Free Events in October 2014

Welcome to the October 2014 Events Newsletter.

Even more things to do than normal now as Spring has sprung!

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Till Sunday 5th October – Shrine of Remembrance – 10am-3pm every day – SHRINE FAMILY AUDIO TOUR (For children aged 6-12). Follow the specially designed family audio tour through the Shrine of Remembrance exhibition Australia Will Be There: Victorians in the First World War (1914-19). Discover stories of Victorian soldiers, nurses and service animals at Gallipoli, on the Western Front, in the Middle East and learn about what Mum, Grandma and young people were doing back in Melbourne to help the war effort. Shrine Volunteer guides will also be available to answer questions and take families on a 30 minute highlights tour where families can participate in a Service of Remembrance.

Download the free family audio guide from the Shrine website or iTunes store onto your own devices. Or you can have the option of loaning a Shrine iPad from the Shrine of Remembrance Visitor Centre. Time: Allow an hour to complete activities Cost: Free, gold coin donation welcome - See more at: http://www.shrine.org.au/Whats-On/Families/School-Holidays#sthash.HR9XYDX8.dpuf

Till Sunday 5th October - Melbourne Fringe Festival – Each year artists from a wide scope of art-form and experience join our Independent Arts Program to develop and present their work as part of the Festival. Through our Independent Arts Program we run the Festival Hub, a curated space that offers a cross-section of arts experiences throughout the Festival period including the Fringe Club. Up to a third of the programmed events are free apparently. See www.melbournefringe.com.au

Till Sunday 12th October - Once upon a Time – State Library of Victoria, Blue Rotunda, Cowen Gallery, 328 Swanston Street, Mon - Thu: 10am – 9pm and Fri - Sun 10am – 6pm.

Let your imagination run wild in Once upon a Time: A World of Children's Picture Book Art.

In this free exhibition celebrating children's illustrated storybooks, see classic characters like Blinky Bill and the Magic Pudding, as well as fun favourites including Miffy, Grandma Poss and Old Tom. You’ll also see aliens and fairies, tigers and bears, cranky cats, playful pups and a dinosaur who does the dishes!

Look at original drawings, dummy books and videos about the artworks to discover the magic behind creating illustrated stories, then create your own story with the free activity booklet. Kids can relax afterwards by snuggling up with a cushion and a book in the reading pod.

This delightful exhibition showcases the world-renowned Scholastic Dromkeen Children’s Literature Collection.

Till 12th December - The Australian Red Cross in the Great War. Celebrate 100 years of the Red Cross in Australia with this stunning photographic exhibition. Featured in the exhibition are striking images from the Australian Red Cross archives – most on public display for the first time – that convey the nerve-centre of the Australian Red Cross in Melbourne. The exhibition also looks at Australian Red Cross fund-raising efforts in Victoria and their compassionate projects at home and abroad. Royal Historical Society of Victoria, 239 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm

Wednesday 1st - Multimedia, Fed Square. Treat your kids to a unique multimedia activity these school holidays. In this exciting new Big Screen series, kids can watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, The Lego Movie and High School Musical 3, and then play the movie heroes with XBOX gaming! Where: Big Screen, The Square , 11am – 4pm.

Wednesday 1st – Friday 3 October ACMI - Kids Drop in: Screen Safari.   Adventure like the animals of Madagascar in this green screen workshop. Play your part in an exciting expedition as it unfolds across a series of exotic locations inspired by the Madagascar movies.  Sessions from 11am, 12pm, 2pm + 3pm. Drop in ten minutes before the hour. For ages 8 to 12.

Wednesday 1st October - To celebrate World Ballet Day, The Australian Ballet will be running a morning of ballet classes on the main stage at Federation Square, Corner of Swanston & Flinders Streets, 8am - 10am

The classes will be run by legendary Australian Ballet principal artist Steven Heathcote who recently returned to the company as Ballet Master and Repetiteur. 

Come along to support the dancers and enjoy this rare insight into the world of ballet.

Wednesday 1st – Artplay - Tracking with the Pitcha Making Fella, Birrarung Marr, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm.

Capture some native Australian animals through story and paint with the Pitcha Makin Fellaz.

