KIERAN Carroll is the Melbourne playwright behind 1950s rock’n’roll play “Sons of Sun (The Sam Phillips Story)”, about producer Sam Phillips and the famous Sun Records studio in Memphis.

Told through the character of Phillips, his assistant Marion Keisker, and the famous musicians that Sam recorded, this Australian show features a three piece live band fronted by John Kennedy, performing 35 songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and many more. It features a three-piece band (led by Sydney music legend John Kennedy – “the Elvis Costello of Australia – and Murray Cook from The Wiggles) who play 35 classics from the era. At the Polish Club, 38 David St Turner, 8pm, Sat May 21. With Kennedy’s The Comeback Special on Friday May 20. Tickets at the door.

Events:

EUROBODALLA River of Art Festival runs in  Moruya and along the Eurobodalla coast, May 20-29, full program at riverofart.com.au There will be a trail of 22 studios and galleries open along the coast as well as art on parade in local cafes and shops, with a focus the region’s considerable Aboriginal culture and history.

A VERY public scavenger hunt will see teams and duos exploring the city finding tricky clues and performing ‘witty challenges’ while searching for hidden gems. Starts at the fountain outside the Canberra Centre on Ainslie Place, Civic , 1-4pm, Saturday May 21, bookings to theeverydayadventure.com or 0450 096 078.

THERE’S A FREE event for children coming up at Nishi Gallery. Painter George Raftopoulos is holding an  afternoon of colouring in and chatting about travelling the world – children with their parents are welcome to drift in and sit and stay for a while between. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Nishi Gallery – 17 Kendall Lane, NewActon 1:30 and 3:00pm, Saturday, May 21.

JEN Crawford has a poetry book launch of “Koel,” with MC Paul Hetherington, at Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circle Forrest, 7.30pm, May 20, free admission.

Talks:

MUSE Café in East Hotel Kingston has Walkley-award winning journalist Tom Dusevic turning his investigative eye to his 70s childhood: from free-ranging suburbia and the disco floor, to making sense of his refugee Croatian parents. Muse in East Hotel Kingston Sunday, May 22, 3-4pm, bookings to musecanberra.com.au

FEMINARTSY and Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres present “Busting Myths about Women In Music (in CBR)”. Australia Council shows that women make up only 32% of professional musicians, and 27% of professional composers. Worse,   a recent survey showed that no solo female artist has ever won the Triple J Hottest 100. Gorman Arts Centre, Main Hall, May 19, 7pm  Cost: $10

Films:

THE new two-week film festival “festival “Essential Independents: American Cinema, Now” has been curated by artistic director Richard Sowada, who says, “there’s no holding back and there’s no compromise.” The festival will showcase the past, present and future of independent cinema from the United States and 14 of the 32 films will have their Australian premiere. At Palace Cinemas, NewActon, bookings to palacecinemas.com.au

THE ANU Film Group has a Q&A discussion with Canberra-born ?lmmaker Jennifer Peedom for her her multi-award-winning Sherpa on Saturday. Peedom will be in to talk about The ?lm initially began life as a chronicle of the 2014 climbing season from the Sherpas’ point of view but unexpectedly became the story of the one of the worst tragedies in the history of Everest when 16 Sherpas were killed in an avalanche that changed the mountain forever 7pm on Saturday May 21, with the Q&A session to follow. anufg.org.au.

THE LEGACY of Fred Hollows will be celebrated in Canberra on May 20, marking the 40th anniversary of the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program. A discussion panel about the ongoing legacy of Hollows’ work, and the first public screening of excerpts from the documentary “They Used to Call It Sandy Blight”, since it controversially aired in 1978 on the ABC are at Visions Theatre, National Museum of Australia,2:30–4.15pm Friday, May 20, Free but bookings essential to rememberingfredhollows.eventbrite.com.au.

“NIGHTS at the Opera” are presented by the Wesley Music Centre and the ANU Emeritus Faculty as part of an initiative featuring operas performed by the ANU School of Music between 1995 and 2003. Filmed by the late Michael Grafton-Green and recently remastered to Blu-ray. “The Bartered Bride,” directed by John Wregg, conducted by Ayis Ioannides and designed by Keith Looby, recorded in Llewellyn Hall August 31,  1996, will be screened At Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, 7pm May 25, $5 at the door. The cast included Terence den Dulk, Jaewoo Kim, Vivien Munday, Karen Bruce, Maria DanielleSette, Tom Layton, Alex Budd with the CSM Symphony Orchestra and the Llewellyn Choir.

