FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER: The waves are mostly of the musical kind along the South Coast right now, with everything from indie pop, funk, soul, blues, jazz, country, karaoke, classical ensembles, youth orchestras and even a traditional Irish session open to all players. So get ready to tune up or tune in. Plus art, dining and local business networking events on the calendar.
What’s On This Weekend
Friday 19 September, New Art at the Brewery: Bob Dixon’s exhibition “Poets Project” opens at 6.30pm at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co, presenting a series of new works addressing the lives of poets from Coleridge to Kerouac. The works are on high quality watercolour paper 60x80cm created with printers’ inks and watercolours.
Bob Dixon grew up on the south coast of Queensland in the 1950s/60s. In 1975, his young family came to live at Huskisson, his wife Lynne’s home town. After some years there, Sanctuary Point has been the family home for 45 years. Bob has been involved in the Shoalhaven arts community in staging one man and group exhibitions. He hopes to continue to produce original, interesting work until he shuffles off the Mortal Coil.
New art shows at the Brewery are curated by local artist and Archibald finalist, Randall Sinnamon, who draws on his close connections with outstanding artists from the local area and beyond to bring gallery-worthy works to the brewery on a regular basis.
Saturday 20 September, Blues & Brews in Sussex: Head to Swordfish Brewing Co at 12.30pm for a Blues & Brews Festival you won’t forget, full of live music, expertly brewed craft beer and delicious food along the waterfront. The highlight will be headline act, award-winning blues guitarist, singer/songwriter Ray Beadle. Plus Bryce Cohen performs a Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan. Tickets are $70/$30 with food and beverages sold separately.
Saturday 20 September, Youth Orchestra Celebration Concert: Help mark 25 years of the Shoalhaven Youth Orchestra at a very special performance, 3-4pm at the Nowra School of Arts, showcasing the talented young people of the South Coast. The current crop of young music makers will revisit many musical milestones from the orchestra’s history. Alumni are invited to join in and play. Stay for afternoon tea after the performance. Tickets are $25/$20/kids 12 and under free.
Saturday 20 September, Craft Cottage 40th Anniversary: Werninck Craft Cottage in the Park, on Plunket Street Nowra is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an open day and market at the Cottage, 9.30am-3.30pm. There will be lots of hand crafted items to purchase – such as hand screen-printed commemorative tea towels – a sausage sizzle by The Bearded Fisherman, and tickets to buy in a huge raffle. A great way to support the talented members of this local craft club, in a simple weatherboard house typical of the cottages built in the area in the early 20th century.
Saturday 20 September, Markets at Tomerong and Milton: Pop in to the community hall in the village of Tomerong from 8am-1pm to pick up some great food, local produce, plants and hand crafts. Further south, the Milton Showground Markets are on from 9am-2pm, featuring over 100 stalls with everything from food and plants to homewares and art.
Saturday 20 September, A Taste of Lebanon: Limited tables are still available for this special night, as part of the “Meet the Makers” program. Milton restaurant NOMAH presents “A taste of Lebanon”, on a culinary journey through Lebanon, with a specially curated menu paired with Lebanese wines. Lebanon has a wine making tradition stretching back millennia, making it one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world. High altitude wines from French-style varietals come from the Bekaa Valley region which is around 1,000 metres above sea level, about the same as the Australian alps.
Book NOMAH online, check the festival website for more “Maker” events over the next two weeks.
Sunday 21 September, Live Music: We love our Sunday Sessions here at Jervis Bay Weekend, and we have a sensational selection for you to enjoy while showing your support for the South Coast venues who consistently present live music.
Start with something a little different at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co where you can play along in an Irish session from midday. Strum along to traditional Irish music like jigs and reels, sing with the provided lyrics to well-known tunes, and enjoy the company of other locals. All welcome.
Hang around at the brewery’s beer garden to hear a professional muso, Bobbie Martin, with a toe-tapping set of country, soul and folk songs by her favourite artists. From 3pm.
Flamin Galah presents The Castaways, a South Coast musical duo with a unique blend of country, folk and pop, to serenade your Sunday from 2pm-5pm. Stay for happy hour at 3pm and indulge in a creative cocktail for $14 or choose one of the award-winning beers made on-site for $7/$10.
Chicago blues and swampy Southern funk – it’s the unmistakable stomp and clomp of Horse Drawn Cadillac, from 12.30pm at Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla this Sunday. These consummate performers are beloved on the South Coast, and will be the perfect accompaniment to a warm spring day looking out over Burrill Lake towards the Budawangs.
