Here’s HELEN MUSA’s latest Artsweek column, a wrap of the upcoming week’s arts events, concerts and shows. 

Adventure film-making veteran Michael Dillon’s film The Great White Whale is not about Moby Dick. It’s the name given to Australia’s highest mountain, not Kosciuszko, but rather a 500-metre higher volcano on Heard Island in the south Indian Ocean, given to Australia by the British in 1947. The film screens at Dendy, October 13 and NFSA, October 14.

Canberra Bonsai Society’s annual show will be at Canberra High School, Bindubi Street, Macquarie, October 12-13.

The Cars That Ate Paris, the Australian New Wave classic that established director Peter Weir on the world stage, has been digitally restored for its 50th anniversary by the National Film and Sound Archive. Canberra premiere, Arc Cinema, NFSA, October 11.

Galleries

• The Hive’s 3rd annual Outside the Square art competition is themed theme is SPACE Outer space or inner space. The Hive,  Queanbeyan, October 11-27.
• Queanbeyan-Palerang Arts Trail focuses on Bungendore on October 12 and 13.
• The Sharing Stories arts exchange exhibition, features work by artists responding to their experiences of the 2024 Sharing Stories Arts Exchange. Project Space, (opposite the ANU School of Art & Design Gallery) October 15-30.
• Que será, Serra, by veteran local artist Peter Vandermark has a jokey title related to American artist Richard Serra. It sees Vandermark crafting artworks from repurposed found objects, such as old chairs, wooden toys, signage, and ducting. Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka, October 11-20.
• Kahli McLeod’s first solo exhibition, For the Love of Birds, is on display in the Braidwood Library Exhibition Wall until December 7.

Stage

• Signor Baffo is an interactive children’s comedy performed by comedian Joshua Burton and is filled with culinary chaos and belly laughs. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, until October 10.
• Chris Baldock, with translator Céline Oudin, will stage the Canberra premiere of French murder mystery, 8 Women, for Mockingbird Theatre Company. Belconnen Arts Centre, October 10-19.
• Little Shop of Horrors at Gungahlin Theatre will mark the 10-year anniversary of Dramatic Productions, October 11-26. Recommended for ages 15+.
• Daramalan Theatre Company will present The Heart as the first production at the new Joe Woodward Theatre, October 12-19.
• Everyman Theatre’s production of queer epic The Inheritance is at ACT Hub, Kingston, October 12-November 2.
• Cirque Africa is coming to town with a new show featuring an African troupe of acrobats, dancers, musicians and contortionists, Canberra Theatre, October 13.

Concerts

• The Friends of the ANU School of Music Annual Jazz Concert, featuring the ANU Jazz Orchestra. The Big Band Room, October 10.
• Jeonghwan Kim, winner of both the First Prize and Eileen Joyce Best Overall Concerto Prize at the Sydney International Piano Competition 2023, Wesley Music Centre, October 11.
• Salut! Baroque Concert: The Networker, Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery, October 11.
• David Pereira will be performing in Cello Playing and Artistry, Tuggeranong Arts Centre Theatre, October 12.
• Canberra pianist Ronan Apcar returns to perform Industrial Revolutions, commissioned from local composer Lynden Bassett. Smith’s Alternative, Civic, October 12.
• Greenaway Studio will host Myee Clohessy and John Martin on piano for an afternoon of music from the First Viennese School, October 13.
• Elise Walsh’s jazz band Bella Groove, which will include Miroslav Bukovsky creating horn parts and Matt Lustri playing guitar, will be at Smith’s Alternative, Civic, October 13.
• In their debut concert, Canberra’s Jazmourian Ensemble perform music inspired by ancient Persia and early western music followed by Persian tea and cake. Ainslie Arts Centre, October 13.
• The next Merry Muse features Springtide, Canberra Irish Club, Weston, October 13.
• With a career spanning seven decades and 14 Grammy awards behind him, legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock will appear at Canberra Theatre on October 14.
• Pianist Stuart Long presents works by Beethoven, Grieg and Fauré. Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, October 16.
• Jon Stevens and Kate Ceberano share the stage for a night of hits, Canberra Theatre, October 16.
• Romanian-British classical concert pianist Alexandra Dariescu, will perform Emmy Schäfer Klein’s The Child’s Dream in a concert particularly highlighting the work of female composers. Snow Concert Hall, October 16.