Free Events in July 2014

Welcome to the July 2014 Events Newsletter.

A bit late this month - the fault of the World Cup, but better late than never as they say!!

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Till Friday 4th - Australian Centre for the Moving Image. There's trouble in Fairyland! Like reluctant hero Shrek, this holiday workshop invites you to step into another realm and save the day. Perform in front of a Green Screen and watch yourself as you're transported to a magical world of fairytale characters. Sessions are free. Drop in ten minutes before the hour, for sessions beginning at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Recommended for kids aged 7 to 10.


Till July 5th - The Emerge Festival celebrates new refugees and emerging artists who have recently settled in Australia with a colourful series of performances and unique cultural experiences including music, dance, visual arts, ancient crafts and ceremonies. This is the Festival's 11th year. You can see African dance grooves, Sudanese reggae, Ethiopian jazz, Azmari banter, Somali pop and sounds from Samoa to Afghanistan and a crafty artisans marketplace. See www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2014/emerge.shtml to find the program of events.


Until Sunday 13th - Honour a digger this winter by participating in the Shrine of Remembrance school holiday program. Visit the shrine website and download the 'Make a Poppy' activity sheet. Create your own personalised poppy at home and bring it to the Shrine to lay in memory of an Anzac from your family or from the Victorian stories provided. Families will also have the opportunity to join one of our volunteers for a guided tour of the Shrine building and Reserve.

On the website participants will find the 'Make A Poppy' activity sheet providing instructions on how to make a poppy, learning information about the significance of the poppy and stories of Victorians who have served, for whom children may like to choose to lay their poppy. These will be linked to anniversaries which fall within the school holiday period as well as memorials around the Shrine Reserve, such as Simpson and his Donkey.

This is an outdoors activity suitable for ages 6-12 years. Participants are encouraged to rug up and bring gloves, hat, scarf and umbrella in anticipation of spending time outside. Open 10am – 4pm. Shrine of Remembrance, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. The Education Centre is located on the south-eastern side of the Shrine.


Tuesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th - Puggs in Space is a weekly comedy room at the Imperial Hotel, featuring acts like Claire Hooper, Harley Breen, Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor and Bart Freebairn. Puggs in Space brings top quality laughs to the Imperial every week - with a pay-what-you-feel admission! 8.30pm – 10.30am, 2-8 Bourke Street, Melbourne.


Until 13th - Free School Holiday Fitness Program for Teens. These school holidays, Fitness First is opening its doors to Australian teens for free as part of a teen-focused fitness initiative. Teens aged 14-18 are invited to use Fitness First club facilities and take part in group exercise classes without charge, in the name of good health and fitness. Open all day, every day, 276 Flinders Street, Lvl 2 and 3.


Tuesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th – Tai Chi in Main Square at Federation Square 7.30am – 8.30am.


Tuesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th – Lunchtime Meditation in The Atrium at Federation Square 12.30-1pm


Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Wednesday 2nd – 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.


Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th – 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)


Thursday 3rd - Talks for Kids: Fashion Detective. Kids can explore the Fashion Detective exhibition with Danielle Whitfield, Assistant Curator, Fashion and Textiles at the The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at 11am. Register on the day at the Information Desk 30 minutes prior. Limited places.


Thursday 3rd - Little Marketeers School Holiday Activities at Queen Victoria Market. Join Sweetpea Cuisine these school holidays for fun foodie activities using seasonal produce and crafty ways to make food fun!

'Potato People', 11am-12pm. Kids can make their own 'Potato Person' in this fun and interactive activity. 

'Pikelet Snowmen', 12:30pm-1:30pm. Food art meets winter! In this session, kids will be guided by Sweetpea Cuisine to create their own 'pikelet snowmen' and decorate them with wintry food items before they devour them! Kids will also be provided with winter recipes to take home and work on in their own kitchen. Queen Victoria Market, 65-159 Victoria Street, Melbourne, at the top of I Shed.


Fridays 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th – Qigong (a sort of Tai Chi combining integrated movement, mental cultivation and regulated breathing) – Main Square at Federation Square 8am – 9am


Every Friday, 4th July till 29th August – Fireworks - 6pm – 8pm, fireworks at 7pm. Start your weekend with a bang during July and August with free Friday night fireworks at Docklands. Bring the family, rally your friends and come early to enjoy the entertainment and rug up and enjoy the show from New Quay Promenade. There's music and fun to keep everyone entertained, before and after the fireworks, along the promenade and piazza at New Quay. On Friday 18 July, join us for a very special night as part of the AIDS 2014 Paint the Town Red cultural program – a spectacular display of red fireworks. Piazza At Docklands, 429-437 Docklands Drive, Docklands


Friday 6th - The 1st Friday Dance Club. Each month anyone in Melbourne can come into the city and learn a dance with skilled dancing groups. The dances change every week. The 1st Friday Dance Club takes place at the same place and the same time every month – 6pm till 8pm weather permitting as it’s outdoors. 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 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


Sunday 6th - Queen Victoria Market - A special guide will take you around the Queen Victoria Market to help you find special Winter Market treasures as part of the scavenger hunt and kids can check the winter items off their list along the way. They'll get to meet a variety of market characters and also receive fun winter recipes to try out at home. All completed scavenger hunt checklists will then go into the running for a prize at the end of the holidays. Suitable for school-aged children (5+). 65-159 Victoria Street, Melbourne.Meet tour guides in String Bean Alley.Scavenger Hunts will run at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm.


