“A FAMILY gathering explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow …”

Yes, it’s another Agatha Christie thriller, the seventh that Jon Elphick has directed for Tempo Theatre. Elphick knows whodunit, but we don’t, yet. “The Hollow” is at Belconnen Theatre, May 17-25. Bookings to 6275 2700 or canberraticketing.com.au

“AUSTRALIA’S PMs are a fascinating mix of Mandarin and Latin speakers, spiritualists, atheists, republicans, monarchists, graziers and bodgies,” say songwriter John Shortis, scriptwriter John Romeril and director Catherine Langman as they launch into “Prime Time”, a celebration of our greatest leaders. Shortis has written a marathon 52 songs about our 27 PMs. At The Q, Queanbeyan, May 23-June 1, bookings to 6285 6290 or theq.net.au

“FOOD for Thought” is an important exhibition by two members of an ANU Field Studies group, sculptor Rosina Wainwright and painter Dianna Budd, who believe we must support Aussie farmers so that the nation improves its self-sufficiency in food. At CSIRO Discovery Centre, North Science Road, Acton until May 27, 9am-5pm weekdays, 11am-3pm weekends.

SIXTY-FIVE Sydney Symphony and Sydney Symphony Sinfonia musicians plus assistant conductor Jessica Cottis are heading to Canberra for school concerts, masterclasses and a public performance at Llewellyn Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 22. Bookings to 68215 4600, 1800 789709 or email education@sydneysymphony.com

BATEMANS Bay will have its own writers’ festival over the long weekend in June next year. Author, journalist and footie player Peter FitzSimons will speak at a fund-raiser in Batemans Bay Soldiers Club at 12.30pm on May 25. Bookings essential to 1800 802528 or eurobodalla.com.au/river-of-art-festival

THE 65-year-old Australian Youth Orchestra is opening national auditions on May 20. Musicians aged 12 to 30 who meet the eligibility criteria should apply. For details, visit ayo.com.au

AN exhibition of more than 50 bonsai by artists from Canberra and surrounding regions is being held in conjunction with the 26th Association of Australian Bonsai Clubs National Bonsai Convention, hosted by the Canberra Bonsai Society. At Rydges Lakeside Hotel, 9am-5 pm, May 18, and 9am-4pm, May 19. Admission is free.

PHOTOGRAPHERS Mark Mohell and Roland Henderson have followed in the footsteps of William James Mildenhall, who documented the building of Canberra, by spending almost 12 months exploring the city’s suburbs on the verge of dawn and into the early morning light. The result is “Verge,” at the Huw Davies Gallery, Manuka Arts Centre, until May 19.