DIRECTOR Chris Baldock returns to Canberra REP with the Frank Galati stage adaptation of Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”, which brings to life the story of the Joad family’s trek from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to the promise of a new life in California. At Canberra REP Theatre, Acton, February 13-29. Bookings at canberrarep.org.au or 6257 1950.

THE popular Cologne Philharmonia classical ensemble from Germany is offering selections from Vivaldi, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Paganini. At St Andrews Anglican Church, 47 Elrington Street, Braidwood, 8pm, Friday, February 14. Tickets at the door, cash only.

PHOTOACCESS is presenting a satellite show titled “Terraform”, which has photoshop works by Melbourne artist Josh Dykgraaf, who looks at vanishing species and explores the limits and interconnections of the world. Opening at East Hotel, Kingston, 5pm, Wednesday, February 12. It then runs until March 11. Dykgraaf will be donating the sale proceeds of his bushfire works to WIRES Wildlife relief fund.

LAKESPEARE III “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be at Tuggeranong Town Park, 6.30pm, February 14-15, Kambri at ANU, 6.30pm, Sunday, February 16, Glebe Park, 6.30pm, Friday, February 21, and Patrick White Lawns, near the National Library, 4.30pm, February 22-23. Free but bookings essential at eventbrite.com.au

THE National Film and Sound Archive has a Valentine’s Day adults-only, after-hours session of “Game Masters: The Exhibition” on February 14. Also as part of its classic matinee season, “The Philadelphia Story”, starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart, will screen at 10.30am, Friday, February 14. The documentary series “The Story of Film: An Odyssey”, episode 1, will screen at 1pm, Saturday, February 15, followed by classic early cinema short film. Bookings to nfsa.gov.au

SOUTH Coast artists Carmel Cox and Paul Dimmer have an exhibition titled “The Collector and The Alchemist”, running in The Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, Eurobodalla’s first purpose-built exhibition space adjoining the Moruya Library. The official opening is at 6pm, Friday, February 14, then daily, Tuesday to Sundays, until March 8. Floor talk 11am, February 15.

MELBOURNE Americana band Tracy McNeil and The GoodLife are launching their new album “You Be the Lightning” at The Transit Bar, Akuna Street, Civic, 8pm, on February 14. Bookings to moshtix.com.au

STRATHNAIRN’s artist in residence, Naomi Eburn, presents her ceramic in “Momentum” in gallery one, along with still life and portraiture by Lisa Brack and Gillian Baldock, exhibited under the title “Cups and Conversations”. At Strathnairn Arts Homestead, Stockdill Drive, Holt, February 13 to March 8. Official opening, 4pm, Saturday, February 15. All welcome.

THE $21,000 Megalo International Print Prize and exhibition is the annual celebration of printmaking in the capital. This year’s prize attracted 359 works from 229 artists and from 32 countries and the finalists’ work will be exhibited at Megalo Print Gallery, Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, from February 15-28. With the big “Megala” prize to be announced on March 15. 

CONTEMPORARY folk singer Fred Smith is turning his attention to 21st Century Australia and love songs for middle-aged people in his new album, “Domestic”. Smith will be showcasing the record in a Valentine’s Day performance, accompanied by top players, including Dave O’Neill and Liz Frencham, who’ll sing some of her songs too. At the Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU, 7.45pm, Friday, February 14. Bookings trybooking.com or tickets at the door.

SURREAL artist Andrew Baines will focus on dairy cows, “suits” standing in the sea and his use of shadows on lighthouses to create a narrative in his exhibition of paintings at the Nancy Sever Gallery, Gorman Arts Centre, Batman Street (corner with Currong Street) Braddon, February 19 to March 29.

CANBERRA artist Ham Darroch opens the ANU Drill Hall’s 2020 exhibition program with the exhibition, “Propeller”, an ensemble of colour, geometry and object-based form. In his paintings and sculptures Darroch investigates the visual tradition of hard edge abstraction of the 1960s and 70s. The exhibition opens at Drill Gallery, Kingsley Street, Acton, 6pm, February 13 and then continues until April 12.

BEAVER Galleries have two new exhibition opening this week including “Little things in life”, which features ceramics by Dai Li, and “The tangled wood”, featuring prints by David Frazer. Drinks with the artists at 81 Denison Street, Deakin, 6pm, Thursday, February 13. The exhibitions continue 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Sunday until March 1.

THE Song Company will be here to perform “Cries of Justice”, a concert of ancient songs from the Book of Psalms. At Wesley Uniting Church, 7pm, Thursday, February 13. Bookings to the.song.company or at the door.

BELCONNEN Arts Centre has an exhbition of figurative sculptural works by Sian Watson and textile and paper-based works related to the themes of death and renewal by Sally Blake. At Belconnen Arts Centre, Emu Bank, Belconnen, February 14–March 29. Opening 6pm, Friday, February 14. All welcome.