Free Events in January 2015

Welcome to the January 2015 Events Newsletter.

Plenty to do again this month, as usual.

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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.


Friday 2nd till Monday 26th - Summer by the Sea.
With more than 300 guided activities - MOST of which are free - at over 80 beautiful locations across our state, this is an event not to be missed. There’s all sorts here from beachcombing, guided walks, kayaking, snorkelling, birdwatching, fishing tips, boat trips, geology walks and lots more. Check the website at http://www.free-things-to-do-melbourne.com/summer-by-the-sea.html however although this webpage says these events aren't busy, it was written a few years ago and now they are busy so get in quickly as lots of events now need to be booked.


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.


Friday 2nd - 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 possibly it's not on this month?(!)) 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 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th – 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


Friday 2nd – Hobsons Bay Movies by the Bay. Bring a picnic, rug or deckchair and yourselves for this outdoor film night at Logan Reserve, Altona. The film is Rio 2 (G) and starts about 8.45 or when it’s dark. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Experience_Hobsons_Bay/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events


Sundays 4th and 18th – 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.


Sunday 4th - Sunset Sounds with Kylie Auldist and the Glenroy Allstars at Victoria Gardens, High Street, Prahran, 6pm-8pm.

Perhaps best known as vocalist with The Bamboos, Kylie’s distinctive soulful vocals have won her critical acclaim both in Australia and internationally. A skilled singer-songwriter in her own right, Kylie’s 2012 album release Still Life (co-written and produced by The Bamboos’ Lance Ferguson) won ‘Best Soul Album’ in The Age Music Awards. For Sunset Sounds Kylie will be joined by her hot six-piece band The Glenroy All Stars. Sunset Sounds is a popular free concert series, presented by the City of Stonnington, that features Melbourne's leading soul, jazz, swing, folk, funk and blues musicians. It's the perfect mix of live music, great food and beautiful surroundings. Gather your friends, rustle up a picnic or try delicious street food from funky food trucks, and relax to some fine summer tunes.


Monday 5th – Friday 30th (Mons, Weds and Fridays only, except 9th Jan and 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, Monday 6pm - 6.45pm River Terrace, Wednesday 7am - 7.45am Amphitheatre, Friday 7am – 7.45am Amphitheatre.


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


Tuesday 6th till Sunday 11th - Paper Planet at Mpavilion, opposite the Arts Centre Melbourne and National Gallery of Victoria, 10am – noon and 2pm – 4pm each day.

Join Polyglot Theatre to help create Paper Planet at MPavilion. People both pint- sized and pint-sized at heart are invited to participate in this series of live art-making workshops hosted by Polyglot's artistic director Sue Giles, performer and props maker Mischa Long, and musician and sound engineer Steph O’Hara.

Jump in (or just watch and enjoy) as Paper Planet evolves into a gentle world filled with tall, wondrous cardboard trees, paper leaves, scrunched boulders, fluttering birds and delicate, folded creatures, great and small.

Exploring the intersection between play and performance, the installation will grow each day during these workshops, and stay on display from dawn until dusk.


Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th -  Groove Dance at St Pauls Court, Fed Square, 6pm - 7pm. Groove Dance is a simple, fun and interactive dance class that everyone can enjoy – forget complex choreography and just groove! Beginners to experienced dancers.


Tuesday 6th - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is Next Goal Wins. Starts 8.45pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.


Wednesdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th - 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.


Wednesdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th – 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 8th, 15th and 22nd - Shhh! - State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne.

Pop in for a pop-up performance celebrating Melbourne’s wild and wonderful live music, dance and street theatre. This series of live shows gives a glimpse into the city’s rich bohemian arts scene celebrated in the State Library's Bohemian Melbourne exhibition.

Thur 8th at 12.30pm, 15 January at 6pm and 22 January at 6pm.


Thursday 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th - 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 9th and 23rd – 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 9th – Hobsons Bay Movies by the Bay. Bring a picnic, rug or deckchair and yourselves for this outdoor film night at Logan Reserve, Altona. The film is Planes: Fire Rescue (G) and starts about 8.45 when it’s dark. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Experience_Hobsons_Bay/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events.


Saturday 10th - Latin Summer Festival - Federation Square, noon – 10pm.
Melbourne's Latin Summer Festival is a celebration of art, culture and entertainment from Latin America. Artists will showcase Latin music styles such as salsa, cumbias, samba, capoeira and batucada and DJs will perform throughout the event. The festival will also feature roving circus performers and outdoor dance classes.


Saturdays 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st - 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 10th and Sunday 11th - Super Box Friends Playtime, Artplay, Birrarung Marr, 1pm-4pm. 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. Age: Family.


Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th - Sunset Series – Stage Lawn, Fitzroy Gardens, 230-298 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne. The Sunset Series is a celebration of summer in the city. Enjoy free live music and dance workshops. Hang out with your friends and family, bring a picnic, have a dance and relax on the grass as the sun goes down. ( This is a glass-free event).

