Free Events in August 2014

Welcome to the August 2014 Events Newsletter.

This month's Newsletter is a couple of days early to make up for last month!

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Fridays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th - Start your weekend with a bang with free Friday Night Fireworks at Docklands! Bring the family, rally your friends and come early to enjoy the entertainment and get a view at one of the waterfront restaurants or bars. Or rug up and enjoy the show from NewQuay Promenade. There’s music and fun to keep everyone entertained before and after the fireworks, along the promenade and piazza at NewQuay. The fireworks are at 7pm each Friday and last for approximately 10 minutes. Entertainment program from 6pm-8pm. Entertainment program includes:

1 August – First Friday Dance Club (Bollywood) and The Clouds
8 August – ’200 Torches’ and Lolka
15 August – Story telling with Niki na Meadhra and Pirates
22 August – Projector Bike and African Drumming
29 August – Little Wings Puppets, The Thankful Tree, The Clouds


Till 17th - The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is on at the moment and there’s quite a few free things to do at the Lounge at the Forum Theatre including the launch party and music. Check out http://miff.com.au/program/streams/festival-lounge


Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Friday 1st – Fitness at Fed Square, Flinders Street. 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 6pm – 6.45pm on River Terrace, Wednesday 7am - 7.45am at the Amphitheatre and Friday 7am – 7.45am at the Amphitheatre.


Fridays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th – Qigong (a sort of Tai Chi combining integrated movement, mental cultivation and regulated breathing) – Main Square at Federation Square 8am – 9am


Fridays 1st until December! - 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 6:30pm and returning around 7:30pm for a drink from the Testing Grounds bar, 1 City Road, Melbourne. Testing Grounds is behind the Arts Centre. 0422 221 072, info@projectorbike.com.au www.projectorbike.com.au


Sundays 3rd and 17th – Laughter Club at Federation Square by Swanston Street 11am – 11.30am


Sundays 3rd, 10th, 17, 24th and 31st - Gypsy Jazz on the Village Green at CERES. Starts 1pm. Join in, or like most people, just watch! www.ceres.org.au


Monday 4th - Classics at Fed Square - Music with Brunswick Secondary College at The Deakin Edge in Federation Square 12noon -1pm.


Tuesdays 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th – Tai Chi in Main Square at Federation Square 7.30am – 8.30am.


Tuesdays 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th – Lunchtime Meditation in The Atrium at Federation Square 12.30-1pm


Tuesday 5th – Orchestra Victoria and Victorian Opera - Join these iconic Melbourne organisations for a one-of-a-kind performance inspired by the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition and the Italian Masterpieces from Spain's Royal Court. 1pm-2pm NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, Great Hall.


Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th - Luna1878 Winter Night Market. This winter the market will come alive every Wednesday evening in an intimate celebration of the night, transforming into a whimsical winter wonderland full of roving maestros, cabaret stars and stage delights.  Rug up and visit for a magical night of fun, fashion and flamboyance. Shake off the winter blues with soulful rhythms from jazz to gypsy, and unexpected encounters with roaming performers. Queen Victoria Market, 65-159 Victoria Street, Melbourne, 5pm – 10pm


Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th – Nike Run Club – one of the largest free training run clubs held globally bringing together fellow runners from all over Melbourne. Meet outside the Atrium in Federation Square 5.30pm (till 7pm)


Saturday 9th - Live Illustrations at The Atrium  11am and 5pm. Watch guest illustrators demonstrating and see their work projected live on the Atrium Screen. You can meet the illustrators and admire their style.


Saturday 9 August - A Secret Place. If you fancy a 1950s New York vibe on your Saturday night, complete with romantic and spirited jazz, ice-cold cocktails, tapas and even a cigar room, then A Secret Place is for you. This members-only club opens to the public every second and fourth Saturday of the month for a high-end experience at a low-end price. A Secret Place will feature the Connie Lansberg Quartet. It's at Regent Club, 206 Bourke Street, Melbourne. It's only a free event if you book in advance though, otherwise it's $20 on the door. Contact Connie at connie@jazznshiraz.com


Sunday 10th - 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.


Sunday 10th - The Big Family Sing (group singing and show) Workshop: 2pm to 2.45pm; Show 3pm to 3.30pm. Artist: All Day Fritz. Singing together is fun and very, very good for you! And All Day Fritz invites you – kids, parents and people of all ages and abilities – to join in. All Day Fritz will lead you in this singing experience to explore the basics of group and harmony singing in a playful, social and inclusive atmosphere. You will learn some easy songs and simple harmony parts. Then you’ll be invited (if you choose) to perform one or two songs live for family and friends with the full All Day Fritz band as part of the Fritz Family Sing Choir in the show at 3pm. All Day Fritz have an eclectic repertoire of non-patronizing and extremely groovy music for humans of all ages. Four part harmony, swingy, jazzy, rocky, funny, soul-y, calypso-y, plus very funky originals.


