Arts events around the city are starting to get into the new year. Here’s HELEN MUSA’s latest Arts in the City column. 

The breathtakingly funny comedian Garry Starr is returning, this time to save books from extinction by performing every Penguin classic novel ever written in an hour and, as usual, mostly naked. In tribute to the famous publisher, Starr will wear flippers as he romps through everything from The Little Prince to Moby Dick. The Q, Queanbeyan, February 7.

An unlikely frontliner for St Valentine’s Day this year is laconic local troubadour and 2023 CityNews Artist of the Year, Fred Smith, who’s come up with a show called Domesticity. It draws on his 2020 album Domestic, which dealt with love and home life. Smith’s Alternative, Civic, February 14. 

The Bald Archy Prize, entering its 29th year, is Australia’s leading satirical art showcase and the only art competition in the world to be judged by a sulphur-crested cockatoo from Coolac. Watson Arts Centre February 7-March 23.

ANU Campus Environment has provided an update on the parking changes within the arts precinct of the ANU. The carpark next to Canberra Rep Theatre will now not be used for the light rail project stage 2a so will not be closed, but the Childers Street carpark near the Street Theatre and the Peter Karmel Building will be vacated from February 21 for the rail project.

Megalo Print Studio is heading to the Melbourne Art Print Fair’s inaugural event. Linden New Art, St Kilda, February 7-9.