Shell Con Mania is a major highlight on the Illawarra social calendar this week. Image: Illawarra’s Friendly Neighbourhood Spidey.
This week in the Illawarra is bursting with something for everyone — from the high-energy cosplay and pop culture spectacle of Shell Con Mania at Shellharbour City Stadium to the moving tribute of Unforgotten: Songs of Australians at War in Albion Park.
Music lovers can catch the dazzling Lumieres de Paris at Wollongong Town Hall or experience Keith Urban live at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
Film fans have a treat with the Top Dog Film Festival and the adventurous Gutsy Girls tour at Anita’s Theatre.
For those craving culture and conversation, A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen at IPAC and insightful Nature Talks at Shellharbour Civic Centre offer something unique. Plus, theatre enthusiasts can enjoy fresh local talent in the Plays by the Rules short play exhibition at Side Door Theatre.
Whatever your interest, the Illawarra has you covered this week with a rich mix of entertainment, education and community spirit.
Multiple Days
Eight Writers. Eight Rules. Eight Plays. Image: Rising Arts Productions.
Plays by the Rules: A Wollongong Short Play Exhibition
When: Friday 15 and Saturday 16 August, 7 to 9:30 pm
Where: Side Door Theatre, 293-297 Crown Street, Wollongong
Cost: $20 | Book via Humanitix.
From concept to the stage in just weeks, eight writers have created eight original 10-minute short plays for the return of this exciting project from award-winning theatre company Rising Arts Productions. The twist? Each writer must also devise a rule for the exhibition’s “rulebook”: a list of prompts, guidelines and restrictions that must all feature in each of their plays. The result is an anthology of short plays that explores and tests the imagination of our writers and audiences alike.
A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen (or How To Make the Perfect One-Pot Chicken Curry)
When: Wednesday 20 August to Saturday 23 August, various times
Where: IPAC, 2 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $49 | Pension/Student $39 | Groups 8+/Under 30s $34 | Book via Ticketsearch.
After wowing audiences in its MERRIGONGX debut in 2024, this heartfelt production is set to make its mainstage debut. Charming, funny and moving, it’s a show woven from the threads of a sweeping family epic. Local theatre-maker and singer-songwriter Josh Hinton fills the theatre with music, memories, and exotic smells as he attempts to make his grandmother’s chicken curry, live on stage.
Sharing childhood memories and family folklore passed down through the generations, Josh transports the audience from the backstreets of Sri Lanka to a bustling city in India, from a schoolyard in Iran to a South African farm, and finally to Wollongong. It’s a show for anyone who’s searched for where they belong in this world, who’s lived between cultures, or who has loved and lost family.
Saturday
Shell Con Mania brings epic cosplay, games, music and family fun together for an exciting day of pop culture celebration in Shellharbour. Image: Illawarra’s Friendly Neighbourhood Spidey.
Shell Con Mania
When: Saturday 16 August, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Shellharbour City Stadium, 110 Croome Rd, Croom
Cost: From $0 to $59 | Book via eventbrite.
Shell Con Mania is bringing a full-scale Comic Con-style celebration to Shellharbour, with a jam-packed day of cosplay, pop culture, live performances and hands-on fun for all ages. From dazzling cosplay competitions judged by special guests, to live K-pop, dance ensembles, and movie and TV trivia panels, the event promises something for every fan. The show floor will be buzzing with interactive zones, including Warhammer and Magic card gaming, LEGO exhibits, robotics demonstrations, pinball machines, a 360° video booth, photo walls, and creative workshops where you can design your own T-shirts, cups, or artwork.
Families can enjoy kids’ attractions such as the Marvel vs DC jumping castle, face painting, and meet-and-greets with favourite characters, while collectors and enthusiasts can browse the Hall of Weird and Wonderful — packed with art, collectibles, pop culture merch, and local food vendors. With activities hosted by Illawarra’s Friendly Neighbourhood Spidey and Destination Dancefloor, there’ll be music, entertainment, and plenty of prizes throughout the day.
Capping off the festivities is the Shell Con After Party — an exclusive 18+ cosplay dinner and fundraiser for KidsWish, featuring live music, trivia, raffles, and best-dressed awards. With ticket sales supporting KidsWish and major sponsors including Shellharbour City Council and Ross Transport, Shell Con Mania is set to be a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and fandom in the Illawarra.
Top Dog Film Festival
When: Saturday 16 August, 2 to 4:45 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $31 | Book via Ticketmaster.
Experience the magic of dogs on the big screen at the 2025 Top Dog Film Festival – a heartwarming showcase of the extraordinary bond between canines and humans. From clever concierge canines to loyal companions who transform lives, this festival brings you touching stories of remarkable dogs and the people who love them. Watch dedicated individuals working to improve the lives of your four-legged friends, and prepare to have your heart stolen by some incredibly clever canines.
This two hours-plus cinematic celebration features a carefully curated collection of short films from independent filmmakers worldwide, capturing delightful moments that showcase the joy, loyalty, and unconditional love that make dogs your most treasured companions. Please note, seating is not allocated — arrive early for the best seats.
Fred Smith takes the stage to share powerful songs and stories honouring Australia’s wartime sacrifices and the realities of alliance wars. Photo: Geoffrey Dunn.
