October 2024 Nooze

Oops. Sorry – I missed September!
But I did have a lovely holiday in Vietnam with my youngest offspring! Many of you know that they were very unwell this time last year, which eventually led to them spending almost two months in hospital at the beginning of this year. So this time away together is more special that you can imagine!

London bound!

I got back to Melbourne to the somewhat surreal news that I’m heading back overseas for a very brief visit, because my big brother is getting married. I’m only there for four nights and, as well as the wedding, I’m going to visit my little brother on the set of BBUK, for eviction night (he’s the presenter on the right of the below pic)! If you’re one of my UK based friends and think you might be able to get to London for a coffee, meal, or pint let me know. My window of non family events is very small, so I haven’t really told anyone but of course, if we can meet up that would be lovely!

Upcoming shows and gigs

When I get back I’m excited to perform at the Centre for Australian Comedic Action (CACA) Inc’s For Rent! CACA is a collective of comedians aiming to bring about a community of comedic practice for those who want to practice comedic action.

Joining me on the line up is:
– Lauren Edwards – Lauren is a fast-rising star of the Melbourne comedy scene; no mean feat, considering she’s 40 and can’t run. Originally a musical comedy kid, Lauren has built a name for herself for her pithy observations and cracking social commentary, dressed up with a heap of millennial charm. Lauren has performed all over Australia and has appeared on The Sunday Roast and Opening Gala for Brisbane Comedy Festival, as well as guest appearances on podcasts such as I’m The Worst, Confessions, and A Rational Fear. 
– Nadun Hetti – Nadun is a RAW State Finalist who is a first-generation immigrant.  Drawing from his experience as an immigrant and someone who has seen the impact of housing struggles firsthand.   With gigs at Comedy Untamed, Grub, Footscray, and Voltaire, he blends personal stories and sharp humour to tackle the absurdity of trying to keep a roof over your head. 
– Sarah Bartolo – Sarah is an actor, writer, comedian and singer based in Naarm. Sarah has a knack for political satire and sketch comedy creating well-loved characters like wellness grifter Venus GirlBoss Moon and is currently touring around Australia with her incredibly relatable and hilarious stand-up. She has performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and at Carnegie Hall in New York. She enjoys fresh pasta, Mediterranean summers and being cute in this capitalist dystopian hellscape. 
– Adore Handel (Luke Belle) – Luke fell in love with the drama and extravagance of opera, which led to a classical singing focus in a Bachelor of Music at Monash University, 2013. Stylishly suggestive, Luke’s creation of Adore Handel is a real housewife of the 18th century telling tales of rubbing shoulders with Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi.  Opera repertoire in a Marie Antoinette-package: Mozart, Handel, G&S (Gilbert & Sullivan) and more.  Adore will regale us in a song about the high drama of trying to stay housed.  
– Nicole Smith – Nicole Smith is our high-powered pocket rocket.  She is a wheelchair user, writer, performer and disability advocate living on Naarm. She has been studying improvisation for four years and has taken scripted theatre classes. Nicole works for an accessible housing organisation and facilitates a writing course through Writers Victoria. 
– David Fowles – David is our firebrand wordsmith in true John Clarke style.  He launched his debut comedy show in 2022, hurtling between humour and the deadly serious, “Once More With Failing” is the true story of how violence affected David’s life from childhood and he is a powerful comedic storyteller. David is an actor, writer, stand-up comedian and singer of over thirty years, in Queensland and Victoria. 
– Justine Sless – Justine Sless is a Melbourne-based comedian, writer, humour academic and community worker. She performs, teaches, produces and writes stand-up comedy, has toured nationally and internationally, and was the former creative director of Melbourne Jewish Comedy Festival.  Her master’s in creative writing thesis became a book “Mistress of Mirth’s Comedy Tour” highlighted issues for women comedians on the comedy circuit. 

BOOK HERE!

NewKind Conference

Then I’ll be taking my camper trailer and my puppy for some Rest, Repair, and Redesign at the Newkind Conference.

Newkind is a festival-style social change conference that creates a space for people to come together to celebrate our humanity and inspire positive social action. It’s 4 days of discussion panels, workshops, arts, and entertainment with meals included while camping under the stars.

