Frederick Wiseman screenings at NFSA

Film maker Frederick Wiseman spent seven decades making what he called reality fictions, a type of uninterrupted documentary, ten of which will screen at the National Film and Sound Archive between now and the end of October.  

His work avoids use of narration, background music and interviews, allowing the stories to tell themselves. Wiseman described his movies as being about common human experiences, drawn from ordinary and unstaged, everyday events.

The NFSA screenings include: Domestic Violence, acclaimed as one of Wiseman’s most helpful films, which focuses on America’s largest DV centre, The Spring; and High School II, shot in a secondary school in Spanish Harlem, New York where students are encouraged to take a proactive role in the education process.

The season runs most alternate Sundays until 23 October at the NFSA. View the program at nfsa.gov.au

Be in Cahoots with local artists

In their first public event since the start of the pandemic, You Are Here Festival invites the Canberra community to provide feedback on work created by local artists during the Cahoots residency program on Saturday 25 June 12pm at Belconnen Arts Centre.

The showcase features contemporary and experimental work in varied stages of development. Raw concepts, tests versions and fully developed pieces will be delivered through a range of mediums, including music, scripts, film, painting and animation.

The artists are hoping to receive feedback on their pieces, content, and delivery. You Are Here believes involving the community in this process is the next step in building the capability of the artists who have undertaken the eight-month long program.  

The Cahoots residency supports creatives through workshops, mentorships, and collaborative opportunities. Even though the program was able to run throughput the pandemic, they have missed out on the element of community involvement.  

More details: belcoarts.com.au

Dancers Unravel Shakespearean classic

In an original full-length contemporary dance production, The Training Ground presents a reimagined adaptation of the most epic love story ever told, Romeo and Juliet.  

Canberra-based choreographers and dance educators, Bonnie Neate and Suzy Piani, introduced The Training Ground to the Canberra art scene last year with their award-winning production Unveiled.

They’ve returned this year with the next instalment of their community-based dance program; deconstructing the romance between teenage Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet from Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy and turning it into a modern tale of love, vengeance, and destruction.   

Reimagine the classic tale at Erindale Theatre, 22-23 July; instagram.com/thetrainingground

A night of wickedly good fun

The Decadence & Debauchery variety show is back, offering an array of size-inclusive comedy acts, art of the tease performances, and circus tricks. 

For one night only, experience a smorgasbord of acts to make you laugh, gasp, and shake your head.  A few of the talents to hit the stage include 2017’s Miss Burlesque WA Verruca Sour, First Nation artist Dale Woodbridge-Brown and Canberra’s favourite roach, Possum Galore.

Presented by Jazida Productions, the company proudly includes people of all abilities, gender identities, nationalities, ages, and sexualities.

This production also offers a live stream option.

At Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Saturday 2 July;  events.humanitix.com

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