Theatre
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Wollongong
Coming to Wollongong as part of Merrigong Theatre Company's 2020 Season, Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam is a National Theatre of Parramatta production based on the novella by acclaimed Australian author Peter Goldsworthy, adapted by Steve Rodgers (King of Pigs, Food) and directed by Darren Yap (Miracle City, Diving for Pearls).
It's on from March 10 to 15 at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
Film festival
Wollongong
The internationally renowned Ocean Film Festival is headed to Wollongong.
Founded seven years ago on Sydney's northern beaches, the festival is now seen more than 100 times across 10 countries.
Two of the seven films featured in the line up coming from Australian independent filmmakers.
The Ocean Film Festival docks into UOW's Uni Movies on Thursday, March 12 from 7pm. Details: https://oceanfilmfestivalaustralia.com.au.
Seniors event
Shellharbour
The 2020 Seniors Festival Trivia Challenge is on Thursday, March 12 from 1pm to 4.30pm at Shellharbour Civic Centre.
This is an annual trivia event for people over the age of 50 living in the Shellharbour and Kiama local government areas.
Maximum six people per team. Single nominations will be added to teams where numbers allow.
Booking essential as team numbers are limited. Phone 4221 6085.
Cost is $7 per person, includes afternoon tea.
A taste of Scotland
Wollongong
Bringing world-class folk music, a selection of Scotland's finest artists are hitting our shores this month as part of the Year Of Scotland in Australia 2020.
Fierce fiddlers, Fara, award-winning duo, The Jellyman's Daughter, crowd pleasers, The Langan Band, musical storytellers, The Paul McKenna Band, and rousing young piper, Brghde Chaimbeul, will traverse the country this March performing at folk festivals and venues across Australia.
The Year of Scotland in Australia will bring more than 150 of Scotland's finest musicians to perform 300 plus shows in over 100 towns and cities, nationwide, by year's end.
With more than two million Aussies claiming Scottish heritage, a genuine connection between the two nations sees the Year of Scotland in Australia 2020 tours and flagship events enhance an already vibrant and thriving appetite for Scottish culture.
Fara will perform at City Diggers Club (Illawarra Folk Club) on March 13.
For more information and tickets, visit www.yearofscotlandaustralia2020.com.
Local theatre
Wollongong
A Wollongong-based theatre group will present their production of a popular black comedy this month.
Not-for-profit community group Rising Arts Productions is staging a production of Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things.
The modern black comedy play, and later film, originally featured Paul Rudd and Rachel Weisz.
The show runs from March 13 to March 21 at the Wollongong Workshop Theatre.
More details here.
Senior moments
Wollongong
After two sell out national tours of the original hit, the Senior Moments 2: Remember, Remember comedy revue will be sweeping the nation with all new jokes and all old performers.
Australian TV icon Tony Barber, master satirist Max Gillies (The Gillies Report) and acclaimed actor and Silver Logie Winner John Howard (SeaChange, Packed to the Rafters, Packer & Sons) head the cast for 90 minutes of comedy sketches, songs and inspired senior silliness.
Senior Moments 2 will be performed at the IPAC on March 13-15.
Tickets from merrigong.com.au or 4224 5999.
Read our interview with Barber here.
Classic songs
Dapto
Lennon: Through a Glass Onion is back in Australia following their 16-week season in New York.
The internationally acclaimed theatrical event celebrates the genius, music and phenomenon of John Lennon.
Created and performed by renowned Australian actor/musician John Waters and esteemed singer/pianist Stewart D'Arrietta, Lennon: Through a Glass Onion is part concert and part biography.
It reveals the essence of the life and astonishing talent of one of the most admired icons of the past century, with a story and 31 songs.
The show is on Saturday, March 14 at Dapto Leagues Club.
Tickets from www.daptoleagues.com.au or 4261 1333.
Red hot tour
Kiama
The Red Hot Summer Tour celebrates ten years in 2020.
ARIA Hall of Fame inductees Hunters & Collectors are reuniting to headline the tour, also bringing with them special guests James Reyne, The Living End, The Angels, Baby Animals and Boom Crash Opera.
The tour will visit Kiama Showground on Saturday, March 14. However, if you don't have a ticket, you're out of luck, because this one has sold out.
Read our interview with Killing Heidi here.
Ride for a cause
Illawarra
After a successful inaugural event in 2019, an Illawarra suicide prevention ride returns this weekend.
Motorcycle enthusiasts from across Australia will hit the highways on Sunday for charity organisation Black Dog Ride's annual suicide prevention ride, the Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer.
Organisers believe fostering awareness of depression in communities is the best catalyst for preventing the tragedy of suicide.
