What’s On

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.
Trivia night
A DANDENONG charity will have prizes for trivia champs and raffle goodies at this event.
The Avocare Community Connect Distribution Centre disseminates food to organisations and charities that service homeless and disenfranchised people.
– The Dandenong Club, 1579 Heatherton Road, Dandenong. Friday 17 April, 7pm. $25 per person. Finger food will be provided. Drinks will be at bar prices. Call Elsa on 9793 9766 or email elsa@avocare.org.au.
A VIEW to education
DON Bergman will speak about the Victoria Cross at the next dinner meeting of the Dandenong Evening VIEW Club.
There will also be an Easter bonnet parade. The club supports The Smith Family. New members are welcome.
– Dandenong RSL, 44 Clow Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 7 April, 7pm. Bookings are essential. Call Brigitte on 9795 1222.
Happy new year
THE Cambodian New Year Festival incorporates Buddhist and Khmer observances and cuisine.
– Khmer Buddhist Temple, 458-462 Springvale Road, Springvale South. Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April, 10am. Call John Jago on 0417 384 498 for more information.
Learn to email
GREATER Dandenong Libraries will host a free introductory computer session about email.
The session will cover setting up an email account, how to attach and download documents and photos, and more.
Participants must be able to use a keyboard, mouse and computer screen.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Wednesdays 1 and 8 April and Saturday 18 April, 6.30am to 8.30pm. Bookings are required. Call 1300 630 920 or see library staff.
Open studio
ART and craft lovers can explore the studios of Heritage Hill’s artists in residence on the first Sunday of the month.
Guests are welcome to observe their practice and discuss their work.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Garden, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Sunday 3 May, 1pm to 3pm. Entry is by a donation. Bookings are encouraged. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Embroidery for beginners
HOLLY Gordon will lead a gentle and fun introduction to hand embroidery with key techniques and basic stitches.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Garden, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Sunday 3 May, noon to 2pm. $10 per person. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Both Sides
CHITTY Chitty Bang Bang stars David Hobson and Rachael Beck will reunite in Dandenong next month.
They’ll perform songs from Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Music, Oliver! and West Side Story.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Friday 1 May, 8pm. Tickets are priced from $55. The show is 120 minutes with interval. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.
Froggy Fun at Pencil Park
GET up close and personal with fauna and monitor the health of local wetlands.
Light refreshments will follow. Bring your own torch.
– Pencil Park, Hidden Grove Boulevard, Keysborough. Thursday 30 April, 5pm to 7pm. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1702.
Great Songs of The War Years
THIS musical concert will honour the Anzac Centenary with songs that were performed throughout the first and second world wars.
The cast will include Opera Australia star Tiffany Speight, international soprano Alison Jones, Opera Australia mezzo Caroline Vercoe and star Australian tenor Roy Best.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 April, 10.30am. The show is 80 minutes long with no interval. Tickets are priced from $15. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.
Internet introduction
THIS free session will help participants to understand what a computer is and how it works.
It will cover what to use the internet for searching, accessing images and downloading, social media and more. Participants need keyboard, mouse and computer screen skills.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Wednesday 22 April, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Bookings are required. Call 1300 630 920 or see library staff.
Artist talk
NARRE Warren artist Ishira Kanathigoda is originally from Sri Lanka and will talk about art in his homeland and his own painting practice.
His talk will form part of his and the Ancient Cultures New Futures exhibition at Walker Street Gallery.
– Dandenong Library, Level 2, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 14 April, 6.30pm. Call Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre on 9706 8441 for more information and bookings.
Dinner with a VIEW
SPRINGVALE VIEW Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month for dinner, socialising and support for the Smith Family.
VIEW stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women. New members are welcome.
– Sandown Greyhounds, View Road, Springvale. 27 April, 6.30pm. Call Carolyn Scott on 9700 1976 or 9791 5161 for more information.
Ballroom dancing
JOIN in the social mixed styles of ballroom dancing at the Burden Park Bowling Club.
