IN “The Other Shore”, Singaporean photographer Wei Leng Tay looks at how young Mainland Chinese are moving to Hong Kong from all over China in search of better education and career prospects. 

USING  audio interview and photography,  “The Other Shore” asks how one’s sense of self is entwined with national identity, and how a host environment affects everyday lives. At Australian Centre on China in the World building, (behind the College of Law) ANU, until July 15
9am–5pm, Monday to Friday and selected weekends: 10am–4pm (April 23–24, June 10–11  and July 9–10). Also, Wei Leng Tay and exhibition curator Olivier Krischer will be in conversation at 6pm today, March 31, at Muse, East Hotel, 69 Canberra Ave, Kingston. Paid event, bookings essential to musecanberra.com.au, includes complimentary wine or soft drink.

 Events:

THE Vinyl Lounge is at the NFSA Theatrette, 5.30-7 this Friday April 1, free entry, no booking required.   Bring your vinyl and play a track of your choice on our pure analogue sound system. The Bench Room cafe is open from 5pm for drinks and snacks, with the Vinyl Lounge grooving from 5.30pm – 7.00 pm.

AS PART of ‘Fix and Make’ at Hotel Hotel there’ll be an Oyster Appreciation Workshop,this Saturday April 2 from 9am – 2.30pm.  Participants will start the day by making their own handmade oyster shucker with Alison Jackson, a Canberra gold and silversmith. Info and bookings to hotel-hotel.com.au    

Talk:

MUSE Café in the East Hotel Kingston celebrates International Children’s Book Day (and Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday) with Irma Gold, Tania McCartney and Tony Flowers from 3-4.30pm Sat April 2.  Then Eleanor Limprecht and David Dyer Unraveling the knotty relationship between fiction and historical fact, 3.30-4.30pm Sun April 3, bookings to trybooking.com

IN the Drill Hall Gallery’s autumn lecture series, Dr Mary Eagle reveals artist Augustus Earle in a Darwinian detective story   that made headlines around the world concerning an image of the young Charles Darwin on the deck of the Beagle.  School of Art Lecture Theatre (Level 2 Main entry Childers Street), 3pm Sunday April 3,    Tickets at the door, Friends of The Drill Hall Gallery Free.  

Arts Business:

M16’s Writer in Residence Program 2016 is a supported residency for emerging writers with an interest in the arts. It offers an emerging writer the opportunity to develop their writing practice, publish their work, contribute to the critical discussion of Australian contemporary art particularly in Canberra and work closely with a small arts team.   To apply submit an example of your arts writing (review, essay, etc.) no longer than 1000 words and a CV by 5pm Friday April 29 to exhibitions@m16artspace.com

BELCONNEN Arts Centre Exhibition call out or 2017 offers a dynamic exhibition program supporting artists to exhibit for four weeks in the Gallery, Foyer, Arts Lounge and Outdoor Galleries. Proposals are welcomed from both Canberra and further nationally. Applications to belconnenartscentre.com.au close on April 1.

THE Young Music Society’s autumn school holiday program “Lost in the Wild” is to be a journey into the musical wilderness for primary school children led by musician Jim Sharrock. Belconnen Arts Centre, April 18 – 22. Applications to youngmusicsociety.org.au

APPLICATIONS are now open for the Playing Field Studio 2016 Community Arts Residency Program. Successful applicants will have unlimited access to a studio space for seven days or a term block (10 weeks for two hours a week over Term 3 or 4). A budget of up to $500 for materials and equipment. Submissions close at 5:00 pm on Friday, May 2 to playingfieldstudio@gmail.com or call 0468 749 711 for an application form and more information.

Workshops:

AUTUMN school holiday programs “The Funky Art of Assemblage” and    “Figurative Sculpture” are coming up with Alex Asch and Mariana del Castillo at Belconnen Arts Centre, details at belconnenartscentre.com.au

ACTING for the Fun of It courses are for adults who wish to develop their creativity through exploration of drama and theatre skills. The courses are TQI (Teacher Quality Institute) accredited and teachers are able to count the 12 hours of each course towards their 20 required hours of professional development. The first course for 2016, “Acting for the Fun of It” will commence on April 25, 7 p.m. – 9pm. (changed time) at ImproACT studios in Civic between 7 and 9 p.m. The course comprises 6 x 2 hour sessions on consecutive Mondays. Information and enrolments from tutor peterbwilkins@aol.com or peterwilkins@grapevine.com.au phone on 0408 034 373.

