THE Canberra International Music Festival, directed by Roland Peelman, winds up this Sunday, May 8.

HIGHLIGHTS coming up in the next few days include “French Invention” at The Fitters Worksop and “Sounds On Site” at Garema Place, both tonight. then tomorrow, Friday, will be “The Battle Of The Sexes” – Monteverdi’s “Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda,”  with Taryn Fiebig and David Greco, “La serva padrone by Pergolesi” and  Monteverdi’s “Lettera amorosa” by Marco Beasley.  “Argentina Magic” follows on Saturday and the Festival Finale, “Viva Brasil” on Sunday, with many more concerts in between. All program details and bookings to cimf.org.au and our Citynews reviews appear daily at citynews.com.au

Events:

THE National Museum of Australia is celebrating 50 years of the ABC’s much-loved Play School television program.  You’ll see Big Ted, Little Ted, Humpty, Jemima and the Rocket Clock, as well as new props on loan from the ABC.  “Happy Birthday Play School, NMA, May 7 to July 24, tickets: $8 adult, $6 concession, $4 child, and under-5s free.

AUSDANCE’S AUSTRALIAN Dance Week continues until May 8.  Thurs May 5,  ‘Taking Flight’, 11am, Canberra Hospital &   1.30pm Goodwin Village Monash; ‘The Bolshoi Ballet at Dendy’ Dendy Canberra   148 Bunda Street Canberra City, bookings to dendy.com.au 10am Sat May 7 and 2pm Sun May 8; ‘Dancing In The Piazza’ from 12pm, Belconnen Fresh Food Markets Celebrate Dance FREE; ‘Dance On The Edge,’ 4pm & 8pm, Saturday May 7  and  2pm, Sunday, May 8, Free. Q&A after Sunday  performance Dance On The Edge Belconnen Arts Centre,   118 Emu Bank Belconnen. Details of the  program are at ausdanceact.org.au

KUSHMA Ram, Delhi-based saree designer, will be in Canberra in May, with an exclusive collection of hand woven sarees. Her Kay Collections has been collaborating with Mrs Najitora Bori and a network of around 200 women weavers in the Lakhimpur

district of Assam to present ‘muga’ sarees and ‘makhela chaddar’ to Australian audiences for the first time. India is known for 4 varieties of natural silk – muga, tussar, pat (mulberry) and eri. Of these, Muga is the more exquisite and rare one. The “The Golden Silk of India: Muga” exhibition will be held at Premier Hotel, 110 Benjamin Way Belconnen, 10am – 7pm on May, 6 – 8 (Fri, Sat & Sun) free and open to the public with free parking facility. Inquiries to kushma@kaycollections.com or 040 1526 133.

Talk:

ANU Drill Hall Gallery Autumn Lecture Series, Lecture 3 – 3pm, Sunday 8 May – Professor Ian McLean – “How Aborigines invented the idea of contemporary art,” School Of Art Lecture Theatre, (Level 2 Main entry Childers Street). Tickets at the door $10 / $5 student concession.

Arts Business:

GOULBURN Mulwaree Council is calling for expressions of interest applications from artists to propose exciting, innovative, and workable artworks. A total available fund for projects is $50,000. Smaller projects will be given equal consideration as larger projects, and by necessity some smaller projects may require a smaller budget. Submissions close 5pm Tuesday May 10. Details at regionalartsnsw.com.au

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:

‘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

Dance:

Belconnen Arts Centre is staging “DANCE ON THE EDGE 2016” As part of Ausdance ACT Dance Week with Alison Plevey, Debora di Centa, William Tran & Irina Vyshinsyaka, QL2 dancers in a work by Sara Black, and Amy Dawson and Michelle Forman. This year they also have two visiting dancers from Queensland, Claire Bathgate-Petersen and Aiden Birney-Kilner, in a new work by choreographer Lewis Major. Dance Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen Saturday May 7, 4pm or 8pm and Sunday May 8, 2pm, bookings to belconnenartscentre.com.au

Film:

THE 2016 SPANISH Film Festival continues with a full program at Palace Electric Cinemas, NewActon, until May 8, bookings to palacecinemas.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 CHIPPENDALE Creative Precinct is encouraging emerging artists across Australia to enter the Chippendale New World Art Prize. The judges will choose the winner who will receive a three-month residency at the Arte Studio Ginestrelle on Mount Subasio in Assisi, Italy, worth $10,000. This year’s theme is ‘spirit’. To enter visit chippendalecreative.com

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:

HENRY Lawson and Banjo Paterson were masterful storytellers so actor Max Cullen and musician Warren have joined forces to create a 90-minute play which sees the two legendary literary characters having a drink at the Leviticus Bar and Grill’s just near the Pearly Gates while yarning about the old days. At the National Theatre, Braidwood, 7.30pm, Saturday May 7 and a Mother’s Day matinee at 2pm on Sunday 8th May 8. Bookings to 4842 1700 or tickets at the door. Belconnen Community Centre, 11am May 10 and 7.30pm May 11, bookings to 6264 0200.

