Here’s Arts in the City, HELEN MUSA’s weekly arts wrap from around the town.

National Opera Chorus presents Best of All Possible Worlds, a concert celebrating stories and the power of the human voice through music inspired by great literary works. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, September 7.

Hawker College students are staging what they call the “deviously delicious” sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop of Horrors, at Murranji Theatre, Hawker. September 11-12.

To go with Alexandra Pelvin’s production of Joanna Norland’s play Lizzy, Darcy & Jane, Canberra Rep is holding “dress as your favourite Jane Austen character” evenings on September 5, 12, and 19 with lucky door prizes on those nights. 

Green Oak is a small not-for-profit local theatre company producing original works. In its newest production, When He Cries, Paddy finds himself in prison, but on discovering his younger sister is in danger, tries from inside to keep her safe. Belconnen Community Theatre, September 11-14.

A performance of The Lark Ascending with soloist Georgina Chan and works by Bizet, Vaughan Williams and Dvořák, will mark a happy 20 years of Maruki Community Orchestra. Albert Hall, September 7.

Rusten House Art Centre, Queanbeyan, will welcome in spring with Kahli McLeod’s Shared Spaces: The Wildlife Next Door, depicting the animals and birds native to Braidwood, and Lost, jointly presented by Dennis Mortimer and Lia Kemmis, which examines the impact of human activity on the environment. Until October 19. 

Canberra Art Gallery is presenting an exhibition, Wildflowers, by contemporary artist Rowdy Warren. At 100 Barrier Street, Fyshwick, until September 12. 

Now in its 17th year, the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival has 283 finalists from 25 countries. There’ll be free public screenings at the National Museum of Australia on September 12.

The Austrian Harmonie Choir’s spring concert features singers Geoff Roberts and Evelyn Graham, and Linus Lee on piano. Harmonie German Club, September 7.