Lucy Best; Entertainer, Writer, Producer, Performer, Community Development

September 2022 eNooze

“The deep roots never doubt spring will come”. – Marty Rubin

Spring is here and I am pleased
Here in the Southern Hemisphere things are brightening up, after a long and virus filled winter. Bring it on!

Here’s a pic of a nectarine bloom in my garden from this morning. You’re welcome.

Melbourne Fringe Program has launched!
It’s September 3^rd, which means last night the Melbourne Fringe 2022 program launched. It was a very fine celebration. We celebrated Fringe being back in person, after three years of being scuppered by Covid AND Fringe turning 40.
I reckon it’s going to be a ripper of a festival this year.

Fringe festival will feature over 450 events. There’s also the return of the Fringe parade and block party.

Check out the full program here.

What am I doing you ask?

Well… I’m directing Jacci Pillar’s new show, Gold Star Failure, which you can catch at Trades Hall. Jacci is a multitalented performer, with some cracking tales to tell. Produced by Sally Goldner. I am so thrilled to be part of the Gold Star Failure team.

Nicky Barry and I are also doing a short run (just the three Sundays) of our new interactive show Loafaoke. It’s a mass singalong to Meatloaf classics. Sound ridiculous? It is!
It’s the kind of show you can drop in to, stay for one song and maybe a cocktail at Evie’s Disco Diner, or stay for the whole hour and sing until you can’t sing anymore! We will also be joined by some very special guests (who are much better singers than us).
See you there!
As you can see Fringe launches on 6^th October with a fabulous gala celebration. You may get a sneak peak of Laofaoke there if you join the glitz and glamour!

September gigs
While we wait for Fringe to open, you can catch me at a few gigs. I might pick up a few extra gigs (so that I can give out some flyers), so follow me on the socials to keep up to date.

7^th Sep Bertie’s Comedy Jam at Lucky Coq,179 Chapel St, Windsor. Always a fun and loose night
10^th Sep I will be part of comedy and TV legend Tony Martin, Live at the Slovenia Club
16^th Sep – this is actually a music gig but sure to be lots of fun. I am joining Retro Entertainment for the night and singing a few classics for the good folk of Port Arlington at Saints and Sailors I can finally justify the sailor outfit out bought 😉
21^st Sep – Comedy at Tallboy and Moose This will be my first time performing at this brewery in Preston and going by the line up it’s going to be a cracker!
22^nd Sep Queer Comedy is back. I’m trying a new venue for this well established night. The bar is called Bad Decisions, which might be highly appropriate but I reckon coming along will be a good decision (see what I did there?)

SCREEN TALES in Castlemaine
After the success of Screen Tales in Blackwood in Autumn, screenwriter and producer, Darren Markey, is delivering his interactive storytelling for screen weekend workshop in Castlemaine (with help from me) for Spring.
The workshop is pitched as writing for screen, but shares broad theories and exercises about storytelling and writing. I highly recommend the workshop for anyone wanting to hone their storytelling craft.
The Spring edition is being hosted by Northern Arts Hotel‘s Coolroom.
Castlemaine has become a foodie destination over the past few years. If you’re thinking of having a weekend away this Spring then this weekend will offer everything. You can start your days with a morning stroll through the Castlemaine botanical gardens, work on your storytelling with like minded friends during the day, and close the days off with delicious food and wine from the region, before heading back to your comfortable and stylish digs. Sounds divine!
Here’s some of the feedback from the last Screen Tales weekend:
‘…informative…fun and inspiring…Incredible value and highly recommended.’
Genevieve, screenwriter
‘…such a delightful weekend…very inspired, thank you.’
Amanda, poet
‘…highly engaging…entertaining… SCREEN TALES was worthwhile on every level to inspire and inform.’
Cecilia, novelist

Book here

That’s bye from me
For my October eNooze I will share some recommendations for Fringe.
Until then, stay sensational.
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

Award winning storytelling night withGeneration Women Australia

I am thrilled to share that I am going to be team 40s (what? No? Stop it!) for Generation Women Australia’s Secrets and Lies show.
That’s right. I am going to share a secret. EEEK!