Monday 11th - Learn Crochet at The Square in Federation Square 12-2pm


Thursdays 14th and 28th - Feel Young - Drawing from ancient Chinese traditions this combines gentle exercise and dance – The Atrium in Federation Square 10.30am – 12.30am


Thursday 14th and 28th – Belly Dancing – a gentle aerobic dance perfect for strengthening and toning core muscles – for all ages. The Atrium in Federation Square 12.30 – 1.00pm


Royal Botanic Gardens - FREE TOURS FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK. The Gardens is proud to present a range of FREE guided walks and tours with our experts as part of celebrations for National Science Week (16 – 24 August). Tours are free but places are extremely limited. Contact the Visitor Centre at Melbourne Gardens on 03 9252 2429 to reserve your place today.

Saturday 16th - The Secret of the Eucalypt.  Join expert staff for an informal walk and discover the secret life of Eucalypts and the science behind our most iconic of trees.

Saturday 16th - Bushland Biodiversity – in our Gardens. Join Professor Tim Entwisle, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, on an informal walk as he explores the biodiversity present in our Gardens and demonstrates how records of seasonal change can help us tune into the amazing biodiversity present in urban Melbourne. Tours will provide visitors with a seasonal tool for recording change in their own neighbourhoods.

Sunday 17th - Hidden treasures of the Herbarium. A unique opportunity to enter the National Herbarium of Victoria and view first-hand the specimens used by botanists for their scientific research. Collections Manager, Dr Pina Milne will also highlight the work of staff and volunteers in the curation of specimens, thus making them accessible.


Saturday 16th – Poetry – 2 feature poets and the opportunity to read out your own at Beer Deluxe – upstairs at Federation Square 2pm – 4pm


Sunday 17th - Enjoy all that Ukrainian culture has to offer at the Ukrainian Festival at Fed Square. This year the Ukrainian Festival celebrates the 23rd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. It also commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s most praised poet and artist whose life and legacy are especially valued for the spirit of freedom that are portrayed in his works. Join the festivities at Deakin Edge where you can discover a rich tapestry expressing Ukraine’s history and heritage, spectacular Cossack dancing, choral singing and folk music. Visit the educational exhibits and displays, explore the rich tradition of embroidery and other tactile arts and savour Ukrainian national cuisine. Start time to be confirmed, check http://www.fedsquare.com/events/ukrainian-festival/


Sunday 17th - Celebrate Indonesia’s 69th Independence Day with a flag raising ceremony and unique cultural event at Swanston St Forecourt. Following the flag raising ceremony, enjoy a performance of Indonesia’s traditional Saman Dance featuring 69 dancers, drummers and a singer. Saman Dance is known as the dance of thousand hands. The dancers form a line and sit closely, shoulder to shoulder, moving their hands in rhythm. The music for this dance consists of small traditional drums with the lead drummer singing, as a way to command the dancers. 3pm - 4.30pm


Sundays 17th, 24th and 31st - Italian Cinematic Masterpieces. The beauty of Italy and Spain is captured through iconic feature films. 3pm-5pm.

Sun 17 Aug: La Dolce Vita (1960, 174 mins, PG)

Sun 24 Aug: Cinema Paradiso (1988, 155 mins, PG)

Sun 31 Aug: La Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty)(2013, 142 mins, MA15+)


Thursday 21st till 31st – The Melbourne Writers Festival, established in 1986, is the City of Literature’s annual celebration for writers, readers and thinkers. The festival celebrates literature and the work of writers. There are loads of free events – see www.mwf.com.au


Thursday 21 August to Sunday 14 September (open Wednesday to Sunday) Bark! Bark! Bark! at Artplay. See original illustrations, prints and preliminary works by Terry Denton from the famous Treehouse series created with Andy Griffiths. But that’s not all! Terry has painted a mammoth and magnificent mural on the ArtPlay gallery wall and you can add your own mark! Yes, you can draw your own Treehouse-inspired character, contraption or crazy critter – you really can – and watch as the mural grows and changes over the exhibition. There will also be DIY activities such as making your own cartoons and flip books. Age: 6 to 12 years


Friday 22nd – Market of the Mind. Explore the science of cocktails, laugh yourself silly with science comedy, dance to the beat of your heart and discover the true facts about the lemur and other mis–represented creatures. Market of the Mind is where the cerebral, the scientific and the social collide. Experience live music, speed-meet a scientist and see inside-out people at a truly unique event. This 'City Science' event is presented by National Science Week. Queensbridge Square, 1A Queensbridge Street, Southbank. 5pm - 9pm


Royal Botanic Gardens - FREE TOURS FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK. The Gardens is proud to present a range of FREE guided walks and tours with our experts as part of celebrations for National Science Week (16 – 24 August). Tours are free but places are extremely limited. Contact the Visitor Centre at Melbourne Gardens on 03 9252 2429 to reserve your place today.

Saturday 23rd - Greening the Gardens. Join Landscape Architect, Andrew Laidlaw, on a tour of the Melbourne Gardens' vibrant, diverse and healthy wetland. Learn how the Gardens has reduced the reliance on potable water while maintaining high-quality landscapes and water bodies.