Events Archives | Abode Hotels

Enlightening Insta-Worthy Events

February 15, 2019 By Andrew Sanchez

Enlighten Festival

Arguably the most Instagrammable event on the Canberra social calendar, Enlighten Festival transforms the city into a hive of early morning and evening activity. An event line up not to be missed, Enlighten champions iconic Canberra locations, placing art, culture and music centre stage in the nation’s capital.

Projections on National Library of Australia. Photo: Adam McGrath

Witness iconic precincts come alive after dark with vibrant projections, interactive installations, workshops, street food, roving entertainers, live music and enchanting performances at Enlighten 2019. The festival shines a light on our creative capital. Incorporating several major free and ticketed events including:

Illuminations (1-11 March)
Canberra Balloon Spectacular (9-17 March)
Lights! Camera! Action! (8 March)
Symphony in the Park (10 March)
Canberra Day (11 March)
Hit 104.7 Skyfire (16 March)

Canberra Balloon Spectacular

Held over nine days, Canberra’s Balloon Spectacular is a major highlight at the annual festival. With over thirty hot air balloons expected to take to the skies, this year promises an unforgettable view from the lawns of Old Parliament House.

Photo: VisitCanberra

Lights! Canberra! Action!

Shining a light on Canberra’s talented film industry, Lights! Canberra! Action! is a creative competition showcasing the top twelve movie-makers in the region. All contestants are given a list of ten items to include in their film, with only ten days to shoot, edit and produce a seven minute movie exploring the theme of ‘one small step’.

Bring a chair, blanket and snacks to Senate Rose Gardens at the Museum of Australian Democracy. Sit back, settle in and enjoy a night of short film.

Photo: Out In Canberra

Situated in the heart of Canberra’s national attractions, Abode Kingston is the ideal accommodation for these unmissable events. BOOK NOW!

Enlighten Festival

1-17 March 2019
Various locations around Canberra city
enlightencanberra.com

A Feast for the Senses: Art, Not Apart

February 15, 2019 By Andrew Sanchez

A Contemporary Arts Festival For Everyone

Offering a curated explosion of contemporary arts in all shapes and sizes, Art, Not Apart is a Canberra arts festival that celebrates the region’s exceptional artists alongside interstate and overseas talent. The festival isn’t just about art, but uses art as a metaphor to diminish boundaries, shining a light on the lesser heard and lesser seen.

‘Australian Dance Party’ at Shine Dome, 2018. Photo: Maria Koulouris

Debuted in 2012 in honour of the creative, artistic talent that thrums throughout the nation’s capital. Art, Not Apart is now on the precipice of its ninth iteration; expected to attract over 15,000 attendees in 2019. Dave Caffery produces the festival. We caught up with Dave to get his thoughts on Canberra’s eclectic arts scene and the importance of the festival itself.

The Festival

Art, Not Apart is a curated arts festival with a public application process. Since 2017, the festival has employed a cast of local curators to program the festival. Each curator manages one arts medium: Music, Visual Art, Street Art, Performance Art (including Dance), Film and Moving Image, and Interactive Installations. The task at hand is tough—the curatorial panel undertakes sorting through hundreds of applications and then selecting and programming exceptional projects which fit that year’s curatorial theme. In 2019, the brief is Soul and Mortar; prompting entrants to consider works that “build soul or artistically attack its assailants.”

Art, Not Apart commits at least 50% of program funding to Canberra artists “as a show of support and a celebration of the region’s exceptional contemporary artists,” Dave explains. Visiting artists from interstate and overseas are also welcome to apply and regularly feature at the festival, creating a diverse and eclectic line-up that Dave animatedly describes as “a feast for the senses.”

Photo: Martin Ollman

“As the festival’s reputation grows, it’s garnering greater exposure abroad which in turn attracts visitors. This is fantastic for the local artists we celebrate, and great for the Canberra arts scene as a whole.”
– DAVE CAFFREY, Producer of Art, Not Apart

The Experience

Exhibitions, performance art, multiple music stages, interactive installations, film and moving image, spontaneous interventions, delicious food and drink and a party atmosphere are just some of the experiences attendees can expect from Art, Not Apart.

