Blancanieves (M): A Spanish twist on the legend of Snow White in which Carmencita (Sofia Oria) is rescued by Los Enanitos Toreros, a troupe of bullfighting dwarves, and becomes a toreador.

Captain Phillips (M): Based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama.

Machete Kills (MA15+): Machete (Danny Trejo) battles his way through Mexico in order to take down Mendez (Demian Bichir) who plans to launch a bomb at the White House.

Renoir (M): Artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir and his war veteran son Jean fall under the spell of the young Andree.

EMPIRE

Empire is a show combining vaudeville, burlesque, circus, comedy and music, with a variety of international acts performing under the spiegeltent in front of the Canberra Theatre Centre. Performances are at 7.30 and 9.30pm.Tickets $59-$149. Bookings: ticketek.com.au or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

DRUMMING AWAY

Crimson Sky by TaikOz combines the thunderous drumming of the taiko with the hypnotic melodies of the shakuhachi and shinobue bamboo flutes, voice and a rare performance on the bass koto, a traditional Japanese 17-stringed plucked instrument to be played by special guest artist Satsuki Odamura. Canberra Theatre, 7.30pm. Tickets $39-$70. Bookings: 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au.

PLANT FOOD

Little Shop of Horrors, presented by Canberra Philharmonic Society, is a musical about a young man, a young woman and an ever-growing plant with a thirst for human blood. Erindale Theatre, 2 and 8pm. Tickets $25-$45 from philo.org.au.

IN A HOME

A Month of Sundays by Bob Larby is about Cooper (Graham Robertson) who lives in a nursing home and forms escape plans and flirts with the nurse while he awaits the monthly visit from his daughter. The Free-Rain production is on at 2 and 8pm. Tickets $35/$30. Bookings: 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

HOME AND LEISURE

This weekend, Canberra's largest Home and Leisure Show celebrates its 30th birthday, showcasing innovations for home, leisure, outdoors, travel and gardening from more than 300 exhibitors, with an emphasis on sustainability. Solar systems and recycled products are just some of the technologies represented. Another example is Modern Automation – running systems from a smartphone. The Canberra Times Home, Leisure, Caravan, 4WD and Camping Show is from 10am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday at Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell. Admission $15 adults, $12 pensioners, free for children under 16. Website: canberrahomeshow.com.au.

WALCOTT GARDEN

As part of Open Gardens Australia, Walcott Garden is open for viewing on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm.This large garden is planted almost entirely with Australian plants and features more than 700 different native species and an abundance of local wildlife. The garden attracts more than 75 species of birds, has three large ponds adorned with water lilies, and many of the native plants are in flower. There is also a lovely wildflower meadow and some unusual potted native specimens. It is at 10 Wickham Crescent, Red Hill from 10am – 4.30pm both days. Light refreshments will be available and plants will be for sale. Entry is $7 for adults. Under 18 free.

GARAGE SALE

The Independent Property Management Charity Garage Sale from 8am to 2pm is part of the Garage Sale Trail, which is a national sustainability initiative designed to save great stuff from becoming landfill by finding it a new home. Items include clothes, furniture, electronics and sporting goods. Enjoy live music, a sausage sizzle, coffee stall, cupcakes from Heather's House of Cake, and a raffle with over $3300 worth of prizes. The sale will be held at 91 Northbourne Avenue, Turner, with all proceeds from the day donated to The Yellow Van.

CAR MAYHEM

The original Gone in 60 Seconds (1974; PG) has a main character who leads a double life as a car insurer and as Los Angeles's top car thief. His skills in keeping the two businesses separate are put to the test when someone offers him $400,000 to steal 48 luxury cars in five days. It will be introduced by documentary maker Thom Andersen. Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, 4.30pm. Tickets $14 full, $12 concession. Bookings: 6248 2000.

L.A. STORIES

At 1.30pm at Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003, 18+) is Thom Andersen's meditation on the cinematic history of the metropolis, using more than 200 clips from 90 years of LA movies to essay what Hollywood conceals and what its films reveal about LA's socio-economic and political histories. Andersen will introduce the screening.

Tickets $14 full, $12 concession. Bookings: 62482000.

ALPACA MAGIC

Head out to Alpaca Magic, Sutton Road, Sutton for the Alpaca Magic Spring Open Day. See the difference between alpacas and llamas, learn about their management and husbandry, take a llama for a walk or cuddle an alpaca. Find out about investing in llamas and alpacas and boarding them. Meet the English donkeys and foals. Enter the Lucky Gate Draw. Entry is free.

CENTENARY TRAIL

From 10am to 2pm a Try the Trail Day will be held at five different locations along the alignment – Hall Museum School in Hall Village, John Knight Memorial Park in Belconnen, Chapman near Cooleman Ridge, Tuggeranong Town Park and Remembrance Park in Campbell. Head along with the family and friends to explore the trail on its opening weekend. People can join a guided walk led by ACT Scouts and buy some lunch from a Rotary Club stall. Website: tams.act.gov.au/

COOLAC MARKETS

The Coolac Markets are on from 10am to 2pm with jams, sauces, cakes, garments and more on the Old Hume Highway, Coolac, NSW.

SEEKING BILOELA

Liz Lea and Tammi Gissell premiere two new solos at the Street Theatre at 4pm inspired by stories about birds. Kapture is inspired by a Hindi song about a trapped bird and the writings of Ahmed Kathrada who was imprisoned with Nelson Mandela, while Magnificus Magnificus dives into the world of the red-tailed black cockatoo, linking science with indigenous knowledge. Tickets $14-$29/$27. Bookings: thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.