Free Events in April 2015

Welcome to the April 2015 Events Newsletter.

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Till Sunday 12th - Play Pod, The Courtyard, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, 10am – 4pm. Come out to play in the State Library's garden-themed Play Pod! It’s packed with interactive activities for children to read, create and play, all inspired by your own backyard. Make and plant flowers, dress up as a gardener to water your vegies, add a leaf to the cardboard tree or snuggle up with one of our storytelling kits.

Till 19th April - Comedy Festival - Station 59, 59 Church St, Richmond, Wed-Fri 6.15pm, Sat & Sun 4.45pm. Station 59 is Melbourne’s original alternative comedy venue where, since 2012, thousands of Melbourne Comedy Festial punters have experienced the "free show" model that has revolutionised the Edinburgh Fringe. Featuring 16 shows over four weeks, our fourth year of free comedy is absolutely massive. Join the revolution. - Week 1 & 2 includes Evan Hocking – He'll be bigger than you one day; Rebecca Douglas – The Optimistic Feminis; Matt Kilpa & Jacob Emerson are probably lying; Blaise White – F*%k I'm poor; Troy Costantino – God Cut my Lunch; Jackson Voorhaar – Of Vice and Virtue; Scott Horne – Sugar Junky; Andrew Kingham – Mid Life... What Crisis?. For more info, videos and podcast links go to the Free Comedy website where you can book free tickets for your chance to win a free beer at the show. Week 3 & 4 includes Andy Moratis is Single Dad; Jackson Hand – The Sound of One Hand Yapping; Karl Redgen – Rapid Fire; Greg Furey – Smart Bogan; Alex Fusca & Simon Hughes – Outrospectives; Kieran Butler – Australia is F*%ked; Juan Miles – Joyfully Misanthropic; Daisy Berry – Am I Normal?. For more info, videos & podcast links go to www.freecomedy.com.au where you can book free tickets for your chance to win a free beer at the show.

Till 19th April - Comedy Festival - The (Very) Big Laugh Out transforms Fed Square and City Square into wonderlands of comedy with some of the most unpredictably entertaining acts of the Festival.  See the world's best and funniest street performers, with physical skills as wicked as their senses of humour, churning out all-ages comedy for free! Featuring special guest artists Djuki Mala, Jessica Arpin, Kano Mami, Mathieu Moustache and Mr Moriyasu. They'll be joined by a cavalcade of local and international acts including Trash Test Dummies, Anna Pocket Rocket, Dr Brown and His Singing Tiger, Trygve Wakenshaw, Justin Sane, ONGALS (South Korea) and WOMANz. Tue, Wed and Thursday 12.30pm – 3pm, Fri: 12.30pm – 6.30pm, Sat: 11.30am – 4pm, Sun: 11.30am – 4pm.

Wednesday 1st – Wednesday 29th (Mons, Weds and Fridays only, except public holidays) – Fitness at Fed Square. Join workouts led by health coaches and fitness instructors from Healthy Lifestyle Lounge. These classes aim to help city workers keep fit and healthy. Fitness activities include circuit based exercise which will incorporate body weight exercises, cardio training and core strength movements. Classes are simple, fun and great for invigorating the mind, body and soul. All ages and fitness levels welcome. Times: Monday 9.00 – 9.45am Amphitheatre and Monday 6pm - 6.45pm River Terrace, Wednesday 7am - 7.45am Amphitheatre, Friday 7am – 7.45am Amphitheatre.

Wednesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th - Baby Bounce, (for baby to 2 year olds), The Courtyard, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, 10.30am – 11.00am.  Join in a fun session of stories, songs and rhymes designed for children aged 2 and under to explore language.

Wednesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th - Storytime for Pre-Schoolers, (3 to 5 years) The Courtyard, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, 11.30am – 12.30pm.  Have fun with stories, songs, rhymes and creative activities brought to life by the Library's Chief Storyteller. Stay and explore or read a book of your own!