The works seek to inspire. They are thoughtfully displayed throughout the central areas of Canberra; bringing to life many of the city’s cultural icons. Dave explains that “it can be impossible to catch everything because there is so much going on at once. It’s a celebration of contemporary arts in all shapes and sizes, and because of this, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

Photo: Cristina Held

The Response

On the response of locals to Art, Not Apart, Dave notes that “the Canberra public have been so supportive since the festival began and it’s great to see the number of interstate attendees increasing year on year, too.”

Art, Not Apart
16 March 2019
Various locations around New Acton
artnotapart.com

Festivals for Every Taste

February 14, 2019 By Laura Marsh

National Multicultural Festival

Lighting up the city centre over three days, the annual National Multicultural Festival celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of Australia’s people.

This hugely popular, family-friendly event attracts thousands of locals as well as domestic and international visitors each year. Featuring an array of performers and musicians, food from every corner of the globe, workshops and ten cultural showcases, the event invites locals and visitors from all walks of life to experience the colours, sights, sounds and flavours that make us unique.

15–17 February 2019
Garema Place, Canberra City
multiculturalfestival.com.au

National Folk Festival

The award-winning National Folk Festival returns for its 53rd year to celebrate all things folk with an eclectic program of immersive art, poetry, dancing and musical experiences.

Aimed at engaging and immersing the community in folklife, from traditional and contemporary to bluegrass, Celtic, indie and country, this annual event offers visitors ‘five days in a perfect world’. Held in an idyllic village setting, you’ll be spoilt for choice with more than 200 national and international acts, and a plethora of street musicians and entertainers, market stalls, food vans and cafes, themed bars, and arts and craft activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

18–22 April 2019
Exhibition Park, Lyneham
folkfestival.org.au

With so many events to choose from this summer, why not turn up the heat with the Abode Hotels Summer in the Capital Package. BOOK NOW!

One Small Step: Discover The Moon at Questacon

January 16, 2019 By Andrew Sanchez

Bask in the majesty and wonder of the Earth’s nearest celestial neighbour at Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre.

Photo courtesy of: Neil James.

Questacon’s latest experience known simply as ‘The Moon’ features a massive seven metre inflatable model of our lunar companion.

The Moon is the first installation of a new Space gallery that will capture the imagination of travel and life beyond our planet. Come and explore the many scientific and social impacts the Moon and space has on life on Earth, along with more than 200 other hands-on experiences in Questacon’s eight themed galleries. Experience something out of this world with this creation from UK artist Luke Jerram using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Take one small step at Questacon for a giant leap into science!

Photo courtesy of: Visit Canberra.

Discover Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre with our Questacon Family Package.
Featuring a day pass to Questacon for up to 2 adults and 2 children. It is guaranteed fun for the whole family with over 200 interactive exhibits to explore.

BOOK NOW!

Questacon

Open daily from 9am – 5pm
King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600
questacon.edu.au

Love & Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate

December 4, 2018 By Andrew Sanchez

John Everett Millais , Ophelia 1851-2, oil paint on canvas, Tate collection presented by Sir Henry Tate 1894 © Tate

Discover a stunning world of Love & Desire as the Tate’s Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces visit Australia for summer’s most romantic blockbuster exhibition hosted at the National Gallery of Australia. Fall in love with 40 of the Tate’s most famous and best-loved works, alongside 40 loans from other British and Australian collections.

Curated by Alison Smith, Tate Britain’s lead Curator of 19th century British Art, Love and Desire features works such as Sir John Everett Millais’ beloved Ophelia (1851–52), William Holman Hunt’s Awakening Conscience (1853) and Dante Gabriel Rosetti’s Proserpine (1874), in what is a stunning survey of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Experience the breathtaking beauty of brilliant colour, meticulous detail and exquisite layering in paintings inspired by the great love stories of history and literature. These masterpieces have never been seen in Australia before and the exhibition truly represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Abode Hotels Love & Desire Package includes 2 adult tickets to the exhibition, a complimentary bottle of red wine, late checkout (12pm), free and unlimited Wi-Fi.

BOOK NOW!

John William Waterhouse, The Lady of Shalott 1888, oil on canvas, Tate © Tate

14 December–22 April 2019
Open daily 10am-5pm
National Gallery of Australia, Parkes

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Fitz’s Challenge 2018

October 11, 2018 By Andrew Sanchez

On the last Sunday of October each year, south Canberra’s mountain ranges team with over one thousand road cycling fanatics. Hosted by Pedal Power ACT, Fitz’s Challenge is one of the toughest road cycling competitions in the country. Five hilly race circuits ranging from 50km – 255km test riders’ ability and agility, with the longest ride featuring the legendary event’s name-sake, Fitz’s Hill.

