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Free-Things-To-Do-Melbourne August issue
July 31, 2013

Free Events in August 2013



Welcome to the August Events Newsletter.

Loads of great things to do as normal!

There's one or two things you need to book again this month but for most you can still just turn up. Obviously outdoor events are subject to weather conditions permitting.

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Now until 11th August -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 apparently including a night of American Bluegrass, a computer and board games night and The Facty Fact Game Show. Check out www.miff.com.au/lounge


Thursdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th – Organ Recital at St Michaels Church at 120 Collins Street. 1pm-1.30pm


Fridays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th - Docklands fireworks - The fireworks start at 7pm but there’s music and roving entertainment in The Piazza from 6.30-7.30


Fridays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th – Qigong (a sort of Tai Chi combining integrated movement, mental cultivation and regulated breathing) – Main Square at Federation Square 8am – 9am


Saturday 3rd – Futurescape Launch at Artplay – come along at 3pm for the unveiling of an outdoor sculpture made by artists and children. There will be food, music and a grand unveiling!


Sundays 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th – Scarecrow Making at the Pop Up Patch which is a vegetable garden on the Federation Square car park rooftop. Bring along old clothes but otherwise all materials provided for the kids to make their own scarecrows. 11am-12noon


Sundays 4th and 18th – Laughter Club at Federation Square by Swanston Street 11am – 11.30am


Sundays 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th - Gypsy Jazz on the Village Green at CERES. Starts 1pm. Join in, or like most people, just watch! www.ceres.org.au


Wednesdays to Sundays till 18th – Artplay at Birrarung Marr – Make mini-Shelters and play in the Shelters the artists have made. 10am-4pm


Monday 5th - Classics at Fed Square - Music with Ke Lin of University of Melbourne at The Deakin Edge in Federation Square 12noon -1pm.


Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th – Tai Chi in Main Square at Federation Square 7.30am – 8.30am


Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th – Lunchtime Meditation in The Atrium at Federation Square 12.30-1pm


Tuesday 6th and 20th - Bazaar Tales is a live story-telling show that (apparently – I haven’t been there myself yet) brings together some of Australia's (and the world's) best storytelling comedians, musicians, writers, poets, taxi drivers, journalists and eccentrics to tell their very best stories based on a different theme every show. Horse Bazaar, 397 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. 8pm till late so I assume this is not for the kids!


Wednesday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th Healthy Lifestyle Lounge - Meet at ground level 1 Elizabeth St, Melbourne (next to subway) at 6.55am. Just bring yourself and invite your friends along! Don't forget to bring a towel! 6.55am-8am Bookings essential on 0401 173 143


Wednesday 7th - Learn to photograph street fashion at ACMI in Studio 1 4.30pm-7.30pm The Intermix program is for young people aged 15-20. There’s limited places and you have to register by emailing intermix@acmi.net.au


Wednesday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th Queen Victoria Market - Following the success of the great summer evening market (Suzuki market) the Queen Vic are starting a winter evening market with free to watch roving maestros, cabaret stars and stage delights with lots of music. 5pm to 10pm


Wednesday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th – State Library of Victoria Ned Kelly Tour - Discover the story of Ned Kelly, Victoria's infamous bushranger. See Ned's armour, pages from the 'Jerilderie Letter', photos and objects. 1pm-2pm.


Thursdays 8th and 22nd - Feel Young - Drawing from ancient Chinese traditions this combines gentle exercise and dance – The Atrium in Federation Square 10.30am – 12.30pm


Thursday 8th and 22nd – 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


Saturday 10th - Book Clubs at Beer Deluxe-Espresso Cafe in The Atrium Federation Square. At 10am there's the Cult Book Club, 11am is the General Book Club and 12noon is the Contemporary Book Club


Saturday 10th - Children from the MSO Artplay Ensemble – Stalls Foyer at Hamer Hall on St Kilda Road (not at Artplay) performed by the children from the MSO/ArtPlay Ensemble – watch the kids play their own composition based on the music and story of Stravinsky’s ballet Petrushka. Between 7pm and 7.20 pm


Sunday 11th – Learn French at St Michael's Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street,Melbourne. Bookings available via 03 9654 5120. 12noon-1pm.


