With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we’ve got you covered for those last-minute “favourite child” points. Photo: JuiceFlair.
Whether you’re chasing adrenaline on the big screen or tracing your family roots in Kiama, there’s a distinct sense of “don’t miss out” in the air this week, with a line-up that ranges from high-brow musical theatre to high-octane mountain adventures.
With Mother’s Day coming, you can spoil Mum early at a massive artisan market at the Innovation Campus or take a moment for quiet reflection at a dedicated memorial service in Kembla Grange.
From the award-winning reimagining of My Brilliant Career at the IPAC to powerful conversations around community resilience at the Gala Cinema, the region is buzzing with energy.
Grab a coffee, settle in and let’s map out your week.
Multiple Days
The “Holy Grail” of Australian musical theatre is making its final stop right here in Wollongong. Photo: Pia Johnson.
My Brilliant Career
When: Friday 8 to Sunday 17 May, various times
Where: IMB Theatre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Premium $119 | Adult $99 | Pension / Student $89 | Under 30s $84 | Book via TicketSearch.
Miles Franklin’s legendary heroine, Sybylla Melvyn, has been reimagined as a defiant 1890s singer-songwriter who refuses to play by the rules of polite society. Fresh from a sold-out Melbourne season and laden with awards, this production features a powerhouse score that blends contemporary pop with raucous pub rock. It is a loud, proud, and feminist triumph that breathes electric new life into a classic tale. Don’t miss your last chance to see this Australian masterpiece before the curtain falls on its exclusive national tour.
Friday
Prepare for an evening of soul-stirring storytelling as the Illawarra Folk Club hosts acclaimed performers Jan Wositzky and Penny Glass. Image: Supplied.
Jan Wositzky & Penny Glass in Concert
When: Friday 8 May, 7:30 to 10:30 pm
Where: Wollongong Golf Club, 151-161 Corrimal Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free | Book via Humanitix.
In their latest show, “Dignified Anger – Stories for a Perilous Now,” Jan Wositzky and Penny Glass promise a poignant and timely exploration of the human experience through music and spoken word. Set against the relaxed backdrop of the Wollongong Golf Club, this Great Southern Nights event brings high-calibre folk artistry to the coast. It is a rare opportunity to witness two masters of the craft weaving narratives that are as provocative as they are beautiful. Pull up a chair, grab a drink, and settle in for a night of authentic Australian performance.
Saturday
Beat the last-minute Sunday rush and find something truly special at this dedicated Mother’s Day market. Image: Wollongong Makers Upmarket.
The Wollongong Makers Upmarket – Mother’s Day Market
When: Saturday 9 May, 9 am to 3 pm
Where: UOW Innovation Campus, Innovation Way, North Wollongong
Cost: Free entry.
With more than 90 quality artisan exhibitors spread across the Innovation Campus, the “handmade and local” vibes are at an all-time high. You can browse through everything from bespoke jewellery to original artworks while enjoying live jazz and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. It is the perfect spot to treat Mum to a fancy breakfast or let her pick out her own treasure from the talented local makers. With free parking and easy access via the cycleway, it is a stress-free way to support the region’s creative community.
Port Kembla’s main drag is set to transform into a sonic playground as the SOUNDS OF STEEL Gig Trail takes over Wentworth Street for a massive 12-hour marathon. Image: Great Southern Nights.
SOUNDS OF STEEL – Port Kembla Gig Trail
When: Saturday 9 May, noon to 11:55 pm
Where: Port Kembla Precinct, Wentworth Street, Port Kembla
Cost: Free | Book via Humanitix.
As part of the Great Southern Nights initiative, this event turns everything from laundrettes to barber shops into temporary stages. With a heavy-hitting line-up featuring Harvey Sutherland, Shining Bird and a literal “Street Band Slam”, the industrial heart of the Illawarra will be beating to the rhythm of live music, roving performances and interactive workshops. It’s a family-friendly, all-ages celebration of local culture that proves Port Kembla is the region’s undisputed capital of cool. Entry is free, but you’ll want to RSVP early to secure your spot on the trail.
