Arawarra unearths a powerful piece of local history that was once scrubbed from the record books. Photo: Anthony Rigby-Smith.
Dust off your social calendars and get ready to soak up the best of the South Coast, because this week in the Illawarra is absolutely bursting with character!
From the misty escarpment to the salty shores, the Illawarra is serving up a cultural cocktail that spans everything from high-brow harmonies to “high-oddity” markets. We’ve got local legends Steel City Strings celebrating a decade of music and the streets of Wollongong’s CBD transforming for a massive laneway party.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can animate your own short film at the gallery or hunt for a “scary doll baby” at a market that prides itself on being delightfully weird.
Whether you’re looking to help future-proof our planet at the Electrify Bulli launch or settle in for a poignant night of First Nations history at the theatre with the debut of Arawarra, there is plenty to keep you busy.
Multiple Days
Embrace the unconventional as the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre transforms into a sanctuary for the strange and the sublime. Image: Atticurio Bizarre Market.
Atticurio Bizarre Market
When: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Dapto Ribbonwood Centre, 93-109 Princes Highway, Dapto
Cost: Online $8 | $10 upon entry | Book via Local Stalls.
This all-weather indoor market is a treasure trove for those who prefer their shopping with a side of the supernatural, featuring everything from taxidermy and preserved butterflies to “scary doll babies” and lude chinaware. Whether you are hunting for a crystal terrarium, a hand-poured ritual candle, or a one-of-a-kind piece of macabre art, the eclectic mix of stalls promises something truly unique.
Beyond the wares, visitors can engage with psychic and tarot readers, participate in mystical workshops, or simply soak up the wildly creative atmosphere. It is the ultimate weekend destination for the Illawarra’s dreamers, witches and collectors of the curious.
Saturday
It is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring creators aged 16 and over to transform static objects into cinematic stories right in the heart of the city’s premier art space. Image: Wollongong Art Gallery.
Animation Workshop with Angie Cass
When: Saturday 21 March, 12:30 to 3:30 pm
Where: Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: General $59.26 | Friends of Wollongong $53.46 | Book via eventbrite.
Unlock your inner animator in this hands-on workshop led by the talented Angie Cass. Taking inspiration from the absurd and poignant video works of Kate Mitchell, currently on display in the Set States exhibition, participants will learn the intricate secrets of the stop-motion process.
From initial movement to final frame, you will be guided through creating a short comedy film that is sure to delight. Just remember to download the “Stop Motion Studio” app to your phone before arriving, as you will be using your own device to bring your characters to life.
This is a profound opportunity to reflect on our local landscape through a lens of deep listening and respect. Photo: Wollongong Art Gallery.
Walking with Moon Book Launch
When: Saturday 21 March, 1 to 3 pm
Where: Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free.
Celebrate the intersection of art, geography and ancient wisdom at the official launch of Walking with Moon. Artist and writer Lizzie Buckmaster Dove invites the community to explore her creative research project, which delicately navigates the ethics of walking with Country as a non-Aboriginal Australian.
Developed under the guidance of Wadi Wadi elder Aunty Barbara Nicholson and Yuin knowledge holder Anthony McKnight, the book is a beautiful tapestry of sketches, poems and maps captured over a full lunar cycle. The afternoon will feature a rich panel discussion involving Aunty Barbara, geographer Chantel Carr, and artist Lucas Ihlein.
Nothing says “comfort” quite like the warm swell of a local orchestra. Image: Steel City Strings.
Home – Steel City Strings 10th Anniversary
When: Saturday 21 March, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: $25 to $65 | Book via Steel City Strings.
Join Steel City Strings as they celebrate a decade of musical excellence with a program dedicated to the concept of “Home”. This anniversary concert features two new commissions funded by local supporters: Adriel Sukumar’s Visions of Home and Barry Conyngham’s Under the Escarpment, a piece that resonates with anyone living in the shadow of our famous cliffs.
The program is rounded out with masterpieces by Dvořák and Elena Kats-Chernin, promising an enchanting evening that explores identity and belonging. It is a sophisticated way to toast 10 years of local talent within the stunning acoustic environment of the Wollongong Art Gallery.
