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Wicked Chocolate Festival

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If you’ve got a massive sweet tooth like us, then Prahran Market’s Wicked Chocolate Festival will be your idea of heaven! On Saturday May 7, the entire Market will be transformed into a chocolate wonderland of sensory delights and the cost of entry is free!

See, taste, smell and enjoy everything chocolate with foodie fun activities suitable for the whole family, including a Taste the Chocolate Trail ticketed event featuring the Market’s mouth-watering chocolate delicacies; a pop-up Chocolate Precinct; free chocolate cooking demos, a producers’ stage, a ticketed cake making event at Essential Ingredient, free tastings and more.

There’ll be all sorts of chocolate goodies from some of Melbourne’s best dessert makers include Doughboy Doughnuts, Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio, Bibelot, Butterbing Cookie Sandwiches and Pana Chocolate .

When: 10:30-5pm, 7 May

Where: Prahran Markets

Visit the website here.

Miles Milson & David Boyle: Banned for Life – MICF Review

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You either love stand up comedy or you don’t. It’s that harshly critiqued genre where the person on stage goes home with either the roars of audience laughter in their ears… or the sound of tumble weeds, crickets and broken dreams…. No pressure.

These guys were funny. Genuinely funny. But you literally couldn’t find two more different blokes, and I think that was what worked so well. 

First to take the stage was David (Private) Boyle. Full of traditional Australian humor, the crowd were really into his act and laughed the whole way through. David is high energy and enthusiasm with the usual twisted perception on real life which people go to stand up nights to hear. 

And then came Miles Milson. A completely different kettle of fish. He had the kind of chilled, ‘off-on-a-tangent’ humor you and your best mate would laugh your heads off at 2am after a big night. Real dark, random humor. Which after all, is the best kind. A fun way to finish the show, I’ll definitely never look at ham the same way again.

The show isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t really into stand up, and get offended by swearing – definitely pick another show, but it’s funny, quirky and well targeted to the audience – a fun little gig to check out as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Get along and see it before they finish up on 13 April and see for yourself.

When: Until 13 April

Where: Boney @ 68 little Collins st, Melbourne 3000

Visit the website here.

Hayward & Hadid: This is an Excuse – MICF Review

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Poking fun at ‘bros before hoes’ culture, and unfairly branded ‘crazy girls,’ This is an Excuse is live sketch comedy for the ladies who’ve been there, and done that.

Pretty much any woman you know has a bad relationship story, these witty women take that next level, turn it on it’s head, polish it up and make you laugh in it’s face. From the differing views of Cupid and Psyche, to the fiery condemnations of the Devils Advocate, we found it fast paced and enthralling throughout.

The show was a super fun girl’s night out with sharp and intelligent humor, relatable jokes and a relaxed vibe – the packed out audience loved it. We roared with laughter throughout, especially when hit with those ‘oh my gosh, that has totally happened to me’ bits.

Hayward and Hadid: This is an Excuse runs as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until 17 April. Get along and see it in it’s final days and support our local talent.

P.S  – These guys post daily ticket offers on their Facebook page, so keep an eye out.

Rating: ★★★★

When: until 17 April 2016

Where: Improv Conspiracy, The Improv Conspiracy, Level 1, 19 Meyers Place

Visit the website here. 

Damian Callinan Swing Man – MICF Review

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Damian Callinan has been diagnosed with OTTDS – OverThe Top Dancing Syndrome.

His show kicks off with an alien abduction sequence during which he displays with ease his fantastic 80’s dancing prowess (stick with us here) but, whilst proficient in almost every other style of dance – the style of dance that alludes him, and that which will ultimately save him from his somewhat friendly alien abductors is Swing.

As they say in the show, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t Swing. From there Damian takes us through the hilarious fabrics of time itself, through his teenage years with lots of ‘growing up in suburban Victoria’ in-jokes which were a hit with everyone in the audience, interval cameos from his improvisational, leaf munching droid – Jean Clauvive, and then ultimately the journey of learning how to Swing.

From Swing Dancing for Morons, to eventually getting his own personal Swing Dancing instructor, the audience is with him the entire way.

Does he eventually master the art of Swing? You’ll have to go along and find out. A man of many talents, this show was fun and high energy, if you aren’t a fan of dance, this show might not be for you. If you are.. you’re in for a treat.

