What\’s on
SING along with Elsa at this free screening of Disney’s movie Frozen.
There’ll be a barbecue plus a free animal farm, jumping castle and sing-along disco with Elsa and Anna. Bring blankets, seats and a picnic.
– Tirhatuan Park, enter via Kriegal Way off Outlook Drive, Dandenong North. Saturday 21 March from 6pm. The movie will start at 8.30pm. In the case of rain, the venue will be Rosewood Downs Primary School, Murray Road, Dandenong North.
Spring Retreat Day
THIS event is dedicated to honouring the mystical works of St Hildegard through choral chants, poetry, art and nature.
Following her passion for discovery, participants can rediscover their own creativity, deepening their awareness of the senses in the present moment, growing in appreciation of their lives.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Sunday 15 March, 9.30am to 2.30pm. The suggested $10 donation includes a light lunch. Places are limited. Call 9791 8664 to book.
Dinner with a VIEW
DANDENONG Evening VIEW Club will celebrate its 29th birthday with a performance from the Austrian Dancing Group at its next dinner meeting.
VIEW stands for Voice Interests and Education of Women and the club supports the Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. New members are welcome.
– Dandenong RSL, 44-50 Clow Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 3 March, 7pm. Bookings are essential. Call Brigitte on 9795 1222 for more information.
Library Toddler Time
THESE free sessions are designed to help children aged two to three to develop their imagination and vocabulary and find a love for books and reading.
Toddler Time also helps carers to learn songs, finger plays and nursery rhymes to enjoy at home.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale, and Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong on Mondays at 10.30am. Bookings are not required. The sessions don’t run on school or public holidays. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
Healthy and deadly
YOUNG people can learn about looking after themselves and their mob, meet new people, learn skills, connect with their culture and more at this Koorie program.
It’s for ages 14 to 21 and food is provided.
– YStop Dandenong, 39a Clow Street (opposite Dandenong Market). Tuesdays, 4pm to 6.30pm. Call Youth Services on 9793 2155 for more information.
Dandenong Art Series
KOSAR Majani will lead a free collage workshop to celebrate Walker Street Gallery’s She exhibition. It’s designed for men and women aged 15 years and over.
– Dandenong Library, level two, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong on Tuesday 10 March from 6.30pm to 8pm. Bookings are essential. Call Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre on 9706 8441 for more information.
It Starts with Us
THIS program explores issues associated with discrimination and inequality by using theatre to bring together agencies, schools and organisations.
Participants aged 12 to 25 will meet weekly with Phi and Me star Diana Nguyen to develop a theatre performance to be delivered at a community event during National Youth Week.
– The Castle, Princes Highway, Dandenong, next to Hemmings Park. Wednesdays from 11 March, 4.30pm to 6.30pm. The community performance and forum will be held on Wednesday 15 April, 10am to 2pm. Call Youth Services on 9793 2155 to register.
Music for seniors
HERITAGE Hill will present an afternoon of live music entertainment.
Seniors can bring a picnic and set up in the rose gardens, and are welcome to take a self-guided tour through the Benga house maids quarters.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Monday 16 March, 1.30 to 3pm with Paul Gulinello and Monday 20 April, 1.30 to 3pm with Ellen Hundley. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
International Dress Parade
THIS free Cultural Diversity Week event will showcase traditional and contemporary clothes from the area’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
– Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 18 March, noon to 1pm.
Dandenong West Community Festival
THE school will celebrate Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day with cultural performances and fun, free family-friendly activities.
– Dandenong West Primary School, 32 Birdwood Avenue, Dandenong. Friday 20 March, 2pm to 7pm. Call 9792 2868 for more information or to book a car boot sale site.
Unity in Diversity Concert
THIS event will showcase the rhythms, colours, languages and cultures of Greater Dandenong.
It’s a free Cultural Diversity Week celebration.
– Springvale Learning and Activity Centre, 1 Osborne Avenue, Springvale. Friday 20 March, 10am to 3pm.
Going green
THE Sustainability Festival will show visitors how to help keep the environment clean and green.
The free event is designed to appeal to the whole family through games, activities, demonstrations and entertainment.
– Dandenong Market, corner Clow and Cleeland streets, Dandenong. Sunday 22 March, 10am to 3pm.
Tamil collection launch
DANDENONG Library will launch a new collection of Tamil fiction and non-fiction books, children’s picture books and DVDs.
The mayor will officiate and Tamil entertainers will perform at the free event.
– Dandenong Library, levels two and three, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 7 March, 1pm. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
The 26-Storey Treehouse
RICHARD Tulloch adapted this play from the award-winning Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton book.
The storeys are filled with inventions such as the 78-flavour ice cream dispensing robot, self-inflating underpants and more.
The 60-minute show is recommended for children aged six to 12 years.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Tuesday 17 March, 5pm. Tickets are priced from $15. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666 to book.
Twilight Fun Run
PARTICIPANTS of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in a twilight fun run in Dandenong North. There are three, five and eight kilometre courses. The first 100 pre-registrations receive a free T-shirt. City of Greater Dandenong is running the event in partnership with Healthy Together and the YMCA.
– Tirhatuan Park, Outlook Drive, Dandenong North. Enter via Kriegel Way. Saturday 21 March. Registration from 5pm and staggered starting times from 5.30pm. Visit www.greaterdandenong.com to register.
Nourish the soul
WILLIAM Shakespeare said “the Earth has music for those who listen”.
