ARTS IN THE CITY Cosentino’s cutting-edge magic

By Helen Musa

INTERNATIONAL Magician of the Year, Cosentino, will perform death-defying escapes, stage illusions and cutting-edge magic in a 90-minute live show “Decennium”. At Canberra Theatre, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Saturday, February 4.

RAVE reviews are in for “Urinetown: The Musical”, still running at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre. One review says the show, which originated in Canberra, has been “snappily directed by Ylaria Rogers”, it also awards high praise to protagonist Joel Horwood and to Karen and Natasha Vickery as “a fun mother-daughter double act”.

LEXI Sekuless’ Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, Fyshwick, has announced details of its 2023 season, starting on February 15 with PJ Williams in Nassim Soleimanpour’s “White Rabbit Red Rabbit”, followed in April by Sarah Haddock-Carroll’s staging of Neil LaBute’s play, “Reasons to be Pretty” and in July, Julian Meyrick’s production of Nick Enright’s “Good Works”. The “Rockspeare’’ series, directed by Sekuless herself in October and November, will see the Bard’s history plays presented “in a rock universe”. An intriguing move is that “Reasons to be Pretty” will have Kim Beamish, the noted film director and former “CityNews Artist of the Year”, as the Mill’s first “shadow director”.

IN the next “Geoff’s Jazz at Smiths”, Canberra-trained trumpeter and former general manager of the Canberra International Music Festival, Alex Raupach, returns for a hard bop session with the Tom Fell Quintet at Smith’s Alternative, Civic, February 1.

EXPRESSIONS of interest are due to events.canberra. com.au by February 12 for grants between $5000 and $20,000 to support events and activities as part of a new winter festival, July 7-16.

“THE Lonely Spirits Variety Hour‘’ is the first film of the Southern Tablelands Arts’ Screen 2023 season. In it, verbose radio presenter Neville Umbrellaman hosts a late-night variety show full of existential musings from a studio built in his parents’ garage. The cinematographer-editor is local filmmaker Brian Rapsey, who will be in conversation with STA Screen creative director Gary Vehtic after the screening at the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, 4pm, January 29. Tickets at southerntablelandsarts.com.au

By Joanne Madeline Moore

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Uranus boosts your tendency to make hasty remarks and unintentional blunders, especially involving finances and friends. Remember, Rams - it takes a short time to burn bridges and a lot longer to mend them. Then Sunday’s Full Moon fires up your romantic, imaginative side. So you’re in the mood for fun, creativity and lashings of love. Be inspired by Aries writer Emile Zola: “If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.”

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Avoid getting stuck in a rut. Unique Uranus is still barnstorming through your sign, and this week it links up with mercurial Mercury. So it’s time to be the real you, express your authentic self, and speak your truth. Be inspired by singer and actor Harry Styles (who turns 29 on Wednesday): “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not.” Tread carefully with a frustrated family member on Sunday when the Full Moon fires up your home zone.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Next Sunday’s Full Moon fires up your brainpower. So it’s a good week to focus your mind, research a subject that has always fascinated you or enrol in a course of study. Mars (charging through your sign) also trines the Sun, which pushes you to pursue more adventurous options, especially involving international travel and personal goals. Your motto is from birthday great, writer James Joyce: “To learn, one must be humble. But life is the great teacher.”

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

When it comes to sex, secrets, taxes, joint finances or close friends, expect the unexpected – especially on Saturday! So do your best to be a flexible Crab with a pliable plan. Then the fiery Full Moon (on Sunday night) shines a spotlight on self-esteem, finances, core values and trust issues. It’s also time to don your detective cap and turn on your X-ray vision, as you zero in on the cause of a lingering problem and come up with a satisfactory long-term solution.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

Lions love to hog the limelight and be the centre of attention – especially when the Full Moon’s in Leo. But this week (with Saturn, Mars and the Sun activating your relationship zone) try to get the balance right between your pending needs and those of the significant people in your life. Perhaps it’s time for your lover, best friend or business partner to sparkle and shine? With disruptive Uranus squaring the Sun (on Saturday) keep your plans flexible and open-ended.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Your days are often organised with military precision. But this week there’s a fiery Full Moon plus Mercury (your ruling planet) linking up with unpredictable Uranus. So strive to be more spontaneous as you toss your usual timetable out the window and stretch your adaptability muscles in unfamiliar directions. Whatever happens, expect the unexpected and prepare to pivot! Unhappily single? You could meet your soulmate via an introduction from a friend.