Prizes and Awards:

A RECORD $25,000 in cash and a Hinterland art-studio getaway make up the first prize package in one of Australia’s most prestigious regional art awards, the Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2016. The Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2016 offers a prize pool of more than $35,000 and online entries are open until 5pm on Friday, April 15. For terms and conditions of entry, visit gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

REGIONAL Australia’s richest and most prestigious opera prize, the Noosa-based Dame Joan Sutherland Vocal Competition Award 2016, could help you hit a career high note. Applicants will audition live before a panel of adjudicators on Sunday, June 5 at Griffith University Conservatorium of Music, Brisbane. Applications close 5pm Friday April 29, entry form from nfa.org.au

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 6th June 6, information at acu.edu.au

Theatre:

BELL Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, The Playhouse, April 1-9, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

“PLAYHOUSE Creatures” by April DeAngelis     and directed by Jordan Best, is the story of  five  of the most famous actresses of the Restoration period, their triumphs, their trials, and their struggle to be taken seriously as legitimate actors. For new company Pigeonhole, at The Q Queanbeyan, March 31 to April 9, bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

ImproACT has a new show “Parallel” at 7:30pm this Friday April 1 and  Saturday April 2, in Street 2. Three stories on a theme told simultaneously on one stage, using physicality and messing with focus. Bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.

Films:

BANGARRA’S Stephen Page makes his feature film directorial debut with the vibrant dance film, Spear (2015, PG, 84mins)depicting the journey of young Aboriginal man Djali (Hunter Page-Lochard) as he comes to understand what it means to be a man. It co-stars Aaron Pedersen and dancers from Bangarra Dance Theatre. Screening Arc cinema, extended to April 8. Details at nfsa.gov.au

Concerts and gigs:

ROSENDO Mercado is a legendary Spanish rock singer and songwriter and the most prominent exponent of the so-called ‘urban rock’ in Spain.  Preceded by local band Los Chavos, he will give a historic concert on the occasion of the bicentenary of Rosendo Salvado, XIX century Spanish missionary and musician, founder of New Norcia in WA, at the ANU Bar, 7pm, Sat April 2, free but bookings to fromrosendotorosendocanberra.eventbrite.com 

“FROM Byrd to Britten: 400 years of English Choral Music” is Canberra Choral Society’s exploration of 400 years of choral music in England’s green and pleasant land.  The program features swans, souls, bluebirds, Bedlam, a prayer and one of the most beautiful masses ever written.  Tobias Cole (conductor), CCS Chorus, Vocal Envy,  Samuel Giddy (organist) Ainslie Arts Centre   7.30pm Saturday, April 2 and 3pm Sunday April 3, bookings to http://bit.ly/1Mf9AoH

FORMER Midnight Oil musician and songwriter Jim Moginie explores the relationship between colour and sound in his latest show. The Colour Wheel, a multi–?media performance combining music and visual art, at Tuggeranong Arts Centre on 7.30pm today Thursday March 31.   Bookings to trybooking.com

CANBERRA Classical Guitar Society is staging a “House Concert” featuring classical guitarist Callum Henshaw at a private home in Rivett will feature Callum Henshaw in performance on from 6pm this Saturday, April 2. The focus will be on Henshaw’s debut full-length album “Echo & Return,” music from Spain, France, Mexico, and including a world premiere of a work by Melbourne-based (former Canberran) composer, Samuel Smith.    Bookings by April 1 to trybooking.com

THE Weeping Willows’ album “Before Darkness Comes A-Callin’” is a collection of 10 tracks that are raw, earthy alt-country.   Canberra launch at Harmonie German Club’s ‘Friday Night Live’ on Friday, April 1.

“MAKE a Joyful Noise” is a 1-hour celebration of gospel song in the Great Hall of the High Court 1:30pm Sunday April 3.  Canberra-based community choir the Gospel Folk, joins local jazz choir Rhythm Syndicate, to demonstrate the diversity of the gospel music tradition.     MC will be Philip Clark (presenter of ABC radio’s 666 breakfast show.  Bookings essential to hcourt.gov.au    

CAFE Viola is back at Ainslie Arts Centre, Elouera Street, and Braddon from 12.30-4 this Sunday, April 3, bookings to trybooking.com    

THE ANU Ensembles Concert is a free event which will feature performances from ensembles such as the ANU Chamber Choir, ANU Guitar Ensemble, ANU Jazz Combo and the ANU Jazz.  Llewellyn Hall, 6pm, today March 31.Free entry. 

TUGGERANONG Arts Centre launches its 2016 Classical Twilight Series on Sunday, April 3 with a recital by cellist David Pereira and pianist Wendy Lorenz. The concert – “Cellissimo” – features the two artists, long–?time friends since their student days at the Sydney Conservatorium.  5pm this Sunday April 3, at 5pm, bookings to trybooking.com

A CONCERT of music for oboe and organ featuring music by Buxtehude, Albinoni, Telemann, Bach and Britten. With Caroline Fargher on oboe, and Terry Norman on organ will be held at All Saints Ainslie Anglican Church Cnr Cowper & Bonney Streets, Ainslie this Sunday. April 3, at 3pm. Entry at the door. Proceeds will benefit the All Saints Music Fund.

CARL Rafferty is taking a moment from his operatic extravaganzas to present “Gershwin & friends, music by George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin, Leroy Anderson and more. Performed by Rafferty himself at the grant piano and a troupe of local vocalists and instrumentalists, at Bungendore Wood Works, from 6pm, Saturday April 2, dinner and show, Bookings to 6238 1688.

