Kaleidoscope of imagination — Mudfest paper-free – student art festival #Melbourne #Uni #geekgirl

Artist Bree O'Dwyer

About

Mudfest is the University of Melbourne’s student arts and drama festival and in 2011 will run from the 18th – 28th August.  Over 21 years Mudfest has grown to become the largest student arts festival in Australia, and the program includes theatre, creative writing, dance, cabaret, visual art, opera, musical theatre, installation and performance and everything in between! The theme for this year’s festival is the ‘Kaleidoscope of imagination’ - celebrating and showcasing the creative and imaginative talents emerging from the University of Melbourne.

The Mudfest student arts and culture festival has grown to encompass all forms of artistic expression since it began in 1990. Presented every two years by the University of Melbourne Student Union, Mudfest nurtures, encourages and supports new and innovative arts practices amongst the students, whilst also providing them with professional and creative development opportunities.

Ten days of unbridled, back-to-back artwork. It’s by the students, for the students. Show us how you see the world.

Mudfest 2011: 18^th- 28^th August.

For tickets, program details and further information visit: http://mudfest.org.au/

http://twitter.com/#!/mudfest2011

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002347879401

This year Mudfest is also a paper-free festival!!

Artist call out to participate in Splendid #ArtsLab #collaboration #geekgirl

WHO
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Calling creatives of all stripes who have an inquisitive mind, an innovative approach and a desire to collaborate to participate in the 2011 Splendid program.

Splendid is open to artists (under 30 years or in the first 5 years of their practice) who work in the visual arts, theatre, dance, design, installation, architecture, digital media, sound, text and other creative pursuits.

WHAT
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We are seeking the next generation of young and emerging artists to participate in a 3 week intensive residency to dream up ideas
and create work for festival audiences.

The Splendid program offers participating artists opportunities to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment that encourages critical thinking and experimentation. “Splendid is attractive because you are dreaming up ideas while having to apply them to a real life rampaging rock context.” – Willoh S. Weiland, Splendid Artist 2010.

The Splendid program includes a residential Arts Lab, mentorship and opportunities to tour your work to major festivals around the world.

Collaborations and ideas conceived in the Arts Lab may enter a 4 month consultation and development period. Project proposals will then be submitted for presentation at Splendour in the Grass 2012.

The Lab will be facilitated by leading local and international artists including Fernando Llanos (Mexico – video art), David Clarkson (innovative physical theatre), Natalie Jeremijenko (USA - environmental art & design), Craig Walsh (site-specific projections), Paul Gazzola (Berlin – collaborative practice), Técha Noble, The Kingpins (art direction and performance) and more. Successful applicants to the 2011 Splendid program will:* Attend the Arts Lab from Monday 25 July to Friday 12 August, 2011.

* Participate in artist talks and a festival symposium.
* Receive tickets to Splendour in the Grass 2011.
* Submit a concept proposal for a new work to be commissioned by
Splendour in the Grass.
* Be given a fee to cover accommodation, travel and incidentals.

Still unsure of what we’re about? Come along to one of our briefing sessions. Meet people who have been through the Splendid program. We’ll let you know what Splendid is, why we do it and what we’re looking for from artists around the country. Find out when we’re visiting your city [http://www.splendid.org.au/events.shtml].

WHERE
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The 2011 Splendid Arts Lab residency will take place over 3 weeks in Lismore, NSW and the surrounding (rainbow) region and will include attendance at Splendour in the Grass at Woodfordia, QLD.”Different regions inspire people in different ways and to
escape the city and work in the country where the stories are different and the landscape is bigger can often be an inspiring change for artists.” – Julian Louis, Artistic Director of NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) and producing partner of Splendid.

WHEN
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Monday 25 July to Friday 12 August 2011

HOW
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Complete the Splendid 2011 Application Form. Download it HERE
[http://www.splendid.org.au/documents/application_form.pdf].

The Laudanum Project presents The Penny-Toy Man #Melbourne #theatre #eccentric #geekgirl

ThePenny-ToyMan

There is only one way through the squalid labyrinth of filthy lanes in London’s worst criminal rookery and that is in the secure company of Alphonse Cheese-Probert and Heapus Maximus. The men that know. The Laudanum Project.

