What’s On
THE free Casey Kids Carnival is a free day of activities for children of all ages. The event will include live performers, rides, interactive games, roving entertainers, face painters, art and crafts and live animals. Aimed at children aged up to 12 years old and their families, the event will promote accessibility, showcase arts and craft activities, encourage physical activity, open-ended learning and safety and create active community ties. Expressions of interest for volunteers at the carnival are currently being sought. Volunteers would be required for a variety of roles from 11.30am to 2.30pm or 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
– Akoonah Park, Berwick, Saturday 21 March. For more information contact City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200.
Health check
FREE hearing health check-ups are available.
– Thursday 26 March at Hallam Community Learning Centre. Bookings essential. Contact 9703 1688 for more information.
Art Space is open
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, until Friday 27 March.
Secret of success
THE secrets of business success will be revealed by local leaders at an intimate forum at the Cardinia Cultural Centre. This is a not for profit event, with all surplus funds going to the 4Cs Crisis Relief Centres.
– Cardinia Cultural Centre, Wednesday 18 March, 6pm to 8pm, cost $25, including tea, coffee and biscuits. Registrations are essential at http://solbr.eventbrite.com.au.
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.
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.
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 Historic 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.
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.
Cutting crime
CRIME Stoppers CEO Samantha Hunter will be the guest speaker at Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch’s meeting this 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.
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. 6 to 28 March, 11am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 3pm Saturdays.
Move beyond blue
THE big blue bus will visit Dandenong as part of Beyondblue’s 50,000 kilometre national roadshow.
It will have free information about depression, anxiety and staying well – and a free barbecue.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Monday 16 March, 3pm to 7pm.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 0428 123 124 (Hans) or 0411 225 938 (Tony) 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 your own 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.
