop. Details here.

And in Shadow House and the stories inside, children (5–10) will craft their own characters and props with Wiradjuri–Irish artist Bria McCarthy before stepping into the shadow tent to tell stories. Details here.

Parliament House: Led by Ronnie Jordan, a Pitta Pitta Wangkamahdla woman, this special NAIDOC Week workshop invites kids to weave with natural fibres including wool, raffia and straw. It's free! Details here.

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Something to do: 🚶‍♀️ Strolling for Resilience

Running for Resilience runs weekly run clubs at 6 am and 6 pm around Canberra, but they also host a "Strolling for Resilience" session at a more parent-friendly 10:30 am on Thursdays. It's a great way to meet new people and enjoy a stroll by the lake. The group is mainly parents and bubs, but all are welcome. Details here.

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🤣 Comedy in Canberra

Some comedy events coming up:

Melbourne Comedy Roadshow: Australia's most iconic comedy tour is back for its 27th year, bringing a line-up of stars from the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival straight to Canberra. Details here.

Frankie McNair: Frankie McNair returns to headline at the Canberra Comedy Club this July. She's appeared on Thank God You're Here and Aunty Donna's Most Upsetting Guessing Game, and won Best Newcomer at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Details here.

True Blue James: Musician and comedian True Blue James performs part of his 30-minute solo act at Dissent tonight (apologies for the late notice). He'll be joined by comedians Jeremy Smith and Charlotte Kuruc and musician Will Duff. The night will be MC'd by Brad Knagge, visiting from rural Australia. Details here.

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Coming Up: 🎶 Mack & Cook

This Friday evening, join Lizzie Mack and Murray Cook (of Wiggles fame) for a stripped-back session of songs from their four albums together. Details here.

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🪩 Nightlife

15 Years of One Direction: Get ready for the ultimate throwback night when Mooseheads celebrates One Direction this Friday. Details here.

Indie Sleaze: Step back into the late 2000s and 2010s world of indie sleaze with a party that promises to outdo even the Skins gang. Details here.

Trinity Bar Reunion: Celebrate the peak Trinity Bar years (2010–2014), when artists like Flume, Steve Aoki, RÜFÜS and Bag Raiders hit the decks. The reunion party is on June 27. Details here.

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🎸 Live Music This Week

Thursday:

• Belco Sounds @ The Baso
• Tom Woodward @ Dissent
• The Uebergang (jazz) @ Smith’s Alternative

Friday:

• Mack & Cook @ Smith’s Alternative
• Metin Yilmaz & Damian Wright (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Wyndfall / Herald / Arbiter / Switch Up (metal) @ The Baso
• Timecult / Transit Dolls @ Irish Club

Saturday:

• Velvet Bloom (soul/pop) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Dead Weights Dreaming @ Dissent
• Ben Drysdale (singer-songwriter) @ Old Canberra Inn
• The Water Runners (bluegrass) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Make Them Suffer (metal) @ The Baso
• Byron and Kon (Greek) @ Smith’s Alternative

Sunday:

• Ava Martina (singer-songwriter) @ Old Canberra Inn
• Super Rats (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative
• The Dept of Rock All Stars @ Smith's Alternative