Arts, arts everywhere and HELEN MUSA’s got it nailed in her weekly “Arts in the City” column. 

ALISON Lester’s classic book, “Magic Beach”, will come to life on stage in text, song, light, shadow and movement for children aged 3-12 and their adults –  and so fitting for summer, offering a visit to a beach that isn’t just any beach. This new Australian adaptation by playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer is a celebration of the power of the imagination, Canberra Theatre, January 22–23⁠. Book at canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700. 

SYDNEY Opera House has just opened its new Centre for Creativity, a purpose-built home for hands-on creative experiences inside the world-renowned building. One of the final projects in the Opera House’s “Decade of Renewal” funded by the NSW government, it’s the first new dedicated programming venue to open in more than 20 years and its inaugural program running until March features a mix of free and paid activities. Information at sydneyoperahouse.com

BEST-known in Australia for his role as chief instructor on the series, “SAS Australia”, Ant Middleton is coming to town with a motivational presentation,  originally scheduled for last July, about personal growth and positivity led by his mantra of “Mind Over Muscle”. He’ll tell his story and give a glimpse into his life in the military, give his assessment of SAS Australia and talk about his personal battle to overcome Mount Everest in 2019. At Llewellyn Hall, 7.30pm, Sunday, January 30. Book at premier.ticketek.com.au

CANBERRA poet Hazel Hall tells us that “Poetry at Manning Clark House” will at last resume, with negotiations underway with poets for 2022. The first session at the house, 11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest, will be 7pm-9pm, Thursday, January 22. 

IN a coup for the Canberra Theatre, Noeline Brown, Max Gillies and John Wood will be here in a new comedy, ridiculously titled “Mono: A Three-Person One-Man Show”. It’s about a hectoring headmistress, a bad bush poet, a puzzled policeman, a meandering minister, a chaotic conductor, a mindless “mindfulness” teacher, a surreal Sotheby’s auctioneer, and a sozzled Mother of the Bride. At The Playhouse, 2pm and 8pm, Saturday, February 12. Book at canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.