This workshop will involve listening deeply to music to allow participants souls to be nourished. The process will use classical music, relaxation, an expression of the experience and some small group sharing.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Tuesdays 3, 17 and 24 March, 1.30pm to 3pm. A $5 donation is suggested. Bookings are essential. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664.
Literacy boost
THE Springvale Neighbourhood Literary Centre is holding accredited English and computer classes at the Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed.
Men with low literary skills can attend to develop their employability skills.
– Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed, Springvale Uniting Church, corner Albert and Balmoral avenues, Springvale. Call 9574 6399 or email literacy@snh.org.au for more information.
Active healthy fun
THIS year’s Sports Fest is themed Active Healthy Fun and participants can have fun, boost their health and wellbeing and make connections with local sporting groups.
The event will feature sports and interactive games, recreational activities, a kids’ area, dance, live music, performances and market stalls.
There’ll be free entry to Noble Park Aquatic Centre from 2pm to 5pm and people can register for a 3on3 basketball tournament in the Noble Park Community Centre through recreation@cgd.vic.gov.au.
– Ross Reserve, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Sunday 15 March, 11am to 3pm.
Oil painting
JACQUI Stockdale’s oil painting class will teach composition, form, perspective, colour-mixing and paint application.
The experienced teacher will use traditional and contemporary techniques and share some trade secrets. The workshops are suitable for beginners to intermediate participants, aged 15 and over.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Robinson and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 28 March, 10am, and Saturday 11 April, 9am. $30 per person, including materials. Bookings are essential. Call 9706 8441.
Artist-in-Residence Showcase
THIS exhibition celebrates the talent, concepts and projects of last year’s Heritage Hill Artists-in-Residence. The artists worked with textiles, sound and voices, performance artists, paint, installations and multimedia.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Until 24 April.
Cutting crime
CRIME Stoppers CEO Samantha Hunter will be the guest speaker at Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch’s meeting next month.
There will be time to ask questions.
– Paddy O`Donoghue Centre, rooms three and four, 18 to 34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Wednesday 18 March, 7.30pm to 9pm. A light supper will be provided. Call Dawn on 0407 325 030 for more information.
Bowling barefoot
BAREFOOT bowling sessions are returning to Noble Park.
Bring friends and enjoy prizes, drinks at bar prices and a sausage sizzle.
– Noble Park Bowls Club, 46 to 56 Moodemere Street, Noble Park. Fridays, 6pm. The $7 fee includes tuition and equipment. Call Reg Vernon on 0428 647 540 or email rwdlvernon@bigpond.com.
Baby Bounce
THIS free early literacy program is designed to help children aged under two explore language through stories, songs and rhymes.
It can help them develop motor skills confidence and is an opportunity for parents to socialise.
– Dandenong Library, Level 2, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesdays until 25 March, 10.30am to 11am. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
Model railways
THE annual Sandown Model Railway Exhibition is one of the largest and most respected model railway exhibitions in Australia.
– Sandown Racecourse, 591 to 659 Princes Highway, Springvale. 7 to 9 March from 10am.
Festival of Colours
THE Holi Mela festival involves throwing powdered colours through the air.
The event will feature food and variety stalls, children’s rides, entertainment and more.
– Tatterson Park, next to Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Saturday 7 March, 11.30am to 6pm. Call Yogen Lakshman on 0403 337 142, email ylakshman@bigpond.com or visit www.aiii.org.au.
The King in concert
ELVIS To The Max is on its way to Dandenong, with The King impersonator Max Pellicano taking centre stage. His tributes have been described as ‘Elvis resurrected’ and his costumes include exact replicas made by Elvis’s tailor.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 7 March, 8pm. The show is 150 minutes with an interval. Tickets are priced from $40.
Evening in the Park
WETLANDS are important to the environment, and this evening will explain why. A snake awareness session and guided wetland walk is included.
– Tatterson Park, Westbrook Drive, Keysborough. Thursday 19 March, 6pm to 8pm. Bookings are essential as places are limited. Call 8571 1702.
Jewellery workshop
EMMA Grace will guide participants through jewellery-making using weird and wonderful materials to create a charm bracelet and earrings.
All materials are provided and the workshop is suitable for beginners.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 24 March, 10am to 1pm. The session is $10 and bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Pop Up Springvale
SPRINGVALE Railway Station will become an Asian street food hub for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Visitors can enjoy the tastes, sounds and smells of Vietnamese, Cambodian and Chinese cuisine at this free event.
– Springvale Railway Station, corner Lightwood and Springvale roads, Springvale. Thursday 5 March, 3pm to 7pm.
How Sweet It Is
FRANK Holden and Michelle Pettigrove will present a show about living and loving. The husband and wife duo also promise laughs as they cover love, marriage, children and more in this 75-minute performance.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 5 March, 10.30am. Tickets are priced from $16. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666 to book.
Stayin’ Alive
THE Australian Bee Gees Show is returning for a new show, The Past and Present Tour.
It looks at the careers of the brothers Gibb through song and multimedia and will feature two parts and costume changes defining the eras.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 25 April. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.
Relics on display
ON PARADE: Australian Defence Force Sudan to Afghanistan will feature relics from before WWI to modern times.
– Springvale and District Historical Society, 7 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Until 20 April. Wednesday to Friday, 1pm to 4pm, and by appointment. Call 8547 6460 to book.
