Top 10 Events under $5

Students are not generally known for their piles of money and lavish lifestyle, but more for living off Ramen and stretching out ten dollars to last a whole week.  The costs of living as a student are definitely high, and it leaves little money to do frivolous things like attend theatre shows, stand-up comedy, or gigs.  But hiding in the midst of the Canberra entertainment scene are a bunch of gigs for students, and what follows are just a few of Canberra’s upcoming events in no particular order, all for $5 or less.

10. Lakeside at 5
What: Live Music
When: Fri 10 April
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Cost: Free

Lakeside at 5 is a Tuggeranong Arts Centre tradition with free live music from 5-7 pm every month. Previously, bands such as The Night Café and the Wayne Kelly Trio have graced the shores of Lake Tuggeranong with their presence, and this April the local jazz band, As Famous as the Moon, will be serenading audiences with their smooth sounds and fresh vibes.

The gig is totally free, so pop down, bring a picnic blanket, some food and some friends, and enjoy an awesome evening out listening to fantastic tunes.

9. Bloody Lips
What: Poetry
When: Sun 1 June
Where: Hotel Hotel
Cost: Free

Hosted by CJ Bowerbird, Bloody Lips brings together some of the greatest poets, spoken word artists and musicians, from around Canberra.

The series is a bimonthly project that intends to expose new audiences to a variety of poets and musicians, and encourages local and interstate artists to grace the city of Canberra with their presence and poetry.  This June 1^st event includes guests Derrick Brown, and The Chris Harland Blues Band.

The event begins at 4pm and is totally free to attend.

8. Rockabilly Relaunch
What: Live Music and Retro Markets
When: Sat 11 April
Where: Old Canberra Inn
Cost: Free

With Retro markets opening from 11am and a myriad of fantastic bands coming out to play from 2pm, Old Canberra Inn’s Rockabilly Relaunch sure is something to get the blood pumping.

The retro markets give Canberrans the opportunity to check out some of the coolest vintage clothing, jewelry, homewares, posters and a whole heap more.

With bands such as The Fuelers, The King Hits, The Groove Kings and special guests from Newcastle, Bad Luck Kitty, the day is bound to be a fun, fantastic experience, and is shaping up to be an event of festival proportions.

7. Moochers Inc.
What: Live Music
When: Sat 11 April
Where: The Phoenix Bar
Cost: $5

Describing their music style as ‘playing the music your great-grandparents made love to’, Moochers Inc. is an energetic, entertaining live act, and is gracing audiences with its presence at one of Canberra’s favourite live music venues, The Phoenix Bar.

Supported by local band The New Gods of Thunder, the night promises to be a remarkable one.
The gig begins at 9.30pm and is a mere $5 at the door.

6. Impulse
What: Art Exhibition
When: Tues 2 April – Sat 2 May
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Cost: Free

If you’re looking for some local art that is inspiring, interesting, and captures the eye, then look no further.

The exhibition by the Emerging Arts Support Scheme Award winner from the Australian National University, Belle Palmer, explores the outcomes of mark making through experimental, observational and automatic drawing.

Art fans everywhere should most definitely check out this up and coming Canberra artist and this stunning exhibition before they miss their chance.

5. Karaoke Love
What: Karaoke
When: Tuesdays
Where: Transit Bar
Cost: Free

Get your singing on at Transit Bar with their extremely exciting, extremely fun Karaoke Love karaoke night.

Taking place every Tuesday night, you can sign yourself or your friends up to grace the stage and blow the crowd away, or just make a total fool of yourselves.

Entry is free, and the night is basically as fun as you make it. With the trendy and bustling atmosphere of Transit Bar, you already have a head start on an awesome time, so grab a few friends, and let loose on the karaoke machine.

4. Fash n’ Treasure
What: Markets
When: Sat 9 May
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC)
Cost: $3

Known as Canberra’s one and only fashion event, Fash n’ Treasure brings together local fashion designers, shop owners and stylists for some of the coolest fashion markets in the city.

The event gives Canberrans the opportunity to get their hands on clothes, jewelry, books, shoes, records and a whole heap more for some pretty decent prices.

Running from 10am-3pm, the markets are held once a month and have quickly become a favourite of fashion lovers around the state.

3. Return to ANZAC Cove: Your Friend the Enemy
What: Art Exhibition
When: Sat 11 April – Sun 17 May
Where: ANU Drill Hall Gallery
Cost: Free

Step back in time to a piece of Australian history that every man, woman and child has learned about at various time throughout their lives.  Return to ANZAC Cove portrays a landscape of the tragedies and trials of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives at war.  On show are the responses of 12 contemporary artists who made an expedition to the Dardanelles and set up their easels, ready to capture the memories.

This event is a stunning response to an important piece of Australian history, and would be wonderful for both art and history lovers alike.

The ANU Drill Hall Gallery is open 12pm-5pm from Wednesday – Sunday, and admission is totally free.

2. Surgin A.K.A. Steve Lising
What: DJ
When: Sat 25 April
Where: Treehouse Bar
Cost: Free

Surgin is returning to Treehouse Bar With his signature style of high energy house infused music and versatile tracks for one wild night.

Describing himself as a ‘mild mannered dental surgeon by day and a superstar DJ by night’, Surgin brings the bass and never fails to impress clubbers with a diverse mix of old school hip hop, disco, remixed top 40 tracks and massive anthems.  His sets however do come with a pretty honest warning, ‘frequent, involuntary fist pumping may occur’.

The gig begins at 9pm, and entry is free, so get your best club gear on and head out for an awesome night with Surgin and his fresh tunes.

1. La Bastard
What: Live Music
When: Sat 18 April
Where: The Phoenix Bar

Supported by special guests The Villenettes and The King Hits, and back from their massive New Zealand tour, La Bastard are making their way into the heart of Canberra to charm and conquer with their rockabilly style rock n’ roll.

Hailing from the city of Melbourne, La Bastard are regulars on the Canberra music scene, and never fail to impress the growing fanbase they’ve accumulated in the Nations Capital.  In what promises to be a night of great fun, be prepared to have your mind blown by what they refer to as ‘sexy surfbilly chaos’.

Entry to the gig is $5 and the night begins at 9.30pm.