Art Space is open

Artist Marie Warnecke’s artwork will feature in the first exhibition for 2015 at the Civic Centre Art Space.

What\’s on

ONE of Casey’s new art spaces is getting set to host two exhibitions in one space as part of a new and exciting council venture. The Civic Centre Art Space will host the artworks and Mayor Mick Morland encourages the community to come along and experience some local talents.
– Civic Centre Art Space, Casey Council offices, Narre Warren, Wednesday 4 February to Friday 27 March.
Tennis time
THE City of Casey and local tennis clubs are serving up an action packed week of free events for the annual Casey Tennis Week in February. Events will include local tennis club open days, social games, Hot Shots coaching, come and try sessions, a family fun day and cardio tennis session.
– Sunday 1 and Sunday 8 February 2015, there will be 27 activities held at various locations and tennis clubs across the municipality where people can get involved in tennis, get active and have fun. For more information, contact www.casey.vic.gov.au/caseytennisweek.
Vietnamese TET Festival
MORE than 20,000 people will celebrate the Vietnamese New Year with live music, lion dancing, a bonsai exhibition, games and carnival rides, traditional delicacies and fireworks.
– Sandown Racecourse, Princes Highway, Springvale. 21 to 22 February, 11am to 11pm. Entry fees will apply.
Exploring spirituality
THE Open Door’s workshops are back for the year and will include meditations, a sewing circle, tai chi, book club and creative writing.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664 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, on Fridays at 6pm. The $7 fee includes tuition and equipment. Call Reg Vernon on 0428 647 540 or email rwdlvernon@bigpond.com.
Strategic Hot Mess
THIS free Tessa Broadby and Ashlea English exhibition will be part display, part performance and part discussion.
There will be guided tasks, games, scores and more with these Heritage Hill artists-in-residence.
– Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Until 13 February. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and the first Sunday of the month, noon to 4pm.
Rangers take on Spirit
THE Dandenong Rangers boasts some of the most talented female basketballers in the world.
They’ll play the Bendigo Spirit, Adelaide Lightning, West Coast Waves and Townsville Fire at home in the coming month.
– Dandenong Stadium, 270 Stud Road, Dandenong. Sunday 15 February, 5pm. Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children and concession and $35 for families of two adults and three children. Call Dana Ivanovich on 9794 7192 or email events@dandenongstadium.com.au for more information.
Nature opens up
ALEX Wilkie Nature Reserve is hosting free open days where park rangers are available for guided tours.
– Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, Mackay Street, Springvale South. Friday 6, 13, 20 and 27 February, 9am to 3pm. Sunday 15 February, 10am. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1702 for more information.
Neighbourhood Watch
RESIDENTS are invited to come to watch or have their say at the next Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch committee meeting.
The group aims to prevent crime and strengthen community ties.
– Rooms three and four, Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Wednesday 4 February, 7.30pm. Call president Dawn Vernon on 0407 325 030 or email president@nhwgreaterdandenong.org for more information.
Art on show
GABI Mika-McNaughton’s new exhibition 42.65528° S , 146.58750° E will feature forest landscape paintings.
There’s an opening night event from 6.30pm on Thursday 5 February.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. 5 to 28 February. Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 3pm.
Searching for truth
THE Befuddled exhibition will feature new collage works by Eddie Botha.
He was born and raised in South Africa and is trying to find his place in his new Australian home.
There will be an opening night event from 6.30pm on Thursday 5 February.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. 5 to 28 February. Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 3pm.
Waitangi Day
THIS celebration is not only about the Waitangi Treaty signing in 1840, which guaranteed New Zealand’s Maori people land rights, it is also about the country’s culture and will feature performances, food and drink stalls and rides.
– Hemmings Park, 61-75 Princes Highway, Dandenong. 7 February, 9am to 7pm. Entry is free but there is a charge for some rides.
All about orchids
THE Dandenong and District Orchid Club welcomes novice to advanced growers and presents guest speakers on various topics.
– Dandenong and District Agricultural Society administration building, Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong. Friday 13 February, 7pm for an 8pm start. Entry is free. Membership is $20 per year. Email menew@bigpond.com or call Ron Daniell on 0412 188 263 for more information.
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.
Global food extravaganza
DANDENONG Market will host the World Food Fare with cuisines and entertainment influenced by some of the world’s most important river systems.
There’ll be outdoor hawker market stalls, canopied stands, bain maries, hot and cold offerings, sizzling hot plates, sweets and savouries and cooking demonstrations in The Kitchen.
Entry is free and free parking is available.
– Dandenong Market, 16-46 Cleeland Street, Dandenong. Sunday 1 March, 10am to 7pm.
Tea and history
THE Heritage Hill historic precinct features three preserved buildings in two acres of landscaped gardens.
A tour takes in the gardens, Laurel Lodge and Benga Lodge and is designed to provide an insight into the families who lived at the property and Dandenong’s rich cultural history.
Bookings are essential as numbers are strictly limited.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 26 February, noon to 2pm. The tour is $16, or $14 with a seniors discount. Call 8571 1702 for bookings or more information.
Open studio
HERITAGE Hill artists in residents throw open their studio doors on the first Sunday of the month.
Guests are welcome to visit the artists to observe their practice and discuss their work, including Motoko Katsuta Kitano in February.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Garden, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Sunday 1 February, 1pm to 3pm. Bookings are encouraged. Call Heritage Hill on 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Hazaras in art
HAZARA culture is an exhibition by local Afghan artist Hadi Rahimi and features works in pencil, pen and oil painting.
It celebrates Hazara culture, presenting faces of peace, happiness and humanity.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Until 13 February. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and the first Sunday of the month, noon to 4pm.
Floriography
FOUR Chisholm Institute Certificate IV in Photo Imaging students have each produced four works to the floriography theme to be shown in art boxes on McCrae Street.
They familiarised themselves with the Heritage Hill gardens to create images that present a perspective of their heritage and tranquillity.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Until 13 February. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and on the first Sunday of the month, noon to 4pm.
Travertine stone
LOCAL artist Mohammad Ali Ramazani makes sculptures and decorative vessels from stone, often using hand cutting, chipping and sanding techniques to perfect the shape of his forms.
His works are often viewed as classic garden sculptures but will be taken out of context and arranged in a unique way for this exhibition.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Until 13 February. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and on the first Sunday of the month, noon to 4pm.
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 from 11 February to 25 March, 10.30am to 11am. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.