ART Song Canberra’s first concert for 2017, “Dangerous Romantics”, features sensuous music by Hahn, Fauré, Debussy, FS Kelly, Quilter and Koehne, to be performed by Christina Wilson with Alan Hicks at the piano. Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest, 3pm, Sunday, February 26, no bookings, tickets at the door only.

THOSE clever people at Manning Clark House have snared Nobel Laureate and ANU Vice-Chancellor Prof Brian Schmidt to give the 18th Manning Clark Lecture, Theatre 2, Manning Clark Centre (26a), Union Court, ANU, 6pm, March 3. Bookings to trybooking.com

CANBERRA Opera will present an excerpt from Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” ahead of its May production, as well as arias, duets and a trio from Mozart, Bellini, Puccini and Gounod. High Court of Australia, 1.30pm, Sunday, February 26. Free, but bookings essential to hcourt.gov.au

“BOTANICAL Capital” by prize-winning artist Cheryl Hodges is an exhibition of watercolours telling stories of Canberra’s landscape history. Opening by Bernadette Hince, at Yarralumla Gallery, Cottage 1, Weston Park Road, 3pm, Sunday, February 26, all welcome. It runs until March 24.

GOOD news that the International Professional Picture Framers Association has honoured Canberra picture framer Quentin Webster and his wife Cathy, the co-owners of Framing Matters in Endeavour House, Manuka. Cathy was placed second in the PPFA framing competition, while Quentin was named Chapter Volunteer of the Year at the West Coast Art and Frame Expo and National Conference in Las Vegas.

THE 2017 Festival of Ambitious Ideas, themed “The 100 Year Life”, will see 12 speakers, with five minutes each, presenting their ideas on longevity. Brindabella Conference Centre, 33-35 Brindabella Circuit, Brindabella Business Park, 5.30pm-9pm, on Thursday, March 2. Bookings to eventbrite.com.au