WITH the death of April’s Caravan, the woman behind it all, Netti Vonthehoff, is holding one last big hurrah to celebrate the life of April’s Caravan and her entire collection is up for sale from her home in Dickson, when  vintage frocks and suits, retro fabrics, furniture, vinyl records, trinkets, shag pile rugs and more will all go.

Out front there will be a yard sale open to the public accompanied by live bands and DJs. Entry to the house will be $10 which grants access to special items and registration to the coveted silent auction. Partygoers will be stepping into a time machine.  “April’s Vintage Bon Voyage Sale”, 12 Moncrieff Street, Dickson, 10am to 4pm, Saturday,  May 28.

Events:

CANBERRA OBSCURA is a celebration of the ACT’s weirdest sounds and strangest stories. Inspired by the atmosphere and tropes of the Australian Gothic, this event will challenge perceptions of our urban surrounds, and interrupt the everyday with an eerie and unsettling exploration of what lies beneath. At Ainslie Arts Centre, 30 Elouera St, Braddon, 7.30pm, this Saturday May 28, bookings to agac.com.au

THE time has come for artists Gary Smith and Denise Higgins to move out of their studio in Mitchell, so they’re having a sale of works, accompanied by soup and mulled wine, at 2/96 Hoskins St, Mitchell this Saturday May 28 from 1pm.

THE inaugural ‘Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Open Day’ takes place on Sunday.  The Canberra community can participate in this ‘cross Tasman day’  with a full day program of Free art workshops that explore the connection between art and nature in charcoal drawing, water-colour painting, clay-hand sculptures and Ikebana flower arrangement. The Gardens will also be hosting two morning and two afternoon free guided tours on the Flora Explorer shuttle bus. Free bus bookings essential to parksaustralia.gov.au

EUROBODALLA River of Art Festival runs in  Moruya and along the Eurobodalla coast until  May 29, full program at riverofart.com.au There will be a trail of 22 studios and galleries open along the coast as well as art on parade in local cafes and shops, with a focus the region’s considerable Aboriginal culture and history.

“FAITH Fashion Fusion: Muslim Women’s Style in Australia”, a curated discovery of emerging modest fashion trends and the work of a new generation of Muslim fashionistas – designers and entrepreneurs – making a mark on the local fashion industry. It’s a travelling exhibition developed by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney. At the National Archives of Australia, Queen Victoria Terrace, daily, May 27  to September 4.

Films: 

THE new film festival “Essential Independents: American Cinema, Now” has been curated by artistic director Richard Sowada, who says, “there’s no holding back and there’s no compromise.” The festival will showcase the past, present and future of independent cinema from the United States and 14 of the 32 films will have their Australian premiere. At Palace Cinemas, NewActon, bookings to palacecinemas.com.au

Talks:

THE Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society Molonglo Plains has   distinguished British Egyptologist Lucia Gahlin lecturing on   “Wonderful Things! Tutankhamun’s Tomb and Treasures” at the Comfort Inn Airport International, 57 Yass Road, Queanbeyan, 2pm, Thursday,  May 26. For membership inquiries & visitor bookings contact Lucy Costas on 0437 538529 or adfasmembersmolonglo@gmail.com

Arts business: 

HOW creative can you get with just one shoe? All  entries are welcome for the “Sole Mate” fundraiser exhibition for the SoART Gallery, which is a community- run gallery in Narooma, just next to the Narooma Kinema. Entries of a single shoe, boot or sandal due by June 3. Opens with drinks & nibbles on Thursday June 9 at 6pm and the show runs until June 21. All details at infosoartgallery@gmail.com or 0400 442945.