Wednesday 1st , Thursday 2nd and Wednesday 8th till Friday 10th, 10.30am to 12.00pm ArtPlay Backyard. Come and play in the ArtPlay Backyard. We’ll have all sorts of materials on hand for you to create your artwork. Draw in the sand, build sculptures with recycled and natural materials or muck about with water. Make a mandala, wrap up some rope or ribbon and dream up your own mini landscape. Anything is possible! And don’t forget to bring a hat! Age: Family

Wednesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th - Ned Kelly Tour - State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, 1pm – 2.30pm meet in front foyer. Ned Kelly has split public opinion for over a century. Hero or criminal? Decide for yourself as you read Kelly’s famed Jerilderie letter and sift through eyewitness photographs from the siege of Glenrowan on this tour in The changing face of Victoria exhibition.


 

Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd - Super Box Friends Playtime, 3pm to 4pm, Artplay, Birrarung Marr. Come and meet some playful little Box Friends roaming free outside (behind ArtPlay). Built by children, these unique little friends will charm and excite as they wobble, bump, and roll around the play area. Get hands on and tend to the little creatures needs as they attempt to make their way in the world! Special helpers Dean & Jesse (media artists and robot builders) will be on hand to assist with any repairs that these mechanical Box Friends may need in the Box Friend Hospital throughout the afternoon.

Wednesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th – Nike Run Club – one of the largest free training run clubs held globally bringing together fellow runners from all over Melbourne. Meet at the Amphitheatre in Federation Square 5.30pm till 7pm.

Wednedays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th - Mundo Lingo Language and Culture Exchange, Melbourne, European Bier cafe, First Floor, 120 Exhibiton Street, 7.30pm-11pm.

Mundo Lingo Melbourne is a social project for language and cultural exchange. In a forever more international society it's not difficult to observe the growth in the industries of tourism and language learning. With this in mind, Mundo Lingo events help foment a network between locals and foreigners in a given city through free events. These 'Multilingual Cultural Exchanges' take place in the tranquil atmosphere of a bar or pub on a weekday night. We use a unique system in which the participants arrange small flag stickers on their chest from top to bottom according to ability and sit down or stand up to show their willingness to engage in conversation with new people. This allows people to proudly show where they're from as well as quickly identify potential exchange partners.

While the primary focus is on exchanging languages, participants will have the opportunity to exchange cultures with people from around the world.

We talk in small groups and the topic of conversation is as much your choice as is the language. You can stay with the same group, or chat a little and move on to meet more people. It's a very warm and friendly environment.

Thursdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th – Organ Recital at St Michaels Church at 120 Collins Street. 1pm-1.30pm. A good chance to see the inside of this really unusual church.

Fridays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th – Qigong (a sort of Tai Chi combining integrated movement, mental cultivation and regulated breathing) – Main Square at Federation Square 8am – 9am.

Friday 3rd – CPR Challenge and Family Fun Day with Kidzaid - Check out this family fun day.

On Good Friday, the CPR Challenge and Family Fun Day will take over the Palladium Room at Crown and train thousands of people in paediatric CPR, setting a Guinness World Record, while raising money for the Good Friday Appeal.

The event will also host family fun day activities, such as celebrity CPR challenges, jumping castles, roving princesses and superheroes, toddler playzone, indoor playground, gaming zone and a discount pop-up shop with hundreds of donated brand-new items that will be sold for 50% off the recommended retail price. The event is free to attend, but if you participate in the CPR training they'd like you to pay $5 which seems very reasonable as all proceeds going to the Royal Children’s Hospital. For details see http://www.kidzaid.com.au/cpr-challenge/

Sundays 5th and 19th – Laughter Club at Federation Square by Swanston Street 11am – 11.30am. Join in this free laughter session and experience the benefits of a good old chuckle.

Monday 6th - Classics at Fed Square. These free monthly concerts offer something for everyone, from classical and swing to big band, jazz and even contemporary pop! Today see Ballarat & Clarendon College in the Deakin Edge 12noon-1pm.

Monday 6th – Embroidery, The Atrium, Fed Square, 12noon – 2pm. Discover the creativity of embroidery with free monthly demonstrations in The Atrium at Fed Square. Join members of The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria to watch them demonstrating their various techniques or stitch up a piece yourself in these friendly and interactive sessions.

Tuesdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th - Tai Chi in Main Square at Federation Square 7.30am – 8.30am.

Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th - Junior Rangers, Mysterious Mammals – Royal Park, Flemington Road, Parkville, Australian Native Gardens, off Gatehouse St, 10am-Noon each day. Kids, put on your detective hat and join the City of Melbourne Park Rangers to help solve the mysterious case of Melbourne’s missing mammals.

Junior Rangers will hunt for evidence of the furry, four-legged creatures hidden in the tree tops and grasslands, and learn about the strange and wonderful animals that once roamed Royal Park.

Tuesdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th – Lunchtime Meditation in The Atrium at Federation Square 12.30-1pm.

Tuesdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th – Yoga, The Atrium, Federation Square, 1.15pm – 2pm. Improve your physical, mental and spiritual well-being with free lunchtime yoga classes.

Tuesdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th – Heritage Walking Tour, Williamstown, 2.15 – 4pm, meet at the Visitor Info Centre, Commonwealth Reserve, Nelson Place, Williamstown.

Tuesday 7th - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is Grand Piano. Starts 7.00pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.

Wednesday 8th, Friday 10th and Sunday 12th - Wayside Rocks at Artplay, Birrarung Marr, 2pm - 4pm. Come and decorate the rocks around ArtPlay. Experiment with colours, shiny foils, stick-on eyes and natural materials. Basic forms and shapes such as special rocks and trees have been admired, respected and sometimes worshipped in many cultures via traditions stretching back to antiquity. Use creative expression to bring these rocks to life and honour their natural beauty and mystery. Age: Family

Thursdays 9th and 23rd – Belly Dancing – The Atrium at Federation Square 12.30pm-1pm. Shimmy and shake at Fed Square with free Belly Dancing classes led by a professional instructor.

Thursday 9 April and Saturday 11 April, 2pm to 4pm Earth Art (Artful Play), Artplay, Birrarung Marr. Spend some time learning and making with artist Kathy Holowko in an art adventure in the outdoors surrounding ArtPlay. ‘Earth Art’ is a wonderful art form that is created in nature with natural materials. Be inspired by famous Earth artists who transform natural materials into beautiful sculptures which then disappear back into the landscape from which they emerged. You can create your own beautiful work of art out of sticks, leaves, bark, stones and flowers. Your artwork will be left for others to discover and enjoy, before they decompose or get washed away and return back to the earth. Optional: Bring along any natural materials from home.

Fridays 10th, 17th and 24th – Heritage Walking Tour, Williamstown, Meet 11.45am at the Visitor Info Centre, Commonwealth Reserve, Nelson Place, Williamstown.

Saturday 11th – Get Arty@Truganina Homestead. A day of free art activities, demonstrations and displays, including kids’ art activities, painting, sketching, woodwork, fabric painting, recycled art, wire sculpting and more. 10am-4pm at Truganina Explosives Reserve Homestead, 276 Queen Street, Altona.

Saturday 11th - VIVA Youth Festival, Princes Gardens, Malvern Road, Prahran 10.00am - 5.00pm. VIVA is set to raise the roof at Princes Gardens on Saturday 11 April. This energetic celebration of youth culture presented by the City of Stonnington and Soundslike Productions FReeZA team will build on the successes of past events.

The all-day event is jam-packed with activities and entertainment including: King of the Court 3-on-3 basketball competition with twenty teams competing for the first prize of $1000, basketball clinics coordinated by Helping Hoops, return of the renowned VIVA Prahran Skate Competition featuring comps in Open and Sponsored Street, Mini Ramp Jam, Junior Vert and Pro Vert Demos, with $3,000 in prize money up for grabs, Hip Hop Workshops presented by the Space and Indigenous Hip Hop Projects and DJ’s pumping out the tunes all day.

Sunday 12th - Learn French. (Every second Sunday of the month) noon – 1pm at St Michael's Uniting Church 120 Collins Street. Did you ever want to learn French? Join a French native speaker for a fun, free class. The classes allow those who have wanted to speak French to gain some pointers in basic French conversation and to practise their French in a fun, themed French conversation class. Sessions offer some notes and instructions, followed by conversation on a theme in small groups or pairs as the teacher assists.

Monday 13th - Learn Crochet at The Atrium in Federation Square 12-2pm. Learn the old craft of crochet at this workshop. You'll be 'hooked' before you know it!

