James Morrison and Mahalia Barnes swing into town, while Canberra celebrates craft, design and iconic Australian songs, writes arts editor HELEN MUSA in her latest “Artsweek”.

James Morrison and soul and blues vocalist Mahalia Barnes join forces for the Swing My Soul Tour, celebrating the music of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Tina Turner and other greats, accompanied by a swinging band, horn section and backing vocalists. Canberra Theatre, November 11.

The Craft + Design Canberra Festival returns with a program of exhibitions, workshops, installations and events celebrating creativity and design across the ACT. November 5 to 15.

The Berry Writers’ Festival brings writers and readers together for three days of discussions, readings and literary events. Berry, November 6 to 8.

The Irish Embassy marks 80 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Australia with a special opening-night screening of the comedy caper Chasing Millions, as part of the Canberra season of the Irish Film Festival. Palace Electric, November 6 to 9.

The National Film and Sound Archive hosts the launch of the first 10 entries in the National Songbook, a new initiative celebrating and preserving songs that have helped shape Australia’s cultural identity. NFSA, November 4.

Stage

• Canberra REP launches its 2027 season, marking the beginning of celebrations for 95 years of community theatre in the ACT. The launch is for subscribers, members, volunteers and friends. Canberra REP Theatre, November 6.
• Creative Juices, created by Timothy Christopher Ryan, the mind behind circus and comedy show Moist, invites participants to abandon perfectionism and embrace the chaotic joy of making art, with laughter, connection and ridiculous artworks to take home. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, November 6.
• Australian Dance Party’s Clothing the Loop opens with a Friday night fashion spectacular featuring 12 designers, including First Nations label Corella & Crow. The project also features a new dance work choreographed by Alison Plevey, bringing fashion and movement together. CIT Woden campus, November 6 and 7.
• Liz Lea presents ALTER, dance works in a collaboration with Malaysian artists, exploring design, dance, disability and dissent, as part of the BOLD and Craft + Design Canberra festivals. Belconnen Arts Centre, November 7.
• POSH, Mockingbird Too’s production of Laura Wade’s acclaimed black comedy, brings Mockingbird Theatrics’ 2026 season to a provocative close. The play follows 10 privileged young members of Oxford University’s notorious Riot Club. The Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, November 11 to 14.
• Come Alive 26 returns for its 17th annual Festival of Museum Theatre, with 13 schools presenting 20 performances inspired by collections at the National Library and the Royal Australian Mint. Students explore Australia’s history, culture and people through theatre. ACT HUB, Kingston, November 10 to 13.
• The BOLD Festival’s workshops include two sessions with Malaysian contemporary dancer and choreographer Aida Redza. Her workshop Moving Semangat Forward: The Semangat Body explores movement and the body. D Block, Gorman Arts Centre, November 8.

Galleries

• The final Plant Sensibilia event in the Living City: People, Plants and Place program, presented by Dr Rebecca Mayo, visits the Canberra Spinners and Weavers’ new dye and fibre garden. Visitors can also experience the Plant Sensibilia Machine, a large hand-operated textile dyeing device bringing the creative process into the public realm. Canberra Spinners and Weavers, November 7.
• M16 Artspace opens its doors for its annual Open Day, inviting visitors to explore working studios, meet resident artists and discover the creative practices and organisations that make up the M16 community. M16 Artspace, November 7.
• The Robert Foster Memorial Exhibition opens, celebrating the late artist’s work and legacy. Grainger Gallery, Geelong St, Fyshwick, opens November 7.
• Canberra Contemporary presents two exhibitions, Quietly Seething: Fate, Fury and Transmutation by Tal Fitzpatrick, and POWER: The Future is Here by Dennis Golding, curated by Kyra Kum-Sing. Canberra Contemporary, November 7 to January 30.
• Canberra region artist Kate Stevens presents Down and Out, an exhibition of intimate paintings reflecting on 25 years of artistic practice and the demands of care involved in single motherhood. Civic Art Bureau, November 7 to 29.
• Enough? Enough! brings together artists Kara Wood, Raquel Ormella and Zoe Brand, whose works transform materials, words and objects into calls for action. The exhibition examines social and political systems, individual and collective action, political consciousness and the language of power and protest. An artist talk takes place on Sunday, November 8. Canberra Potters Gallery, Watson Arts Centre, November 8.
• Gallery of Small Things presents its final exhibition for 2026, A Very Merry Christmas Show, featuring eight interstate artists and three local artists responding to the Christmas season. Gallery of Small Things, 27 Wade Street, Watson, until November 20.

Concerts

• Verdi’s Requiem is performed by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and CSO Chorus, conducted by Jessica Cottis. Llewellyn Hall, November 5.
• The Australian Haydn Ensemble presents Haydn’s Oxford, a concert celebrating the composer’s music, at 7pm. Gandel Hall, NGA, November 5.
• From a Diamond to a King brings entertainers Damian Mullin and Peter Byrne together as Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond respectively. Byrne is an ambassador for the Shake It Up Australia Foundation, following Diamond’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. Canberra Southern Cross Club, November 6.
• Raíces & Rhythms: La Fiesta Unplugged launches a weekend celebrating Latin American music and culture, with an evening of unplugged performances. The Street Theatre, November 6.The wider La Fiesta program continues on the weekend.
• Australian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and theatrical performer Ami Williamson, daughter of John Williamson, brings her new album Sing You Out Of Me and one-woman show to Canberra as part of an east coast tour. Smith’s Alternative, November 7.
• Austral Harmony presents Sylvan Glades & Crystal Fountains, a pastoral-themed baroque workshop and concert as part of its Springtime Grand Musical Circuit. Greenaway Studio, Chapman, November 7.
• Canberra Qwire presents Go West, Songs of Stage and Screen, a musical journey through memorable songs from stage and screen. The B, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, November 7.
• Apeiron Baroque presents Chamber #4: Distracted Minds, an intimate chamber music performance exploring baroque repertoire. Wesley Uniting Church, November 8.
• Pianist Andrew Rumsey and violinist Myee Clohessy present Journey Through the Present, an evening house concert. 17 Astelia Place, Rivett, November 8.
• Dianna Nixon and her studio performers present a three-act fundraising cabaret for Music Theatre Projects. The program begins with jazz piano and vocals in the foyer, moves into song and dance in Street 1, and concludes with pop and rock songs and raffle prizes. The Street Theatre, November 8.
• The National Capital Orchestra presents Movie Magic, a symphonic celebration of film music conducted by Louis Sharpe. The program includes music from Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, E.T., James Bond, Chicken Run and KPop Demon Hunters, alongside classical works featured on the big screen. Snow Concert Hall, November 8.
• Charlotte Blake presents her final recital, joined by associate artists Ariana Odermatt and Kimberley Steele. The program includes works by James Oswald, Mélani Bonis, Gabriel Fauré, Lyle Chan, Elena Kats-Chernin, Alberto Rosas and Sally Whitwell. Llewellyn Hall, November 10.
• The Aeolus Wind Trio returns to Wesley Music Centre with a program celebrating a century of film music. The lunchtime concert also includes a musical trivia element, inviting audiences to recall the films associated with the music. Wesley Music Centre, November 11.
• The Merry Muse moves its regular November gathering from the second to the third Sunday, presenting a showcase concert at Sam’s Caravan as part of the Majors Creek Folk Festival. Majors Creek, November 8.

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