“WODEN Alive!” is an annual festival of free poetry, storytelling, circus, dance, comedy and music events that sees the Valley alive and hopping  until Saturday.

There  have already been a comedy debate, a “ Night at the Circus” and a morning tea and music with local music duo The Two Of Us, but the festival rolls on all week.

Some of the artier highlights include:

• Music, comedy, poetry, stories, theatre, improvisation, including a performance from Imperfectly Sane Productions, presenting “Dramatic Recovery,” directed by Robin Davidson and  Ali Clinch,  at Beyond Q Bookshop in Curtin Shops, 7pm,  Wednesday, November 7;
• “Next Gen” Poetry Slam, a Canberra College, Launceston Street, Phillip,  6pm Thursday, November  8;
• The “Home Made Jam Singer/Songwriter Competition”, where Canberra songwriters compete for prizes such as a scholarship into the CIT Music Performance Course, a day’s recording session, a photography session and graphic design services. At The CIT’s Music Industry Centre in Woden, 7-10pm, Thursday, November 8;
• “Forbidden Fruit R18+”, Burlesque, live music, poetry, drawing, 7pm Friday, November 9 , at A Bite To Eat Café, Chifley Shops;
• The Carnival on November 10 at Eddison Park is the main event, with music by Los Chavos, Brass Knuckle Brass Band, the Canberra Men’s Choir and many others, the  Young Snappers Youth Photography competition and, commencing at  4pm, the “Lift Off” Youth Music Festival.

Full program at www.wodenvalleyfestival.org.au