Exhibitions:

OPENING at 6pm tomorrow Friday April 1, PhotoAccess is presenting “Right Hear, Right Now” by award-winning Sydney artist Kate Disher-Quill. Spanning all three spaces of the PhotoAccess Huw Davies Gallery, it’s to be a sensory experience providing an insight into what it is like to live with hearing loss, breaking down taboos, and exploring deafness and hearing loss through multimedia, photography and installation.   The exhibition will be opened by Drisana Levitzke-Gray, Deaf advocate and 2015 Young Australian of the Year. An Auslan interpreter will be present at the opening, and live captioning will be provided by Ai-Media.

“STRATHNAIRN artBAC”   work by members of Strathnairn Arts  curated by Bianca Hill, “Beauty and Belonging” ceramics by  Idil Abdullhai and “Uncertain Journeys” by Euan Graham, are all   at Belconnen Arts Centre 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen April 1-25 10-4, Tuesday-Sunday.                   

“THOROUGHLY Modern”, curated by David Broker, asks if the ‘Great Australian Dream’ still exists.
The detached house on a quarter acre block with a barbeque and hills hoist was a measure of success in the post war 1950s and 1960s but that was a time of full employment, burgeoning wealth and urban sprawl. Artists are Janet Angus, Grant Hill, Matthew de Moiser, Alex Lewis, Danny Wild and Stephanie Wilson. At Gorman Arts Centre Canberra Contemporary Art Space Opening 6pm Friday April 1 continuing until May 7 Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 4pm.   

“25 Years in Wamboin” is a retrospective exhibition of the Churchers’ life in art during their years living at Wamboin (1989 – 2015), curated by their son Paul. The exhibition encompasses paintings by Roy and a display of Betty’s original sketches for her final book “The Forgotten Notebook”. The intimate gallery space is tucked away behind the family vineyard. At 67 Merino Vale Drive Wamboin – off Norton Road to Sunday, April 3, daily 10am – 4pm.

MARIANA del Castillo’s  solo exhibition ‘Fugitive faith’ is at Canberra Fitters workshop,  Printers Way, Kingston Thursday from today, March 31 to  Sunday  April 3, 11-5pm, with an opening this  Saturday April 2 at  6pm. In this exhibition she explores her past, the sense of anonymity in a crowd and our collective excesses as consumers. Neons have become an important component in her recent installations; they represent the blinking lights of the city/urban consumer culture

“Sunlight and Shadows,” books and artworks on paper by Jill Clingan is at Strathnairn Gallery I. In  Gallery 2 are ceramics by Trenna Langdon, both exhibitions, 90 Stockdill Drive Holt, Thurs – Sun 10 – 4, until  April 17.

M16 Artspace in Griffith has ‘Look at Me’ a collection of paintings, ceramics and papier mache by four artists who live on the Far South Coast, “The Lost Plans” by painter Yanni Pounartzis, interpreting Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin’s original plans for the capital, and “Perceptions, Connections,” a group of artists who double as volunteer guides at the National Gallery of Australia respond to a works in the NGA’s collection and “Attitudes” Rick Cochrane’s print investigations of the human form in action.

“PETITS Travaux”, a showing of small works at Aarwun Gallery in Gold Creek opening at 2pm this Sat April 2, is a hanging of small, original artworks from twenty fine artists. Jazz, champagne & a floor talk by artist Jan Vincent about the complexities and pleasures of miniature art forms.  

AN exhibition of artwork by 7yr old Ryan Bevan is a gallery@bcs, Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, Belconnen until tomorrow April 1, 8am-4:30pm. Ryan is seven years old and has been drawing and painting since he was four years old. He loves drawing cartoons and painting. He also loves colouring in cartoons of Spiderman and changing them to other cartoon super heroes.

‘BODY Politic’ is an exhibition of new works by Melissa Cameron, which have all been conceived and created since her move to Seattle in the USA in 2012. Most works in the exhibition belong to the Escalation Series, which charts through wearable works, the history of various weapon technologies. At Bilk Gallery For contemporary metal and glass Palmerston Lane Manuka until April 17.

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

“RETRONAUTS” is an exhibition of new works on paper by Leah Bullen and Sara Roberts, curated by Kathleen Linn, interrogating the relationship between painting and photography. For both artists, photography acts as a kind of stepping stone, a way to move between the real world and the imaginary world created in their work. At ANCA Gallery 1 Rosevear Place Dickson 12pm-5pm Wednesday-Sunday until April 3

CARLA Wolf’s sculptures involve rotating shapes composed of lines and have a simplicity that belie her rigorous making methods as she works with different clay mixtures, often with paper fibre and/or Perlite added. The work has been made during her artistic residency at Watson Arts Centre, where the exhibition is showing at Watson Arts Centre 10am to 4pm until April 17.

THE ANNUAL Queanbeyan Leagues Club Art Exhibition is coming up at the Queanbeyan Art Society Gallery from 2pm this Sunday, April 3 to April 23. A record 120 works have been judged by Anita McIntyre and winning works will be screened as the presentations are made. Mike Sheppard (Goulburn Yurts) is the guest speaker on Yurts for Art Studios (No council approval needed). Music by Melanie and Stuart.