AUSTRALIAN-Dutch soprano Mirusia has been the soprano soloist with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra for over 10 years, and will be in Queanbeyan performing songs from her recent album “From the Heart” and other popular numbers. Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, The Q, 2pm, Saturday, August 25. Bookings to theq.net.au or 6285 6290.

THE musical “Barnum” tells the story of P.T. Barnum, the “Greatest Showman on Earth”, who combined razzle-dazzle with charm and brass to sell “humbug” to cheering crowds. Canberra Philharmonic will stage the show at Erindale Theatre. It will preview on August 23 and then run until September 8. Bookings to philo.org.au

DAVID Ives’ play “Venus in Fur” is based on a famous novella by Austrian author Chevalier Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, from whom the word “masochism” derives. It’s the classical masochism text and the plays is in part a depiction of sexual politics, which is why its recommended for ages 16 and up. At The Street Theatre, until September 2. Bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.

AUSDANCE ACT is holding a “Packed Lunch” event where Shrikant Subramaniam gives a talk about his practice as a classical Indian dancer based in the UK. QL2 Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, 12.30pm-1.30pm, Friday, August 23. Bookings to packedlunchshrikant.eventbrite.com

SMITHS Alternative has expanded its venue to next door, allowing for larger audiences and jazz singer Elise Walsh is hoping for a big crowd to her coming gig, which also features Hugh Barrett, piano, Eric Ajaye, bass, Victor Rufus, guitar and Steve Richards, drums. 76 Alinga Street, Civic, 7pm-9pm. Bookings to smithsalternative.com or tickets at the door.

CANBERRA Writers Festival continues this year under its chosen theme, “Power, Politics and Passion” and is billed as the place to be for “top-class journalists, big names from across the globe, thriller and crime authors, military and defence writers, political commentators, children’s and young adult writers”. August 23 to 26. Details at canberrawritersfestival.com.au

THE third recital of Canberra Opera 2018 series will see Karyn Tisdell, who played Suor Angelica for them a couple of years ago, singing works by Handel, Bizet, Saint-Saens, G&S and of course Puccini. Wesley Music Centre, 7.30pm, Saturday, August 25. Bookings to trybooking.com/TMNK

CANBERRA comedian Chris Marlton says the coming night of local stand-up comedy, “Floating Moon”, is based on the comedic idea– “the moon is going to crash into Earth if we don’t hold it up with laughter”. Local comedian Frances McNair will be the MC and the line-up will include people such as Anthony Tomic, Marlton himself, Maddy Weeks, Nick Schuller, Taylor Coughtrie, James McMahon, Al Thorne, and Laura Emerson. Benjamin Harb will be providing live soundscapes “beamed directly from the lunar surface”. ANU Pop Up Club, ANU Village, 7.30pm-11pm, Friday, August 24. Bookings to eventbrite.com.au

LLEWELLYN Choir’s “Winter Warming” concert will warm the audience with songs by musicians such as Mendelssohn and Haydn, and Simon and Garfunkel. They’ll be joined by accompanist Anthony Smith and guest conductor Matthew Stucking. Overture Hall, Orana Steiner School, 15 Hickey circuit, Weston, Sunday, August 26. Bookings to llewellynchoir.org.au or tickets at the door.

LUMINESCENCE Chamber Singers will be joining percussion and piano duo Tess Said So to present world premieres of two new works: Alex Chilvers’ “coûte que coûte?” and a work by Rasa Daukus written for the occasion. At the High Court of Australia, 1.30pm, Sunday, August 26. Free but registrations essential to hcourt.gov.au

PHOENIX Pub in Civic has as follows: The Ocean Party, Kilroy, Tangerine, at 9pm, Thursday, August 23. Free entry; The Postmasters, Brother Be, Flash Anthem, Babe Fiasco, at 9pm, Friday, August 24; Eddie Nuardo and The Dreamlanders, at 6pm, and then Coffin and Sketch Method, at 9pm, Saturday, August 25. 

“OVATION”, RAW Natural Born Artists’ latest edition, will feature a pop-up art gallery, a musical, dance performances and a blockbuster fashion runway finale from Canberra’s best emerging designers, artists and performers. Albert Hall, 100 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla, 6.30pm, Thursday, August 23. Bookings to RAWartists.org/canberra/ovation, or on the door.

AS part of a celebration of the long career of violinist and concertmaster Barbara Jane Gilby, a concert at Wesley will feature the Brahms and Mozart Clarinet Quintets, with Eloise Fisher on clarinet, Gilby and Pip Thompson on violin, Lucy Carrigy-Ryan on viola and Samuel Payne on cello. 3pm, Sunday, August 26, and then again at 12.40pm, Wednesday, August 29. Bookings to trybooking.com or tickets at the door.

LOUISE Keast and rising soprano Shikara Ringdahl will be singing songs by Robert Schumann and others, related to the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots, with visual interventions to match. “A Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots”, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 7pm, Friday, August 24, and then, 5pm, Sunday, August 26. Bookings to tuggeranongarts.com

 

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