Anniversary festival of peace, harmony and fun
It may be four months until Easter, but the National Folk Festival team is already in full swing preparing for its 60th celebration of culture at EPIC, reports arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Music
Home from the US on a semester break, 19-year-old Canberra jazz singer Matilda Lorenz is planning to show off what she’s been learning at the renowned Eastman School of Music for the past six months.
The son of the Beatles' producer says no more secret tracks by the band will ever be released as he doesn't believe there is anything new left to uncover.
As former Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini expands a rural festival, he is also soaking up country life - from meat raffles to pigeon racing.
Music
Driving Home for Christmas singer Chris Rea dead at 74
British singer Chris Rea, who wrote Driving Home For Christmas while on the dole and being driven home in his wife's Mini, has died at 74.
Music
Kylie Minogue tops UK Christmas charts
Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue has topped the Christmas charts in the UK for the first time with her song, XMAS.
Music
Remarkable Röhn gets all ‘Santamental’
"Daniel Röhn lives and breathes music; he has it in his being, which makes his concerts a most special experience, as this was," writes reviewer ROB KENNEDY.
The annual Hawker Carols celebration on Christmas Eve will once again feature celebrated Australian soprano Lorina Gore.
Canberra flautist Sally Walker has been nominated for Limelight magazine’s Artist of the Year this year – the only Canberra artist and the only wind player in the line-up.
LEN POWER reviews A Handel Celebration, a performance by the Canberra Choral Society.
"A most satisfied audience ventured home with the real spirit of Christmas firmly in their hearts and minds." IAN McLEAN reviews the 2025 Luminous Christmas concert.
Acknowledged for his boundless energy, drive and focus, Garth Lawrence Mansfield was a tireless advocate for music and the founding force behind the Wesley Music Centre in Forrest, writes arts editor HELEN MUSA.
GRAHAM McDONALD reviews Colours of Earth, a performance by The Oriana Chorale.
Arts editor HELEN MUSA says People Power seems to have triumphed in bringing the School of Music back from the brink, but the devil is often in the detail when it comes to implementation.
“Honestly, if you told eight-year-old Ruby that she would be doing this right now, she wouldn’t believe you,” says Ruby Holden, of Queanbeyan, who has won a national busking title.
LEN POWER reviews the Phoenix Collective Quartet's concert entitled At the Grave of Beethoven.
"Under Leisa Keen’s direction I have no doubt this group will continue to improve and flourish," writes SARAH BYRNE in her review of Opus Two – The Vocal Group.
GRAHAM McDONALD reviews Polar Night & Midnight Sun, a performance by Hardanger fiddle player Benedicte Maurseth.
Graham McDonald, CityNews music reviewer with a famously sharp ear who can spot a flat note from a mile away, has been named the Australian Art & Objects Maker of the Year for his Art Deco mandolin, reports HELEN MUSA.
