Concerts have made a big start to the year as HELEN MUSA’s latest Artsweek column reveals…

The ninth annual Music by the River featuring Canberra Symphony Orchestra will be held at Queen Elizabeth II Park in Queanbeyan on February 1. Last year they performed Abba’s  hits but this year it will be disco’s greatest hits, featuring vocals from Mig Ayesa and Kirrah Amosa, and conducted by George Ellis. It’s free, but bookings essential here 

Nominations are now open for the 2025 ACT Book of the Year Award, which recognises literary works including fiction, non-fiction and poetry by Canberra authors published in the previous calendar year. Details from artsACT on 6207 2384 or email artsACT@act.gov.au

Female artists from across the region are invited to exhibit at Rusten House Art Centre, Queanbeyan, as part of a 2025 International Women’s Day exhibition running March 8-30. Email your intention to exhibit to Cultural.Services@qprc.nsw.gov.au

Dickson’s ANCA Gallery is presenting Ash, Awe and Introspection, by emerging artists from the ANU School of Art & Design, emerging Canberra artists Ira Gold, Tanya King and James O’Rourke, until February 16.

Geoff’s Poetry at Smiths, hosted by Martin Dolan, will feature Tric O’Heare from Castlemaine and Canberra’s Owen Bullock. Smiths Alternative, Civic, February 3.

The Hive’s Pop-Up Bar in Queanbeyan’s Yellow House, in Crawford Street, is open again for Friday happy hour, with music by folk artists Banksi Sisters, January 30. Children welcome.

Rome expert Prof Denis Feeney, from Princeton University, will give a free public lecture on the topic: Reading books and oral performance in Rome. Coombs Lecture Theatre, ANU, February 4.

Concerts

• Musica Viva presents percussionist, composer, and sound artist Matthias Schack-Arnott and French pianist Cédric Tiberghien in The Cage Project, John Cage’s sonatas and interludes of 1948. Llewellyn Hall, January 31.
• Salut! Baroque’s 30th anniversary season launches with Music to Celebrate with compositions spanning the 400 years during which creativity bloomed as concerts moved away from the confines of the church and royal courts into the public realm. Wesley Uniting Church, January 31.
• Three-time Platinum and ARIA Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Sarah Blasko, will be at The Playhouse, February 1.
• American rockers Gary Puckett and the Union Gap return with a show loaded with hits such as Young Girl, Woman, Woman, Lady Willpower and Over You. The B, Queanbeyan, February 5.
• Carl Dewhurst will be here with bassist and composer Cameron Undy alongside drummer Alex Inman-Hislop to launch his latest album Avicennia. Smith’s Alternative, Civic, February 5.