Winter wonderland
CENTRAL Springvale is being transformed with real snow, roving performers, live acts, rides, face painting, arts and crafts, ice sculpting and more.
There’ll be fireworks at 6.50pm to wrap up the second annual Springvale Snow Fest.
There’ll be road closures on Windsor, Buckingham and Balmoral avenues. Parking is available at the Number 8 car park.
– Corner Buckingham and Balmoral avenues, Springvale. Sunday 20 July, noon to 7pm. Free entry. Rides cost $2 to $6.
Writing for fun
ENJOY a day of creative writing exercises and discuss the different aspects of writing within a friendly, supportive group.
Meeting new people and working within this group may provide inspiration.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Thursday 31 July, 10am to 2pm. A $10 donation is suggested and a light lunch is provided. Bookings are essential. Call 9791 8664.
War through a lens
BARAT Ali Batoor was driven out of Afghanistan during the civil war, when most of his people were massacred.
In response to 23 years of war, he chose to record his people’s plight through photographs.
The award-winning photographer’s exhibition Heartlands is coming to Dandenong.
– Walker Street Gallery, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until 26 July. Free entry.
Author visit
MARIE Bean will speak about her new book Lazy Loser, answer questions and sign copies.
The book encourages readers to slim down by avoiding dieting and getting fit the “lazy way”.
– Dandenong Library, Level 2, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Friday 18 July, 6pm to 7.30pm. Free entry.
Friday walking group
SPRINGVALE Neighbourhood House has a Friday walking group for beginners of all fitness levels.
Each week, the group walks to a local place of interest and returns to Springvale Neighbourhood House within the hour. The return trip is one to two kilometres, and all walkers are issued a map and can walk at their own pace.
– Springvale Neighbourhood House, 46 to 50 Queens Avenue, Springvale. Friday 25 July, 9.30am. Call Melanie Virtue on 9548 3972 for more information.
Tree planting
A TREE planting day will be held at Tatterson Park in celebration of National Tree Day.
Bring warm clothes, a pair of gloves, a hand towel and suitable footwear. A barbecue lunch will be provided at the end of planting.
– Tatterson Park. Meet at Tamarind Close, Keysborough. Saturday 26 July, 10am to 1pm. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1702.
Environmental awareness
FOTHERINGHAM Reserve environmental awareness days are held on the fourth Sunday of every second month.
Activities include water watching, planting indigenous seedlings, weed control, seed collecting, nature walks and barbecues.
– Fotheringham Reserve, Pyke Steet, Dandenong. Sunday 27 July, 10am to 2pm.
Compost and worms
THIS workshop about waste reduction will teach participants how to improve their gardens, food crops, and the environment. All materials will be provided.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 29 July, 10am to 2pm. The workshop is $10. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511.
Cultural Threads
CULTURAL Threads is a celebration of art and textiles and will run throughout August.
At the official opening will be exhibitions by Michele Elliot and Michelle Hamer and a chance to meet the artists.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Thursday 31 July, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Free entry.
Native fibre weaving
ADRIENNE Kneebone will teach weaving techniques – twining and coiling – at a free workshop.
Students will also learn about local plant harvesting, dyeing using colour from the Northern Territory and the process for preparing fibres.
Works created during the workshop will have the opportunity to be displayed at Heritage Hill during textiles display Cultural Threads.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 5 August, 10am to 1pm. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Gaslight 30th Anniversary Show
THE Gaslight Company has been a firm favourite with morning music audiences for 30 years.
Its 30th birthday show will be a mix of music from hit shows including The Great Music Hall, Best Of British Pops, Waltzing Australia, Peter Allen Songbook and Lloyd Webber and Friends.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 August, 10.30am to 11.45am. Tickets are priced from $14.50. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.drumtheatre.com.au.
Polish food tour
HEAR about how real Polish cuisine is prepared, meet the chef and eat a banquet of Polish delights on this walking tour of central Dandenong.
The two-hour tour is a special one-off event.
– Central Dandenong. Starting location is advised on booking. Thursday 7 August, 10am to noon. The cost is $45 per person, including tastings and meal. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1377 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com.
Urban knitting workshops
LEARN about the variety of textile arts – knitting, crocheting, embroidery, dyeing and more – at these interactive workshops for all ages.
Participants will create an artwork to contribute to a large-scale urban knitting installation, which will become part of a larger project to adorn Dandenong’s civic square during August.
