Arts editor HELEN MUSA shares an author’s innovative way to raise money for a charity in this week’s Arts in the City column. 

Resourceful Australian writer Isobelle Carmody is raising money for the charity Redkite by using the publicity  around the launch of her new book, Comes The Night, being published by Allen And Unwin. Redkite supports cancer patients up to the ages of 18 and their families with financial assistance, emotional and mental health support. Isobelle has made kites and sent them to 30 different artists and illustrators for them to decorate or paint. Currently being released at hopeflies.isobellecarmody.net.au, from November 27 the kites will be auctioned online, before the book is launched at the National Library on December 5 and in a “literary salon” at Smiths Alternative on December 6. 

Canberra Choral Society presents Mendelssohn’s biblical masterpiece Elijah, conducted by Brett Weymark, with operatic bass Teddy Tahu Rhodes in the title role, along with soloists Sonia Anfiloff, Christina Wilson and Damian Arnold, the 70-strong choir, 100 Come and Sing choristers and a 42-piece orchestra. Llewellyn Hall, November 30. 

The Australian Rugby Choir’s annual concert, The Spirit of The Earth, will be held at the Hughes Baptist Church, November 30. 

A British murder-mystery with a difference, Ed Sala’s play Bloody Murder, sees the lady of the usual remote manor inciting revolt against the author who writes it. Directed by well-known actor Josh Wiseman, it’s billed as a diabolical comedy. Canberra Rep Theatre, November 21-December 7.

The Italian Tenors, a trio of Luca Sala, Sabino Gaita and Evans Tonon, return to Australia with arias, Neapolitan classics and popera. The Q Queanbeyan, November 29.

TraXion Big Band and Friends are staging a fun end-of-year celebration featuring two bands, Zackerbilks and the Dylan Slater Collective, as well as a set by the big band. White Eagle Polish Club, Turner, November 24. 

Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Amy Kowalczuk, looks at the ancient tale of Orpheus and Eurydice through a feminist lens. The Mill Theatre, Fyshwick, November 27-December 14.

Oriana Chorale presents Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, with guest soloists Andrei Laptev, Andrew Fysh and Maartje Sevenster. Composed only two years before the Russian Revolution, its original melodies blend with Greek and Kiev-style chants. Anzac Memorial Chapel, Duntroon, November 24. 

Canberra International Film Festival returns with a screening of The Coolbaroo Club from 1996, restored from the original film negatives, along with another newly restored classic, Warwick Thornton’s Green Bush. National Film and Sound Archive, Arc Cinema, November 30.

Canberra jazz vocal choral group Rhythm Syndicate will perform popular four-part harmony songs together with Christmas tunes. Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, November 27.