WORLD Photo Day is celebrated on August 19 each year to mark the day when the French government purchased the patent for the daguerreotype process that creates images on a sheet of copper plate with a thin coat of silver. Photo Day was originally started and promoted in 2009 by photographer Korske Ara. These days the proprietor of Lucent Imaging is in Canberra, and yesterday millions of snappers around the world shared photos of “their world”.

ACT Writers’ (formerly the ACT Writers’ Centre) self-described “defiantly named ‘F-CK COVID’ initiative” is designed to support the many writers and creatives who are currently being challenged by the rolling covid shut-downs. The program comprises two online events facilitated by Nigel Featherstone, to be held via zoom on Saturday, August 28. From 1.30pm-3pm there’ll be “Hard truths; risky fiction” with Irma Gold and Mark Brandi then from 3.30pm-5pm, “Past-present: adventures in non-fiction” with Shu-Ling Chua and Sneha Lees. Free, but donations will be gratefully received. Register here.

MUSICA Viva’s livestream concert featuring Ensemble Q is going ahead at 7pm on Monday, August 23. The group of wind soloists from Brisbane, formed in 2017 by Paul and Trish Dean, now included former Canberran Virginia Taylor. They’ll be playing a program including Barber’s classic “Summer Music”, Op. 31 and Ligeti’s “Six Bagatelles” for wind quintet. Bookings here. 

“VALLEY Inhabitants” is a multi-disciplinary arts project documenting untold stories from the Woden Valley. The project celebrates Woden’s rich history by exploring stories about relationships, place making and what defines a community and its culture as the Woden Arts Program collaborated with podcaster Jen Seyderhelm, photographer Martin Ollman and composer Harvey Welsh to create short documentaries. “Wendy Rainbird” is the first video portrait of the series. Accessible here

Postponements and cancellations:

• THE National Arboretum’s launch of the Forest Sculpture Gallery, a new art trail set amongst 44,000 trees, has been postponed until February 25, 2022.
• Canberra Philharmonic Society has updated its plans for “Grease”, which will run in Erindale Theatre from March 10-26, 2022.
• OPERA Australia has been forced to postpone the Brisbane premiere of the world’s first fully digital “Ring Cycle” for the second year running, because the performers and crew, as well as 80 percent of total ticket holders, will be unable to travel to Queensland for the production.
• The National Eisteddfod has postponed the Singing Division and The Piano Eisteddfod, both to be re-scheduled to a future date.
• THE National Opera has cancelled the planned September masterclass and concert with soprano, Alexandra Flood.