What to eat:
Sunday is the first day of spring and also National Wattle Day. This year marks the 35th anniversary of golden wattle being officially declared our national floral emblem, though it seemed to be regarded as such much earlier than that.
Drop by Wattle Corner at the Village Centre, National Arboretum Canberra (Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 4pm) to hear about our national floral emblem and how wattle is part of Australia's story. On Sunday, iconic landmarks around the National Triangle will be bathed in the vibrant hues of green and gold including the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, National Carillon, Old Parliament House and Questacon. See: wattleday.asn.au.
Where to go:
Sunday is also Father's Day so why not take Dad out to celebrate? One possibility is a Guy-tea experience at Olims Bar & Bistro from noon. This manly twist on high tea will feature favourites such as burger sliders, in-house smoked meats, sausage rolls, onion rings and more. More information and bookings: mercurecanberra.com.au. On Saturday and Sunday, Poachers Pantry is offering a three-course meal that begins with bolognese ravioli and garlic bread, continues with T-bone steak with salt and vinegar fries and spring salad with vinaigrette, and ends with canelé with ginger and butterscotch. See: poacherspantry.com.au. On Sunday, Atrium Restaurant in Pavilion on Northbourne is offering a barbecue buffet lunch from noon to 2pm with sausages, minute steaks, prawn skewers, and chicken tenders, alongside bread rolls and salads. See: eventbrite.com.au. And, of course, if your father has his own favourite cuisine or restaurant, you can take him there. It's probably best to book ahead, wherever you go - lots of people might have the same idea.
What to watch:
Two very different classic movies that might appeal to Dad are on at the National Film and Sound Archive's Arc Cinema this weekend.In Cool Hand Luke (M, 1967, 126 minutes) on Saturday at 1pm, Paul Newman stars as the title character, a defiant prisoner on a chain gang with a penchant for escape. On Sunday at 1pm, the Australian comedy The Castle (M, 1997, 86 minutes) tells a story of Aussie battlers determined to save their beloved home from airport redevelopment. The movie about the Kerrigans was a big box office hit and is a classic. See: nfsa.gov.au.
What to do:
In Night at the Museum: Play, get your game on for a 1990s night of neon, mixtapes, skate stunts, and epic dance moves. Chill in the games lounge, catch a lightning talk by a play professional or scrawl on the wall in a graffiti workshop. This 18+ event for the nostalgic or the curious is on at the National Museum of Australia on Friday at 6.30pm. See: nma.gov.au.
What to hear:
Melbourne Ska Orchestra are celebrating their 21st birthday with the Outlaws and Offbeats Tour around the country featuring their signature "International Ska" sound. This unstoppable 21-piece orchestra is a turbo-charged freight train of pure dancefloor magic. Supported by Chutney, they're performing at The Baso on Sunday at 5pm. See: tickets.oztix.com.au.
