Free Events in February 2015

Welcome to the February 2015 Events Newsletter.

More than ever this month I think - it's certainly taking me longer to do my newsletters these days!

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Sunday 1st – MPavilion, Queen Victoria Gardens, 3pm-9pm. MPavilion is closing for this season and celebrating the last Sunday the same way it's celebrated every other Sunday – with a free MMusic gig incorporating cool tunes and strong vibes. Plus, at this special ‘FIN’ edition, they're staying 'til late. Catch bands the Harpoons, Smile, Superstar and Sui Zhen, and DJs Etta & Tilly, Perfume Production, iiWii and Misty Nights.

Sunday 1st - Fairfield Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series 5pm-7.30pm. Travel the world on the banks of the Yarra. Get together with family and friends for a laid back excursion into exotic sounds and cultural dance from around the globe. Be prepared to be amazed and entertained by the raucous and entertaining misfits of Circus Trick Tease performing dazzling displays of acrobatics, precarious balances & gratuitous headstands. Will you take out the hulahooping title of the day after a workshop with Malia Walsh? The evening will feature music by some of Melbourne strongest female vocalists including Kylie Auldist and hosted by the multi-talented Maurial Spearim. Bring a cushion or rug and enjoy! Fairfield Amphitheatre, Fairfield Park, Heidelberg Road, Fairfield. www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2015/summer.shtml


Sunday 1st - The Boy Who Loved Tiny Things – Artplay, Birrarung Marr, 10am-4pm. Come and explore the mysterious collection of The Boy Who Loved Tiny Things. You will see some tiny things – you may have seen them before, you may not. They may have been here for a very, very long time; they may have only just arrived...but they are all tiny. Every tiny thing has a story. Is anything missing? Did you notice? The caretaker will guide you through this part treasure hunt, part museum. Become a scientist of the imagination as you explore, catalogue and help create a fantastical museum of tiny things.

Sundays 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd – Artplay Backyard, Birrarung Marr, 9.30am to 11.30am. 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! Don’t forget to wear appropriate clothes and a hat. (Please note the program may be cancelled under extreme heat conditions.) Age: Family.

Sunday 1st - Australian Open Live Site, The Square, Federation Square, from 11am. Entertain the whole family at the Australian Open Live Site. As well as being able to watch centre court matches live on the Big Screen, you can check out a bustle of activities hosted by Tennis Australia and their sponsors including Tennis Hot Shots and plenty of other tennis action.

Till 8th February - Midsumma Festival. This is Melbourne's annual celebration of LGBTI arts and culture. With 141 events across 100 venues, 2015's program is set to be the biggest ever. Midsumma Festival features a range of events including cabaret, comedy, live music, theatre, parties and exhibitions, some of these are free but you need to register anyway. See www.midsumma.org.au for the programme.

Till 28th February - Disney Fairies Trail, Royal Botanic Gardens. During summer you can experience the Gardens like never before. Download the app and start looking for Disney Fairies hidden in the Gardens. Look for Tinker Bell and her winged friends as they flutter among the garden beds, giant trees, and sparkling lakes. The trail raises awareness of plant habitat and conservation and encourages visitors of all ages to experience the rich environmental heritage that the Gardens provide. Collect your Disney Fairies Trail booklet from the Visitor Centre. Find a Disney Fairy and collect your free seeds from the Gardens Shop, Melbourne Observatory, from 9:30am-5pm.

Till 1st March - Emily Floyd: The Dawn for Kids, Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square, everyday 10-5pm. In 'The Dawn for Kids', Emily Floyd invites visitors to experience two interactive spaces that encourage creativity using letters and words. The first project in collaboration with designer and educator Mary Featherston, provides a social space for families, inviting young visitors to make ephemeral sculptures using specially made letter blocks. In an adjacent space, experimentation with design and typography is encouraged through a Small Press equipped with copiers and typewriters, where visitors can put their thoughts on paper, creating their own short-run publication.

Sundays 1st and 15th – 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 2nd – Friday 27th (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.

Monday 2nd - Classics at Fed Square. See pianist Kevin Chow in the Deakin Edge 12noon-1pm.

Mondays 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd – 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).

Tuesdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 23rd -  Tai Chi in Main Square at Federation Square 7.30am – 8.30am.

Tuesdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th – Lunchtime Meditation in The Atrium at Federation Square 12.30-1pm.

Tuesdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th – Yoga, The Atrium, Federation Square, 1.15pm – 2pm. Improve your physical, mental and spiritual well-being with free lunchtime yoga classes.

