Thursday 22nd May

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: A new Italian Bar in the City + Murray the Red Wiggle will DJ at Cube.

🌧️ Weather: 17° and rain. 100% chance of rain.

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🍝 Canberra Eats

This week’s foodie news

Bar Lola: A new bar and restaurant is bringing a slice of Italian nostalgia to the capital. Bar Lola has opened in the Sydney Building next to Dear Prudence. The bar has a concise Italian-inspired menu with four house-made fresh pastas and antipasti—perfect to accompany a glass of wine or spritz. The kitchen is open until 10, with drinks being poured late. Details here.

NFSA Cafe: The cafe at the National Film and Sound Archive is getting a makeover. The current team will be behind the revamped cafe, but it will feature a new menu and fresh look. While renovations are underway, the very popular Melted Toasted Sandwich Emporium in Fyshwick will be running a pop-up, open daily for lunch. There will also be a pop-up bar to cater for evening screenings and after-hours events, including the winter film series.

Winter Lattes: Highroad in Dickson has put on a few drink specials for autumn/winter, including a pumpkin spiced latte, orange white chocolate latte, and a chai cuddle cup. Details here.

International Burger Day: Next Wednesday is International Burger Day. Bleachers in the city is giving away a free schooner of beer with every burger purchase. Details here.

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Something to do: 🕺 Line Dancing

Every Thursday from 8pm, Peacemaker Saloon hosts a free line dancing session. It’s open to everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro. Looks like a lot of fun! Details here.

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🪩 Nightlife

Murray the Red Wiggle: The OG red Wiggle, Murray, will be performing a DJ set at Cube Nightclub. He’ll be spinning everything from childhood classics to unexpected club bangers. Details here.

Pink Pony Club Pop Party: Presenting Pink Pony Club—a special place where boys and girls can all be queens, with DJs playing pop anthems all night long. It’s happening at the Baso on Friday. Details here.

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Something to do: 📣 Slam Poetry

Canberra Slam is the home of spoken word poetry and storytelling in the capital. Next Thursday evening at Verity Lane, they’re hosting an event featuring an open mic round and a set from one of Australia’s top writers. Details here.

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Classifieds

🚲 Aspen Holidays Barlings Beach: Hit the Mogo Trails! Stay just minutes from the action at Aspen Holidays Barlings Beach—your perfect coastal base for a weekend adventure. 125km of trails now open! Book now and save 10% with code ASPENMOGO. Follow this link to secure your stay: Details here.

Vinyl Records Sale: Retro music, mostly 1930s to 1980s. Saturday May 24, from 9 am to 3 pm at South Point Market (Hyperdome West), Tuggeranong. Sale is inside the mall next to Good Guys / Lincraft / PetO shops. Browse in a comfy space next to the café in air-conditioned comfort.

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Classifieds support Canberra Digest.

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Talks, Screenings, Workshops and More

Some upcoming events you might find interesting:

The Shortest History of AI: Curious about the future of AI? Researcher and author Toby Walsh will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh about his new book The Shortest History of AI. It’s part of the ANU Meet the Author series. Details here.

Mystery Box Storytelling Fun: Explore storytelling through surprise and imagination in this creative workshop with Dr Claire Manning, where mystery boxes spark writing prompts, evoke feelings, and inspire discovery. All proceeds support Manning Clark House initiatives. Details here.

An Unexpected Life: Join the Book Cow in Kingston for an author event with Vesna Cvjeticanin discussing her book An Unexpected Life, which shares the remarkable journeys of twelve migrant women who came to Australia as adults, each confronting formidable challenges along the way. Details here.

The Pollinators: Canberra Region Beekeepers have teamed up with the ANU Film Group to present a screening of The Pollinators as part of World Bee Day. The documentary follows migratory beekeepers and their precious cargo of honey bees as they journey across the United States to pollinate flowers that become fruits, nuts and vegetables. Details here.

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Cause: 👑 Tiara High Tea

Zonta is an international organisation that advocates for and actively works to improve the lives of women and girls. The Canberra branch is hosting a fundraising Tiara High Tea next Saturday. Don your finery and a fabulous tiara (available to purchase), and indulge in exquisite teas, delectable treats, and inspiring stories. Details here.

You can find out more about what Zonta is doing in Canberra here.

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