CANBERRA Museum and Gallery director Shane Breynard and cultural historian David Headon have taken off for London with the 2016 CMAG show “Peace, Love and World War: The Denmans, 1910-1917, Empire and Australia”. Australian high commissioner Alexander Downer will open the exhibition.

CANBERRA writer Kaaron Warren’s novel “The Grief Hole” has been named Best Novel in the 2017 Ditmar Awards for Australian science-fiction, fantasy and horror writing, making her the first person to win all three genre awards for that one book – the Aurealis Award, the Shadows Award, the Ditmar – and, of course, a 2016 Canberra Critics Award.

THE National Film and Sound Archive is marking the 25th anniversary of the Mabo decision with an online, curated collection as well as a screening of “Mabo: Life of an Island Man” with director Trevor Graham and Gail Mabo. At the Arc Cinema, 7pm, July 5. Bookings to nfsa.gov.au

THE Salt Room is a popular bi-monthly poetry performance night that mixes performance and storytelling to showcase some of the brightest sparks in our poetry scene. Gorman Arts Centre main hall, 7.30pm-10.30pm, Friday, July 7. Bookings to agac.com.au or tickets at the door.

TENNYSON’S 1864 poem “Enoch Arden” will be given unexpected new life when classical actor John Bell joins pianist Simon Tedeschi to perform this melodramatic tale, set to music by Richard Strauss, in the Windsong Pavilion at Bermagui, 12.30pm, Sunday, July 2. Bookings to fourwinds.com.au

TEN artists living around Batemans Bay are exhibiting pastel works depicting wildlife, landscapes and still life at Ginninderra School House Gallery, Gold Creek, Nicholls, until July 31.

UC Chorale, which we hear has been moved off campus, is back under the baton of AJ America performing a highly original winter concert that will feature a 13th century Icelandic hymn, Bruckner’s “Locus Iste” and Dan Walker’s “Laudate for Another Place, Another Time”. At Kippax Uniting Church, 3pm, Sunday, July 2. Bookings to trybooking.com or tickets at the door.

BORN in South Africa, raised in Australia and educated in the US, pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout has been called “Mozart reincarnated” and he’ll be here with the Australian Chamber Orchestra at Llewellyn Hall, Saturday, July 1. Bookings to aco.com.au or 1800 444444.