About Generation Women

Revel in great storytelling, unexpected voices and shared wisdom spanning the ages.Winner Best Spoken Word at Sydney Fringe 2019 and featured in All About Women 2020 at the Sydney Opera House, Generation Women celebrates and amplifies women’s voices and creativity. Each month, six women of note read an original piece on a theme. Of those women, one is in her 20s, her 30s, her 40s, her 50s, her 60s, and her 70s+. Our diverse line-ups will make you laugh, cry, and think.

Generation Women is a unique, intimate storytelling night that brings together women of all ages.

Secrets and Lies

Theme: Secrets & Lies: What you don’t know about me. We’ve all got secrets. We’ve all told lies. For August Generation Women have invited superstar storytellers to share a tale about something you don’t know about them. Expect Generation Women’s usual blend of heartfelt and hilarious as they celebrate six generations of storytellers. Whether it’s a confession, confidential, or clandestine, this month at Generation Women, it’s time to spill!

Line-up:

Team 20s: Annie Louey is an award-winning comedian, writer and presenter who you may have seen on ABC TV shows like The Weekly and China Tonight. She has been touring Australia recently with the Comedy Festival Roadshow. It’s also no secret that she’s tasted over 150 flavours of potato chip.

Team 30s: Jeanette Cheah is the founder and CEO of HEX, an award-winning edtech company delivering internationally recognised innovation and entrepreneurship programs to university students and the next generation of talent. A globally in-demand corporate keynote speaker and panelist, she is also a guest lecturer and mentor at universities around Australia and an advocate for tech inclusion and diversity in business worldwide. Jeanette has represented Australia at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance in Argentina, was a Telstra Business Women’s Awards finalist, and in 2021 was named a 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian and category winner for Entrepreneurship.

Team 40s: Lucy Best is an Australian-based British comedian, MC, writer and producer. She performs Stand Up Comedy, Cabaret, Music and Theatre around Australia and internationally. Lucy’s work regularly includes her hilarious hot takes on themes of feminism, mental health, social justice, sex positivity and gender and sexual diversity.

Team 50s: Anita Bentata. Survivor. Author of The Wolf in a Suit. ‘Retired’ psychotherapist of 27 years. Anita developed theories and solutions about domestic violence, love, trauma and therapy. Recipient of two international awards and national recognition. Anita mentors women to live free, from the past, relationship story, habits, or current environment.

Team 60s: Lyn Yeowart is a consulting writer and editor, and author of the award-winning bestseller The Silent Listener, a psychological thriller based on events from her childhood. She’s self-assured and shy…boisterous and mild…hilarious and solemn…fascinating and boring…profound and shallow…hard-working and lazy…honest and deceptive…it all depends on her perspective—and yours.

Team 70s: Jane Clifton has a 5 decade-long, show-business career. Including a number of roles in Australian TV shows from Division 4, Homicide, Ryan, Bluey to Holiday Island. Fronting the ground-breaking feminists-on-Countdown band STILETTO, being part of the smash-hit stage shows MUM’S THE WORD and MENOPAUSE – THE MUSICAL, her top 10 pop singles GIRL ON THE WALL and TAXI MARY. Penning 3 published crime novels and an anthology of poetry A Day At A Time In Rhyme. Jane will always be best remembered for a role she played 40 years ago: MARGO in Prisoner/Cell-Block H.Book your tickets

Times: Doors at 6.30pm, Show starts at 7pmTickets: Member $15+bf | Non-member $25+bf (Become a member here)
I hope to see some of you there.
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I live and work on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation.
Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.

August 2022 eNooze

Vitamin D deficiency REPRESENT!
It seems like just about everyone here in Melbourne is facing some challenges and several people I know (including me) are experience SAD – thanks to a lack of vitamin D. The Sun is starting to make the odd cameo appearance, so enjoy it when you can folks.

August Gigs

Catch me in August in Melbourne, Adelaide or Geelong. WOO!

– Saturday 6th August, Astronomical Cosmic Comedy, Club Voltaire, North Melbourne
– 10th August, Bertie’s Comedy Jam, Lucky Coq, Windsor
– 12th August, Jake Smith hosts Adelaide Comedy, Rhino Room, Adelaide
– 20th August, A Night of Music and Good Times at Coburg RSL
– 26th August, Friday Night Comedy at The Brewery Geelong

Bye then.
In September I will be able to make some exciting (for me at least) festival announcements.
Hope to see you at a gig soon.
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

July eNooze

Hey friends. I sent this out to my mailing list on Saturday, so we’re already one gig down but getting this to my online subscribers now, in case you can make it to any of my July gigs. I hope to see you there!