THE 8th Annual Perisher Peak Festival is coming up in the Snowies on the June Long Weekend, with director Dave de Santi signing over 30 Australian and international artists. They still have a few spots for Festival Volunteers, a great deal if you love music. Apply at peakfestival.com.au

QUEANBEYAN City Council is calling on interested stallholders to apply for a site for the inaugural Queanbeyan Christmas in July Fair to be held at the Queanbeyan Showground on Sunday, July 24 from 10am-3pm. To apply for a stallholder site visit qcc.nsw.gov.au or contact Cultural Services at Queanbeyan City Council on 6285 6170 or email cultural.services@qcc.nsw.gov.au

AN EXHIBITION slot is available in gallery@bcs, Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Crt, Belconnen, from July 25-Aug 5. Situated in the Belconnen Community Centre, gallery@bcs is an affordable alternative to commercial galleries with focus on providing a balance between amateur and professional exhibitions by a mix of community groups and individual artists. Two weeks (mon-fri) $500 commercial hire or $400 Not for Profit. Contact gallery@bcsact.com.au and cc ben.drysdale@bcsact.com.au for an application form.

THE Luminescence Chamber Singers have announced the launch of a new venture, The Luminescence Children’s Choir – a treble choir for 10-17 year olds. Founded by 21-year-old AJ America and 24-year-old Veronica Milroy, the ensemble provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to music making. Applications are now open for Semester 2. Information from luminescencesingers.wix.com

HANDEL in the Theatre, Toby Cole’s new artistic company has launched a crowd funding campaign to raise $10,000 for the professional fees, travel and accommodation of his soloists and instrumentalists. Creative Partnerships Australia’s ‘MATCH’ program will match donations dollar for dollar. Visit handelinthetheatre.com.au

APPLICATIONS for exhibitions at M16 Artspace in 2017 are now open until May 31. M16 aims to present high-quality exhibitions from both emerging and established artists and curators from Canberra, interstate and overseas. Application details at m16artspace.com.au

ANCA Gallery is holding its hugely popular ‘PIN’ annual exhibition of miniature wearable artworks (mostly brooches) again in 2016. Professional artists residing anywhere in Australia are encouraged to apply by 5pm June 1. For the application form and details visit anca.net.au

Workshops and classes:

“OBJECT THERAPY” seeks to creatively repair, nay, transform people’s broken objects and as part of a collaboration between Fix and Make, ANU and UNSW, the organisers are looking for people who have a damaged or broken object and want to be part of this investigation.   Objects will be returned to their owners at the end of the project, which will culminate in an exhibition on September 29 at Hotel Hotel. Entries for participation close on Sunday June 5. Cost – Free.  Info at hotel-hotel.com.au

“BRUSH up your Shakespeare” is a six week course in playing Shakespeare, including exercises in the theories and practices of Cicely Berry, John Barton, Peter Brook and other actors and directors of Shakespeare. Until Sunday July 19. For further information email course tutor Peter Wilkins at peterbwilkins@aol.com or peterwilkins@grapevine.com.au or phone 0408 034 373.

JAPANESE Taiko drumming classes with Taikoz Australia Artist, Ryuji Hamada, are being offered at Four Winds, Bermagui over the June long weekend. Taiko is for all age groups, music and fitness levels. No previous experience is necessary. The Youth Beginner Workshop (8 to 16 yrs) is on at 1pm, Saturday June 11. The Adult Beginner Workshop is on at 1pm, Sunday June 12. At The Four Winds’ Windsong Pavilion, Bermagui. Bookings are essential to fourwinds.com.au or call the Four Winds office on 6493 3414.

‘DARRYL’S Den supported arts and craft studio’ Wednesday creative art class in painting sculpture printing techniques and mosaic wall tiles, at Holt community hub 80 Beaurepaire Crescent Holt. 10am-noon, until June 22. Materials and morning tea provided, inquiries and bookings to darrylsdenactoptusnet.com.au

Prizes and Awards: 

“ANTHROPOSCENE” is a global short film competition concerning the landscapes of the 21st, which invites the submission of 3–4 minute short films on the general subject of the new epoch of the ‘Anthropocene’. AUD $10,000 in prize money Entrants can shoot their films on mobile phones or any other device. Competition opens June 1 and closes August 1. Details at aila.org.au

THE 2016 Paul Lowin music prizes are now open for nomination. The Orchestral Prize ($25,000) is awarded for a work for modern chamber or symphony orchestra of at least 30 players and 15 independent lines. The Song Cycle Prize ($15,000) will be awarded to a work suitable for chamber performance, using no more than 1-8 independent vocal lines, accompanied by up to 10 instrumental players. Nominations are accepted from anyone, including the general public. Entries close 5pm June 30.

