Here’s HELEN MUSA’s latest Artsweek column. 

Canberra’s city centre will burst into colour, culture and community as the National Multicultural Festival returns, bringing food, music, dance and traditions from around the world into the heart of Civic for three days, February 6-8.

Canberra and Queanbeyan performing arts groups will gather for the fourth industry-based Ovations Awards, celebrating the 2025 award winners and recognising excellence across the local performing arts sector. Hellenic Club, Woden, February 6.

Stage

• Queer alternative sketch comedy duo Hot Property, Honor Wolff and Patrick Durnan Silva, bring sharp wit, playful provocation and fast-paced laughs to The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, February 5.
• Ukulele Death Squad will unleash nautical nonsense, sea shanties and scandalous surprises in a high-energy, participatory show filled with ukuleles, brass and raucous singalongs. The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, February 8.
• Mockingbird Theatre Company is launching its 2026 mainstage season with West End comedy Shakespeare in Love, a witty, romantic and theatrical play. The Mockingbird Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, February 11-28.

Concerts

• Australian rock band The Church, led by Canberra-raised frontman Steve Kilbey, returns with an encore performance celebrating more than four decades of hits, including Under the Milky Way, Reptile and Almost With You. Canberra Theatre, February 5.
• Krama Brass Band will reimagine Cypriot musical traditions through a bold fusion of Mediterranean melodies, jazz flair and classical precision at The Street Theatre, February 5.
• Mikelangelo, Canberra CityNews 2025 Artist of the Year and known as the Balkan Elvis, will perform classic Elvis numbers before a screening of the 1961 film Blue Hawaii at Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, February 7.
• Australian cult favourites The Necks bring their hypnotic, genre-defying soundscapes to The Street Theatre, February 7. 
• Toni Childs will present a two-hour performance celebrating her life’s work in song and story at The B, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, February 7.
• Rival Consoles brings his acclaimed UK electronica to The Street Theatre stage on February 8.
• Chamber Philharmonia Cologne presents Sarasate’s Gypsy Airs at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Braidwood, February 8.
• The Merry Muse returns with an afternoon of live music featuring Emmy Ryan, The Lonely Fates and a rotating cast of local artists. The Canberra Irish Club, Weston, February 8.