18 January 2007

Summer in the Capital is bringing fun and entertainment to the foreshore areas of Lake Burley Griffin and Canberra's central national areas. Presented by the National Capital Authority, the highlights from week three are:

Australian Day Live 07 features some of the stars of Australian music and the announcement of the Australian of the Year awards. The concert, hosted by Gretel Killeen and co-hosted by Ian `Dicko’ Dickson, features Guy Sebastian, The Whitlams, TV Rock, The Audreys, Bobby Flynn, Renee Geyer, Sick Puppies, Deborah Conway, Kate Miller-Heidke, Mia Dyson, Damien Leith and the cast of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert - The Musical. Come early to grab a spot on the lawn in Federation Mall in front of Parliament House on Thursday 25 January from 5pm. For more details about the event, visit www.australiadaylive.gov.au.

Australia Day Children’s Festival will celebrate what’s great about being Australian at Commonwealth Park on Friday 26 January. The RMC Band and the Canberra City Band will perform at Stage 88 from 1pm. Tricky Nick the Magician and ABC Active Kidz will take the stage to entertain the crowd from 3pm. There will also be fun and games with the Gecko Gang, rides for the kids, backyard cricket, displays, face painting, story telling and farmyard animals from 10am. Entry is free.

Australia Day in the National Capital will be an action-packed day of celebrations and activities for the whole family on Friday 26 January. For full details of all Australia Day activities in Canberra, visit www.australiaday.gov.au/act.

Sunday in the Park will feature music from local band Trident performing its popular jazz/funk tunes at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park on Sunday 21 January. For the children, there will be fun and games with the Gecko Gang, plus face painting and sporting events. Meet the Australian Federal Police’s Kenny Koala and Robbie the Rat from the National Museum of Australia. See historic and modern fire engines from the Historic Fire Engine Museum. Bring a rug and a picnic. The event starts at 4.30pm and runs until 7.30pm. Entry is free.

Anzac on Parade is a free guided tour of Australia’s most prestigious parade each Monday evening during January.  Trained volunteers will explain what the parade represents, its history and the meaning and stories behind its memorials. Meet at the Hellenic Memorial, Anzac Parade, at 6.30 on Monday 22 January.

Summer in the Capital is proving a huge hit with families and demand for the children’s activities has been overwhelming. Unfortunately, all sessions of Chatter and Chores, DIY Capital, the Fairy in the Park and the Monster that Ate Canberra are booked out. For more information on any of the above events or for the full eight-week event program visit www.summerinthecapital.gov.au or call 6257 1068.