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


Wednesday 14th – Outside In Cinema at State Library of Victoria - Beats, rhymes & life: travels of A Tribe Called Quest Hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest is one of the most successful and significant musical groups in recent history. Bookings required - call 03 8664 7099. 6.30pm – 8pm . Take along your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks if you'd like.


Friday 16th - Market of the Mind brought to you by National Science Week is where the cerebral, scientific and social collide. Live music, speed-meet a scientist, charlatans, magicians, performers and more Queensbridge Square, 1A Queens Bridge Street, Southbank 5pm-9pm. This is an over 18 event.


Saturday 17th – Poetry – 2 feature poets and the opportunity to read out your own at The Atrium in Federation Square 2pm – 4pm


Sunday 18th – Superhero Day at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Federation Square - Create your own Superhero costume and then make your own animated superhero character movie using digital animation 10am – 4pm


Sunday 18th – Ukranian Festival – details still to be finalised but it’s at Federation Square and I’d expect it to run between about 10am and 5pm.


Sunday 18th - Queen Victoria Market – Living Science -This fun-filled educational event is all about food security, health and sustainability, the environment and new technology. With interactive shows, engaging presentations about cutting-edge science relevant to our everyday lives, entertaining stage performances and hands-on activities. From 10am-3pm


Thursday 22nd till 1st Sept – The Melbourne Writers Festival, established in 1986, is the City of Literature’s annual, two-week celebration for writers, readers and thinkers. The festival celebrates literature and the work of writers. There are loads of free events – see http://www.mwf.com.au/2013/?name=Free-Events


Sunday 25th – The Classic Car monthly showcase, this month featuring the Jaguar Car Club Victoria 11am – 2.30pm on Flinders Street section of Federation Square by ACMI


Sunday 25th – Air Force Band - The Air Force Band celebrates its 90th anniversary with a free concert at Iwaki Auditorium at the ABC Southbank Centre. 3pm-4pm


Monday 26th - Learn Knitting at The Square at Federation Square 12-2pm


Monday 26th till Saturday 31st - State Library of Victoria Dome to Dungeons Tour - See a different side of the State Library during Library and Information Week, moving from level six of the Dome down to basement storage areas that are not usually open to the public. 10.30 till noon every day. Booking essential on 03 8664 7099 or inquiries@slv.vic.gov.au


Wednesday 28th - Outside In Cinema at State Library of Victoria - Herb and Dorothy Herb and Dorothy tells the story of a couple who built one of the most important contemporary art collections in history. Bookings required - call 03 8664 7099. 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Take along your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks if you'd like.


Thursday 29th – Melbourne Social Club Drinks Night - Come along and enjoy an end-of-the-month drinks night at the Word Lounge Bar, 14 Goldie Place, Melbourne, hosted by the Melbourne social club ‘Fun, Food and Friendship’, where around 80-100 people attend.The event is open to everyone and is free to attend, with drinks available to purchase at bar prices. 6.30pm – 9pm Book online at info@funff.com.au


Friday 30th – Melbourne Day – No program yet but this is usually an action packed day. Melbourne Day/Enterprize Day is celebrated annually and commemorates the first arrival in Melbourne of Europeans. They arrived in 1835 on the northern bank of the Yarra River where the commemoration takes place (now called Enterprize Park), travelling on a schooner called the Enterprize. The day usually starts with a flag raising ceremony and morning tea at Enterprize Park as the Lord Mayor hoists the flag of Melbourne and starts off the live entertainment with aborigine music and dancing. Then there is a cannon volley over the river by the Historical Re-Enactment Society. At mid-day there is usually a City Square celebration and you can also normally get free entry on Enterprize, a replica of the ship that brought the first settlers – it’s normally berthed at Waterfront City, Docklands. The kids will love this. See www.melbourneday.com.au for the program details nearer the time.


Saturday 31st – Start of the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week which has been celebrating the best of our city’s unique fashion and design landscape for 19 years. See http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/whatson/festivals/msfw/msfw2013/program/freeevents/Pages/FreeEvents.aspx for all the free events.


If you do get along to any of these events, make sure you let me know how you enjoyed them and send some photos in on http://www.free-things-to-do-melbourne.com/share-your-stories.html

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