FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER: Trade the beach towel for the gallery guide this weekend in Jervis Bay, with an immersive art-and-dining experience at Taj Indian fusing flavour and form, an epic two-weekend showcase of stunning indoor and outdoor sculptures in Kangaroo Valley. Plus bird-watching, bush fire prep and Irish music.
Friday 14 November, Art at Darling House: From now till 30 November, local artist Ian Robertson is showing a selection of new paintings at Darling House Deli in Huskisson (formerly Jervis Bay Coffee Co, next to Boobook on Owen). You can read more about Ian’s art practice and the Jervis Bay Arts Trail in our profile story, and see his work in person, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Saturday 15 November, Sunday 16 November and 22-23 November, Sculpture in the Valley is on over two weekends in November, enjoy a selection of indoor and outdoor sculptures. Buy a day pass for $15 (kids under 16 free) and you might even walk away with a new masterpiece for your home or garden.
Saturday 15 November, Bird Watching at Bundanon: Spend an hour on the walking tracks around the Bundanon Art Museum site with the feathery friends from BirdLife Shoalhaven. Look into the canopy and listen to the sounds of the forest as you identify some of the 400+ species of birds that call our south coast home. Bring binoculars if you have them and book online for $25/$22/$20.
Saturday 15 November, Tomerong Food Hall: The new-look markets in the school of arts is now known as the Tomerong Food Hall, offering up lots of lovely consumables every third Saturday of the month from 8am till 1pm. Bread and baked goods, eggs and honey, veggies and of course, a coffee van will be on-site for your fresh, local and low carbon footprint stock up.
Saturday 15 November, Love on the Plate and Page at Taj Indian: Huskisson fave, Taj Indian Restaurant is creating an immersive art and dining experience this Saturday night, including “A taste of the life, love & musings of Emily & Arron”. Come along to view an art exhibition by Katie Coogan-Mason from 4pm, and stay for a banquet from 6.30pm. The fixed menu banquet includes a glass of wine for $80pp, while happy hour drinks will be available until 6pm. Guests are invited to dress in the “colours of spice”. Book for the banquet on (02) 4441 7775.
Sunday 16 November, Bush Fire Prep: The Rural Fire Brigades of Basin View and Wandandian invite the community to a Preparation Day from 10am at the Basin View Brigade Station at 1 Collingwood Street. Come along to learn how best to prepare your home and loved ones for bush fires.
Sunday 16 November, Clothes Swap: Head to Tomerong Hall at 10.30am for a community clothes swap. For $5 entry, share space on trestle tables and clean out your wardrobes. Please bring clean items in good condition. All leftover items will be donated to charity.
Sunday 16 November, Irish Music at the Brewery: The Jervis Bay Slow Sessions is on again at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co taproom, from midday till 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome to join in playing traditional Irish and Celtic music (sheet music is available on the day) or sit back with a drink and enjoy the jigs, reels and airs. Stay for lunch from the 5 Little Pigs food truck. These monthly gatherings are hosted by The O’Carolan Trio, who select the music and lead the group in tune learning to help beginners and more experienced players alike enjoy an afternoon of music-making in the community.
Sunday Sessions, 16 November, Live Music Around the South Coast: Start your live music Sunday at Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla with The Specialities, a five-piece band known for their seamless blend of blues, jazz, soul, and alt-country, from 12:30pm.
Then head to Jervis Bay Brewing Co in the Huskisson industrial zone for Ness Quinn from 4pm, playing her unique blend of acoustic pop and soul.
For a sensational sundowner, it’s the rooftop bar at Bannisters Pavilion in Mollmook, where a cocktail will go down well accompanied by Alex Clark from 5pm.
Sunday 16 November, Prawn Raffle: The place to be for a tray of fresh prawns is the RSL Sailfish Fishing Club in Sussex Inlet. Raffle tickets go on sale from 12pm and the draw kicks off at 1:30pm for 15 trays of fresh prawns. Support the local fishing club and you might go home with the catch of the day.
What’s On This Week – spice up your Monday to Friday
Monday 17 November Christmas Beetle Talk: Join Brett O’Keefe at Nowra Library to learn more about the mysteries of the beautiful Christmas Beetle, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Hear from this PhD candidate about the iconic beetle and why their numbers are declining. Register online.
