Nine things to do in the Illawarra this week (14 - 20 February)

Galentine’s, Valentine’s, Shmalentine’s, whatever you call it, it’s here, and you can mark it any way you like in the Illawarra – or not at all: there’s plenty of non-romancey stuff going on.

For starters, the legendary Bangarra Dance Theatre is in town with the show that wowed audiences in its debut at the Sydney Opera House. Or you can choo-choo-choose the Illawarra Picnic Train, hopping on board at Wollongong and taking the scenic coastal trip to Kiama where you and the whole family can spend the day.

There is theatre, crafty workshops and a car show for a good cause.

Here are nine things to do in the Illawarra this week.

Multiple Days

The Light Inside

When: Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February, various times
Where: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Premium $94 | Adult $79 | Pensioner and Student $69 | Groups 8+ and Under 30s $64 | Merrigong Box Office.

Bangarra Dance Theatre returns to Wollongong after a long absence with this highly acclaimed collaborative work. Bangarra’s first mainstage cross-cultural collaboration sees leading Maori choreographer and Arts Laureate, Moss Te Ururangi Patterson, join forces with beloved Bangarra alumna and proud descendent of the Wakaid Clan and Meriam people of the Torres Strait, Deborah Brown. Together they guide Bangarra’s award-winning ensemble in stories that honour their mother countries and the spirit that calls them home.

Friday

Wollongong Humber Bar | 40-55 | Singles Night | Merge Dating

When: Friday 14 February, 7 to 10 pm
Where: Humber Rooftop & Cocktail Bar, 226 Crown Street, Wollongong
Cost: $26.72 | Book via eventbrite.

Find yourself single, aged 40-55 and ready to mingle this Valentine’s Day? Feel like ditching the trackies and the couch, turning it up and putting yourself out there for a night? Merge Dating invites you to ditch the apps, speed-dating and name tags – come to Humber, connect and maybe find your perfect match. Following a fun ice-breaker activity you’ll have the night to mix with other singles in a chilled atmosphere in this chic, modern bar.

Library Lovers Day

When: Friday 14 February, 10:30 am to noon
Where: City Library, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: Free.

Does your local library send your heart aflutter? This Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate your love. You’re invited to honour libraries, librarians, book lovers and lovers of libraries at this special morning event, which includes a delicious Library Lovers Day cake in the foyer of City Library. Collect your very own blind date with a book from the display, partake in a bunch of goodies and fun on offer including bookish stickers and a write-your-library-a-love-letter station.

Saturday

Gerringong Lions Club Motor Fest

When: Saturday 15 February
Where: Michael Cronin Oval, 22-42 Blackwood Street, Gerringong
Cost: Car entry $10 | General admission $5 | Under 12s Free | Payable upon entry.

Get up close and personal with a vast range of modern, classic and modified cars when the Lions Club of Gerringong hosts its annual Motor Fest Car Show. There will be a huge raffle on the day with over $1600 worth of prizes to be won, plus a Lucky Car Prize for exhibiting vehicles. All proceeds from the event will support the Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation. With the Gerringong Markets just up the street, you and the family can make a day of it, browsing a large variety of stalls and partaking in the delicious food. Live music adds to the atmosphere and a playground gives the kids a way to burn off some energy.

Kiama Seaside Markets Picnic Train

When: Sunday 16 February, departs Wollongong 11:30 am, departs Kiama 4:20 pm
Where: Wollongong Train Station, Railway Station Square, Wollongong
Cost: Private Compartment $550 | Four-Seater Booth or Group of 4 Seating – Air Conditioned Lounge / Dining Car $360 | Book via TryBooking.

Settle back in your heritage carriage, break out the snacks and take in the spectacular views of the coastline along the way to beautiful Kiama. Hauling the signature Kiama Picnic Train will be a heritage diesel locomotive. Upon arrival, there will be plenty of time to enjoy the many charms of Kiama – from the famous blowhole to the pristine beaches and bustling boutiques. The Kiama Seaside Markets are also operating a short walk from the train station with more than 150 stalls to explore and live events.

Flinders Pet and Rescue Hub Wollongong Dog Day

When: Saturday 15 February, 10 am to noon
Where: Flinders Pet, Unit 1 20-24 Princes Highway, Yallah
Cost: Free.

Dog grooming and daycare facility Flinders Pet has partnered with Rescue Hub Wollongong, a renowned organisation committed to rescuing and rehoming dogs in need, to celebrate all things dog. The open day will feature a plethora of exciting activities and offerings including exclusive discounts on pet products and services, engaging activities for pets and their owners and exciting prizes and giveaways. The event presents an opportunity for the public to learn more about the importance of dog welfare, with the chance to meet and interact with the Rescue Hub Wollongong rescue team, chat with grooming experts and socialise.

Galentine’s Crepe Paper Rose Workshop

When: Saturday 15 February, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Burnetts on Barney, 80 Barney Street, Kiama
Cost: $195 | Book Kiama Art Workshops.

Gather your best gals for the unique experience of handcrafting beautiful crepe paper roses that will last long after the day is done. While you sip on refreshing drinks and nibble on tasty treats, artist Trixie Primrose will guide you step by step in creating your very own lifelike paper roses, from mastering the art of shaping petals to achieve a realistic look to adding stunning foliage to complement your rose. Designed for all skill levels and with all tools and materials supplied, you’ll gain all the skills and knowledge you need to practise paper floristry at home.

Paint a Kitty

When: Saturday 15 February, 1 to 3 pm
Where: Old Kiama Fire Station, 40 Shoalhaven Street, Kiama
Cost: $38.37 | Book via eventbrite.

This workshop is the purrfect way to spend your Saturday – no kitten! Paint a colourful, folk-art-inspired kitty on a die-cut cat-shaped piece of MDF. You’ll be taken through some fun ways to paint your kitty using a combination of acrylic painting and folk-art techniques. Participants will go home with two painted die-cut kitties (one 20 cm and one eight – 10 cm) to add to their home decor, use in a project or to gift to a fellow cat lover. All materials are supplied, and the event is suitable for all skill levels.

Thursday

Yandha Djanbay

When: Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 February, 7:30 pm
Where: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Pay what you feel | book via Merrigong Box Office.

Billed as a “powerful meditation on resilience, connection and healing”, Yandha Djanbay (Go Slowly) fuses language with land and intimate storytelling with audiovisual projection to honour the relationship that proud Gunai woman and multidisciplinary artist Kirli Saunders has with Country as both balm and blessing in times of hardship. The work is a celebration of her inherited strength, her identity as a Blak queer woman and the wisdom found in slowing down, offering an immersive experience of renewal and connection.