It is one of the theatre’s greatest love stories. Enchanted by the beauty of the east, the American sailor Pinkerton takes a young geisha for his wife. The innocent Butterfly falls helplessly, hopelessly in love.

At the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday and Thursday. www.merrigong.com.au

The Aussie Pub Comedy Tour

Chris Franklin (who had the spoof song Bloke), Evan Hocking and the Nelson Twins (as featured on Australia’s Got Talent).

Performing at Wollongong Comedy, at the Builders Club, 8pm.

The Tesla Tiny House

Tour the Tesla Tiny House– it’s a fully sustainable house powered by 100 percent renewable energy via a 2kW solar system and Powerwall.

Energy seminars and talks. Meet the team from Simmark Wollongong, Sustainable Buildings Research Centre - SBRC, Sustainable Illawarra and ATA: Alternative Technology Association.

Entry is free, it’s at UOW’s Innovation Campus Thursday from 4pm-7pm.

The house will also visit Shellharbour Civic Centre on Friday from 12pm to 5pm. 

Full details go to https://www.simmark.com.au/tesla-tiny-house-is-coming/

Dell Brand Book Launch

Dr Dell Brand is launching her new historical fiction novel Journey Into Darkness at Shellharbour Civic Centre at 11am.

About the book: Kit Markham’s world turns upside down when Jack, the boy she always believed she would marry, turns out to be her half-brother. At sixteen, feisty and headstrong, she leaves her home in Melbourne and flees to England. The year is 1855. She is determined to stay away long enough to regain control over her future and leave her feelings for Jack behind.

To register CLICK HERE.

Read More: E-books vs Paperback – research shows who wins

Windang Island Nature Walks

Explore this unique coastal environment on a guided nature walk from 11am – 2pm on Friday, or 12pm – 3pm on Saturday.

Hear about the threatened grasslands, talk about the geology and history of the island, see the wheels and rails remaining from a failed attempt at making a harbour in the 1890's and spot life in the rock pools and surrounding beach area.

Bring your binoculars to look for whales and sea birds from the great vantage point at the end of the Island.

A medium grade walk and with a good level of fitness and agility required – it involves walking on wet rocks, rock scrambling and walking on sand. Children aged over 10 years are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

Places are limited and bookings are essential. Book on-line, or call Council on 4221 6111.

National Classic, Vintage and Antique Motorcycle Weekend

The weekend will encompass British, European, Japanese and American Motorcycles, parts and memorabilia. They are 35 years old and older.

Swap Meet, Auction, Technical Seminars, Motorcycle Show, AMCA Motorcycle Judging and Demonstrations.

At Bulli Showgrounds Friday, Saturday Sunday. For full program visit: www.amcaaustralia.org 

Vintage Ball For Doris

Vintage ball raising money for the Wollongong Animal Rescue Network and NSW Bull Terrier Rescue.

The entertainment features Rockin' Eddie and the Cruisers, a fashion parade, Best in Show competition, have your polaroid taken at the "SS Doris" themed photo booth and buy raffle tickets from "The Cabin Crew" for many locally donated prizes, silent Auction treasures including vintage finds, dog themed gifts, vintage style clothing and gorgeous art and items donated by the local business community.

Theme is “The Golden Age of Travel” – at the Wollongong Builders Club, 6pm to midnight.

Tickets via: www.trybooking.com

Read More: Wollongong's Something For Doris reincarnated

Wrestling for the Farmers

Rock 'n' Roll Wrestling "FIGHTING FOR OUR FARMERS" event, with all proceeds helping farmers struggling in the drought.

See the exciting new products coming out of our Academy along with all of your favorites.

All Tickets are just $10 (plus booking fee). Doors open 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

It’s at the home of Rock’n’Roll Wrestling at Unit 6, 20-22 Marshall Street, Dapto. Tickets available at the door or online: www.rockandrollwrestling.com 

If the event sells out a second show will run from 8:30pm.

All Star Wrestling

Headlined with "The Machine" Blakestone and New Zealand's Kingston Eclipse in an unsanctioned match.

Also in action we'll see Abaddon (With Jazz), Dean Draven, Hudson Hulk, Jackson Spade, Johnny Starr, Lee "The Man" Morrow, "The Birdman" Phil Picasso and many other great All-Star Wrestling competitors.

At Illawarra Leagues Club from 6pm. Tickets from  www.allstarwrestlingaustralia.com.au 

Opus – dance meets circus

An immersive dance theatre company from Sydney coming to Wollongong next month with our futuristic, fully immersive dance experience 'Opus'.

OPUS is Twisted Element’s bizarre and dazzling immersive dance theatre production combining stunning visuals with multi-dimensional concepts based on humanity's symbiotic relationship with technology and robotics.

At Circus Monoxide, Jardine Street in Fairy Meadow from 8pm.

Tickets from www.trybooking.com 

OBSTACOOL

This weekend kids and adults can run, jump, bounce, climb and crawl through an awesome obstacle course on Marine Drive in Wollongong.

There’s a new rope climb slide, a massive foam cannon and a giant long inflatable. Walls, pyramids, the rope climb slide, inflatable wall run, inflatable tunnels, balance beams and more.

Tickets are $15 per person for 45 minutes of course fun and can be purchased at www.obstacool.com.au/wollongong  It’s on Saturday and Sunday.

Wollongong Welsh Choir

The Wollongong Welsh Choir returns to its Unanderra Community Centre with a concert of songs from around the globe.

‘What a Wonderful World’ will include pieces by Bizet and Beethoven, folksongs from Spain and Fiji, film songs (‘Edelweiss’, ‘Moon River’), and of course some Welsh tunes.

Unanderra Community Centre, Princes Highway, 2.30 pm. Tickets are $15 at the door.

www.wollongongwelshchoir.org.au 

Band Together for Drought Relief

Some great bands are getting together to raise money for drought relief at Beaches Hotel in Thirroul from 4pm.

It’s $10 entry, while the hotel will match that as an extra hand for the fundraiser.

Musicians taking part include Stone Fruits, Darts and Crafts, General Knowledge, Seven Suns, Big Earl, Kevin Bennett with Bottleneck, Tony Cini’s Ginhouse (with Kerry Sweeney), Liza Ohlback, Firefly, Brazen Lyres and more.