HELEN MUSA scopes out the local arts scene for news and events in this week’s Arts in the City column. 

Barbie Robinson’s new kids’ (and adults’) book, Molly and Maple, illustrated by Yass artist Sara Phemister, is based on the true story of former Canberra journalist, speechwriter and community activist Annette Holden. It’s about a woman’s resilience when she lost her sight and about the two canine guardian angels who helped her to “see things differently”. It will be launched by muso/writer Fred Smith, with audio-description of the illustrations by choreographer and disability advocate Liz Lea, at The Book Cow Kingston on November 15. 

Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s raffle nearly sank when the José Carreras & Plácido Domingo concert, tickets to which were first prize, was cancelled. Opera Australia has stepped in with four A-Reserve tickets to Handa Opera On Sydney Harbour’s Guys & Dolls and four magnums of Moët & Chandon. 

Meantime, the CSO, under the baton of guest conductor Benjamin Bayl, will perform Dvořák’, Mozart, Haydn and, most exciting, a new commission from Canberra composer Christopher Sainsbury. Llewellyn Hall, November 13-14. 

The National Folk Festival will receive funding of $120,000 from the federal government’s latest Revive Live grant round to support the presentation of original Australian artists and to enhance accessibility for patrons. 

Phoenix Collective’s Dan Russell has dashed to London in hope of purchasing a replacement for his damaged Lorenzo Ventepane violin. He’ll be back in time for the next concert at Wesley Uniting Church, on November 15, where they’ll perform Beethoven and Vasks with dance music by French electro-pop duo Daft Punk. 

Scottish-Japanese guitarist Sean Shibe, billed as “a musical chameleon of the new generation”, will join Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra in Scotland Unbound, Llewellyn Hall, November 16.

Hawker College, always a powerhouse of theatre studies, is putting on one of the most hilarious plays ever written, Michael Frayn’s Noises Off. Complete with slamming doors, falling trousers and flying sardines, it takes a fond look at the foibles of wannabe actors and stage folk. Murranji Theatre, Hawker, November 14-15. 

Apeiron Baroque’s chamber concert, Sanguine/Melancholy, will feature duelling violins as the ensemble is joined by Ella Bennetts, Anton Baba and Aaron Reichelt to present rare works by Abel, Telemann, CPE Bach, Hume, Zelenka, Oswald, and Janitsch. Wesley Music Uniting Church, Forrest, November 10.