Here’s the Arts in the City column, HELEN MUSA’s latest weekly wrap of all-things-art around the national capital.

Canberra Youth Theatre’s next play, Work, But This Time Like You Mean It, was written by Honor Webster-Mannison. It’s part of Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerging Playwright Commission and delves into the politics of young people’s first experiences in the workplace. Courtyard Studio, September 20-29.

The Electric Light Orchestra Tribute Show will pay homage to the English rock band formed in 1970, known for creating modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones. The Q, Queanbeyan, September 20. 

The 2024 Italian Film Festival kicks off at Palace Electric Cinema on September 19 with Gloria! Directed by Italian singer, songwriter, and actor Margherita Vicario, which tells the music-filled story of a maid at a Venetian refuge whose hidden talent inspires an uprising. The closing film on October 16 is an equal knockout, the Papal thriller Conclave, in which cardinals gather at the Vatican to elect a new Pope. Oscar nominees Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci star respectively as Cardinals Lawrence and Bellini.

In a poetry-meets-physics event, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Rae Armantrout will read and engage in conversation with ANU professor Ben Buchler. The Street Theatre, September 19.

Canberra Choral Society presents This Shining Night, a concert directed by Dan Walker. Conceived around radiant and whimsical choral works, it features American soprano Rachel Mink, hitherto known for her work with Luminescence, as soloist. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, September 21. 

The National Folk Festival has started announcing its 2025 Easter festival line-up. Headlining the event will be Australian singer-songwriter Josh Pyke, along with David Francey from Canada, Irish singer-songwriter Daoirí Farrell and Kadinelia from Greece.

Dan Russell and The Phoenix Collective will perform music by Schubert, Shostakovich, Arnalds, and Sigur Rós, in the context of social commentary from various historical perspectives. All Saints Ainslie, September 20.

The 2024 Craft + Design Festival will run from November 1-10 under the theme of “regenerate”.