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

For some loyal Librans, a romance that’s been rocky (or a friendship that’s been floundering) could head off in a promising new direction. And a fresh approach sees a tricky family relationship turn around. The late week Full Moon highlights your hopes-and-wishes zone, so it’s a suitable time to expand (or revisit) your goals for 2023. Don’t be half-hearted. Aim high, go for gold, and make your dreams as big and beautiful as you possibly can!

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

The late week Full Moon sees you swing between being sexy and secretive and being passionate and possessive. You could also be thrust into the public spotlight, so make sure you’re putting on a good show. But are you stuck in a career slump? If you resist changes at work, then you’ll just be left behind in the backwash. Look for creative ways to adopt fresh ideas and pivot in your professional life. Aim to include loved ones and colleagues in your plans.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

With restless Mars in your relationship zone and the fiery Full Moon activating your adventure zone, it’s a terrific week to travel or plan an exotic escape for sometime soon. However, if you blurt out something when you’re in a rush or feeling stressed, then you’ll regret it later on! So think things through before you speak (especially with loved ones and work colleagues) and realise that the first thought that jumps into your head isn’t necessarily the best one.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Monday’s stars favour some vigorous exercise in the great outdoors. But are you worried about your current bank balance? Avoid going on a spontaneous spending spree or lending money to dubious, irresponsible people. You’re liable to make impulsive decisions based purely on your emotions (which are fluctuating courtesy of the volatile Full Moon). It is a good week for reading, writing, research, kindness, cooperation and convivial conversation.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

The stars favour communicating from the heart and saying what’s on your mind. But – with Uranus and the Full Moon loosening your tongue – resist the urge to tell tall tales and spread salacious gossip. Slow down, think things through and try to speak as tactfully as possible. It’s a wonderful week to promote a joint venture, catch up with a friend or organise a romantic rendezvous. Unhappily single? Sparks could fly with a person from another country or culture.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Venus and Neptune are in your sign, so you’ll be at your quintessential Piscean best as your creative, compassionate and spiritual sides kick into top gear. Then the weekend Full Moon highlights your ‘being of service’ and ‘helping others’ zones, as you concentrate on the needs of those around you. You’re keen to get involved with a project from behind-the-scenes but be careful you don’t get lost in a fantasy world. Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2023

Across

Name the capital of Colorado USA. (6)

Springfield is the capital of which central US State? (8)

What are large glossy black, omnivorous birds? (6)

Which instrument measures electrical resistance? (8)

What is lodestone? (6)

That which is the most firmly fixed is the what? (8)

What is an act of retaliation? (8)

18 What is a building devoted to instruction by lectures? (6)

19 Name an intensely sweet carbohydrate occurring naturally in honey. (8)

21 Which gifted songbird belongs to the turdidae family? (6)

22 What do we call one skilled in artful management? (8)

23 To enlist oneself, is to do what (US)? (6)

Solution next edition Down

1 Name a renowned prison in Devon, England. (8)

2 What is the capital of Austria? (6)

3 What are small fried balls of minced meat? (8)

4 What is a squalid dwelling called? (4)

5 To turn upside down is to do what? (6)

6 Name the muscle on the upper arm. (6)

12 Who invented a safety-razor? (8)

13 Name a white marble mausoleum in Agra India. (3,5)

15 What, colloquially, is an eavesdropper? (6)

16 To remember, is to do what? (6)

17 Who records points made by competitors in a match? (6)

20 What are blind, permanently larval forms of salamanders? (4)

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