“I ascribe to Mark Twain’s theory that the last person who should be President is the one who wants it the most. The one who should be picked is the one who should be dragged kicking and screaming into the White House.”
― Bill Hicks

Swings and roundabouts… ups and downs… snakes and ladders…

How is everyone? I have been deeply disturbed by the reversal of women’s rights in the US. Thankfully within a week came the news of two high profile sexual predators being sentenced and people speaking up about former president Trump’s alarmingly unhinged behaviour.
This has been followed by shifts in politics around the world and another high profile unhinged political leader resigning (although that took a bit of work!).
I cling to hope that the right wing dominance of so many industrialised countries is coming to an end.
I feel quite powerless but I do have access to a microphone and recently felt I was channelling Bill Hicks in a set I did that ended with an “up yours” to the US Supreme Court. I was high fived by two men when I left the stage, which warmed the cockles of my heart!

Gigs (links to book on images below)

If you want to catch me and my newly developed comedic rants here’s some opportunities:

14th July. PROMPT Comedy (I have been given a prompt and now I need to write a set about it). Blackwoods Wine and Cocktail Bar, 137 Chapel St, Windsor. 8pm
23rd July. Astronomical Cosmic Comedy (I need to write a set about this theme too). Club Voltaire. 7.30pm
27th July. Queer Comedy (heck yes!), with guest Compere, National RAW Comedy Winner 2021, Prue Blake. We’ve got a jam packed line up and are being joined by some of our straight friends (cos they’ve heard how much fun we have!). Everyone is welcome.
George’s Bar, Fitzroy. Doors 5pm, show starts 8ish. Get there early to get a table.
29th July. Late Night Laughs. Palace of Magnificent Experience (POME), 267 Swan St, Richmond. 11pm (might have to have a nap ahead of this one)

See you soon!

It might seem crazy for me to decide that ranting in my comedy sets could be a tool for me to help make the world a better place, but I’m going to give it a go. Hope to see you at a gig soon. Please do come and say hi. I recently met a follower at a gig and (mixed with my fear that I would be a disappointment off stage) I was thrilled.
Thank you.
Love you.
Byeeee.

June 2022 eNooze

I wondered if hurdlers ever thought, you know, “This would go faster if we just got rid of the hurdles.” ― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

Keeping on keeping on

After the dream run of my first full length solo show I have had a trying week! I’ve been sick, my kids have been sick, the weather is rubbish, the mornings are dark. But I’m doing what I always do – keeping on keeping on!

Some friends and I got matching tattoos to remind us of our strength in the face of, well, everything!

What’s next for Disgraceful?

Like all of us, Disgraceful is a work in progress.
Thanks to some of the on stage learnings, I plan to make some tweaks and adjustments. I have an incredible sense of satisfaction and achievement from doing EVERYTHING myself (writing, directing, producing, recording, design, wardrobe, graphic design, marketing etc), with support from my cabaret mentor, Tash York. However moving forward I will be formally getting some support with some of the parts of the show I want to develop. For example some choreography for the musical numbers, instead of of me just awkwardly jumping around and waving my arms about!
I plan to put the show back on later this year, before taking it on tour in 2023.
Watch this space for updates!

Gigs

Lots of south side gigs this month!

15th June – Comedy at Classic, 9 Gordon St, ElsternwickDoors 7.30pm show starts 8pm
16th June Drag Disco Diner, 15 Holmes Rd, Moonee Ponds 7pm
19th June (my brother’s birthday and) Red Eye Comedy, 17 Carlisle St, St Kilda 7pm –
21st June Red Betty Comedy, 859A Sydney Rd, Brunswick (enter through Cozens st laneway at the back) 7pm
28th June Smiling Politely, 303 High St, Northcote 8pm
29th June Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor 9pm

Come to a gig and say hi.

And FYI for those following from the Northern Hemisphere I will be there for the festive season late Dec to mid Jan. If you have places I can gig, please let me know and I’ll come and do a cheeky spot. And if you want to have a pint and a pack of crisps with me in a pub with a fire and people with their dogs then sign me up!

Thank you.
Love you.
Byee

Three more chances to catch Disgraceful at The Butterfly Club

The most important freedom is freedom from your own self-judgment
-Vironika Tugaleva

The show is going well, I am (as always) struggling with my inner judge (hence the quote) but these lovely reviews are making me feel a lot better!

