Artsday / Safran hosts multicultural comedy gala

A lot arts, so little time! A weekend simply isn’t sufficient for what’s developing. HELEN MUSA lists the lot in her newest “Arts within the Metropolis” column.

JOHN Safran will host the Multicultural Comedy Gala on the Canberra Theatre, 8pm, February 18  as a part of the twenty fifth Nationwide Multicultural Competition (February 17 to 19).

MULTICULTURAL Mom Tongue poets can have a 20-minute slot as a part of the Languages Showcase on the Garema Place Stage from 10am-noon on February 19.

WITH no rehearsals, no director, a unique actor every evening, and a script ready in a sealed envelope on stage, “White Rabbit Purple Rabbit” by Iranian author Nassim Soleimanpour, will likely be staged at The Mill Theatre, Dairy Highway Precinct, on February 15, 16, 18, 23 and 24.

ACT Hub, Kingston, is holding a one-hour theatre critics’ discussion board adopted by a Q&A at 6.30 pm, February 15.

Galleries

• WAMBOIN artist Lisa Stevenson was the inaugural artist in residence on the Queanbeyan Hive this yr. Her work is now on exhibition within the Field Gallery, positioned within the lobby of The Q, Queanbeyan.
• KATE Stevens’ “Occupied” is a sequence of recent works painted from information images of the bombing of Gaza. Canberra Modern Artwork House, Manuka, 6pm, February 16 then runs to February 26.
• M16 Artspace in Griffith has three new exhibitions opening on February 16: “4 Views of Black Mountain” by Michael Desmond, Peta Jones, Bryn Desmond-Jones & Ossian Desmond-Jones; “Bind” by Ali Aedy; “Windsor Blue” by Karina Beth McLean; and in Chutespace, “Charred Panorama II” by Julie Pennington. Till March 12.
• YOLŊU artist Noŋgirrŋa Marawili and Canberra-based sculptor Leo Loomans current “Fluent”, an exhibition of bark work and metallic sculpture revealing “feats of linear invention” at ANU Drill Corridor Gallery, Acton, opening February 16 then operating till April 16.
• LOUISE Curham’s exhibition “Kambah” (the suburb turns 50 subsequent yr) asks: “What are you aware about Kambah that you just suppose is essential to share with others?” At Tuggeranong Arts Centre, till March 4. She will likely be within the gallery 1pm-4pm and joined by native identification Geoff Pryor for a “kitchen-table dialogue” at 2pm, Saturday, February 18.

Concert events

• WESLEY Music Centre Lunchtime Live performance sequence resumes with pianist Charles Huang performing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven. Wesley Music Centre Forrest,  February 15.
• RUSSIAN violinist Ilya Gringolts returns to the Australian Chamber Orchestra to direct a program that includes Bruch’s Violin Concerto and the world premiere of Harry Sdraulig’s “Slanted”, Llewellyn Corridor, 8pm, February 15.
• THE Australian Haydn Ensemble will carry out string quartets by Haydn, Bach and Mendelssohn, Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, 7pm, February 16.
• ANU College of Music is holding the  inaugural Cello Mini-Competition within the Larry Sitsky Recital Room on February 18 and 19.
• THE Phoenix Collective Quartet groups up with Tibetan singer and multi-instrumentalist Tenzin Choegyal for a musical journey by Tibet. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, 2pm, February 18.
• MENSCH Monique! from Germany play an amalgam of Berlin indie folks with lashings of funk, jazz and blues alongside German-Australian duo The Beez. Artists’ Shed, Fyshwick, February 18.
• BRISBANE group Mzaza, that includes French-Sephardic vocalist Pauline Maudy and musicians from Bosnia, Brazil, France, NZ and Australia, will carry out at Smith’s Different 6pm-8pm, February 18. 
• “WOMEN by Girls”, introduced by Canberra’s Limestone Consort, is a live performance of music by feminine Baroque composers, carried out by feminine musicians. St Andrews Anglican Church, Braidwood, 2pm, February 19.
• BLUES artist Samantha Fish will likely be at The Basement, Belconnen, alongside James Southwell, February 19.
• LUMINESCENCE Chamber Singers are holding a summer time soiree within the gardens of the Gorman Arts Centre, interspersed with a wine tasting, 3pm, February 19.
• FAMED British poet, playwright, novelist and musician Kae Tempest will carry out music from the album “The Line is A Curve” at The Playhouse, February 20.