Crooked River Estate’s Winter Wine Festival is back. Photo: Taylah Chapman.
Winter has well and truly reached the coast, and the Illawarra has answered with a range of climate appropriate activities.
Meander through art exhibitions or lose yourself in the live tunes and good vibes at the Winter Wine Festival.
If a good belly laugh will stave off the wet weather blues, you’ve got more than one comedy option this week.
In between there’s a fun run that’ll get the blood pumping for a good cause, opportunities to learn new creative skills and the kind of rush one only gets from an open mic night.
Here are our top picks for the week.
All week
Art by talented NSW youths will make a pit stop at Wollongong on its way to The Children’s Hospital in Westmead. Images: Operation Art.
Operation Art 2024
When: Until Sunday 7 July, Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday to Sunday noon to 4 pm
Where: Community Access Gallery, Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free.
The annual Operation Art exhibition takes 50 artworks created by students across NSW on tour across the state. These works then settle into their new home at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, where they will help make sick children feel better through the power of art. Take the chance to check it out when it makes its stop at Wollongong.
Artists local and statewide have contributed works for the 45th Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition. Photo: Pictures_for_You.
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
When: Saturday 8 June to Sunday 16 June, daily 10 am to 5 pm from Saturday 8 June
Where: Kiama Leagues Club, 109 Terralong Street, Kiama
Cost: Free.
Kiama Art Society’s 45th Annual Exhibition is set to transform Kiama Leagues Club’s upstairs auditorium into an art gallery with 180 original artworks from artists both local and across the state. The exhibition kicks off with an opening night on Friday 7 June from 6 pm. This social event is open to all for $15 which includes refreshments, a catalogue and a chance to see the awarding of prizes. After that, the exhibition will run daily until Sunday 16 June.
Don’t miss this artist’s showcase of Illawarra landscapes in all their glory. Photo: Nathan Miller Photography.
Lustrous Landscapes: Nathan Miller photography exhibition
When: Friday 7 to Thursday 13 June, daily 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Gerringong Library and Museum Gallery, 8 Blackwood Street, Gerringong
Cost: Free.
For just one week Nathan Miller will present his extraordinary collection of photography, featuring a captivating array of seascapes and landscapes from the region. The Illawarra’s mesmerising natural surroundings come to life on high-quality aluminium – a durable medium that enhances the vibrancy and depth of the photographs.
All weekend
Beautiful wines and an incredible musical line-up. Image: Crooked River Estate.
Winter Wine Festival
When: Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June, 11 am
Where: Crooked River Estate, 11 Willowvale Road, Gerringong
Cost: Saturday general $124.20, Sunday general $103.80, Sunday VIP $175.20, two-day general $205.80, book here.
Don’t miss the return of this festival combining sensational music with exquisite wines. Experience ARIA award entertainment, estate-grown wine and mouthwatering food in one huge weekend. The line-up features Icehouse, Alex Lloyd, Ash Grunwald, Marvell, Pallas Haze, Olivia Coggan and Rolling Holy on the Saturday and The Rubens, Pacific Avenue, Jack River, Daisy Pring, Darling Street and James Burton on the Sunday.
Saturday
Side-splitting comedy at The Builders. Image: Wollongong Comedy.
The BIG Show at The Builders Club
When: Saturday 8 June, 6 pm
Where: The Builders Club, 61 Church Street, Wollongong
Cost: Dinner and show $60 (includes alternate main and dessert), show only $30, book here.
Wollongong Comedy’s June show features four superstars of the Australian contemporary comedy scene. Headliner Lizzy Hoo is many things – a noodle enthusiast, designer, sports lover and rescue greyhound owner but also a killer stand-up comedian, presenter, writer and actor. Joining her on stage are the hilarious Andrew Barnett, Steph Broadbridge and Samwise Hemmings.
Joel Creasey – Boom!
When: Saturday 8 June, 7 pm
Where: IPAC, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: $44.90 (15+), book here.
After several years break from the festival circuit riding the radio airwaves as part of the country’s number one drive-time show, Australia’s “Crown Prince of Comedy” returns to his natural habitat: the stage. Join Joel as he does what he does best: shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his ridiculous, rollercoaster of a life. Family, friends – nobody is safe. Unless of course you’ve got a ticket to the show … Joel prefers to talk behind people’s backs. It’s more polite. And funnier.
Sunday
Grab your friends, family and colleagues, it’s time to hit the pavement for a good cause. Photo: vedrana2701.
Kiama Red Cross Fun Run
When: Sunday 9 June, 7 am for the 21.1 km course and 9 am for the 8 km / 5 km course
Where: Coronation Park, Manning Street, Kiama
Cost: 21.1 km course $50, 8 km / 5 km course $20, book here.
This fun run favourite takes participants along the beautiful Kiama coastline as they support the Australian Red Cross. There are three events to cater for different fitness levels. The 21.1 km event leaves from Kiama Surf Beach at 7 am, the 8 km course starts at James Oates Reserve at 9 am and the 5 km run begins at Northern Car Park in Bombo, also at 9 am. All participants converge at the finish line at Surf Beach. Medallions will be on sale at the finish line for $10 each. Check out the Fun Run Map for full routes including water stations.
Tuesday
No experience is needed for this interactive and creative workshop, where you can bring your wildest imaginings to life on your tablet. Image: MadDog Ink.
Intro to Digital Art
When: Tuesday 11 and 18 June, 4 to 5:30 pm
Where: Shellharbour Civic Centre, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: $20, book here.
Your ticket to this event buys you entry to two fun and interactive workshops on Tuesday 11 June and Tuesday 18 June respectively. Join professional illustrator Madi Martin from MadDog Ink as she delves into the world of digital art. Learn to use ProCreate on your iPad to let your imagination run wild as you design your own characters, environments and artworks.
No experience is required and all skill levels are welcome, just bring your own iPad with the ProCreate app pre-downloaded and a pencil (or equivalent device). This workshop is suitable for those aged 12 to 25, and tickets are non-refundable.
Sometimes entertaining, sometimes moving, sometimes thought-provoking, always enjoyable. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
Open Mic Night at Shellharbour
When: Tuesday 11 June, 6 pm
Where: Shellharbour City Library, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: Free (16+), book here.
Spectator or performer, these open mic nights at Shellharbour City Library promise a sometimes entertaining, sometimes moving, sometimes thought-provoking, always enjoyable evening. Pick up the mic and share your talents with us and/or just sit back and listen as performers tell their stories. From beginner to seasoned, all are invited on stage for three minutes to share their poems, songs, jokes, stories and so on in a warm and welcoming environment.
Feature artist Nicole Smede is a multidisciplinary artist of Warrimay/Birribay and colonial descent, living and creating on Wodi Wodi Dharawal Country. Proud of her heritage, a reconnection to ancestry, language and culture ripples through her work in voice, song, sound and poetry, exploring what it means to be “of Country”.
Loading ...
