Cultural Threads
KNITTING, crocheting, weaving, needlepoint and more have descended on the Dandenong civic square for textile art and cultural diversity celebration Cultural Threads.
The City of Greater Dandenong event encourages participants to connect with one another, trade skills, share stories and interweave cultures with guidance from artists.
– Various venues throughout Dandenong. Until 31 August. All activities, exhibitions and events are free, but bookings are essential for some activities. Visit www.greaterdandenong.com for more information.
Walk the Land
BRING walking shoes, a love of nature and bird life for an easy stroll around the lakes and wetlands at Tirhatuan Park.
Participants will come together at the end of the walk to share lunch and reflections.
– Meet at The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Thursday 4 September, 10am. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664 for more information.
EXHIBITION Personal Journey features work from artists Elina Simbolon and Sylvia Riley-king.
The art will be on display for four weeks after the opening. The exhibition is free.
– Liberica Coffee, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Friday 29 August, 6pm.
Drumming display
DRUMMING ensemble TaikOz will present new work Crimson Sky, featuring thunderous energy and ethereal sounds.
The group weaves drumming with the shakuhachi and shinobue bamboo flutes, voice and a rare performance on the bass koto – a traditional Japanese 17-stringed plucked instrument.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 11 September, 8pm to 9.55pm. Tickets are from $25. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au.
Making a racquet
KEYSBOROUGH Tennis Club will officially open its refurbished courts with an open day.
Activities will include hot shots, cardio tennis, serve speed testing on a radar, a free 30-minute coaching session (limited places apply) and a free sausage sizzle.
– Wachter Reserve, 194 Bloomfield Road, Keysborough. Sunday 14 September, 10am to 1pm. Call Phil on 0402 076 916 for more information, or visit www.keysboroughtennisclub.com.au.
Green thumbs
SPRINGVALE Garden Club’s next guest speaker is Michael Beck who’ll talk about the council’s parks and gardens.
The friendly group welcomes guests and new members.
– Springvale Senior Citizens Hall, The Crescent, Springvale. Wednesday 20 August, 7.30pm for an 8pm start. The $2 entry fee includes supper, door prizes and the trading table. Call Cheryl Johnson on 9551 3197 for more information.
Textiles in focus
THE Night Sky: And Other Works is part of City of Greater Dandenong’s textile celebration, Cultural Threads.
Exhibiting artists include Australian native fibre weaving artist Adrienne Kneebone and Heritage Hill’s current artist-in-residence Eddy Carroll who has been collaborating with Creative Connections Through Craft at Wellsprings for Women on The Night Sky.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Until 31 August. Call 9793 4511 for more information.
University of the Third Age
THE Dandenong U3A offers 40 classes to retirees, Monday to Friday.
Annual membership is $40 and gives access to all classes.
– Call 9546 2997 or visit www.dandenongu3a.com.au for more information.
Jazz up your Sunday
A DANDENONG cafe will host live music.
Clifford and Co will perform Love, Joy, Peace According to Jazz at a free event.
– Liberica Coffee, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Sunday 24 August, 1.30pm.
Carer support
GROW-Better Together Carers Group is for friends and family of those affected by mental health issues.
It holds free and confidential meetings twice a month in Dandenong.
– Call 1800 558 268 or visit www.grow.net.au for more information.
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.
Relay for Life
GREATER Dandenong Relay for Life is looking for teams, volunteers and entertainment.
The event is an opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against cancer.
– Ross Reserve, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Saturday 11 October, 4pm to Sunday 12 October, 10am. Call Elyce Carlyle on 0409 153 254 for more information, or register at www.relayforlife.org.au.
Knitting together
ARTIST Kate Just will lead a community textiles project in Dandenong.
Participants will learn how to knit or develop their knitting skills while contributing to a growing artwork made by the community.
The event is part of City of Greater Dandenong’s Cultural Threads textiles celebration.
– The Shard (under the big screen), 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Every Monday and Friday in August, 11am to 2pm.
Site Lines
THIS exhibition by RMIT University architecture students is part of City of Greater Dandenong’s Cultural Threads textiles celebration.
Students have hand-stitched their perspective drawings as textile objects.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until 30 August.
Whitewash
ARTIST Michele Elliot has hand-stitched found clothing items to create abstract forms.
Her works invite the viewer to consider humanity, displacement and loss.
The Whitewash exhibition is part of City of Greater Dandenong’s Cultural Threads textiles celebration.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until 30 August.
Conversation Circles
STRIKE up a conversation, make new friends and develop knitting skills at this workshop.
The free event is part of City of Greater Dandenong’s Cultural Threads textiles celebration.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 20 August, 10.30am to noon.
Koori Youth Group
THE Koori Youth Group is a place for indigenous young people to meet and get involved in music, art, sports and community events.
The free group meets each Monday during school terms.
– The Castle, Hemmings Park, Princes Highway, Dandenong. 4pm to 6.30pm. Contact Youth Services on 9793 2155 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cgdyouthservices for more information.
Avoid food waste
LEARN how to save money by reducing food waste and how to prepare delicious meals using leftovers.
This is a two-part workshop and there are free giveaways and prizes on offer.
– Dandenong Neighbourhood House, 34 King Street, Dandenong. Wednesdays 20 and 27 August, 10am to noon. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511.
Winter warmers
THIS food tour in central Dandenong covers multiple cuisines and takes about two hours.
The starting location is advised on booking.
– Thursday 21 August, 6pm to 8pm. The tour is $45 per person, including tastings and meal. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1377 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com for bookings. Call 8571 1550 with inquiries.
Author visit
TINA Bui will visit the Springvale Library to present her book Vietnam: My Great Escape, From Peasant to Millionaire.
The true story highlights most of her young life during the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Friday 22 August, 7pm. Free event. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
Plant a tree
TIRHATUAN Park will host a tree planting day, designed to help people experience nature and meet their community.
Participants will plant indigenous seedlings to green parks and reserves and support wildlife.
Bring warm clothes, a pair of gloves, a hand towel and suitable footwear. A barbecue lunch will be provided.
– Tirhatuan Park, Kriegel Way, Dandenong North. Saturday 23 August, 10am to 1pm. Bookings are essential. Call the Parks Unit on 8571 1702 for more information.
Grand fashion
THIS showcase of local fashion and design is the closing celebration for City of Greater Dandenong’s textiles celebration Cultural Threads.
Dandenong’s TWICH South Sudanese Women’s Sewing Collective will design and model the garments.
South Sudanese women established the sewing collective to create and sell traditional African hand-made clothing inspired by contemporary fashion.
– Dandenong Market, Cleeland Street, Dandenong. Sunday 24 August, noon and 2pm.
Dye and weave
ARTIST Siri Hayes will present the free botanical dyeing and weaving workshop.
She’ll take participants through the process of dyeing yarn with botanicals and weaving the yarn into a rug.
– Heritage Hill School House, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 28 August, 11am to 12.30pm. Bookings are essential. Call Heritage Hill on 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Crystal chemistry
THIS free event looks at the beauty of crystals, solubility and saturation at the particle level and making crystals.
The Me and My Dad Crystal Chemistry Science Workshop is designed for children aged seven to 11 years old and an accompanying parent or carer.
– Dandenong Library, Level 2, 225 Lonsdale St, Dandenong. Saturday 30 August, 2pm to 3pm. Call 1300 630 920 for bookings or more information.
Marina Prior’s Songbird
MARINA Prior is regarded as Australia’s leading lady of the theatre stage.
She released a box set of recordings earlier this year.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 20 September, 8pm. Tickets are from $60.