“On the streets of Spitalfields the horror has now all but drained away but in 1884, the year of our Lord, the East End of London was, for a week or two, in the grip of something… infernal.”

So begins ‘The Penny-Toy Man’ the newest blood caked offering from the dark and fetid Laudanum Project. The snipes of the East End are vanishing and word is beginning to spread on street corners and in back alleys that perhaps kind old Albert Scratch is not all that he seems. In the slums, workhouses and sewers terrified Cockneys huddle against the chilled winds of pure evil as the blood begins to run in rivers and the gates of Hell slowly creak open.

Listing Information:
Venue: The Retreat Hotel, 226 Nicholson St  Abbotsford. PH: 03 9417 2693
Date: 7th 0f March 2011
Time: 8pm.
Duration: Approx 60 minutes.
Tickets: $15.00 On the door on the night or online from
www.thelaudanumproject.com

Contact: Nick Ravenswood
e-mail: laudanumpro@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Laudanum-Project/154078744236
www.twitter.com/LaudanumProject
www.myspace.com/laudanumproject

#Melbourne – 100 proofs that Earth is not a globe

A cross-media, pseudo-spiritual journey in search of The Truth.

 6:30pm at the Next Wave Festival Club, Melbourne (for 7pm sharp space shuttle departure)
 6 performances only
 Wed 19 May – Fri 21 May 2010
 Wed 26 May – Fri 28 May 2010

Marking the much-anticipated debut performance season of Melbourne artist collective Tape Projects, 100 Proofs the Earth is Not a Globe is a live art installation and guided performance that is part science project, part religious intervention. Meet at the 2010 Next Wave Festival Club where your journey begins; a space shuttle will ferry you to and from state-of-the-art research facilities in a galaxy not too far away.

This secular and spiritual space mission will launch on six nights only – will you be aboard?
100 Proofs Artists: Jessie Scott, Eugenia Lim, Zoe Scoglio, Michael Prior, Lee Anantawat, Cait Foran, Tanja Milbourne.

 More Info:
 http://tapeprojects.org/
 http://2010.nextwave.org.au/

FLY-ON-THE-WALL THEATRE presents Half A Person: My Life As Told By The Smiths #Melbourne

“I was looking for love and then I found love, but heaven knows I’m miserable now”

Written by ALEX BROUN
Directed by ROBERT CHUTER
Music Re-creation by SIMON POLINSKI & COLIN BERWICK
With MARK TAYLOR as William

William is a young man with three obsessions: very strong long blacks, pining for his lost Salome, and listening to The Smiths. He only exists to devour coffee, despise people and worship the patron saint of wrist-slashing ­ Steven Patrick Morrissey.

Just like his idol, the world he occupies can be cruel and lonely. He stumbles from café to cemetery in search of a companion or even just a confidant. He runs headlong into Salome; the obstructive agent of seduction who slithers her way into his life, and entices his addictive personality. Meanwhile, the best friend, Rick, whom he takes for granted, is struggling with his desire for William while confronting his own mortality.

A dark and funny play set to the music of The Smiths, the music that gives William a chance to be more than just half a person.

Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Dates: Thursday 20 – Sunday 30 May 2010
Times: Wednesday-Saturday 8.00pm, Saturday matinees 2.00pm & Sunday 6.30pm Tickets: $28.00 [Full] & $24.00 [Concession] (+ transaction fee) Bookings: 8290 7000 or www.chapeloffchapel.com.au

Erin Davidson presents Unspeakable 2010 at MICF

Comedy gets the silent treatment again in 2010 as part of the Melbourne
International Comedy Festival, following the sell-out successes in 2008 and 2009. Enjoy the best in physical comedy in this unique show that shatters all language barriers.

Previously hosted by Adam Hills and Damian Callinan, Unspeakable has also featured the first ever Australian Deaf performers in the Festival – Asphyxia and Rob Roy, performing alongside stars such as The Birdmann, Sammy J & Heath McIvor and The Boy with Tape on His Face.

