Top 10 things to do around the region
The core program of the Festival of Arts winds up this weekend with the live cabaret show BARE but there’s still plenty of great fringe events to come in August. Grab the kids to explore some of the latest exhibitions at Artspace or the Lagoons Gallery and join in a community tree planting event to celebrate National Tree Day.
1) Book Clubs
Are you interested in joining a book club? Come along to book clubs held each month at the various libraries in our region and connect with people who have similar reading interests. Check out the book clubs that are available and what they are currently reading at What’s On. Bookings are required.
> One More Page Book Club
Tuesday, July 26, 1.30pm to 2.30pm
Sarina Library
> Between the Lines Book Club
Thursday, July 28, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Gordon White Library
2) Relaxation Corner
Wednesday, July 27, 12pm to 2pm
Dudley Denny City Library
There’s something simply therapeutic about colouring-in! Come along once a month to this quiet spot in the library and colour away your stress or just relax. Adult colouring-in is proven to be very therapeutic, so give this time to yourself and take a moment for you. This event is for adults aged 18 and above. Register your interest
3) Exhibition - ‘Reflections of My Hometown’ by Kate Kennedy
Wednesday, July 27, to Sunday, August 28
Lagoons Gallery, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Kate’s latest collection ‘Reflections of My Hometown’ showcases a series of locations across Mackay and surrounding communities. Local pride shines through Kate’s vibrant landscapes revealing a glimpse of life in colour through the eye of the artist. Kate’s objective is to take the viewer on a journey through her local community while also allowing them to connect their own memories and experiences. Artworks are for sale. The exhibition is on display within the Botanic Gardens Cafe open Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 2pm and weekends, 8am to 2pm. Visit the Facebook event for more information.
4) English Conversation Circles
Thursday, July 28, 1pm to 2pm
Dudley Denny City Library
Do you want to practise your English-speaking skills? Whether you are just starting out, or advanced in your skills, our program will assist in your language development in a relaxed and supportive environment. Register your interest
5) Silver Screen Surprise “Driving Miss Daisy”
Friday, July 29, 9.30 to 11.30am
Mackay City Centre
This month’s Silver Screen Surprise is “Driving Miss Daisy”. Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy), an elderly Jewish widow living in Atlanta, is determined to maintain her independence. However, when she crashes her car, her son, Boolie (Dan Aykroyd), arranges for her to have a chauffeur, an African-American driver named Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman). Daisy and Hoke's relationship gets off to a rocky start, but they gradually form a close friendship over the years, one that transcends racial prejudices and social conventions. This event is for adults aged 18 years and older. Bookings are essential.
6) Mingle at Melba
Saturday, July 30, 4pm until late
Melba House, Marian
Don’t miss out on this unique experience to Mingle at Melba. Tickets include wine tasting, unlimited beverage package, gourmet grazing platters, classically trained opera performers, live jazz band, outdoor seating with fabulous styling and return bus from Laffo’s Bar and Pizzeria, plus more! Book tickets.
7) BARE
Saturday, July 30, 7.30pm
Sunday, July 31, 2.30pm
MECC North Foyer
Join The Just Saying Project for a live cabaret show, as they explore the female body in all its pleasure and pain. This show will feature singing and dancing from Mackay performers, burlesque, comedic and dramatic stories, along with a Body Love Runway and BARE community project.
8) National Tree Day
Sunday, July 31, 8.30am to 12.30pm
Woodlands Reserve, Ficus Crescent, Andergrove
Join in the tree planting event at Woodlands Reserve, Andergrove to celebrate National Tree Day. The tree planting will not only hep to enhance the natural areas of the reserve but will compliment the upcoming Woodlands District Park Project. A free barbecue will be provided to everyone who participates. Register as a volunteer by Thursday, July 28 or visit council’s Facebook event for more information.
9) Estate Planning for Older People
Monday, August 1, 9.30am to 11am
Gordon White Library
A free seminar for your financial future delivered by Services Australia discussing estate planning for older people. Including an estate plan within your financial plan, guardianship and enduring power of attorney, intestacy and wills, and the role of insurance. Bookings are required.
10) Exhibition – “Material Sound”
Until Sunday, August 28
Main Gallery, Artspace Mackay
“Material Sound” brings together engaging work by six art practitioners and collaborative groups, each creating an experience of sound within installations constructed from everyday materials. Handmade instruments and electronics, recycled components, outmoded technologies, fake technologies, imagined sounds, and silences are brought together to connect with ideas and practices that expand our sense of how art is made, how it affects us, how we think about it and how we listen to our world. Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and weekends, 10am to 3pm. View the current exhibitions at Artspace Mackay on their website.
Reminders:
BE Social Fest 2022
Saturday, August 6, from noon
Harrup Park
The BE Social Festival presented by Triple J is returning bigger and better to Mackay with two stages stacked with Aussie acts like Hermitude, Middle Kids, Peach PRC, Thundamentals and Masd N Kutcher just to mention a few. Supported by Queensland Tourism, Mackay Tourism, and council, Be Social is a one-day festival designed to celebrate community and freedom. An 18+ event, tickets are available at www.besocialfest.com.au.
The Mackay Disability Expo 2022
Friday, August 12, 9am to noon
Mackay Showgrounds
Back bigger and better than last year, the Expo will offer an opportunity for people with a disability to find out about the latest products, services, aids and equipment. It will also be an opportunity for service providers to build networks with other providers, organisations and agencies in the region, to bring together everyone in the Mackay disability sector, all with the aim of enhancing the lives of people with disability. For more information, visit the Facebook event.
