Here’s arts editor HELEN MUSA’s latest Artsweek column, listing the what’s on where around Canberra right now.

Shortis and Simpson celebrate three decades in the Canberra region as the duo present Irony Done Here, a retrospective of music, lyrics and storytelling, revisiting 30 years in 90 minutes with humour, poignancy and more than a touch of irony. Smith’s Alternative, March 21–22.

The inaugural Upstageing Canberra Festival, presented by the Council on the Ageing ACT, highlights the creativity of older Australians across music, theatre, storytelling, visual arts and craft, with events across the city, including The Makers Showcase at the Fitters’ Workshop and a film program at the National Film and Sound Archive exploring ageing and artistic life. Canberra, March 20–29.

Harvest Day Out returns with workshops, demonstrations, talks and tours celebrating the autumn harvest, alongside market stalls, family activities and live music by the Paverty Bush Band. Lanyon Homestead, March 21.

The National Library hosts the fourth annual Ann Moyal Lecture, delivered by melanoma researcher and 2024 Joint Australian of the Year Professor Georgina Long, reflecting on science, discovery and public impact. National Library of Australia, March 19.

Stephanie Alexander appears in conversation with Alex Sloan to discuss the 30th anniversary edition of The Cook’s Companion in a Meet the Author event. ANU Cinema, March 25.

Stage

• The Canberra Comedy Festival returns with more than 70 shows across the city, including the raucous Dept of Rock showcase featuring bands Ode to the State, The IT Grrrls and The DUDS. Smith’s Alternative, March 19.
• The Mill launches its season with The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton’s classic comedy adapted by Bart Meehan as a live radio play performed and recorded before a studio audience. The Mill, Fyshwick, March 20–28.
• A satirical stage adaptation of The Underpants, written by Carl Sternheim and adapted by Steve Martin, runs at The Lieder Theatre. Goulburn, March 20–28.

Concerts

• The Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Llewellyn Series presents Enigma Variations, conducted by Jessica Cottis with cellist James Morley, in a program ranging from Alice Chance to Prokofiev and culminating in Elgar’s celebrated orchestral variations. Llewellyn Hall, continues March 19.
• Musica da Camera expands its ensemble under German violinist Daniel Röhn, presenting Haydn’s Violin Concerto in C major alongside Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. Holy Covenant Church, Cook, March 21; National Theatre Braidwood, March 22.
• Apeiron Baroque launches its 2026 chamber series with 3-on-3: Violins vs Continuo, a lively exploration of baroque repertoire featuring guest artists and preceded by a children’s concert. Wesley Uniting Church, March 22.
• Australian songwriting legend Graeme Connors performs songs from his forthcoming 20th album as part of a national tour. Belconnen Arts Centre, March 21.
• The Wesley Lunchtime Concert series welcomes the Wind and Brass Chamber Ensembles of the Band of the Royal Military College in a program ranging from early twentieth-century repertoire to jazz influences and melodies from Bernstein’s West Side Story. Wesley Uniting Church, March 25.
• Ian Paulin performs at Buzz Bar’s regular Friday evening music session. The Hive, 274 Crawford St Queanbeyan, March 20.
• Tobias Cole’s Serenade workshops invite singers to gather and enjoy popular love songs, with optional harmony parts for those wanting a challenge. Smith’s Alternative, March 22, then regularly until June.

Galleries

• M16 Artspace opens On Show: Exploring the Light by the Canberra Art Workshop; It Only Hurts When I Laugh by John A. Rowe; and Blue Mountains Portrait Journey by Patrick Hromas. Chutespace also presents Fleeced #1, Carnage/La Matanza by Fernando Pino. M16 Artspace, Griffith, March 19-April 12.
• Artist Lee Crisp presents an exhibition of her work, create in her studio is at Ballalaba, southwest of Braidwood. The enormous watercolours to hang at East Hotel were made after lockdown. East Hotel, open to the public from March 25.