If a sunset cocktail is more your speed, then Bannisters Rooftop Pavilion is the place to be with happy hour from 4pm-6pm on Sundays and Jason Norris providing the entertainment from 5pm.
Sunday 21 September, Irish Slow Sessions: Gather at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co beer garden for an afternoon playing Irish music such as jigs, airs and reels. Bring your instrument, your voice or your ears and enjoy the vibe of this casual gathering of people who love Irish music. There will be harps, fiddles, bodhrans, banjos, whistles, harmonicas, mandolins, flutes and more! From midday till 2.30pm, all welcome.
Sunday 21 September, Forest Bathing with the Steel City Strings: Attend a concert that is the classical musical version of the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”, tapping into the healing power of nature.
Experience the unique vibrations of maple, spruce, ebony and willow in the hands of talented musicians as they play “Singing Trees” by Elena Kats-Chernin, a composition about the timbers that instruments are made from. Hear this and more on a beautiful program from 2pm in the Nowra School of Arts, Berry Street Nowra, tickets $65/$15 or only $40 each for a booking of 6.
Sunday 21 September, Jazz at El Horses: Stella Anning is part of a new generation of jazz musicians coming out of Melbourne, and is playing an afternoon session from 3pm-6pm at El Horses, Berry Street Nowra, $30+bf. Stella is a versatile guitarist, singer/songwriter, composer and performer, continually seeking for innovative sounds across genres, with an established background in jazz and composition. Stay informed about some excellent shows coming up at this bohemian performance space on their website.
Coming Up This Week: the fun doesn’t stop on Monday in Jervis Bay
Tuesday 23 September, Free Wildlife Art Workshop: This week, try your hand at making art using leaves – all materials supplied. The task is to collect different leaf types and create rubbings and silhouettes using mixed media for collage with an experienced local artist and educator. Register your interest via email, laomedia@gmail.com, and walk-ins are welcome. These popular afternoon art workshops offered free by local artists continue through to October at The Hub, shop 14 Vincentia shopping village.
Tuesday 23 September, Weekly Meditation: One Breath Evolution practitioner Jaine Alston is running weekly meditation sessions in the Huskisson Community Centre on Tuesdays from 4.15pm (and in Nowra at Meraki on Wednesdays 6pm), for $15 per session. Find out more, or book a session with Jaine on 0406 310 660 or jaine@one-breath-evolution.com.
Thursday 25 September, Biz Networking: Come along to the Greenhouse co-working space in Huskisson for a casual evening with Bay & Basin business owners and operators. Enjoy an after-work drink, a nibble and great conversation with your peers from 5.30pm. Register for this free event online.
Thursday 25 September, Jazz Quintet: Performing at El Horses is a beautiful, young, original jazz quintet lead by Darcy Gilkerson on cello and playing some beautiful original compositions, 7pm-11pm, $25+bf. Exciting new talent, cellist and composer Darcy is launching his recently released debut album, Acteon, touring with his band up the East Coast from Melbourne.
The album is the culmination of a long period of experimentation and exploration in coupling together classical compositional techniques and jazz improvisation. Darcy’s music explores themes of self-discovery, empowerment, queer love and the ever-present ebb and flow between pain and joy.
Friday 26 September, Oyster Time: Jim Wild’s Oysters will be the host for a “More Than Lunch” lunch, organised with the Shoalhaven Food Network. This event will include demonstrations and talks, tastings and a sensational long-table lunch, a cash bar and lucky door prizes. Book your seat for $120 now.
Friday 26 September to Sunday 28 September, Culburra beach Festival: Save the date for this popular community-run local festival of live music, food stalls, cafe trails, art exhibits, kids’ activities, surf competitions and more. Tickets are $40/$80 and available now online.
Saturday 27 September, Discover Gang Gang Cockatoos: Register for a free talk (limited seats) by Dr Holly Parsons on the iconic red-headed Gang Gang cockatoo. Hosted by BirdLife Shoalhaven, Holly will include new information about a breeding trial that aims to help the survival of these threatened native birds. At the St Georges Basin Community Centre from 2.30pm, this is bound to be a popular event so register soon.
Saturday 27 September, Luminescence Chamber Singers: A concert of “The Garden of Earthly Delights”, presented by Music in the Valley and inspired by the famous work by Hieronymus Bosch, starts at 4pm in the Kangaroo Valley Hall. The Luminescence Chamber Singers will unleash an aural tapestry. Tickets are $70/$60/$50 online.
Saturday 27 September, Sculptures Sips & Sounds: Willinga Park in Bawley Point is hosting a free monthly event series, Sculptures, Sips & Sounds from September till December. Enjoy live performances, curated art, and great food from the Bunker Café, catered by Killara Catering, with a bar open throughout the day. Bring a picnic rug, bring your friends, or come solo, but please book a free ticket to help with planning and catering. Choose your dates and book online now.
