Naw-Ruz - meaning ‘new day’ - is a 3000 year old celebration, marking the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.

It usually takes place at the March equinox and is coming to Wollongong’s Eat Street Markets in the mall from 5pm.

For the first time Wollongong City Council has joined with Iranian, Afghani and Kurdish community partners to organise  a celebration of Naw Ruz – New Day – a new year celebration that is the biggest secular event in dozens of countries in the Middle East and East Asia.

Powerful Owls

Love owls? Come along to a FREE community information session  and find out all about the magnificent Powerful Owl and BirdLife Australia's Powerful Owl citizen science project. It’s at at Shellharbour Civic Centre at 5pm.

Places are limited & bookings essential so book online at www.eventbrite.com.au or call 4221 6222. It’ll be a hoot!

Latin at The Music Lounge

Award-winning ensemble Bandaluzia Flamenco, led by Aria nominated flamenco guitarist Damian Wright, returns to The Music Lounge!

Featuring special guest and acclaimed flamenco guitarist Paco Lara from Jerez de la frontera, Spain.

Bandaluzia Flamenco will have you in awe with their explosive displays of flamenco dance, musicianship and virtuosity.

www.merrigong.com.au 

Nitro Circus at WIN Stadium

Adrenaline junkies are gearing up to see dare-devil action with  X Games gold medallist Travis Pastrana and friends bring their Nitro Circus show to WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

VIP & Track Walk ticket-holders need to be at the stadium by 1:15pm for a 1:30pm start. The experience includes meeting a selection of athletes and walk around the track.

Gates open to the general public at 3pm with the show to start at 4pm.

Here’s everything you need to know (including what happens if it rains).

IAVA Artist Talks

Abstract artist Virginia Settre in conversation with painter Paul Roos from 2pm to 3pm at Wollongong Art Gallery.

Free, all welcome.

Paw Patrol at Shellharbour

Nick Jr.’s PAW Patrol will be at Bunnings Shellharbour on Saturday with pups Chase and Marshall available for meet and greets with fans.

They’ll be there from 8:30am to 11:30am.

At Bunnings on New Lake Entrance Road, Shellharbour

The Mark Drama

Getting in the Easter spirit, on Saturday and Monday March 26 catch theatrical performances of the Book of Mark.

The Mark Drama turns Mark’s biographical account of Jesus into a 90 minute, fast-paced, theatre-in-the-round stage production. The cast features actors from Figtree Anglican, KIC, Dapto Anglican, Keiraville Anglican, St Marks West Wollongong, Jannali Anglican and Salt Church.

Saturday 7pm at Figtree Anglican Church, tickets $10.

Monday 6:30pm at Dapto Anglican Cafe, tickets $10.

Beer Tasting

It’s Scarborough SLSC’s biggest annual fundraiser – 23 Monash Street in Wombarra from 4:30pm.

A fun evening on the beach with great food, drinks and company. And don’t forget to enter in the raffle for your chance to win great prizes.

Tickets $25 from www.ticketbo.com.au 

Steel City Strings

See the Illawarra’s biggest chamber orchestra perform at Wollongong Art Gallery on Saturday at 7:30pm, and Berry School of Arts on Sunday at 2pm.

Hear orchestral arrangements of two much loved chamber works  – Dvorak’s String Quartet No.12 known as the “American” which is so joyful and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No.2, one of his most passionate compositions.

Tickets via www.trybooking.com 

Second Hand Saturday

A community car boot sale at Black Beach in Kiama from 8am to 12pm.

It’s a great opportunity to grab a bargain as residents sell, trade, or give away their unwanted items to prevent them from going to landfill.

Details at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au 

Butterfly House

This Saturday and Sunday will be the first time the Butterfly House Experience has been asked to bring their flutterly friends to a shopping mall. 

The butterfly house is at Wollongong Central between 11am and 2pm to get up close during a five minute experience inside.

24-hour Theatre Project

It’s the ultimate theatre challenge for writers and actors – they’ve been tasked to write, rehearse then perform a series of plays in the space of 24 hours.

Get behind this local team of thespians and watch the final products come to life on the Bridge Street Theatre stage in Coniston at 7:30pm.

The plays will range between 7 and 15 minutes and include two monologues. Tickets $20, concession $15 via www.trybooking.com

iTedE

Comedy star David Strassman is bringing his hilarious show, iTedE, to Wests Illawarra.

A hilarious parody of our technology-laden lives, iTedE sees the sharp-tongued Chuck Wood and the loveable Ted E. Bare thrust into the world of social media, constantly on their iPads and iPhones.

www.westsillawarra.com.au