Time out

Canberra Lego User Group president, Jake Radloff, is excited to share the group’s creations at their first Canberra Brick Show at Thoroughbred Park, 19-20 November.

Canberra Lego group building community connection

Brick by colourful brick, the Canberra Lego User Group (CLUG) has been building a community of creative enthusiasts. The Group hosts its first Canberra Brick Show at Thoroughbred Park later this month, 19-20 November.

The show brings together more than 120 exhibitors from across the country to showcase their builds; some are extravagant sets while many are creations from the builder’s imagination. There will be opportunities to get hands-on and make your own designs, purchase from speciality vendors selling Lego themed goods, and buy sustenance from some of the capital’s favourite food trucks.

“One we’re expecting to come along is actually a Brickman build. It’s a massive mosaic of The Lego Movie, so Emmet Wyldstyle Batman, it’s about eight metres long and three metres tall,” says CLUG president Jake Radloff.

Discovering his love for Lego at a young age, throughout his childhood Jake could always be found putting pieces together. He says back in the 1980s, Lego looked a bit different, there weren’t as many options, lines, or colours, and the elements were more basic – but they were just as loved. He has kept his first set over the years, the 7740, an electric yellow train that still runs today.

“Every school holiday I used to get the track out, the set-up was quite a bit more intricate at that time. It has little rails on the inside to try and get electrification,” Jake says.

After a break from the hobby and when Jake was established and financially secure, he started to dabble again. Buying a Millenium Falcon set in 2010, at first he stuck to certain Star Wars or train sets, but soon the bug was back and he ventured into new lines.

The collection has continued to grow and now Jake estimates he owns a good thousand sets. There are many that have yet to be built with some that may never make it out of the box. Jake says he isn’t sure what to do with certain ones, others he knows he can’t part with, and some he is holding for when his children grow.

“As the kids get a bit older, I’m enjoying sometimes bringing one out to build with them, especially as their skills develop,” he smiles.

Around three years ago, Jake became involved in CLUG, a Lego appreciation group for people of all ages. Forming in 2010, the group has slowly been growing, now sitting at around 180 members, and they connect on the first Sunday of the month.

“We usually have a theme, so it could be a certain colour or a certain vehicle or a certain build technique,” he says.

Throughout the meetings, people are encouraged to stand up and talk about what they have been creating and the inspiration behind the build. Members who were LEGO Masters contestants share their insights, people who specialise in crafting their own big builds share their methods, and the youngest members also command the crowd.

“One of the little boys, it was the first time he spoke, I think he was four, and he has six or eight bricks that he put together and explained this whole story about this little thing,” Jake recalls.

The group believes in giving back to those around them, and plans to use a portion of the money raised from the show to buy sets to be donated to local charities, with the intention they will be passed on to families with children with special needs or who may struggle to buy Christmas presents. They also hold a yearly event at Woden School to help raise money for equipment at the disability support school that government funding doesn’t cover.

Along with being the group’s volunteer president, Jake also works for the local government in an IT position and is a father to two children, aged four and seven. For him, Lego is something relaxing to help him unwind after a stressful day, and he enjoys the symmetry of the build.

Both children have inherited Jake’s love for Lego; his son is all about superheroes while his daughter loves princess castles and has a budding interest in vehicles. She had been longing for a pink tram when her loving dad decided to reskin one of the sets from the city line with magenta bricks. He had to be resourceful when all the replacement pieces weren’t available as Lego doesn’t create every piece in all colour options.

Around half the group’s members stick to building from boxes, others are collectors who don’t open their boxes, and the rest are into modifications, such as upgrading a vehicle with a motor or creating landscapes from multiple sets.

See the creations or try making your own at Canberra Brick Show at Thoroughbred Park, 19-20 November; canberra.brickshow.au Read an extended version at canberraweekly.com.au - Jessica Cordwell

Small items like figurines make all the difference in landscapes; see Jake’s four season train display at Canberra Brick Show.

Loretta Lynn’s life in song on stage

With country music ingrained in her roots, Amber Joy Poulton has always loved the stories told within the genre’s songs. When looking to create a show based on one of country music’s leading ladies, she discovered the resilient Loretta Lynn. Poulton brings Lynn’s life to the stage in Coal Miner’s Daughter which stops at Canberra Theatre on 13 November.

