Books take centre stage as Canberra Writers Festival turns 10, while film, dance and music add to the celebrations in arts editor HELEN MUSA‘s latest “Artsweek”.

Canberra Writers Festival, directed by Andra Putnis, celebrates its 10th anniversary under the theme “For the Love of Books”, temporarily replacing its long-standing tagline “Power, Passion and Politics”, with a program of literary events for readers and writers, various Canberra venues, October 15 to 18.

The Capital Film Festival opens with a gala screening of The Fox, launching the festival program at Dendy, October 21.

Stage

• The Chaos Project celebrates Quantum Leap Australia’s creative ecosystem, bringing together artists of different ages and experience in a showcase of creativity and collaboration, Belco Arts, October 16 to 17.
• The ups and downs of midlife return in Menopause The Musical, starring Catherine Alcorn as the Professional Woman, Sally Bourne as the Housewife, Lena Cruz as the Earth Mother and Chelsea Gibb as the Soap Star, Canberra Theatre, October 15 to 18.
• Mountain is an evocative new dance work combining the electrifying electronic soundscapes of UK producer CLARK, acclaimed choreography by Canberra’s Melanie Lane and celebrated fashion design by Akira Isogawa, The Playhouse, October 17.
• Performing in both English and French, singers Milko Foucault-Larché and Corinne Andrew return with Paris After Dark, an evening celebrating the atmosphere and music of Paris, The Street Theatre, October 18.

Concerts

• Arete Music presents an opportunity for singers to develop their skills in a masterclass with internationally acclaimed actor and drama educator Christopher Samuel Carroll, Wesley Music Centre, October 16.
• Canberra-trained pianist Ronan Apcar returns with Brahms and the Opposite of Brahms, a recital contrasting Brahms’ lyrical beauty with contemporary works by Australian and American composers, Wesley Music Centre, October 17.
• The Australian Chamber Orchestra welcomes violin virtuoso Pekka Kuusisto to direct Legends & Luminaries, promising an exhilarating performance shaped by his distinctive artistic freedom, Llewellyn Hall, October 17.
• Queanbeyan Community Choir presents its annual charity concert, The Joy of Music, featuring around 18 bright and uplifting songs, audience participation, piano and flute, with free entry and donations supporting Rise Above Qbn, Queanbeyan Uniting Church Hall, October 17.
• Viola players Robert Harris and Robert Manley present A Viola in Bloom in a Saturday Salon exploring the instrument’s musical possibilities, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, October 17.
• Oriana Chorale’s Aurora Sun draws inspiration from both the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis, featuring music by Ēriks Ešenvalds, Veljo Tormis, Ola Gjeilo, Björk, Alice Chance and Patrick Baker, alongside a new work by composer-in-residence Sebastian Allen, Larry Sitsky Recital Room, ANU School of Music, October 18.
• Brass on the Grass brings Canberra Brass Inc and the community together for an outdoor concert at the historic Hall Village school grounds, Hall Heritage Centre, October 18.
• Pianist Carl Rafferty presents a romantic afternoon of classical and jazz favourites, including Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Debussy’s Clair de Lune, Scott Joplin’s ragtime, Chopin waltzes and Rachmaninoff’s sumptuous 18th variation, with bubbly and a nibble included, Crispe Galleries, Bowning, October 18.
• Distinguished pianist Edward Neeman performs selections from Brahms’ Klavierstücke, Op. 76, and Anne Boyd’s Book of the Bells as part of the Wesley Lunchtime Concert series, Wesley Music Centre, October 21.

Galleries

• The Canberra Art Fair, in its second iteration, invites everyone, not just established collectors, to explore a range of contemporary art, stalls and fun at Quokka Pavilion, EPIC, October 16 to 18.
• The ANU School of Art and Design’s 2026 Drawing Prize Exhibition celebrates the breadth of drawing practice among students, with 27 finalists competing for the $1500 prize. Winner announcement at a closing event on October 28. ANU School of Art and Design, until October 30.
• Filipino-Australian artist Kris Ancog, known for his distinctive contemporary painting practice, opens Yearning to Breathe Free, a new exhibition exploring his artistic vision. Aarwun Gallery, Nicholls, October 15.
• The Canberra Art Biennial continues with a series of exhibitions and events, including Bronte Cormican-Jones’ The Way the Light Hits the Building at Canberra Airport on Thursday, Nathan Nhan’s sweet tooth on Friday, and Saturday’s Takeaway: Nourishing Cultures roving tour and Ngunnawal Food Stories exhibition talk. Various Canberra venues, October 15 to 17.
• Glass artists Harriet and Matt Curtis will open their studio to the public as part of the Queanbeyan Arts Trail, inviting visitors to explore their work and creative space. The studio will be open from 9am to 3pm, Queanbeyan, October 17 to 18.
• Grainger Gallery opens two new exhibitions, Narelle Zeller’s All of the Delicate Things and Canberra-born artist Penelope Boyd’s Surrender, featuring realist oil and acrylic works. Grainger Gallery, Fyshwick, October 15 to November 1.
• Anie Nheu’s Byproducts II transforms found materials through cutting, shaping, joining and assembling, disrupting their original purposes to create new relationships between fragments, textures and forms. Platform, Manuka, October 16 to November 8.
• Belco Arts presents six new exhibitions exploring diverse artistic perspectives, including Christine Upton’s Passions, Journeys and Imaginings, Helen Heslop’s Occupying Space, Phases by UC Faculty of Arts and Design staff and friends, Brenda Runnegar’s Animal Portraits, Fenja T. Ringl’s Histories & Habitats and Lien To’s Colour Through My Eyes. Belconnen Arts Centre, October 16 to November 29.

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