Newkind 2024 Saturday 2nd – Tuesday 5th of November on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Redbank, Victoria.

Disgraceful Christmas!

After that rehearsals begin for my upcoming Christmas show! It’s going to be a hoot! There’s inflatable trees, and I hope to be roller skating for some of it (pending A LOT of practice!)! There will also be singing, acting and storytelling, sharing hilarious tales of Christmases past. It’s an entirely new and standalone show – you don’t need to have seen Disgraceful to enjoy it (but if you did I’d love for you to come to this, to make the fact that I wrote a whole new show even more worthwhile)!

That’s probably quite enough from me!

Hope to see you at a show or in London!
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

August 2024 Nooze

Hello! Looks like I managed to sneak in an August update.

Skip this next paragraph if you just want to know about shows ‘n’ stuff!

How are you? I hope you’re well. Those of you in the northern hemisphere will be farewelling your brat summer. I’m sorry for you, but also I’m so relieved that I will no longer be tortured by your summer holiday photos, while I’ve been miserable in Melbourne winter! It’s been a cold one. I get seasonal affective disorder (SAD), on top of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and I also got flu recently. Add that to the general stress and work involved in being an adult, a mum, an artist who also has a demanding day job, world politics and wars destroying lives around the world, and living in late stage capitalism, and it’s been a TIME. I realise that many of those things won’t change just because spring arrives, but hopefully my ability to cope with them all will. I’m painfully aware of how lucky I am and I don’t want to come across as self-pitying, it’s more that I want to acknowledge that life can be challenging and there is so much to worry and feel sad about in the world, but those things aren’t everything, and it’s not helpful to let them consume you. So knowing that the bees are waking up, the flowers are blooming, I can go on long walks with my doggies, and spend time in the garden, helps and I’m grateful for that.

In other news

Queer Cabaret is back at Motley Bauhaus on 6th Sep! The last one was a crazy time, but it kind of revealed to me that I have a super power to keep going! And the audience’s love and enjoyment of it all also reminded me that these nights are so much flippin’ fun! If you’ve been before then come back, and if you haven’t been then you really, really should!

Meet the cast!

BOOK HERE!

Other gigs

Here’s a quick low down of some other upcoming gigs and links for more info:
– 10th Sep Jambo Comedy
– 19th Sep I’ll be the monologer for Improv Pit
– 20th Sep I’ll be back at Captain Melville’s

Environmental work

Through my work at Let Me Be Frank, I’m busy coordinating repair events for some Melbourne Councils. Check out Stonnington and Glen Eira‘s programs. It’s so great that Councils are investing in supporting their communities to adopt more circularity this way. And it’s great to see that Bayside has continued to build their repair events since we wrapped up the Roving Repair Program together.

I’m also going to be on a panel at the upcoming Zero Waste Festival. Eco-Networking Forum Turning Ideas into Impact is where we will help people (like you!) to develop your programs, plans, and actions to make the world a better and waste free place. I hope to see you there. (also – I’m excited to be on the stage at Fed Square, I’ve been in the audience so many times!)

More news coming in September, including a special announcement (ooh!).

Thanks for reading to the end.
Love you.
Bye.
x

July 2024 eNooze

Hello!
I hope all is well in your world. I had a fabulous time in Hobart for the Festival of Voices and I’ll share some official pics when I have them.

This is just a quickie to let you know about some upcoming gigs and a Flash Sale for Queer Cabaret, which is this Saturday at The Motley Bauhaus. The sale ends 2pm on Thurs 11th July, so get in quick for 50% off tickets!

Yes – I made a silly video to get attention for this!

This Friday (12th July) I’m on the line up at Captain Melville Comedy. It’s a cute bluestone pub in Melbourne and it’s very easy to get to on Public Transport. Hope to see you there!

With my comedy wife!

Next week I’ll be at Cherry Bomb Comedy.

What a great line up!

Then on 28th July I’ll be performing again with Maison Burlesque as part of their Cherry Poppers Showcase. I’m on the matinee show, but you should come to both! It’s a great way to watch a huge variety of performers and performance styles, within the burlesque banner! Always a great event.