Fitz’s Challenge Community Ambassador Jen Faerber is no stranger to a long distance hill climb. She’s also closely connected to the competition’s official charity partner, The Kids’ Cancer Project, who raise much-needed funds for children’s cancer research projects.

Fitz’s Challenge Community Ambassador Jen Faerber.

How would you describe your cycling experience? What kind of rider are you?
I’m a recreational rider. I love being out on the bike, enjoying the speed, the scenery and the weather. I used to live on Vancouver Island and use my bike for transport, which meant a lot of riding in the rain. Now I’m a fair weather rider, on a road bike and a mountain bike. I most enjoy riding alone. I find it slightly meditative to just go at your own pace, exploring and taking in the scenery.

Why are you tackling Fitz’s Challenge this year?
I do enjoy riding, and I don’t feel like I’ve been doing enough lately. Knowing this event is around the corner will encourage me to get out regularly and take on some hills. I think it’s really important that women claim some space in the sports and activities they enjoy, most of all to give other women and girls the idea that they might enjoy it, too.

Have you done anything like this before?
I had never even been on a road bike until I got myself on the 2013 team riding the Tour de Rock, a huge fundraiser on Vancouver Island for the Canadian Cancer Society. We rode 1200km in 13 days, stopping in at lots of schools and fundraising events along the way. For that ride we trained three times a week for about six months – around 40km of hills on Tuesdays, 40km of speed/intervals on Thursdays and a long ride of up to 140km on weekends.

Cotter Road Climb. Photo: Epsom Road Studios, supplied by Pedal Power.

Fitz’s Challenge has five ride lengths ranging from 50-255km – which ride are you doing?
I’ve chosen to do the 50km ride. I generally enjoy hills, but it’s been so long since I’ve done any regular training that I think it might be a rude shock when I try the route. I have no desire to ride 100km in one go ever again, so I hope this will be a nice day out! I’m also not competitive at all and I know a big focus of Fitz’s Challenge is individual achievement – not racing the other participants.

What does The Kid’s Cancer Project mean to you?
Cancer has been a big part of my life. I had non-Hodgkins lymphoma when I was 11 years old, but was considered totally cured after about 10 months of chemo and two years of check-ups.
I have a few ‘late effects’ as they’re known (holey teeth, low fertility) but the most significant lasting effect has been how close my family is and how we appreciate the most basic things, like having a meal together. The Kid’s Cancer Project funds research into childhood cancer that has already totally transformed the experience of a child undergoing treatment. My treatment was primitive and blunt compared to how targeted they can be now. I’m so grateful that people like my oncologist Dr Luce Dalla- Pozza are still working, 22 years later, to make even more improvements and that they’re receiving funding from the Kid’s Cancer Project to do it.

Fitz’s Challenge takes place on Sunday 28 October 2018 at various locations across the Brindabella Ranges, ACT.
Abode Hotels is proud to be the preferred accommodation partner for Fitz’s Challenge 2018.

DESIGN Canberra 2018

October 11, 2018 By Andrew Sanchez

A city renowned for innovation, Canberra has a rich history in remarkable design. From the cutting-edge ‘garden city’ vision of city designers Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, to the modernist and brutalist city architecture, the evolution of Canberra since the early 1900s is played out through its ever-changing design landscape.

The DESIGN Canberra festival is a city-wide celebration that brings the capital’s creative community to the fore. A collection of events, exhibitions, talks, tours, activations, markets, collaborations, artist studios and open homes transform Canberra in to a hub of all things design.

We Dance Together artist installation by Jodie Cunningham. Photo: 5 Foot Photography, supplied by CraftACT.

We speak with this year’s designer in residence Chelsea Lemon about her involvement.

For the past two years, DESIGN Canberra has selected a local designer to create the look and feel of the festival, including a feature piece that will align the festival’s aesthetic with this year’s theme of ‘geometry’.

2018’s designer in residence, Chelsea Lemon, is an esteemed Canberra creator. Lemon’s medium of choice is timber — and her fresh take on traditional woodworking techniques serves up a contemporary perspective that pushes the boundaries of typical Australian furniture design. Her innovative style, flair for artistic finishes and tenacity of craftsmanship make her the ideal candidate for the designer in residence post; promising dynamic geometric arrangements that inherit the interactive quality of her coveted parquetry technique.

