The first weekend of this year’s Enlighten festival saw sold out events at Questacon and many visitors braving uncertain weather to enjoy the spectacular architectural projections and entertainment that transformed Canberra’s Parliamentary Zone.
Questacon’s packed programme kicked off with a Family Fun Night on Friday, with over 250 visitors enjoying the galleries, Dr Scar and UV face-painting and many explosive and intriguing science demonstrations in Q Lab and the Questacon foyer.
A small but intrepid group headed out into the night for the Night Photography Workshop with AIPP Master photographer Hilary Wardaugh. The group captured the glittering surrounds of Questacon and the festival in full swing, putting their cameras through their paces.
The fabulous Mr Barry Morgan (popular guest star on ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks) delighted packed audiences in Questacon’s Japan Theatre on Friday and Saturday night. His hilarious performance not only demonstrated the latest release from the Hammond Organ company, the ‘1981 Aurora Classic’ but told of his rise to success as the owner and proprietor of the Barry Morgan’s World of Organs store in the beautiful Sunnyside Mall—world famous in Adelaide.
Around 60 ice-cream lovers of all ages were treated to an extra-cool experience in Q Lab for Ice-creamology 101. Using the instant freezing power of liquid nitrogen, presenters Michael Bennett and Daniel McCusker created amazing flavours for visitors to taste including salted caramel, chilli-chocolate and honeycomb. They even created a glow-in-the-dark sorbet with tonic water!
The Questacon foyer was abuzz with people enjoying the interactive Shell Questacon Science Circus exhibits and Excited Particle busking and demonstrations. Outside, the Questacon building became an interactive canvas for people to create their own unique artwork. Using a range of themed architectural projections including crystals, Rube-Goldberg machines, and South American jungle, visitors enjoyed creating their own collage using the interactive kiosk.
The second weekend of Enlighten is shaping up to be just as big with an adults-only Latin Fiesta SciNight on Friday featuring latin DJ beats, expert presenters and lots of interactive demonstrations and Spectacular Science Shows. Throughout the evening, catch the glitz and glamour of the samba girls, or marvel at demostrations of the Brazilian martial art, capoeira.
On Saturday evening, Questacon will pulse with the rhythms of two interactive drumming workshops presented by Sydney-based Drum Circle Events. Another night photography workshop will create stunning images, and comedian Rod Quantock will ask audiences which side of the climate debate they’re on with ‘Bugger the polar bears, this is serious’ – arguably the most important show in what’s left of human history .
Visitors can share their experiences with Questacon via social media using @Questacon and #Q25.
