THE 2018 Australian National Eisteddfod kicks off this weekend when 87 groups — around 2600 people — come together to participate in the annual bands and orchestras section. A highlight will be the “Open Sections” concert on Friday, May 18. The eisteddfod will be at Llewellyn Hall and Lyneham High School Performing Arts Centre from May 17-22. Program and bookings to nationaleisteddfod.org.au or tickets at the door.

CANBERRA Youth Orchestra will perform two concerts of classical music for children, including Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and Rossini’s “The William Tell Overture”. At the High Court of Australia, 1.30pm and 2.30pm, Sunday, May 20. Free but registrations essential to hcourt.gov.au

GEORGE Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man”, his take on heroism, is coming to REP with Ed Wightman as director. In a new venture, the production begins with an educational performance for the preview night. Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane, Acton. The preview will be held on May 17 but the season starts May 18 and ends June 2. Bookings to canberrarep.org.au

CANBERRA Symphony Orchestra and the National Portrait Gallery are presenting the first Australian Series concert for 2018, presented by Singapore Airlines at the National Portrait Gallery, Thursday, May 17 at 6.30pm. “Portraits at an Exhibition” will feature Australian compositions voiced by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Saxophone Orchestra playing works by composers such as Elena Kats-Chernin and premiering newly commissioned Australian works. Bookings to cso.org.au or 6262 6772.

TOBY Cole’s Handel in the Theatre is holding another hilarious “Baroque Challenge” fundraising trivia night to support this year’s production of Handel’s “Susanna”. Tickets include wine and refreshments. At St John’s Hall, Reid, 7.30pm, Friday, May 18. Bookings to handelinthetheatre.com.au

“NEVER Trust a Creative City”, billed as “Part TED talk comedy routine, part strategic-planning-day-gone-wrong”, is Too Rude theatre’s take on the idea that art + city = gentrification. Originally a creative development as part of Vitalstatistix’s “Adhocracy” in 2016. At Gorman Arts Centre’s Ralph Wilson Theatre until May 20. Bookings to agac.com.au

MUSE Café has columnist James Jeffrey talking about his book “My Family and Other Animus” at East Hotel, Kingston, from 3pm-4pm, Sunday, May 20. Bookings to musecanberra.com.au

PHOENIX Pub in Civic has: Piss Weak Karaoke, 9pm, Thursday, May 17; Cosmic Space, Papaya Tree, Neo Pink, Koscalla, 9pm, Friday, May 18; Pretty Strangers, Nic Cage and the Bad Seats, Adventure Sunday and Jamie Leone, 9pm, Saturday, May 19.

ORIANA Chorale, directed by Robyn Mellor, presents “Death and Redemption”, which includes sacred music such as Palestrina’s Requiem Mass. At Canberra Girls Grammar School, Chapel of the Annunciation, 4pm, Sunday, May 20. Bookings to trybooking.com

MARY Coughlan, one of Ireland’s greatest female jazz and blues singers, often described as “Ireland’s Billie Holiday”, will appear at the Irish Club, Weston, 1.30pm for 2pm, Sunday, May 20. Bookings to irishclub.com.au or 6288 5088.

 

SELF-STYLED “Harp ninjas” Tegan Peemoeller and Meriel Owen will be appearing with Steve Fitzgerald, who will be on the steel drums to perform “Parvis” by Bernard Andrés, extracts from Bizet’s “Carmen” and “Río de las Mariposas” by Mexican composer, Gabriela Ortiz. Kangara Waters Cooinda Hall, 2 Joy Cummings Place, Belconnen, 2pm for 2.15pm, May 20. Tickets at door, cash only, include afternoon tea.

MARUKI Community Orchestra plans to span the ages with a big program of orchestral music that ranges from Bach through Mussorgsky to Bizet and Elgar. Albert Hall, 3pm-5pm, Sunday, May 20. Bookings to marukicommunityorchestra.org.au or tickets at the door, which includes afternoon tea.

TALENTED young musicians present beautiful music for voice, violin, viola, cello, guitar, piano and organ in Wesley Scholars Autumn Concert, Wesley Uniting Church, 2.30pm, Sunday, May 2. Tickets at the door.

THE Royal Academy of Dance Australia’s gala showcase from its ACT and Riverina area dance schools is billed as an evening out for the whole family. Canberra Theatre on Saturday, May 19. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

 

 

 

 

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