FRIDAY 22 AUGUST: Don’t despair, we have rounded up some entertainment for you this weekend as the weather continues to cause havoc. Plus a list of ideas for you to plan ahead.
Please note that the Wool Road is closed at Old Erowal Bay until further notice, as the rains have made the sink hole and ongoing repairs unstable. Add 15 minutes to your usual travel times and take the signposted detours through Tomerong. Please drive safely and look after each other on the roads.
THIS WEEKEND
Sunday 24 August, Huskisson Artisans Markets: Huskisson Artisans Markets – mostly indoors – is on this Sunday at the Huskisson Community Centre, 17 Dent Street. This popular local market has expanded to include a providores section where boutique food and beverage producers will be showcasing their wares, including chutney and spices, nuts and chocolate, gourmet mushrooms and biltong as well as wine and gin tastings.
Artists and hand crafters will be the main focus, with original paintings, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and wearables, homewares and more. Meet the makers and buy direct. Open 10am-3pm.
Sunday 24 August, Winemakers Dinner: Swordfish Brewing in Sussex Inlet is hosting its third annual Winemakers Dinner with Corang Estate, starting with wine tastings from 2pm inside the brewery and dinner from 5pm. Book in for your choice of a $48 two-course or $60 three-course dinner paired with Corang Wines.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday 26 August, Free Wildlife Art Workshop: Come along to The Hub at Vincentia shopping village at 3pm to take part in a free wildlife art workshop, run by local artists from 3pm-4pm. This week participants will learn to paint eucalyptus leaves. These free sessions will run on Tuesdays through till October, and more information is outlined on a Facebook page.
Tuesday 26 August, Husky Meditation: One Breath Evolution is running an afternoon meditation session at Huskisson Community Centre, 4.15-5.15pm for $15. Let Jaine Alston know you will be attending on 0406 310 660 or jaine@one-breath-evolution.com
Wednesday 27 August, Dying to Know: As part of the Dying to Know program of events around death literacy, join a session that uses contemplative stitching hosted by Shoalhaven Health & Arts, death doula Annette Tesoriero and Dr Natalie McDonagh, you will be guided through meditation and the act of silent stitching, approaching your relationship with needle and thread as if this thread was the last thing that held you to life itself, $15 with all materials provided. Breath.Life.Thread will be held at the Nowra Country Women’s Association rooms from 9.45am till midday.
Thursday 28 August, Parents’ Movie: a special screening of Seen, billed as “a groundbreaking feature-length documentary that not only explores the transformative power of personal healing for parents but also delves into the scientifically supported effects of such healing on parenting and its impact on child brain development” will be on from 5.30pm at Husky Pictures. Book your $20 ticket online.
Thursday 28 August, Small Biz Drinks: local small business owners and operators will gather at The Greenhouse Huskisson for the monthly Bubbles & Beers, a casual networking occasion to get to know your fellow business people in the Bay & Basin area. This month, meet some of the artists on the Jervis Bay Arts Trail, see their work and find out how your business can promote the Trail to your customers. Starts at 5.30pm.
Friday 29 August to Sunday 31 August, Travelling Film Fest: Huskisson Travelling Film Festival is on again. This is the country’s longest-running film festival that showcases Australian and international features, documentaries, and short films in regional Australia. See the program and plan your viewing, here. Tickets are $15 per film, $117 for a 9-film subscription or $70 for a flexipass that lets you choose any 5 films.
Saturday 30 August, Art Class: Berry-based artist Penny Craig is offering a workshop in how to use materials and equipment commonly found in the kitchen to make interesting art prints. Spend the afternoon from 1pm using materials such as tinfoil and candles to unleash your creativity, $55+bf.
Saturday 30 August, Arts Trail: The Jervis Bay Arts Trail is on the last Saturday of the month with up to 20 artists opening their studios to visitors across the Bay & Basin. For locations of open studios and a map, make sure you check out the Trail’s website.