This year will see Justin McGinley (fresh from a world tour with Circus Oz), and Nadia Baradi – Melbourne’s first Deaf drag king – as ‘Kewl Rap’ performing music you can SEE, alongside 2009 Barry Award nominee, Asher Treleaven. The Frankston show will be hosted by Claire Hooper (Good News Week). Adam Hills (Spicks and Specks) will once again MC the Gasworks show, with a very special guest performer!

A wonderful, family-friendly show, suitable for people of all ages and comedy tastes. Produced by Erin Davidson with Gasworks Arts Park and Frankston Arts Centre, proudly supporting Vicdeaf creating arts opportunities for Deaf people.

“There should be less talk.” Mother Teresa

Bookings:
29th March – Frankston Arts Centre, Cnr Young & Davey Streets, Frankston (Victoria)
(03) 9784 1060, http://www.artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/, or at the door

12th April – Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park (Victoria)
(03) 9699 3253, http://www.gasworks.org.au/, or at the door
$25.00 Adult, $15.00 Concession, $10.00 Children (under 16)
Both shows 7:30pm (90mins)

Princess Internet – Katherine’s Strange Blessings #Melbourne International Comedy Festival #geekgirl

Katherine’s Strange Blessings for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Or how to put on a variety show with one person or less.

Katherine has experienced many strange blessings in her life. Her new show entitled Strange Blessings being amongst them.

Strange Blessings is the story of the Blessington Community Variety Show. Every year the citizens of this small town strut their stuff: the librarian reads her saucy poetry, the plumber shows off his skills at air guitar, and Lord Mayor Frank the Bunny-Eared Angel demonstrates that his toes are indeed twinkly, performing a dance number with the mistress of ceremonies. This year something special happens when two of the performers discover true love.

Katherine says, “As a child if an activity proved creative, I was in it boots and all. So the only job that seemed to ‘sensibly’ combine my interests in comedy, writing, singing, dancing, acting, and macaroni necklaces was creator of Broadway musicals. I studied playwriting at the University of Washington where one of my schoolmates was Kyle MacLachlan.”

Katherine’s first job out of uni was editor-in-chief for a computer game magazine. This job led her to become the author of Australia’s first Internet book for the average punter, Surf’s Up: Internet Australian Style. The book sold out in a week. The media dubbed her “Princess Internet”. The book then led to a PhD scholarship for studying storytelling for computer game design at RMIT. Later it was sung on Spicks and Specks.

Since 2006 she has been working on her skills as a stand-up comedian and TheatreSports
improvisational actor performing at such venues as The Rhino Room, Comix Comedy Cellar and The Grace Emily in South Australia, and Willow Bar in Victoria. She has even done some writing for Monkeystack Animation and Nickelodeon. “I’m back doing theatre, but now I have the technological know how to do it myself using multimedia. Blessings don’t come much stranger than this.”

Strange Blessings is a one person show making use of soft toys, balloons, and audience
participation to bring quirky and endearing characters to life. It will be on throughout the Melbourne International Comedy Festival at POP Upstairs, 68 Hardware Lane, Melbourne CBD, 24 March–17 April 6-7pm Tues-Sat.

Tickets through Ticketmaster outlets or call 1300 66 00 13, Comedyfestival.com.au.

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If you’d like more information about this topic email muse@glasswings.com.au

Farragut North, a play about dirty tricks and media fixers on the campaign trail

In a double election year for Victorians, what the public get to know about the respective candidates will be created in PR boardrooms around the country long before the campaigns commence.

Farragut North, set within Washington’s back corridors and bars, explores the compromised relationships between media managers, spin doctors and journalists on the campaign trail as the Democratic party decides on its presidential candidate.

Stephen, a young and extraordinarily gifted press secretary is working for a fastrising candidate. With confidence and power beyond his years, he’s convinced that he and seasoned campaign manager, Paul can steer their team into the west wing without breaking a sweat. But power demands the highest of integrity and someone must fall when a confidence is broken to the opposition.

With quick-witted banter and an inside look into the world of politics, Farragut North is a timely tale of hubris, loyalty and the lust for power.

“A morality tale about a ‘Crackberry’ generation mover and shaker…and the frenzied scheming and counter-scheming of would-be Washington kingmakers.” LA Times

Beau Willimon worked as a campaign aide in college, and graduated to working on campaigns for Hillary Clinton and Howard Dean. Farragut North captures the merciless pursuit of victory as well as the way political machinations have eclipsed what’s really at stake in elections.