Sundays 6th and 20th – Laughter Club at Federation Square by Swanston Street 11am – 11.30am


Sundays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th - Gypsy Jazz on the Village Green at CERES. Starts 1pm. Join in, or like most people, just watch! www.ceres.org.au


Monday 7th till Friday 11th - Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square. There's trouble in Fairyland! Like reluctant hero Shrek, this holiday workshop invites you to step into another realm and save the day. Perform in front of a Green Screen and watch yourself as you're transported to a magical world of fairytale characters. Sessions are free. Drop in ten minutes before the hour, for sessions beginning at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Recommended for kids aged 7 to 10.


Wednesdays 9th until 27th August - 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


Monday 14th - Learn Crochet at The Square in Federation Square 12-2pm


Thursdays 10th and 24th - Feel Young - Drawing from ancient Chinese traditions this combines gentle exercise and dance – The Atrium in Federation Square 10.30am – 12.30am


Thursday 10th and 24th – 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 12th - Celebrate NAIDOC Week with interactive storytelling sessions that explore the cultural heritage of Australia's First Peoples. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society. For children aged up to 8, their parents and carers. State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne 10am – 11am


Saturday 12th - Join the SKIN Choir, a unique group of Victorian Indigenous musicians and songwriters, for this special performance in celebration of NAIDOC Week. The SKIN Choir will share their perspective on what it means to be Indigenous in modern Australia, with songs about cultural identity and living with mainstream stereotyping. It's at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square, Melbourne. Ground floor, Indigenous gallery 2pm – 3pm


Saturday 12th till Tuesday 15th – Dyson!! Learn the engineering secrets behind Dyson's cyclonic vacuums and bladeless fans at Fed Square. Step inside Only Dyson and see how Dyson scientists research what nasties lurk in your carpet – including live dust mites – and see how Dyson robots bash vacuum cleaners to test the machines' structural integrity. Also get a sneak peek at Dyson’s latest technology before it’s launched in Australia. Federation Square 10am – 5pm each day


Saturdays 12 July, 26 July, 9 August and 23 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 13th - 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 13th - Queen Victoria Market - A special guide will take you around the Queen Victoria Market to help you find special Winter Market treasures as part of the scavenger hunt and kids can check the winter items off their list along the way. They'll get to meet a variety of market characters and also receive fun winter recipes to try out at home. All completed scavenger hunt checklists will then go into the running for a prize at the end of the holidays. Suitable for school-aged children (5+). 65-159 Victoria Street, Melbourne. Meet tour guides in String Bean Alley. Scavenger Hunts will run at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm.


Sunday 13th – The Air Force Band presents 'Flight', the second of three concerts dedicated to celebrating the centenary of military aviation in Australia.

On 1 March 1914, one hundred years ago, Lieutenant Eric Harrison took flight in a Bristol Boxkite at Point Cook, the birthplace of military aviation in Australia. To commemorate the centenary of this momentous event and the significant advances in airborne capability over the past 100 years, Air Force Band will perform a piece related to military aviation at each of these three concerts. At this second concert, Air Force Band will feature 'Flight' by Claude T Smith, a piece commissioned by the United States Air Force Band and adopted by the Smithsonian Institute as the 'Official March' of their National Air and Space Museum. 3pm – 4pm Iwaki Auditorium – ABC Southbank Centre, 120-130 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank


Wednesday 16th - Over a Century of Cuppas. Back by popular demand, the Shrine of Remembrance is offering visitors the opportunity to tour the Salvation Army Museum with curator and historian Lindsay Cox. The stately Victorian building in Bourke Street has been occupied by the Salvation Army since 1894, and houses an extensive museum collection that is opened to the public only on rare occasions. This special guided tour demonstrates the rich history of the Salvation Army since the Boer War, including the involvement of the Red Shield War Services and the legendary Salvation Army Officer Chaplain-Major William McKenzie OBE MC OF. 12.30pm – 5pm Salvation Army Museum, 69 Bourke Street , Melbourne. Limited spaces available Bookings available via 03 9661 8100


Friday 18th till Friday 25th - As dusk falls over Melbourne, more than 45 prominent and heritage buildings and public spaces will light up in dramatic shades of red. Wherever you are in the city, look out for this stunning spectacle that has seen organisations come together to demonstrate their support for the aims of the ACP AIDS conference. Join the many Melburnians who enjoy a nighttime stroll after dusk and see the lights of the city glow red as many of its buildings, riverside walks and public spaces come to life in a show of solidarity and support for AIDS 2014.