• THE Paperback Sessions is bringing APRA winner and co-founder of the group Leonardo’s Bride, Abby Dobson, to Smiths Alternative Bookshop on July 20. She hasn’t performed here in more than a decade. Yes, the bookshop may change hands soon, but the show will go on and performers have been booked until November. Bookings to www.paperbacksessions.com.au

• FILM-MAKING hopefuls have until July 16 to submit their final cut to the 17th Canberra Short Film Festival, now directed by Christian Doran. The festival runs at Dendy, September 14-16, and this year adds documentary and international to the open national, Canberra local, and schools categories. Details at www.csff.com.au

• EVERYMAN Theatre is back again at Canberra Theatre’s Courtyard Studio with a double-bill of two comedies, Woody Allen’s “God” and Mark Ravenhill’s “Pool (No Water)”, which is, they threaten, “guaranteed to wipe the smile off your face, and then staple it back on”. July 19-28, bookings to 6275 2700.

• THE Capital Arts Patrons’ Organisation president, Neil Doody, is over the moon about news of a new award in 2012 sponsored by Macquarie Bank. It’s a significant addition to the list of local, national and international businesses that sponsor CAPO’s annual arts awards. Applications are due by August 3. Visit www.capo.org.au or phone 6249 7860.

• LAST week we neglected to specify that the Austrian Australian Choir’s tour to Europe is in September 2013, not this year. Weekly rehearsals are held at the Harmonie German Club in Narrabundah on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 pm. Singers are welcome.

• FOR the past 10 years, Chapman Gallery director Kristian Pithie tells me, Kerry Johns has been exploring the natural world through the abstract elements of visual language. She’s recently moved to Canberra and is “a real find”. Her show is at the gallery, 1/11 Murray Crescent, Manuka.

• JENNI Kemarre Martiniello is everywhere, including, as we reported two weeks ago, in Honiara. Her glass works, aerial photographs and portraits of women are at PhotoAccess Huw Davies Gallery until July 22 under the title, “Grandmothers’ Countries”. Inquiries to 6295 7810.

• MEANWHILE, Tuggeranong Arts Centre has a show called “Different Stories”, where Martiniello’s work is exhibited with art by Margy Duke, Helen Tiernan and Peter Weatherall. Until July 21. Inquiries to 6293 1443.