It looks like a big week in the world of arts around Canberra. Here’s HELEN MUSA’s latest Artsweek column.

Author Trent Dalton shares stories from his collection of love tales gathered on Brisbane’s streets. Canberra Theatre, September 25.

ANU Law Revue presents its annual in-yer-face, student-written musical Jurisdiction: Beyond a Reasonable Chuckle. Canberra Repertory Theatre, NewActon, September 25-27.

The Canberra Circus Festival, directed by Tom Davis and hosted by Warehouse Circus, returns with contemporary circus, physical theatre, magic, clowning and markets. Chifley Oval, September 26-October 5.

The Manhattan Short Film Festival screens in more than 500 venues worldwide, with audiences voting on Best Film and Best Actor. The B, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, September 28.

Virginia Haussegger speaks with Frank Bongiorno about her new book, Unfinished Revolution: The Feminist Fightback for ANU’s Meet the Author series. Cinema ANU, September 30.

Peter Wilkins leads five sessions on devising original theatre, exploring research, adaptation and performance-making. Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning, October 7-November 4. Inquiries wilkinspeter45@gmail.com or 0408 034373.

The ANU Film Group will host a free screening of a German-directed documentary on climate change in the Pacific, focusing on young people taking their case to the International Court of Justice. Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre, Kambri, September 29, free, bookings here

Galleries

• The National Portrait Gallery unveils a major new portrait of Costa Georgiadis by Rob McHaffie, with creative family activities in Portrait Play – Connecting with Costa, National Portrait Gallery, September 27.
• Kyoto-based artist Masaru Nishikawa opens his first Australian solo exhibition The Breath of Animals, featuring imaginative and humorous animal forms created through colour and hand-building techniques. Canberra Potters, Watson, opening September 25.

Concerts

• The Canberra Symphony Orchestra and chorus present Mozart’s life in three acts, culminating in his Requiem, with Corinna Bonshek’s Dreams of the Earth I. Llewellyn Hall, September 24-25.
• Classical accordionist James Crabb and British violinist Anthony Marwood perform together. Snow Concert Hall, September 25.
• Five virtuosi of Persian classical music bring new life to ancient tradition, transforming centuries-old vocal forms into radiant, contemporary compositions. The Street Theatre, September 25.
• The Rubiks Collective premieres The Big Idea, a collaboration of music, theatre and philosophy exploring a woman’s single eureka moment. The Street Theatre, September 27.
• Jane Sheldon and Jessica Aszodi join Ensemble Offspring for a 30th birthday performance featuring Schoenberg’s Pierrot lunaire and Laura Bowler’s Deconstructing Pierrot. The Street Theatre, September 26.
• From Argentina With Love unites mezzo-soprano Maria Eugenia Nieva and guitarist Andrew Blanch in a program of tonada, zamba, cueca and tango. Wesley Music Centre, September 28.
• Victor Valdes returns in Viva Mexico, bringing his harp, voice, dance and the Big Mariachi Band for a vibrant celebration. The Street Theatre, September 27.
• The National Capital Orchestra, conducted by Louis Sharpe, will premiere Ben Hoadley’s Riparian alongside Mary Finsterer’s Lake Ice and Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Snow Concert Hall, September 28.
• Jazz legend Vince Jones celebrates five decades of music-making with his band, performing favourites and rarely-heard highlights from Come In Spinner. The Street Theatre, September 28.
• Geoff’s Jazz presents the Tom Fell Quartet with Steve Barry on soprano sax. Smith’s Alternative, Civic, October 1.
• Young pianist Charles Huang performs From Bach to the Romantics in the Wesley Lunchtime Concert series. Wesley Music Centre, October 1.