There’s arts aplenty over Easter. Here’s taste of what’s in store in this week’s Artsweek column by HELEN MUSA.

Shortis & Simpson will be at the National Folk Festival over Easter with Something Worth Fighting For, the result of John Shortis’ s research into protest movements, undertaken as part of what is, sadly, the last Folk Fellowship at the National Library. Simpson’s Worldly Goods Choir will play the part of the rabble-rousers to sing the songs at the festival opening on Thursday, and also on Friday and Saturday. Shortis will chair a forum on protest songs on Sunday. The National Folk Festival at Exhibition Park, March 28-April 1.

Early-career local artist Nathan Nhan features a two-week chess tournament installation where the audience can sequentially play four chess games in It’s Never Quite As It Seems. At Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka, opens Thursday.

1990s animation Hercules, billed as great fun for the whole family, will combine with an Easter Day pre-screening chocolate egg hunt for kids in the NFSA Courtyard.  Screening at Arc Cinema, March 31.

Darkfield’s shipping container experiences Séance and Flight will engulf audiences in complete darkness inside shipping containers where immersive 360-degree audio experiences explore the depths of human psychology. Civic Square, March 28-April 14.

Geoff’s Poetry at Smiths has three poets — Australians Jacqui Malins and Natalie D-Napoleon, with Canadian star “reciter”, Cat Kidd. Smith’s Alternative, April 1.

Concerts

• Empress of Soul Gladys Knight will be in town as part of her farewell tour. Royal Theatre, Thursday.
• Women’s vocal ensemble Polifemy sings Renaissance polyphony for Good Friday as part of Wesley’s Holy Week Series, March 29.
• Soprano Greta Claringbould and alto Maartje Sevenster join an ensemble led by John Ma to perform Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and two of the Divoti Affetti alla Passione di Nostro Signore by Ristori at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka, Good Friday, March 29. Free entry, but no applause.
• Young Voices of Melbourne and the Woden Valley Youth Choir join forces for a concert at Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, April 2.
• Canberra jazz duo In2Deep, Rachel McNally (nee Thorne) and Mike Dooley, backed by a jazz quartet, are at Smith’s Alternative, Civic, April 3.
• The band of the Royal Military College’s woodwind group will showcase all of RMC Band’s woodwind ensembles, performing a variety of contemporary instrumental and classical music. Wesley Music Centre, April 3.
• The Beach Boys Experience, featuring hits such as Surfin’ USA and Surfer Girl, will be at The B, (adjoining Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre in the Bicentennial Hall) April 3.