Capital Life: Christmas, circus and art shows

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC) has opened entries to the 66th Blake Art & Poetry Prizes. Artists exploring the wider experience of spirituality, religion and belief are encouraged to submit their works now via the CPAC website, with submissions closing April 3, 2020.

M16 is looking for applications for the tenancy of Studio 9. Monthly rent is $483 per month, including GST and it covers heating in winter, cooling in summer, water and electricity. Applications are due by 5pm on January 13, 2020 and the tenancy begins on February 10. See m16.com.au or phone (02) 6295 9438.

This is the last edition of Capital Life for 2019. Thanks to all who have contributed events, information and pictures this year. The column will resume on January 11, 2020.

Christmas in Civic 2019

Various times: Bauble making, choral performances and other events and activities are on in Civic. Also on Sunday. merryandbrightcbr.com.au.

Home Alone

2pm: A screening of the Christmas movie (PG, 1990, 103 minutes ) in which young Kevin (Macauley Culkin), forgotten by his family when they go on holiday, must defend himself and his house against two burglars. Gift for each child attending. Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive. $12/$10. nfsa.gov.au.

Cirque Stratosphere

3pm: This circus show includes acrobatics, aerial work and more. The Canberra Theatre. Also 7pm. canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 62752700.

The Divine Miss Bette Christmas Special

8pm: Catherine Alcorn's homage to Bette Midler features many of Midler's songs and well-presented patter, with a live band. Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. theq.net.au.

Story Time: Australian Children's Literature

9am: Seven Little Australians, The Magic Pudding, The Rainbow Serpent, and Where Is the Green Sheep? are among the Australian children's books that have been read and shared over decades. This is an exhibition of Australian children's literature from the colonial period through to the present. Exhibition gallery, ground floor, National Library of Australia, 9am to 5pm, free. nla.gov.au.

Matisse & Picasso

10am: This exhibition is about the artistic relationship between the two artists, with more than 60 paintings and sculptures, as well as drawings, prints and costumes. National Gallery of Australia, until April 13, 2020. Bookings: nga.gov.au.

Hugh Ramsay

10am: Ramsay (1877-1906) was an Australian artist whose portrait paintings achieved success here and in France before his untimely death at the age of 28. This retrospective, the first to focus on Ramsay in more than a quarter of a century, brings together paintings, drawings, sketchbooks and letters from collections around the country to celebrate his achievements. National Gallery of Australia, until March 29, 2020. nga.gov.au.

Last Christmas

6.30pm: Sunset Cinema screening of the British Christmas movie about love and family starring Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding and Emma Thompson. Australian National Botanic Gardens. Film begins at sunset. sunsetcinema.com.au.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (M): A year after the events of The Last Jedi, the remnants of the Resistance face the First Order once again, while reckoning with the past and their own inner turmoil. Meanwhile, the ancient conflict between the Jedi and the Sith reaches its climax.