Tuesday 18 November, Clogging: Join a beginners session to learn the rhythmic art of clogging, with the Amethyst Park Stompers at Tomerong Hall. For $15 from 6pm, find your feet on the lovely old boards of the hall.
Thursday 20 November, Ecology Guest Speaker: The eradication of rodents from the iconic Lord Howe Island will be the subject of a keynote speech by Nicholas Carlile at the Shoalhaven Landcare AGM. Register online for this free, fascinating talk at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum at 4pm. Read our interview with Nicholas, who has dedicated the past 30 years to ecological research in NSW.
Thursday 20 November, “The Hendrix of the Kora”: The South Coast is experiencing a wave of international music luminaries and Seckou Keita is one of these, bringing his exceptional mastery of the traditional kora to Berry for an unmissable performance. Dubbed “the Hendrix of the kora”, this solo show promises to be a mix of “captivating melodies, joyous rhythms, uplifting vocals and contemplative instrumentals”. This virtuosic musician from Southern Senegal has performed at WOMAD, Glastonbury, Tokyo, Chicago and now at the Berry Uniting Church Hall. Tickets are $50/$45/$25 for under-25s with ID. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
Thursday 20 November, Young Filmmakers: “A Presence” will be screening at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, 4pm-6pm, in a closing celebration of the work and creativity of young, local filmmakers who created the poetic short film. This free, all ages event will include a film screening followed by a Q&A session and light refreshments. Discover what the young people have to share about their experiences filming, themes of the film and what the creative process was. Reserve your spot online.
Thursday 20 November, Dancing Freedom: Join a guided movement meditation at Tomerong Hall, Dancing Freedom, from 7pm $25 online or $30 at the door. Move your body to a playlist influenced by the elements then get comfy on a shawl or mat to allow a sound bath to envelop you in healing waves. This is a 16+ event with no alcohol.
Plan Ahead – highly recommended for your calendar
Saturday 22 November, Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle: Continue your world music adventure with an intriguing performance of the Norwegian hardanger fiddle by composer-performer Benedicte Maurseth at the Bundanon Art Museum from 3pm. For this entrancing performance, she will be joined by three other musicians celebrating her new album inspired by her childhood in the northern mountains of Norway. Tickets are $75-$55 and you can add optional food and beverage.
Saturday 22 November, Acrylic Painting Workshop: Join Wilma Southan to paint in acrylics in this workshop hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society, $120/$80 members. Learn how to paint a vibrant still life with flowers, from 9.30am-4pm at Vincentia. Book online.
Saturday 22 November, Author Talk: Join Boobook on Owen and Darling House Café in Huskisson for a conversation with author Kate Mildenhall. Kate will speak about her gripping new novel The Hiding Place, a tale of friendship and the secrets we keep. For $15, you also get a discount on the book. Doors open 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, the Boyd Women: This is the opening weekend for a new exhibition at Bundanon Art Museum celebrating the work of the female artists of the Boyd family. There will be free entry to the show this weekend, The Hidden Line: Art of the Boyd Women, covering the creative practices of five generations of women. The show will be on till 15 February 2026, with more than 300 diverse works. There is a full program of events across the weekend.
Thursday 27 November, Bubbles, Beers & Business: The Greenhouse co-working Space, upstairs from 5 Little Pigs café on Owen Street, Huskisson is hosting a casual networking evening for small businesses of the Bay & Basin, from 5.30pm. Meet and mingle with your peers over a charcuterie plate and a drink, create new connections and be part of a dynamic business community. Entry is free, please indicate your intention to attend via this link, and feel free to bring a plate or beverage to share.
Thursday November 27, Policing Forum: This Policing Forum is an initiative of Vincentia Matters for the whole Bay and Basin community, all invited to attend from 5.30pm at the Vincentia Public School Hall. South Coast Police District Chief Inspector Nick Hallett will talk about policing in the Bay & Basin, followed by a Q&A session. Bring your curiosity, your concerns and questions, and contribute in a positive way to making our community a safer place.
Thursday 27 November, Horse Healing: Come along to Husky Pictures for a community screening of a special documentary that brings together former racehorses with military personnel for a unique and heartwarming journey of recovery, set against the backdrop of Kangaroo Valley. The screening of The Healing is raising funds for Horse Aid, tickets are $25+bf and the film starts at 6.30pm.
