FRIDAY 5 JUNE: our extra day off has arrived, and our local communities are putting on a massive lineup to celebrate. Catch live sword fights by the water in Sussex, track down a backyard gyro pop-up in Ulladulla, or secure a table for non-stop pizza over in Vincentia. Grab a fork and back our independent makers.
Friday 5 June, Feasting across the Shoalhaven: Today offers an abundance of delicious feasting options, thanks to the Autumn Celebration of Food and we have wrapped up three of the best—read our story to get the highlights of what’s on the menu in Kangaroo Valley, Huskisson and Ulladulla right now.
Friday 5 June, Shoreline Exhibition: The portrait prize is a hard act to follow but the new show going up at Jervis Bay Brewing Co is going to measure up. Shoreline, curated by Randall Sinnamon and also featuring Alison Mackay and Richard Morecroft, will celebrate its opening night in conjunction with World Ocean Day, as it explores the textures, stories and remnants of our coastline. See the new works and meet the artists from 6pm in the Woollamia industrial precinct.
Saturday 6 June, Viking Fest in Sussex: The highly anticipated annual Viking Festival is a day of family fun, great costumes, games and delicious food and drinks, at Sussex Inlet. Commemorating the Scandinavians who settled in the area as well as the First Nations heritage, the festival runs all day, with battle re-enactments, Viking games, spectacles on the water, live music and more. Tickets from $35 for adults and from $100 for a family of 4.
Saturday 6 June, Pizza Fest in Vincentia: Indulge in all-you-can-eat pizzas at Pizza Fest, hosted by La Vespa Italian Restaurant for $20 per head. At a long table set up in the arcade near Coles, in the Burton Street shopping village, a variety of creative and authentic Italian pizzas will be served in a constant steam from 12 midday till 5pm. Italian master pizza chef Fabio Acciarello will be on the ovens, and as the perfect end to the meal, “Cremoso” gelato is just $2 per scoop.
Saturday 6 June, Furniture Sale for Charity: Salt Care, a local charity, is holding a sale of used furniture with proceeds going to their work with people in need in the Shoalhaven. Head to 35 Cumberland Ave South Nowra to find well-priced items for every room of the house. Open 9am-3pm.
Saturday 6 June, Local Markets & Art Trails: Spend a morning by the pond, browsing at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Markets from 10am-2pm, including live music by The Chocolate Dogs. Head further south for the Milton Village Showground Markets from 8.30am-1.30pm featuring 100 stalls with everything from fresh food to fashion. Over in the seaside village of Currarong, take a walk along the Art Trail to visit the studios of working artists, see them at work and buy original direct from the maker.
Saturday 6 June, Fireworks at KV: The Friendly Inn is the location of a long weekend fireworks display and bonfire, complete with food trucks, mulled wine and entertainment including weird and wonderful wire sculpture by local artists. Tickets are $19/$13.
Sunday 7 June, Old Salt + Lagom: It’s Booze + Bakes in Burrill Lake this long weekend, as Chef Terry Robinson packs up the bar and heads south to the establishment of Jon Reeves. From 7am till sold out, this collab promises an intriguing fusion of award-winning spirits and bakes plus spritz in a can. Terry and Jon encourage you to set your alarm and come early.
Sunday 7 June, Vintage Clothes: Head to the Milton Church Hall for a Vintage & Preloved Clothing Market that will feature coats and boots, among other items, perfectly timed for this cooler weather. From 10am-2pm, this market is presented by local clothes resellers who have selected quality items for sale.
Sunday 7 June, Nuclear Story: A reading of Alana Valentine’s play Nucleus, with Peter Barley & Jane Gallenca, is on for a second night at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Inspired by the planned nuclear reactor at Murrays Beach, the play was highly commended in this year’s NSW State Premier’s Awards. Tickets are $30.
Sunday 7 June, Local Markets: The Berry Markets is on at the showgrounds, 8am-2pm with dozens of food stalls as well as books, clothing, hand-made items and more.
Monday 8 June, Tea & Tones: Partake in a Zen tea ceremony accompanied by improvised soundscapes, at a beautiful rural property just 10 minutes from Huskisson. Tea & Tones is hosted by Jax Wechsler and Scott Gillespie, for two hours from 10.30am, offering a sensory morning of presence, connection, and delicious oolong tea, served in exquisite ceramic ware. Sip, listen, and steep in the sounds, $40.
Monday 8 June, Dine for the Ocean: For World Oceans Day this year, Jervis Bay Brewing Co is hosting a dinner to celebrate and protect the sea. They have teamed up with seaweed innovators PhycoHealth and aquaculture farmers Jervis Bay Mussels for an event that donates all profits to the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Tickets are $43 for the event that starts at 6pm.
Wednesday 10 June, Novelist Talks at the Library: Best-selling author and Southern Highlands resident Penelope Janu will talk about her new novel, Out of the Blue, at Nowra Library. Register for this free event, which starts at 10am. Copies of the book will be available to buy on the day.
Wednesday 10 June, Ocean Film in Woollamia: No More Woes, a film by Seb Ashton in association with Woebegone free dive tours, is screening at Jervis Bay Brewing Co from 6pm as part of World Oceans Day celebrations. Make a donation at the door to Australian Marine Conservation Society and enjoy an evening of storytelling, adventure, conservation and ocean connection fostered by this short film.