Arts business:

QUEANBEYAN City Council is calling on interested stallholders to apply for a site for the inaugural Queanbeyan Christmas in July Fair to be held at the Queanbeyan Showground on Sunday, July 24 from 10am-3pm. To apply for a stallholder site visit qcc.nsw.gov.au/christmasmarket2016 or contact Cultural Services at Queanbeyan City Council on 6285 6170 or email cultural.services@qcc.nsw.gov.au

AN EXHIBITION slot is available in gallery@bcs, Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Crt, Belconnen, from July 25-Aug 5. Situated in the Belconnen Community Centre, gallery@bcs is an affordable alternative to commercial galleries with focus on providing a balance between amateur and professional exhibitions by a mix of community groups and individual artists. Two weeks (mon-fri) $500 commercial hire or $400 Not for Profit. Contact gallery@bcsact.com.au and cc ben.drysdale@bcsact.com.au for an application form.

THE Luminescence Chamber Singers have announced the launch of a new venture, The Luminescence Children’s Choir – a treble choir for 10-17 year olds. Founded by 21-year-old AJ America and 24-year-old Veronica Milroy, the ensemble provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to music making. Applications are now open for Semester 2. Information from luminescencesingers.wix.com

HANDEL in the Theatre, Toby Cole’s new artistic company has launched a crowd funding campaign to raise $10,000 for the professional fees, travel and accommodation of his soloists and instrumentalists. Creative Partnerships Australia’s ‘MATCH’ program will match donations dollar for dollar. Visit handelinthetheatre.com.au

APPLICATIONS for exhibitions at M16 Artspace in 2017 are now open until May 31. M16 aims to present high-quality exhibitions from both emerging and established artists and curators from Canberra, interstate and overseas. Application details at m16artspace.com.au

ANCA Gallery is holding its hugely popular ‘PIN’ annual exhibition of miniature wearable artworks (mostly brooches) again in 2016. Professional artists residing anywhere in Australia are encouraged to apply by 5pm June 1. For the application form and details visit anca.net.au

Dance:

SYDNEY Dance Company opens with “CounterMove”, described as “an exhilarating double bill”. At Canberra Theatre, May 19-21. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 1700.

Workshops and classes:

“BRUSH up your Shakespeare” is a six week course in playing Shakespeare, including exercises in the theories and practices of Cicely Berry, John Barton, Peter Brook and other actors and directors of Shakespeare. Until Sunday July 19. For further information email course tutor Peter Wilkins at peterbwilkins@aol.com or peterwilkins@grapevine.com.au or phone 0408 034 373.

JAPANESE Taiko drumming classes with Taikoz Australia Artist, Ryuji Hamada, are being offered at Four Winds, Bermagui over the June long weekend. Taiko is for all age groups, music and fitness levels. No previous experience is necessary. The Youth Beginner Workshop (8 to 16 yrs) is on at 1pm, Saturday June 11. The Adult Beginner Workshop is on at 1pm, Sunday June 12. At The Four Winds’ Windsong Pavilion, Bermagui. Bookings are essential to fourwinds.com.au or call the Four Winds office on 6493 3414.

‘DARRYL’S Den supported arts and craft studio’ Wednesday creative art class in painting sculpture printing techniques and mosaic wall tiles, at Holt community hub 80 Beaurepaire Crescent Holt. 10am-noon, until June 22. Materials and morning tea provided, inquiries and bookings to darrylsdenactoptusnet.com.au

Prizes and Awards:

“ANTHROPOSCENE” is a global short film competition concerning the landscapes of the 21st, which invites the submission of 3–4 minute short films on the general subject of the new epoch of the ‘Anthropocene’. AUD $10,000 in prize money Entrants can shoot their films on mobile phones or any other device. Competition opens June 1 and closes August 1. Details at aila.org.au

THE 2016 Paul Lowin music prizes are now open for nomination. The Orchestral Prize ($25,000) is awarded for a work for modern chamber or symphony orchestra of at least 30 players and 15 independent lines. The Song Cycle Prize ($15,000) will be awarded to a work suitable for chamber performance, using no more than 1-8 independent vocal lines, accompanied by up to 10 instrumental players. Nominations are accepted from anyone, including the general public. Entries close 5pm June 30.