Friday 28 November, Saltwater Sound: South Coast favourites, Benji & the Saltwater Sound System will be bringing their Pacific groove to El Horses in Nowra. Expect African and Islander folk blended with reggae and a dash of salt, guitar, horns and rhythmic lyrics, from 8pm, tickets $25+bf.
Saturday 29 November, Sussex Street Party: Kick off the summer season with a street party in the coastal village of Sussex Inlet featuring live music, great food, kids’ activities and finished off with a free screening of Zootopia at the Inlet Cinema. Step Into Summer along Jacobs Drive, which will close from 3pm for the event, the festivities will wrap up around 7.30pm
Saturday 29 November, We Mavericks in Concert: After rave reviews of their UK and European tour, regional NSW is next on the agenda for We Mavericks, the multi-instrumentalist, songwriting sensational duo Victoria Vigenser and Lindsay Martin and their band-mates, Rachel Johnston and Trent Arkleysmith. Tickets are now on sale for an all-ages show at the Tomerong community hall on Saturday night, 29 November, doors open 6.30pm, $30/$10. If you love folk, alt-country, great storytelling lyrics and insanely talented musicians, book now. We freely admit to being groupies of these guys, so look out for our exclusive interview with We Mavericks next week, including a sneak peek at their new album.
Saturday 29 November, Brewers’ Birthday: It’s hard to believe that six whole years have flown by since the Jervis Bay Brewing Co opened their doors here in Huskisson, and they invite us all to come celebrate this milestone. There will be live music, face painting for the young (and young at heart), big giveaways plus a few special birthday surprises. Gates open at midday.
Saturday 29 November, Art Café: Join artist Jenny McIntosh for a one-off Saturday Art Café at Peckish on the Park on Graham Street in Nowra, open especially for this two-hour workshop blending creativity and morning tea. Bring your own materials $45 or have them supplied $50 along with cake and coffee and create a unique artwork using pen and watercolour. Spots are limited so early booking is recommended.
Sunday 30 November, Artisans & Providores Market: The Huskisson Artisans Markets is bigger and better for their pre-Christmas event that will be bursting with gift ideas for your loved ones. There will be a curated pop-up art gallery called Artful Mind, plus over 40 stalls offering hand-crafted ceramics, jewellery, textiles, accessories, original framed art, providores offering fine food and wine, a special children’s gift section featuring books by local authors and delightful handmade toys. The markets occupy the entire building of the Huskisson Community Centre including the garden room and lawns accessed via the carpark. Explore the many offerings and support local artists and makers.
Sunday 30 November, Celebrate! Concert: MUSO, the Milton Ulladulla Symphony Orchestra is putting on a cracker of an end-of-year concert including Handel’s Water Music, the Bach Violin Concerto in A Minor with guest soloist, Sarah Hussey, and some pulse-quickening contemporary music by composers Soon Hee Newbold and Paul Barker. Reserve your seat with a donation (amount of your choice) online, or pay at the door on the day. The performance starts at 3pm in the Ulladulla Civic Centre, so arrive a little earlier to find a good spot. The beginners’ ensemble, MUSOminor will start with a rendition of “We Will Rock You” and the program includes some seasonal treats as well, ie carols but with a twist. The Orchestra is celebrating a recent transition from a string ensemble to a full symphony orchestra, and your donations will assist in the purchase of some new percussion instruments to round out the sound.
Saturday 13 December, Bottomless at Bud’s: If you love bao buns and Long Island cocktails, book in to the next Bottomless event at Bud’s Tavern in Huskisson for a two-hour sitting, 2.30pm-4.30pm to enjoy your fill of karaage chicken, vegan sweet & sour tofu and a gf option, all for $75. Reservations are essential.
Thursday 25 December, Jervis Bay Portrait Prize Open for Entries: Fair warning to start creating a portrait of a Shoalhaven resident by any artist, to enter into the inaugural Jervis Bay Portrait Prize. There’s plenty of time to choose your subject, gather your materials including a 30x30cm canvas, and get started. Entries will be $30, and more details are to come on the venue and prizes for the final show. This portrait prize is being organised by Randall Sinnamon, Scribbly Studio and Vanessa Harries, who is available for questions via email, vjharries@gmail.com.