First explore some Aboriginal stories about the Yarra River and the area outside ArtPlay, then meet the Fellaz (a group of seven Aboriginal men from Ballarat), find out how they create art together and try out some of their techniques. 

You will make your own stamps out of foam and use paint to create patterns and imagery for a giant animal design which will be over 2 metres high! Twelve animal paintings completed by the Fellaz in collaboration with children at ArtPlay will feature in an exhibition from 29 October to 23 November 2014. 

All children under eight years must be accompanied by an adult.

Wednesday 1st till Friday 3rd -Artplay Backyard, Birrarung Marr. 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! And don’t forget to bring a hat! 10.30am to 12.00pm

Wednesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th -Storytime for Pre-Schoolers, Experimedia, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, 11.30am – 12.30pm. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and activities designed to stimulate imagination and language development in preschoolers. For ages three to five years.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Wednesday 1st – 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 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th – 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).

Wednesday 1st - Silly Storytime at East Melbourne Library, East Melbourne Library, 122 George Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002. Age 3+ years, 11am – noon. Time to clown around with jokes, riddles, tee-hees and guffaws. Listen to some funny stories, share a joke and make your very own whirlygig and pinwheel


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Wednesday 1st till Friday 3rd - School Holiday Entertainment at Harbour Town, Docklands, 10.30am and 2.30pm. Come and pat the animals at Farmer Darryl's Animal Farm.

Thursday 2nd - Balloons and Bubbles Storytime, Southbank Library at Boyd, Ground 207 City Road, Southbank VIC 3006, 10.30am – 11.30am.

Does your child love balloons and bubbles? Bring them to this special school holiday Stompers session for children aged three to five years.

There will be books, songs and rhymes followed by time to play with balloons and blow some bubbles.

Thursday 2nd - Learn iPad Essentials, 11am – noon. Call 03 9658 9998 to book. Get the most out of your iPad. Learn how to set it up, all about apps and other great iPad features as well as how to get started on social media. Bring your own iPad or use one of theirs. The workshop runs the first Thursday of the month from 11am to 12pm (4 September, 2 October, 6 November, 4 December). No prior skills are necessary. Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands.

Fridays 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st –Qigong (a sort of Tai Chi combining integrated movement, mental cultivation and regulated breathing) – Main Square at Federation Square 8am – 9am.

Friday 3rd - The 1st Friday Dance Club.

Each month anyone in Melbourne can come into the city and learn a dance with skilled dancing groups. Today it's time for Bollywood with one of Melbourne's hottest dance troupes, Natya Bollywood! The 1st Friday Dance Club takes place at the same place and the same time every month. The site becomes known as a place for dancing and the first Friday becomes known as the night for dancing. 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.

Friday 3rd - Kids Own Publishing at Library at the Dock, Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade,Docklands VIC 3008, Age: 4 to 7 years . 10.30am – noon.

Library at the Dock is hosting an exhibition on the history of Docklands and there are some fascinating objects on display from this watery location.

Children will use the exhibits as a springboard for their own imaginative stories and publish them on the library iPads as eight-page digital books using the Kids’ Own Publishing app for iPad, WPublish.

Children can take photos of the exhibits for use in their books and with the guidance of a Kids’ Own publishing artist will learn how to explore the creative digital collage tools. Books made will be shared with the Docklands community as part of the Docklands Story Trail project.

Friday 3rd – Loud at the Library at the Dock, Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade,Docklands VIC 3008, Age: 13 to 18 years, 6pm – 8pm.

Ever wanted to be loud in the library? Come along to the Library at The Dock for some fun...

There'll be face painting, oculus rift, open studios, DJ (Jonny), electronic toothbrush races and 3D printing.

Fridays 3rd 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.

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th - The Australian Youth Orchestra Chamber Players, Melba Hall, Gate 12 Royal Parade, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3052, Sat: 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Sun: 2pm – 4pm, www.ayo.com.au.

More than 30 of Australia’s best young musicians, forming five string quartets, three piano trios and one wind quintet, have been specially selected to take part in the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) Chamber Players.

Every year audiences gather to these intimate performances which aim to highlight the excellent individual abilities of Australia’s next generation of classical musicians. Working under the tutelage of some of the world’s leading musicians, the AYO Chamber Players will present an eclectic and exciting range of repertoire including Schubert, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Dvorak.

