It’s a busy week on stage, in concerts and around the galleries this coming week if HELEN MUSA’S Artsweek column is any guide. And it is!

The 2024 Latin American Film Festival Begins with the Cuban film Strawberry and Chocolate. Features contemporary movies from various Latin American countries. At the ANU China on the World Theatre and the Copeland Theatre, ANU, August 8-28. Free entry.

Broadcaster and composer Andrew Ford will discuss his new book, The Shortest History of Music, with Malcolm Gillies, Harry Hartog bookshop ANU, August 13.

Barrina South will host a launch of her new poetry book at Smith’s Alternative on August 11.

Stage

• Omar Musa joins cellist and composer Mariel Roberts in The Offering. Combines storytelling, poetry, hip-hop, and live music, The B – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, August 8.
• Lexi Sekuless plays Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Marilyn, The Mill Theatre, Fyshwick, August 14-24.
• Menopause The Musical, celebrates women experiencing The Change. The B – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, August 14-17.

Concerts

• Twist & Shout: A Salute to ’50s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll is coming to The Q, Queanbeyan, August 11.
• Irish-Australian singer Peter Byrne and a 30-piece version of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra perform Neil Diamond’s albums (Hot August Night, The Jazz Singer and Jonathan Livingston Seagull). Canberra Southern Cross Club, August 10.
• Shortis and Simpson will hold a singalong featuring gems from ABC Sing Books. Smith’s Alternative, August 10.
• The Merry Muse’s feature act, What She’s Having – with Jenny Spear and Bridget Croft. Irish Club Weston, August 11.
• Baritone Alasdair Stretch will perform songs by Strauss, Schumann, Faure and Howells accompanied by pianist Callum Tolhurst-Close in The Shadows of Romanticism. Wesley Music Centre, August 14.

Galleries

• Attitudes of Making is a group show featuring Tom Buckland, Dominic Gowans, and Harry Le Lievre, Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka. Opens August 8.
• M16 Artspace at Griffith has The Cave. A River. An Island by Ross Andrews, Testamur 6 (the Annual Canberra Art Workshop), and Fairy Land by David Helmers, with Carousel by Lynne Flemons. Opens August 8.
• Experimental Fields & Memory Sites, exhibitions featuring NZ-based artist Xi Li and curated works by Fletcher Aldous, Kailum Graves, Starry Kong, and Remi Siciliano. PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, August 8-September 7.
• Canberra Potters’ annual Fired Up event includes hands-on clay experiences, music, performances, fire-twirlers and the unveiling of a custom-built petal kiln. Watson Arts Centre, August 10.