SENIOR curator at the CMAG, Deborah Clark, has written in justifiable excitement that two of the gallery’s featured artists, G W Bot and Nicola Dickson, are finalists, respectively, in the 2013 Wynne and Sulman Prize exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW.

We note that former Canberran Luke Cornish, better-known as E.L.K., has also been shortlisted for the Sulman. His stencil-art image of Bob Hawke was recently purchased by the National Portrait Gallery.

NIDA will be here soon with three contemporary plays and a theatre exhibition. The plays will be, “Play House”, by UK playwright Martin Crimp, directed by Luke Rogers; Roald Dahl’s “The Witches”, directed by Lucas Jervies and the musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!” directed by former Canberran Derek Walker.

So is it unfortunate that a full production of this play is scheduled for Queanbeyan later in April? Not really, says The Q’s Stephen Pike. It’ll probably act as “a bit of a teaser”. NIDA at Gorman House, April 4-6, details and bookings to 132 849 or ticketek.com.au

I BUMPED into Candelo singer-songwriter, Heath Cullen, a while ago at The Front in Lyneham. He’ll be here soon to release his new album, “The Still and the Steep”, recorded last year in Los Angeles after a formative trip to what he calls “the musical holy land” of the US Deep South. Curiously, it’s been described as “young men singing like old men.” At The Street Theatre 8pm, April 12, bookings to 6247 1223.

THE Friends of the National Film and Sound Archive tell me that on April 5 they’ll be celebrating the archive’s 29th birthday and are looking for NFSA’s “first fleeters” from the olden days, 1984. Contact 6231 6849 or sue@archival.com.au if you’re one of them.

IN another sentimental journey, Canberra Choral Society will relive great performances from the first 25 years of the Albert Hall at the hall, 3pm on Sunday, April 7. Music will be drawn from the repertoire of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Lotte Lehmann, Nellie Melba, Joan Sutherland and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Tickets at the door.

ART Song Canberra’s next concert will be bass-baritone Nicholas Dinopoulos and Andrea Katz, on piano, who will perform Fauré’s last song cycle, Schubert’s “Der Schwanengesang” and Poulenc’s “Le Bestiare”. At the Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest, 3pm, on April 7, tickets available only at the door.

THE Canberra String Festival will be at the Wesley Music Centre, April 12-15 and expects at least 160 participants to compete in a range of sections. The highlight will be the Open Recital at 7pm on April 14, where six competitors will compete for prizes worth $2000, $1000 and $500. Entry to the sections by gold coin donation and the open recital ticketed. Inquiries to 6232 7248.