National Youth Week
CASEY council is gearing up to take part in Australia’s largest celebration of young people with a number of events organised in the City of Casey.
– Between 10 and 19 April, there will be live music by Fringe Fest, Casey Youth Information Centre open days and the popular annual Rock ’n’ Skate Festival.
Coming to town
THE McClymonts are heading to Hallam soon as part of their highly anticipated Forever Begins Tonight National tour on Thursday 16 April, at The Hallam Hotel, 241 Princes Highway.
Cemetery walk
THE Narre Warren and District Family History Group is holding a World War I walk in Berwick Cemetery this month.
– Sunday 19 April, from 10am. Entry is $5 per head. Bookings are essential, contact Lynne on 8787 5558, or at research.officer@nwfhg.org.au.
Choir needs singers
THE Casey U3A Singers is in need of more singers, particularly male tenor voices.
– Rehearsals are held on Thursday afternoons from 3pm to 4.30pm, except on the fourth Thursday of each month, at Fiddler’s Green Retirement Village, 57 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick. Applicant pianists and male singers are invited to contact choir master Vic Clement on 5625 3733 or Edgar Spencer on 9705 7271 as soon as possible.
Busy seniors
NARRE Warren Seniors are eagerly looking forward to a very busy month in April.
– Wednesday 8 April: the guest speaker will be Gerard Quigley, of Radio fame, speaking on behalf of Arthritis Australia. The entertainer Gavin Chatelier will bring the afternoon to a bright musical finish. Sunday 12 April is also expected to be great, with the group planning to dance to live music at their Sunday afternoon social. Narre Warren Senior Citizens cente,192/196 Centre Road, Narre Warren. Contact 9704 0015 for more information.
Pink Gala
THE Young Pink Sisters will hold their annual Gala dinner at the Cranbourne Golf Club in May and they are inviting everyone to come along. The pink tie gala dinner will take place on Saturday 16 May from 6.30pm until 1am. Held in order to thank families, friends and partners for their love and support.
– Tickets can be purchased for $120 per person; bookings by 1 May. For bookings, email Lauren at lauren@youngpinksisters.org.au or phone 0410 517 781. Visit www.youngpinksisters.org.au for more information.
De-clutter and reduce waste
THE 10Rs workshop covers rethink, responsible, refuse, repurpose, reorganise, repair, reduce, reuse, recycle and reward.
It’s designed to help people regain control over clutter and reorganise their home and life.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 16 April, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1702.
Trivia night
A DANDENONG charity will have prizes for trivia champs and raffle goodies at this event.
The Avocare Community Connect Distribution Centre distributes 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.
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.
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.
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 two, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 14 April, 6.30pm. Call Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre on 9706 8441 for more information and bookings.
Get employed
SOUTH East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN) will hold a Youth Employment Forum.
Students will hear directly from employers about how to make themselves more employable.
– Building A, Chisholm Institute, 121 Stud Road, Dandenong. Tuesday 19 May, 1pm to 3pm. Bookings are essential. Call 9794 6921 or 0438 510 840 or email jebdon@sellen.org.au.
Enviro aware
FRIENDS of Fotheringham Reserve Environmental Group runs an environmental awareness day on the fourth Sunday of each month.
People can check the water, plant indigenous seedlings, control weeds, collect seeds, take nature walks and more.
– Fotheringham Reserve, Pyke Steet, Dandenong. Sunday 24 May, 10am.
Kelly on stage
THIS Queensland Theatre Company show throws new light on Ned Kelly and his infamous legacy.
His brother Dan arrives disguised as a priest the night before he’s due to hang.
They blame each other for their downfall and have to face the sins of their past.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. The show is 80 minutes long with no interval. Tickets are from $32.50. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.
Drum Struck
EVERY audience member at this show receives a drum to play along with the on-stage performers.
It premiered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002 and has since shared African beats and explosive energy around the world.
– Drum Theatre, corner Walker and Lonsdale streets, Dandenong. Thursday 7 May, 7pm. The show is 75 minutes long with interval. Tickets are priced from $37.50. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or phone 8571 1666.
51 Shades of Maggie
MAGGIE is smart, streetwise and looking for love in all the wrong places.
This 50 Shades of Grey spoof is from the UK.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Wednesday 6 May, 7.30pm. Tickets are priced from $44.90. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or phone 8571 1666.
Stitching Our Stories
ASYLUM seekers and refugees attending Wellsprings for Women used printed patterns, textures and text to create a book that reflects on their past and helps them take charge of their story, culture and future education.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. 1 to 29 May, 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and noon to 4pm on the first Sunday of the month. Email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au or call 9793 4511 for more information.
Music for seniors
BRING a picnic and set up in the rose gardens for live music from Ellen Hundley.
Guests are also invited to participate in a self-guided tour through the Benga House Maids’ Quarters.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Monday 20 April, 1.30pm to 3pm. Entry is by donation. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au for more information.
Rock pool discovery
THIS free Me and My Dad session is designed for children aged seven to 11 years and their fathers.
Participants will check out live marine creatures from the seas around Victoria and learn about their lives and habits.
– Dandenong Library, Level 2, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 18 April, 2pm to 3pm. Bookings are essential. Call 1300 630 920 for bookings or more information.
Dandenong on Wheels
TRAINS, trams, buses, caravans and more will be on display in this manufacturing showcase.
City of Greater Dandenong, Committee for Dandenong and South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance will showcase the vehicles the region builds.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Friday 17 April, 10am to 3pm.
Workshops resume
THE Open Door each week presents tai chi, awareness meditation, sewing circle, centering prayer meditation, art of soul and guided imagery meditation.
It also has specialty workshops including creative writing, walking the land and special guest speakers.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Most workshops cost a gold coin. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664 for more information.
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.
De-clutter and reduce waste
THE 10Rs workshop covers rethink, responsible, refuse, repurpose, reorganise, repair, reduce, reuse, recycle and reward.
It’s designed to help people regain control over clutter and reorganise their home and life.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 16 April, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1702.
Trivia night
A DANDENONG charity will have prizes for trivia champs and raffle goodies at this event.
The Avocare Community Connect Distribution Centre distributes 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