That’s all for now.

Stay warm. Stay hydrated. Be kind.

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

June 2024 Nooze

Hello my lovely followers!
I hope you’re well. Those of you in the northern hemisphere, I hope you are enjoying some glorious weather and have fun plans for summer.
Those of you in the southern hemisphere with me, I hope you’re staying warm and have a good beanie!
Those of you in the middle – enjoy the seasonlessness of eternal sunshine!
Things have remained pretty steady for me. I’ve had some very fun gigs and jobs.

I also had the pleasure of joining Garry Starr (aka Damien Warren-Smith) as a participant in his Clowning for Beginners workshop. I had studied a bit of clowning many moons ago and it was such a fun refresher and a chance to learn new things. Photo credit a fellow participant’s timer!
The workshop also made me realise that so much of what I do is in fact clowning! Especially…

LOAFAOKE

Nicky and I dusted off our Meat Loaf shirts, to do join in the incredible cast at Moulin Beige. As you can see the madness was glorious! Photo credit Tom Noble.

In a short while we’re heading to Tasmania to the Festival of Voices, to perform the full length show. It’s going to be so wonderful and fun and if you or anyone you know is in Hobart you should get tickets (but hurry because there aren’t many left!).

Queer Cabaret returns to Motley Bauhaus

I’m super excited to let you know that soon Queer Cabaret will be back at the glorious Motley Bauhaus.
Get ready for a night of unabashed fabulousness!
Expect a dazzling array of entertainment. This is not just a show—it’s a celebration of diversity, creativity, and joy!
So mark your calendars, grab your friends, and join us for a night of pure, unadulterated fun. Let’s warm the heart of our cockles this winter with Queer Cabaret!

Queer Cabaret 13th July FEATURING –

Book here

I have a few other lil gigs coming up. Follow me on Instagram to keep up date.
Until the next instalment of my snooze:
Take care.
Stay a comfortable temperature.
Drink water.
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye x

May 2024 eNooze

I’m back (in a much more punctual fashion this time!). Life is continuing to slowly and steadily improve.

I hope all my northern hemisphere friends are enjoying some spring weather, flowers blooming, bees buzzing and sun shining! Here in Melbourne it’s got quite wintry and the days already feel too short. It has allowed me to don my Leys School Noggin beanie though, which is a lovely connection to people and places far away.

My noggin beanie!
Also – my kids and I got a puppy! This is Iggy and she’s bringing us lots of joy!

I have a few gigs coming up

I’m pleased to say that as life is settling back down, I’m getting back up on stage. I’ve got a mixed bag of gigs this month, from storytelling, dancing, and comedy, to leading a workshop about writing for comedy as part of a regional literary festival.

  • 17th May, Captain Melville. I’m on the line up for this comedy night at a lovely blue stone pub in Melbourne’s CBD. I can’t find a ticket link, so here’s their FB page
  • 18th May, West Coburg Bowls Club Comedy Gala. I’m excited to be featured at this upcoming event that’s actually in my postcode! Billed as:
    “The best suburban comedy night returns to West Coburg Bowls Club! Enjoy a night of drinks, sausages and laughs as some of Melbourne’s best comedians perform on the Bowls Club stage! And yes, there will be a Meat Tray Raffle!”
  • 25th May, I’m hitting the road again to be part of the incredible QLit Wodonga.
    Not to be missed, Q-Lit is Victoria’s premier LGBTQIA+ literature festival, dedicated to celebrating the rich and vibrant history of language and storytelling within the queer community. Born from the understanding that LGBTQIA+ culture has a long-standing tradition of utilising language in unique and powerful ways, Q-Lit seeks to honour and elevate these voices.
    With a focus on connecting regional and metropolitan queer writers, the festival brings together a diverse array of queer writers and creators, transcending genres and mediums to create a truly inclusive and inspiring event.
  • 26th May, Maison Burlesque Cherry Poppers Showcase. I’m taking my clothes off on stage again, with the wonderful folk from Maison Burlesque! Getting more comfortable with my body has been a huge journey for me and I have to pinch myself that I’m doing this – but I am! It’s always an awesome show, featuring so many great acts. I hope to see you there. I’m in the matinee show but if you can’t make that I still recommend you get along to the evening show.
  • 29th May, Generation Women. I’m delighted to return to the Generation Women stage at Howler in team 50s for the first time (it’s my birthday on Wednesday, thank you!). This time I will be sharing a Melbourne story, in three parts!
    Global phenomenon, Generation Women blends a lively literary salon with the tradition of handing down wisdom from community elders. It’s women’s stories but men are welcome to attend. The theme is Melbourne Stories!