ENTRIES for the 2016 Australian Catholic University Prize for Poetry are now welcome, with writers from all over the country competing for the coveted first prize. The $7,000 ACU Prize for Poetry will be awarded for outstanding poetry with the theme “Loving Kindness.” Closing date Monday June 6, information at acu.edu.au

Theatre:

TEMPO Theatre is presenting Ira Levin’s comedy thriller “Deathtrap”. The play holds the record for Broadway’s longest running comedy-thriller, performed nearly 1,800 times over four years. At Belconnen Theatre from May 20-28 Bookings to 6275 2700 or canberraticketing.com.au

“MARIO: The story and music of Mario Lanza,” at The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre, 8pm, May 19-21, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

THE Q has a ridiculous romp of a production in “Play On.” It’s one of those shows about a local theatre group of actors trying desperately to put on a play while the playwright revamps the script. And it’s done by real locals—not the incompetent kind, but rather Canberra stage luminaries like Tony Turner and Liz Bradley. Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290, until May 21.

Concerts and Gigs:

THE Australian National Eisteddfod’s Bands & Orchestras program is on from May 19-26 in a range of venues around Civic and the inner north. 95 groups and around 2,800 performers from Canberra, Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Sydney and Young are participating. Program details at nationaleisteddfod.org.au

INTEGRATED Cultures ACT Inc. invites members of the public to an Indian classical music (Hindustani) concert. Vocal by Radha Kalyan, Whistle by Siva Kalyan and Tabla by Shalaka Malgaonkar. This is the first time in Canberra that such a duo of vocal and whistle in Hindustani music is being organised. In the Function Room, Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, 180 London Circuit, Canberra City, 5-9pm, Saturday, May 21. $15 (includes Indian vegetarian meal) Bookings to trybooking.com/LGXD

PHOENIX PUB in Civic has Mr & Mrs Smith  on Thursday May 19 at  9pm, Fear Like Us,  Hannahband  Dickie Birds, and   Jim Dusty  on   Friday May 20 at  9pm and   PROM,  Massive Sherlock,  Guyy & The Fox  on    Saturday May 21 at  9:30pm.

A WORLD class musical event at Bungendore  includes the World Premiere of Saxophonist and composer John Mackey’s ‘Gravity Waves’ suite, inspired by his father Ron Mackey and ANU Vice-Chancellor Nobel Prize Winner Brian Schmidt. At the Bungendore  Wood Works Café, Saturday May 21, bookings to 6238 1688.

THERE’S another FREE concert taking place at the High Court of Australia on Sunday, May 22 at 1:30pm. The inspired and exuberant Simon Hukin and Leonard Weiss have brought together Canberra City Band and Canberra Youth Orchestra for what they predict will be “a very big and rich sounding concert at the Court”. FREE but bookings essential to hcourt.gov.au

TALENTED Wesley Scholars Dominic Hill, Mia Huang, Jade McFaul, Georgia Elith, Louise Keast, Emily Leong and Jonathan Lee will present an Autumn Concert of music for voice, cello, piano and organ. Wesley Music Centre 20 National Circuit, 3pm, Sunday, May 22. Tickets at the door. A $20; C $15; f/t student $5, child U12 free.

THE ANU Choral Society (SCUNA), led by Leonard Weiss, has two ‘Golden Lights’ concerts this weekend, with works by Palestrina, Lotti, Whitacre, Bowman and others and even the popular academic anthem “Gaudeamus Igitur.” The first concert will be on Friday May 20 at 7:30pm in All Saints Anglican Church, Ainslie and the second on Sunday May 22 at 5pm at University House. Bookings to trybooking.com or at the door.

“NORTHERN Delights” – an exciting program of Russian inspired music will be presented by the Brindabella Orchestra at the Uniting Church Queanbeyan (corner of Rutledge and Crawford Streets near the Q car park) at 2pm on Sunday May 22. Donation $5 covers program and afternoon tea. Details brindabellaorchestra.net

THE NEXT next gig at the Oddfellows Hall in Yass virtuoso pianist, singer, songwriter Andrew Farrell (The Wizard) in a combination ?of jazz, blues, ?boogie woogie and classical, supported by Yass local Able Devarus.

GRIFFYN ENSEMBLE flautist Kiri Sollis, joined by percussionist Wyana O’Keefe, will perform everything from Piazzolla’s tango-inspired melodies to the Australian bush sounds of Ross Edwards in “Silver and Sticks” at Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank Belconnen, at 7pm this Saturday My 21, bar open from 6:30pm. Bookings to griffyn.iwannaticket.com.au

SMITH’S Alternative has tango/jazz group Alturas, led by bandoneonist Gaye Thomas, 76 Alinga St, 7pm, Saturday, May 21, tickets at the door.

