Top 10 things to do around the region

Published: 17 May 2021

Are you looking for something to do over the next week? Enjoy watching locals perform the Mamma Mia musical, embrace your own musical talents with a class at the Mackay libraries or enjoy three exciting new exhibitions at Artspace Mackay.

1) Mackay Musical Comedy players presents Mamma Mia

Thursday, May 20, at 8pm
Friday, May 21, at 8pm
Saturday, May 22, at noon and 8pm  
The MECC, Auditorium

Fresh out of quarantine, Mackay Musical Comedy players (MMCP) brings you the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs in this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Over 60 million people worldwide have fallen in love with the characters, story and the ABBA hits that tell the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father. Tickets on sale at https://bit.ly/3uNOyeb

2) Mackay Basketball Association Presents NBL1 North Basketball League – Round 2

Friday, May 21, from 5pm
McDonald’s Mackay Multi-Sports Stadium
107 Juliet Street, South Mackay

Enjoy the thrill of the game and support our local teams as they take on Rockhampton. At 6.30pm McDonalds Mackay Meteorettes vs Rockhampton Cyclones followed by McDonalds Mackay Meteors versus Rockhampton Rockets at 8.30pm. Tickets online only at https://bit.ly/3ohvrH2

3) Ukulele for beginners  

Friday, May 21, from 1pm to 2pm
Mirani Library

Chords and strumming. If you are new to musical instruments, this is a perfect opportunity to learn some practical skills quickly and in a supportive learning environment. Ukuleles will be provided for this session. Older and Bolder events are made possible thanks to funding from Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland. To book your spot head to https://bit.ly/2SQsCks

4) Artspace exhibitions
Leigh Schoenheirmer: Iterate | Elaborate
Donna Maree Robinson & David Pyke: Continuum
Tension(s) 2020: Tamworth Textile Triennial

Friday, May 21, until Sunday, July 25
Artspace Mackay

Three exciting new exhibitions will open at Artspace Mackay! Brisbane-based Leigh Schoenheimer is a multi-disciplinary contemporary artist who, through the genre of still-life painting, poses questions about what it is to “make pictures.” Iterate | Elaborate combines image and object-making to create works that speak to each other and to key moments in art history.

Donna Maree Robinson is an internationally exhibited, Mackay-based artist creating site-specific digital media. Robinson teams up with Mackay-raised composer David Pyke to create an immersive, multimedia exploration of music and science. Inspired by David’s experiences in vast desert landscapes, the work is the result of Donna’s experimentations with cymatics, or the visual representation of sound vibrations.

Held every three years, the Tamworth Textile Triennial showcases the best of textile art from across the country. Curator Vic McEwan creates a record of the changing nature and progress of textile practice from a national perspective.

For more information on these exhibitions visit https://bit.ly/3ocntPi

5) Dad ‘n’ Bubs Baby Bounce

Dudley Denny City Library
Saturday, May 22, at 10am

Baby Bounce

Mirani Library – Monday, May 24, at 9.30am
Dudley Denny City Library – Monday, May 24, at 11am
Sarina Library – Tuesday, May 25, at 9.30am

The session features nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs. It's never too early to talk, read and tell stories with your child. Please bring a small blanket for your child as we are unable to provide shared resources currently. Please book your spot via https://bit.ly/2SP127b

6) Meet the artists: Botanica 2021 – Flora in the Fauna

Wednesday, May 26, from 11am to 1pm
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens  

The artists of Mackay’s Botanical Art Interest Group present some of their encounters with fauna in the flora in diverse artworks. You are invited to meet the artists where they will share why they chose their plants and the animals within. Morning tea provided. RSVP to Maya on 0436 331 009 or email maya.in.nature@gmail.com

7) Beeswax wraps

Thursday, May 27, from 4pm to 5pm
Sarina Library

Beeswax wraps are an amazing and eco-friendly alternative to cling wrap. Keep your food fresh and reuse your beeswax wraps again and again. Made by infusing cotton fabric remnants and natural beeswax. Learn how to make your own beeswax wraps and start being more environmentally friendly. Book your spot at https://bit.ly/3hqhAwG

8) Reconciliation Week Screening
The Song Keepers (M)

Thursday, May 27, from 1pm to 2.30pm
Gordon White Library

Join us for our special screenings that will leave you thinking about how we can create a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Song Keepers tells the inspiring story of an Aboriginal women’s choir and their historic tour of Germany. For adults aged 18+. Book your spot at https://bit.ly/3y9Pg7x

9) Silver Screen Surprise

Friday, May 28, from 9.30am to 11.30am
Gordon White Library

Are you tired of seeing the same movies or haven’t found one you loved in a while? Discover a hidden movie gem when our surprise title will be unveiled. Book your spot at https://bit.ly/3eHwgpg

10) Piano for beginners

Friday, May 28, from 1.30pm to 2pm  
Gordon White Library  

Explore the magic of music! This mini workshop is perfect for beginners and will introduce you to the fundamentals of piano in a relaxed environment. Keyboards will be provided for use during the class. Book your spot at https://bit.ly/3ybFFgj

Reminders:

MAD Mountain Bike Classic

Friday, May 28, to Sunday, May 30
Rowallan Park, Farleigh

The MAD Mountain Bike Classic will be held at Rowallan Park where competitors can ride the rock gardens, dodge the bush turkeys, and enjoy the lush rainforest. Race participants will come from all over Australia to attend this exciting event. Registrations are still open, visit www.madmtbclassic.com

A Taste of Ireland

Friday, May 28, at 7.30pm
MECC Auditorium

Hot off its premiere New York City run in 2020 and with over 120 shows in 2019 across Australia and New Zealand, ‘A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation’ finally returns down under.Book at https://bit.ly/3y7NLXr