Our pick of things to do in Canberra this weekend.
MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL
The best bits of Queer Screen's 26th Mardi Gras Film Festival 2019 is coming to the capital. Some highlights include Doctor Who's Matt Smith in the Mapplethorpe biopic, a lesbian short film selection, and documentary Man Made which follows four transgender men as they prepare for America’s transgender bodybuilding competition. Event Cinemas, Manuka. Friday, 6pm - Sunday, 8pm. Tickets via tix.queerscreen.org.au.
BEER FESTIVAL
Salute autumn with 200 craft beers and ciders. The 12th annual Canberra Craft Beer and Cider Festival will be a bit of a block party, with beer and food stalls filling the carpark of Mercure Canberra and the leafy Batman St, Braddon. Expect Capital Brewing Co, Byron Bay Wild Cider, Stone & Wood, and more. There will also be live entertainment, giveaway, kids corner and a charity raffle. For the entry fee, festival-goers receive five tasting tickets. Children under 18 years old are free of charge, and they shan't drink the beer. Mercure Canberra, Braddon. Saturday, 11am-6pm. Tickets via canberrabeerfest.com.au. $18 online, $25 at the door.
SKYFIRE
Celebrate the end of Enlighten with this year's Skyfire. There will be live entertainment from DJ Lenny Pearce from Justice Crew and singer Samantha Jade at Skyfire Central at Regatta Point. Look out for a Taipan helicopter display and C17 flyover. Various locations. Saturday, 6-9.30pm. More information via visitcanberra.com.au. Free.
ZAMBEZI SOUNDS
Zambezi Sounds Canberra are bringing another session of Afro-Caribbean-African grooves to Smith's. Get on your feet and enjoy some irresistible rhythm. Smith's Alternative, Civic. Saturday, 9.30-11.45pm. $15.
NATIVE PLANT SALE
The Australian Native Plant Society's big plant sale is back for autumn. More than 500 different species suitable for Canberra growing conditions will be on offer. Arrive early for your pick of the bunch. Saturday, 8.30am-1.30pm. Southern Car Park, Australian National Botanic Gardens. Plant lists available from nativeplantscbr.com.au.
