Canberra Glassworks Turns Five!

Brecht: Bilbao and Beyond:

WHO: Bertolt Brecht’s life in one sitting
WHEN: Fri Jun 1 – Sun Jun 3
WHERE: The Street Theatre

Chuck Mallet and John Muirhead, two silver-haired gents with more than a century of theatre experience between them, channel the fiery scorn and barking laughter of Brecht’s spirit in this wickedly entertaining cabaret on Brecht’s life playing at The Street. Brecht: Bilbao and Beyond is an evocation of the life of German playwright Bertolt Brecht using his songs, poems, stories, and plays. His message remained the same throughout his life: concern for the underdog and condemnation of the overlord. There are Kurt Weill tunes, scenes from his plays and excerpts from his statements at the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947. Call (02) 6247 1223 for bookings or visit www.thestreet.org.au $25/$19.

Miles Franklin Shortlist Authors Meet and Greet:

WHO: Frank Moorhouse, Tony Birch and Favel Parrett
WHEN: Tue May 29
WHERE: National Library of Australia

Established by writer Miles Franklin to support and encourage authors of Australian literature, the Miles Franklin Literary Award is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious literary prize. The Trust Company as Trustee of the Miles Franklin Literary Award in conjunction with the National Library of Australia is pleased to invite you to meet the 2012 shortlisted authors at the National Library of Australia. Meet shortlisted authors Frank Moorhouse (Cold Light), Tony Birch (Blood) and Favel Parrett (Past the Shadows) at an evening celebrating Australian writing. The whole thing’s free (they’re even doing a free book signing) but bookings are essential. Call (02) 6262 1271 or visit www.nla.gov.au to make a booking. 6pm. Free.

Miss Kitka’s House of Burlesque:

WHAT: Jungle Fever
WHEN: Sat June 9, 7pm
WHERE: Canberra Irish Club

Enter if you dare into the Jungle of Aphrodisia that is ruled by Queen Kitka and her band of Kitka Kittens. Come along and support Canberra's latest Burlesque Graduates along with some familiar faces from the local Burlesque scene. Expect some cheeky go-go kittens and saucy explorers in search of the strange and exotic species unique to Aphrodisia. Wear your finest safari suit to the show, with giveaways to those who make the biggest effort to dress up. Pasties will be for sale at the show and we will be raising money for the Burlesque Historical Society on each night. Tickets are $30-$35 + bf through Moshtix.

Metamorphosis:

WHO: Canberra Region Feltmakers
WHEN: Wed May 23 - Sun May 27
WHERE: CSIRO Discovery Centre

Metamorphosis, an exhibition of work by members of the Canberra Region Feltmakers, explores the making of felt in response to contemporary issues and materials. The results vary from wearable to entirely fanciful. Feltmakers have created works for the exhibition using merino, alpaca, silk and man-made fibres. An old chair rescued from the tip has been given a fresh felt coating inspired by the wing of a butterfly. Metamorphosis will be opened by Julie Ryder at 7pm on Wednesday May 23. The exhibition continues 10am–4pm daily until Sunday May 27 with fashion parades at 12:30pm on Saturday and Sunday and a colourful bazaar for shopping. For further information email media@crfelters.org.au

Human Rights Arts and Film Festival:

WHAT: International documentary films
WHEN: Mon May 28 - Sun May 30
WHERE: National Film and Sound Archive 

Now in its fifth year, the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival celebrates artists who have chosen to explore complex issues of human rights. The festival’s stop at the National Film and Sound Archive this year showcases three films over three days. The first is Jon Shenk’s The Island President, a documentary following the Maldivian President on his journey to take on the UN, combating climate change in order to stop his nation from sinking under the sea. Our School explores progress amidst tradition, presenting a tale of three Roma ‘gypsy’ children trying to find acceptance in a Romanian city school as the government begins to attempt to integrate their population. And finally, Adam Pesce’s Splinters is a film about the evolution of indigenous surfing in Papua New Guinea and the first national competition, which brings tribal rivalry and gender inequalities to a head. Visit www.hraff.org.au/city/canberra for more details.