Here’s HELEN MUSA’s latest Artsweek column. 

Canberra’s Enlighten Festival casts its annual glow across the capital with six new projection works illuminating national cultural institutions, alongside live music, immersive installations and after dark experiences; at the National Gallery of Australia, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and Grace Kemarre Robinya transform the façade with rain stories from desert Country in a major new commission. National Gallery of Australia, February 27-March 9.

Fabulous photos: Let there be Enlighten!

Canberra Theatre Centre’s Luminous Ideas gathers some of Australia’s most curious thinkers and storytellers for a program of talks, performances and big conversations. Canberra Theatre Centre, February 28-March 1.

Investigative journalist Louise Milligan appears in conversation with Virginia Haussegger to discuss her new novel Shellybanks. Cinema, ANU, March 4.

Stage

• Feast with Jennifer Wong and Friends promises an afternoon of warmth and lively conversation featuring Costa Georgiadis, Durkhanai Ayubi, Gavin Chan, Madeleine Gray and emerging writer Viraji Wijekoon Mudiyanselage. The Playhouse, February 28.

Concerts

• Musica Viva Australia presents A Winter’s Journey, with tenor Allan Clayton and pianist Kate Golla joined by director Lindy Hume and videographer David Bergman, whose animated designs draw on works by Fred Williams. Llewellyn Hall, February 28.
• Celebrating two decades of homage, Queen Forever brings its Greatest Hits Tour to town. Canberra Theatre, February 28.
• Violinist Jimmy Park and pianist Alexander Yau present masterworks by Stravinsky, Schubert and Beethoven. Wesley Music Centre, February 28.
• Phoenix Collective opens its 2026 season with Heartstrings, pairing Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2 with a contemporary elegy by Ella Macens and traditional Scandinavian wedding music. Wesley Music Centre, March 1.
• The Maruki Community Orchestra marks its 20-year anniversary and honours the late violist John Gould with a celebratory film screening and book launch. Lyneham High School Performing Arts Centre, March 1.
• Geoff’s Jazz at Smith’s presents The Mark Ginsburg Band, with Mark Ginsburg on saxophones joined by James Kennedy, Ryan Grogan, Brendan Clarke and Nick McBride. Smith’s Alternative, March 4.