The High Life Expo

Let Me Be Frank is producing the High Life Expo, to address the gap in programs and education for people living in or owning apartments or units, to implement sustainability measures.
Learn how to make apartments, apartment buildings, and units more comfortable, efficient, healthy, and lovely to live in:
– Hear from sustainability and strata experts
– Learn from other owners corporations, apartment owners, and residents
– Meet quality suppliers and installers of energy efficiency and sustainable products
– Find out about government rebates
Come along to the expo, where you can learn more about EVs and charging, Solar and renewable energy, Electrification, Thermal comfort,  Double glazing,  Decision making in strata, Planting for coolin, Energy efficiency, Apartment living for renters, Better waste management, and Building community.
It’s a free event but bookings are essential. Please share this through your networks.

Saturday 1 June 2024 | RACV City Club, 501 Bourke St, Naarm / Melbourne

That’s all for now.

Hope to see you soon.
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

Coming up for air!

Hi! It’s been a while.
The past few months did not go according to plan or expectations. Life really threw me a curveball and I’ve been mostly in survival mode since mid December.
Things are still not quite on an even keel (which btw means the lengthwise timber or steel structure along the base of a ship!), but I feel like I’m coming up for air and looking around, blinking, in the daylight!

Despite canceling most of my gigs and shows for early 2024 there were a few little highlights!

Nicky and I had a mini break in Clare, SA to put on Unbridled!

Nicky Barry and I managed to hot foot to SA and do a one night only performance of Unbridled for the unsuspecting folk of Clare. What a pretty place and what a lovely crowd!

Loafaoke was a big hit at Newcastle Fringe Festival!

Then we came home to Melbourne for a couple of weeks, before taking Loafaoke to Newcastle Fringe Festival – Australia’s biggest little fringe festival!

We had an absolute blast. The people of Newcastle were well up for a singalong and there were some true die hard Meat Loaf fans there, who loved the show.

We got back in time for Melbourne International Comedy Festival

My offspring and I have been supporting Jo Ghastly with her show The Cool Mum, which you only have two more chances to catch!

I’ve done a couple of spots at Laugh Later by Comedy Victoria, which was super fun and a great place to check out a few comedians who are part of the festival, but it’s finished now!

I haven’t managed to see many shows and feel bad that I can’t make recommendations. Also some of the shows I would have recommend have already finished their run!

If you’re looking for ways to check out some acts and then decide whose show you want to see here’s some ways to do that:

And Nicky has a new solo show, Proclivity, which you can catch until the end of the festival.

Coming soon!

In May I’m returning to Generation Women and will be making my first appearance in Team 50s, as it’s a few weeks after my big 0 bday!
(What? I know! Stop it! Etc)

I’ll also be returning for another Cherry Poppers Showcase with Maison Burlesque. Links to follow when they’re live!

That’s probably enough of a catch up for now.
I hope you’re doing ok and life is treating you better than it’s been treating me!
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

Nov-Dec 2023 Combined eNooze

Greetings!

Sorry for the late eNooze for November. It’s so late that I’m just combining it with December!

I’ve been very busy. Fringe was a dream – I had so many incredible acts on for Queer Cabaret and the audiences were warm and loud – it was so much fun. I also watched a few incredible shows. I was sharing on Instagram. If you don’t already follow me on there, then I suggest you do, because I’m much better at staying up to date there!
Above is a gorgeous pic of me and my super star tech (also a performer, playwright and all round good human) Abbey Hanson. #recommend!

After Fringe I collapsed in a heap and got Covid (third time’s a charm!).

