Here’s arts editor HELEN MUSA’s latest Arts in the City column.

One of Australia’s most fearless comedians, Anthony Locascio, brings his new stand-up show The Divine Comedy to Canberra, recounting how a disastrous year and a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat inspired an unexpectedly funny journey through heartbreak, silence and self discovery. Fresh from a sold-out Enmore Theatre season, Locascio is at Canberra Theatre, August 1.

Canberra’s newest exhibition space, The Gallery Next Door, opens in Duffy shops on August 1 under the direction of local artist Jennifer Baird. Housed behind a distinctive bright red door that nods to the building’s former life as a Chinese restaurant, the gallery will showcase contemporary work by Canberra and regional artists and artisans.

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s popular Art of the Score returns to explore the film music of Hans Zimmer, from Gladiator and The Lion King to Inception and The Dark Knight. Hosts Andrew Pogson and Dan Golding reveal the stories behind the scores while conductor Nicholas Buc leads the orchestra in three performances at Llewellyn Hall, ANU, July 31-August 1.

Long time Ainslie artist Neil Lade presents a solo exhibition of surreal, whimsical and often comical works developed from ink sketches and enriched with pen and acrylic colour. After balancing journalism, family life and art for decades, the now retired artist is devoting himself fully to painting and drawing. The Q Gallery, Ainslie shops, until August 6.

Oriana Chorale joins forces with Apeiron Baroque for Guerrieri et Amorosi, celebrating selections from Baroque master Claudio Monteverdi’s celebrated Eighth Book of Madrigals alongside other works for voices and period instruments. Wesley Uniting Church, July 26.

After a hiatus following the COVID19 pandemic, Ausdance has resumed the Peggy van Praagh and Keith Bain fellowships, inviting emerging and mid-career choreographers from all dance genres to apply for one of two $10,000 awards. The fellowships honour founding Australian Ballet artistic director Dame Peggy van Praagh and former Bodenwieser dancer and NIDA movement director Keith Bain. Applications close July 31.

The internationally acclaimed Sitkovetsky Trio, praised by The Strad as “magnificent” and winners of a BBC Music Magazine Award, make their Canberra debut at the Snow Concert Hall, August 2.

News all day, every day at CityNewsQBN.com.au.