Fred Smith – Unforgotten: Songs of Australians at War
When: Saturday 16 August, 7 to 10 pm
Where: Albion Park Bowling Club, 178 Tongarra Road, Albion Park
Cost: General $45 | Youth $30 | Disability Pensioner $27 | Disability Support Worker Free | Book via Humanitix.
Friday 15 August is the 80th Anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the Pacific, and four years since the fall of Kabul. To mark the occasion, this special show surveys, in song, the experiences of Australians at war, beginning with the iconic works of Lawson, Eric Bogle, Don Walker (Cold Chisel) and John Schumann (Redgum) and leading through to Fred Smith’s own firsthand song-stories from the valleys of Uruzgan Province.
Framed by a stunning collection of projected photos and some cheeky Aussie humour, the songs are set in historical context, honouring the sacrifices made while suggesting some timely questions about the costs and benefits of our “alliance wars”. The performance offers a gritty and personal account of the on-the-ground realities faced by our soldiers in offshore conflicts.
Fred was the first Australian diplomat to be sent to work alongside Australian soldiers in Uruzgan Province in 2009 and the last to leave in 2013. While there, he wrote songs and put on regular concerts performing with Australian, US and Dutch soldiers and Afghan interpreters. This new show marks the culmination of what has been a remarkably sustained piece of storytelling, setting Australia’s longest war in the context of over a century of our alliance wars.
Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour
When: Saturday 16 August, 7 to 10 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $31 | Book via Ticketmaster.
Brace yourself for an exhilarating showcase of female adventurers pushing boundaries and defying expectations. The Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour brings you 2.5 hours of heart-pounding action and soul-stirring stories from fearless women around the globe. This year’s line-up features six extraordinary short films capturing the raw intensity of breathtaking mountaineering expeditions in the alps, gravity-defying mountain biking with legend Robin Goomes, subterranean exploration with world-renowned cave diver Jill Heinerth and adrenaline-pumping snowboarding and BASE jumping in the Canadian Rockies.
Experience the thrill of adventure through a diverse collection of films varying in length and style, each spotlighting remarkable women who are redefining what’s possible in the adventure world. The Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour offers an abundance of inspiration, regardless of age, gender or experience level.
Monday
Milko Foucault-Larche returns to Wollongong Town Hall with Corinne Andrew and soprano Emily Garth, bringing you a dazzling musical journey you won’t want to miss. Image: Lumieres de Paris.
Lumieres de Paris: A musical kaleidoscope with Paris as a backdrop
When: Monday 18 August, 10 am
Where: Main Auditorium, Wollongong Town Hall, corner Crown and Kembla streets, Wollongong
Cost: General $31.50 | Groups 8+ $28 | Groups 12+ $26 | Book via Ticketsearch.
After a near sold-out performance of his show Piaf & Aznavour in 2024, award-winning Milko Foucault-Larche returns to The Wollongong Town Hall leading the fabulous cast of Lumieres de Paris. Presented by “Music in the Morning”, this musical kaleidoscope takes you on a mesmerising journey into the world of opera, operetta, musicals and French “chanson” with Paris as a backdrop.
Milko is joined by Corinne Andrew and Australian soprano Emily Garth. In recent years, Milko and Corinne have emerged as the two leading ambassadors of French popular music in Australia, while Emily continues to travel the world as a guest entertainer on board luxury cruise liners.
Wednesday
Keith Urban – High and Alive Tour
When: Wednesday 20 August, 7 to 10 pm
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre
Cost: $193.57 | Book via Ticketmaster.
WIN Entertainment Centre is one of just nine arena shows for August on Keith Urban’s highly anticipated High and Alive World Tour. The show starring the five-time ARIA and four-time Grammy award winner will be the first opportunity for Australians to hear live versions of new songs from HIGH, including Wildside, Straight Line, Go Home W U with Lainey Wilson and Messed Up As Me, as well as number one hits including One Too Many (with P!nk), Wasted Time, Somebody Like You, Parallel Line, The Fighter (with Carrie Underwood) and Long Hot Summer. The show, Urban’s first Australian concerts since December 2022, will feature opener Chase Matthew, one of country music’s boldest emerging voices.
Thursday
Get prepared for storm season and severe weather. Photos: Shellharbour City Council.
Nature Talks: SES Preparing for Storm Season
When: Thursday 21 August, 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: Shellharbour Civic Centre – City Library, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: Free | Book via Shellharbour City Libraries/eventbrite.
Richard Hart, a long-serving volunteer with the NSW State Emergency Service – Shellharbour City, is set to share practical advice on preparing your home for storms, floods and other severe weather events. With over 40 years of experience, Richard brings valuable insights from decades of frontline emergency response.
Joining Richard is Nikki Ristoski, SES volunteer and community education officer, who will share practical resources to help you stay informed, better understand local hazards and take steps to build resilience within your household and the wider community. Together, they will discuss the critical role the NSW SES plays in protecting communities and how simple, proactive steps at home can significantly improve your safety and protect your homes. The talk will also explore the increasing frequency and severity of storms and floods, with a focus on flash flooding risks unique to the Shellharbour area.