Friday 12 June, Learn How to Preserve Memorabilia: Start digitising your old photos, tapes and other memorabilia with an introduction to Shoalhaven Libraries’ Preservation Station. This free one-hour session at Nowra Library (downstairs) will talk you through the equipment and how to use it, from 10am. Then you can book in your own session at the station to start preserving your important bits and pieces in digital form.
Friday 12 June, Aboriginal Breastplate Returns: An Aboriginal breastplate from the 19th century is returning home to Jervis Bay, with a special event at 11am to be held at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. The breastplate was given to local Queen Mary Golding (1826 – 1928) (nee Carpenter of Kiama) in 1896. Find out more about the history and register to attend the free event.
Saturday 13 June, Bird Photography Talk: Lachlan Hall will share stories of his bird photography in wild places, at a special event hosted by BirdLife Shoalhaven, $35 at Worrigee Sports from 1.30pm, includes afternoon tea. Lachlan’s striking and detailed images capture bird behaviour and personality.
Saturday 13 June, Women’s Health Talk: Better understand your body in perimenopause at a talk by local health professionals, nurse practitioner Jo Marjoram and women’s health dietician Kara Roberts, $12 at Shop 14 Vincentia Village on Burton Street. This informative event is aimed at empowering women to navigate their perimenopause journey with confidence.
Sunday 14 June, Bragging Rights for Burgers: Husky Sports will host the third annual Battle of the Burgers with eight local food vendors vying for bragging rights. From 11.30am-2.30pm, taste slider-sized burgers and vote for your favourite while enjoying circus-style entertainment, live music including Irish session players inside the club, and market stalls.
Thursday 18 June, Dinner & Paul Greene in Sussex: Inlet Cinema is the venue for a delicious dinner & show event, in Sussex Inlet from 5.30pm $45, or cheese plate & show from 6.45pm $20. The entertainment is by singer/songwriter Paul Greene, a South Coast favourite who is best known for his folk-rock, roots and soul sound. Paul has just released his long awaited 10th studio album Get Loved, marking a major milestone in a career built on authenticity, independence and powerful love connections. Book online.
Saturday 20 June, Beer & BBQ is Back: Tickets are now available for this year’s Beer & BBQ Festival in White Sands Park & hosted by the Husky Pub, $33. Spend the afternoon sampling beverages, tasting smoky delights and enjoying live music on the lawn.
Sunday 21 June, Yoga & Sound Healing in Woollamia: Two experienced practitioners in their wellbeing fields will offer a three-hour session from 7.30am at Bowline, designed to help you slow down, reconnect and reset, in the Woollamia industrial precinct. Places are limited to 10 people, $69.
Monday 22 June and Tuesday 23 June: There are two opportunities to see The Woman in the Seal Skin author Lauren Keegan in conversation at free events: at Nowra Library on Monday at 5pm with historical fantasy writer Kell Woods, and Ulladulla Library on Tuesday at 2pm with author & facilitator Meredith Jaffe. Lauren’s new book tells a haunting selkie tale of grief, wildness and survival in 1695 Scotland. Copies of books from these authors will be available to buy.
Saturday 27 June, Make Your Own Pasta: The experts at Pasta Buoy in Huskisson are hosting make-your-own noodle classes for adults (1.30pm for $89) and kids (10.30am for $45). Adults will get a spritz on arrival, and get to take home a delicious swag.
Saturday 27 June, Road Trip for Art: The Kangaroo Valley Artists Collective is holding an exhibition at the Bowral Art Gallery with a special opening event from 2pm-5pm. The collective consists of 19 artists working across painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, printmaking, mixed media and cordwaining. This is their inaugural exhibition, at BDAS from 25-30 June.
Sunday 28 June, Breathwork + Sauna: Bowline wellness centre in the Woollamia industrial precinct is hosting a special morning session with experienced practitioner, Chelsea Mazzini who will lead a small group in a breathwork journey from 8am, followed by an opportunity to use the sauna and/or ice bath and a wholesome snack, $113.
Sunday 5 July, First Nations Films in KV: As part of NAIDOC Week this year, a special screening of three films by First Nations storytellers, including the recently produced The Rock by Luke McLeod Ebsworth, is on at Kangaroo Valley Hall, from 3pm. You can read about the making of The Rock in our story from last week, and find out more about the films on the program, and buy tickets $20 online, from Reconciliation Allies Kangaroo Valley and Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival.
Monday 6 July-Thursday 27 August, Melaleuca Exhibition: Randall Sinnamon has created a new series of large-scale works detailing the diversity and intricacy of the landscape around Jervis Bay, which will be exhibited in the new venue, Melaleuca at Worrowing Farm. The exhibition will be open weekdays, 10am-2pm.
Plan Ahead—What to Book Now
29-30 August, Arts Muster Two-day Workshops: Now on sale, there are 12 two-day workshops on offer at this year’s annual Arts Muster Festival in Huskisson, $350. Each class is taught by an accomplished and generous artist, in small groups of 10 students. Try your hand at making a cloth doll or discover fleeting beauty in ephemeral art, enjoy the immediacy of pen and wash or the ancient art of shibori.
