Here’s arts editor HELEN MUSA’s latest Arts in the City column, a round-up of arts news from here and there.

Dion Pride, the son of legendary country music singer Charley Pride, will be in town singing the songs of his father, joined by original Charley Pride touring musicians, including Ronnie Miller on pedal steel guitar, Danny Hutchins on piano/keys and Mark Kalson on fiddle. Canberra Theatre, May 14.

Everyman Theatre’s first production for 2025 has a whopping title, If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You. Directed by Joel Horwood, the raucous romantic drama features Canberra actors Joshua James and Robert Kjellgren. ACT Hub, Kingston, May 14-24.

Pip Williams’ New York Times bestseller, The Dictionary of Lost Words, in a stage adaptation by Verity Laughton, follows Esme from her childhood in the 1880s, into adulthood at the height of the women’s suffrage movement and the beginning of World War I. The Playhouse, May 15-24.

Members of Super Rats have created an offshoot, Taraf Grozav, featuring some different Romanian repertoire and aiming for a rougher, unamplified texture. They’ll perform a night of fun, raucous songs and dances. Macgregor Hall, Smith’s Alternative upstairs, May 11.

Despite Banjo Paterson’s popularity, there have always been critics denying his work as real poetry. Now in a discussion for Canberra’s Spiral group, editor and publisher Matthew Richardson takes up the issue in a discussion with academic Harry Heseltine, who for 60 years has recognised Banjo as a poet. Uniting Church, 40 Gillies Street, Curtin, May 8. 

The Australian String Quartet marks its 40th anniversary with Rapture, starting with Beethoven’s Serioso quartet, leading into the national premiere of Melbourne jazz composer Vanessa Perica’s No Feeling is Final and concluding with Janáček’s Intimate Letters, and Golijov’s Tenebrae. Gandel Hall, NGA, May 11.

Polifemy women’s vocal ensemble joins BlockSounds recorder quartet in The Bridal Kiss, a Goose’s Tale and Auto Sales, a concert of humorous contemporary music covering everything from Aesop’s animals to an African birthday and a Jewish wedding. Wesley Uniting Church Forrest, May 17.