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

Australia’s most outrageous ukulele collective, Ukulele Death Squad, returns with The Curse of the Nipple Tape, filled with sea shanties, pirate ballads and scandalous surprises. Expect ukuleles, brass, raucous singalongs and full audience participation from this self-styled unhinged band of musical buccaneers. The Q, Queanbeyan, February 8.

Mikelangelo, Canberra CityNews 2025 Artist of the Year, is often known as “The Balkan Elvis” and will perform Elvis numbers in the National Film and Sound Archive courtyard before a screening of Blue Hawaii. Arc Cinema, NFSA, February 7.

Canberra and Queanbeyan performing arts groups will come together for the fourth industry-based Ovations Awards. The evening will feature a short awards presentation and a lively night of recognition for the region’s performing arts excellence. Hellenic Club, Woden, February 6.

Krama Brass Band brings Cypriot melodies to life, blending jazz and classical sensibilities while reimagining traditional music with bold originality. The Street Theatre, February 5.

The legendary Australian rock band The Church, headed by Canberra-raised star Steve Kilbey, returns with an encore performance celebrating more than 40 years of hits. Canberra Theatre, February 5.

Finnish folk trio T3HO will provide a week-long creative residency at the ANU School of Music, March 30-April 1. Students across classical, jazz, composition and music technology will work together in interdisciplinary sessions, culminating in performances at ANU and on stage at the National Folk Festival.