Composer speaks
One of New Zealand's leading composers, John Psathas, is visiting the University of Otago department of music and will give a talk about his work, including collaborations with Serj Tankian (System of a Down) and Little Bushman.
See him at 1pm on Wednesday, July 14, Archway 2 lecture theatre, corner of Union St East and Leith Walk.
One-man wedding play
Tarun Mohanbhai brings his one-man play D'Arranged Marriage to the Fortune Theatre next week.
The play is about Sanjay Gupta, an aspiring New Zealand Indian stand-up comic who spends his life working at his father's corner shop and avoiding the issue of an arranged marriage.
His nagging family finally gets the better of him, and to his surprise he discovers the prospective bride is the one.
The show is on July 16 and 17 at 7.30pm.
For bookings phone (03) 477-8323.
Chance to know 'Norma'
Keyboard players of all ages are invited to bring a favourite piece of music along to a family open day with Norma, the Dunedin Town Hall organ, next Wednesday. The open day offers a chance to see and hear the organ close up, to find out how it works and to try it out.
There will be four sessions, at 10.30am, noon, 2pm and 3.30pm.
Admission is $10 for adults, children free.
Another organ will also be demonstrated a kitset model organ known as WOOFYT, a "Wooden One-octave Organ for Young Technologists".
This hands-on machine will give non-musicians of all ages a chance to get involved.
School holiday shows
Mosgiel's Fire Station Theatre is turning on the entertainment these school holidays with two shows.
Tomorrow there is A Magical Evening with Jonathan Usher, starting at 6pm, while next week is Whiskers & Co - A Cinderella Story.
It runs from Tuesday, July 13 to Friday, July 16 at 6.30pm, and on Saturday, July 17 at 2pm.
Phone 489-3008 for inquiries.
The Fire Station Theatre is in Cargill St, Mosgiel.
There will be door sales.
Meet the fellows
The University of Otago 2010 arts fellows will gather for a talk at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery on Sunday.
The "meet the fellows" session will include writers Michele Powles and Karen Trebilcock, composer Chris Adams, dancer Suzanne Cowan, and artist Joanna Langford, who will talk about themselves and take questions.
The session, which starts at 1pm, will be chaired by Otago Festival of the Arts director Nicholas McBryde, and will be followed by tea and cupcakes.
Entry is free.
Children welcome
There's plenty for children at Dunedin Public Art Gallery next week.
On Wednesday at 11.15am there is "Tours for Tots", a free baby-friendly half-hour tour of an exhibition followed by a cup of tea on the mezzanine floor.
Nappy-changing facilities are available.
In conjunction with the Cadbury Chocolate Festival, there is the "Fantastically Foiled" table and a "chocol-art" crossword.
And there are children's films showing at 10am and 2pm, free on the big screen.