ENTRIES for the 2016 Australian Catholic University Prize for Poetry are now welcome, with writers from all over the country competing for the coveted first prize. The $7,000 ACU Prize for Poetry will be awarded for outstanding poetry with the theme “Loving Kindness.” Closing date Monday June 6, information at acu.edu.au

Theatre:

“LITTLE Shop of Horrors”, running at Canberra Theatre from  May 25-29 in a super-professional production from Sydney, features popular retro-songs like “Feed Me”, “Suddenly Seymour” and “Somewhere That’s Green”. As well, Erth has created a monstrous man-eating plant for the show. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

“WHAT Happened To Sandman (Or How I Became a Birdwatcher)” will reveal where author and comedian Steve Abbott has been in recent years. ‘Sandy’ was a comic figure familiar to ’90s audiences of ABC’s Triple J and TV shows like Good News Week, The Fat, In Siberia Tonight, Under the Grandstand and Sandman in Siberia. He’s back and on our stage to reveal all from the time after his brush with fame. Discover how to break up with yourself and how bird-watching helped Sandy become human. At The Street Theatre, May 28-29, bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.

“MOTHERLAND” is a play by Katherine Lyall-Watson about three remarkable real women and their mwen caught up in the Russian emigre literary world of Paris, including Australia’s Nelle Tritton, who married ex-Russian premierAlexander Keronsky, at The Q, Wed May 25 to Sat May 28, bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

TEMPO Theatre is presenting Ira Levin’s comedy thriller “Deathtrap”. The play holds the record for Broadway’s longest running comedy-thriller, performed nearly 1,800 times over four years. At Belconnen Theatre from May 20-28 Bookings to 6275 2700 or canberraticketing.com.au

“CATCH Me If You Can”, the musical , traces the real life story of a charming rogue, Frank Abignale Jnr, played by Leonardo di Caprio in the movie, who was always one step ahead of the FBI until he was caught forging millions of dollars of cheques, and posing as a pilot, doctor and lawyer. Alex Clubb plays Frank with Gerard Ninnes as FBI agent Carl Hanratty. At Gungahlin Theatre, May 27- June 11, bookings to stagecenta.com

Concerts and Gigs:

SALUT! Baroque presents: “The Emotional and Nuanced Instrument” at the Albert Hall 7.30pm, Friday May 27, tickets at the door or baroque.com.au

THE 2016 Canberra String Festival runs at Wesley Music Centre, this Saturday May 28, 1pm-6.30pm and Sunday, May 29, 1pm-7.30pm. Members of the public are very welcome and a gold coin donation at the door is requested. All times at canberrastringfestival.com

THE Imperial Bells of China return to Australia with a new production which incorporates dance and folk songs. In 1978, the 2,400-year-old bronze and stone chime-bells of Duke Zeng’s Tomb, together with other ancient instruments, were unearthed in Hubei China and the company is inspired by these discoveries. At the Playhouse Tuesday May 31, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6274 2700.

VOCALIST Lisa McClelland and pianist John Black  will preview their upcoming CD “But Beautiful” in Cooinda Hall, Kangara Waters Community Centre. The programs includes the Jimmy Van Heusen song, “But Beautiful” and popular classics like “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man”. At 2 Joy Cummings Place, Belconnen, 2.15pm, Sunday, May 29, Bookings to trybooking.com, or at the door.

PHILADELPHIA Grand Jury are on a  national tour with a difference … A KARAOKE TOUR where you can get up on stage and join the band to sing their favourite Philadelphia Grand Jury songs.  Transit Bar, 7 Akuna St, Civic, 8pm, June 3, tickets at the door.