“...very funny one-woman show… resolutely unapologetic or regretful… Best’s delivery is surprisingly clean… consistently funny…
Best’s on-stage persona being especially warm and affable… slick delivery” – Jim Schembri

“There is a vulnerability and self-consciousness in Best’s storytelling that is both relatable and admirable… warmness, grace and sharp humour” – Arts Hub

“Disgraceful is a funny… in-your-face trip down memory lane crossing times, trends, and continents. Lucy Best does what she does best – tells a story of ‘getting your sh/t together’… or not.” – Weekend Notes

Book tickets here!

MUAH/ Styling and Photography: Rachel Mia

I hope to see you there.
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

May 2022 eNooze

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” – Babe Ruth

Sorry I’m a bit late with this one. I had covid in April and have been moving a little slower ever since. I’m ok though!
My focus this month is Disgraceful! I am so excited to be putting this on at the glorious cabaret venue, The Butterfly Club. I am also terrified, hence the Babe Ruth quote! I love working with The Butterfly Club and my cabaret mentor, Tash York. The show has really developed since it was covid cancelled in 2021 and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Book tickets here!

Other gigs

Before Disgraceful opens I’m squeezing in some gigs (and handing out some flyers!).

18^th May Always a fun night, with a gorgeous crowd, Queer Comedy is on this Wednesday at George’s Bar, FitzroyMay’s line up will feature James G Warren as MC, with special guests: Heather Joan, Miles Campisi, Helena Hogan, Joe Dolan, Sez, Jasmine Francis, Will Tim-son and ME!

19^th May Will be the first time I’m performing at The Rochester’s regular Thursday comedy. It’d be great to see some familiar faces in the crowd.

25^th May I’ll be at Comedy on Chapel for some late night comedyThe poster looks like a Blues Brother gate crashed a recital and I’m here for it. According to their facebook page “if fun is your thing come check it out”!

Then Disgraceful opens on 30^th May and runs for 6 nights.

Book your tickets here.

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.

April 2022 eNooze

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced – (I saw this on Amy Bodossian’s Instagram. It is a quote from) James Baldwin

Unbridled is over and now I’m home and in bed with Covid!

We had an absolute hoot and we’re all very proud of the way the show has continued to improve. We will be planning our world tour as soon as possible/we find a wealthy sponsor!

Other shows

There’s still plenty of shows to see because comedy festival is on until 24^th April.
Also check out this great website, promoting shows by women and under-represented artists.
Now that Unbridled has wrapped, I was hoping to get along to shows but now I’m in bed with Covid, so that’s that!
George’s comedy all stars line up I’ll be on the line up for George’s Comedy Wednesday’s All Stars line up on 20th April.

Mistress of Mirth book

Justine’s Sless’s book The Mistress of Mirth’s Comedy Tour, on 9th April at The Athenaeum Library.

The book is fantastic and I think should be compulsory reading for anyone with an interest in comedy and/or how to combat gender based violence. It’s funny and clever. It’s well researched and shines a light on some important issues, whilst also acknowledging how we might overcome them.

Justine Sless at he book launch. Photo by me!

March 2022 eNooze

Not everything that happens to us occurs with reference to something about us. To be calm, we must reduce the weight of our proud and unrealistic modern individualism – School of Life

Hello! How are you?

I know that the world is full of scary and sad stuff but it is also full of good things. This eNews is an attempt to share some of the good things in my life, with you, in the hope that they might become good things in your life too.

Making art

I had the very great privilege of working with Rachel Mia once more.
Here’s Mandy – we had so much fun coming up with her back story. She won this hat at the realtor (or possibly tupperware) awards in her home town in America’s deep south! Yes – those are tiny me/ Mandy falling from the hat!Rachel is a creative (and technical) genius!

When you find yourself wearing a pink wig and wearable art by Gun Shy and Rachel Mia asks if you’re up for climbing a tree, you know you’re living your best life!
Tree/ magnificent bird images to come!

West Side Comedy

Me and my dear friend and comedy comrade/ wife, Nicky Barry, launched a new comedy competition night, with a musical element. We had two shows but sadly the venue was unable to host us any longer. We had a hoot and we love the model.
Nicky and I had also lined up an incredible bunch of hilarious performers, who we are keen to work with. So, watch this space for an announcement of new dates/ venue soon.