Swing Man is playing as part of the at the Malthouse Theatre until 16 April. Bring your dancing shoes.

Rating: ★★★★

When: Until 16 April, 2016

Where: Coopers Malthouse Theatre.

Visit the website here. 

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Simon & Perri Go Large – MICF Review

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They’ve got the best hair and beard combo in the comedy business; and a spectacular Rocky-esque opener; Simon Cumming and Perri Cassie are pulling out all the stops for their split show at this year’s Comedy Fest.

Cumming’s personality seems sort of reminiscent of Buddy the Elf; he works in a chocolate factory, skips through fields, and counsels cats. His set doesn’t discuss a particular topic throughout, but his silliness about life in general is such a pleasure to watch. Although he doesn’t need to tell the audience which bits he’s made up; it’s like a magician revealing their secrets. Plus some reviewers will believe anything if you let them.

Cumming has a very distinct laugh, and is able to create a real rapport with the audience. His stories flit around but the show never feels scripted, it’s just ideas that pop into his head and that works perfectly for him.

If you too appreciate the excitement when you have enough money to buy berries, then you’re going to want to be “Poppin punnits in da club” with Perri Cassie. The two work nicely as a pair, as Cassie’s humour is comparatively dry.  Having this contrast in styles and topics creates a good balance. They’re both the same age, living in the same place, doing the same thing so there could easily some cross over. But you feel it’s unlikely that Cassie goes skipping, and similarly you can’t see Cumming having too many tales about fisting.

Cassie may have odd choices to Netflix and Chill to, and I certainly wouldn’t want to have upset 15 year old him, but his set has a brilliant flow to it and is brought to a great close.

Bring on their solo shows next year, because they’ve definitely got what it takes to fill an hour each! And in case you miss it when you see Simon and Perri Go Large, they’re both newly single, ladies.

Rating: ★★★★

– Joanna Trainor

Joanna is a Journalism student on exchange from London, currently studying at RMIT. Having missed Edfringe last year she is absolutely loving being around Melbourne for the Comedy Fest. She can often be found singing too many show tunes, and drinking all the coffee. Follow her on Twitter, @mintpixeljo, for more stagey ramblings.

When: Until 17th April, 9.45pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Where: The Downstairs Lounge @ The Swanston Hotel

Visit the website here.

 

 

3 States of Comedy: Reinstated – MICF Review

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It’s the way fights were meant to be settled: head to head… to head comedy bouts. Danny Stinson, Geoff Setty and Becky Steepe battle it out to have their state crowned as Australia’s funniest.

First up, representing everyone’s favourite state, Victoria (not that we’re biased in Melbourne), is Danny Stinson. Straight out of the ring and Stinson is throwing punches. There’s sealife in strange places, disorientated drunks and spiders who are watching their weight. You expect that the rest of the show is going to continue in a similar vein; but this is where the state bashing ends.

One liner Geoff Setty has the best rapport with the room. He has great timing, and seems to have a joke about every subject imaginable, but there is a flow missing to his work. Going from Star Wars sex jokes to Happy Days to “Hitler Instagram” is just a little too much of a leap. You can still tell a story with one liners, and you can lose your audience if you move around too much.

Going on last is a difficult spot, and it’s obvious that Becky Steepe is nervous. But what she particularly needs to work on is making sure her comedy doesn’t sound like she’s reading a script. She’s clearly spent a lot of time writing and remembering her jokes but you have to some sort of pizazz when you’re telling them, otherwise the audience might as well just read them to themselves.

The idea behind 3 States of Comedy is great, but the show just doesn’t live up to its potential. There are tweaks that could make a big difference to how successful it is like getting the comedians to interact more rather than having three separate sections, or really making the audience pick sides. There are so many shows at the comedy fest, so they need to properly embrace the novelty of theirs.

Rating: ★★1/2

– Joanna Trainor

Joanna is a Journalism student on exchange from London, currently studying at RMIT. Having missed Edfringe last year she is absolutely loving being around Melbourne for the Comedy Fest. She can often be found singing too many show tunes, and drinking all the coffee. Follow her on Twitter, @mintpixeljo, for more stagey ramblings.