VOCAL ensemble Luminescence Chamber Singers, Canberra’s premier, presents “Singing Swiftly”,  a collection of contemporary compositions by founding member, Olivia Swift and proves the madrigal lives long beyond Renaissance Italy. All Saints Church, Ainslie at 3pm Sunday May 29, bookings to trybooking.com   or tickets at the door (no credit cards at door)

THE Australian Haydn Ensemble, directed by Skye McIntosh, will celebrate Vienna’s cultural magnetism in a  program that explores works presented in the finest Viennese salons, such as that belonging to the famous patron of Beethoven, Gottfried van Swieten. In the Great Hall, University House, ANU,  7pm, Thursday  May 26, Bookings to 1800 334 388 or australianhaydn.com.au or at the door.

Exhibitions:

QUEANBEYAN’S latest public art installation – 20 Indigenous street sails – will be installed along Monaro St this week. The sails were designed at a one-day workshop with high school and primary school students from around the region and well-known Aboriginal artist, Dale Huddleston. The artworks were superimposed on 20 street flags which will line Queanbeyan’s Monaro St from 27 May 27- July 29 and at other times during the year. The project was funded by a $3000 grant from Regional Arts NSW. The 13 original artworks which formed the basis of the sails will be on display at Riverside Plaza May 30-June 6.

DEAN Bowen’s works are characterised by vibrant colour, environmental symbolism and dynamic composition.  His show “New morning: paintings, prints & sculpture” and Judy Holding’s “The loaded landscape: sculpture and paintings”, are at Beaver Galleries 81 Denison Street Deakin 81 Denison St Deakin, until June 12.

“PERMEATE” is a show by 2015 Emerging Artist Support Scheme recipients at Belconnen Arts Centre May 27 to June 19.  The artists are Ned Bott (Outdoor Gallery), Hannah Gason and Clare Peters (Arts Lounge), Janis Lejins (Main Gallery) and Madisyn Zabel (Foyer). The opening is at 5.30pm on Friday May 28 and there’s a   Think Tank Talk with David Broker, director of Canberra Contemporary Art Space at 2pm on Saturday, May 28.

THE National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature still has  “Seeing Stories”, an exhibition of framed original artworks from the John Barrow collection. Forty works from the 135 in the collection cover the years from the 1980s through the early 2000s and provide a visual documentary of an important period in the history of Australian children’s literature. The ten artists on exhibition are Ann James, Alison Lester, Julie Vivas, Bob Graham, Peter Gouldthorpe, Andrew McLean, Patricia Mullins, Terry Denton, Elizabeth Honey and Leigh Hobbs. At University of Canberra Hub Exhibition Space (opposite Mizzuna Café) until  August 26, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 10.30am-2.30pm Sundays 1pm-4.pm.

A ‘CONFIDENT Collecting Course’ is at M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent Griffith, on May 30, June 6, June 20 and June 27,  DATES AND TIMES:  Monday 30th May 6:30–8:30pm The where, how and what of art collecting. Details at m16artspace.com.au

PHOTOACCESS is opening   two exhibitions in the Huw Davies Gallery celebrating the materiality of photography: Cihuateotl’s “Myth” by Canberra-based Mexican born emerging artist Octavio Garcia Alvarado, and “An Endless Horizon” by Sydney-based emerging photographer Matthew James. Opening by Cathy Laudenbach, photographic artist, at Manuka Arts Centre, 6pm, Thursday, May 26, all welcome. Exhibitions continue until Sunday, June 19.

IN “Crafting Waste,” local designer/maker Niklavs Rubenis addresses contemporary critical concerns around design, consumption, material culture and waste. Rubenis’ exhibition features propositional and prototype furniture and lighting crafted from de-valued resources. In “Aesthetics in a Time of Emergency,” Sarah Field, Jennifer Ashley King, Jasmine Targett, Nadia Mercuri and Bethany Wheeler, primarily glass makers, explore an idea surrounding a current ‘state of emergency’ that impacts upon the individual and society collectively.  In the Crucible Showcase, Canberra Potters Society Craft ACT award winner Hsin-Yi Yang presents her interlocking ceramic objects. All at Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre Gallery, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, May 27 – July 9.