FEAR Like Us (melodic punk from Melbourne on Poison City Records) are on a launch tour for their new album ‘Succour’, supported by Sydney’s Hannahband and locals Dickie Birds and Jim Dusty. At The Phoenix in Civic, 9pm, Thursday May 19, entry on the door only.

Exhibitions:

THE Photography Room (Solo Exhibition Gallery) is presenting ‘Undertoe’, a solo exhibition of small scale photographs by by Dörte Conroy, an artist based in Canberra. Born in Hamburg, Germany in 1941, her background is in graphic design and she has a Master of Art (Visual Art) Sculpture, from the ANU. In the Old Bus Depot Markets Kingston, Fridays 4-7pm & Sundays 10-4pm (and by appointment).

GALLERY@BCS ‘RESPECT’ series has “Exo State,” a collaborative exhibition of wearable art, by Nathan Carter of “Scar Tree Gear”, and Radayne Tanna in celebration of Reconciliation Week. Nathan has Yalanji, Cherokee, Irish, and African American heritage and is also a Deadly Award winning musician. Radayne has Yalanji and Torres Strait islander heritage. He is a visual artist, dancer and yidaki player, who is currently working on a new comic book series. until June 3 with the official opening 5:30pm Wednesday May 25 at Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Crt, Belconnen, normal opening hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

STRATHNAIRN Arts’ community has an open day from 10am-4pm this Sunday May 22. Chris Bourke, Minister for the Arts, will officially open the activities for the Day at 11am. studio holders will open their studios and There will be exhibitions, demonstrations, works for sale and a metal pour in The Foundry, as well as a chance to join in ‘Paint a Square’ and buy a ceramic bowl filled with homemade soup. Parking is free.

“OBNOXIOUS Ladies in the Australian Landscape” is the title of a new show curated by Sabrina Baker that brings artists Emma Beer, Jacqueline Bradley, Anna Davern, Lucy Forsberg, Camille Serisier and Alex Pye. “All are assertive and determined in their ideas, uncompromising and not without a sense of humour,” Baker says. At Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Gorman Arts Centre, May 13, June 18, Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm.

THE National Portrait Gallery has a focus exhibition of portraits by Arthur Boyd, titled “Mysterious eyes: Arthur Boyd portraits from 1945.” Gallery One, National Portrait Gallery, May 4 to August 14. Open 10am–5pm daily.

MASTER lithographer Peter Lancaster of Lancaster Press in Melbourne is collaborating with Megalo on an exhibition wittily titled “Between A Rock And A Hard Place” that features lithographs by top artists he’s worked with, including Rick Amor, Tony Ameneiro and Sue Anderson. “Bavarian limestone, grease and water – these are the essential elements that alchemist of sorts Peter Lancaster has been using for nearly two decades” Megalo enthuses. At Megalo Print Studio + Gallery, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am – 5pm until May 28.

ARTIST, teacher, graphic designer, musician and now photographer, Eva Schroeder, won a photography internship at the UNWomen’s office in Fiji last September. Now she’s exhibiting the results, 16 black and white images of “staunch, proud” female market vendors, under the title “Beneath the Bula Smile.” It’s her first solo exhibition and a satellite exhibition for Sydney’s coming ‘Head On’ photo festival. At Tuggeranong Arts Centre, May 20-June 18. Opening 6pm May 20, all

THE late Pete Smith, first general manager of M16 at its former home at Mildura St, Fyshwick, was an accomplished artist, whose work won the Phoenix Prize for Spiritual Art in 2007. Now curator Jacque Schultze has put together a huge exhibition across M16 three spaces at Blaxland Cres Griffith, opening at 6pm on May 5 and running until May 22. This show marks the first anniversary of smith’s death. All works are for sale and proceeds will go towards emerging artists at M16.

BEAVER Galleries has a new exhibition of paintings by one of its favourite exhibitor, Thornton Walker that has been inspired by his visits to the Batemans Bay region. Alongside this show will be Sarah Tomasetti’s “Influxus” paintings. At 81 Denison St Deakin, until May 22.

“ETCHED In the Sun I” is a selection of prints by indigenous artists in collaboration with distinguished printmaker Basil Hall, at Nancy Sever Gallery, 4/6 Kennedy Street, Kingston, 11 am to 6 pm Wednesdays to Sundays until June 5.

