HELEN MUSA reports on arts news and performances in her latest Arts in the City column. 

The play, Slap. Bang. Kiss, shortlisted for the 2021 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, shows what happens when a video, a speech and a kiss go viral and make international news. Performed by Melbourne Theatre Company, it’s at The Q, Queanbeyan, September 11.

Hot upon that, The Listies return with Make Some Noise, a comedy concert show for “kidults” where Rich and Matt belt out a bunch of songs almost in tune. Also at The Q, September 13-14.

Canberra Men’s Choir is seeking new members and will hold a free open night as they prepare their Christmas repertoire at Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, September 9. Inquiries to canberramenschoir@gmail.com

An exhibition featuring more than 50 artworks looking at life around Lake Burley Griffin and Lake George will be presented by artists Sylvie Carter and Claire B Cusack. Yarralumla Gallery and Oaks Brasserie, September 8-October 20.

The recent 2024 Art Music Awards in Melbourne saw only a modest achievement for Canberra music when CSO chief conductor and artistic director Jessica Cottis won a local state or territory Luminary Award. Canberra-raised Mary Finsterer won Work of the Year and Performance of the Year: Notated Composition, but she, like Cottis, doesn’t live here.  

Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia presents more than 150 works of art by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. National Gallery, September 14-August 24.

The Gaudy Ball is an unapologetically extravagant night of drag, burlesque, cabaret, and extreme silliness celebrating the art of “Glittering Garbage”. Attendees are encouraged to dress in glittering garbage fashion. The Polo, 38 David Street, Turner, September 14.

The Cut, a play by Mark Ravenhill exploring a dystopian society, is presented with an all-female cast by The Seeing Place, a new independent theatre company set up by Canberra artists Sammy Moynihan and Marlene Radice. Mill Theatre, Fyshwick, September 12-21.

The ACT Textile Arts Association is hosting Hanging by a Thread, with textile art, embroidery, crochet, knitting, felting, mixed media, dyeing, printing, sewing and dressmaking. Queanbeyan Art Society Gallery, Trinculo Place, September 13-22.

Musica da Camera, directed by Shilong Ye, performs pieces by Australian women composers including Margaret Sutherland, Elena Kats-Chernin, Maria Grenfell, Helen Gifford and Sally Greenaway. Holy Covenant Church, Cook, September 14 and Gunning Shire Hall, September 15.