Here’s arts editor HELEN MUSA with her latest Artsweek column featuring fundraisers and film festivals.

The Venezuelan Australian community hosts an AREPAZO, a daytime cultural and culinary fundraiser for victims of the recent Venezuela earthquakes, featuring performances by Capital Choro Band, Alma Latina Choir, StrumTree Guitar Ensemble, Eduardo Ruiz, Rodolfo Pablo Caivano, Eloise Reddy and Jorge Bontes. Canberra Seniors Citizens Centre, 10 Watson Street, Turner July 25.

Canberra International Film Festival recommends a screening of My Life Without Steve, with director Gillian Leahy and key creative team members attending for an introduction and post screening Q&A. National Film and Sound Archive, July 23.

ANU Meet the Author welcomes Jim Walter and Carolyn Holbrook in conversation with Frank Bongiorno about their new book Australia Fair? Democracy, Bureaucracy and the Making of Modern Australia. Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre, July 27.

Concerts

• Casey Donovan brings her powerhouse vocals to Canberra for a one night performance. Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, July 24.
• Australian classical guitarist Rupert Boyd returns from New York with a program centred on works by J.S. Bach, complemented by contemporary music inspired by places from Hawaii and Spain to Brazil and Australia. Smiths Alternative, July 25.
• Singer-songwriting duo Studio8, Luke Johnson and Michelle Morgan from Burradoo, launch their new album Moonstruck, performing songs from the release. Smith’s Alternative, July 25.
• Sydney soul and gospel ensemble Majesty Rising, co directed by Canberra alumnus Luke Sweeting, performs an uplifting program blending modern soul with gospel influences. The Street Theatre, July 25.
• The Wolfe Brothers bring their Australian Made tour to Canberra, joined by special guest Abbie Ferris, celebrating their latest album and recent country music success. Harmonie German Club, July 25.
• The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s From Winter’s Stillness unites Richard Tognetti, Trio Mediæval and Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen in a program inspired by ancient Nordic landscapes. Llewellyn Hall, July 25.
• Oriana Chorale joins Apeiron Baroque for Guerrieri et Amorosi, celebrating Monteverdi’s Eighth Book of Madrigals alongside other Baroque works for voices and period instruments. Wesley Uniting Church, July 26.
• Echoes of Humanity: Music from Ibero-America features soprano Paola Monroy, guitarist Eduardo Ruiz and bandoneón player Rodolfo Caivano in a colourful celebration of Latin American music. The Street Theatre, July 26.
• Members of the Royal Military College Band’s woodwind section return for a Wesley Lunchtime Concert featuring music by Bozza, Françaix, Poulenc and Saint Saëns. Wesley Music Centre, July 29.

Stage

• Canberra Rep Theatre presents Tennessee Williams’ classic The Glass Menagerie, directed by Geoffrey Borny, beginning with a preview performance before its full season. Canberra Rep Theatre, Acton,  July 23 to August 8.
• Artsound Radio Theatre returns with a live radio play adaptation of The Wind in the Willows, adapted by Bart Meehan from Kenneth Grahame’s classic and directed by Lexi Sekuless. Mill Theatre, Dairy Road, Fyshwick, July 24 to August 1.

Dance

• The Training Ground presents The Edge, a new full length contemporary dance work directed by Bonnie Neate and Suzy Piani. Erindale Theatre, July 24 and 25.
• Quantum Leap Australia presents METTLE, a new contemporary dance work by Alice Lee Holland and Jack Ziesing, performed by 13 young dancers. The Vault, Dairy Road, Fyshwick, July 24 to 26.

Galleries

• Neil Lade presents a solo exhibition of surreal, whimsical and often comical works developed from ink sketches and enriched with pen and acrylic colour. The Q Gallery, Ainslie, July 24 to August 6.
• Olivia Gates opens Distant Blues, A Little Closer, her first solo exhibition, with an opening event before the exhibition season. Platform, 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka, July 24 to August 16.

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