IN “Jas Hugonnet the divided works,” Hugonnet pays homage to minimalism and the process of construction. A key idea in this series was to stick to a set of rules around proportion and let the surface of the work convey a sense of space. CCAS Manuka 19 Furneaux St, Manuka. All welcome to opening 6pm Thursday May 26. The show   runs until 5pm Sunday June 5, 11-5pm Thursday to Sunday.

ARTISTS Ned Bott, Christopher Dalzell, Hannah Gason, Hilary Hanrahan, Sanne Koelemij, Jacob Potter and Fiona Veikkanen will be featured in “Reverb”, the CAPO Emerging Artists’ Prize exhibition Curated by Oscar Capezio and Gemma Pike, at M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent Griffith, and May 26-June 12. Opening at 6pm May 26, by David Hansen from ANU, all welcome.

IN HER new show at M16 Artspace, Monde Monde  explores our childhood memories – seen through the lens of the warnings our parents give us.  Are your memories real?   “Wait till your father gets home!” bindies in the lawn—this kind of memory.  Opens 6pm on Thursday May 26at M16, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith and runs until June 12.

THE Photography Room (Solo Exhibition Gallery) is presenting ‘Undertoe’, a solo exhibition of small scale photographs by by Dörte Conroy. Born in Hamburg, Germany in 1941, her background is in graphic design and she has a Master of Art (Visual Art) Sculpture, from the ANU. In the Old Bus Depot Markets Kingston, Fridays 4-7pm & Sundays 10-4pm (and by appointment).

GALLERY@BCS ‘RESPECT’ series has “Exo State,” a collaborative exhibition of wearable art, by Nathan Carter of “Scar Tree Gear”, and Radayne Tanna in celebration of Reconciliation Week. Nathan has Yalanji, Cherokee, Irish, and African American heritage and is also a Deadly Award winning musician. Radayne has Yalanji and Torres Strait islander heritage. He is a visual artist, dancer and yidaki player, who is currently working on a new comic book series. until June 3 at Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Crt, Belconnen, normal opening hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

“OBNOXIOUS Ladies in the Australian Landscape” is the title of a new show curated by Sabrina Baker that brings artists Emma Beer, Jacqueline Bradley, Anna Davern, Lucy Forsberg, Camille Serisier and Alex Pye. “All are assertive and determined in their ideas, uncompromising and not without a sense of humour,” Baker says. At Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Gorman Arts  until  June 18, Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm.

THE National Portrait Gallery has a focus exhibition of portraits by Arthur Boyd, titled “Mysterious eyes: Arthur Boyd portraits from 1945.” Gallery One, National Portrait Gallery, until  August 14. Open 10am–5pm daily.

TUGGERANONG-based artist Barak Zelig is asking the public, “Which country would you choose to live in if you were seeking refuge in Europe?” in an interactive performance puzzle called “Europe on Demand,” at Tuggeranong Arts Centre 10am-4pm? May 26 – 28. Participants will be encouraged to make a gold coin donation. All proceeds will be donated to?the ? Refugee Action Coalition.Those who wish to take part in it but cannot attend can email their choices to ?europeondemand@outlook.com

MASTER lithographer Peter Lancaster of Lancaster Press in Melbourne is collaborating with Megalo on an exhibition wittily titled “Between A Rock And A Hard Place” that features lithographs by top artists he’s worked with, including Rick Amor, Tony Ameneiro and Sue Anderson. “Bavarian limestone, grease and water – these are the essential elements that alchemist of sorts Peter Lancaster has been using for nearly two decades” Megalo enthuses. At Megalo Print Studio + Gallery, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am – 5pm until May 28.

ARTIST, teacher, graphic designer, musician and now photographer, Eva Schroeder, won a photography internship at the UNWomen’s office in Fiji last September. Now she’s exhibiting the results, 16 black and white images of “staunch, proud” female market vendors, under the title “Beneath the Bula Smile.” It’s her first solo exhibition and a satellite exhibition for Sydney’s coming ‘Head On’ photo festival. At Tuggeranong Arts Centre, until June 18.