Get ready for some serious shimmy and shake. Image: Muse School of Burlesque.
The Muse Showcase – A Charity Fundraising Event
When: Saturday 9 May, 7:30 pm
Where: The Music Lounge, Wollongong Town Hall, 93 Crown Street, Wollongong
Cost: Premium $75 | Standard $55 | Book via TicketSearch.
The students of the Muse School of Burlesque are hitting the stage to prove that everything is better with a bit of glitter. This showcase is more than just a performance; it is a heartfelt fundraiser for the Cancer Council NSW, supporting the Stars of Wollongong initiative. From classic bump-and-grind routines to cheeky pop-culture parodies, these performers are baring it all for a great cause. It is an evening of empowerment, glamour and ‘glitter bugs’ that celebrates the art of the tease while making a real difference in the lives of those affected by cancer in the Illawarra.
Mother’s Day can be a complex time for those who have lost their maternal figures, and this memorial service offers a gentle space for reflection and honour. Image: White Lady and Hansen & Cole.
Mother’s Day Memorial Service
When: Saturday 9 May, 10 am
Where: Hansen & Cole Northcliffe Chapel, 634 Northcliffe Drive, Kembla Grange
Cost: Free.
Hansen & Cole and White Lady Funerals invite the community to come together to remember departed mothers and support those navigating the journey of grief. The service provides a dignified and quiet moment to celebrate the lasting impact of these special women. Following the formal proceedings, light refreshments will be served, offering a chance for attendees to connect and share stories in a supportive environment. It is a beautiful way to acknowledge love that continues long after a goodbye.
Thursday
Ready to level up your online presence? Image: Kiama Library.
Canva for Social Media Workshop
When: Thursday 14 May, 10 to 11:30 am
Where: Kiama Library, 7 Railway Parade, Kiama
Cost: Free | Book via TryBooking.
If you’ve mastered the basics of design, this workshop is the perfect next step to making your social media pop. Part of the Makers & Creators series, this session dives into the world of video, audio, and animation within Canva. You’ll learn how to craft engaging reels and posts that stand out in a crowded feed. Just remember to bring your own laptop, a mouse and your charger to the Kiama Library. It is a fantastic opportunity for local creatives and business owners to sharpen their digital tools and start telling their stories with a bit more cinematic flair.
This award-winning documentary offers a powerful look at the 2022 Lismore floods, moving past the headlines to focus on the resilience of those who lived through the disaster. Image: Floodland.
Floodland Film with Panel Discussion
When: Thursday 14 May, 6:45 to 8:45 pm
Where: Gala Twin Cinema, 204 Cowper Street, Warrawong
Cost: Adult $15 | Concession $12 | Book via Humanitix.
Floodland highlights community-led solutions and First Nations healing practices that are crucial for our future in a changing climate. Following the screening, a panel of local emergency services and community leaders will discuss how the Illawarra can better prepare for droughts, fires and floods. It is a vital conversation about strength and recovery, reminding us that while we cannot always control the weather, we can certainly control how we stand together when the waters rise.
Adrenaline junkies, this one is for you. Image: Paul Zizka.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival
When: Thursday 14 May, 7 to 10 pm
Where: UniMovies, University Hall, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $32 | Child $24 | Book via Humanitix.
The world’s most prestigious mountain film festival returns to Wollongong, bringing three hours of heart-stopping adventure to the big screen. Witness fearless explorers pushing the limits in trail running, mountain biking, skiing and climbing in some of the most remote corners of the planet. These aren’t just sports highlights; they are cinematic masterpieces captured in Earth’s wildest locations. Prepare to be transported from the comfort of your seat to impossible heights and treacherous waters. It is a celebration of the human spirit and the great outdoors that will leave you itching to plan your next great escape.
