Newsboys, remember them? In Arts in the City this week, HELEN MUSA reports there’s a new musical about them coming up. But first the auditions. 

A production by Dianna Nixon of the musical Newsies Jnr, about newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, will see her collaborating with choreographer Helen Linkenbagh and designer Martin Thomas. They’ll be working with young local performers under the PATH (Performing After Training Hard) program and casting director Lauren Wiley will be in town for auditions on March 16. Details at musictheatreprojects.com

Inspired by the Pompeii exhibition, Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Australian Series will perform Peggy Polias’ new composition, Sleeping Stories in what they’re billing as a night of powerful storytelling through music. They will also perform world premieres of works by Alice Chance, Christopher Sainsbury, Jane Sheldon and Nardi Simpson. National Museum of Australia, March 20.

Canberra Mandolin Orchestra is joining with Historic Dance Delights and the Monaro Folk Society to host an afternoon of social dancing, foot-tapping music and dancing demonstrations. Folk Dance Hall, 114 Maitland Street, Hackett, March 16.

Apeiron Baroque has a knack for adopting catchy titles such as its latest, Pluckers and Scratchers, featuring Hannah Lane and Laura Vaughan, and, back from studies in Switzerland, James Monro on cello. The concert focuses on the unusual sound world of violin/d’amore, gamba, harp, and harpsichord and is preceded by a children’s concert. Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, March 23. 

Oriana Chorale’s first performance looks at music of loss, grief and healing by Monteverdi, Eric Whitacre, Ella Macens, Sam Amidon, Paola Prestini and Canberra’s Olivia Swift. Wesley Uniting Church, March 21.