Free Events in May 2014

Welcome to the May 2014 Events Newsletter.

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Thursday 1st till 1 June (Wednesdays to Sundays only) - Antartica (interactive exhibition) at Artplay, Birarrung Marr, behind Federation Square.
Can you imagine what living in Antarctica will be like in 20 years time? Through a mix of speculative storytelling, hands on constructing and museum reverse engineering – artist Ben and children at ArtPlay have literally `made the future`. Just like scientists and historians can tell stories about the past from objects; here objects describe what could happen to this frozen continent in the future. From peculiar stories of fictional explorers to imagined evolutions of real creatures, discover how children have visualised the future in models and 1:1 objects, to ask: what will happen to Antarctica?


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


Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Friday 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.


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.


Fridays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th – Heritage Walking Tour, Williamstown. Meet 11.45am at the Visitor Info Centre, Commonwealth Reserve, Nelson Place, Williamstown.


Friday 2nd - 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.


Saturday/Sundays 3rd/4th, 10th/11th, 17/18th and 24th/25th - The Sea Shepherd boats seem to be available for tours again this month at Seaworks Dock, 2 Anne Street, Williamstown where you can meet the captains, crew and tour their boats 12 noon-4.30pm. Donations are accepted and in fact hoped for (!) but well worth while. Check www.seashepherd.org.au


Sunday 4th – Indonesian Street Festival – Queen Street, Queen Victoria Market. Indonesia Street Festival aims to share the rich Indonesian sights, sounds and culture. This event also celebrates a significant day in Indonesia tradition – Kartini Day, which symbolises Mother's Day, a day that celebrates women's roles within Indonesian society. From 10am - 4pm.


Sunday 4th - World Laughter Day is celebrated in more than 72 countries with thousands of people coming together to laugh for world peace and to unite in the global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. Laughter Clubs of Victoria invites all Victorians to come with family and friends to celebrate this significant world event. It is a fun and free community event to enhance positivity, optimism, happiness, love of life and the sharing gift of laughter. Laughter Clubs throughout Victoria will be showcasing their signature laughs for everyone. Take part in our competition for male, female and child and win a gift for the best laugh. Corner of Swanston & Flinders Streets, Federation Square 11am-noon.


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


Monday 5th - Classics at Fed Square. See Victorian College of Arts Secondary School in the Deakin Edge 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.


Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th - Lunch Beat. Embrace your inner Beyoncé and shake it! In an Australian first, Melbourne hosts Lunch Beat; the one-hour lunch time dance event taking the US and Europe by storm. Get down to the Toff and shake off the midday slump and re-energise with colleagues and friends. The City of Melbourne invites you to come down and shake it like a Polaroid picture as DJ Andrew Welsh spins out a range of classics to get you moving. You'll be sent back to work with a healthy lunch and an awesome buzz.


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 Behind the Candelabra. Starts 7pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.


Wednesdays 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. Meet in front foyer Swanston Street.


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.


Thursdays 8th and 22nd – Belly Dancing – The Atrium at Federation Square 12.30pm-1pm.


Saturday 10th – Live Illustrations at Fed Square – watch guests demonstrating and see their work projected live on The Atrium Screen 11am-5pm.


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.


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


Tuesday 13th – Williamstown Botanic Gardens Guided Tour – meet main gate corner Osborne and Gifford Streets 10.30-11.30.


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 Blue Jasmine. Starts 7pm but you’ll need to be early to get a seat! Location: 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank.


Saturday 17th - Korea Festival at Fed Square 10am-9pm. Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Korea with free festivities running all day, showcasing traditional and contemporary Korean culture. Entertainment will include the Busan Metropolitan Traditional Music Orchestra, a Hanbok (traditional Korean costume) Fashion Show, the Korea Festival K-pop Contest, a Taekwondo (Korean martial arts) demonstration and much more.


Saturday 17th - Court Open Day. Visit the Supreme, County and Magistrates' Courts on Open Day (10am to 3pm) for a range of free talks, court tours and exhibitions. Chat to staff and judges, decide who is guilty at a mock trial, or get on board a tour of the dungeons (bookings required). Highlights include: 11am: I object your Honour! A judge's guide to a real Supreme Court trial (Supreme Court) 12pm: One punch, a lifetime of consequences panel discussion (County Court) 1pm: Saying no to family violence discussion (Magistrates' Court) 1.30pm: VCAT information session: Taking it to VCAT information session (William Cooper Justice Centre) 2pm: DPP v Telfani mock trial (County Court) All day: Coroners Court exhibition: Collapse of the West Gate Bridge (William Cooper Justice Centre)