Top 10 things to do around the region this week...

1) Heath Franklins’ Chopper – Bogan Jesus

Friday, March 1, 7.30pm
The MECC, Auditorium

Australia's most wanted comedian is back. He's rolled away the rock, dusted himself off and resurrecting his hit show of the 2018 comedy festivals, which saw him nab the coveted Comic's Choice award and sell over 25,000 tickets. Winner of Comic's Choice, Melbourne Comedy Festival 2018 and a Nomination for Best Comedy, Fringe World (Perth) 2018. https://bit.ly/2GMJYr4

2) Senior Moments – A Comedy Revue

Tuesday, March 5, 1pm and 7.30pm performances
The MECC Auditorium

A comedy revue about ‘old’ people – and how the young people deal with their antics. Senior Moments is a comedy revue with a deliciously funny and fresh collection of comic sketches and songs performed by a cast who are old enough to know better. Gold Logie winner John Wood (Blue Heelers, Rafferty’s Rules), Play School icon Benita Collings, master satirist Max Gillies (The Gillies Report) with former Channel 9 Midday maestro Geoff Harvey on piano, all combined to deliver a somewhat silly show for otherwise sensible seniors. https://bit.ly/2IESkmx

3) Meet the North Queensland Cowboys

Thursday, February 28 from 6.15pm – 7pm
Mackay Toyota, Corner Nebo Road and Shakespeare Street

Mackay Toyota is hosting a visit from the North Queensland Cowboys NRL team on Thursday, February 28 from 6.15pm until 7pm ahead of the match against the Melbourne Storm at BB Print Stadium Mackay. With the whole team on site at the dealership, it is a rare opportunity for fans to get up close to their favourite player and collect autographs. If you are an eager Cowboys fan and don’t want to miss seeing your team, we encourage you to be there by 5.45pm.

4) Mackay Airport Twilight City Run

Friday, March 1, 5pm – 7pm
BBC Cinemas, Wood Street

Come along for a fun evening at the Mackay Airport Twilight City Run, walk, run or skip and dance, it’s up to you. Prams are also welcome so bring along the whole family. Register from 5pm, the cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students (only cash payments accepted). All funds raised go to the Leukaemia Foundation. https://mackaymarinarun.com/mackay-airport-twilight-city-run/

5) NRL Trial Match – NQ Cowboys v Melbourne Storm

Saturday, March 2, 7pm (Gates will open at 2.30pm)
BB Print Stadium

Come along to BB Print Stadium to watch the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys go head to head with the Melbourne Storm in their final NRL trial match before the 2019 season begins. Gates will open at the stadium at 2.30pm Saturday, March 2, games are on throughout the afternoon in the lead-up to the main game at 7pm. Get your tickets > https://bit.ly/2TkuCjA

6) 2019 JLT Community Series: Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs

Sunday, March 3 from 6.40pm – 9.40pm
Harrup Park, Great Barrier Reef Arena

AFL is in your backyard! Get up close to all the action when the 2019 JLT Community Series comes to Mackay, see your favourite AFL players and new recruits on show. Come along, wear your team’s colours and see all the action unfold, closer than ever before. https://bit.ly/2DHvhBU

7) Sensory Collection

Friday, March 1, 9am
Gordon White Library

The Sensory Collection provides supportive resources for families and people with a disability. Each month a new collection of items will be available on the Sensory Table to explore and touch. What a better place than the library to explore different senses! March is ‘Rock and Explore all the rocks!’ Proudly supporting an inclusive society, to celebrate and recognise the achievements of people with disabilities in the broader community. Suitable for all ages.

8) ‘How Nature Motivates Me Through Art’ By Art Sake

Available for viewing until Sunday, March 24
Lagoons Gallery, Botanic Gardens Café

Nature is a motivating influence of creative inspiration. Throughout history, nature has maintained an important function as a resource of inspiration for visual artists. Visual art is also sourced from nature, as the art materials ‘mediums’ that artists use to inspire and create their artworks are from nature. Water, clay, wood, graphite, charcoal, mixed pigments and ochres. Artists still access nature for art supplies, because the elements of nature provide art materials and equipment that artists use in art-making today. https://bit.ly/2BT3OwU

9) Active in the City – Time out Tai Chi

Every Monday, 5.15pm
Bluewater Quay, River Street

Great for that after work wind down. Beginners always welcome. Each Monday from 5.15pm explore different tai chi forms and feel the calmness through movement of Time Out Tai Chi. No need to know left from right, just bring your smile. Please wear cool comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking and bring a water bottle. https://bit.ly/2E5OWM3

10) Exhibition: Foundations in Drawing

Available for viewing until April 28
Artspace Mackay, Foyer and Gallery Three

The Mackay region has many strong, creative women who have helped shape the vibrant and diverse artistic presence that thrives today. In promotion of Queensland Women's Week this exhibition highlights recent works by eleven local, women artists linked through their participation in drawing classes with Clem Forbes. Clem was a Mackay artist, gallerist, and art educator who in the early 80s was considered by many to be the main driving force behind visual arts in the community.

Reminders:

Queensland Women’ Week

Zonta Mackay International Women’s Day Fundraiser

Sunday, March 10, 10am
The MECC

Join Zonta Mackay to celebrate International Women's Day to for their UN themed "More Powerful Together" luncheon. Guest speaker Dr Helena Popovic MBBS believes our decisions are more powerful than our DNA. Helena is a medical doctor, a best-selling author and an international speaker with a mission to educate rather than medicate. Come along and enjoy a luncheon, socialise, a grazing table, raffles and silent auctions. Purchase your tickets by Monday, March 4 > https://bit.ly/2H0PtSd

All About Women Satellite 2019

Sunday, March 10, 1.30pm
MECC Meeting Rooms

You don't need to be at the Sydney Opera House on March 10 to experience the main stage action of All About Women Festival. The MECC will be livestreaming the “#MeToo, Year Two” panel.  All About Women features emerging new voices from around the world speaking about future directions in feminism. Entry costs a gold coin donation.