The free workshops are part of textiles exhibition Cultural Threads.
– Dandenong Civic Centre, Community Room, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Thursday 7 and Saturday 9 August, 10am – 12.30pm and 1.30 – 4pm. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 5141.
Neil Diamond tribute
NEIL Diamond’s Hot August Night – The Anniversary Tribute Show is coming to Dandenong.
Three-piece band the Diamantes and Dominic Finley – a British singer-songwriter and former member of ’80s chart toppers Cutting Crew – will perform the classic album in its entirety.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 9 August, 8pm. Call 8571 1666 or visit www.drumtheatre.com.au for tickets.
Celebrating 150 years
ST JAMES’ Anglican Church in Langhorne Street, Dandenong, is celebrating its 150 years.
This community concert celebration will feature celebrities and local artists.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Friday 18 July, 7pm. Tickets are from $20 and free for children under 15. Call 8571 1666 to book.
Market Sunday
SPRINGVALE Rotary Sunday Market is held on the second Sunday of each month.
It features trash and treasure, plants, clothes, tools and lots more.
– Opposite Sandown Park Railway Station, corner Lightwood and Lawn roads, Springvale. Sunday 10 August, 8am to 2pm. Stalls are $10 and public entry is a gold coin donation.
Computer games
THE Springvale Computer Market is on the second and fifth Sunday of each month.
– Springvale Town Hall, 397 to 405 Springvale Road, Springvale. Sunday 10 August, 10am to 4pm. Entry is $3 per person and free for kids aged under 10 years.
Craft day
THE Noble Park Country Women’s Association meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
The second Monday is a free craft day, where participants can learn something new or bring along a work in progress.
– Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18 to 34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Monday 11 August, 10am to 1.30pm. Call 9547 7261 for more information.
Interfaith Network Tour
THIS tour is an opportunity to visit the places of worship of the local faith and spiritual communities and see the diversity within the area.
– Wednesday 13 August, 9am to 3pm. Bookings are essential. The tour is $25 per person, including a Many Faiths, One People booklet. Visit www.interfaithnetwork.org.au or call Helen Heath on 9546 8441 for more information.
Green thumbs
SPRINGVALE Garden Club’s July guest speaker is Tek Marko, who’ll talk about aloe and rare bulbs.
New members are made most welcome.
– Springvale Senior Citizens Hall, The Crescent, Springvale. Wednesday 16 July. 7.30pm for an 8pm start. The $2 entry includes supper, door prizes and trading table. Call Cheryl Johnson on 9551 3197 for more information.
DIY workshops
GREATER Dandenong Bunnings stores will hold free DIY workshops each weekend in July.
Flooring, home organisation and tree planting will be among workshop topics for adults. Workshops for kids will cover game making, mosaics and more.
– Saturdays and Sundays throughout July. Adult DIY workshops are held at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. Kids DIY workshop times vary so contact the store. Bunnings Warehouse Dandenong, 1-5 Gladstone Road, 8792 9500. Bunnings Warehouse Keysborough, corner Springvale and Cheltenham roads, 8796 7100. Bunnings Warehouse Springvale, 849 Princes Highway, 8558 7300.
Cemetery tour
FRIENDS of Dandenong Cemeteries lead people through the Dandenong Community Cemetery to discover the final resting places of many Dandenong pioneers.
Participants can hear the anecdotes and stories about the locally important, unusual or infamous.
Each tour is unique and runs for 90 minutes.
– Dandenong Community Cemetery, Kirkham Road, Dandenong South. Sunday 20 July, 2pm. The $15 fee includes a light afternoon tea. Bookings are essential. Call 0411 399 449.
Game On
THE Game On Basketball Program is for 12 to 25-year-olds who enjoy basketball and breakdancing.
Participants can join in the casual basketball games with their own team or join another team, and there’s a large stage for breakdancing rehearsal.
City of Greater Dandenong’s Youth Services runs the free program.
– Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Mondays, 4.30pm to 7pm (except public holidays). Call 9793 2155 or Facebook message www.facebook.com/cgdyouthservices for more information.
Emerge concert
DRUM Theatre will host acts from around the world in an energetic, colourful and emotion-charged rollercoaster that incorporates local performers sharing their stories through music, dance and humour.
The foyer will be transformed with workshops, activities, exhibitions and tasting plates from local restaurants.
Free tickets are available to City of Greater Dandenong residents but bookings are essential.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 19 July, 2pm. Call 8571 1666.
