What’s what and who’s who in the arts this week? Here’s HELEN MUSA‘s weekly “Arts in the City” column.

CANBERRA’S TraXion Big Band, directed by Jim McMullen, is staging a night of upbeat jazz, with vocalist Lucy Ridge and the band playing jazz standards like “Look For The Silver Lining”, old-school funk with Tower of Power’s “Diggin’ on James Brown” and modern pieces from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. White Eagle Polish Club, Turner, 7pm, Friday, August 20. Book here.

LAINIE Hart and Josh Wiseman play Hamlet’s schoolmates and two of the most notoriously obscure characters in all theatrical history in Tom Stoppard’s philosophical play, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead”. Cate Clelland directs. Canberra REP Theatre, Acton, until August 28. Book here or 6257 1950. 

IN “Dark Euphoria” artists SA Adair and Meredith Hughes have created an installation of poetic, domestic objects cast from ground charcoal that, as remnants of the 2019-20 mega-fires, invite contemplation and solace. Tuggeranong Arts Centre until September 18.

CANBERRA Sinfonia will present its first-ever concerto gala under the baton of artistic director Leonard Weiss. “Mozart: Concerto Gala” will feature soloists Lucy Macourt on violin, Alison Mountain on flute and Rowan Phemister on harp and the repertoire will include the lesser-played concerti, Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218 and the Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra in C major, K. 299. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, 3pm, Saturday, August 21. Book here.

“GREASE” is the word at Canberra Philharmonic Society, with director Kristy Griffin, musical director Katrina Tang and choreographer Kirsten Smith working with a lively cast to bring the 1950s Rydell High School show to life at Erindale Theatre. Paige Martin plays Sandy and Rourke Puksand plays Danny. August 19 to September 4. Book here.

BRILLIANT young pianist Charles Huang will be presenting his fifth recital at Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, when he performs Bach’s Italian Concerto, Haydn’s last Piano Sonata (E-flat Major), Études by Chopin and “Jardins sous la Pluie” by Debussy. 12.40 to 1.20pm, Wednesday, August 18, book here or 6232 7248.

BROADWAY hit “Come From Away”, staff say, has become the highest selling musical at the Canberra Theatre Centre so far, as Canberra audiences flock to book in for the uplifting musical when it plays at the big theatre for a four-week season from November 4-21. The show is based on the real-life events in Gander, Newfoundland following September 11, 2001. Bookings at here or 6275 2700.