Top 10 things to do around the region

1) STEAM Club – Coding with Osmos  

Wednesday, March 30, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Gordon White Library
Osmo is a fun-filled and award-winning learning system that blends physical and digital skills, in ways that other learning systems just can’t. It is a fun way to introduce STEAM concepts engaging math and coding. STEAM club is specifically designed for children in Year 3 to Year 6. Bookings through Eventbrite are essential for all attendees.

2) Library Music Group Performance 

Thursday, March 31, 5pm to 6.30pm
Dudley Denny City Library
Come and see the months of culmination from our monthly music groups. There will be a diverse range of acts with many varied instruments. See the first steps of our up-and-coming musicians.  Spectators and participants welcome. This event is for ages eight and above. Book online through Eventbrite.

3) Artist Talk with Tamika Grant-Iramu  

Thursday, March 31, 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Foyer Gallery, Artspace Mackay
Join us at Artspace for a free artist’s talk with Tamika Grant-Iramu during the final stages of her Artspace residency and large-scale wall painting. Brisbane artist and emerging printmaker whose artworks connect to her Papua New Guinean, European and Torres Strait Islander heritage, Tamika is influenced by cultural carving techniques and storytelling aesthetics. Her practice brings focus to the native flora of her surrounding environment, and her artist residency here in Mackay looks to the rare and endemic species of flora found in Eungella National Park as she creates a unique and temporary wall painting for the Foyer Gallery.

4) Free Native Plant Program open days

Friday, April 1, 9am to 3pm, at Mackay Natural Environment Centre
Saturday, April 2, 9am to noon, at Mackay Natural Environment Centre
If you are a ratepayer, you can collect up to four free plants each calendar year through council’s free native plant program. Simply bring your latest rates notice along and choose four plants from our range at the Mackay Natural Environment Centre located at 6 Swayne Street, North Mackay. Local native plants are not only beautiful, but they thrive in our climate and require less water than other non-native species. Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group Inc. will also be running free kids’ activities including nature craft and nature hunts in the gardens on these days. For more information on the program, visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/nursery.

5) Free Guided Walks in the Gardens

Friday, April 1, 10am to 11am
Meet at the Botanic Gardens Visitor Information
Join our knowledgeable guides for a leisurely walk in the gardens and learn about what’s flowering, local wildlife and the history of the gardens. Bookings are essential as places are limited. Phone the Botanic Gardens on 4952 7300 to book your spot. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Visit their Facebook event page to find out more.

6) Sarina Art Gallery exhibition

Until Friday, April 1, 10am to 3pm
Sarina Art Gallery, Field of Dreams Parklands
Last chance to see local artists including Susan Day, Brigitte Zimmerman, Kerry Williams, Tia Gabriellah, Jenny Tibbett, Naomi Oxborough and Lenore Chapple as they showcase art pieces as part of the first Sarina Art Gallery exhibition for 2022. Entry is free. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

7) Morning Melodies 2022 – Mambo Italiano by Red Chair

Friday, April 1, 11am
MECC Plenary Halls
Mambo Italiano celebrates the wide-spread influence of Italian music and culture across the world, from its folk origins to the peak of popularity in the Golden age of 1950s American Jazz and Swing.  Brace yourself for an energetic, romantic and passionate concert event. Captivating vocalist and violinist Rebecca Karlen, and virtuoso jazz pianist and accordionist John Reeves, will delight audiences with warmth, wit and lively interplay as they take you on a musical journey that pays tribute to the great Italian American singers and songwriters of the 1950s, including music by Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Sophia Loren, Bobby Darin and Perry Como. Book via www.themecc.com.au

8) MECC present Dirty Laundry

Saturday, April 2, 7.30pm
MECC Plenary Halls
After 10 years of selling out festivals worldwide, the Briefs boys are back with their hills hoist poised ready to air their Dirty Laundry in this brand-new party cabaret you don’t want to miss out on. Led by Fez Faanana aka Shivanana, featuring a line-up of classic Briefs boys as well as some shiny new boys and toys. With more glitter stains and ballsy attitude than ever before, your favourite Briefs misfits give you a night of intoxicating physicality, gob-smacking comedy, unapologetic truths, and ridiculous showmanship. This is an 18+ event. Book via www.themecc.com.au

9) Contemporary Ballet Youth Company Z presents Lake

Sunday, April 3, 7.00pm
MECC Auditorium
A sacred, untouched lake exposed deep down in a forest. A raw production of nature’s elegance, romance and life. Brought to you by a new innovative creative junior local dance company featuring pre-professional dance artists of the Mackay and Whitsunday regions. Book via www.themecc.com.au

10) Greenmount Homestead tours

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week, 9am, 10am, 11am, noon
Greenmount Homestead
Regular tours during the week have now resumed at Greenmount Homestead. Enjoy a walk or a picnic in the stunning heritage-listed gardens, soak up the homestead's history on one of the guided tours, and enjoy the ambiance. Visitors who arrive outside the tour times will be welcome to explore the homestead grounds with their brand-new brochure, have a picnic in the gardens, or check out the information panels located at the Resource Centre. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Reminders:

Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley – ‘Together Alone Tour’

Saturday, April 9, 7.30pm
MECC Auditorium
Two of Australia’s most respected singers, musicians and songwriters - Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley - are taking their guitars and songs on the road across 31 dates on the National ‘Together Alone Tour’. This will be the first time these two powerhouse guitarists and vocalists have joined forces to tour together and shared a stage in such an intimate setting as they take the audience on a musical journey across their respective careers. Tickets available at www.themecc.com.au.

Official opening of 2022 Libris Awards: The Australian Artists' Book Prize and new art exhibitions

Saturday, April 9, 6pm
Artspace Mackay
Join in the official opening by Mayor Greg Williamson, with the announcement of the four award winners of $14,500 in prize money. Tickets are limited. Book through Eventbrite.

Arrive earlier at 5pm to hear the 2022 Libris Award Judges, Adele Outteridge and Brian Robinson, discuss Libris Award artists’ book entries from across the country. The judges will give an insight into works that stood out to them during the selection and judging process.