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

Tim Winton’s The Bugalugs Bum Thief brings the beloved children’s story to the stage with music and songs, following Skeeta Anderson, Mick Misery and Billy Marbles as they set out to solve the mystery of the notorious bum thief. The Q, Queanbeyan, August 17-18.

Opera Australia’s winter season will conclude with La Stupenda: A Joan Sutherland Celebration, honouring one of the greatest operatic voices of all time in the centenary year of Dame Joan Sutherland’s birth. Directed by Stuart Maunder and hosted by journalist and opera enthusiast Laura Tingle, the gala promises to be a dazzling tribute. Sydney Opera House, August 20 and 22.

The National Photographic Portrait Prize has announced this will be its final year before a new prize model is introduced in 2027. Alongside works by 30 finalists selected from more than 1000 entries, visitors will also see a special retrospective celebrating the history of the prize. The 2026 winner, who will receive $30,000 in cash and $20,000 worth of Canon equipment, will be announced on August 21. 

The 2026 Art Music Awards will bring together Australia’s contemporary classical, jazz, improvised, sound art and experimental music communities to celebrate excellence across 16 award categories, and the Richard Gill Award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music. The evening’s performances will be curated by Canberra music creator Sia Ahmad, whose distinctive DIY punk aesthetic has made an impact on the national music scene. The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne, August 19.

Brindabella Orchestra will present an afternoon of French-inspired music featuring works by George Gershwin, Saint-Saëns, Bizet, Fauré and other composers. Weston Community Hub, August 16.

Unearthed: Chinese Funerary Ceramics explores ancient Chinese burial traditions through rarely-exhibited funerary objects from the National Gallery’s collection, spanning the Han to Song dynasties. Australian Centre on China in the World Gallery, ANU, July 27-October 30.

The National Gallery’s major touring exhibition of works by Anmatyerr artist Emily Kam Kngwarray will take masterpieces from the national collection to five galleries across Australia. Beginning at Araluen Arts Centre in Mparntwe, Alice Springs, the exhibition will return Kngwarray’s art to the Central Desert near her home Country before travelling to Cairns, Perth, Newcastle and Burnie.

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