Arts in the city

AFTER the absolutely up-to-date Arab film festival, the Arc Cinema now gets the first Iranian film festival from August 11-21 and, as film buffs know, that country’s cinema is considered among the world’s best. The program features Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separation”, which just won the Sydney Film Prize. Full program at www.filmink.com.au/filmbiz/notice/4200/ and bookings to 6248 2000.

THAT indefatigable curator Helen Maxwell is staging a mysterious-sounding exhibition called “A Gleam of Light” at M16 Gallery until August 21. You’ll know how good it’s likely to be when you hear that the artists are Micky Allan, GW Bot, Dörte Conroy, Nicola Dickson, Janenne Eaton, Annie Franklin, Pamela Lofts, Derek O’Connor, Kim Mahood, Patsy Payne, Jenny Taylor, Paul Uhlmann, Peter Vandermark, Ruth Waller, Gosia Wlodarczak.

CANBERRA’S QL2 Dance has just won two out of the 10 Australian Dance Awards announced at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. QL2’s director Ruth Osborne won the 2011 Award for Services to Dance, while the company’s 2010 junior youth dance project “Hard Yards,” staged at Yarralumla Woolshed, won the award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance.

YOUNG hoofers from Canberra Dance Development Centre have just taken off to be part of the Shanghai International Children’s Cultural and Art Festival. Director Jackie Hallahan says they’ll get to perform at Shanghai’s Grand Theatre.

THE Gallery of Australian Design at Commonwealth Place has an unusual project, called “Urban AU. Street/Art/Architecture,” that looks at the role of artists and architects in the design of contemporary cities by linking street art activities, modern planning and contemporary architecture. “Urban AU,” which runs until September 3, features work by photographer Tanja Milbourne, drawing expert Russell Isaac-Cole and street artists Zap and  Jumbo.

YOU’VE only got until Sunday (August 7) to catch Datsun Tran’s  solo exhibition “Flight” at Paintbox Fine Art, 32 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Described as “a menagerie”, it features paintings of birds and primates.

I SEE that Musica da Camera Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Charlotte Winslade, will be performing Bruch, Brahms, Meyer and Albinoni at the Holy Covenant Anglican Church in Cook on August 13 at 2.30pm then at the Shire Hall in Gunning on August 14 at 2pm. Tickets at the door.