“The subject of [Farragut North] is not politics,” Willimon says. “The subject is ambition, power, hubris … it’s a universal story.”

Starring Red Stitch ensemble members David Whiteley, Brett Cousins and Tim Potter alongside Lucy Honigman, Kurt Geyer, Karen Roberts and Adrian Dean, Farragut North is directed by Kim Durban.

Previews: Wednesday 3 & Thursday 4 February
Season: Friday 5 February – Saturday 6 March
Times: Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 6.30pm
Bookings: (03) 9533 8083 or www.redstitch.net
Venue: Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear, 2 Chapel St, St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia

Who wants to be murdered for Halloween?

Opening appropriately on Halloween Vincent Lyce’s Final Curtain is a macabre mix of comedy, murder and mystery served with a delicious dinner. Ex wives, illegitimate sons and fans alike will gather to celebrate the illustrious career of Vincent Lyce. Forty years as the star of horror movies as forgettable as “Dump of Death” and “When Death Knocks Don’t Answer”.

For the night you will be allocated a small character to play as much or as little as you choose. You might be a former co-star, a member of the press or maybe a movie star’s agent or a fan. You’ll be united in your admiration for the great star’s life work and dress as your favourite Vincent Lyce movie character – werewolves, vampires and mummies will rule the night. Click to view Vincent Lyce’s Filmography

But will all be as it seems? Could there be skullduggery afoot and a mystery to solve? Who can tell where Vincent Lyce, ‘the man behind the mask‘ is concerned?

Another unique evening of interactive comedy, murder and mystery from the producers of A Dinner to Die For.

Book to celebrate Halloween on Saturday 31st October
Venue: Queens Loft,133, Queensbridge Street, Southbank, Melbourne, Australia
Bookings: (03) 9698 8011

More info at http://vincentlyce.com/

The Laramie Project a tribute to Matthew Shepherd

RED STITCH TO REPRESENT VICTORIA IN
GLOBAL READING OF HISTORIC WORK,
THE LARAMIE PROJECT – 10 YEARS LATER

In a 24 hour period, over one hundred theatre companies worldwide will take part in a historic reading of the epilogue to the seminal work, The Laramie Project to

On October 6th of 1998 Matthew Shepard was beaten and left to die tied to a fence in the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. He died 6 days later. His murder became a watershed historical moment in America that highlighted the violence and prejudice lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people face.

A month after the murder, the members of Tectonic Theater Project travelled to Laramie and conducted interviews with the people of the town. From these interviews they wrote the seminal play, The Laramie Project, which they later made into a film for HBO. The work has been seen by more than 50 million people in the US alone. Recognised as a modern classic, it is one of the most acclaimed and frequently staged plays of the past 10 years.

Tectonic’s eagerly awaited epilogue, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later will be performed in over 100 theatres in all fifty states of the USA, in Canada, UK, Spain, Hong Kong and Australia on October 12/13, 2009. Red Stitch is honoured to have been invited to take part.

The Laramie Project – 10 Years Later focuses on the long-term effects of the murder of Matthew Shepard on the town of Laramie. It explores how the town has changed and how the murder continues to reverberate in the community. The play also includes new interviews with Matthew’s mother Judy Shepard and Mathew’s murderer Aaron McKinney, who’s serving two consecutive life sentences. The writers also conducted many follow-up interviews Laramie residents from the original piece.

“The Tectonic Theater Project set out to find out how Laramie had changed in the ten years since the murder of Matthew Shepard. When we arrived, we were forced to confront the question, ‘How do you measure change in a community?’ One of the things we found when we got there, which greatly surprised us, was how many people in Laramie were trying to say this was not a hate crime,” said Moisés Kaufman, Artistic Director of Tectonic Theater Project.

Performance Date: Tuesday 13 October, 7.30pm
Venue: BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square, Melbourne, AUST
Tickets: $10
Bookings: www.redstitch.net, tel: 03 9553 8083
Media enquiries: TS Publicity on (03) 9419 8837