Enjoy Melbourne for FREE in August
The
campfire in
Federation Square wanes as the frosty fingers of
July tightens their grip on Melbourne. Fortunately there are still many ways to have fun, stay active and still remain warm and toasty. You can listen to rare music compositions from bygone era; get in touch with your inner poet; sew up a quilted cover for your mobile phone; attend a concert at Melbourne Town Hall; view some interesting works of local and international art; try a class of Pilates; get a headstart on your vegetable garden; join a walking tour of Footscray; groove to some live jazz; and catch the last of the spectacular Docklands fireworks with family or a loved one. Whatever event or activity suits the family or your fancy, you'll find something for FREE in the world's most
liveable city this month.
1 August - 2XU Pilates Class
Photo courtesy of 2XU
Despite the winter season, it is still important to maintain fitness levels. Fortunately there are plenty of
fitness classes around Melbourne to help everyone remain
active.
Australia's popular workout and compression clothing brand is also hosting an exercise session. Head on down to 2XU Performance Centre to enjoy a class of Pilates. It can help strengthen the core, increase circulation and prevent injury. You will learn about muscular balance, posture and breathing. The session is guided by an experienced Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. It is open to all ages and fitness levels. Spaces are limited so click
here to reserve your participation and bring a yoga mat along.
Venue: 2XU Camberwell
Address: 811 Burke Road, Camberwell, VIC 3124
Phone: (03) 8808 7100
Time: 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Till 26 August - Docklands Winter Fireworks
Don't spend Friday evenings stuck indoors just because its winter. Head out to
Docklands where fireworks will light the night sky at 7.30pm. To complement the dazzle, there will be live music and roving performers from 6.30pm. Then grab a bite or drink from the restaurants and bars along the waterfront.
Venue: Docklands Waterfront
Address: 429-437 Docklands Dr, Melbourne VIC 3008
3 August - Walking Tour of Footscray
You can quite easily join a
Melbourne city walking tour but tours of suburbs are uncommon. Now you enjoy a tour of Footscray in Melbourne's inner west thanks to VU at MetroWest and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). This guided tour will take you through Footscray's rich history built through layers of migration and its changing face of entrepreneurship. You will explore the Footscray Market, little Saigon and little Africa precincts, sample of the cuisine along the way and also chat with the entrepreneurs. Bookings are essential so click
here to reserve your space.
Venue: VU at MetroWest
Address: 138 Nicholson Street, Footscray, VIC 3011
Phone: 03 9688 0277
Time: 4pm - 6pm
4, 11 & 21 August - Buried Treasure: The Colonial Woman Composer
In addition to the exhibition of historic works by
William Strutt (1825–1915), the
State Library of Victoria presents a series of lunch time concerts featuring compositions written by early Australian women composers, which lie buried in its archives. You will get the opportunity to listen to rare compositions from the mid-1800s and vocal cadenzas composed especially for Melbourne's own Nellie Melba. These compositions are arranged by Johanna Selleck and delivered by celebrated soprano soprano Merlyn Quaife and leading harpist Jacinta Dennett. Each recital runs from 1pm to 1.30pm. Spaces are limited so phone ahead to reserve your seat.
4 August - La Trobe Reading Room
11 August - Cowen Gallery
21 August - The Courtyard
Venue: State Library of Victoria
Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 8664 7099
5, 12, 19 & 26 August - Make Do & Mend at Yarra Libraries
Photo courtesy of Yarra City Council
Head over to Richmond Library for some sewing fun this August. You'll have a suitable space with sewing machines and materials to make various items such as a quilted cover, scarf, winter hat or child's skirt. There are also people around to guide you in your project. Spaces are limited so click
here to reserve your place.
Venue: Richmond Library
Address: 415 Church St, Richmond, VIC 3121
Phone: 1300 695 427
Time: 11.30am - 2pm
6 August - Saturday Sounds with Emilia
Photo courtesy of Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation
Fond memories of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival continue to play on with the styles of
Sugarfoot Ramblers and
Orlando Combo. Emilia will add her unforgettable voice to the jazz, hip R&B and blues tunes at the Hampton Park Library. This live music performance is supported by the Friends of Hampton Park Library. You can enjoy songs from the greats including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Etta James. No bookings are required.
Venue: Hampton Park Library
Address: 24 Stuart Ave, Hampton Park VIC 3976
Phone: (03) 8788 8500
Time: 2pm - 3pm
10 August - Poetry with Michelle Dabrowski
Photo courtesy of Michelle Alina Dabrowski
Kathleen Syme Library is hosting a masterclass on poety specifically for 13 to 25 year olds. It is presented in conjunction with the Young Writers Award. The session is led by multi-slam champion spoken word poet and arts educator Michelle Alina Dabrowski. Michelle is the curator and founder to the highly attended Melbourne poetry slam series 'Slamalamadingdong!'. She is also the founding Co-ordinator of the Throw Poetry Collective, co-producer of the live spoken word compilation album '321...Throw!'. Light refreshments are provided. Spaces are limited so click
here to reserve your seat.
Venue: Kathleen Syme Library, Multipurpose Room
Address: 251 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053
Phone: (03) 9658 7310
Time: 5.30pm to 6.30pm
From 10 August - Virginia Hodgkinson: The Big Issue Portraits
The State Library of Victoria is hosting an unique exhibition that pays tribute to Melbourne's Big Issue magazine vendors. It features a series of rendered portraits by artist Virginia Hodgkinson who was inspired by the personal histories of each vendor. Take the family out for a day at the Library and discover the stories behind the faces. The exhibition runs till 20 November 2016.
Venue: State Library of Victoria, Palmer Hall
Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 8664 7099
Time: Monday to Thursday, 10am - 9pm & Friday to Sunday, 10am - 6pm
14 August - Air Force Band: A Symphony for Fun
You've heard their
jazz rendition at the
Shrine of Remembrance. Now the full strength of the Air Force Band will resonate
Melbourne Town Hall. This one hour concert features Don Gillis' light-hearted Symphony No. 5½, 'A Symphony for Fun' and two original works composed by conductor Flight Lieutenant Stephen Bate. No bookings are required so simply turn up early to get a seat.
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall
Address: 90-130 Swanston Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 9256 2727
Website:
www.airforce.gov.au/band
Time: 2pm - 3pm
18 August - Beginners' Veggie Growing
Want to start your own veggie patch after winter but unsure of what to do? Then head over to Sunbury Library for a workshop organised by the Hume City Council's Live Green program. The experts will guide you through the process of creating a veggie garden as well as the vegetables and herbs to grow as a new gardener. Spaces are limited so click
here to reserve your space. If you're still eager to learn more, then check out the FREE gardening programs from
My Smart Garden.
Venue: Sunbury Library
Address: 44 Macedon Street, Sunbury, VIC 3429
Phone: (03) 9356 6970
Time: 6pm - 7.45pm
18 to 21 August - Spring 1883
Melbourne's iconic grand hotel will again play host to Spring 1883, an exhibition of contemporary art and artists. This hotel-based art fair which originated in
New York was first presented in
Hotel Windsor in 2014 before heading to the Establishment Hotel in
Sydney in 2015. You can enjoy the best of contemporary art from 25 invited galleries in
Australia and overseas. There will be a performance and public program as well as solo and group exhibitions.
Venue: The Hotel Windsor
Address: 111 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Time: 18 to 20 August, 12pm - 6pm & 21 August, 12pm - 4pm
Website:
www.spring1883.com
