Cabaret, concerts, dance and more have caught the eye of arts columnist HELEN MUSA. Here’s her latest “Arts in the City” column.

CABARET team Eliane Morel and Daryl Wallis are bringing a re-framing of Bizet’s “Carmen” to town for one night only. Canberra-raised Morel is a graduate of the Canberra School of Music and a principal mezzo with Sydney company Opera Bites, which aims at democratising opera. She thought up the 90-minute cabaret about Carmen after performing the role. “Carmen, the Cabaret” Smith’s Alternative, October 28.

BRITISH composer Will Todd’s “Mass in Blue”, a jazz setting of the Latin Mass, for choir, soprano soloist and jazz trio, will be performed by the Llewellyn Choir, joined by a jazz combo and soloist Sonia Anfiloff. Yarralumla Uniting Church, October 28. 

QUEENSLAND Ballet is bringing Liam Scarlett’s version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to Canberra Theatre, October 25-28. Apparently, it’s the first Australian ballet company to perform there since 2019. 

ANU lecturer and flautist Sally Walker has released a new album, on UK Avie Records, of favourite works for flute and harp culminating from decades of collaborations in the genre with American-Australian harpist Emily Granger. The album, “Something Like This” includes premieres of many Australian pieces written for the pair, including works by Canberra composers Sally Greenaway and Christopher Sainsbury. 

CORINNE Andrew and Milko Foucault-Larche will perform French popular music “Piaf and Aznavour – Back in Time”. The Street Theatre, October 22. 

HACKETT’S 60th birthday party is being celebrated with the “Squares” art show at St Margaret’s & Holy Cross Church, corner of Antill Street and Phillip Avenue, October 27-29, and a big birthday complete with dancing, cake and bands in the church grounds, October 28. 

LUMINESCENCE Chamber Singers’ last subscription concert of 2023 will be “As a Flower Unfurls”, songs about spring and changing seasons. All Saints Anglican Church, Ainslie, October 22.