Nine things to do in the Illawarra this week (29 September - 5 October)

Looking for something to do this week? There’s plenty to get stuck into.

The Courage to Care exhibition will have its official opening, and there will be the last in a series of information sessions for the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum at Wollongong Library.

Meanwhile, sports fans can take their pick of seeing the Illawarra Hawks’ season opener against the Sydney Kings or an inclusive sports day event.

Laughs are promised when the Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase rolls into town. Or if Lego is more your style, there is a competition to see who can design and build the best 2D Lego art.

This week will also see the Hope! concert from the Soweto Gospel Choir in Wollongong, a performance from the South Coast Sasla Coalition, and a chance to see Daniel Rohn and Simon Tedeschi when they take to the stage in Kiama.

Multiple days

Courage to Care exhibition

When: 23 September to 26 November, 10 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Friday) or noon to 4 pm (Saturday to Sunday); 3 October, from 6 pm (official opening)
Where: Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free entry.

This travelling exhibition has arrived in the Illawarra. The exhibition tells the stories of those who spoke up and took action to protect Jews during the Holocaust. It is organised by non-profit organisation Courage to Care, which works in antidiscrimination education, and includes artefacts and audiovisual elements.

South Coast Salsa Coalition

When: 29 September, 27 October and 24 November, 8 to 11 pm
Where: Seeker Brewing, Unit 4/1 Industrial Road, Unanderra
Cost: Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased via Humanitix.

Time to get your dancing shoes on! The South Coast Salsa Coalition performances showcase the best of Afro-Cuban and contemporary Latin music. There are three upcoming performances from this Wollongong-based salsa orchestra, all being hosted by Seeker Brewing.

Saturday

Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings

When: 30 September, from 8 pm
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, corner of Crown and Harbour Streets, Wollongong
Cost: Tickets vary in price (depending on age and location in stadium) and are available via Ticketmaster.

In the season opener, the Illawarra Hawks will take on the Sydney Kings on their home turf. This is your chance to see the new-look squad in action, including Hyunjung Lee and Next Star AJ Johnson.

Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase

When: 30 September, 8 to 10 pm (including interval)
Where: Merrigong Theatre Company, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Tickets cost $40 per person (or $38 each for groups of six or more) and are available via the theatre company’s website.

Get ready for some belly laughs when the showcase comes to Wollongong. This show is recommended for those aged 16+, as it contains strong language and sexual references.

Tuesday

Lego ‘Mega Bugs’ Family Challenge Night

When: 3 October, 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Where: Kiama Library, 7 Railway Parade, Kiama
Cost: Free entry, though bookings can be made via TryBooking.

People of all ages will enjoy the chance to embrace their inner Lego master. Participants will try to create their own 2D Lego art, with the works to be displayed during the school holidays.

Inclusive Community Sports Day

When: 3 October, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Building 9, Sports Hub, 9 Northfields Avenue, Keiraville
Cost: Free entry, but bookings can be made via eventbrite.

This is a chance for people with disabilities and their families to come and try sport and other recreation activities. All equipment will be provided, with the sports on offer to include ‘Freedom Wheels Bike’, ‘Cycle Ability’, netball, dance, street soccer and rugby league.

Wednesday

Hope! concert

When: 4 October, 7:30 to 9:20 pm (including interval)
Where: Merrigong Theatre Company, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Tickets cost between $49.90 and $89.90 (depending on age and location in theatre), and can be purchased via the theatre company’s website.

The three-time Grammy-winning gospel choir is coming to Wollongong with a new concert. They will open their performance with songs and anthems from the freedom movement of South Africa, before singing protest music from the United States’ civil rights movement. Some of the featured artists include James Brown, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. The choir is composed of singers from the area in and around Soweto in South Africa.

Thursday

Voice to Parliament information session

When: 5 October, 1 to 2 pm
Where: Wollongong Library, 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free entry, though bookings are essential via eventbrite.

Catherine Moyle, a proud Gamilaroi woman, advocate and academic at the University of Wollongong, will be stopping by Wollongong Library on Thursday. It is the final of three information sessions being hosted at Wollongong City Libraries locations, and is your chance to have a chat about the upcoming referendum, and to ask any questions you have.

Classical Kiama Concert

When: 5 October, 5 to 6:30 pm
Where: Kiama Anglican Church, 2 Terralong Street, Kiama
Cost: Tickets cost between $55 and $65, and can be purchased via Trybooking.

Daniel Rohn will be on the violin and Simon Tedeschi will be playing the piano in this evening of classical music. Both are known for their skill on their instruments, and both will bring the (metaphorical) roof down as Classical Kiama returns with another concert.