Sunday
Wollongong’s city centre is getting a major glow-up this Sunday as Keira Lane transforms into a buzzing alfresco hangout. Image: Wollongong City Council.
Keira Laneway Live
When: Sunday 22 March, noon to 9 pm
Where: Keira Lane, Keira Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free.
Part of the NSW Government’s Vibrant Streets Package, this family-friendly takeover swaps traffic for tunes and roving performers. It is the ultimate Sunday session for foodies, with local favourites such as Balinese Spice Magic and Amigos serving up their best eats in a relaxed, open-air setting.
Whether you are looking to catch some live local music or simply want to soak up the high-energy CBD atmosphere, this pilot program event is designed to turn the laneway into the heart of the community. Grab the kids, bring your appetite and prepare to see a familiar street in a completely new light.
Don’t miss this rare chance to catch this international collaboration in an afternoon set that promises to be nothing short of magical for local folk and blues devotees. Photo: Supplied.
The Illawarra Folk Club presents in Concert: Christine Collister and Michael Fix
When: Sunday 22 March, 2 to 6 pm
Where: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow
Cost: Member $35 | Non Member $40 | Book via Humanitix.
Prepare for a masterclass in musical intimacy as the Illawarra Folk Club brings together two titans of the acoustic world at The Fraternity Club. Christine Collister, the Isle of Man’s vocal powerhouse known for her sultry, gravity-defying range, joins forces with Australian guitar virtuoso Michael Fix.
Having conquered stages from Glastonbury to Tamworth, this duo strikes a sublime balance between raw emotion and technical brilliance. Fix, who boasts three Golden Guitars and a signature Maton model, provides the perfect intricate backdrop for Collister’s world-renowned “She Devil” vocals.
Bulli residents, it is time to spark a revolution in your own living room. Image: Rewiring Australia.
Electrify Bulli Community Info Day
When: Sunday 22 March, 3 to 4 pm
Where: Bulli Surf Life Saving Club, Trinity Row, Bulli
Cost: Free | Book via Humanitix.
The groundbreaking Electrify 2515 Community Pilot is expanding its reach, offering local households a golden ticket to slash bills and carbon footprints simultaneously. This high-energy info session features Dr Saul Griffith, the visionary author of The Big Switch, who will break down how families can access subsidies of up to $1000 per appliance.
Attendees can hear firsthand from neighbours who have already made the leap to all-electric living, plus grab some free electric-popped corn while learning how to future-proof their homes. It is a rare chance to join a world-first research project that puts the Illawarra at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.
Wednesday
This is a rare opportunity to dive deep into the creative process of a major Australian feature debut before it hits national screens in May. Photo: Supplied.
Life Could be a Dream – Early Preview Screening + Q&A
When: Wednesday 25 March, 7 pm
Where: Gala Cinema Warrawong, 204 Cowper Street, Warrawong
Cost: $40 | Book via Humanitix.
Local cinephiles and change-makers should flock to the Gala for this exclusive preview screening presented by Screen Illawarra. Life Could be a Dream is a fractured fairytale of resilience, exploring the fierce, fragile bond between a mother and son fighting to break cycles of trauma.
The evening isn’t just about the silver screen; it serves as a vital community fundraiser for the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre. After the credits roll, stick around for a powerhouse Q&A session moderated by Nick Bolton, featuring director Jasmin Tarasin and lead actor Sonny McGee.
Thursday
Debut: Arawarra
When: Thursday 26 March, 7 pm
Where: Bruce Gordon Theatre, IPAC, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Pay what you feel | Book via Ticket Search.
Arawarra tells the vital story of a First Nations leader, freedom fighter and protector whose legacy was overshadowed by the colonial impact of Alexander Berry in the Shoalhaven. Created through a profound collaboration between Dharawal language teacher Jake Māra and director Lincoln Smith, this production is told with a mix of fierce courage and tender humanity. It is more than just a night at the theatre; it is a reckoning with our national truth and a celebration of a hero who stood on the “wrong” side of history. For anyone looking to understand the deep roots of the Illawarra and South Coast, this performance is an essential, soul-stirring appointment.
For its debut night, Arawarra kicks off with a smoking ceremony at 7 pm, and the show commences at 7:30 pm. Performances also take place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March.