Tuesday 3rd - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is Transcendence with Johnny Depp. Starts 8.30pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.

Wednesdays 4th and 11th - 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 4th and 11th - 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!

Wednesdays 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th - African Drumming - Federation Square, St Pauls Court, 12noon-2pm. Are you ready to dance to the beat of your own drum? Take part in an African Drumming workshop. Free although gold coin donation welcomed.

Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th – 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.

Wednesdays 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th – Summer Night Market at the Queen Victoria Market, located at corner of Victoria and Elizabeth Streets 5pm till 10pm. Great live music and not your normal market type stalls.

Thursdays 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th – Organ Recital at St Michaels Church at 120 Collins Street. 1pm-1.30pm. A good chance to see the inside of this church which is really unusual.

Thursdays 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th – Zumba at St Pauls Court, Federation Square 1.30pm-2.15pm.

Thursday 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th - Fed Square Live - 5.30pm – 7.30pm. Soak up the summer evenings with weekly performances featuring some of Melbourne's most talented artists. Fed Square's free live music series features a huge line-up of independent and emerging acts that will launch you into the heart of Melbourne's music scene. Line-up Thursday 4th is indie-pop from Stonefox, blissful folk tunes of Melbourne-based indie-folk band Mango Retreat and the robust rhythms and soaring vocals of local musician Chris Watts.

Fridays 6th, 13th 20th and 27th – Qigong (a sort of Tai Chi combining integrated movement, mental cultivation and regulated breathing) – Main Square at Federation Square 8am – 9am.

Fridays 6th and 20th – Salsa - Get your hips swinging at Fed Square with free salsa lessons led by the Salsa Foundation. In these professionally led summer classes you will learn the basic steps of salsa dancing…enough to dance salsa with anyone anywhere in the world! Stop by and join in at anytime or just sit back and enjoy listening to those sultry salsa beats. No partners or experience needed, beginners welcome. 5.30pm – 7.30pm St Pauls Court, Fed Square.

Friday 6th - The 1st Friday Dance Club, 6pm – 7.30pm. Each month anyone in Melbourne can usually come into the city and learn a dance with skilled dancing groups (although I can't find this months theme anywhere so can anyone confirm it's still on please?!!) Led by community and professional dance groups, 1st Friday Dance Club provides opportunities for people to come together to learn, share and experience dance. It is free, lo-fi, and open to all ages. The address is 1A Queens Bridge Street, Southbank which is on the Southbank side of the pedestrian bridge over the River Yarra behind Flinders Street railway station.

Fridays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th – Abbotsford Suppermarket, 1 St Heliers Street, Melbourne. A great twilight market from 6pm-10pm with live music and roaming performers such as clowns, acrobats and magicians as well as the stalls. www.free-things-to-do-melbourne.com/abbotsford-suppermarket.html

Saturdays 7th and 14th - Swing Dance, St Paul’s Court, Federation Square, 1pm – 2pm. Learn to swing, sway and step like a pro with a series of free dance classes led by the Swing Patrol.

Saturday 7th – Hobsons Bay Summer Sounds live music event at Logan Reserve, Altona. Bring a picnic, rug or deckchairs and your friends and come along to see Kylie Audlist and the Glenroy Allstars and Nikita Azzopardi. 2pm-5pm. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Arts_Leisure/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events

Saturday 7th – Love, Lust and Longing at Opera in the Park starting 7.30 at Victoria Gardens, High Street, Prahran.
Opera in the Park is one of the City of Stonnington’s hallmark free events and is an annual favourite with Melbourne music lovers. Cheryl Barker, one of Australia’s finest sopranos, will lead an acclaimed cast of singers, including an exclusive appearance by international Australian tenor John Heuzenroeder at Opera in the Park. Cheryl will be singing sections of Madama Butterfly a role for which she has achieved international acclaim: Cheryl Barker is one of the finest sopranos to emerge from Australia in recent years, Cheryl is particularly noted internationally for her performances of Madama Butterfly, singing this role for English National Opera, De Vlaamse Opera, Hamburg State Opera, Deutsche Oper, Berlin, Netherlands Opera and Houston Grand Opera. The theme of Love, Lust and Longing will thrill audiences, interweaving arias and duets around this theme from some of the most enduringly popular operas from the repertoire including; Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Carmen and La boheme.  In another Opera in the Park first, as twilight and evening falls, a full-scale lighting installation will illuminate the parklands and combined with the musical offerings we will be transporting our audience into an aural and visual wonderland. Bring along a picnic. www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/events/opera-in-the-park-2015