THE Australian Theatre for Young People is coming to town with “Sugar Land,” a play that follows the lives of five teenagers and their local youth worker in remote Australia. Playwrights Rachael Coops and Wayne Blair undertook a series of residencies in Katherine, NT, and the result is this optimistic new play. At The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre, 6pm May 6 and 7, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

ONE of Australia’s best known “Phantom of the Opera” actors, Michael Cormick (he played the role here a couple of years back) , will be at Vivaldi’s on Mother’s Day to croon romantic songs from shows like “Phantom”, “Les Miserables” and Love Never “ He’ll be accompanied by Canberra-raised pianist James Court. Teatro Vivaldi restaurant, ANU Arts Centre, dinner & show 6.30pm Saturday May 7 and luncheon show at 12.30pm, Sunday, May 8, bookings to 6257 2718.

AUSTRALIA’S romcom queen Toni Jordan is here with a bedroom farce of epic proportions, “Our Tiny, Useless Hearts”, A Mother’s Day event at Muse Café, East Hotel Kingston, May 8, 3-4pm. Bookings to musecanberra.com.au

JUSTUS Neumann appears at The Street Theatre in “Alzheimer Symphony”, a part of “Segue.” That’s a festival exploring the interplay between Australia and Europe that also includes “Swing”, a play from Ireland’s ‘Fishamble: The New Play Company’, flamenco dance, jazz and world music in “Bandaluzia” and “stCloud,” an eight-day drawing performance by Gosia Wlodarczak. “Alzheimer Symphony”, at The Street Theatre, May 5-8, part of “Segue,” at the Street, May 5-15, bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.

ANU Med Revue, “Murder, She Prescribed,” is for a good cause. All proceeds of this, the tenth revue, go to Companion House, assisting survivors or torture and trauma ANU Arts Centre, May 5-7, bookings to anumss.org

“THE Glass Menagerie”, Tennessee Williams’ first great play, is at The Playhouse in Belvoir’s Helpmann-award-winning production, to May 6, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

DIRECTOR and noted Chekhov author Geoffrey Borny is staging “Uncle Vanya” in his seventh directorial role with Canberra REP. The cast is headed up by Sam Hannan-Morrow as Vanya and Jim Adamik (in an unusual bit of casting as Dr Astrov). At Theatre 3, until May 14. Bookings to canberrarep.org.au or 6257 1950.

Concerts and Gigs:

THE Australian Chamber Orchestra takes on what it calls the mighty three – Bach, Beethoven and Mozart – for its third national tour this year. The concert features Mozart’s “Turkish Violin Concerto”, JS Bach’s “The Art of Fugue”, and Beethoven’s “Grosse Fugue.” Llewellyn Hall, 8pm, Saturday May 7, 8pm bookings to aco.com.au .

THE ANU Music Society is holding an end of semester concert featuring the Society Orchestra, Concert Band and Jazz Band performing “heroic’ favourites ranging from “The Pirates of the Caribbean” to Beethoven’s “Egmont,” Big Band Room, ANU, Peter Karmel Building, ANU School of Music, 3pm Sunday May 8, Tickets $5 at the door.

MUSICAL entrepreneur Carl Rafferty is lashing out with “An Affair to Remember”, his “most tuneful and entertaining concert ever.” This will be the last Albert Hall concert for the year as Rafferty is heading to Vienna to launch a similar venture. Champagne opening night, 6.30 for 7pm Friday May 6, Banquet night 5.30pm Saturday May 6. Doors open 5.30. Mother’s Day afternoon tea, 2.30pm Sunday May 8, booking operabycandlelight.net

Exhibitions:

“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 May 6 to June 5.

