Well, it’s time of the year again and what a year it’s been! Canberra has seen a number of spectacular events and there are still seven weeks left. And artists, makers, events producers, and creatives sure aren’t slowing down for the holiday season.
First up, Orange Wolves is happening from 26-28 November in City Walk, Canberra CBD. This event sees the various creative teams of the Canberra Institute of Technology come together to present a multidisciplinary immersive experience using six retired action buses.
The buses will be transformed into small cinemas, music venues, creative, spaces and installation areas. Students from each creative area will display and demonstrate the work they’ve created throughout 2019.
For more information about this fantastic project, head over to orangewolves.com.au
Flux is an exhibition curated by local artist, Daniel Savage. Including digital work from disabled artists from Australia, Asia, the UK, and Europe, the exhibition demonstrates and showcases the way in which disabled artists have utilised digital technology to explore the variations of lived experience in the world.
Opening night is Friday, 29 November from 6-7:30pm at the Belconnen Arts Centre and the exhibition goes through until 9 February 2020. Visit belconnenartscentre.com.au/exhibitions/flux/ for more information.
On Saturday, 30 November, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra Shell Prom will take place on the Lawns of Government House. Beginning at 6pm, the concert will feature tunes to suit everyone’s taste with recognisable numbers from musical theatre and film including Frozen and My Fair Lady. Tickets are $20-$30 and can be bought online at cso.org.au or by calling 6262 6772.
Shoeb Ahmad will be taking the stage at sideway on Sunday, 1 December. One of Canberra’s musical mainstays, Shoeb brings together her own set of experimental sounds. Plus a new series of abstract song forms and dub-tech-minimalist sets from Hence Therefore and Genie. It kicks of at 2pm and entry is $10 at the door.
From 1-3 December, Canberra will host Meeting Place 2019. An annual conference put together by Arts Access Australia, Meeting Place puts focus on the Australian disability arts scene, accessibility, and inclusion for people with disability. This conference offers a range of discussions, events, exhibitions, and opportunities for people in the arts in Canberra and around Australia to convene at different cultural institutions across our capital city.
For the full program and to purchase tickets go to meetingplaceforum.org
The National Live Music Awards are coming up on Wednesday, 4 December at sideway. This event recognises the achievements of musicians, venues, music photographers, and events in the industry. Nominees Endrey, Kirklandd and Vendulka will be performing at this very special event with special guest DJs to keep the party going after official proceedings have wrapped up.
Tickets to this event are free but strictly limited. To book, head over to nlmas.oztix.com.au/ and click the ACT event. We at BMA are very happy to be media partners for this important event. Hope to see you there!
If getting gifts for people is your kinda thing, why not buy local this year and head along to some of the markets happening around town over the next few weeks.
Presented by AIATSIS, The Indigenous Arts Market is on at the Acton Peninsula on Friday, 6 December – 10am-9pm & Saturday, 7 December – 10am-4pm. With over 20 Indigenous artists and arts centres participating from all over Australia, this is a great opportunity to experience the diverse range of cultures from across Australia on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. For more information go to aiatsis.gov.au/news-and-events/events/indigenous-art-market-2019
The Sly Fox Christmas Market is on Saturday, 7 December from 11am. This wonderful community flea market is a great chance to find some local handmade items, or set up a stall yourself if you feel so inclined. For more info head to the Sly Fox Coffee Facebook page or contact the lovely Sly Fox Team via their webite: slyfoxcoffee.com/contact
Kirklandd, Groovy Daughter, and WeirdoGvng will be taking to the stage at Transit Bar on Saturday, 7 December from 8pm. Kirklandd has had a busy year playing festivals, and is currently touring his most recent single Knowbody – an upbeat trap anthem that explores the balance between social media and self-growth. The support acts for this show are amazing Canberra artists in their own right and well worth checking out. Tickets can be bought online at Moshtix for $11.50 + booking fee.
The afternoon of Saturday, 14 December is well worth setting aside for all the happenings at Smith’s Alternative. From 4pm, local band Scroggin will be recording their live album. This energetic foursome fuse bluegrass, country, and Australian folk songs and they can’t wait to immortalise these tunes at one of Canberra’ most popular venues.
And to jack the night up one further notch, you can stay on for the wonderful tunes of Julia Johnson from 7pm. Accompanied by her full band and with the amazing Pheno supporting, this evening is likely to be a perfect way to wrap up your weekend.
Well, that’s prolly enough heaped on your plate to last a while! Check back next month for more Canberra arts and music events news to see off the year.
And as alwatys, be sure to shoot me your event deets if you want something plugged – see email address above.
See next time for the final issue of 2019!
