Top 10 things to do around the region

1) Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Showcase

Thursday, February 20, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Jubilee Community Centre
Are you interesting in learning more about the Regional Arts Development Fund? Would you like to hear about some of the amazing arts projects that have been happening in our region? Enjoy listening to one of Mackay's most brilliant voices JONTE while the incredibly talented Ros and some of her furry friends from Wild Puppets emcees the evening. Bring your friends! For more information visit http://bit.ly/37vSfIU.

2) Free Native Plant Program

Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22, 8am - 11am
MNEC, 6 Swayne Street, North Mackay
Council’s free native plant program is back and ratepayers are invited to collect four free native plants from the MNEC on Friday, February 21, and Saturday, February 22, between 8am and 11am. There will be over 45 different species available to choose from including climbers, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Find out more at mackay.qld.gov.au/nursery.

3) Clothes Swap

Friday, February 21, 10.30am – 11.30am
Dudley Denny City Library
Clear out what doesn’t spark joy at the Dudley Denny City Library’s Clothing Swap! Drop clean adult clothing (dresses, pants, shirts and skirts) off between 10.30am and 11.30am on the day and receive up to five swap tokens in return. Return at noon to browse the racks and leave with something new to spice up your closet. Access to free events is only one of the benefits of library membership. If you are not already a library member, please join at https://library.mackay.qld.gov.au/Montage/Join.aspx.

4) Conversations with Art

Friday, February 21, 1pm – 3pm
Artspace Workshop Room
An enjoyable opportunity to look and talk about art! Held on the third Friday of each month, Conversations with Art is held in the Artspace Workshop Room. It’s a free and enjoyable discussion led by Artspace staff as we look at images of traditional and contemporary artworks from Gallery and Museum Collections from around the world. Find out more at http://bit.ly/2vFAppB.

5) NitroGEN4 - F1 in Schools

Saturday, February 22, 11am – 1pm
Dudley Denny City Library
Meet the Mackay team, wish them luck and check out the awesome display before they head off to Melbourne to participate in the national finals. F1 in schools is the world’s most competitive stem competition involving over 17,000 schools and 20 million students. Students design-make-race a miniature F1 car capable of 0-80 km/h in under one second. The F1 in schools programme develops opportunities, passions and interests in many life-long careers. More information on this program can be found at https://rea.org.au/f1-in-schools/

6) Lunchtime Bites: Bookshop Look

Tuesday, February 25, 11.30am – noon
Dudley Denny City Library
Bring your lunch and have a munch while learning about your library. There is lots to learn and whatever it may be, rest assure it is all free! Come along for our quick 30-minute lunchtime session, where you will learn an array of information about what is available to you as a library member. Where is my book? Come along and learn what bookshop look is and how to navigate it in the library.

7) “Reflections” by Maryanne Villalba

Until Sunday, February 23
Botanic Gardens Café, Lagoons Gallery
Showcasing Maryanne Villalba's love of the ocean in all its different forms. Maryanne has always been interested in arts and crafts and exploring many different mediums. Through this time one thing has remained constant, drawing from nature and the ocean. She loves the movement and the depth that can be attained from using multiple layers of resin and manipulating resin on the board.  All artworks will be for sale. The Botanic Gardens Cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 3pm and weekends, 8am to 4pm.

8) Greater Whitsunday Farmers’ Market

Wednesday, February 26, 7am – 11am
Bluewater Quay   
Join the fresh local produce revolution and support our farmers by buying seasonal local produce straight from the farmer. Want to know who will be selling at the markets each, head to their Facebook page every Tuesday, all the details of markets stall and produce will be listed. For more details visit http://bit.ly/369yDth.

9) Get Active – Physical Activity programs

Until June, 2020
Various locations
There are plenty of ways to get Active in the City! From Zumba, tai chi, and aqua fitness to boxing, cross training, and yoga, our Active in the City program is a great way to get fit and meet new friends.

Active in the City
> Aqua Fitness with Sue
Until April 4, Saturdays, 9am - 10am
Bluewater Lagoon

> Elena’s Fitness Fusion (Zumba)
Until May 10, Sundays, 9am - 10am
Bluewater Quay

> Time Out Tai Chi (Balance Minder)
Until June 22, Mondays, 5.30pm - 6.15pm
Bluewater Quay

Live Life Get Active – City Centre
The Live Life Get Active program offers FREE weekly sessions in boxing, cross training and yoga. Register today for your free sessions.

Council Lawns, Civic Precinct, 6am - 6.45am
> Cross-training - Mondays and Wednesdays
> Boxing - Tuesdays and Thursdays
> Yoga - Fridays

Live Life Get Active – Northern Beaches and Sarina
To commence shortly. Register today for your free sessions.

10) Up, Up & Away!

Friday, February 28, 11am
MECC Plenary Halls
Travel with Up, Up & Away! Airlines in this riotous dance cabaret on a once-in-a-lifetime journey around the world! With fabulously tipsy sky-high shenanigans, spectacular dance numbers and captivating harmonies as part of the live in-flight entertainment system. Join the crew as they demonstrate what never goes on at 39,000 feet! Book your tickets at http://bit.ly/2OLHATU.

Reminders:

JamFactory Icon Catherine Truman: No surface holds

Opening Friday, March 6, 6pm
FIELD Engineers Gallery, Artspace Mackay
Catherine Truman is one of South Australia’s most renowned artists and jewellers who works with a variety of diverse materials to create captivating and one-of-a-kind pieces. This JamFactory touring exhibition incorporates a mix of objects, installation, images, video and new works from her 20 years of research at the nexus of art and science. ‘Catherine Truman: No Surface Holds’ is the first time that Truman’s collaborative practice with artists and scientists is presented.