PLAN AHEAD: A selection of exciting events to book now for later, including networking and community events, concerts and festivals, and family fun. Get out your diary!
Wednesday 29 September, A Conversation about Conservation: The Jervis Bay Marine Park is the focus of a special free evening at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co, from 6pm, where anyone who is passionate about our marine environment can learn about the beauty and the challenges of this unique aquatic park.
Friday 3 October, Snugglepot School Holiday Fun: The gumnut babies, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie will be making a special appearance at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum in time for the school holidays. This theatrical experience is a ticketed event, book your places online for $27/$17 to see the gumnut babies and friends.
Saturday 4 October, Makers Market: Bundanon Art Museum is hosting another Makers Market featuring hand made, original works of art, objects, ceramics, textiles and more along the banks of the Shoalhaven River at Illaroo. Starting at 9am, browse among the stalls and enjoy the view, meet the makers and support them by buying direct.
Saturday 4 October, Squish & Squash Kids Art: Just in time for the school holidays, South Coast artist Penny Craig is helping kids get squishy in this art adventure exploring hidden textures in Berry. Kids will press into quirky surfaces, make inky impresssions, then decorate and fold their discoveries into a concertina book to take home. This is a messy, hands-on experience that is sure to be a hit. There are three sessions available: 10.00am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm for $35+bf per kid.
Saturday 11 October, Wellbeing Day: Vincentia Connections is hosting a free event,focused on improving our general wellbeing with some small changes that can have a positive impact on our mental and physical resilience. Reserve your spot to talk about simple eating, moving and thinking techniques for daily life. This is a great chance to connect with other people in your community, enjoy healthy snacks and interesting presentations, 10am-3pm. Email your attendance to bookingsvcch@gmail.com.
Friday 17 October to Sunday 19 October, Folk Fest: The annual Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, on 17-19 October, promises a weekend of music, poetry and dance, plus kids activities and plenty of festive atmosphere on the streets with buskers and chalkboard performances. The fantastic lineup this year includes foot-stomping folk-string trio Apolline, who were AFMA Youth Artists of the Year in 2024, local favourites Benji & the Saltwater Sound Sytsem who fuse jazz, reggae and African beats into hypnotic soundscapes, a Morris dancing troupe Black Joak Morris plus Bavarian and Irish dancing, sessions hosted by the Butter Trackers that welcome anyone to join in, and so much more.
Saturday 18th October, Classical Mozart at the Museum: This is a rare and exciting opportunity to hear a world-class performance of “Mozart’s clarinet”, played by ARCO on period instruments that create an authentic sound of the late 18th century. Performing at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum while they are on tour with Music in the Regions, ARCO is the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra led by co-artistic directors Rachel Beesley and Nicole van Bruggen.
While touring the regions, the performers will also be sharing their expertise with amateur orchestras in the regions, including MUSO (Milton Ulladulla String Orchestra) who will benefit from their generosity and advice in special workshops.
Support these very special performances by purchasing your tickets to the 5pm performance for $30 (price will rise to $35 after 22 September).
Saturday 18 October, Degustation at Old Salt: Prepare your tastebuds for a degustation night at Old Salt Distillery where eight sensational courses prepared by chefs Terry and Michelle Robinson – mostly over an open fire – will pair up with eight equally sensational cocktails, at the South Nowra venue’s Degustation Night. More details are yet to be released so save the date and keep an eye on their Events page for updates.
Sunday 19 October, Still Life Workshop: Learn to paint a still life in oils with Dr Vanessa Barbay at this workshop hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society. For $170/$130 members, from 9am-4pm at The Hub, Shop 14 Vincentia Shopping Village, participants will gather around a central arrangement to paint. Book online.
Monday 20 October to Sunday 26 October, Bird Count: Join Australia’s biggest citizen-science event, the great Aussie Bird Count, and help us keep tabs on our feathered friends. The Shoalhaven is home to a vast number of bird species – there is a ‘working list’ of 401 birds on the Birdlife Shoalhaven website, including full-time residents and migratory birds. Register to participate, download the app and get ready to start counting.
Saturday 25 October and Sunday 26 October, FOMA at Vincentia: Save the date for a great weekend of art, music and community at the Vincentia Shopping Village, hosted by Vincentia Connections (a sub-committee of Vincentia Matters).
Saturday 15 November, Sunday 16 November and 22-23 November, Sculpture in the Valley has rescheduled its event to two weekends in November, to 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 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.