“ETCHED In the Sun I” is a selection of prints by indigenous artists in collaboration with distinguished printmaker Basil Hall, at Nancy Sever Gallery, 4/6 Kennedy Street, Kingston, 11 am to 6 pm Wednesdays to Sundays until June 5.

“BLACK & White Landscapes” by Michael Masters, at The Photography Room, Kingston Bus Depot,  May 27 – June 5.  Artist reception Friday May 27, 6pm, all welcome.  The artist will be in the gallery on Sunday, June 5 at noon. Gallery hours: Fridays 4-7pm & Sundays 10-4pm (and by appointment). The  exhibition will open in conjunction with the newly established Farmers & Foodies Market at the Old Bus Depot, open every Friday evening from 3-7pm.

“EVERYDAY Inspirations” is the title of an exhibition by Sukhvinder Saggu, known especially for his still life paintings. Vibrant art also including flora, figures and landscapes. Exhibition is on until May 29 at Old Ginninderra School House, Sweet Copper Cafe, Gold Creek, Nicholls, Thurs. & Fri. 10am – 4 pm. Sat. & Sun. 8.30 – 4.30pm.

“WRONG Way Time”, the art of Fiona Hall, comes to us direct from the 2015 Venice Biennale. The Canberra-only exhibition provides Australian audiences with a window into this international art event and Hall was the first artist to represent Australia in the new Australian Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale. At the NGA, until July 10. FREE ENTRY.

“UNFOLDING Memories” is a solo exhibition by Colombian artist Rosario López, who has been living and working in Canberra since August last year as a visiting fellow in the Centre of Creative and Cultural Research at the University of Canberra. During this time, López has also had a studio at ANCA’s Mitchell campus. López has also had a studio at ANCA’s Mitchell campus. The show is at ANCA Gallery, 1 Rosevear Place Dickson, until June 5, 12pm-5pm Wednesday-Sunday.

CERAMIC artist Sally Walk is still riding high after being awarded the 2015 ‘Lorenzo il Magnifico’ Award for Ceramics (first place) at the Florence Biennale in Italy, Walk has opened, entitled “Semblance”, a solo exhibition of her coastal inspired ‘creatures’ at Suki & Hugh Gallery, 38A Gibraltar Street Bungendore until May 29.

‘THE TRANSPORTED’ by George Raftopoulos is at Nishi Gallery 17 Kendall Lane NewActon until May 29. Raftopoulos plays with the notion of the migrant identity or absence thereof. His works are odd and he knows it. But being an oddity is all part of the migrant experience, it is a part of everyone’s humanity. All works are for sale.

“SLOW Burn” by Pamela Griffith & Greg Hansell, who have 100 years of successful exhibiting between them, is at Octagon ArtSpace, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, until June 1.  “BARBARA Hanrahan: Words + Art” exhibits prints and prose of artist and writer Hanrahan, assembling pieces from UNSW Canberra and UNSW art collection, at ADFA Northcote Drive, Campbell 9am to 5pm until June 17.

‘CLICK + Capture’ is the U3A Canberra Camera Club Photographic Exhibition, showing at Gallery 1+2, Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Dr Holt until June 12. 24 of the members, some with a life-time of experience, others new to amateur photography, are showing their work for the first time in a commercial gallery.

CANBERRA Museum and Gallery aims to further the enjoyment of the complexity of the nature of the Canberra region and our ‘bush capital’, in photos, paintings, sculpture, natural history illustration and drawing, scientific specimens and audio-visual material and a program of walks and talks, which can be found at cmag.com.au

FROM ‘Play School’ to ‘Countdown’, from ‘Bellbird’ to ‘Alvin Purple’, early ABC television programs hold a special place in the hearts of many Australians. With its new exhibition “Tuning In: ABC TV 1964–76”, the National Archives of Australia has brought together some of the nation’s favourite shows, all from the Archives’ audio visual collection.

CANBERRA Grammar School Gallery, Monaro Cresc Red Hill,  has a new exhibition of printmaking and sculpture until June 18.