In her latest Artsweek column HELEN MUSA lists who’s playing where and when this coming week. 

Psycho – Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological masterpiece, released in 1960, revolutionised cinema. Now it’s back on the big screen as part of the Southern Tablelands Arts Film Series. The B, Queanbeyan, August 17.

ANU Meet the Author has Elizabeth Finkel in conversation with Joan Leach about Elizabeth’s new book Prove It: A Scientific Guide for the Post-Truth Era, ANU Kambri, August 14.

Latin American Film Festival is offering free films from El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Panama, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Chile and Colombia, plus food and drink. ANU Kambri Cinema, August 14-31.

Dirrum Dirrum Festival is an annual event co-ordinated by Year 12 students at Radford College. This year’s speakers include journalist Stan Grant, the founder of Wurrumay Collective Tash Kaiser, Plate It Forward founder Shaun Christie-David, and Australian Idol winner Royston Noell. Radford College, August 16.

Jane Austen and Her Legacy – 250 years on and still adored. National Library of Australia, August 20.

Stage

• Buzzz ACT is a new dance and science show for children by Chamaeleon Collective that explores the importance of bees, at the Majura shopping centre, August 17. Also, its Stars in 3D show will be seen in Canberra Museum and Gallery’s theatrette on August 16.
• Mandolina Ballerina – Canberra Mandolin Orchestra and ballerina Tessa Karle – music meets ballet. Folk Dance Hall, Hackett, August 16.
• Waltzing the Willara – experience joy in a 1940s Perth nightclub for First Nations people, then we jump to the present. The Q, Queanbeyan, August 15-16.

Galleries

• Patternmakers by Vivienne Binns, Richard Blackwell, Ham Darroch and Al Munro; Remedies a solo show by Canberra artist Hank Reynolds; EASS Award show by Melanie Olde, Forest ; and Vijaya Sen’s presents recent works on paper, Presence of Mind. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, from August 15.
• Veiled Reflections – Elise Stanley’s drawings + screen prints exploring fragility and strength. Platform, Manuka, August 15-31.
• National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 – Faces of the year, framed. National Portrait Gallery, August 16-October 12.

Concerts

• Greater Love – End of World War II “Flowers of Peace” concert directed by Christopher Latham, narrated by John Bell. Llewellyn Hall, August 15.
• Bella Italia – Phoenix Collective plays Boccherini, Verdi, Sollima, each showing different facets of Italy’s musical tradition. Wesley Music Centre, August 15.
• Australian composer Cathy Milliken’s Sonnet in Emigration, inspired by Brecht’s poem is narrated by Australian actor Angie Milliken, and performed by string quartet Takács Quartet. Llewellyn Hall, August 16.
• Flautists and Kingland Fellows (Dante Costa and Issie Brown) with pianist Jojo Yuen say Arrivederci, Auf Wiedersehen before travelling to Europe for further studies. Wesley Music Centre, August 17.
• Live at the Polo – Jazz karaoke with In Full Swing big band. Polish Club, Turner, August 17.
• Lunchtime Concert, Canberra Girls Grammar students play Mozart to McCartney. Wesley Music Centre, August 20.