Then I bounced back in time to have my first Outback adventure!
I was itching to take my beautiful new teardrop camper on the road and Darren Markey was planning a location scout in the Flinders Ranges SA. So, I sweet talked my way along! Bailey the dog joined us and we hit the road!
The outback blew my tiny mind!
I was also in absolute awe as to the size of Australia. In total we drove about 14 hours away from Melbourne – and still didn’t even get close to the middle of the country!
Mobile home #vanlyfe

Then I went to Wynnum

Sadly the run of Disgraceful as part of Wynnum Fringe didn’t go according to plan!
I did one show, which was heaps of fun, with a lovely audience. Some people who attended were kind enough to give the show shout outs on social media.
I was pumped to perform the second show two nights later, but the festival had to cancel all shows that evening due to high wind! Safety comes first. I couldn’t stick around to reschedule, as I had events and work I needed to get back to in Melbourne.
Thankfully I was staying with a friend, who are rarely get to see, so at least I had someone to give me a hug rather than hang out on my own in a hotel or bnb.

Wynnum Fringe is on until 3rd December. There’s an awesome program of events, put together by the incredible team, led by Tom Oliver. Get along to it if you can!
Here’s some of the nice comments I spotted after the first show

Coming up!

After a very busy year, I’m looking forward to a little down time from mid December.
Here’s some chances to catch me performing before that:
-2nd December 10pm, Laugh Later at The Butterfly Club
– 4th December 7pm, The Downstairs Review also at The Butterfly Club
– 17th December 8.15pm, Maison Burlesque’s Cherry Poppers Showcase at Max Watts
After a *little break I will then make my Perth Fringe World debut in January at Fringe As F**K. Produced and hosted by the incredible Tash York.
*If you would like to book me for a gig or show please reach out – the novelty of a break might vanish quickly! 

Photo by Michael Reynolds, taken at The Bergy Bandroom. Just in case you wanted to remember what I look like performing!

Call out for performers wanting to promote Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows!

EOI Pre-Comedy — Jack Brady presents…

Register for “Pre-Comedy” Showcase to promote your MICF shows – 30th March, 6th April, 13th April at 4.30 at Theory Bar in the CBD. 

An opportunity for MICF acts to perform 3 – 6 min teasers of their shows.  *genres coming at you – cabaret, musical, character, stand-up, sketch & improv.”Hosted by Jack Brady, Theory Bar brings you some of the quirkiest and funniest of topical and political pointedness in a preview showcase every Saturday at 4.30pm.  *Acts include a variety of genres and can include cabaret, musical, character, stand-up, sketch and improv.  Please register your interest by clicking the link and filling in the form. 
Seeya ’round!
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

Oct 2023 eNooze

Well it looks like another month has slipped through the hands of time!
What a month it was!

Disgraceful had it’s New South Wales premiere as part of Sydney Fringe. I was in the gorgeous Erskineville Town Hall – aka The Emerging Artists Sharehouse. The show went well. I sold out one night and nearly sold out two others. Here’s some of the lovely things people said:

I was also on tech desk for my comedy wife Nicky Barry’s solo show It’s What She Would Have Wanted. A beautiful storytelling show about how Nicky got into comedy.
The show was nominated for an award.
So a good result all round!

Nicky and I then put on a three night run of our very silly Meat Loaf singalong show Loafaoke. The first night ticket numbers were low but then only one person showed up! So we did the whole show to this one person! During the show we discovered that he had known Meat Loaf the man! He’d worked with him!
After the show I asked if he thought Meat Loaf would have enjoyed it and he gave a resounding yes! It felt so entirely appropriate for a Fringe Festival! The following two shows were big hits too, (with lots more in attendance!) with people getting into the spirit of the show and joining in the songs!

A huge thanks to Sydney Fringe for having us! And all who joined us there and supported the arts!

Now I’m back in Melbourne and it’s Melbourne Fringe Festival time!

I’m producing and hosting three Queer Cabaret variety nights at The Motley Bauhaus. I have incredible line ups including:

  • Harry Morrissey
  • Josh CakeMichele Da Costa
  • Jack Brady
  • Jaxson Garni
  • Jenna Schroder
  • Eros Storm
  • Cherry Charleston
  • Sharon Booth
  • Christopher Fieldus
  • Adore Handel
  • Becky Steepe
  • Maddy Weeks
  • B.R.A.D.D.
  • Sharyn Booth

    with me as your host with the most, your compere beyond compare, the pocket rocket etc etc!
    It’s going to be fun and sexy! See you there.

