STOPERA is at the Top of the Cross with “Enchanting Operetta”, where singers Rebecca Collins, Rachael Duncan and Rohan Thatcher and pianist Vivienne Winther will perform a selection of hits from “The Merry Widow”, “Die Fledermaus”, “The Mikado”, “The Pirates of Penzance” and so on. At the Southern Cross Club (1pm lunch and show, 2.30pm show only), Sunday, August 25, Bookings to 6283 7288 or cscc.com.au

CRAFTACT has found a crafty way of luring people to its annual fundraising event by serving up fine food on the best locally created and designed objects. Eight food fusion dishes by Soju Girl, Mo?an & Green Grout and Two Before Ten will be accompanied by an auction, door prize, gift pack and entertainment. On the 9th floor, Nishi Building in New Acton, Saturday, August 31, bookings to 6262 9333 or programs@craftact.org.au

EDITOR Irma Gold tells us that the final Canberra Centenary event for her anthology, “Invisible Thread”, will be held at 6pm on August 28, in Paperchain Bookstore in Manuka, with John Clanchy, Penelope Layland, Michael McKernan, Mark O’Connor, Sarah St Vincent Welch and our own Robert Macklin reading their work. RSVP to 6296 6723.

“THE Happiness Jar” by Canberra author Samantha Tidy places the story of 27-year-old cystic fibrosis sufferer Rachel against the red dust of the Kimberley, and the Ganges in India. Tidy and National President of the RSL, Ken Doolan, will launch the book at the National Library Bookshop at 6.30 pm on Thursday, August 29. The event is free, but bookings to nla.gov.au/bookings or 6262 1424.

TAIKOZ has a 90-minute drumming workshop coming up at the Canberra Theatre. They say the workshop “will allow you to feel the awesome power of the taiko, the vitality of the rhythm and the fun of making music in a group”. At The Playhouse, 4.30pm and 7pm, Monday, September 2, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

EXPRESSIONS of interest for the newly-announced Anne Edgeworth Writers’ Award from should be submitted to the ACT Writers Centre by close of business on Friday, September 6. More information at actwriters.org.au

TOP PHOTO: Marian FitzGerald in the role of Edith sings to Lieut Gruber (Jason Morton) Col. Von Strohm (Kim Wilson) and Capt Bertorelli (Bill Kolentsis).