The Weekender: April 26 – 28
THIS weekend, discover your inner G.I. Joe, get involved in an English conversational class, or delve into some culture at Dutch Orange Day. Elizabeth Yick has more.
English Conversations with Overseas Students and Migrants
Sunday April 28, 11.45am – 1.15pm, St Michael’s Uniting Church (120 Collins St, Melbourne)
Engage in english conversation classes. Photo: Shane Global Language Centres via flickr
This Sunday, St Michael’s Uniting Church is hosting a 1.5-hour session of English conversation for international students and overseas migrants.
This is an excellent opportunity for individuals to practice conversational English in a relaxed, friendly, and supportive environment.
The price of entry is $2, and no bookings are necessary. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be provided on the day. For more information, contact wellbeing@stmichaels.org.au or call (03) 9654 5120.
Rooftop Laser Skirmish
Friday April 25, 5 – 8pm, Discovery Melbourne (167 Franklin St, Melbourne); See reception upon entry.
Gear up, soldiers!
This Friday, the rooftop of Discovery Melbourne will be converted into a war zone for an evening of laser skirmish battles.
Team registrations start at 5pm, and competitions will begin promptly at 6pm.
Pizzas are available throughout the night, and there is even a jungle after-party for those not-quite-battle-worn contestants.
Costs are $8 per game, and $30 will get you unlimited play.
Tickets may be purchased on the day, or booked online through the event website, so grab some friends and head down to Discovery Melbourne on Friday evening to discover your inner G.I. Joe.
Dutch Orange Day
Sunday April 28, 10.30am – 4pm, Queensbridge Square (1A Queensbridge Street, Southbank)
Dutch Orange Day is a one-day festival in celebration of Koninginnedag (Queens Day), and is organized by the Dutch community of Victoria.
This year, it promises to be an exciting day of music, folk-dancing, entertainment, and of course, as the integral part of any festival – plenty of delicious food.
There will be a vrijmarkt (a free-market) with stalls selling Dutch delicacies such as croquettes, soups, patat oorlog (‘war chips’ – french fries, mayo, raw onions and sate sauce), frikandel (sausages), stroopwafels (syrup waffle) and poffertjes (traditional Dutch batter treat resembling small fluffy pancakes).
There will also be a range of authentic Dutch produce and groceries available for sale.
In addition, a charity auction will be held during the day for a KLM (Royal Dutch Airline) return ticket to Amsterdam. This is an open event, with plenty of free giveaways all through the day. More information can be found on the festival website.
Melbourne by Foot Culture Walk
Friday April 26, Saturday April 27, Sunday April 28, 1 – 4pm, Federation Square, Melbourne (tour departs from the 7/11 opposite the Melbourne Visitor’s Centre)
Explore Melbourne’s history and culture by foot. Photo: Geoff Penaluna via flickr.
Get to know Melbourne better with a walking tour around the city known as “Australia’s cultural capital”.
The tour will explore a range of landscapes and architectures – from parklands and civic spaces, to arcades and laneways.
Participants will be educated on a range of subject matters from both past and present – from Aboriginal land ownership and colonial history to street art, coffee, music and sporting culture.
Tickets are $35 each, and includes tea or coffee. Places can be reserved in advance through the tour website, and same-day bookings can be made by calling 1300 311 081.