Tuesday 2nd September

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: Legislative Assembly 101 + Floriade Down South.

⛅️ Weather: 16° and partly cloudy.

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Coming Up: 🌺 Floriade Down South

Lanyon Homestead is once again a satellite location for Floriade. There’s a host of events coming up—likely to book out quickly—including a Kids Day Out, tours of the gardens, an introduction to birdwatching and much more. Details here.

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Something to do: 🗳️ Assembly 101

Curious about how the Legislative Assembly works and how you can get involved? The ACT Legislative Assembly is holding a community day with guest speakers, a Q&A session with MLAs, guided tours, a mock election and the chance to watch question time. It’s free! Details here.

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🎭 Arts Around Canberra

This week’s arts wrap:

Tracing the Sky: A new exhibition is opening at Craft + Design Canberra this week, celebrating the wetlands of Chile and Australia. It’s presented in the context of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Details here.

A Musical Awakening: Take a breath and lean into this program by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, designed to nourish your soul while exploring the different ways music can heal. It’s coming to Canberra on 13 September. Details here.

Lizzy, Darcy and Jane: Jane Austen pits her wit and will against her greatest adversary and ally—the intrepid heroine of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet. Canberra Rep’s production of Lizzy, Darcy and Jane opens this week. Details here.

Tea for Two: Art Song Canberra presents Tea for Two—songs from the Golden Age of Hollywood, featuring Lorina Gore (soprano) and Andrew Goodwin (tenor). Expect classics from West Side Story, High Society, Oklahoma, Kiss Me Kate and, of course, Tea for Two. Details here.

Musica da Camera: Canberra’s Musica da Camera plays music from the string orchestra repertoire. This weekend, they will perform some absolute treasures from the Baroque period with pieces by Boccherini, Dauvergne, Locatelli, Fischer and Campra. Details here.

Best of All Possible Worlds: Join the National Opera Chorus for an enchanting afternoon of music inspired by beloved literary classics. Details here.

The Independents: A two-week festival of cutting-edge theatre, dance and storytelling from some of Australia’s most exciting independent artists. It features four new works, including two homegrown works from Canberra’s own creative scene. Details here.

David Kindon: Local emerging artist David Kindon discovered art in retirement. The octogenarian is hosting his latest exhibition, Villages, Meadows and Shores, at the Gungahlin Gallery in Weston Park. It’s running until 30 September. Details here.

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📰 Tidbits

Lyric Theatre Construction: Site establishment and early works for the new Lyric Theatre project will begin in mid-October to prepare for construction. The theatre will be built next to the Playhouse, which does mean the closure of another city car park. The new 2,000-seat lyric theatre will host large-scale productions like musicals, ballet and opera that currently don’t stop in Canberra because a suitable venue isn’t available.

Constable Kenny Anniversary: Canberra’s Constable Kenny has clocked up 50 years of service with ACT Policing. He joined the service on 1 September 1975. The koala constable has been a constant visitor at schools and community events, sharing safety tips.

House Prices Holding Steady: Canberra’s house prices edged up just 0.4% in August and 1.6% over the past year, according to data from property research firm Cotality. Prices have been much flatter than the large rises in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. With a median value of $872,957, homes here remain more expensive than in Melbourne, Perth or Adelaide. More.

Behind the Scenes of Austin: Michael Theo, star of the ABC comedy Austin, has filmed a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the show’s filming locations in Canberra. Watch here.

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Looking Ahead: 🕺 Bob Downe

Bob Downe is turning 40. The Prince of Polyester comedy character was created in the ’80s, and he’s celebrating with a new show—a high-energy comedy concert of ’80s bangers, power ballads and mega pop classics, with hilarious stand-up and madcap surprises in between. Details here.

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Classifieds

Wildflowers: 💐 A Floriade immersive event For one night only, Canberra Art Gallery becomes living art with the opening of Wildflowers by contemporary artist, Rowdy. Immerse yourself in a mix of art, real flower art installations by Gracias Flower Studio, live music, botanical-themed cocktails and grazing tables + a chance to meet the artist. Friday 12 Sept, 7:00pm | 100 Barrier St, Fyshwick | $45 via Eventbrite

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🧑‍⚖️ The Jury Experience: Step into the heart of a high-stakes trial with The Jury Experience. In this live theatre show, you are the jury—the power to deliver justice is entirely in your hands. You'll examine every piece of the puzzle, from witness testimonies to forensic data, and ultimately decide: guilty or innocent? Details here.

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Classifieds support Canberra Digest