As part of this national series of rides, the Wollongong 1 Dayer on March 15 will feature motorcycle riders assembling to ride in solidarity with those who are shadowed by the black dog of depression.
Registrations and donations at www.blackdogride.org.au.
Early start speakers series
Wollongong
Transitioning to big school is an exciting, yet daunting time for many children and their families.
Early Start Discovery Space's first Speaker Series of 2020, 'School Readiness' takes an in-depth look at all aspects of the transition and provides practical advice on how to prepare for a positive and successful start to big school for both your children and your family.
Presented by school readiness expert, UOW Early Start's Dr Lyn Cronin, this presentation is informed by the latest research and is a must-see for anyone thinking of sending their child to school in 2021.
It's on Wednesday, March 11 from 6pm at Early Start Discovery Space Building 21, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong.
Cost is $15 per person ($10 for members). Bookings: 4221 3777.
Knitting and crochet
Warilla Library
Come along to Warilla Library and learn how to knit and crochet.
Taking place on Thursday, March 12 from 1pm to 3pm.
Comedy
Wollongong
Every Tuesday during uni semester at UOW UniBar will be an Open Mic Comedy and Improv Night from 6pm.
Every Tuesday night during semester come and get your funny bone tickled.
Watch first timers do some stand-up and the old timers try new jokes.
Is it on your bucket list to try stand-up? Please email Shane at uni-bar@uow.edu.au and include your name, contact number and any, if any stand-up experience.
The second half of the night is being hosted by the Room for Improvement Crew. Improv is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the moment, encouraged and inspired by the audience.
No need for a ticket. Just show up and have a great time.
Tarmac Day
HARS Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, Albion Park Rail
Tarmac Days will be held outside the hangars and will involve the static display of various aircraft where you can move independently in hangars one and two, while guided tours take place of aircraft on display in hangar three.
Members of the public will be able to board and sit in some of the aircraft including the cockpits of aircraft like the F-111C fighter bomber and the Neptune submarine hunter.
Tarmac Days are held on the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every month.
On from Friday to Sunday, 9.30am to 3.30pm. Entry costs apply.
Live music
Thirroul
Melbourne Ska Orchestra's multi-instrumentalist/band leader Nicky Bomba admits touring a 25-piece outfit around the country may not seem overly practical.
"We've got it down to a fine art at the moment, but it's like touring with a soccer team," he said.
"You're moving a classroom of people on a regular basis, with everything from flights, ground transport, catering, accommodation.
"Thank God for emails and a band that understands the mechanics of how this works... We're all pretty efficient with responding when it comes to rehearsals, songs and everything else."
They'll perform on Saturday, March 14 at Anita's Theatre, Thirroul.
The show is All Ages, although under-18s must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Read our interview with the band here.
Park Run
Various venues
A free community run every Saturday at 8am - Killalea in Shell Cove, Sandon Point in Bulli or from Elliots Road in Fairy Meadow.
Weekly 5km timed run/walk event for everyone, irrespective of ability.
Grab a post event tea or coffee and chat to other runners about your run that day. Just register once before your first ever timed run at www.parkrun.com.au.
Art exhibition
Kiama
On Saturday, Art Bar Kiama launches #sassy for SAHSSI: a new group exhibition by three young female emerging artists: SilvesterArt, Madelyn Nichols and Jessie Elise.
The young women are supporting women through the venue's chosen charity SAHSSI, a not-for-profit specialist homelessness service supporting vulnerable women and families in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions.
All Art Bar proceeds and a percentage of the artists sale price is being donated to this community organisation.
Join them for the launch party on Saturday, March 14 at 5pm. All welcome.
Itsy Bitsy Builders
Shellharbour City Library
Duplo building with stories, songs and rhymes for 18 months to three-year-olds.
On Friday, March 13 from 11am to 11.30am, free.
Belly Dance Workshop
Warilla Library
Learn basic techniques and combinations, and explore different styles of belly dance and music.
It's on Saturday, March 14 from 10:30am to 11.30am at Warilla Library.
This event is for adults. Cost $5.
Growing Illawarra Natives
Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
Come along and help celebrate the launch of the Growing Illawarra Natives website.
Five years in the making, the website showcases native plant species local to the Illawarra region, and provides tips on sourcing and growing them.
It covers hundreds of plant species, and includes photos, ideas on garden design, plant stockists and tips on attracting local wildlife.
Fully community-led and developed, the website will be a resource for gardeners, landscapers and those interested in bush regeneration.
The launch will include snacks, plant displays, speeches and special prizes, plus live music by the Cabbage Tree Combo.
It's on Saturday, March 14 from 3pm to 6pm.
Entry is free, but numbers are limited.