“I have been involved in DESIGN Canberra since it began in 2014, so it is a festival which I really value. Not only does it bring together the creative community within Canberra, but it immerses the broader population in design, bringing an incredible aspect of the city to life,” says Chelsea.

On the affinity Chelsea feels with this year’s theme of ‘geometry’; “I often use deconstructed geometric shapes within my designs to reconstruct new images and forms, which fits perfectly with this year’s aesthetic theme. I also use a decorative woodworking technique known as ‘parquetry’ to create my work, however for the festival I leaned towards the use of layered shapes and colour to create a sense of growth,” she says.

Curl Dish. Photo: courtesy of the designer.

“When developing the concept for the feature design, I wanted to create something that people could recognise, yet was a piece that the eye could explore. I also considered the theme of geometry and sketched iconic buildings within Canberra that were constructed through diverse geometric architecture. The buildings that I sketched are used for various purposes – they bring together design, community, and global connections.”

From 5-25 November 2018, Chelsea Lemon will be the designer in residence creating new work for DESIGN Canberra exhibitions, whilst also creating a bespoke gift for festival partners.

For more event information visit the DESIGN Canberra official website.

American Masters

August 1, 2018 By Andrew Sanchez

One of the extraordinary things to happen in Australia in the 1970s was a commitment to art on the world stage. The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) was central to this, acquiring major works in anticipation of its opening (then expected for 1978), and the expansive vision of its first director, James Mollison.

The American Masters 1940–1980 exhibition, which opens at the NGA in August, tells the story of the incredible American collections through the work of a generation of young Americans who challenged local traditions and reinvented modern art. The exhibition brings together the major movements between 1940 and 1980: Abstract Expressionism, Colour Field, Pop and Photo-Realism, Conceptual, Land and Performance Art.

Painted in 1952, Jackson Pollock’s Blue poles (1952) is one of the most famous paintings of this period, largely because of the scandal prompted by its acquisition and the price that was paid by the NGA in 1973, which was then a record for the artist. Headlines such as the Daily Mirror’s ‘Drunks did it’ and The Age’s ‘$1.3M art “Trampled on after booze-up”’, fuelled the controversy and prompted misinformation about Pollock’s methods. The painting is clearly the result of an extended campaign: while Pollock often started with his canvas on the floor, the complex layering is evidence of the effects of constant movement, from his dripping and pouring of paint, to the white lines applied when the work was attached to a wall and the eight ‘poles’ of the final stages.

For the American Masters exhibition, Blue poles is juxtaposed with the NGA’s outstanding holdings of paintings and works on paper by artists in the New York School – Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Mark Rothko, Motherwell and Phillip Guston, among others – to demonstrate how they were both an inspiration and a catalyst for change.

As well as highlighting Pollock’s impact, the American Masters exhibition shows how artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Andy Warhol, Donald Judd, Claes Oldenburg, Eva Hesse and Chuck Close propose new ideas about art, its subject matter, substance and form. Visitors will experience paintings without edges, objects made of strange materials, environments and performed works of art. For example, by rediscovering the NGA’s collections of classic Pop Art we see how Andy Warhol’s ironic use of celebrity culture influences the world today. Elsewhere the exhibition explores the ways in which Louise Bourgeois’ fabulous obsessions play out through sexual politics and apparently limitless landscapes. In other galleries, we experience how the cool, manufactured surface of Donald Judd’s boxes adapt to their surrounds and Eva Hesse’s delicately formed substances seemingly threaten to fade away.

The final section of the American Masters exhibition is devoted to light. Bruce Nauman designed the true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths (window or wall sign) 1967 for a large shop window at the front of his studio in a disused grocery store in San Francisco. This richly coloured and elaborately constructed neon sculpture suggests a sense of anticipation for the future and marks the ways in which artists embrace new materials and technology. Nauman liked that his statement is true and not true at the same time, a ‘totally silly idea’ and yet entirely believable. Here is an icon of the NGA’s collection, another fabulous example of the gallery’s ambitious program to bring international art to Australia.

Entry to the expansive and stunning American Masters 1940–1980 is free because of the support of the Terra Foundation for American Art. For the exhibition’s exciting program of events, visit the National Gallery of Australia’s website.

