Frock up and suit up – the Gong Raceday 2024 is here. Photo: Supplied.
As November draws to a close, the Illawarra is getting a distinctively festive edge.
From theatre to live music and even a poetry slam, this week in the Illawarra is for the culture vulture.
A major folk festival might just tempt you as far as the beautiful Southern Highlands and the race that stops the region is also back at Kembla Grange.
Christmas market season is also kicking off this week in Wollongong.
Here are nine things to do this week.
All week
Grab the whole family as this classic comes to life on the Roo Theatre stage. Image: Roo Theatre.
Treasure Island, a Musical Adventure
When: Various dates from Friday 22 November to Saturday 7 December, various times
Where: Roo Theatre, corner Addison and Wentworth streets, Shellharbour Village
Cost: Adult $32 | Concession $27 | Member $25 | Book via Trybooking.
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest … Those were the last words uttered by legendary pirate Captain Flint, but few dare speak them now. But to Jim, a humble innkeeper’s son, those words are a call to adventure, and a thrilling tale of pirates, treasure maps, mutiny on the high seas and pieces of eight ensues. Don’t miss this charming musical version of this favourite childhood adventure story on stage at Roo Theatre.
All Weekend
Soak in the spirit of music and community at the Bundanoon Folk Festival. Image: Bundanoon Folk Festival.
Bundanoon Folk Festival 2024
When: Friday 22 to Sunday 24 November, various times
Where: Various Bundanoon venues
Cost: Various | Book via Humanitix.
Take to the scenic Southern Highlands this weekend for a vibrant weekend filled with music sessions, workshops, busking, pub singing and more across eight venues, all within walking distance of Bundanoon village, shops and the train station. With festival buses between venues and campgrounds and full wheelchair accessibility, there are plenty of ways to participate, whether as a performer or an audience member.
Friday
Humorous, thought-provoking, surprising, witty – don’t miss Cabaret Politico. Photo: Supplied.
The Illawarra Folk Club presents Shortis and Simpson in Cabaret Politico
When: Friday 22 November, 7 to 11 pm
Where: City Diggers Club, 82 Church Street, Wollongong
Cost: Member $30 | Non-member $35 | Book via Humanitix.
For close to three decades Shortis and Simpson have delighted Canberra audiences with their unique mix of original songs, parodies of well-known ditties and monologues, going straight to the foibles and the follies of our political leaders. For the first time they are bringing their satire to Wollongong in Cabaret Politico – a combination of reflection on memorable debacles of 2024 and some of their gems from nearly 30 years of satire.
Saturday
Get your friends together and grab your tickets for the Gong’s most exciting day of racing. Photo: Supplied.
The Gong Raceday 2024
When: Saturday 23 November, 11 am
Where: Kembla Grange, Princes Highway, Kembla Grange
Cost: From $30 | Book via Moshtix.
Frock up, suit up and get set to be trackside for the running of the $1m Gong Race. Expect all the usual race day fanfare including luncheons, live racing, Fashions on the Field, entertainment, food trucks, bars and more. Depending on your vibe, there are a variety of ticket options ranging from general admission right in the action to the swanky members dining room and everything in between.
The perfect place to find something unique for someone special (including yourself). Image: Mount Keira Demonstration School.
Mount Keira Christmas Markets
When: Saturday 23 November, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Mount Keira Demonstration School, 255 Mount Keira Road, Mount Keira
Cost: Free.
Mount Keira Demonstration School is hosting a festive Christmas market with a variety of amazing small business stallholders. Shop local and fill up your Christmas stockings while enjoying the fresh mountain air. There will be market stalls, a raffle, a barbecue, kids activities, a coffee van, Santa photos, face painting, a bake sale, a special appearance by the MKDS Kids Christmas Choir and much more.
Sunday
Get crafty, customise your ornaments with different sizes and shapes of antlers, add a playful bell or bow and explore various fibers and cords. Image: Shellharbour Civic Centre.
Create & Sip: Macrame Christmas Ornaments
When: Sunday 24 November, 1 to 2:30 pm
Where: Gadhu Dining Room, Shellharbour Civic Centre, 76 Cygnet Ave, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: $45 | Book via eventbrite.
Your facilitator for this creative session is Honnie, a fibre art enthusiast with a passion for knotting and creating. In this Sip & Create workshop suited to participants 18 and over, you’ll learn three simple macrame knots to craft charming reindeer and angel ornaments. Honnie will share tips and tricks to help you make more on your own, while encouraging you to get creative. All materials will be provided in this workshop and you’ll take home two homemade Christmas ornaments along with the skills to make many more. This intimate class of 14 will be a lot of fun so bring your friends or family and BYO drinks.
Tuesday
This session is perfect for sparking inspiration and starting your storytelling journey. Photo: Kiama Library.
Fiona Weir: Telling short-form stories
When: Tuesday 26 November, 4:30 to 5: 30 pm
Where: Kiama Library, 7 Railway Parade, Kiama
Cost: General $25 | Concession $20 | Book via Trybooking.
Discover the art of short-form storytelling in this engaging session in Kiama. Learn how to craft compelling stories for newsletters, blogs, Substacks, columns and even cookbooks. Explore narrative non-fiction and memoir, uncover your authorial voice, connect with your audience and identify your unique style as a writer. Led by Fiona Weir – a cheesemaker and farmer from Gerringong, NSW – this session draws on her experiences running a commercial farm, cooking school and publishing From Scratch — a cheerful guide to making your own food and staples.
Wednesday
This show promises to be an immersive experience, enriched by interludes, visual projections, and samples from Petra’s travels, woven into the performance as sonic memories. Photo: Luke David Kellet.
Mia Petra Single Release
When: Wednesday 27 November, 6 to 9 pm
Where: Frank’s Wild Years, 3/2 Raymond Road, Thirroul
Cost: General $30 | Concession $22 | Book via Humanitix.
Known for her expressive and boundary-defying sound, Mia Petra blends the lines between contemporary folk, electro/ambient, soul and jazz. Performing with a five-piece ensemble of experimental folk musicians, Petra crafts a refreshingly unpredictable and playful atmosphere on stage. At this Thirroul performance audiences can expect harmonically rich vocal arrangements, intricate double bass and percussion grooves in unexpected time signatures, and lively (fiddle) melodic lines — all seamlessly fused with a blend of acoustic and electronic elements, enhanced by hand-crafted samples and effects. Petra will be joined by an outstanding line-up of musicians including Timothy Merriken on double bass, Naomi Jones on fiddle/vocals, Rose Callaghan on drums/vocals and Darcy Archer on percussion synth/vocals.
Thursday
Be moved, wowed and inspired by emerging masters of the spoken word, and give it a shot yourself if you’re keen. Image: SCWC.
Enough Said Poetry Slam + Emerging Poets Showcase
When: Thursday 28 November, 6:30 pm
Where: The Forge, Gipps Road, Keiraville
Cost: General $10 | Concession $5 | Book via Humanitix.
This event showcases six emerging poets chosen in collaboration with Enough Said Books from the poetry community of the Illawarra to read their work together on the night. The emerging poets are Elva Tiang, Portia O’Connor, Selena Buckham, Kim Williams, Zohal Arbabzada and Catherine Solis-Dyball.
The slam portion of the evening will run as normal – sign up to perform at the door, listen to other people share theirs, click for your faves and maybe even win a prize. Participants get three minutes and no props or costumes – just jump up on stage with a mic and share your original poems, stories, raps, rants and monologues with a live and engaged audience. Random people from the audience become the judges, and the highest-scoring poet wins.
BYO drinks and food are welcome; takeaway is available from surrounding restaurants.
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