CW brings you the latest in arts and entertainment news from around the Canberra region. Highlights this week: Disability shining in the arts scene. 

What would life be without pain?

Mixed ability theatre company Rebus Theatre presents their new production Utopiate at Belconnen Arts Centre on 4, 5 and 12 November.

With space travel, philosophical questions and a good laugh, this new play offers something for every theatregoer. Utopiate sees astronauts leave earth on a mission to find a new planet free from pain and suffering. They meet aliens from such a place and are taken to their home. But is a pain-free life all it promises to be? Without pain and suffering, can we appreciate all the good things life offers?

Rebus Theatre continues to challenge preconceived ideas of what people living with a disability can achieve in the performing arts and their new production is no exception. Developed by the cast in an exploration of Eckhart Tolle’s description of the pain body as the human instinct to try and escape, audiences are invited to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by the cast.

Explore the new world in Utopiate at Belconnen Arts Centre, 4, 5 and 12 November; belcoarts.com.au

Women with disability front and centre

Applications are now open for women living with a disability to undergo professional development training with Accessible Arts.

Front and Centre was created to rectify the lack of representation of women with disability or who are d/Deaf working in the arts, creative and cultural sectors. A maximum of 12 applicants will be selected to undergo the 10-month program, where they will receive career coaching and development and networking opportunities.

This will be the third year the program has been run, and the first that is available to women in the Canberra region. Its goal is to see successful candidates be able to take on leadership roles such as directors, board members, and senior programming and management.

Applications for Front and Centre close 28 November; aarts.net.au

Communities in clay

Eight Canberra region based clayworkers show off their latest pieces in a new exhibition at Canberra Potters Gallery. Not the only Clay in the Village is on display until 6 November.

Each of the artists is a member of the LBGTQIA+ community, and with these works they set out to explore what it is to be a member of a community. Both together and alone the works delve into the aspects of what is like to be grouped together based on overlapping identifiers, such as sexuality, while also touching on what it is to remain an individual.

The pandemic has had an impact on individuals and broader communities, with many questioning who we are without active community involvement. As clayworkers, the artists often practise alone, and understand the importance of being active in communities to overcome isolation and marginalisation.

Explore the community at Canberra Potters until 6 November; canberrapotters.com.au

SummerSalt shakes things up in the capital

Touring music festival SummerSalt has announced the line-up for the 2022/2023 round of performances which touch down in Canberra on Friday 27 January.  

For the first time since its debut in 2019, they will welcome international artists to their setlist. Ben Harper travels from America to co-headline with beloved homegrown brother and sister duo Angus and Julia Stone. Canada’s City and Colour joins the line-up, which is also jam packed with Australian music masters like The Ruebens and Middle Kids.

The festival celebrates the Aussie summer with a family-friendly atmosphere of live feel-good music, all-ages activities, food trucks, and a pop-up bar. Tickets are on sale now.

Soak up the good vibes at SummerSalt in Canberra, 27 January; summersaltmusic.com.au

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