Arts editor HELEN MUSA casts her net for arts news around Canberra. Here’s her latest Arts in the City column.

Tempo Theatre’s Jon Elphick directs his 12th Agatha Christie play, Love From A Stranger, adapted from her short story Philomel Cottage. In the play, Cecily, after winning a sweepstake, moves to a country cottage with Bruce, a charming stranger, but her friends and family uncover disturbing clues about his past. Belconnen Community Theatre, October 25-November 2. 

The 2024 Canberra Art Biennial, formerly known as Contour 556, is up and running all month, with exhibitions and installations around town. A highlight is Witness, Collector, Archivist, Narrator at Canberra Contemporary Art Space Lakeside. All program details are at canberraartbiennial.com

Herbie Hancock, the legendary jazz pianist with a career spanning seven decades and 14 Grammy awards, will perform at the Canberra Theatre, October 14. 

In their debut concert, Canberra’s Jazmourian Ensemble, a husband-and-wife duo of Malek Mohammadi Nejad on setar and Anna McDonald on kamancheh, perform a concert featuring music inspired by ancient Persia and early western music followed by Persian tea and cake. Ainslie Arts Centre, October 13. 

The Department of Responsible Adulting is a new work created by Canberra Youth Theatre. Commandeering a real office space in Belconnen, this site-specific performance takes audiences into the belly of a new public service run entirely by children. At 40 Cameron Avenue, Belconnen, October 18-27. 

The Artists’ Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition will be opened by the National Library’s Nicola Mackay-Sim at the Fitters’ Workshop, Kingston, on October 19. It runs until October 27.

Only Everything is a new musical “dramedy” inspired by the real-life experiences of creators, Shell Abdoo and Berin Denham, performed with Rachel Thornton directing and Nicholas Griffin as musical director. Courtyard Studio, October 17-26.

Elise Walsh will perform a concert themed Biophilia, with her band Bella Groove, which will include Miroslav Bukovsky creating horn parts and Matt Lustri playing guitar. Smith’s Alternative, Civic, October 13.

Two Strong Hearts is a musical show celebrating the careers of John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John, performed by country singer/songwriter Anita Spring and Jeff Fallon. At The B, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, October 18.