SCREEN TALES
Love film?
Love storytelling?

Then come and join me and working screenwriter/producer, Darren Markey, for an entertaining workshop, where you will build your knowledge of film and screenwriting.
SCREEN TALES is ideal for aspiring storytellers and/or screenwriters – and most importantly – anyone who loves film.

Photo credit: LB – Sharyn Booth/ Darren Markey – Leon Walking

You can book into either a weekend long intensive workshop in beautiful Blackwood (March 26/27), where Darren Markey’s first completed feature film THE UNLIT was partly shot, or over six weeks at multi-arts space the Palace of Magnificent Experience – POME (April 2 – May 14) in Richmond.
Find out more and book for Blackwood
Find out more and book at POME

Upcoming gigs

Tuesday 8th March is International Women’s Day. The theme this year is Break the Bias.

I’m going to be doing my bit to #BreakTheBias at Gaso Comedy – 8th March 2022
The Gaso, 484 Smith st, Collingwood. Doors 7.30
Gaso Comedy prides itself on putting on uncensored stand up comedy, so I’ll be there with an uncensored femmo rant (which will of course be hilarious and insightful).

Punch club – 10th March 2022
Upstairs at The Oxford Scholar, 427 Swanson St, Melb CBD
7pm doors. 8pm show start.
Punch Club: Thursday Night Comedy, is the newest weekly show in Melbourne.
Nicky Barry and I will be co-hosting a handpicked showcase of of some of the funniest comedians in Melbourne (& beyond).
Tickets: $7 presale / $10 on the door. Student tix $5.

Queer comedy – 23rd March
George’s Bar, 120 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. Doors 6pm, showtime 8(ish)pm
For the March edition our guest MC Julien Furnace will be joined by:

Me!
Josh Moyes
Maren Whittaker
Cavie
Thomas Banks
Luke Belle and more!

Unbridled – 30th Mar- 2nd April 2022Bard’s Apothecary, 7/24 Crossley St, Melbourne. 6.45pm
Unbridled is back for Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022.
In case you didn’t know it was a huge success last year at The Butterfly Club (where, incidentally Disgraceful will be on in May).

‘This show needs to come with a disclaimer: causes doubts in the institute of marriage and “leakage” due to laughing.‘ – Weekend Notes
Book here

I hope this has cheered you up.
I hope you have some good things in your life.
I hope you can come to my shows.
I hope we can all work together to #BreakTheBias and create equality for ALL.
I hope you follow me on the socials! If not please do!
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

January eNews

Sorry for the delay in getting the January eNews to you. I’ve been a bit stuck about what to say. Announcing any upcoming gigs felt like setting myself up to have to unannounce them and I didn’t really have any words of wisdom for 2022, as things just went back to being so uncertain.

After next month it will be the year of the tiger though, and that’s my year. So that’s something.

26^th Jan – Queer Comedy Invasion day for Comedy at George‘s Bar Fitzroy, MC’d by my dear friend Michele da Costa. I’ll be there too. Hope to see you there.
30^th Jan – Lemon Comedy for Midsumma. Lemon Comedy Pride Edition is hosted by radio personalities ‘Annie (also one of my favourite people and comics!) and Ando’ from JOY94.9 (Australia’s only LGBTQ+ radio station).
7th Feb (sneaking an early Feb one in, just in case I am late again) – Kent St, Comedy. I’ll be MCing in this great new room in Melbourne’s iconic Kent St Bar

Day job news!
In my day job I work at Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV).
SRV is a community legal centre, that supports people experiencing or at risk of elder abuse. I am not at the front line, having to deal with the very sad cases that come to us. Our incredible team of advocates and lawyers do that. I work on a prevention project, aimed to educate people to help them protect themselves.

During lockdown in 2021 I worked with Seven Dimensions to produce a series of videos to help people understand the importance of planning ahead and making sure people close to you know what’s important to you. I asked some friends to film themselves talking about what matters to them. I wrote stories about the ways that things can go wrong, even with the best of intentions. Despite the obvious challenges the world threw at us I am really proud of the result. You can view them here.

In February I’ll be (hopefully) heading to Hobart to speak at Seventh Annual Elder Abuse Conference – NEAC 2002.

Over and out until February….