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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Dance phenomena and other arts in Canberra this weekend

“NO Lights No Lycra” (nolightsnolycra.com) is the evocatively-named event created by Alice Glenn and Heidi Barrett back in 2009.

NLNL in action
NLNL in action

It has long since become a global dance phenomenon and is not new to Canberra, but this Friday, August 1, a new NLNL night is being launched in Griffith by Fiona Harris, who’ll run it as a weekly event. “We turn off all the lights and dance like an un-coordinated version of Kevin Bacon in ‘Footloose’” she says, “We play everything from Beastie Boys to Beyoncé and everyone is welcome!” Griffith Neighbourhood Hall, 55 Stuart Street, Griffith (Next to Griffith shops). 6:30pm – 8pm, Friday, August 1 (and every Friday night onwards). $5.


QL2 “Boundless”, photo Lorna Sim
QL2 “Boundless”, photo Lorna Sim

TALKING of dance, QL2’s mainstage triple bill “Boundless” is up and running at the Playhouse until this Saturday August 2, with three different choreographers. Danielle Micich’s work is “The Bigger Picture,” with large scale photography projected as a backdrop. James Batchelor has created “Cinders” and Dean Cross has developed a work deconstructing our hidden boundaries about age, habits and beliefs in which he also uses a group from   Canberra Dance Theatre’s over 55s group, ‘Growing Old Disgracefully’. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.


THE second annual “Stronger than Fiction” documentary film festival runs from Thursday July 31 to Sunday August 3, at Palace Electric Cinema. Australian documentary filmmaker Bob Connolly will open the Festival at the gala opening night, which features French film “La Cour de Babel” (School of Babel) followed by a party at Hotel Hotel. Full program at strongerthanfictiondocs.com and bookings to palacecinemas.com.au


A work by Tracey Sarsfield
A work by Tracey Sarsfield
“REFLECTED” is a solo exhibition by Canberra emerging artist Tracey Sarsfield that explores ideas of the self and the other through sculptures based on the human figure. Sarsfield’s work has been selected for the International Biennial of Contemporary Art in Argentina this October. At ANCA Gallery, 1 Rosevear Place Dickson, 12-5pm Wednesday-Sunday, until August 17.


“MY Love is a House” is a concert of piano and flute music to be presented by T. Zimpel at Wesley Music Centre at 3pm Saturday, August 2. The ensemble   will perform new works by established and emerging composers from the Canberra region and has been inspired by the poetry of local poet Martina Hoffmann. Notably, it is supported by the CAPO Sage Legal Services Award. Bookings to trybooking.com/EYNM or tickets at the door.


Canberra Recorder and Early Music Society
Canberra Recorder and Early Music Society

THE next free concert at the High Court is “A Concert of Contrasts,” diverse works for recorder orchestra, ensemble & trio, by the Canberra Recorder and Early Music Society, 1pm, on Sunday August 3. No bookings required.


QUEANBEYAN’S passion for history should be quenched by visiting genealogy and history expert, Raoul Middelmann, who will be Queanbeyan City Library, 6 Rutledge St, Queanbeyan this Friday August 1 10am to midday, to talk about how to conduct searches of official, church and other records for details of births, deaths and marriages in different parts of Europe. To book a place phone 6285 6256 or email brigid.whitbread@qcc.nsw.gov.au


An image by Paul Martin
An image by Paul Martin

“THE Pearl of Africa” is an exhibition of photography by Paul Martin showing in gallery@bcs at Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, Belconnen, 9am-4:30pm Monday-Friday until August 8. These photographs and film were taken on a recent trip to Entebbe Uganda – central eastern Africa described as by Winston Churchill as the “Pearl of Africa” and showcase traditional and ceremonial dress in that country, acknowledging the need to record intangible history and heritage.


VISUAL artist and graphic designer Andrea McCuaig now has an exhibition of recent contemporary abstract paintings at Form Studio & Gallery, 1/30 Aurora Ave Queanbeyan, running until August 17, 9.30am – 2.30pm weekdays & 10-4 weekends. “Gestureality” consists of medium and large-scale works exploring relationships between gesture and human movement.


An impression of the Kimberly by Carmel McCrow
An impression of the Kimberly by Carmel McCrow

IN “Layers of Time: the Kimberley,” painter Carmel McCrow explores impressions while wandering through the Kimberley in 2011. The show will be opened tonight Thursday July 31 at 6pm by Brendan Smyth MLA, all welcome. “Layers of Time runs until August 17 Wednesday to Sunday 12 – 5 at M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent Griffith.


Leigh Barker
Leigh Barker

JAZZ musician Leigh Barker returns with his six piece group ‘The New Sheiks’ to Canberra for a one-off concert tonight, Thursday July 31 at 8pm in Smith’s Alternative Bookshop in Alinga St Civic. It’s part of ‘Jazz at Smith’s’ (formerly known as ‘Jazz at the Loft’). We’re told this group sells out quickly with its “fresh interpretations of traditional jazz” so be on time. Tickets only available at the door.


CHILDREN’S authors Irma Gold (“Megumi and the Bear”), Emma Allen (“The Terrible Suitcase”) and Tracey Hawkins (“Max Meets a Monster”) are holding a special afternoon of readings from their latest picture books, complete with afternoon tea, and fun, at 2pm this Saturday August 2 in Paperchain Bookstre Manuka. Bookings to 6295 6723 or info@paperchainbookstore.com.au


An image by Jessica Muirden
An image by Jessica Muirden

A new photographic exhibition developed by students and staff from Lake Ginninderra College features portraits of members of the Friends of Jimmy’s Choir, a group of people living with disability. It’s at the Disability Information and Support Hub (DISH@Oatley), 60-62 Oatley Court Belconnen, until October and is presented by the Community Cultural Inclusion Program team at Belconnen Arts Centre.


TODAY, Thursday July 31 from 12.30pm-1.15pm at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka, James Porteous (organ) and Clara Teniswood (cello) will be performing variously excerpts from Vierne’s Symphonie No. 2, Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in G major BWV 541 and Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei” arranged for cello and organ. It’s part of the RSCM (ACT branch) monthly lunchtime organ recitals at churches around Canberra. Entry by donation.


THE Life Drawing Workshop has been running continuously for nearly 28 years 1pm to 3pm at Holy Cross Church on the corner of Emu Bank & Eastern Valley Way, Belconnen, and every Thursday. You bring your own paper and drawing materials (& easels). Tables and chairs are provided. Fees from $12 per day. Inquiries to Athina Pazolli, 6253 2002 or 0414 271 311, or athina@pazolli.com


Will Huang and Geoffrey Borny as Frederick Vasolt and Johannes Junius
Will Huang and Geoffrey Borny as Frederick Vasolt and Johannes Junius
DUNCAN  Ley’s searing  play “The Burning,”  about 17th century witch trials,  opens tonight at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, directed by Duncan Driver, with an all-star cast, runs July 31 to August 10.   Bookings to 6285 6290 or theq.net.au


TOM Stoppard’s witty but searching feast for the mind, “Arcadia,” directed by Aarne Neeme, opens at Canberra REP tomorrow Friday August 1 and runs to August 16, bookings to 6257 1950 or canberrarep.org.au

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Helen Musa

Helen Musa

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