Music, culture and creativity abound in the Illawarra this week. Photo: peus80.
As the shortest day of the year looms, the Illawarra has lined up plenty of ways to get out and about and banish the winter blues.
The headline is Shellharbour Rocks, combining a string of live music, art and creative events with community vibes, spilling out to Shellharbour cultural hotspots.
Not-for-profit Hi Neighbour holds a community-style event to inform anyone considering a career change into renewables, and Shellharbour City Council offers free microchipping on a special day for doggos.
In between there’s a Tina Turner tribute show, not one but two coastal walking/running events, an Indigenous Australian-inspired cooking masterclass and theatre events galore.
Here are our nine picks for the week.
Saturday
Shellharbour Rocks is back. Image: Shellharbour City Council.
Shellharbour Rocks
When: Saturday 22 June, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: The Waterfront Shell Cove, 100 Cove Boulevard, Shell Cove
Cost: Free.
Whether you’re watching a stunning mural come to life or grooving along to energetic beats, Shellharbour Rocks is a not-to-be-missed community event. A loaded program includes a main event of live music, vinyl DJs, kids activities and a record fair, complemented by sessions at Blue Jays Albion Park, Nook Cafe at Stoney Range Centre, Darley St Local and Pacino’s Cafe at Shellharbour Village, Oak Flats Library, Central Park in Oak Flats and Warilla Beach Cafe.
Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
When: Saturday 22 June, 7:30 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: Adult $80.43, senior $70, junior 2-13 years $47.47, groups 6+ $71.94, book here.
Fans of the late great Tina Turner won’t want to miss this electrifying stage production. Brimming with Tina hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, the fabulous Caroline Borole combines the signature powerful raspy vocals, high-intensity dancing and thrilling stage presence the lady was known for. You’ll hear Simply the Best, What’s Love Got to Do With It, River Deep Mountain High, Nutbush City Limits and many more.
This kid-friendly event might show you your new career pathway. Image: Hi Neighbour.
Clean Energy Career Change
When: Saturday 22 June, 1 pm
Where: The Servo, 6-8 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla
Cost: Free, book here.
Whether you’re considering doing something new, looking for a meaningful return to the workforce or after fascinating work that helps save the world, this event may hold the answer. Illawarra not-for-profit Hi Neighbour brings together experts who know what it means to transform their career trajectory in radical ways, into areas like electrical trades, engineering and leadership in green tech. Along with illuminating dialogue there will be a cardboard box world-building workshop for the kids and a food truck.
Sunday
Expect free microchipping, rego checks, expert advice, treats and giveaways. Image: Shellharbour City Council.
Woofstock
When: Sunday 23 June, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: The Waterfront Shell Cove, 100 Cove Boulevard, Shell Cove
Cost: Free.
The family-friendly event will feature local pet-focused market stalls and activities dedicated to the health and lifestyle of your four-legged friend. Shellharbour City Council will offer expert advice on responsible pet care, pet registration checks and complimentary microchipping for dogs owned by Shellharbour City residents – a saving of $50 to $80. There will also be treats and giveaways.
Kiama Coastal Classic
When: Sunday 23 June, from 7:30 am
Where: Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, Manning Street, Kiama
Cost: 2 km $20, 12 km $85, 21 km $132, book here.
Runners and walkers from across the state of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to do what they love among friends and family. Providing 2 km, 12 km and 21 km challenges, participants of all ages and fitness levels will take in some of the most breathtaking views of the Illawarra’s rugged coastline. The finish line for all four distances is at Kiama Surf Club where there will be an onsite expo and prize giveaways.
Support the Mito Foundation while taking in scenic coastal vistas. Image: The Bloody Long Walk.
The Bloody Long Walk – Wollongong
When: Sunday 23 June, 6:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Coledale Beach to Stuart Park, North Wollongong
Cost: $135, book here.
This 35 km challenge from Stanwell Park to Lang Park is owned and operated by the Mito Foundation. Walk, jog or run and enjoy spectacular scenery while raising vital funds to help find cures for mitochondrial disease (mito). One Australian child born each week suffers a severe or life-threatening form of mito – a debilitating and potentially fatal genetic disorder – making it the second most commonly diagnosed serious genetic disease after cystic fibrosis.
Wednesday
You’ll get a bit of everything at Made From Scratch. Image: Karla Hayes.
Made From Scratch – June
When: Wednesday 26 June, 7:30 pm
Where: The Music Lounge, Wollongong Town Hall, corner Crown and Kembla streets, Wollongong
Cost: Pay what you feel, book here.
Packed with talented artists, Made From Scratch is a multi-artform performance night offering artists space and support to test new ideas in front of a live audience. Expect a bit of everything as local artists across performance, film, stand-up comedy, poetry, music, cabaret, circus and anything in between showcase their talents.
Thursday
Learn to incorporate Indigenous Australian ingredients like myrtle into your cooking. Image: Shellharbour Civic Centre.
Indigenous Twist Cooking Class
When: Thursday 27 June, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Shellharbour Civic Centre, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: $70, book here.
To celebrate NAIDOC Week, Mirritya Mundya Indigenous Twist want to take you on an exclusive Indigenous cooking journey. Mirritya Mundya meaning “Hungry Blackfish” has evolved from the growth of the award-winning Indigenous Tourism initiative, Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, in introducing what is called the “Indigenous Twist”. In this workshop, participants will each prepare their own meal in an inclusive, friendly and fun environment, and experience one of Mirritya’s signature pasta dishes using local seafood and native spices. All materials will be provided.
Calling the Illawarra’s budding writers. Image: Supplied.
The Drama Studio – Final Draft
When: Thursday 27 June, 7 pm
Where: Bruce Gordon Theatre, IPAC, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $40, under 13s $22, student $22, concession (pensioner/senior) $22, book here.
Final Draft enables emerging writers to create conditions in which they can actively engage in the development and production of their work. This year seven new works will be created under the theme “The Canterbury Tales”. This collection of 24 stories told within a frame narrative by characters from different social classes and professions is considered among the most important works in medieval literature, providing a vivid and diverse portrayal of society and offering valuable insights into the social, cultural, and religious aspects of the time.
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