Tuesday 14 April – Free Ice Cream !! The annual Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day is back – from 1pm - 9pm at Chapel Street Scoop Shop, 151 Chapel Street, Windsor. It's the Ben & Jerriest Day of the year! So, make sure you swing by and grab yourself a FREE cone. Since 1979, Ben & Jerry's has been thanking fans for their support in the best way they knew how: with a free cone of the chunkiest, funkiest ice cream around!

Tuesday 14th - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is Charlie's Country. Starts 7.00pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.

Monday 20th - Basket Making at Fed Square, The Atrium, 12noon - 2pm. Learn the simple but intricate craft of basket making with free monthly workshops led by Basketmakers of Victoria.

Tuesday 21st – Climate Walk Watch, Royal Botanic Gardens, Alexandra Avenue Melbourne. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate, 10am (till 11.30am). Be a ClimateWatcher! During this free guided walk, record features of specific plants and animals in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

These observations will become part of a database that helps scientists see what impact climate change is having on particular species, and therefore inform Australia's response to a changing climate.

Tuesday 21st - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is Edge of Tomorrow. Starts 7.00pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.

Friday 24th - Projector Bike Friday Night Ride. Grab your bike and your love of film and ride along with Projector Bike, a bike ride through the city, stopping at screening locations along the way to watch a range of award-winning short films and video clips. Projector Bike will be leaving Testing Grounds at 8:30pm and returning for a drink from the Testing Grounds bar, 1 City Road, Melbourne. Testing Grounds is behind the Arts Centre. 0422 221 072, www.projectorbike.com.au.

Sunday 26 April - Earth Art (Artful Play), Artplay, Birrarung Marr, 10am to 12noon. Spend some time learning and making with artist Kathy Holowko in an art adventure in the outdoors surrounding ArtPlay. ‘Earth Art’ is a wonderful art form that is created in nature with natural materials. Be inspired by famous Earth artists who transform natural materials into beautiful sculptures which then disappear back into the landscape from which they emerged. You can create your own beautiful work of art out of sticks, leaves, bark, stones and flowers. Your artwork will be left for others to discover and enjoy, before they decompose or get washed away and return back to the earth. Optional: Bring along any natural materials from home.

Sunday 26th - The KLM Dutch Orange Day Festival at Queensbridge Square, 1A Queens Bridge Street, Southbank is a lively celebration of Dutch culture. Sample Dutch delicacies such as croquettes, poffertjes and Dutch pea soup, or pick up some Dutch groceries. There'll be activities, Dutch cultural displays and a charity auction for a KLM return ticket to Amsterdam. Come along, dress in orange and join the festivities! From 10.30am – 4.30pm.

Sunday 26th – Classic Car Club featuring Monaro Club of Victoria 11am – 2.30pm on Flinders Street section of Federation Square by ACMI entrance.

Sunday 26th - Mosaic Festival, City Square, 44-86 Swanston Street 11am-5pm. Come and celebrate women in multicultural Victoria at the 2015 Mosaic Festival!

City Square will transform into an interactive cultural marketplace, adorned with cultural displays and teeming with women in their colourful traditional costumes. There'll be live music and dance and the best culinary treats and trinkets from around the world.

Mosaic Festival is an initiative of the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women's Coalition (VIRWC).

Monday 27th – Knitting, The Atrium, Fed Square, 12noon – 2pm. Knit one, purl two at Fed Square with free knitting workshops. Whether you’re a beginner seeking your first lesson, a Fair Isle queen or a cabling crusader, the experts from The Handknitters Guild will welcome you with open needles.

Tuesday 28th - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is The Other Woman. Starts 7.00pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.

Thursday 30th – Melbourne Social Club Drinks Night 6.30pm – 9pm Word Lounge Bar, 14 Goldie Place, Melbourne. Come along and enjoy an end-of-the-month drinks night at the Word Lounge Bar, hosted by the Melbourne social club 'Fun, Food and Friendship'.

This free event is open to everyone, with drinks available at bar prices, so come along, meet some of the hosts and club members and start enjoying a great social life.

Note: All events believed to be correct at time of editing newsletter however it would be sensible to double check before you turn up in case of any changes or errors.