Canberra is afire with dance throughout October, writes arts editor HELEN MUSA in her latest “Arts in the City” column. 

“BREAD and Circuses”, the theme inspired by the Roman Empire’s strategy to distract its people with food and entertainment, has been adopted by Ausdance ACT for its annual Youth Dance Festival, with 28 schools and colleges on stage. Running since 1985, it now boasts an alumni cohort of more than 45,000. Canberra Theatre, October 18-19.

AS part of its extended 45th birthday celebrations, Canberra Dance Theatre is inviting all Canberrans to join in “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.

TWO of Canberra’s leading Big Bands, Connexion and In Full Swing, will combine for a swinging evening ranging from classic tunes to modern at the Croatian Club in O’Connor, October 21.

AS we predicted, the recently performed show “The Hello Girls” by Canberra’s Heart Strings Theatre, has secured a January season at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney, similar to its sellout season for “Urinetown” this year. Just as predictably, there’s not a mention of Canberra or producer Ylaria Rogers anywhere in the publicity.

NO Canberrans are among the finalists for Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerging Playwright Commission for 2023. Finalists are Sonia Dodd, from NSW, and Victorians Gabriel Fallen and Madelaine Nunn. It offers a professional commission of $16,800 to develop a full-length script for young performers. 

AN exhibition celebrating 100 years of the Archibald Prize arrives at the National Portrait Gallery on October 20, where it will run until January 28. This is its final destination in a three-year tour around Australia.

COMPRISING songs about the mysteries of nature, 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.