A regular principal cello with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg and Vienna Radio Orchestra, Howard Penny has worked with the world’s leading conductors and soloists. Penny has had a long affiliation with the AYO and once again brings a wealth of knowledge, invaluable experience, and passion to this program that he directs.

AYO Chamber Players is recognised as one of Australia’s pre-eminent training programs for young talented musicians between the ages of 18 and 28 years who are seriously engaged in chamber music. With the combination of an intensive, creative environment and the youth-infused expertise of its performing artists, this intimate and moving concert experience is not to be missed.

Saturdays 4th, 11th and 18th - Victor Hugo Makers Workshops, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Sat: 10.30am – 11.30am (children 7 – 11), and 12.30–2.30pm (adults).

Get creative in these separate workshops for children and adults, celebrating the Library's exhibition Victor Hugo: Les Misérables – From Page to Stage.

In the 'Victor Hugo maker workshop: costume design', work with master costumier and puppet maker Nick Barlow to design and construct character costumes inspired by Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. No prior experience in design is required.

Book the 'Victor Hugo maker workshop: set design' to join master set designer Danielle Brunstman to create a puppet-theatre-style set based on the themes of Les Misérables. No prior art or set design experience is necessary – just bring your creative ideas and a willingness to learn.

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th – Font Factory at Artplay, Birrarung Marr, 10am – 4pm both days.

Come and join graphic design studio Copy Boy in their fun Font Factory! Create a font out of nothing but rubbish. Use recycled materials to make an R out of bottle caps or an M out of sticks, put it on the factory line and watch it be turned into a font that you can type with. What crazy letters can be made? We need your help to make every letter in the alphabet. Make a letter or simply have fun typing messages to your friends and family using the Font Factory font.

For ages 4-12. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sundays 5th and 19th – Laughter Club at Federation Square by Swanston Street 11am – 11.30am

Sunday 5th - Docklands Blues Music Festival, Wonderland Spiegeltent, 120 Pearl River Road, Docklands, 11am – 9pm. The Docklands Blues Music Festival will see the Harbour Town precinct come alive with the incredible talents of world class musicians as they bring rhythm to Docklands. 

This free event spans over five stages with over 20 blues acts over 10 hours! Blues festival Sunday will feature: Desert Blues Cartel, Safari Motl, Justin Yap Band, Sweet Felicia & The Honeytones, Rod Paine & The Fulltime Lovers, Jesse Valach Blue Mountain, Blue Eyes Cry, Kelly Auty's Wild Women, Dreamboogie Greg Dodd & The Hoodoo Men and many more.

Sunday 5th - Single Parents Active Kids have a meet and greet in Reservoir at 12noon with a free sausage sizzle and entertainment for the kids. It should make for a fun and friendly afternoon. It’s a catered event so RSVP’s are requested by 3rd October so be quick. Check out www.singleparentsactivekids.org

Sundays 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th - Gypsy Jazz on the Village Green at CERES. Starts 1pm. Join in, or like most people, just watch! www.ceres.org.au

Sunday 5th till Sunday 12th - Victorian Seniors Festival, www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Seniors Festival is on again, with a jam-packed program of entertainment and activities for you to enjoy. 

Set to the theme of taking good care of yourself, the festival will host over 1000 free or low-cost events. Whether your passion is music, theatre, sports, touring, learning new skills or making new friends, there's something for everyone at this year's festival.

The Festival kicks off with Celebration Day on Sunday 5 October from 10:30am to 4:00pm at Federation Square. Bring your family and friends along and enjoy great music, entertainment and demonstrations. 

Drop into the free RDNS Melbourne Festival Hub at Melbourne Town Hall from Monday 6 to Friday 10 October, and enjoy lunchtime concerts, information sessions, exhibitions and the RDNS healthy pit stop. 

You can also enjoy free chamber music and brass bands at the Lifeview Concert Series at Deakin Edge, Federation Square, on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 October, supported by Lifeview Residential Care. 

From 5-12 October all Victorian Seniors Card holders travel free on public transport. 