Wynnum Fringe

Post Melbourne Fringe I’ll be back on the road (actually air), taking Disgraceful to Wynnum Fringe in Queensland. If you are – or you know people who are – in QLD please share this with them. Once again, I’m going to an unknown place and hoping that people will take a chance on me!

That’s it for now.

Stay well. Be happy. Drink water.

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

September 2023 eNooze

Happy first day of Spring in Melbourne!

I know a lot of my readers are not in Melbourne. Some of you are also welcoming in Spring. Many are farewelling summer. I have enjoyed all your summer holiday pics on social media but now it’s time for the sun to shine here!
First things first
Tonight I’m one of the acts for Luke Belle Creative’s newest venture – the Vino Variety Night at the lovely Jamsheed Wines in Preston. It’s going to be fun and I’m sorry for the short notice but there are still a few tickets left, so you’re not too late to make a plan to join us tonight – 1st Sep 2023

SYDNEY!

I’m off to Sydney for my first Sydney Fringe!

Here’s what’s happening! (click on images for ticket links)

And then…

Other things at Sydney Fringe

Just in case you want some recommendations for Sydney Fringe here’s a list of shows I have seen and loved and want to see again or have wanted to see:

  • My comedy wife’s solo show It’s What She Would Have Wanted – it’s a beautiful, hilarious and moving show. SEE IT!
  • Garry Starr Greece Lightning – a clever and silly show that draws on all of all Greek Mythology
  • Decadence and Debauchery – A stunning burlesque variety show – what it says on the tin!
  • Moist – thirst-trap acrobatics in a neon-drenched, disco distopia, blending cheeky humor, campy theatrics, and watery stunts
  • Mush – clowing and whimsical silliness!
  • A Musical Enema – MIchael Wheatley is fab, so I want to check this one out!
  • Yummy Iconic – an absolutely stunning burlesque/drag/circus show. I love Yummy so much!
  • Oh gosh – there’s loads more! Check it all out on the Sydney Fringe website

    Then I’ll be back in Melbourne. I’ll no doubt have a few gigs when I get back and then it’s Melbournge Fringe Festival!
    And this is happening!

With lots of other amazing performers too!

Hope to see you soon!
Follow me on Instagram for up to date gigs.
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

Hi there!

Hello! How are you?
I’m ok. Life has thrown a few challenges my way lately, as it does from time to time. Let’s not dwell on that though…

Here’s some good things!

I am so excited to share with you the Proof Of Concept for THE WOMAN BY THE WATER – a feature film in development.
Written by Darren Markey, with story by me and Darren. This proof of concept was directed by Darren and the feature film will be directed by the incredible Mia de Rauch of Flipswitch Media.

The stunning footage was shot by Mia’s team – Riley and Willem and features Libby Brockman.
It’s such a great team. We all have a shared vision for this fairytale and – as you can see – it’s going to be truly magical!
(If you have a spare mil or two and want to see this made into a feature lemme know!)
Enjoy!
And please do let me know what you think!

Other non-show things

I wrote my first LinkedIn article. You can read it here. It’s about the circular economy – an economic model designed to be waste free!

Show stuff

You can catch me on 4th Aug at the inaugural Vino Variety Night at the very lovely Jamsheed wines in Preston.
 
Then I’ll be at Comedy at Red Betty on 8th Aug, before hitting the road to Canberra for Disgraceful on the 12th!
TICKETS
If you know anyone in Canberra please pass it on!
When I get back I will be able to make a special announcement about the next interstate location for Disgraceful!

Call out for LGBTIQA+ performers with a connection to
The Mornington Peninsula

If you’re a performer, who has a connection to the Mornington Peninsula and would like to perform as part of a line up Queer Cabaret line up show for Flinders Fringe please complete this Jotform.


And if it’s not you but you know someone please pass this on!
Thank you

Until next time!
Follow me on Instagram to get the latest gigs.
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x