There’s plenty to do in Ipswich, even mid-week. Here, we give you some ideas to kick things off – 11 gatherings you might like to sink your teeth into.
1. Don’t shoot me, I’m only the piano player
Who’d have thought, international entertainment direct from New York – mid-morning, mid-week, in the heart of Ipswich?
Pianist/comedian David Scheel makes a living out of making fun of music, both classical and not-so-classical. He’s now regarded as one of the world’s finest musical humourists, and has proven it in London’s West End, successive Edinburgh Festivals, the Melbourne Comedy Festival, and throughout the United States. If you’re to believe the BBC Arts Review: “As funny as any, wittier than most, and uniquely, a concert pianist of international stature – he stands alone, in a class of his own.”
2. STORY TIME @ IPSWICH CENTRAL
Share in the fun of stories, rhymes, songs and games to build language and literacy skills. This free session is held every week and is perfect for children under six. This month’s theme is Celebrating Stories.
When: Thursday August 10, 10.30am
Where: Ipswich Central Library
Cost: Free
3. Tech Time: Finding Family
Discovering family history can be fun, and this hands-on session is for those looking to start their research journey. There will be information about how to use the Ancestry Library Edition and My Heritage databases, which are both accessible through the Ipswich Libraries website.
When: Wednesday August 9, 1pm
Where: Ipswich Central Library
Cost: Free
4. After Dark: Science Fusion
Eats, beats, and drinks – see what really happens at the museum after dark. It’s a night time adventure geared to celebrate National Science Week. There will be live music, food, drinks and an array of science innovations to inspire your inner chic geek.
When: Friday, 5.30pm-9pm; Where: The Workshops Rail Museum; Cost: $15
5. Trivia night
It’s free to enter, and there’s $120 in cash prizes on offer at Goodna Services Club on Thursday night. They’re also offering a bonus $200 bonus prize for a perfect score.
When: Thursday August 10, 7pm
Where: Goodna Services Club
Cost: Free
6. Craig Shaw
Craig has been crowned vocalist/instrumentalist of the year three times (Qld), and has been making people happy with his music since he won a national keyboard competition at age 15.
When: Wednesday August 9, 7pm-10.30pm.
Where: Club Ipswich
Cost: Free
7. Ringo & Cash
These guys don’t play a lot, but if their Facebook page rings true, they should be fun. “If you like a bit of Outlaw Country music and some of the best songs ever written,” they say.
When: Thursday August 10, 7pm.
Where: Brothers Leagues Club
Cost: Free
8. Shiny splats
It’s your last chance to experiment with colourful craft materials to make a bright soft sculpture or your very own shiny splat wall piece at this special exhibition for children and families.
When: Daily, 10am-5pm until Sunday August 13
Where: Ipswich Art Gallery
Cost: Free
9. A room for wild animals
It’s not something you might normally associate with The Workshops Rail Museum, but this is your chance to see big cats, bears and deer close up. They’re some of the most impressive mammals on the planet, in real-life stance.
When: Until November 26; Where: The Workshops Rail Museum; Cost: Entry is $14.50 for adults, $12.50 concession, and $11.50 for children aged 3-15.
10. Fitness in the park
There are plenty of fitness activities all week in Ipswich parks. Here are a few until the end of the week:
- Wednesday 6.30am: High intensity interval training at Jack Barkley Park, North Booval.
- Wednesday 9.30am: Low impact fitness at ANZAC Park, Rosewood.
- Thursday 6.30am: Boot camp at Browns Park, North Ipswich.
- Thursday 9.30am: Zumba at Stallard Park, Yamanto.
- Friday 6.30am: Yoga at Limestone Park on the corner of Griffith Road and Chermside Road, near the miners’ memorial.
- Friday 6.30am: Boxercise at Robelle Domain, meeting at the Pyramid Lawn.
More at the Ipswich City Council website.
11. Kerbside pickup
Okay, so it’s not really one of the most fun things to do, but it’s important. Kerbside pickup is a popular service provided by Ipswich City Council, so if you’re in the above suburbs, be sure to have items on the footpath today. Acceptable items include furniture and whitegoods (remove doors from fridges, please), household appliances including stoves, carpet and lino, bath and laundry tubs, wood products, bicycles and outdoor play equipment (dismantled, please). Don’t put out your gardening or building waste, car parts or tyres, food scraps, liquids, chemicals, oil, asbestos, gas bottles, glass and mirrors, or any other garbage that would normally go in your bins.
When: Until the end of this week; Where: Collingwood Park, East Ipswich, Goolman, Ipswich, Peak Crossing, Purga, Tallegalla, Tivoli, Woolshed; Cost: Free
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