Sunday 8th - St Kilda Festival – A great music festival with lots of other things happening too – There's various events happening all week from Saturday 31st January - see www.stkildafestival.com.au

Sunday 8th - 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 8th - Fairfield Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series 5pm-7.30pm. Travel the world on the banks of the Yarra. Get together with family and friends for a laid back excursion into exotic sounds and cultural dance from around the globe. Be seduced by the hypnotic 60's garage sounds of Empat Lima. Imagine that Elvis grew up in the Balkans and that his musical instrument of choice was the piano accordion. This is exactly what you will be treated to when Mikelangelo takes to the stage to get your body moving. Bring a cushion or rug and enjoy! Fairfield Amphitheatre, Fairfield Park, Heidelberg Road, Fairfield. www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2015/summer.shtml

Monday 9th - Learn Crochet at The Square in Federation Square 12-2pm. Learn the old craft of crochet at this workshop. You'll be 'hooked' before you know it!

Tuesday 10th - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is Fire in Babylon. Starts 8.20pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.

Wednesday 11 February to Saturday 21st Caring and Sharing for the Earth (exhibition), Artplay, Birrarung Marr, 10am to 4pm (Wednesday to Sunday) This event is part of the Sustainable Living Festival Artists: children from the University of Melbourne Early Learning Centre. This exhibition presents children’s artworks and narratives that were created in response to Associazione L’Eta Verde The Green Age Macroproblems 2002-2014. This unique collection of the voices of children demonstrates their capacity to think deeply about their responsibility to Planet Earth and to communicate their understandings of the importance of environmental care and sustainability.

Saturday 14th – Hobsons Bay Summer Sounds live music event at Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown. Bring a picnic, rug or deckchairs and your friends and come along to see Pierce brothers and Gena Rose Bruce. 2pm-5pm. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Arts_Leisure/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events

Saturday 14th – Free Sidney Myer Music Bowl Concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Start 7pm, gates open from 4pm. Get there early!! - first come first served. Tonights music is Tchaikovsky, Ravel and Gershwin. See www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/discover/seasons/mso-free-concerts

Saturday 14th - Musical Melodies in the Park at Airdrie Park, Airdrie Road, Malvern East, 7.30.. Romance is in the air - celebrate St Valentine's Day with someone special at the firm summer favourite, Musical Melodies at Ardrie Park. In 2015, Musical Melodies returns with BROADWAY LEGENDS - THE BLOCKBUSTERS – the mega hits from the Broadway stage from recent decades.  Helpmann Award winner Gary Young, with Musical Director Stephen Gray, leads an all-star cast of musical theatre performers including Esther Hannaford (King Kong: The Musical) and Amanda Harrison (Wicked, The Boy from Oz). Bring your family, friends and loved ones, pack and a picnic and enjoy what promises to be a truly memorable, romantic event in one of Stonnington’s most picturesque parkswww.stonnington.vic.gov.au/events/musical-melodies/

Sunday 15th – Discover Sailing Day, WG Cresser Reserve, Cnr Beach Street & Civic Parade, Seaholme, 10am-2pm. Contact Gail Lines at gaillines@iprimus.com.au. "The Owl & the Pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat". You and your pussycat are most welcome to sail with us on your next sea voyage. Enjoy the sun, the sea breeze and the gentle splash of waves at Altona Yacht Club's free Discover Sailing Day. Crew up or kick back on land to enjoy music, food and drinks with fellow sailors.

Sunday 15th – Classic Car Club featuring Cobra Car Club 11am – 2.30pm on Flinders Street section of Federation Square by ACMI entrance.

Sunday 15th - Summer Sounds: In Your Neighbourhood, Trafalgar Reserve (Altona Meadows Community Park), Altona Meadows 2pm-4pm. Summer Sounds is moving ‘into your neighbourhood’, local music in local parks. Enjoy classics and country music in a Sunday afternoon musical sampler. 2pm to 3pm classics from our very own Hobsons Bay Band, 3.15pm to 4pm introducing new country roots music trio The Good Earth featuring Michaela Mee, Bruce Williams and Michael Stewart. Bring a hat, sunscreen, picnic rug or a deckchair and enjoy with your friends and family. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Arts_Leisure/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events

Sunday 15th - Fairfield Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series 5pm-7.30pm. Travel the world on the banks of the Yarra. Get together with family and friends for a laid back excursion into exotic sounds and cultural dance from around the globe. Be amazed by some of Yarra's youngest talent; hear local poets battle it out as they transform papered confessions into spoken word and get down to the sounds of The Public Opinion Six who breathe new life into the sound of West Africa and bring a powerful message of resistance to the next generation of afro-beat. Bring a cushion or rug and enjoy! Fairfield Amphitheatre, Fairfield Park, Heidelberg Road, Fairfield. www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2015/summer.shtml

Monday 16th - 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 17th - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is Fading Gigolo. Starts 8.15pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.

