CANBERRANS have been wondering if there might be any synergy between the newly-developed Ainslie Arts Centre and musicians at the ANU School of Music.

Now at least one answer has come from Alexander Hunter, music lecturer at the School of Music and convenor of the Open School of Music, who tells has told “CityNews” of a lunchtime series, “Out to Lunch,” designed to be a professional development and experience opportunity for musicians – “an environment in which new and radical music can be heard, and these people performing as individual artists rather than just students”.

First cab of the rank today, Tuesday, at lunchtime in Ainslie Arts Centre, described as “one of Canberra’s emerging musical hubs”, is the screening of “Avoidance Behaviour,” a movie with live music and pre-recorded soundtrack by the film-maker Elyse Howe with original music by Hunter and Charles Martin.

In Hunter’s view, Canberra’s growing urban scene does not seem to offer a performance space for such composers, artists and experimenters. The series, he says, will  focus on new and experimental music, as well as less-performed classical music.

Howe’s work is disturbing Canberra-specific and of it she says, says, “Transplanted here from cities immeasurably greater in expanse and urbanity, circumstance has exiled me in isolation. Regression and stagnation feel inevitable, endeavour replaced with idleness, replicated daily. I patrol the small spaces I now inhabit, documenting my lonely gaze.” You can see some of this at vimeo.com.

Hunter and Martin comment on their musical contribution “As the film deals with vistas under close scrutiny moving in and out of focus, so too does this collection of pre-recorded and live sounds focus on the small and subtle. Canberra presents situations where one’s attention is necessarily drawn to, and focused on, things which in a larger city might go under-noticed.”

“Avoidance Behaviour” presented by the ANU Music Students Association, at Ainslie Arts Centre, (Main Hall) Elouera St Braddon, today Tuesday July 21, 12:30pm to 1:30pm, $5 at the door, no bookings required.