ARTIST Karyn Fearnside says that during 2012 she grew tomatillos, a small fruit encased in a papery husk.

Over the winter the few unpicked fruit decayed into a very interesting lacy, skeletal form, which she now explores in “Salsa,” a mixed media exhibition at gallery@bcs through photographs, drawings, printing and computer manipulation. In Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, Belconnen until September 26, 9am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.

THE Royal Thai Embassy’s Thai Food and Cultural Festival 2014 takes place this Saturday September 21 from 10.30am at the Embassy, 111 Empire Circuit Yarralumla. All are welcome to enjoy the dance, food, flowers and atmosphere.

“THE Italian Connection” exhibition in which 6 ceramic artists and 1 painter explore their diverse experiences of Italy, continues at The Q Exhibition Space until September 27.

SANDIE White and The Dream Team will present songs from The Great American Songbook this Saturday 20th September at Café Wood Works in Bungendore, 6.30 for 7pm, 3 Course Dinner and Concert. In the tradition of vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, White presents jazz standards with professionalism and interpretive style. She will be accompanied on the evening by two world-class jazz master musicians living right here—Wayne Kelly will be on piano and Eric Ajaye on the double bass. Bookings to 6238 1688.

“LOSE yourself in mountains of books at the Lifeline Canberra Spring Bookfair,” they’re saying. It’s in the Budawang Building at Exhibition Park Flemington Road, Mitchell on Friday     19 September 9am – 6pm, Saturday 20 September 9am – 5pm (Family Day) and Sunday   21 September 10am – 4pm. On sale will be a full range of books, magazines, games, jigsaws, textbooks, comics, maps, records, CDS and DVDS.

AND speaking of books, The Canberra Craft Bookbinders’ Guild is presenting its Members’ exhibition in the Mezzanine Gallery, Civic library in Civic Square from tomorrow, September 19 to October 11, 10-5.30 Monday to Friday and 10-4, Saturdays. Open 5.30pm Friday, September 19. All are welcome.

BEST known as  lead singer of The Sports, Stephen Cummings is coming to Canberra tomorrow Friday 19 September as part of his launch tour for the CD “Nothing to be frightened of,” recorded and mixed by Shane O’Mara. 8pm, Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga St, booking to Trybooking.com

GUNGAHLIN College’s production of “Fame” the musical is at 7.30pm in Gungahlin College Theatre until this Saturday September 20, with a cast and crew of 65 Year 11 and 12 students. Bookings to Stagecenta.com or 6142 1013 or [email protected]

AUSDANCE Youth Dance Festival, this year with the theme, “Stories,” sees 36 high schools and colleges onstage with 55 different dance works, at Canberra Theatre at 7.30pm today and tomorrow, bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

CAMELIA Smith’s watercolour paintings exhibition is still on at Yarralumla Gallery near the nursery until October 3. The works featured are still lifes from Venice and NY as well as figurative works depicting people in their environment.

THE next meeting of the School of Music Poets is tomorrow Friday 19 September at 2pm in Biginelli Espresso, when the guest will be photographer Margaret Kalms, who will be discussing the project “Musing on the Moon.” All welcome. Admission $2 helps to pay for guests, projects and publications. Biginelli Espresso is on the 5th floor, Main Building, School of Music ANU. Good news that Joyce Freedman won First Prize and Denise Burton Second Prize the Poets’ Train Competition for poetry written on the train to Sydney recently.

KATE Smith’s upcoming exhibition “Headspace” opens tonight, Thursday 18 September in Canberra Contemporary Art Space, 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka, at 6pm. All welcome. “Headspace” is billed as an innovative and dark experiment by Smith that illustrates a bold impulse to explore an alternate medium and subject from her usually cheerful art practice. Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm

CANBERRA Youth Music presents “Waltzing Australia,” a selection of songs and music presented by its Peg Mantle Strings, Sinfonietta, Camerata and String Ensemble and Choirs. Co-ordinated by Louise Butler, the music is a mix of well-known Australian folk songs and commissioned works by Stephen Chin (World Premiere). At Mt Stromlo High School, Waramanga, 5pm, this Saturday, 20 September. Tickets at the door or to 6247 4714.

GEOFFREY Dunn’s final solo photographic show “Through a Glass Clearly” official opens tomorrow Friday 19th September at 6pm in the Front Gallery. Reflecting a deep sense of place and time, “Through a Glass Clearly” derives its title in part from a collection of four short stories by Isaac Asimov first published in 1967. The show run until September 29 in The Front Gallery and Cafe, Wattle Street Lyneham.

SPOTS are booking out fast for the Australian National Botanic Gardens’ “Breakfast with the Birds” guided bird watching tours, which run each Saturday and Sunday morning between 20 September and 12 October at the Gardens. “Breakfast” starts at 7.45 am each Saturday and Sunday from 20 September to 12 October. Bookings to friendsanbg.org.au or 6291 6396.

“DIESEL Lit Up – The Singles ’89-’14” is coming to The Street tomorrow with the aim to “look back at the sparks and smell the roses” of the accumulated Diesel singles that have etched their way into our music landscape. Friday September 19: Street Theatre, bookings to thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223.

PATRICK James will be in town tonight to highlight his latest EP “Broken Lines,” which is available now through digital retailers and in stores. Earlier this year, James supported Pete Murray on his national tour, Boy & Bear on their regional tour. Tonight, Thursday, September 18| Transit Bar, 7 Akuna Street, bookings to moshtix.com.au to 1300 GET TIX.

SOUTH Hill Gallery Goulburn has “Hitchcock and Heroes,” an exhibition by Kathryn Gallagher, to be opened by Steve McLaren of Tap Gallery at 2pm this Saturday, September 20 at the gallery, 3 Garroorigang Rd Goulburn, open Fri 12-5, Sat 10-5 & Sun 10-4pm. Until October 5.

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