20 March 2025

Nine things to do in the Illawarra this week (21 - 27 March)

21 March 2025 | Dione David

Carnival vibes hit the Illawarra this weekend. Photo: Marius Ramon.

From ABBA-inspired drag bingo to the carnival vibes of a fun fair, the Illawarra has a jam-packed week of excitement in store.

Aussie Motown legends Human Nature come to WIN Stadium for a one-night-only concert that will knock your 90s socks right off.

Down south, Kiamasala is back to celebrate all things Indian culture, and The Pirates of Penzance as you’ve never seen it before comes to IPAC.

In between is live music, a historical book launch and a special film screening with a local twist.

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

Friday

Dust off your platforms and get ready for a fabulous night of bingo, drag queens and Mamma Mia! tunes. Image: Scarlett Entertainment & Events.

Mamma Mia! It’s Time For Drag Queen Bingo

When: Friday 21 March, 7 to 10:30 pm
Where: Central Hotel Shellharbour, 3 Memorial Drive, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: General $27.23 | Gold $53.47 | VIP $126.93 | 25 per cent off with promo code REGION | Book via eventbrite.

Expect a night filled with laughter, entertainment, and fierce competition at this ABBA-inspired night of Drag Queen Bingo. Get ready to dab those numbers with a twist, as glamorous queens Crystal Ball and Ruby Royale call out the winning balls. The night includes five rounds of traditional bingo with fabulous prizes up for grabs and show-stopping drag performances inspired by ABBA hits!

Saturday

Grab your family and friends and get excited – the Fun Fair is back at The Groundz Precinct in Dapto. Image: Fosters Carnival Amusements.

The Fun Fair

When: Saturday 22 March, 2 to 9 pm
Where: The Groundz Precinct, Dapto Showground, 99 Princes Highway, Dapto
Cost: Free entry | Individual Ride $8 | Unlimited Rides Wristband $35 | Book via Bookeo.

Expect a day of thrilling rides for all ages, mouthwatering food truck fare, exciting carnival games, an adorable animal farm, fantastic show bags and market stalls at this full-blown fun fair. Make sure to prepurchase your ride pass or coupons for the best value at the event. Profits from this event will go to the AB International Team for costs to compete in the USA Cheerleading & Dance competitions.

Mikelangelo and the Long Lost Friends come to Port Kembla this weekend. Photo: Supplied.

Mikelangelo and the Long Lost Friends

When: Saturday 22 March, 6 pm
Where: The Servo, 6-8 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla
Cost: $25, book via Humanitix.

Described by Timeout magazine UK as “Part Elvis, part New Romantic, part storyteller”, Mikelangelo and the Long Lost Friends are stopping by Port Kembla on their Lost Recordings Tour, supported by screen composer, songwriter and musician Amanda Brown and film composer, songwriter and guitarist Damien Lane.

Mikelangelo is the alter-ego of locally celebrated singer and performer Michael Simic, who studied creative arts at UOW. The Illawarra has been a second home for him since, after playing his first gigs at local house parties and pubs such as the Oxford Hotel and the North Gong. He has gone on to play packed headline shows from the Sydney Opera House to London’s West End. Now he’s bringing it home.

Women pose on stage in traditional colourful Indian garb

Kiamasala Festival will bring the sights, sounds and flavours of India to Kiama for a celebration of culture, community and collaboration. Photo: Kiamasala.

Kiamasala Festival of India

When: Saturday 22 March, 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Hindmarsh Park, Terralong Street, Kiama
Cost: Free entry.

Get ready to dance, come together, share a plate and party when Kiama Harbour transforms a delicious street food market, a market stall bizarre and a vibrant performance space all in one. Expect a mix of classical and contemporary dance and music to transport and educate you on the rich ancient Indian culture. There will be yoga workshops, cooking demonstrations, cricket games, a Bollywood buffet night, travel talk, Indian handicrafts and fashion stalls and more.

