What's On guide for Warrnambool and the south-west

UP IN LIGHTS: "Up in Lights" permanent exhibition launches Friday July 2, Timor Laneway off Ozone carpark. Shining a light on the work of eight young artists and an interactive 'SCAN ME!' Gallery (don't forget your smart phone!)

GIG: Catch south-west musician Flynn Gurry on his first headline tour around the region. He's playing Saints and Sailors Portarlington July 9 and The Space Warrnambool July 11.

EXHIBITION OPENING: The official opening of Harley Manifold's exhibition "I know you heard me, but are you listening?" is happening at the Warrnambool Art Gallery from 6pm Friday, July 9.

It marks Manifold's first major show in a gallery and the biggest paintings he's done.

JUNIOR WARRNIBALD: The Junior Warrnibald is a spin-off of the popular Warrnibald event, a portrait prize for local artists.

Presented by WAG and WDEA Works, the Junior Warrnibald invites artists aged under 18 year to create a portrait of someone known to them and exhibit the work in the gallery.

You can pick up a frame from the gallery and create your portrait in the Junior Warrnibald exhibition space from Saturday, or take a frame home and bring the completed portrait back to be exhibited between Saturday 3 - Friday 16 July.

Prize winners are announced at WAG from 1-2 pm Saturday 18 July with the prize winning works included in the Warrnibald Prize 2021 exhibition which opens Friday 23 July.

UP IN LIGHTS: There are few more iconic locations in Port Fairy than the Moyne River. The buildings framing this famous body of water will this weekend be bathed in lights of all colours as part of the Light Up Port Fairy project. Buildings along the river from the foot bridge to the road bridge will be illuminated by colourful exterior lighting, making an impressive winter show.

FITNESS: Parkrun meets every Saturday at Lake Pertobe at 8am for a five-kilometre run/jog/walk.

FOOT LOOSE: The third installment of the 2021 Port Fairy Winter Weekends program is offering a fun way to keep warm during the depths of the coldest season of the year.

A Shadow Grooves Freestyle Dance Class will be held at the Port Fairy Sea Scouts Hall this Saturday afternoon from 2-3pm.

The class is for people aged 12 and over, with comfortable shoes and a desire to dance up a storm needed.

WELL STAGED: On Saturday, members of the public will be able to take an inside look into the workings of live theatre.

The Port Fairy Theatre Group will open the doors to the Lecture Hall from 3-5pm for the public to sit in on readings of plays that are described as works-in-progress.

After actors and directors have done their thing, a short discussion will be available for the audience to chat to theatre group members about how a production is put together.

HISTORY RECALL: The Port Fairy Historical Society will be holding its annual SS Casino Commemoration on Saturday from 10am.

This event will be held at the SS Casino memorial in King George Square.

The historical society's museum, which has a permanent exhibition dedicated to the SS Casino, will be open after the commemoration.

A book about the SS Casino will be launched on July 29 at 4pm at the museum.

The book is a posthumous publication by Stan Evans and has been edited by Richard Patterson.

FISHY TALES: Reardon Theatre will host a session from 7.30pm on Saturday night entitled Old Men and the Sea.

Three local abalone divers, Bree Fox, Craig Fox and Len McCall, will talk about their experiences under the water.

Port Fairy author Jock Serong will MC the event.

FLYING HIGH: A shorebird expert from Birdlife Australia will be the guest speaker at a session at the Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club on Sunday at 10am.

The expert will delve into the ways and lives of shore birds that frequent the Port Fairy area, providing information aimed to help the birds survive and thrive in their local environment.

The Repair Cafe will be operating out of Port Fairy Community House on Saturday morning.

Members of the public are invited to attend from 10am to 1pm and bring along possessions that may be in need of some fixing.

Community house will also be holding a market on Railway Place. Stalls at the market will begin trading at 9am.

YOUTH SHOWCASE LIVE: SOME of the region's most promising young talents will take to the stage as part of the penultimate Port Fairy Winter Weekends.

The Youth Showcase in Port Fairy on Sunday will feature live, original music from some of the region's best young artists: Evie Mae, Maddie Jackway, Maudie Reading, Laura Hickey, Jorja Cate, Abbey and Harry Titmus and Ruby McKenna.

WARM WINTER DRINKS: Join Kirsty Williams from Growing Home Permaculture for a spiced-up session making delicious waste-free wintery drinks to warm your soul, hearts and hands.

Learn three new hot drink recipes, plus other tips for homemade syrups - the perfect treats for cosy catch-ups with friends!

Kirsty will show how to make the most of your herb gardens and spice racks with waste-free options for creating beautiful traditional Spiced Chai tea, Mulled Cider with 5 spices and versatile simple syrups from rosemary and ginger.

Sunday, 11-12.30pm at Community House, Railway Place, Bank Street.

MARKET: Warrnambool showgrounds will hold its weekly undercover market from 8am to 1pm.

BEEKEEPING: The beekeeping club meets every Monday at the Jim Robinson Shearing Pavilion at the Warrnambool Showgrounds at 7pm.

MARKET: The Warrnambool Community Gardens' market returns from 3.30pm to 6.30pm with stalls of fresh fruit and vegetables, seedlings and plants from within 150 kilometres of the city. There will also be live music from Bruce Campbell and Friends.

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