Kids comedy rock stars the Listies will attempt the impossible in their brand new show, full of laughs for kids and their adults. Photo: Andrew Wuttke.
If you’re looking for excuses to stay home this week, don’t look to the Illawarra’s social calendar. Whether you’re in the mood for a little magic, a lot of laughter, or something hands-on and wholesome, this week’s what’s on guide offers a stack of events across the Illawarra for every age and interest.
The Sea & Spirit Psychic and Healers Hub Expo returns to Kiama, offering a weekend of crystals, clairvoyance and calm. Meanwhile at IPAC, the cheeky comedy duo The Listies bring their high-energy kids’ show 110% Ready, while Mary Poppins floats in with a spoonful of song and sparkle.
Film buffs can head to Wollongong Art Gallery for a special screening of KEMIRA: Diary of a Strike (1984), followed by a conversation with director Tom Zubrycki. Over at Anita’s Theatre, New Zealand comic Guy Montgomery delivers sharp observations and offbeat humour in his new show.
Keen to get crafty? Try your hand at silversmithing, rock polishing and festive treats at the Illawarra Lapidary Club’s Christmas in July Open Day, or join the Mend & Sip workshop at Timbermill Studios.
There’s even something for music lovers, with a community a cappella project promising pitch-perfect harmony. Curious? Read on.
Multiple Days
The Listies: 110% Ready
When: Friday 18 July, 10 am and 1 pm and Saturday 19 July, 12:30 and 3 pm
Where: Bruce Gordon Theatre, IPAC, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: General $29 | School Groups 8+ and Vacation Care Groups 8+ $16 | Book via TicketSearch.
Written and performed by The Listies (award-winning comedians Matt Kelly and Richard Higgins), this new show walks the perfect line between making kids laugh outrageously while keeping parents amused. Expect a polyglot of puns, silly slapstick sight gags and a splash of improvisational idiocy as the “rock stars of the kids’ comedy world” perform the absolute miracle of … leaving the house on time! Well, that’s what Rich thinks anyway. Matt on the other hand, may or may not have accidentally flushed the car keys down the toilet …
P.L. Travers’ beloved Mary Poppins comes to life on stage. Image: So Popera Productions.
Mary Poppins
When: Friday 18 to Saturday 26 July, various times
Where: IMB Theatre, IPAC, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Various | Book via TicketSearch.
Based on P.L. Travers’ beloved book series of the same name, Mary Poppins, now you can witness the magic of Mary Poppins live on stage. Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, invites us into the world of London, England in 1910 — and, specifically, into the dysfunctional home of the Banks family. With a father who works constantly and a mother who is always distracted, young Jane and Michael Banks have sent yet another nanny packing … that’s when the magical Mary Poppins flies in on the wind, bringing with her a combination of whimsy, magic, and disciplined common sense to the children’s lives. Don’t miss this memorable and magical adventure.
Saturday
Whether you’re searching for answers, drawn to the healing arts, or simply intrigued by the unseen world, the expo promises a welcoming space to reconnect with your inner self. Image: Kiama Leagues Club.
Sea and Spirit Psychic & Healers Hub Expo
When: Saturday 20 July, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Kiama Leagues Club, 109 Terralong Street, Kiama
Cost: $5 | Payable upon entry.
The Sea & Spirit Psychic and Healers Hub Expo returns to Kiama this July.
The expo brings a vibrant celebration of intuition, wellness, and soulful connection to the coast. This much-loved event invites curious minds and spiritual seekers alike to explore a world of mystic insight and holistic healing. Wander through a colourful marketplace brimming with handcrafted treasures, from shimmering crystals and oracle cards to artisan candles, organic skincare and sacred oils. Meet a diverse line-up of gifted psychic readers, mediums, energy healers and wellness practitioners, each offering guidance, clarity and energetic balance.
Detail of a still from Kemira: Diary of a Strike (detail) (1984). Image: Courtesy of the director.
KEMIRA: Diary of a Strike (1984) Screening and conversation with the director Tom Zubrycki at Wollongong Art Gallery
When: Saturday 20 July, 1 to 3 pm
Where: Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free | Book via eventbrite.
This free screening of KEMIRA: Diary of a Strike (1984) is followed by a conversation with the director Tom Zubrycki, one of the key Australian documentary filmmakers of the past 50 years. His second feature, which won the AACTA for Best Documentary in its release year, tells the story of the Kemira strike. It was 1982 and Wollongong was hit hard when BHP announced its intention to dramatically reduce its steelworks workforce and close down several coal mines. KEMIRA was one of them. But for 16 days, 31 miners occupied the pit and established themselves 5 km underground. As the drama unfolded, the strike captured the imagination of the whole city.
Guy Montgomery – I’ve Noticed So Many Things, It Would Be Unfair To Keep Them To Myself
When: Saturday 19 July, 9 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $45 | Book via Ticketmaster.
Award-winning Kiwi comedian, podcaster and improviser Guy Montgomery is well known to Australian audiences through TV shows like Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont-Spelling Bee, Have You Been Paying Attention and Thank God You’re Here. This year, Montgomery’s growing popularity in Australia led to him hosting the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and saw his TV series Guy Montgomery’s Mont-Spelling Bee premiere on ABC TV. Now, following his sold-out 2024 tour in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, he’s stopping in Thirroul on his Australian tour with the side-splitting new show.
Sunday
The Illawarra Lapidary Club is set to bring a little sparkle to your day. Image: Illawarra Lapidary Club.
Open Day – Christmas in July
When: Sunday 20 July, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: The Clubhouse, 51 Meadow Street, Tarrawanna
Cost: Free.
For something a little different, the Illawarra Lapidary Club is hosting an open day / Christmas in July market and showcase. Stalls will be selling gemstones, fossils, minerals, handcrafted jewellery, books and more. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and introduce you to the world of lapidary. There will be equipment available for purchase and plenty of advice on hand should you feel inspired to start your own lapidary journey. There will also be homemade cakes and goodies for morning tea and sausage sizzle and drinks available for lunch.
In this friendly, supportive, slow-sewing workshop, Eliza will use her 25 years of sewing experience to guide you through your projects, teaching skills that will help you tackle future projects as well. Image: Hot Chip the Label.
Mend & Sip Workshop
When: Sunday 20 July, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Main Gallery, Timbermill Studios, 2-6 Molloy Street, Bulli
Cost: $60 | Book via Hot Chip The Label.
Whether you want to swap out a set of buttons, hem a pair of pants, take something in that’s loose in all the wrong places or repair that hole that seems to get bigger with every wear, learning how to tackle a mend or alteration is a valuable life skill that can save your clothes, save you money and reduce your impact on the environment. Make those changes under expert guidance so you can get back to wearing and loving your faithful wardrobe. This workshop is absolutely ideal for adult beginner sewers who have some basic knowledge of using a sewing machine but lack the confidence or know-how to get started with making changes to clothes. Feel free to book two spots and bring your capable kiddo along with you.
Thursday
Calling all male vocalists — ready to refine your voice and dive into the world of barbershop? Photo: Supplied.
Coastal Harmony A Cappella Project
When: Every Thursday from 24 July to 28 August, 7 to 9 pm
Where: Keiraview Uniting Church, 32 Fisher Street, West Wollongong
Cost: Free.
This six-week intensive program for male voices invites you to discover your voice in harmony. Designed for male vocalists eager to explore four-part a cappella harmony, this program offers musical education, helping you elevate your singing with a rich, harmonious barbershop style. You’ll learn two new songs, deepen your understanding of tuning, blend and balance and enhance your vocal control in a collaborative setting. Spread the word, and feel free to bring a friend or two along.
