Arts editor HELEN MUSA files another “Arts in the City” column highlighting what’s what and who’s who in the local arts scene this week. 

THE title of Robert Harling’s famous 1987 play “Steel Magnolias” refers to southern women in the US, who seem to be as delicate as magnolias but actually are tough as steel. Set in Truvy’s Beauty Spot, it’s full of great acting roles, to be taken by Victoria Tyrrell Dixon, Helen McFarlane, Lainie Hart, Janie Lawson, Jess Waterhouse and Katy Larkin in Anne Somes’ revival for Free Rain Theatre. ACT Hub, May 10 (preview) to 20. 

A new company, A-Z Theatre, is taking up residency at The Street Theatre. “Resident Street” offers annual placements, a stipend of $10,000, space and resources and support from mentors. The chosen company this year is a collaboration between theatre-makers Anna Johnstone and Cathy Petőcz to create a new, youth-focused theatre company producing original works. 

CANBERRA Spinners and Weavers’ magnificently-named annual exhibition and sale of members’ works, “Warped and Twisted”, opens in the Fay Skyring Canberra Textile Works Gallery, 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley, 2pm, May 13 until May 20.

MANNING Clark House is hosting an exhibition of photographs by Susan Henderson covering a wide geography from Canberra to New York, Melbourne, Paris and Madrid. The collection is reflective and many shots were taken during the covid lockdowns. At 11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest, May 13-June 8.

COMPOSER Sally Greenaway emailed from the airport to say she was on her way to Germany for the “JazzAhead” conference in Bremen and that she’d also just released a new classical music work, “En Las Sombras” (in the shadows). Details at sallygreenaway.com.au/guitar 

“PEACE with Earth – Pathways and Possibilities” is a fundraising event for the Women’s Climate Congress, complete with songs and stories from A Chorus of Women. The guest will be photographer Hilary Wardhaugh, founder and creator of the Everyday Climate Crisis Visual Petition – a call to action in the form of a visual response to the Australian government’s climate-change policies. Terroux Peace Garden, 88 Rochford Road, Wallaroo, 2.30pm-4.30pm, May 13.