DIRECTOR Adam Spreadbury-Maher, now back in London after directing “A Tale of Two Cities”, tells us that judging for the second year of the Stella Wilkie award for new plays, named after the late Canberra Theatre identity, is in full swing, with playwright Martin Sherman this year joining the high-profile judging panel. The winning production will get a night at The Hope Theatre.

THE Canberra Comedy Festival is back for the second time, March 4-9, at Canberra Theatre Centre, ANU Arts Centre, Novotel Canberra, and The Civic Pub with what they’re calling “a whopping” 50 stand-up comedy shows. Bookings to canberracomedyfestival.com.au

SOUTH Hill Gallery, Goulburn, is inviting artists to submit an artwork by March 8 to be part of a tribute to its patron, the late artist Martin Sharp. The group exhibition and market will feature works for sale by “local and imported” artists, running over three weekends from March 15-30, with openings by artist Gary Shead and the closing weekend featuring irreverent entertainment by Austen Tayshus. Email “I’m in” to info@southhillgoulburn.com.au

ON Wednesday, March 5 (12.40pm to 1.20pm), violinists Barbara Jane Gilby and Jack Chenoweth and pianist Meriel Owen will perform Pugnani/Kreisler, Handel/Halvorsen and Moszkowski in Wesley Music Centre’s Wednesday Lunchtime Live series. No bookings, entry by paper note or gold coin.

IT’S getting hard to be an artist in the region. News is that, as of this year, 2014 Southern Tablelands Arts (STARTS) Inc. financial membership will no longer provide access to public liability insurance coverage.

MUSICA Viva has Hungary’s charismatic young Kelemen Quartet performing works by Bartok and the world premiere of a new composition by Ross Edwards in Llewellyn Hall, Wednesday, March 5. Bookings to musicaviva.com.au/kelemen

WE just love a good title, so we were pleased the Canberra Theatre is presenting “Horrible Histories”. It’s not until the school holidays in April, but promises “the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt”. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.