Wednesday 18th, – Free Sidney Myer Music Bowl Concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Start 7pm, gates open from 4pm. Get there early!! - first come first served. Tonights music is Brahms, Liszt and Bartok. See www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/discover/seasons/mso-free-concerts

Saturday 21st – Hobsons Bay Summer Sounds live music event at Logan Reserve, Altona. Bring a picnic, rug or deckchairs and your friends and come along to see Ms Murphy, Chris Wilson and Alyson Murray. 2pm-5pm. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Arts_Leisure/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events

Saturday 21st – Free Sidney Myer Music Bowl Concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Start 7pm, gates open from 4pm. Get there early!! - first come first served. Tonights music is Smetana, Tchaikovsky and Dvorak. See www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/discover/seasons/mso-free-concerts

Sunday 22nd – Chinese New Year Festival 11am-10pm . The festival features traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural activities, festivities, dances, Chinese opera and singing, karaoke competition, numerous stalls of culinary delights, arts and crafts, Chinese chess competitions, lion dances, dragon parades, calligraphy and children's events. There's actually various free events running from 16th Feb till 1st March, check www.melbournechinesenewyear.com/festival-events/

Sundays 22nd - Fairfield Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series 5pm-7.30pm. Travel the world on the banks of the Yarra. Get together with family and friends for a laid back excursion into exotic sounds and cultural dance from around the globe. If late nights out are not your thing then don't worry, we are bringing the party to you at the Amphitheatre with big brass sounds New Orleans style by the Horns of Leroy, swing dance by Swing Patrol and the classic soul sounds by the award winning band, The Deans. Bring a cushion or rug and enjoy! Fairfield Amphitheatre, Fairfield Park, Heidelberg Road, Fairfield. www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2015/summer.shtml

Tuesday 24th - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is X-Men: days of Future Past. Starts 8pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.

Wednesday 25 to Saturday 14 March - Couch Guerillas (exhibition), Artplay, Birrarung Marr, 10am to 4pm (Wednesday to Sunday). The family couch…what does it become at your house? A cubby, a cushion kingdom, a vehicle, a stage? Follow the story of making Couch Guerrillas and have some creative fun in our lounge world. Inspired by children's movement and imaginative play, Couch Guerrillas is a new dance theatre work presented at ArtPlay on 22 February. This event is part of the ArtPlay NEW IDEAS LAB program where artists are supported to develop new work for children and families. Age: 3 to 7 years.

Thursday 26th - Movies Under the Stars at Docklands. Enjoy the stunning waterfront views at Point Park, Yarra’s Edge for a FREE outdoor cinema experience. Tonights movie is dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Site open from 7pm, feature movie at 8.30pm – bring a picnic. Point Park, 1 Point Park Crescent, Docklands,  FREE return ferry service from Federation Square for first 120 guests departing at 6.30 and free bean bag hire to the first 100 guests to arrive at Point Park.

Saturday 28th – Hobsons Bay Summer Sounds live music event at Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown. Bring a picnic, rug or deckchairs and your friends and come along to see Suzannah Espie and the Last Word, Liz Stringer Band and Midnight Hunting Crew. 2pm-5pm. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Arts_Leisure/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events

Saturday 28th and Sunday 1 March - Snack Habitat Van (food), Artplay, Birrarung Marr, 10am to 4pm Buzz on down to ArtPlay and visit The Snack Habitat Van which will serve kid-sized snack foods and activities to get kids tasting, learning and thinking! There will be talks about "Buzzy-B" foods and honey bees, kids will create some bee-art, taste some honey grown on the rooftops of Melbourne city and take home bee-friendly seeds. We will have some special food-friends visiting including Alice in Frames (host of Kitchen Whiz, edible adventurer) and Rebecca Sullivan (safe guarder of Granny Skills).

Friday 27th - 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.

Saturday 28th - Symphony under the Stars with Stonnington Symphony. Stonnington's Symphony's annual outdoor concert is always a highlight of summer in Stonnington's beautiful parks and gardens. Pack a picnic basket and share a wonderful evening at Malvern Gardens, High Street, Malvern. 7.00pm - 9.00pm