Saturday 10 January - 5–5.45pm Beautiful Beasts, 6–6.45pm Dash, 7–7.45pm APES, 8–8.45pm Echo Drama.

Sunday 11 January: 5-9pm Melbourne Salsa Dance Workshop with Live Latin Band.


Sunday 11th - 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 11th - Sunset Sounds with The Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra featuring Hetty Kate, Central Park, Burke Road, Malvern East, 6pm-8pm.
Famous for their swingin’ back beat sound and Hollywood style The Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra features a line-up of impeccable Melbourne jazz players together with featured vocalist Hetty Kate. With their trademark luminescent clam-shell stands, the band bring their irresistible dance grooves and big swing sound to Central Park. Sunset Sounds is a popular free concert series, presented by the City of Stonnington, that features Melbourne's leading soul, jazz, swing, folk, funk and blues musicians. It's the perfect mix of live music, great food and beautiful surroundings. Gather your friends, rustle up a picnic or try delicious street food from funky food trucks, and relax to some fine summer tunes.


Monday 12th - 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 13th - 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 Grand Budapest Hotel. Starts 8.45pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.


Wednesdays 14th, 21st and 28th - 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.


Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th January – 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.


Wednesdays 14th, 21st and 28th - 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!


Friday 16th – Hobsons Bay Movies by the Bay. Bring a picnic, rug or deckchair and yourselves for this outdoor film night at Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown. The film is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (M) and starts about 8.45 when it’s dark. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Experience_Hobsons_Bay/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events


Saturday 17th till Monday 26th - Express Yourself: NGV Summer Children's Festival, NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. All day every day. Across both NGV International and NGV Australia in Federation Square kids and families can enjoy free workshops, multimedia and special activities over 10 big days, as well as special events on Australia Day. Check the website for further details www.ngv.vic.gov.au


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


Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th - Sunset Series, Stage Lawn, Fitzroy Gardens, 230-298 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne.
The Sunset Series is a celebration of summer in the city. Enjoy free live music and dance workshops. Hang out with your friends and family, bring a picnic, have a dance and relax on the grass as the sun goes down. ( This is a glass-free event).

Saturday 17 January: 5–5.45pm Dan Flynn and the State of Things, 6–6.45pm The Tiger and Me, 7–7.45pm Passerine, 8–8.45pm Madre Monte.

Sunday 18 January: 5-9pm Rhythm and Spice Bollywood Dance Workshop.


Sunday 18th 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 2015 opens on 18 Jan with a free day of entertainment at Alexandra Gardens, St Kilda Road.

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.


Sunday 18th - Sunset Sounds with Into the Mystic: The Music of Van Morrison, Performed by Joe Creighton - Malvern Gardens, High Street, Malvern, 6pm-8pm.

It’s a lovely night for a moondance. Enjoy the tunes by one of the greatest folk singers of our time, sung by Joe Creighton. Born and raised in Belfast, legendary Australian singer and bassist Joe Creighton, has toured with John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, Olivia Newton John and Tina Arena to name just a few. Creighton grew up on the same streets as Van Morrison in Northern Ireland and would often watch him perform live in Belfast in the early days of Morrison’s first band, Them. It is these formative years spent at the Maritime Club in Belfast that allows Creighton to connect with Morrison’s music, bringing a raw honesty and tremendous authenticity to his show that result in a palpable world class act. Joe brings his eight-piece band to Malvern Gardens for our final Sunset Sounds concert.  Sunset Sounds is a popular free concert series, presented by the City of Stonnington, that features Melbourne's leading soul, jazz, swing, folk, funk and blues musicians. It's the perfect mix of live music, great food and beautiful surroundings. Gather your friends, rustle up a picnic or try delicious street food from funky food trucks, and relax to some fine summer tunes.


Monday 19th till Friday 23rd - Chinese Cut Paper Animation, ACMI, Federation Square, 11am – 2pm, Recommended for ages 5 and up. Presented as part of ACMI’s China Up Close season, this free activity invites you to be inspired by the traditions of paper-cut and shadow puppetry in Chinese culture.


Monday 19th till 1st February - 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.


Monday 19th - 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.


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


Tuesdays 20th and 27th – Yoga, The Atrium, Federation Square, 1.15pm – 2pm. Improve your physical, mental and spiritual well-being with free lunchtime yoga classes.


Tuesday 20th - Southgate Silent Cinema. Chill out in a deckchair wearing headphones to watch the movie – definitely not your normal cinema experience – Tonight’s movie is Big Spur. Starts 8.45pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.


Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd – 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.


Wednesday 21st till 1st February (Wednesdays to Sundays only) - 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.


Friday 23rd – Hobsons Bay Movies by the Bay. Bring a picnic, rug or deckchair and yourselves for this outdoor film night at Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown. The film is Guardians of the Galaxy (M) and starts about 8.45 when it’s dark. www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Experience_Hobsons_Bay/Festivals_Events/Upcoming_events


Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th - Rotax Pro-Tour Round 1 - Todd Road Kart Track, 1 Cook Street, Port Melbourne, 9.30am – 4pm.