The hit ABCTV hit show Austin is looking for extras over summer for the second series of the Canberra-based comedy, reports HELEN MUSA.

Perform Australia is co-ordinating background extras for the ABCTV series Austin, filming in Canberra over the summer. Extras will be required for one or two days of filming between January 29 and February 28, and can nominate their availability. To apply, aspiring actors will need their recent digital photos and measurements, for costuming. Applications here 

The Canberra launch of best-seller The Connected Species by Mark Williams sees the author in conversation with Toni Hassan. Manning Clark House, Forrest, December 12.

Friday, 5pm till midnight: The Hive Arts Centre’s Arty End of Year Party, held in partnership with Southern Tableland Arts, Crawford Street, Queanbeyan, December 13.

Concerts

• Kopasetic launches their new single Awake with The Burley Griffin band and Anna Ransom solo. Dissent Cafe and Bar, Civic, December 13.

• A Luminous Christmas: Christmas Classics 1 and 2, Luminescence sing Medieval carols, classic Yuletide songs and traditional Nativity hymns. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, December 13 and December 15.
• A Luminous Christmas: A Christmas Fantasia, organist Thomas Heywood in recital, Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, December 14.

• A Luminous Christmas: I Sing the Birth, Luminescence Children’s Choir sing Andrew Ford’s new Christmas cycle, performed concurrently in Canberra, Perth, Antwerp, and Tallinn. Luminescence Chamber Singers perform Arvo Pärt’s Sarah was 90 Years Old, Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, December 14.

• Ave Mariah! From Mariah Carey to Wham, Luminescence’s Rachel Mink sings a Christmas classics-turned-cabaret. Smith’s Alternative, Civic, December 14.

Stage

• In QL2 Dance’s Emerging Choreographers Project, young dance artists each choreograph a short work of their own with their peers. A Block Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, December 14-15.

• The Nutcracker ballet, presented by BIG Live. Canberra Theatre, December 13-14.
• Singer-songwriter Darren Hanlon’s Christmas show, The Street Theatre, December 13.