Hello Canberra,
It’s Tuesday, 24 February.
📆 In Today’s Letter: A new creative hub in the heart of Civic; what to see at this year’s Enlighten; and creative, social activities for all ages.
☁️ Weather: 33° and cloudy.
🎭 Arts Around Canberra
This week’s arts wrap:
Space Cathedral: Blank Cultural Platform is a new creative hub in the heart of Civic. The new space is opening with Space Cathedral. Inspired by progressive futurism, Gothic iconography and the story of Galileo, Space Cathedral is an immersive, multidisciplinary experience combining live music, performance art and large-scale audiovisual installations. Blank Cultural Platform also doubles as Civic’s only rooftop bar! Details here.
CIMF: Tickets to April’s Canberra International Music Festival are now on sale. Enjoy performances from some of Australia’s finest classical musicians alongside international guests from Spain, Switzerland, Serbia, Scotland and beyond. Details here.
Ganavya: A New York-born, Tamil Nadu-raised singer will be performing her unique blend of spiritual jazz, Indian devotional traditions and ambient textures at The Street on 11 March. Details here.
Canberra Artists to Watch: Artist Maddie Hepner has put together this wonderful guide on some of the talented artists to keep an eye on in the ACT. Details here.
Folk Festival Program: The full folk festival program is now online. Coming up over the Easter long weekend, the National Folk Festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a stacked program of music, dance, workshops and culture. Details here.
Northern Resonance: Swedish Grammy-nominated trio Northern Resonance push the boundaries of Nordic folk music with their previously untested combination of instruments: viola d’amore, hardanger fiddle and nyckelharpa. They’re performing at Smith’s Alternative on Thursday evening. Details here.
Phoenix Collective: For their first concert of 2026, Phoenix Collective delves deeply into themes of love and romance. Details here.
Masterpieces for Violin and Piano: Violinist Jimmy Park, currently undertaking post-master’s studies at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, returns home to Canberra for a high-energy program of Stravinsky, Schubert and Beethoven with Juilliard School graduate Alexander Yau. Details here.
What to See at Enlighten this Year
Looking to plan when to go to Enlighten this year? While the illuminations run throughout the festival, there are special events happening on Friday and Saturday evenings:
Department of Memories: Delve into memories of all kinds at MoAD (Old Parliament House). Belt out a forgotten favourite at karaoke, meet the Minister of Memories, Venus Mantrap, and enjoy a drink at the Members’ Bar. Details here.
Portrait Gallery: The Portrait Gallery will feature an illumination from Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey and will be open late on several evenings so you can visit the Kaylene Whiskey exhibition after hours. There’s also a special bush tucker-flavoured ice cream on sale. Details here.
Corridor of Curiosities: Explore the National Archives of Australia’s “corridor of curiosities,” featuring objects from the exhibition In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists and an interactive display that invites you to imagine your own journey through Australia’s history. Happening Friday and Saturday during Enlighten. Details here.
Festival Hub: From roaming solar-powered neon flamingos and larger-than-life glowing puppets made from reclaimed soft plastics to holographic water projections and a cute puppet show guided by the audience, the festival hub has plenty to see and do each night. And don’t forget there is live music each evening with a stacked program of entertainers this year.
Something to do: 🎨 Get Creative
Multigenerational Paint and Sip: Join this special intergenerational portrait-painting session bringing people of various ages together (perhaps grandparents and grandchildren, or aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews or any other variations on intergenerational connection) to paint portraits of one another. Happening at the Canberra Seniors Centre in Turner. Afternoon tea, a range of beverages and all paints and materials provided. No experience is needed. Details here.
Pinch Pot Workshop: Join ceramic artist Lee Nelms for a playful pinch pot workshop. In this relaxed and welcoming session, you will start by forming a simple pinch pot from air-dry clay before shaping and adding facial features to create a unique character. Details here.
Sketch and Sing at Grainger: Join The Tipsy Sketching Club for an evening of creativity, connection, a splash of wine and some musical bangers at one of Canberra's most beautiful venues, the stunning Grainger Gallery in Fyshwick. All are welcome – from beginners to seasoned artists. Details here.
Canberra Day Prints: Everyday Legacy at Craft Distillery is hosting a fun print workshop for Canberra Day. Choose from a curated set of Canberra-themed stamps, icons, botanicals and civic symbols, and print your own tea towel while tasting handcrafted gin throughout the session. Details here.
Matcha Mornings: Paint your own ready-made matcha bowl and then sit back for a masterclass from Teddy’s Matcha on how to make the perfect matcha. Details here.
Coming Up: 🏉 Brumbies at Home
The Brumbies will play their first home game of the season this Saturday at GIO Stadium against the Blues. The Brumbies’ season has got off to a dream start with two wins away from home including thumping the Crusaders. It’s the first time they’ve won in Christchurch in over 25 years! Kick-off this Saturday is at 7:35pm. Details here.
📰 Tidbits and News
2XX Anniversary: 2XX, Canberra’s oldest community radio station, is celebrating 50 years on air. Beginning in 1976, the station took over from the ANU student radio station with programming grounded in activism and alternative culture. The station championed feminist, multicultural and queer content.
Fly Pelican Drops Route: Fly Pelican has axed direct flights from Canberra to Melbourne’s Avalon airport after just four months of operation. The regional airline is based out of Newcastle and operates tiny 19-seat planes.
❤️ Promoted
ENIGMA VARIATIONS 🎻 Elgar’s most loved masterpiece performed LIVE by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra: 18/19 March, 7:30pm, Llewellyn Hall. An affectionate portrait of his closest friends, Enigma Variations is shaped by Elgar’s relationships, shared histories and private jokes. From the quiet nobility of Nimrod, to moments of warmth and wit, it is music that feels both intimate and expansive, generous in spirit and gently uplifting. The last two Llewellyn Series concerts sold out! Book now to secure your seat. Details here.
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The Promoted section supports Canberra