There’s ballroom dancing every Monday from 6.30pm to 10pm, and every fifth Saturday there’s dancing from 1pm to 5pm and ballroom from 8pm to 11pm.
BYO supper, drinks and glasses.
– Burden Park Bowling Club, corner Heatherton and Springvale roads, Springvale South. Mondays are $5 per person and Saturdays are $8 per person. Call June on 9798 1784 or Ray on 9547 1907 for more information.
Combined Probus
THE Combined Probus Club of Noble Park meets on the first Monday of the month.
The not-for-profit club is for retired people aged over 55 and members participate in outings, coffee mornings, cinema trips and more.
New members are welcome.
– Club Noble, Moodemere Street, Noble Park. Monday 6 April, 10am to noon. Call Lesley Jarutis on 9546 2346 for more information.
Out in the environment
THE Greater Dandenong Environment Group formed in 1990 to increase local awareness about environmental issues.
The Group meets at Dandenong Wetlands on the first Sunday of every month at 9.30am.
– Dandenong Wetlands, Stud Road, Dandenong North. Sunday 5 April, 9.30am. Call 8571 1702 for more information or to become a member.
Between the Dances
AUTHOR Jacqueline Dinan will speak about her new book Between the Dances, about World War II.
It reveals personal conversations, photographs and letters from more than 300 women.
The audience can view a military exhibition at the neighbouring Springvale Historical Society after the presentation.
– Springvale Library, Springvale Road, corner Hillcrest Grove. Thursday 9 April, 10am to 11.30am.
Afghan Bazaar Cultural Tour
EXPERIENCE Afghan fashion, food and music on this guided tour to various shops and restaurants.
– Starting location is advised on booking. Thursday 23 April, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. $45 per person, including tastings and meal. Bookings are essential. Call 9771 5777 or book at www.greaterdandenong.com.
Beautiful One Day
ILBIJERRI Theatre returns to Dandenong with an optimistic, raw and confronting performance about an Aboriginal death in police custody on Palm Island.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Wednesday 22 April, 8pm. The show is 75 minutes long with no interval. Tickets are priced from $27.50. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.
Boys In The Band
THIS international hit show celebrates the greatest hits from the most iconic bands of the 20th century – The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Jackson 5, The Beach Boys, The Drifters, Simon and Garfunkel and the Backstreet Boys.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 16 April, 8pm. The show is 110 minutes with interval. Tickets are priced from $55. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.
Market in your diary
THE Springvale Rotary Sunday Market is held on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.
– Springvale Railway Station car park, Lightwood Road, Springvale. 12 and 16 April, from 8am. There’s a $10 stall fee and bookings are essential. Entry for shoppers is a gold coin. Call Loc Lam on 0425 806 006 or Bob Graham on 0438 303 939.
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.
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.
The Listies Make You LOL!
KIDS comedians The Listies will make kids laugh out loud with this show.
There’ll be alien attacks, toilet paper guns, spew and disgusting undies during the 60 minute show.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 2 April, 10.30am and 1.30pm. Tickets are priced from $15 and available from www.drumtheatre.com.au.
Felted Victorian Birds
WORKSHOP participants can learn about the biology of Victorian birds and make a felted badge or brooch of their favourite species.
It’s for kids aged five to 12, costs $5 per child and bookings are essential.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 2 April, 10am to 11.30am. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au for bookings or more information.
Madcap Magician
LEE Cohen Madcap Magician will present music, magic, theatre and puppetry on the way to finding her elusive bunny friend Norman E Normous.
The free show is for children aged five to 10 years.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Thursday 2 April, 11am. No bookings required. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
Hungry for craft
CREATE a Hungry Caterpillar Plant at this recycled craft workshop.
Children aged five to 12 will repurpose egg cartons and learn about recycling, composting, colours and how to grow plants.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 7 April, 10am to 11.30am. $5 per child. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Growing green thumbs
THE council’s gardening team will take children aged five to 12 through the Heritage Hill gardens to discover incredible plants and trees.