When: Until 17th April, 6pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Where: The Downstairs Lounge @ The Swanston Hotel

Visit the website here.

 

Asian Street Food Weekend

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Over the next three days The Food Truck Park™ will transform Preston into an Asian themed foodies dream with a modern twist – food trucks.  Combining familiar flavours with speciality dishes, this will be the one place to experience all your favourite Asian food trucks all weekend long.

Expect all  your favourite Asian style foodie trucks including Hello Saigon, White Guy Cooks Thai, Ghost Kitchen, Nem N’ Nem, That Nasi Lemak Guy, Hello Saigon, Yo India plus more!

Make the most of the sunny Autumn days while you still can!

When: 8- 10 April

Where: The Food Truck Park Preston

Visit the website here.

Melbourne’s never been cheaper

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For one week only, some of Melbourne’s best retailers and there’s something for everyone. Grab a burger for $1 from Mr Burger,  6c juices from Greene Street Juices , heck you can even get 7c Happy Socks.

The Happy Tappers pop-up will be at Melbourne’s iconic State Library precinct next week and NAB will be running the show showcasing their recently launched Tap n’ Pay technology on Android phones. If you’re a NAB customer and Android user, great! If not, don’t worry about it. They will have phones and topped up accounts for you to trial the tech and take advantage of the delicious deals on site.

The pop up details are as follows:

  • Monday 11th April – 10 cent tapas (Bar Lourihna). Including a meet and greet and how-to session with chef sensation, Matt McConnell.
  • Tuesday 12th April – 6 cent Greene Street Juices
  • Wednesday 13th April – 7 cent Happy Socks
  • Thursday 14th April – 1 buck burgers from Mr Burger
  • Friday 15th April – 5 cent flowers from Botanics of Melbourne.

When : 11th – 15th April 2016, 11am-2pm daily

Where: Melbourne State Library

Paul Culliver: The Honeypot – MICF Review

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“A straight, white male doing a comedy show, that’s novel”(!)

Paul Culliver might be a middle-class man, but don’t worry you haven’t walked into some terrifying Men’s Rights Activism lecture masquerading as a comedy show. Culliver is super aware of his privilege; in fact he’s even invented a scale to determine just how privileged he is. (It’s 17 doors by the way). With his cheeky, chappy nature he can talk about race, feminism and politics, and the combination works.

Culliver seems to have an endless supply of intelligent, quipping lines. The show never feels scripted; just one hilarious stream of consciousness, making his ability to be so quick witted all the more impressive.

He doesn’t get it quite right all the time; you can feel bits of the room tense up during certain sections of his stand-up. But in fairness he does go back and correct himself when he can feel this happening, Culliver says he “really doesn’t want to be a shit head in this show”, and he definitely doesn’t come off like that. From his self-teching intro to a high-five on the way out, Culliver has a real charm to him.

A particularly brilliant moment for the room was Culliver’s aunt correcting one of his jokes about how much drugs actually cost. His reaction was priceless, and he clearly comes from a funny family.

Culliver fights misogynists on Facebook, explains autistic kids are better than dead ones, and deters other blokes in the room from “mansplaining”; but as he tells us several times he’s not doing the show for the praise so you’ll just have to discover the rest yourself.

Oh and he definitely doesn’t mention Tinder.

Rating: ★★★★

– Joanna Trainor

Joanna is a Journalism student on exchange from London, currently studying at RMIT. Having missed Edfringe last year she is absolutely loving being around Melbourne for the Comedy Fest. She can often be found singing too many show tunes, and drinking all the coffee. Follow her on Twitter, @mintpixeljo, for more stagey ramblings.

When: Until 17th April, 7.15pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Where: The Downstairs Lounge @ The Swanston Hotel

Visit the website here.

 

Cirque Adrenaline

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From the producers of The Illusionists and Le Noir comes the heart-pounding Cirque Adrenaline. This family spectacular show blends traditional circus acts with the new; mixing clowns and trapeze artists with daredevil motorcyclists and complex aerial stunts. Cirque Adrenaline’s troupe of over 30 performers, many former stars of Cirque du Soleil are renowned for their theatrical flair and breath-taking acrobatic displays both on the ground and high above the stage.

When: Until 10 April

Where: State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne

Visit the website here.