National Gallery of Australia
24 August-11 November 2018
www.nga.gov.au

Family fun at the snow

May 2, 2018 By Andrew Sanchez

Up for an alpine adventure? The family-friendly Snowy Mountain resorts of NSW are an easy two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Canberra and offer skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing trails as well as childcare and lessons for all levels of expertise.

The ski season runs from June to early October so plan your trip, book your accommodation and hire your gear early. Options for getting to the snow from Canberra include staying with Abode Hotels and taking a day trip with Murrays Coaches, or driving and staying at a motel or caravan park in Jindabyne or in one of the lodges in the ski resorts.

To make sure everyone is confident on the snow, organise a professional lesson or two at your chosen resort and consider enrolling the kids in a catered day or half-day program. Now, you’re free to hit the slopes!

Skiing can be exhausting so when the kids are with you, remember to take regular refuelling breaks over a mug of hot chocolate. Maybe even mix things up a little with some tobogganing or a swim in the pool at Thredbo.

To challenge them, you might like to let your older, more capable children ski separately and meet up with them later to do a run together. Finish off your day by warming your toes by the fireside of one of the family-friendly restaurants dotted around the resorts, some of which provide unforgettable views of Mount Kosciuszko.

Where to ski

Perisher Blue offers a wide variety of skiing runs, night skiing, firework displays and a snow tube park. Its Discovery Kids learn-to-ski program caters to children aged 3 to 4 years and its Perisher Kids to children aged 5 to 14. Older children can also take a crash-course with a 3-hour group lesson.

perisher.com.au

Selwyn Snowfields has exceptionally low prices and introduces children to the snow as early as 18 months through its Mini Mites, Mighty Mites and Mega Mites programs.

selwynsnow.com.au

Thredbo provides dedicated beginners’ slopes and a range of outdoor snow activities for all ages. The resort’s alpine village also has a 50-metre heated pool with waterslide and Australia’s longest runs and offers catered full and half-day ‘Thredboland’ programs that entertain and teach skiing to children aged 4 to 6.

thredbo.com.au

Charlotte Pass is one of NSW’s smaller ski resorts and offers a beginners’ area with snow tube park as well as daytime and evening children’s activities. Its all-day kids’ ski program caters to 3-12 year olds and includes beginner to intermediate lessons, a hot lunch and indoor activities.

charlottespass.com.au

Top 6 Snow Trip Tips

Save money by looking out for ‘kids-ski-free’ resort deals in June and September and borrowing ski gear from friends and family.
Hire your ski gear in Canberra, Cooma or Jindabyne rather than in the resorts – it’s cheaper and by booking in advance you’ll make sure you get the sizes you need.
Choose to ski at a resort that has a kids’ ski school or day program as well as a variety of restaurants within easy reach of the snowfield.
Check the road conditions at Live Traffic NSW. If you’re driving a two-wheel-drive vehicle between the June and October long weekends, it is compulsory to carry properly- fitted snow chains. Hire these in Canberra or Jindabyne.
Rest and revive and save money by shopping for food in Cooma and packing daily lunch boxes.
Stay warm and safe and never travel alone. More about alpine safety can be found on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website.

Where To Eat

Snowgums at Perisher has a fireplace to relax by after a day on the slopes and offers spectacular views of the snowfields. In Jindabyne, Bacco Italian serves traditional and gourmet pizza and pasta the kids will love and the always busy Sundance Bakehouse is pure pie heaven – pick one up for breakfast. The Bowlo Bistro provides good-value family dining at the end of the day with a salad and vegetable buffet. Located at the top of Snowgums Chairlift just off the top of the Crackenback Supertrail in Thredbo, Black Sallees serves a hearty winter bistro-style menu fast, so you can eat then be back on the slopes before you know it. Also perched high above Thredbo Village, at the top of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, is Eagles Nest, Australia’s highest restaurant, serving warm winter fare with a side of live music on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Planning the road trip? Abode Hotels is the perfect place to stay. With flexible room types, self-contained rooms, fully equipped with kitchenettes and washer and dryers will make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Book our Ski Stopover Package, which includes:

Accommodation in a spacious studio apartment with a discounted room rate
Two Abode thermal mugs, accompanied by hot chocolate sachets
Bottled water
Unlimted Free Wi-Fi
Free Parking*

*Terms and conditions: Travel dates from 01/06/18 – 09/09/18, subject to availability. Special offers only available during the promotional period. Tickets and inclusions not refundable for cash. Free parking is not available at Abode Woden, and is subject to availability.