Participants will also have an opportunity to learn about vegie gardening and have a hands-on experience.
– Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 8 April, 10am to 11.30am. $5 per person.
Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Momotaro The Peach Boy
MOMOTARO is an enchanting Japanese fairytale performed through puppetry and performance by Red Herring Theatre.
It’s free and for children aged five to 10 years old.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 8 April, 11am. No bookings required. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
Weaving with hoops
CHILDREN will learn to make a round woven rug using hula hoops and T-shirt scraps with artist Clare James.
– Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 9 April, 10am to 11.30am. $5 per child. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Springvale Food Lovers Tour
THIS tour will wander beyond Springvale Road, through the arcades and laneways to discover Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine.
– Location is confirmed upon booking. Thursday 9 April, 5.50pm to 8pm. $45 per person. Phone 9771 5777 or book online.
Drawing life
HERITAGE Hill artist-in-residence Monica Ianculescu will introduce children to still-life drawing by working from life and observation.
Children aged five to 12 years will learn how to shade and shape and about composition technique.
– Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Friday 10 April, 10am to 11.30am. $5 per child. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Dreamer in Space
DREAM Puppets combines fluorescent painted puppets and black light to bring puppets to life in a magical and whimsical way.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Friday 10 April, 11am. Free. No bookings required. Call 1300 630 920 or see library staff for more information.
Autumn Music Fest
WACHTER Reserve will come to life with soulful, energetic and engaging sounds.
The event is free and for all ages and will feature the Massive Hip Hop Choir, Bollydazzlers, rockabilly band Atomic Hi-Tones, reggae and salsa eight-piece Sol Nation and more.
– Wachter Reserve, Kingsclere Avenue, Keysborough. Saturday 11 April, 3pm to 7pm. Free.
More Female Parts
VISUAL theatre performer Evelyn Krape will celebrate ‘the older woman’ with wit.
The show is 100 minutes with interval.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 11 April, 7.30pm. Tickets are priced from $27.50 and available from www.drumtheatre.com.au.
Dandenong Valley All Holden Car Show
THIS annual Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills raises funds for local Rotary community programs.
There’ll be free kids activities, a band, remote control car racing and more.
– Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong. Sunday 12 April, 9am to 4pm. Entry is $5. Call Hans on 0428 123 124 or Tony on 0411 225 938 for more information.
Dresses and hats
VIEW the Dorothy Hart Collection and enjoy Devonshire tea with artist and curator Kitty Owens.
The dresses and hats come from the Heritage Hill archives.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 14 April, 11am to 1pm. $10 per person. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Step back in time
TOUR Benga House and Gardens with Dorothy Hart, played by Barking Spider Visual Theatre company.
Discover marks made by family throughout the home, explore the maid’s quarters and picnic in the gardens.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Friday 17 April, noon to 2pm. $10. Bring picnic lunch. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Phi and Me
COMEDIAN Diana Nguyen will make her Drum debut with the story of a second-generation Australian Vietnamese mother’s tough love for her teenage son, Phi.
The 90 minute show includes a question and answer session.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 18 April, 7.30pm. Tickets are from $18 and available from www.drumtheatre.com.au.
Learn and train
KEYSBOROUGH Learning Centre is starting new nationally recognised workplace training courses this month.
A certificate three course in medical business administration will run on Mondays from 9.30am to 3pm from 13 April.
– Keysborough Learning Centre, 402 Corrigan Road, Keysborough. Call 9798 7005.
Nuline dance
NULINE dance teaches choreographed routines to a wide variety of music genres including Latin, pop, Celtic and country.
It’s for all ages and experience levels and no partner is required.
– Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Call 0412 296 827 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.
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.
The Social Knitwork
KNITTERS and those who want to learn the craft can join the Social Knitwork each Wednesday morning.
Make new friends while developing skills and sharing patterns and stories.
– Dandenong Library, level two, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesdays, 10.30am to noon. No bookings required.