Arts in the City is HELEN MUSA’s weekly look at arts news around the town.

Victor Valdes, singer, harpist and dancer, had our CityNews reviewer leaving the theatre “with a big smile” when last he was here. He’ll be back in Viva Mexico, accompanied by the Big Mariachi Band and lively visuals. The Street Theatre, September 27.

Canberra Circus Festival, directed by Tom Davis and hosted by Warehouse Circus, is back at Chifley Oval with contemporary circus, physical theatre, magic, clowning and markets. September 26-October 5. Free entry.

National Capital Orchestra, under the baton of Louis Sharpe, will perform the world premiere of Riparian by NCO’s focus artist, Ben Hoadley, along with Lake Ice: (Missed Tales No. 1) by former Canberran Mary Finsterer and Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Snow Concert Hall, September 28.

Jazz legend Vince Jones will be marking five decades of creating music in Australia with his band and promises a nostalgic celebration of classics. The Street Theatre, September 28. 

The 24th Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize in Sydney for small-scale sculptures will feature Canberra-region artists Paul McInnis and Jacqueline Bradley in Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf in Double Bay, September 26-November 16.

Vocalists Jane Sheldon and Jessica Aszodi will join Ensemble Offspring’s musicians in a 30th birthday, one-night-only performance of Arnold Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire and Laura Bowler’s Deconstructing Pierrot, a feminist take on the original. The Street Theatre, September 26. 

Canberra Symphony Orchestra and chorus will pay tribute to Mozart’s musical life in three acts, concluding with his final Requiem. As well, they will perform Dreams of the Earth I, by Australian composer Corrina Bonshek, Llewellyn Hall, September 24-25.