A MasterChef winner, comedy, markets and rock photography on in the Illawarra

30 days and 100s of ways to enjoy pies in Australia's home of pies, the NSW Southern Highlands, returns this June in the Southern Highlands.

This month-long celebration of Australia's most iconic food is the perfect opportunity for domestic holidaymakers to come to the NSW Southern Pielands and rediscover one of the country's greatest tourism destinations conveniently located just two hours from Sydney.

www.visitsouthernhighlands.com.au

Shellharbour's Got Talent

The coastal talent show for all ages at the Roo Theatre in Shellharbour.

The Adults category is on Thursday from 6:30pm; the Seniores (age 13 to 18_ on Friday from 6:30pm; and the Juniors (age 7 to 12) on Saturday from 2pm.

For more details visit: www.roo-theatre.com.au

Q and A in Wollongong

If you missed out on getting audience tickets for the long-running ABC show which is being filmed at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, catch it on the telly.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery will be on the panel, which is hosted by Stan Grant this week.

The program will air at 8:30pm on the ABC.

Layers Exhibition

Wendy Dobson and Wendi Leigh exhibition at Kiama Art Bar.

LAYERS is a synthesis of observances by two remarkable artists. Wendy Dobson's dynamic natural world and Wendi Leigh's sprawling coastal suburbs while contrary, they employ similar techniques to tell their story. A mixture of realism, layered with abstract shapes and colours that imbue a sense of harmony and acceptance.

OPENING NIGHT: Thursday 3 June 5.30 - 7pm

Visit http://www.artbarkiama.com for more information trading hours. This exhibition runs until August 1.

Rock Photography Exhibition

Photographer Wendy McDougall releases 'It's only rock'n'roll but I like it ...' a book of her music photography over a 40-year period from 1979 to 2019.

A free exhibition with a selection of images can be seen at Wollongong Library until June 24).

An author Q & A with Wendy will be held on on June 4 inside The Lab at the library.

www.wendymcdougall.com.au Free (02) 4227 7414

Blue Eyed Ravens album launch

Josh Shipton and the Blue Eyed Ravens are launching our new album "Ambient Bird Noises" at the Servo Food Truck Bar on Saturday at 3pm.

The 12-track record album of song music sounds featuring a cast of 40 local musicians and an unusually acoustic, almost folk production of a rock and/or roll album.

Here is a free link to the album

Tickets through www.eventbrite.com.au

Variety Show

The creative community is coming together again to road test their ideas at Made From Scratch.

Witness a line-up of talented local artists, brimming with innovative new works.

Reserve a spot for free, and if you like what you see on the night, you can choose how much you think the performance is worth with a 'pay-as-you-feel' initiative.

Saturday June 5 will see a Shakespearean classic transformed into a gender-bending musical number, a Celine Dion fanatic, part of a live action sitcom, music from an electro-ambient artist, excerpts from plays in development, and all wrapped together by local drag queen Space Horse who will emcee.

The variety nights will continue on July 3, August 14 and September 11.

For details on how to book, visit: www.merrigong.com.au

Comedy in the CBD

"Hi I'm Harry Jun and I'm a stand-up comedian from Sydney. I'm performing my hour comedy show, 'One of the Good Ones' at the Wet Shoe Clubb, Wollongong on Saturday at 7:30pm.

"I grew up in Mt Keira, Wollongong and I'm excited to do the show in my hometown. Local comedian and absolute legend Jamal Abdul will be opening the show."

Harry Jun is a keen performer who has performed in venues all over Australia including The Comedy Store, The Chatswood Concourse and The Comedy Lounge in Perth. A 2019 and 2020 RAW Comedy NSW State Finalist, his comedy has been described as "energetic", "likeable" and "cheeky".

One of the Good Ones is an hour of energetic stand-up comedy that explores what it feels like to be an outsider, racism and how to deal with both.

Tickets are $10 through www.trybooking.com

Markets

The Waterfront at Shell Cove will have an array of small businesses and food vendors from 9am to 2pm.

Nan Tien Temple in Berkeley will have a health and wellbeing market from 9:30am to 2:30pm.

Space Prom at La La Las

La La La's on Globe Lane will host a Space Prom on Saturday from 7:30pm.

Plenty of prom decorations, best dressed prizes, corsages with Dweeb City (all girl art-pop), Yen Stange and Duo Log (indie rock brothers) - a night of wonky beats, live music and good times.

Tickets $15+bf from www.moshtix.com.au

Book Launch in Coledale.

Novelist and Chinese politics expert Linda Jaivin will be in conversation about her latest book The Shortest History of China with political cartoonist, and producer of ABC TV's Talking Pictures on The Insiders, Fiona Katauskas, at Coledale Community Hall on Sunday June 6.

It's on from 2pm, $5 for SCWC members and $10 for non-members.

Linda's newest publication is a pacy history of China from Black Inc. Books that can be read in an afternoon, but will transform your perspective for a lifetime.

https://southcoastwriters.org/

MasterChef Cook opens Paddock to Platter

Author, cook, media personality and winner of the inaugural season of MasterChef Julie Goodwin will be in Wollongong on Sunday.

She will be at the official opening of new small bar meets hair salon - Paddock to Platter and Haylo Hair - who are "working side by side and share a beautifully designed space".

Drinks and food will be available to the free event from 2pm, though bookings are required to be COVID-safe.

To book, visit: www.eventbrite.com.au