• ACTOR Joe McGrail Bateup whizzed across the foyer at Theatre 3 to warn “CityNews” that “the Martians are coming”. What I think he really meant was that Supa Productions have the rights to stage Jeff Wayne’s musical, “The War of the Worlds”, at the ANU Arts Centre in October. Early days, but then you’d need to prepare for an event like that, wouldn’t you?

 

• SHORTIS & Simpson, the House Howlers and the Shiny Bum Singers join for their annual feast of satire, “Smart Arses, Bums and Short Arses”. Expect to learn more (in song) about cab charges, the surplus and Abbott’s athleticism in the chamber. At the National Press Club, 8.30pm, June 29. Bookings to www.npc.org.au or 6121 2199.

 

• ACTRESS and singer-songwriter Joanna Weinberg returns to the Tuggeranong Arts Centre with her own stories and songs in “The Piano Diaries”, 8pm, on June 29-30. Bookings to 6293 1443.

 

• YOUTHFUL ensembles from the “Fridays @ ANU School of Music” program will make their debut at the Wesley Music Centre, 12.40pm-1.20pm, on June 27 performing works by Haydn, Beethoven, Piazzolla and Tchaikovsky. These lunchtime concerts are terrific. Two-dollar or paper-note entry, no bookings required.

 

• MUSICA Viva is bringing the Takács Quartet, Edward Dusinberre and Károly Schranz on violin, Geraldine Walther on viola and András Fejer on cello, performing two quartets by Britten, Ravel, Janá?ek and Gordon Kerry to Llewellyn Hall, 7pm, June 27, bookings to www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849.

 

• THE choral section of the Australian National Eisteddfod is coming up in August and entries close July 6. A lively new focus is on the ACT Multicultural Choir Section, where choristers must sing two pieces in any language other than English. National dress is encouraged and the first prize is $1500. Entries to www.nationaleisteddfod.org.au

 

• SELBY & Friends are performing a program of formidable “Magical Miniatures” by Debussy, Schultz, Schumann, Bruch, Cage, Fauré and Brahms at the James O. Fairfax Theatre, NGA, 7.30pm July 2, bookings to 9969 7039 or 9405 5532.

 

• BRITISH comedian Lenny Henry performs his show, “Cradle to Rave”, slanted towards his favourite music, at Canberra Theatre on July 1. Bookings to 6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au

 

• THE 2011 Country Music Channel New Oz Artists of the Year and Golden Guitar winners for Best New Talent, Markus Meier and Tori Darke, will be at Canberra Casino, June 29, bookings to www.casinocanberra.com.au