Cartoon of drunk people in a pub from the front cover of Rascals and Respectables - A social history of Kiama area hotels

You will not be disappointed by the fascinating and quirky history of the hotels of Kiama, Jamberoo and Gerringong, as told in a new book and from the mouth of the author himself. Image: Rascals and Respectables – A social history of Kiama area hotels.

Rascals and Respectables – A social history of Kiama area hotels, book launch and conversation

When: Saturday 22 March, from 2 pm
Where: Kiama Library Auditorium, 7 Railway Parade, Kiama and Kiama Inn Hotel, 50 Terralong Street, Kiama
Cost: Members $3 | Non-Members $5 | Books $29.90 | Payable upon entry

This event comes in two parts. First at the Kiama Library auditorium from 2 pm Tony Gilmore’s book Rascals and Respectables – A social history of Kiama area hotels will be officially launched by the Honorable Gareth Ward, MP for Kiama. Published by the Kiama Historical Society, it explores the (fairly respectable) social history of hotels in Kiama, Jamberoo and Gerringong.

Afterwards, join Tony at Kiama Inn for a beer or wine as he shares stories of wild and wacky antics in our towns’ drinking haunts.

Sunday

This show featuring country legend Darren Coggan is presented by the Illawarra Folk Club and sponsored by Great Southern Nights. Image: Great Southern Nights.

Great Southern Nights and the Illawarra Folk Club present Darren Coggan in Concert

When: Sunday 23 March, 3 to 7 pm
Where: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow
Cost: Member $25 | Non-member $30 | Companion Card Holder $23.50 | Companion Card Holder Support Person Free | Book via Humanitix.

Darren Coggan is one of Australia’s most exciting and diverse artists, a masterful storyteller with a knack for weaving fascinating and perceptive tales through his songs. In his laundry list of awards and accolades, he dominated the 2017 Australian Independent Country Music Awards taking home three coveted awards – Single Of The Year, Male Vocalist Of The Year and the top gong, Album Of The Year for his album The Wide Horizon.

Supported by The Linda Mizzi Trio, don’t miss this chance to soak in your share of his award-winning country magic.

Tuesday

If you’re a 90s child, you won’t want to miss this. Image: Human Nature.

Human Nature – Live in Concert

When: Tuesday 25 March, 6:30 pm
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Harbour Street, Wollongong
Cost: From $101.81 | Book via Ticketmaster.

Global superstars Human Nature are back in Australia to celebrate with their iconic MTWN20 tour. Bringing the best from their acclaimed and awarded Las Vegas shows with their energetic productions, the group is heading across the country, performing their massive hits from their multi-platinum albums Reach Out, Dancing In The Street and Get Ready. Fans can expect all their blockbuster high-energy hits and vocal harmonies.

This tour will also showcase a special performance by the Tierney Brothers before Human Nature takes to the stage for an unforgettable evening of non-stop Motown hits.

Wednesday

The Pirates of Penzance

Making waves in the Sydney theatre scene, Hayes Theatre Co. captures the spirit of Off-Broadway in Australia and now it harnesses the irreverent, genre-busting spirit of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance.

From the same creative team that brought us Once, this new, boisterously joyful adaptation is brought to life by four bold performers, playing all the roles. This is Gilbert and Sullivan like you’ve never seen it before!

Thursday

A still from Carmen and Bolude depicting two women walking together

Photo: Carmen & Bolude.

Carmen & Bolude Special Screening and Q&A

When: Thursday 27 March, 6:30 to 9 pm
Where: Gala Cinema, 204 Cowper Street, Warrawong
Cost: Screen Illawarra Members $5 | General $10 | Book via Humanitix.

Screen Illawarra, in collaboration with Bonsai Films, will be presenting a special screening of ‘Carmen & Bolude’ (2025), an independent feature film. Scenes were filmed at Shellharbour Airport, utilising more than 50 locals as extras, with Coledale-local filmmaker and Screen Illawarra employee Holly Trenaman as the extras casting director. Screen Illawarra Chair Nick Bolton also served as a second assistant director for those scenes. After there will be a Q&A hosted by Holly Trenaman with producer Yolandi Franken and project creators/stars Michela Carattini and Bolude Watson.