Moved by the way Lynn told her life story in her tunes, delivering even the darkest times in upbeat melodies, Poulton says you wouldn’t know how unhappy she was at times unless you really listened to the lyrics. Throughout Lynn’s career, a number of her songs were banned from radio stations, including The Pill. Written as a commentary after she was married at 14 without being taught the birds and bees, she didn’t understand how she had four children by the age of 18, according to Poulton.

“She talks about how you don’t have to worry any more, Daddy, to her husband because I’m on the pill … Church-going folks couldn’t take contraception, she actually talking about political issues,” Poulton explains.

Even though things are done differently now, Poulton says it’s important to keep the stories alive. She relates to Lynn in more than looks; she is inspired by the fact she had six children and a thriving career touring the country. Poulton says she is often asked who is looking after the kids when she tours, something she is sure her husband isn’t asked.

The show shares the songs sung by Lynn, as well as those of her friends and collaborators like Dolly Parton and Conway Twitty. It explores the friendship between Lynn and Patsy Cline who encouraged Lynn and helped her step into the spotlight. Poulton says she thinks the connection between the friends and the impact Cline’s untimely death had on Lynn is an important part of the show.

“She and Patsy Cline paved the way for women country singers like myself to have it a bit easier.”

Poulton says the purpose of the show has changed somewhat following Lynn’s recent

Amber Joy Poulton brings the life story of Loretta Lynn to the stage in Coal Miner’s Daughter, at Canberra Theatre, 13 November.

passing. Now, more than ever, they want to share her story, ensure people don’t forget her songs, and celebrate the incredible life she led.

“In country music you can write, sing and perform until your last breath. There is no expiry date.” Celebrate the life of Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter at Canberra Theatre, 13 November 7.30pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au - Jessica Cordwell

NOW LIVE

Canberra’s own big, bright, bold, and inclusive wedding supplier directory is now HERE!

Search for local wedding vendors that match your unique style, and fi nd resources and tips to help making wedding planning a breeze.

Find local Canberra wedding vendors Articles and expert tips Budget spreadsheets Planning checklists Inspiration and ideas Reviews and more

TIME OUT

That’s art and entertainment

CW Time Out editor Jessica Cordwell brings you the latest in arts and entertainment news from around the Canberra region. Highlights this week include Rainbows on Lake Burley Griffin, imaginative youth theatre, and the Canberra Short Film Festival.

Pineapples, trolls and far-out tunes

The wonderful world of youth imagination takes us to a new society born from a secret deal with an online troll in Age of the Pinedemic - The Musical, at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 18-19 November.

Society crumbles after the pineapple virus spreads. Left alone with no other choice but to seek help on the dark web, the children strike a deal. Gifted with everlasting life, they struggle in their new roles as leaders of the new world, haunted by memories from life before. The children work together to discover the truth and try to overcome the looming troll; can they succeed?

Written and created by 14 children aged 7-13 in response to conversations on how the past few years have been for them, their ideas were transformed with music and song structure, helped by Tim and Nathalie Bevitt. The fun and quirky original musical allows youth voices to be heard. Tickets: tuggeranongarts.com

Magnificent stories in a few minutes

The Canberra Short Film Festival continues until 20 November with screenings at Smith’s Alternative and Dendy Cinemas. Returning for its 27th year, the festival showcases the dynamic power of storytelling with films running no more than 20 minutes. More than 600 films were submitted this year, with 215 films from 21 countries making the final cut.

Telling stories of masculinity, mental health, politics, First Nations stories, and more, the films are curated into like themes and shown together on different nights. Find the full program at csff.com.au

New paint makes a splash

The beloved Lake Burley Griffin paddle boats have received a colourful and bright makeover that celebrates Canberra’s rich culture, history, and connection to country.

Ain’t Many Like Lennie is one of the flicks to feature in the Canberra Short Film Festival, on at Dendy until 20 November.