Sunday 31 August, Dogs Day Out will be yapping it up in the Nowra Showground, from 10am-3pm with free entry, free parking and loads of things to sniff including stalls with gear and treats for dogs and their hoomans, cutest puppy, best dressed and racing competitons and so much more. Help to support pet rescue organisations too, on the day.
Saturday 30 August, Live Music: see the April Maze comeback show at Huskisson Community Centre, the husband/wife musical duo who will serenade you while you snuggle up on cushions and rugs. Then fuel up with some supper (curries/rice) before a boogie with Casuarina Light Phenomenon (CLP). Doors open 5.30pm, $30.
PLAN AHEAD
Saturday 6 September, ‘Painting’ with Fibres: Discover a new way to make an artwork using coloured silk and wool fibres and ‘wet felting’ to create a textured canvas that can be mounted and framed. Led by fibre artist Samantha Tannous and hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society, this workshop is $170/$130 members and includes all materials, from 9.30am-1.30pm at The Hub, shop 14 Vincentia Shopping Village. Book online.
Tuesday 2 September, Free Wildlife Art Workshop: Come along to a free art workshop provided by local artists on Tuesdays through October. Tracey van Oploo will be guiding participants in Koori wildlife at The Hub, shop 14 Vincentia Shopping Village, from 3pm-4pm. Find more information, including themes for each session, online.
Saturday 6 September and Sunday 7 September, Regatta: Vincentia Sailing Club is hosting the NSW Hobie Wave state championships, from their base at Plantation Point. Enjoy the sight of colourful sails streaming across the Bay at this unique regatta event.
Friday 12 September to Sunday 14 September, Yoga Retreat: With two weekend retreats sold out and more inquiries coming in, yoga nidra practitioner Tash Pinter has secured another weekend, 12-14 September at Paperbark Camp for a retreat that focuses on “deep rest”. Tash and her collaborators, including body work expert, Tahlia Seinor, will guide their guests through a series of sessions that will take advantage of the body’s natural tendencies to rest and hibernate during the cooler months to emerge refreshed with the spring. Express interest in attending and find more information at Tash’s website. Read our interview with Tash for more insight into what’s on offer.
Saturday 13 September, First Nations Films: It’s the 2nd annual Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival at Husky Pictures, and the program is out now. SFNFF celebrates the creativity and diversity of First Nations filmmakers from across Australia and within our own community. See the program – including short films made by up-and-coming filmmakers of the South Coast – and buy your tickets for $15 on the SFNFF website.
Saturday 13 September, Painting Demonstration: For $40/$20 members, enjoy a demonstration of a still life painting by Wilma Southan, at The Hub, shop 14 Vincentia Shopping Village. Hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society and part of their new program of workshops. Consider joining the Society to receive great prices on workshops and invitations to show your work at exhibitions and sales events.
Saturday 13 September, Comedy Night: Laugh out loud as Wollongong Comedy brings the show to Jervis Bay Brewing Co headlined by superstars Tommy Dean and Al Del Bene with Stu MacPherson filling the bill. Tickets are limited so book soon, $25.
Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September, Coastal Forage: Partake in a unique dining experience along the shores of Jervis Bay as the Coastal Forage spreads its refreshment stations from Moona Moona Creek to Plantation Point. Wander along from station to station and enjoy curated delights from some of the South Coast’s most exciting chefs, distillers, aquaculturists and more. Tickets are $225 on sale now.
Sunday 14 September, Bush Foods: join First Nations cultural tour operators Gadhungal Marring for a Native Bush Foods Planting Day, 10.30am till 2pm at Wildwood in Kangaroo Valley. This is a hands-on workshop that is perfect for anyone wanting to grow edible native plants, including herbs, vegetables and fruits. Your $120 ticket includes a picnic lunch.
Saturday 20 September, Creative Watercolour: Learn a variety of watercolour techniques, with artist Anne Fry at this workshop hosted by Shoalhaven Art Society, $120/$80 members. This all-day workshop, from 9.30am-4pm will be held at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum.
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.
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.
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) for 6/7 September or 13/14 September, 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.