Pick up a free festival program from any Coles store, local library, council or neighbourhood house for a full events calendar. 

Monday 6th – Classics at Fed Square - these free monthly concerts offer something for everyone, from classical and swing to big band, jazz and even contemporary pop. Today it’s Duo Chamber Melange, Tamara Smolyar (piano) and Ivana Tomaskova (violin). It’s held in the Deakin Edge 12noon till 1pm.

Tuesdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th – Tai Chi in Main Square at Federation Square 7.30am – 8.30am.

Tuesdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th – Lunchtime Meditation in The Atrium at Federation Square 12.30-1pm.

Wednesday 8th - Watch the Bloodmoon with Saxon the telescope and binocular people at 440 Dynon Road, West Melbourne VIC 3003. 8pm – 10pm. Please register via website www.saxon.com.au/bloodmoon.

Come and watch the moon get covered in red with Saxon at the upcoming total lunar eclipse.

Saxon will be hosting a viewing session where you can see the blood moon up close through their wide range of telescopes and binoculars displayed on the night.

Plus there’ll be activities for astronomers of all ages so don’t miss out.

Thursdays 9th and 23th - Feel Young - Drawing from ancient Chinese traditions this combines gentle exercise and dance – The Atrium in Federation Square 10.30am – 12.30pm

Thursday 9th and 23th – 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

Friday 10th - Grandparents Storytime, Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade,Docklands VIC 3008. 10.30am – 11.30am.

Grandparents and 'significant elders' are invited to bring their grandchildren to a special storytime as a thank you for their love and support.

Tell a story, share a story, sing some songs and rhymes – you will have a grand old time! A portrait will be crafted by your young artist, and some morning tea will be enjoyed.

For children aged two to five years and their grandparents and significant elders.

This is one of the fun activities taking place across the City of Melbourne's library branches during Seniors Week, 5 to 12 October.

Friday 10th – Tanderrum, Federation Square, Corner of Swanston & Flinders Streets, Fri: 6pm – 8pm.

When, for the opening of last year's Melbourne Festival, elders of the five clans of the Kulin nation invited the people of Melbourne into their Tanderrum, it was the first such ceremony since the founding of modern Melbourne in 1835.

It was a proud symbol of the resilience and richness of Melbourne's Koorie history and culture, and a statement of optimism for the future.

This year's Melbourne Festival once again commences with Tanderrum, a powerful event, deeply rooted in place and history – a celebration of the ground we stand on, and of the people whose ancestors walked it before our time.

The culmination of months of workshops between members of the five clans that make up the Kulin nation – Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Wathaurong, Taungerong and Dja Dja Wurrung – this powerful event invites all into their circle for a poignant exchange of story, song and dance.

Saturday 11th and 25th - A Secret Place, 8.15pm till 11pm. 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 12th - Myers Place Latin Fiesta, Meyers Place, Melbourne, 11am – 6pm Meyers Place in the CBD will transform itself into a fiesta with the buzz of Latin food, drinks and culture. 

Sunday 12th - 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 13th - Learn Crochet at The Square in Federation Square 12-2pm. Bring along a 3.5mm hook and red yarn as they'll be making poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Wednesday 15th - Ride2Work Breakfast day - Free breakfasts at City Square 44-86 Swanston Street, 6.30am – 9am. www.ride2work.com.au

Join more than 150,000 Australian workers around the nation to celebrate the power of the pedal as they hop on their bikes and enjoy the health and fitness benefits of riding to work.

Breakfasts will be held at City Square, Melbourne, and Victoria Harbour in Docklands. Registration and entry is free for these breakfasts.

Saturday 18th – Poetry – 2 feature poets and the opportunity to read out your own at The Atrium in Federation Square 2pm – 4pm

Thursday 23rd – Saturday 25th - Diwali Indian Festival of Lights, Federation Square, Corner of Swanston & Flinders Streets. Noon till 9.30pm each day. Experience an incredible festival of Indian music, classical and Bollywood dance, craft, a variety of cuisines and fireworks.

The festival begins with a Bollywood film marathon from October 23-24 at Fed Square, noon till 9.30pm. There will then be Dance performances at City Square on Friday 24 October followed by a family festival on Saturday 25 October (12pm – 9:30pm).

