DARREN Coggan, the boy from Wagga Wagga who sold out Sydney Opera House Concert Hall with his music portrait of Cat Stevens, is back at The Q, Queanbeyan, on Saturday, September 17 with “Bidgee to the Big Smoke”, reminiscences, old songs and new ones from his most recent album. Bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

BATEMANS Bay Writers Festival opens with drinks on Friday, September 9, and ends with a literary lunch on Sunday, September 11, both featuring former Deputy Prime Minister, Australian Ambassador to the Vatican Holy See and now travel writer, Tim Fischer. Other highlights will be journalist and author Malcolm Knox talking about his latest fiction work “The Wonder Lover” and biographer Darleen Bungey in conversation about her books on John Olsen and Arthur Boyd. Bookings and details at batemansbaywritersfestival.com or call 0417 267771.

GUNGAHLIN College presents “Les Miserables”, an epic undertaking with a cast of 60 and 14 musicians, which has been abridged in an authorised “school edition” to a running time of just over two hours. At the College Theatre, 23 Gozzard Street, Gungahlin, September 13-17. Bookings to stagecenta.com.au

COMPOSER and pianist Andrew Harrison, a PhD student at the ANU School of Music, has teamed up with American poet Jamaal May to create “Hum”, which premieres in Detroit, Michigan, on September 17. It is made up of five separate poems intertwined with ensemble music from six instruments including the clarinet, saxophone and violin.

DIRECTOR of the 21st Canberra Short Film Festival John Frohlich says this year’s event will feature eight film categories – International, National, Canberra Made, Documentary, Under 18s, Animation, Music Video and 2 Minute Films – spread over Dendy, Smith’s Alternative and Tuggeranong Arts Centre. Bookings to csff.com.au.

THE Canberra Bach Ensemble is relaunching with four Bach Cantatas, BWV 119, 131, 138, and 34, at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka, on September 17-18. Bookings to trybooking.com

CANBERRA U3A Brindabella Orchestra is performing music from Bartok to The Beatles in “Spring Medley”, at the North Belconnen Uniting Church, Conley Street, Melba, 2pm, Sunday, September 11. Entry by donation covers program and afternoon tea.