Skins of 10 of the boats have been designed by the cultural institutions around town, such as the National Museum, National Library, and the Mint, offered on first come, first served basis by the National Capital Authority. The remaining two paddle boats designs have been created by First Nations artists representing Ngunnawal and Ngambri land, and will be launched with smoking ceremonies. Capital Paddle paddle boats can be hired without bookings 9.30am-5.30pm weekends and seven days during school holidays, depending on the weather; capitalpaddle.com.au

Now showing

Black Adam (M)

In 2600 BC, Kahndwhere, a young slave gains the powers of Shazam, using them to liberate his people. Flashing forward to the present day, Kahndaq is again oppressed by a gang after the all-powerful Crown of Sabbac. With no other choice, resistance fighter Professor Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) reads an incantation to awaken the equally all-powerful anti-hero teth-Adam (Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson) to save them.

The Detective Comics Extended Universe (DCEU) stumbled horrifically with the equally horrific Justice League (2017). The studio has been in a free-fall ever since with the shared universe suffering under corporate egos, committee ‘creative’ decision-making, and lack of leadership and vision. Enter Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson to yet another movie franchise for the taking.

After 15 years of development, Johnson has not only manipulated a superhero movie to showcase himself as a star, he has rearranged an entire movie franchise-‘universe’ and studio into his image. Supported by heroes of The Justice Society, and one fantastic Pierce Brosnan playing Dr Fate, the movie serves as a strong origin story to seed multiple future movies in the Black Adam film series and plenty of other DCEU movies going forward.

The cinematic stylings of Zack Snyder are present throughout, laying the framework for the future of the DCEU while incorporating elements of what has worked well in the past. Verdict: A perfectly solid superhero origin story that is doing much more for a cinematic franchise than any one movie should. Good thing the Rock has the shoulders for it! 3.5 stars. - Luke McWilliams themovieclub.net Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.

Proudly sponsored by

23-26 November

TIME OUT

Take 5 with Kristian Winthers

Renowned Canberra-born violinist Kristian Winthers joins the Signum Saxophone Quartet on their debut Australian tour with Musica Viva Australia. The classical music experience stops at Llewelyn Hall on 17 November. CW’s Jessica Cordwell caught up with Kristian mid tour.

1What led you to start playing the violin?

Both of my parents are musicians, they are pianists. There are a lot of pianists in my family, I’m the only violinist.

As a kid you say you want to do something, but you don’t think much of it and it sort of snowballs as you get older. I was four. Nowadays, most top instrumentalists tend to start at an early age. It’s like chess or tennis, anything like that. People who are at the top of the game have to start young.

2You’ll be performing Kurt Weill’s Violin Concerto, which is renowned for being difficult. How are you finding it?

It’s great! It is a rarely performed piece so that is the more difficult aspect. There are difficult pieces that are well known; you can see people’s versions and how they approached them. When there are fewer performances, that is the challenge, solving all these problems yourself. It’s been a great challenge.

3Do you have a favourite piece to play?

Generally, my favourite to play is whatever I am doing at the moment; you become attached to the process, the amount of work that has gone into it. The feeling you have, the relationship you have with the piece you are playing.

I enjoy novelty, so I enjoy something new rather than something I have played before.

4Have you any plans while you are back in Canberra?

I always have such a brief visit to every city.

The coffee culture in Canberra has become really amazing in the last 10 years; I will be

Renowned Canberra-born violinist Kristian Winthers joins the Signum Saxophone Quartet at Llewellyn Hall, 17 November.

heading to one of my favourite coffee shops and catching up with some friends.

I think I am returning to my old high school to give a class or a talk, so that will be interesting going back to Marist College.

5What’s next for you?

I am really just focusing on this tour, it is a really big tour.

I’m playing at Ukaria in the Adelaide Hills then I am playing in Finland in January; I’m playing a rarely played concerto by Respighi. Catch Kristian Winthers and the Signum Saxophone Quartet at Llewellyn Hall, 17 November 7pm; musicaviva.com.au

GRAZING BY THE GARDEN

INSPIRED BY CRESSIDA CAMPBELL’S LOVE OF GARDENS AND SHARED FOOD BETWEEN FRIENDS.

Enjoy a light lunch Dining Room, Lower Ground

Fri, Sat & Sun until 19 Feb 2023 11.00am–2.30pm

View menu and book tickets