PIC: Easter family fun
SOMERFIELD Social Club will host a free family fun day to celebrate Easter.
There’ll be a petting farm and an Easter egg hunt.
– Pirate adventure playground, Somerfield Drive, off Perry Road, Somerfield Estate. Sunday 29 March, 10am to noon.
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 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.
Build a Fairy Habitat House
INSECTS and mini-beasts spend their days working in the garden, eating pests, turning waste to fertilizer and pollinating plants.
Kids aged five to 12 years can learn to make their back yards inviting to these creatures.
They will use terracotta pot plants that they can take home for insects – and fairies – to hide in.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Garden, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 1 April, 10am to 11.30am. $5 per child. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
First birthday bash
A YEAR has passed since the new Dandenong Library opened its doors.
It will celebrate the milestone with board games, face painting, storytelling, a cake and a magician.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 21 March, 10.30am to 4pm.
Poppies for Peace
SINCE World War I red poppies have become an international symbol of remembrance.
Greater Dandenong will commemorate the Anzac Centenary with a Poppies for Peace installation at the Dandenong Civic Square.
People of all ages can attend free workshops to help create the giant poppies.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturdays 21 and 28 March, 2pm to 4pm. No bookings required.
Hop to it for Easter
AN EASTER craft sale and super garage sale will hop into Springvale this month.
– St John’s German Lutheran Church, 3 Albert Avenue, Springvale. 21 March from 10am. Call 9798 6496 for more information.
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. 22 March and 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.
Cinema under the stars
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.
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.
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 17 and 24 March, 1.30pm to 3pm. A $5 donation is suggested. Bookings are essential. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664.
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.
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.
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 Historic 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.
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.
She on show
LEADING and emerging female artists have combined for the annual She exhibition, which marks International Women’s Day.
– Gallery One, Walker Street Gallery, corner Walker street and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until 28 March, 11am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 3pm Saturdays.
Happy new year
NATIONAL Afghan new year celebration the Nawroz Festival will feature performances, a children’s carnival, stalls, raffles and more.
Afghans from around Australia organise the free event and welcome more than 3000 visitors.
– Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong. Sunday 22 March, noon to 6pm. Call Hatif Karimi on 0422 351 571 for more information.
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 5 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 course this month.
A certificate three course in early childhood education and care will be available from 9.30am to 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays from 19 March.
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.
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.
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.
