In this week’s “Artsweek” column, HELEN MUSA looks at dance, exhibitions, stage shows and concerts happening around the town.

THE National Museum is hosting the free “River Country” community day on October 15. It will be a day of art, music, performance, storytelling and conversations exploring Australia’s river places and celebrating the launch of “Living on the Edge: Caring for Australia’s Threatened Places” October 15.

“DEPT of Rock”, showcasing musicians who work in the ACT and federal government sectors, continues at Smith’s Alternative with Heat 3, October 17.

MARIA Gerolemou from Cyprus, a visiting lecturer at the ANU, will present a talk at the Hellenic Club in Civic on October 18.

Dance

• EVERYONE’s invited to Canberra Dance Theatre’s “Communities Dancing Together”, a free celebratory dance event in Civic Square on October 15, accompanied by Tanamasi, one of Canberra’s most popular drumming ensembles. Just turn up wearing bright colours, no need to learn the dance beforehand.
• “YUMMY” is the 2023 “Chaos” project by QL2 Dance. The showcase performances are at Canberra College Theatre, Phillip October 13, and 14
• “BREAD and Circuses ” is the theme adopted by Ausdance ACT for its annual Youth Dance Festival, with 28 schools and colleges on stage. Canberra Theatre, October 18-19.

Exhibitions

• LOCAL screen printer Alison Alder collaborated with eight artists and Hands On Studio staff in 2022 to develop a series of text-based banners, culminating in “Hit Print!” Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka, October 14-22.
• THE Hive in Queanbeyan is exhibiting hexagon-shaped works of art under the theme of “Recycled in Art” and the entries will be made of old, discarded objects. “Outside the Square #2”, October 13- 28.
• GALLERY of Small Things  is hosting its fourth Emerging Artist Support Scheme show with awardees from the ANU School of Art + Design. Alicia Cox (ceramics workshop), Janet Jeffs (painting workshop) and Jonathon Zalakos (gold & silversmithing workshop) are the awardees and will exhibit at GOST, Watson, October 13-29.
• “SHIVER” is an immersive, illuminated installation by Michelle Day as “a culmination of abstract, foreign organisms”. It appears alongside “Kaleidoscope II”, celebrating LGBTQI+ pride, “The Future Unfolds” by Faith Kerehona, “Zero Waste: Doing it Imperfectly” by Nancy Lane, and “Remnants” by Isobel Kennedy. Belconnen Arts Centre, October 13-November 26.
• “MADONNA40: A Celebration” opens at Canberra Museum and Gallery on October 14. The pieces in this exhibition have been lovingly collected and selected by Canberran Jerry Kirbell reflecting the importance of Madonna’s career and the impact the singer’s had on the worlds of music, fashion, art and popular culture. October 14-March 3.

Stage

• BELL Shakespeare’s production of “Twelfth Night”, directed by Heather Fairbairn, The Playhouse, October 13-21.
• JOURNALIST and author Hedley Thomas will take audiences behind the scenes into one of the most intriguing murder mysteries of our time. Hedley’s podcast “The Teachers Pet” captured the public’s attention as it brought to light the case of Lynette Simms, the Sydney woman who disappeared in January 1982. Guest interviewer will be Beejay Silcox. Canberra Theatre, October 12.
• LIEDER Theatre Company is bringing six locally-written short plays to life in “Mighty Playwrights 2023”, at Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, October 12-14.
• DARAMALAN Theatre’s “The Gift of Story” is NOT in any way a Disney try-hard, says director Joe Woodward. Six fairy tales are presented on the stage in a new treatment, with some surprises. McCowage Hall, Daramalan College, Dickson until October 14.
• QUEANBEYAN Players are reviving the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma”. The Q, Queanbeyan, October 13-29.
• “ROCKSPEARE Henry VI Part I”, Shakespeare with a rock sound, Mill Theatre, Fyshwick, October 18-November 4.

Concerts

• ART Song Canberra’s next concert, “The Mysterious Forest”, will be given by soprano Susannah Lawergren with Bernadette Harvey on piano. Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, October 15.
• THE Vince Jones Quintet appears at Tuggeranong Arts Centre with a concert, a post-show meet and greet and a jazz master class, October 14.
• THE Limestone Consort is at St Paul’s, Manuka, October 14.
• THE Band of the Royal Military College Brass Group performs at the Wesley Lunchtime Concert, Wesley Music Centre Forrest, October 18.