THE National Portrait Gallery has a new focus exhibition titled “Mysterious eyes: Arthur Boyd portraits from 194’  opening on Friday, May 6 and running to August 14.  Consisting of nine works, the display will bring together a collection of portraits of individuals close to Boyd. Painted when he was 25, these portraits show how his treatment of the subjects reflected his own state of mind. The display includes five works from the National Gallery of Australia and one from Bundanon Trust.

“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 to be opened on Sunday the 8th May by Chan Dissanayake at 3pm. Exhibition is on from May 5-29 at Old Ginninderra School House, Sweet Copper Cafe, Gold Creek, Nicholls, Thurs. & Fri. 10am – 4 pm. Sat. & Sun. 8.30 – 4.30pm.

FORM Studio and Gallery has six artists exhibiting in “Divergence,” Elaine Bradley, Verney Burness, Richilde Flavell, Isabelle Mackay-Sim, Verney Burness, Fran Romano and Lia Tajcnar use divergent thinking to create engaging and unique sculptural works. 1/30 Aurora Avenue, Queanbeyan, May 5-22, opening 6pm May 5, all welcome.

“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.

“IT’S ALL About Eve” is a solo exhibition of new paintings by Canberra-based artist Emma Beer. Beer is cheekily evasive about who ‘Eve’ is. She refers to Adam and Eve, her paternal Grandmother Evelyn, a brazenly feminised homage to artist Yves Klein, and the Bette Davis film All about Eve. She also asks “Am I Eve?” ANCA Gallery, 1 Rosevear Place Dickson until May 15, noon-5pm Wednesday-Sunday.

BEAVER Galleries has a new exhibition of paintings by one of its favourite exhibitor, Thornton Walker that has been inspired by his visits to the Batemans Bay region. Alongside this show will be Sarah Tomasetti’s “Influxus” paintings. At 81 Denison St Deakin, until May 22, opening this Thursday May 5 at 6pm, all welcome.

“SPEECH Acts” is the latest solo exhibition from local artist Nicci Haynes. With language being both her material and her theme entanglement and contortion, expressed via drawings, photography and video, are unavoidable. At Canberra Contemporary Art Space, City, Corner of London Circuit and Hobart Place, Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm until May 21.

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 NEWEST exhibition at Bilk Gallery in Palmerston Lane Manuka will showcase new earrings by Christopher Robertson, Inari Kiuru, Jo Hawley, Atty Tantivit, Taweesak Molsawat, Marian Hosking, Carlier Makigawa, Helen Aitken-Kuhnen, Cinnamon Lee, Kath Inglis, Bin Dixon-Ward, Mio Kuhnen, Alice Potter, Jill Hermans, Larah Nott, Vicki Mason, Nellie Peoples, Zoe Brand, Sandie Lee, Tanja Taglietti, Carl Noonan, Nick Harper and Johannes Kuhnen. Opens 6pm May 6, all welcome, gallery hours  Wed-Sat 11-5.

BELCONNEN Arts Centre has: “Here and There”, Julie Ryder, Sharon Peoples and Barbara Rogers, textile works that respond to the concept of time and place; “Constructure” – Ashly Kark, a new body of jewellery based on frameworks found in Belconnen Shopping Centre; “Biomimetic” – by ceramicist Skye Gallagher; and “Remember When”…. – Canberra Region Feltmakers’ sculptural installation. All at Belconnen Arts Centre, to May 22.

“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.

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.

“THOROUGHLY Modern”, curated by David Broker, asks if the ‘Great Australian Dream’ still exists. The detached house on a quarter acre block with a barbeque and hills hoist was a measure of success in the post war 1950s and 1960s. Artists are Janet Angus, Grant Hill, Matthew de Moiser, Alex Lewis, Danny Wild and Stephanie Wilson. At Gorman Arts Centre Canberra Contemporary Art Space until May 7, Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 4pm.

“COVET 2” is the second exhibition this year by the Networks Australia, a group of professional artists mainly based in Canberra carrying out multi-disciplinary practices. May 3-14 ANU Foyer Gallery, 6pm May 5, exhibition runs May 3-14.

“BARBARA Hanrahan: Words + Art” exhibits prints and prose of artist and writer Hanrahan, assembling pieces form UNSW Canberra and UNSW art collection, at ADFA Northcote Drive, Campbell 9am to 5pm until June 17.

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

PHOTOACCESS presents “Indecisive Moments”, a collaborative exhibition by local emerging artists Ursula K Frederick and Katie Hayne, and Colour/Blind by LA-based artist Sinan Revell.  In the Huw Davies Gallery, Manuka Arts Centre, Thurs  April 28 to  May 22.