All posts filed under: arts

MICF Review: Annie Louey “Butt Donut”

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Sometimes life does a 360 degree turn around and throw the most unexpected surprise at us. That is exactly what happened to Annie Louey; but not in a graceful way. You might wonder why “Butt Donut” is the name of the comedy show. Don’t worry, Annie will explain exactly how she got the name “Butt Donut” during the show. Annie Louey, a burnt survivor comedian who took us on a journey of her life experiences. Travelling, family, being a Chinese born Australian… and of course, the survival story of her incident. She was engaging with the audiences, expressive and very detailed (in a comical way). Annie knows how to interact with you, and keep you on your toes during her show. You might learn a little about Americans and travelling around the world. A show that has bittersweet moments that may make your nose tingle. (That feeling you get when you are about to cry?). But Annie will use her humour to make sure you walk out laughing. P.S Did you know if you type …

MICF Review: Jacqueline Mifsud “Be Better!”

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Having read a bit of back story before the show, I was excited for what was to come – her story is empowering and great motivation to ‘be better’, if she can do it why can’t you!  Remising about growing up and her relationship with her mother is something we can all relate to. Nothing being good enough and trying to take control, especially over a cheese platter… we have all been there! Mifsud’s hilarious take on the ‘wog’ family life left nothing to the imagination and had everyone in stitches as did her witty analogy to her spirit animal – the blue ringed octopus!  As brilliant as the show is, her comedy can be somewhat a little dark and tackle some big issues in the media right now such as cyber bullying and eating disorders. Her take on this is still very funny, however could be a touchy subject for some. The overall theme of the show is ‘be better’ and don’t be a d**khead, her idea of what makes a d**khead is fantastic …

UNDERGROUND CINEMA DELIRIUM

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Do you know what fear does? As a Federal Marshal you’re required to step out of the light into the untouched dark. You ask the questions no one else wants to. Walk the path of the condemned. Face the hidden insanity. Strive for the unspeakable truth. Because when you see a monster you must stop it… In its ninth year, Underground Cinema returns to Melbourne in May with their unique, secret, live, film screening experiences. Using actors, detailed sets and costumes, they’ve immersed you in over 40 secret worlds; from the fast paced world of Wall Street to training at Quantico for Silence of the Lambs, they’ve ensured your survival during the zombie apocalypse in 28 Days Later and helped you seek safe passage in World War 2, Casablanca. Now, get ready to enter a thrilling new world as you step back in time to a sinister 1950s with an unforgettable, interactive, immersive experience unlike any other. Welcome to Underground Cinema DELIRIUM. *Please note: All sessions are 4+ hours including the live experience and film. …

Join the ultimate celebration of jazz

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An elegant event for our East siders this April. Join the music and jazz lovers to the highly anticipated Jazz Greats Weekend on Saturday, 28 and Sunday, 29 April 2018 at Monash University’s Robert Blackwood Hall. This year’s ultimate weekend of jazz kicks off with ARIA award winners Vince Jones and Megan Washington joining a 17-piece orchestra to revisit “Come In Spinner, ” Australia’s most successful jazz album. Through celebrating the soundtrack of the popular 1990’s television series, the evening promises to blast a fresh and surprising energy into beloved jazz standards courtesy of all-new arrangements by Steve Newcombe. The Jazz Greats Weekend culminates with The Edge of Reality – The Elvis Presley Songbook  where the talented Joe Camilleri and Vika Bull will unite with six-time ARIA winner Paul Grabowsky to bring a radical new perspective to the music of the “King”. Filled with not-to-be-missed Elvis classics, the concert promises a highly enjoyable night of inspired musical alchemy. The evening begins with a mesmerising performance by the hugely passionate, soulful powerhouse, Mojo Juju. Following the success …

MICF Review: Gerard McGowan “Only Getting Funnier”

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Gerard McGowan has been gracing the stages of Australia’s best RSL’s and pubs for over seven years now, and it shows in his rapid fire approach to jokes. McGowan lays them on hard and fast, leaving the audience feeling they’re getting good bang for their buck. He’s used to competing with Keno and drunken hecklers for his punchlines. From stories about his day job colleagues in civil construction (read: unskilled labouring) to his terrier like inability to let go after being swindled out of a pizza McGowan uses his dry wit to disarm and entertain. I was lucky to catch him on an almost sold-out night, McGowan was fresh from an appearance on FM radio but appeared stunned that we’d all shown up without hearing his spruiking. He says the 50 minute solo show is not his favourite medium but he delivered admirably despite that. You do get a sense that he is used to filling in ten minute sets on variety nights, with his stories all lasting about that long. He managed to tie …

MICF Review: Daniel Connell “Bit of Shush”

