September 10

Hello Canberra,

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: It’s Wednesday, 10 September.

🌧️ Weather: Rain. 100% chance of rain (20-60mm), with a possible thunderstorm in the late afternoon.

Looking ahead: Bluey

Bluey is going on tour and will be stopping by Canberra in January. The theatrical adaptation of the award-winning TV show will feature puppets, bringing Bluey, Bingo, Chilli and Bandit to the stage with original music and a brand-new story. Details here.

🤧 Canberra Pollen Season

The seasonal outlook for the Canberra pollen season has been released — and it’s not good news for hay fever sufferers. This year is forecast to be worse than last, with above-average rainfall boosting grass growth. You can check the daily pollen count at CanberraPollen.com.au, a site run by AirHealth and the ANU, which also offers a mobile app. Details here.

🚌 Travelling to Floriade:

Parking around Floriade is limited this year due to ongoing construction, so if you’re heading in, consider these alternative travel options:

Shuttle Buses: CDC Canberra is operating a free shuttle bus that runs in a loop via the city bus interchange. On weekends, there are also free express shuttles from the Tuggeranong, Woden and Belconnen bus interchanges. Details here.

Ferry: Arrive in style! The Floriade Ferry, operated by Love Boats, departs from the Kingston Foreshore via Queen Elizabeth Terrace. It runs each weekend during Floriade. Details here.

Bike: There are bike racks located at each entry gate. Just make sure to bring a lock — bikes can’t be brought into Floriade.

Canberra Reads: 📚 ACT Book of the Year

Four books have been shortlisted for the 2025 ACT Book of the Year:

• Lebanon Days by Theodore Ell
• Model Minority Gone Rogue by Qin Qin
• Stories My Grandmothers Didn’t Tell Me by Andra Putnis
• Warra Warra Wai by Darren Rix & Craig Cormick

This year, 56 books were entered in the competition, which is judged by an independent expert panel. The winner will be announced on 24 October at a special event during the 2025 Canberra Writers Festival.

Cause: 🐴 Pegasus is Turning 50

Pegasus Riding for the Disabled is marking a major milestone in 2025—50 years of empowering and supporting children and adults living with disabilities through the transformative power of horse-assisted activities. Founded in 1975, Pegasus provides a safe, inclusive environment to build confidence, develop essential skills, and experience the unique connection between horse and rider. Pegasus will host a 50th-anniversary fundraising gala at the Arboretum this October. Details here.

📰 Tidbits:

ACT Exporter of the Year: Liquid Instruments has been named ACT Exporter of the Year. Founded by Professor Daniel Shaddock and ANU researchers, the company adapts gravitational wave technology into flexible, software-based test equipment. Their devices replace bulky hardware and allow users to run multiple instruments at once, making testing faster and easier. Customers include NASA, Google and Intel.

🎸 Live Music This Weekend

High-energy folk/acoustic trio The Inadequates—fresh off releasing their debut album—are playing at Smith’s Alternative this Saturday (thanks for the tip, Eddie). Gang Gang is hosting a Sunday afternoon spring boogie with the Brass Knuckle Band, and singer-songwriter Sycco is stopping by Fun Time Pony tomorrow night. It’s a big weekend in live music:

Thursday

• Sycco (pop/indie) @ Fun Time Pony
• Pacific Avenue (rock/alternative) @ The Baso
• Ben Vanderwal & Miroslav Bukovsky (jazz) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Takoba / Identity Error / Herald / Domesticated Incels @ Dissent

Friday

• Stiff Gins (pop) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Corduroy Company (folk/indie) @ Dissent
• Urban Drover @ Irish Club

Saturday

• Witchskull (metal) @ The Baso
• Brace (rock) @ The Baso
• Koun Vincent (jazz) @ Smith’s Alternative
• The Inadequates (folk/indie) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Los Chavos / Capital Samba (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Growing Alder @ Dissent
• Lounge Baby @ Moby Dicks Tavern

Sunday

• Meiwa (folk/R&B) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Brass Knuckle Brass Band @ Gang Gang
• What She’s Having (country/alternative) @ Smith’s Alternative
• Blood On My Hands @ Dissent

There’s also a packed program of Live Music happening every day at Floriade. You can find the full program on the Floriade website. Details here.

Classifieds

🩰 Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty has arrived in Canberra! This beloved tale is brought to life through classical dance, stunning choreography, and beautiful glow-in-the-dark costumes. Details here.

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