Five things to do in Canberra this weekend, July 24-26

It's billed as the first big night out since lockdown, but The Connect-Up Gala is so much more than that. Hosted by the CBR Gals Network, the evening flips the old-school conference model on its head to connect attendees with business and social partners. There will be canapes, a two-course dinner, entertainment, as well as two panels with speakers including 2019 ACT Australian of the Year Virginia Haussegger, Olympian Zoe Lynam, and Gai Brodtmann. Saturday, 4-9pm. Tickets are $160 from cbrgals.com.

Friday night Zoom drinks during lockdown would have been a lot more glamorous if you knew how to make your own cocktail. Well, don't let time pass you by because High Jinks is hosting an interactive cocktail class this weekend. The team will make three of the bar's signature cocktails before you step behind the bar and try your hand yourself. You will also get a beer, wine or bubbles on arrival, and an antipasto platter for two. Saturday, 3-6pm. High Jinks. Tickets are $65 from Eventbrite.

With people deprived of live performances for so long, it's not surprising that Baby et Lulu album preview at The Street has sold out. However, those who missed out on tickets for the theatre performance are in luck. The Street is also offering tickets to the live-streamed performance. Baby et Lulu is the ARIA-nominated, faux-French sensations, Abby Dobson and Lara Goodridge. Saturday, 8pm. Tickets are $20 from thestreet.org.au.

It may be winter but that's no reason to stay cooped up. BentSpoke is throwing open its brewery doors in Mitchell for the inaugural Winter Feast at the cannery. The event will bring together local music, craft beer and a low and slow smokehouse-style barbecue. Of course, being a brewery the feature of the weekend will be the container bar pouring 12 BentSpoke tap beers, including a great line up of IPAs, winter dark beers, Hot off the Press warmed spiced cider and selected local wines. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-1pm and 1pm-6pm. Tickets are $10-$15 (depending on the session) from shop.bentspoke.beer.

Gravity holds the universe together, but how does it work? This Saturday, Australian National University's STEM outreach program Young Stars looks at how gravity works and how that leads to incredible and mysterious things like black holes and dark matter. The online talk is suitable for ages 6-12, but if you're older and interested, feel free to join in. Register by Thursday at 5pm via Eventbrite for the Zoom link, or tune in to its Facebook page at 1pm on Saturday for the parallel livestream.