The festival will include a variety of Indian and multicultural music and dance, a magic show, craft workshops for children and yoga as well as meditation lectures and demonstrations. A troupe from India will also be performing traditional dances. With a live band and a busy program culminating with fireworks at the Yarra River, there is something for everyone at the Diwali-Indian Festival.

Sunday 26th - Carlton Italian Festa, Piazza Italia, Carlton, 11am – 8pm, www.carltonitalianfesta.org.au. Carlton Italian Festa is a fun free day of activities celebrating the food, art, music and culture of Italy! 

It is about bringing all Melburnians – young, old and in between – together in the heart of Melbourne's Italian precinct to celebrate all things Italian. 

The day will feature music, dance and comedy performances along with cooking demonstrations, sporting and children's activities.

Sunday 26th – The Classic Car monthly showcase, this month featuring the Subaru WRX Club of Victoria 11am – 2.30pm on Flinders Street section of Federation Square by ACMI 

Monday 27th - Learn Knitting at The Atrium in Federation Square 12-2pm

Tuesday 28th - Climate Watch Walk, Royal Botanic Gardens, Alexandra Avenue, Melbourne. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate, 10am – 11am. Be a ClimateWatcher! During this free guided walk, record features of specific plants and animals in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

These observations will become part of a database that helps scientists see what impact climate change is having on particular species, and therefore inform Australia’s response to a changing climate

Thursday 30th - Knowledge in Emergency Management, State Control Centre 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002. Choose from 6 sessions: 9–10am, 10.15–11.15am, 11.30am–12.30pm, 12.45–1.45pm, 2–3pm, 3.15–4.15pm.

Learn how Victoria responds to fire emergencies in the time leading up to and during the summer fire season.

The Country Fire Authority along with Emergency Management Victoria will share their knowledge on areas that have significantly evolved over the last few years since Black Saturday in 2009. Topics include fire behaviour, public information, intelligence, the Bureau of Meteorology and mapping. The presentation includes a tour of the Response Control Hub.

Bookings available via e.mcdonald@cfa.vic.gov.au

Thursday 30th - Behind the Microscope Discovery Tour, Burnet Institute 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, 12.30pm – 2.30pm.

Burnet Institute is one of Australia's leading medical research and public health organisations, specialising in infectious diseases such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis and influenza.

Don't miss this chance to meet inspiring scientists, hear about their latest research, and go behind the scene’ on a guided lab tour. Join the scientists for an informative 30-minute discussion about their wide-ranging work in developing new treatments, vaccines and understanding the development of immunity for diseases of major global importance.

Participants must wear closed-in shoes to tour the laboratories. Part of Melbourne Knowledge Week 2014. Contact reception@burnet.edu.au, www.burnet.edu.au

Friday 31st and Saturday 1st November - Polyglot Theatre at Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston Street. The Knowledge Hub is located on the corner of Little Collins and Swanston Streets.

Polyglot Theatre is Australia’s leading creator of experiential, interactive and installation theatre for children and families, encouraging kids to turn the simplest things into extraordinary creations. Inspired by the artwork, play and ideas of children, we create imagined worlds where audiences actively participate in performance through touch, play and encounter. Experienced artists from Polyglot Theatre will be guiding children through creative drawing exercises on a table wired for sound.

With a variety of drawing materials, the artists engage the participants in a series of drawing experiences on a large sheet of paper where the sound of the pastel or crayon is picked up by a sensitive microphone and amplified. The physical action of the drawing is turned into a unique soundscape with the final shared drawing artwork exhibited within the space.

Suitable for children aged 3-12 years. 10am – noon and 2pm - 4pm both days. Drop in and leave at any point during a session

Friday 31st - Halloween Fright Night Dis-organ-eyes, Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston Street , 8pm – late. The Night Terrors launch Pavor Nocturnus, a vinyl release that combines Melbourne Town Hall's incredible Grand Organ with theremin and drums. Miles Brown, Damian Coward and Sarah Lim create a euphorically terrifying dream sequence, perfect for Halloween.

Students from RMIT's Sculpture, Sound and Spatial Practice course will add to the drama with a series of short premieres in which the Grand Organ is triggered by computers.