Here’s Everything you want to know about local arts events but were too afraid to ask! Here’s this week’s “Artsweek” column by HELEN MUSA. 

AFTER 10 years of selling out festivals worldwide, the Briefs boys from drag revue company Briefs Factory are back with their “exclusively inclusive, multi-award winning, world-wide (ethical) glitter bombing” show, “ Dirty Laundry” at The Playhouse May 10-13.

ON a similar, if more modest line, the “Apprentease “ competition welcomes performers from all backgrounds and they are competing for their chance to win the Burlesque Excellence Award. Apprentease ACT is run by state producer, Jazida, and co-producer with Chocolate É Claire. Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, May 5.

CANBERRA author Robyn Cadwallader’s new novel, “The Fire and the Rose”, a love story set in Lincoln, England, in the final decades of the 13th century, just before the Jews were expelled from the land. The main character Eleanor was the little girl in the author’s earlier novel “The Anchoress”. She’ll be interviewed by 2022 “CityNews” Artist of the Year Nigel Featherstone as part of the ANU “Meet the Author” series, Kambri, ANU Building 153, 6pm, May 10.

Concerts

• CANBERRA International Music Festival continues this week with daily concert, concluding with a gala final at the Fitters’ Workshop in Kingston on May 7, featuring Kenyan jazz-soul artist Lisa Oduor-Noah and Aron Ottignon, NZ-born master of jazz and roots.
• AINSLIE Salon presents Megan Alice Clune, launching her most recent release “Furtive Glances,” of minimal, ambient piano with electronic processing. Alongside her is artist and composer Genie Stuart who creates immersive sound works.  Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon, May 5.
• AUSTRAL Harmony’s autumn season features historical oboist Jane Downer, who plays principal oboe with the Oxford Bach Soloists, performing performing a Bach organ trio with small-scale solos and trios with harpsichordist, Ariana Odermatt. Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, 12.40pm-1.20pm, May 10.
• SELBY & Friends have violinist Elizabeth Layton and cellist Benett Tsai joining artistic director and pianist Kathryn Selby for “A Matter of Heritage”, music by five composers from completely different places and times. James O Fairfax Theatre, NGA, May 10.

Around the galleries

• “EXPOSED (2023)” is a multimedia exhibition created by artists of the Marsden Art Group, Barbara van der Linden, Val Gee, Ian Baird, Margaret Gordon, Susan Hey, Marilyn Hutchinson, Michael Felgenhaur and Margaret Kalms, featuring works on the theme, “Exposed”. Opening at Rusten House, Queanbeyan, 2pm, May 6, then the exhibition runs until May 27.
• “A Whole Other Story” is a solo exhibition by British painter and illustrator-artist John A Rowe who was the 2022 winner of the National Capital Art Prize. Opens at Aarwun Gallery, Nicholls, 6pm, May 5, then there’ll be a children’s book reading of Rowe’s “I Want A Hug”, to which families with children are welcome, 2pm, May 6.
• THE “Magic of Artistry” artists are showing off they’re their group exhibition, “In Harmony with Nature: The Breath of Autumn” with drinks and nibbles at The Old Barn Gallery, Pialligo, 2pm, May 6. 
• IN partnership with PhotoAccess ACT, the National Library of Australia is celebrating the launch of NLA Publishing’s new book, “Australia’s Dogs” with free outdoor “Pawtrait” sessions at the library, noon-2pm, May 6.
• “THE Anything You Want Machine” is a new exhibition by Canberra artist, Kirsten Farrell, which challenges the idea that textile is feminine and painting is masculine. Farrell’s plastic textiles propose a future where plastic is a cherished and mystical material that signifies care, wisdom and feminine power. ANCA Gallery 1, Dickson, May 10-28.