“EVERYDAY Inspirations” is the title of an exhibition by Sukhvinder Saggu, known especially for his still life paintings. Vibrant art also including flora, figures and landscapes. Exhibition is on until May 29 at Old Ginninderra School House, Sweet Copper Cafe, Gold Creek, Nicholls, Thurs. & Fri. 10am – 4 pm. Sat. & Sun. 8.30 – 4.30pm.

FORM Studio and Gallery has six artists exhibiting in “Divergence,” Elaine Bradley, Verney Burness, Richilde Flavell, Isabelle Mackay-Sim, Verney Burness, Fran Romano and Lia Tajcnar use divergent thinking to create engaging and unique sculptural works. 1/30 Aurora Avenue, Queanbeyan, until May 22.

“WRONG Way Time”, the art of Fiona Hall, comes to us direct from the 2015 Venice Biennale. The Canberra-only exhibition provides Australian audiences with a window into this international art event and Hall was the first artist to represent Australia in the new Australian Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale. At the NGA, until July 10. FREE ENTRY.

“UNFOLDING Memories” is a solo exhibition by Colombian artist Rosario López, who has been living and working in Canberra since August last year as a visiting fellow in the Centre of Creative and Cultural Research at the University of Canberra. During this time, López has also had a studio at ANCA’s Mitchell campus. The show is at ANCA Gallery, 1 Rosevear Place Dickson, until June 5, 12pm-5pm Wednesday-Sunday. Opening event 6pm Thursday, May 19.

“SPEECH Acts” is the latest solo exhibition from local artist Nicci Haynes. With language being both her material and her theme entanglement and contortion, expressed via drawings, photography and video, are unavoidable. At Canberra Contemporary Art Space, City, Corner of London Circuit and Hobart Place, Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm until May 21.

CERAMIC artist Sally Walk is still riding high after being awarded the 2015 ‘Lorenzo il Magnifico’ Award for Ceramics (first place) at the Florence Biennale in Italy, Walk has opened, entitled “Semblance”, a solo exhibition of her coastal inspired ‘creatures’ at Suki & Hugh Gallery, 38A Gibraltar Street Bungendore until May 29.

‘THE TRANSPORTED’ by George Raftopoulos is at Nishi Gallery 17 Kendall Lane NewActon until May 29. Raftopoulos plays with the notion of the migrant identity or absence thereof. His works are odd and he knows it. But being an oddity is all part of the migrant experience, it is a part of everyone’s humanity. All works are for sale.

BELCONNEN Arts Centre has: “Here and There”, Julie Ryder, Sharon Peoples and Barbara Rogers, textile works that respond to the concept of time and place; “Constructure” – Ashly Kark, a new body of jewellery based on frameworks found in Belconnen Shopping Centre; “Biomimetic” – by ceramicist Skye Gallagher; and “Remember When”…. – Canberra Region Feltmakers’ sculptural installation. All at Belconnen Arts Centre, to May 22.

“SLOW Burn” by Pamela Griffith & Greg Hansell, who have 100 years of successful exhibiting between them, is at Octagon ArtSpace, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, until June 1.

“BARBARA Hanrahan: Words + Art” exhibits prints and prose of artist and writer Hanrahan, assembling pieces from UNSW Canberra and UNSW art collection, at ADFA Northcote Drive, Campbell 9am to 5pm until June 17.

‘CLICK + Capture’ is the U3A Canberra Camera Club Photographic Exhibition, showing at Gallery 1+2, Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Dr Holt until June 12. 24 of the members, some with a life-time of experience, others new to amateur photography, are showing their work for the first time in a commercial gallery.

CANBERRA Museum and Gallery aims to further the enjoyment of the complexity of the nature of the Canberra region and our ‘bush capital’, in photos, paintings, sculpture, natural history illustration and drawing, scientific specimens and audio-visual material and a program of walks and talks, which can be found at cmag.com.au

FROM ‘Play School’ to ‘Countdown’, from ‘Bellbird’ to ‘Alvin Purple’, early ABC television programs hold a special place in the hearts of many Australians. With its new exhibition “Tuning In: ABC TV 1964–76”, the National Archives of Australia has brought together some of the nation’s favourite shows, all from the Archives’ audio visual collection.

CANBERRA Grammar School Gallery has a new exhibition of printmaking and sculpture by Rose Townsend and Tim Spellman opening this Saturday at 4pm, all welcome. Continues until June 18.