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Daniel Connell’s ‘Bit of Shush’ reaches out to all those who could use a bit more quiet in their lives. Whether you are seeking a break from hoons tearing up the streets, friends foisting foreign gourmet food on you or an increasing tide of political correctness Connell has you covered. Using some good ol’ Aussie self deprecating humour and delightful nostalgia he tackles some serious issues, like his Elon Musk induced existential crisis and Australian attitudes to refugees. If you’re a fan of TLC references and childhood favourite Allen’s Killer Pythons then this is the show for you (maybe not your kids though, it gets a bit bawdy!). A Bit of Shush is a great example of dry observational humour, with ‘No Scrubs’ allowed. 4 1/2 stars Reviewed and written by our guest writer –  Caitlin Carter Where: Melbourne Town Hall, Backstage Room, 100 Swanston Street When: 8:15 or 7:15pm, selected nights until 22 April. For more information and tickets check out the MICF website.

MICF Review: Cameron James “Chilled Out/Fired Up”

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We all have those little voices in our heads, those ones that tell you what to do, Cameron James calls his “chilled out” and “fired up” and his new show takes his audience on a little journey through adult life and listening to these voices. Covering a lot of ground effortlessly, with anecdotes, observational and self deprecating humour including being in 30s and witnessing that loosest of loose friend who appears to become the most adulting adult that you know almost overnight (we’ve all been there, right?), observations of men on the dance floor and what it could possibly mean for their ability to dance between the sheets, being part of the last generation where the wooden spoon was an acceptable form of punishment, having that one high school friend that you can’t bear to delete from facebook because every post offers huge potential for trolling, zoology and panda porn, alpha and beta male roles within the friendship group and his budding friendship with a chilled out heart surgeon with life advice for us all. …

MICF Review: G’Day Comrade

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G’Day Comrade answers that age-old(?) question.. ‘what do you get when a Russian bride, a nerdy scientist and a failed rock star walk into a bar?’ The result, a fun evening of Russian stereotype puns, Dostoyevsky references, random dancing and the stand up talent of three Russian comedians with some pretty impressive street cred. Comedians Kaychu Symon, Gosha Bodryi, Gleb Tugushev and special guest Kirill Sietlov all bring their own unique style of observational humour to Comedy Festival goers, applying a quirky, adorably confused Russian perspective to classic Australianisms, and the legal limit of only two Vladimir Putin based jokes. Aside from a couple of jokes that went a little beyond dark humour, the crowd loved this sweetly hilarious show, which offered a nice balance of performance, and audience interaction. On its debut season, G’day Comrade is not a perfectly polished or sophisticated comedy show, but it’s a must-see for those who love simple, self-deprecating humour – with enough sweet warmth to thaw an icy Russian heart on a bitter winters day. Tickets start from …

A fashion exhibition in four parts

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The historic Como House will soon transform into a fashion gallery, showcasing a history of style and design, with the opening of the professionally curated ‘Como Fashion Quarter’ exhibition. The immersive exhibition, commissioned by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), brings to life the National Trust’s Costume Collection – a unique assortment of everyday clothing and elite fashion spanning the history of European settlement in Victoria. Four prominent Melbourne-based artists, with a distinctive flair and area of expertise, will each design a quarter of Como House for the exhibition, using striking visual interpretations that fuse the past with the present. Marc Wasiak is one of Melbourne’s best art directors and fashion stylists, with a remarkable career which has continued to flourish for over 20 years. He boasts extensive experience in high fashion editorial and has worked with some of Australia’s top fashion houses. Marc said he was thrilled to be working with the National Trust to reimagine its collection in a contemporary setting. Stuart Walford is a freelance fashion stylist who is fast becoming a …

Nocturnal – Friday 6 April, Melbourne Museum

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Melbourne Museum’s commitment to presenting the best live performances continues with the next instalment of Nocturnal.  Don’t miss an evening of infectious house music on Friday 6 April, as Nocturnal joins Waving at Trains to present a triple-treat of Wax’o Paradiso, Harvey Sutherland (DJ set) and DJ JNETT. Sharing their strengths Andy Hart, Simon TK and Edd Fisher aka Wax’o Paradiso, will curate a dance-party-inducing set, travelling through disco, jazz, funk, soul and everything in between.  Regularly hosting events themselves, these guys clearly love what they do with Edd Fisher presenting PBS 106.7FM’s Tomorrow Land, Simon TK running Club d’Errangé and Andy Hart establishing Voyage Recordings.  Harvey Sutherland is a disco producer and keyboard player who will encourage you to lose your groove thanks to a celebration of unapologetic devotion to the dance floor. With critical acclaim, Harvey Sutherland has released numerous projects including Priestess/Bravado with live band Bermuda on his record label Clarity Recordings and appeared at Glastonbury, Dimensions, Splendour In the Grass and Meredith Music Festival. Fresh from supporting the legendary Grace Jones, DJ JNETT (Janette Pitruzzello) is inarguably …