Mema Sifa - See further. See far! Fringe 2010

GenerationOne @ Adelaide's Northern Lights

2010-03-21T00:11:00.000-07:00

GenerationOne launched in locations around the nation on March 19th. This is their light projection display in Adelaide, and is part of the Adelaide Festival's "Northern Lights".

GenerationOne is a movement for all Australians to eliminate Indigenous poverty and disadvantage in our lifetime. It aims to do this through action in education and economic participation so Indigenous Australians can enjoy a better future. Rather than limiting themselves to this they have also established a national website, roadshow and social networking presence in order to gain other ideas from other Australians such as you and me.

See further: www.generationone.org.au
See far: Twitter | Facebook

CLICK ME!!!

2010-03-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

I have until March 19 to collect as many views of my Samsung Vlogs as possible. All you need do is click the potion above which will take you to my Samsung playlist @ YouTube and click on each of the vids. Alternatively click on the first vid and then click down the list.

All going well you shouldn't even need to watch them (although you're of course more than welcome to) for me to collect the views. There are 12 vids in my playlist in total. As only unique views are counted, you only need to do this once per device/IP, so you don't need to click it over and over just the once per device.

If I collect the most views I win a trip to New York so help me out peeps! PUWEEEESE!!! If you help me succeed in this goal I will do one of my idiotic jigs in Times Square.

Forwarding this link to all and sundry will also help:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SamsungCapture#grid/user/E9FC8DBFE86B6F6C

Ends March 19 so clickety click amici! Rating and commenting on the vids I think also helps.

After this comp is finished I will be putting the originals up on my YouTube channel and I also have ongoing vids of my other shennanigans:

blumem@YouTube

Fawlty Towers Dining Experience is still going!!

2010-03-15T01:05:00.000-07:00

Fretting about the finished Fringe? Well it's not done just yet! Faulty Towers The Dining Experience @ The Old Adelaide Inn is still going until the 19th!

A guest in the Fawlty Towers' restaurant, you'll join the mania of Basil, Sybil and Manuel as they hopelessly serve you a 3 course dinner with a side of hilarity.

See further: Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

See far: Faulty Towers The Dining Experience March Festivals Tour

See live: ADELAIDE 16 - 19 Mar 7pm @ Old Adelaide Inn | MELBOURNE Dinner 1 - 18 Apr 7pm (except Wed), Lunch 3 - 18 Apr 1pm (except Fri) @ The Aegean Restaurant

What have I been up to...

2010-03-12T18:02:00.000-08:00

...everything! I've seen Mario Queen of The Circus, WOMADelaide, Kath on a Hot Tin Roof, Pickled, and yesterday I went on the Op Shop Tours. I'll be trying as best as I can to get all those vlogs together and up in the next couple days but remember, I am but one individual trying to get eveyrthing together and doing it all for kind smiles.

Tonight (11/3) my mate Lenny and I are off to be Amazed by mentalist Nicholas Tweedy:

Then it's off to The Bunka at The Austral to find out How To Be A Lady:

To cap it all off we'll see The Raucoustra at The Exeter. Featuring Saxophonist Adam Page of Adam Page Solo and The Adelaide Sax Pack.

See live:

Pickled @ The Tool Shed 7pm Sold Out! Adelaide Fringe Season Finished
Amazed @ The Cavern Club 7pm Last Show March 13
Afflicted Magic (Tweedy and Kwesell) @ The Cavern Club 9:30pm Last Show March 14
The Adelaide Sax Pack @ The Promethean 7pm Sold Out! Adelaide Fringe Season Finished
Kath On A Hot Tin Roof @ The Bunka, Austral 8pm Last Show March 14
How To Be A Lady @ The Bunka, Austral 9:30pm Last Show March 13
The Raucoustra @ The Exeter 10pm Finished
Adam Page Solo @ The Wheatsheaf 8pm Last Show March 13

Kath On A Hot Tin Roof

2010-03-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

The cleverly named Kath On A Hot Tin Roof follows anxious hypochondriac Kathryn Bendall as she trudges her way through child wrangling, personal tragedies and the treacherous world of local politics.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said:

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do"

and that is a current which seems to run through both Kath's life and show.

Terrified of bridges, she none the less crosses them. Worried about cancer yet confronts it humorously. Patronised by centrelink but takes the high road. And riddled with an anxiety disorder yet performs an hour long comedy show in front of an audience.

Central to the show is Kath's quest for adequate playgrounds by forging through Sydney's local politics.

Where marijuana once helped her husband cope with cancer, Kath is also a part of Comic Tonic a program where comedians donate tickets to people experiencing, recovering from, or caring for someone with a serious illness, with the aim of providing them with some hilarious respite.

If neither you nor your family are particularly ailing but you have kids, are middle aged or beyond, this is definitely a show aimed at your demographic; and like the audience on the night I went, you'll definitely get a kick out of it. Even though that certainly isn't my demographic I still took home a pocketful of inspiration from this gutsy broad.

See further: Kathryn Bendall's Website

See far: ACEDA | Comic Tonic | Penguin Club of Australia Inc. | Beyond Blue

See live: ADELAIDE Fringe Season Finished | SYDNEY Wed, May 26 Comedy On The Rox

Dr. Brown Behaves Review

2010-03-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

Part imbecile part minx Dr. Brown has a PhD in disturbing.

Adequately described as indescribable Dr. Brown Behaves is a symphony of uncomfortable and Dr. Brown the Maestro.

With all the animal magnetism of a llama, Brown hoofs down your comfort zone with a series of mundanely bizarre acts which make you wonder both how your life has brought you to this point and why you find it so funny.

Is it the olives? The Princess magazine? Invisible puppetry? Jesus' cameo? Or simply his likening to a sexual Mr. Bean? Who knows? But it's both ha ha funny and the other kind.

At once childlike and perverse, he's what your mother warned you about. Be troublingly entertained as Dr. Brown kicks awkward up to 11. You'll feel dirty, you'll like it, but you won't know why.

See further: Dr. Brown's YouTube Channel

See far: Adelaide Fringe

See live: ADELAIDE Fringe Season Finished | MELBOURNE The Tuxedo Cat 24 Mar - 18 Apr Tue-Sun 7.15pm (no show 6 & 7 Apr) Book Online.

Robot... Monkey... Robot

2010-03-06T21:41:00.000-08:00

Charged with ridding the future of unspeakable evil, can these two figure out how to wage the ultimate techno-battle in time and can they still remain friends?

Reminiscent of Mighty Boosh these hillarious lunatics shove every desire of the 20-something into their colourful 50 minute show.

Steven Seagal, Back to the Future, Dr. Awesome, Round the Twist and Kermie, all armed with laser rainbows, kites, kittens, group hugs, stars of David and PDAs.

Assisted by a truly supportive crew (including an intern) this production puts the joy in joysticks.

Very short season, get in quick and see them in the fringes before they hit the big time.

This exercise in the ridiculous will have you giggling like a guinea pig. Caution - inappropriate for the sensible.

See further: YouTube Trailer

See far: Robot... Monkey... Robot Blog | Trav Nash Blog | Dean Eizenberg Myspace

Lili La Scala in "War Notes"

2010-03-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

It may've taken forever to get up but it's finally here - my Vlog 6 which on Lili La Scala. As soon as this comp is over I'll upload a better quality version of this vid.

See far: War Notes
See further: www.lililascala.com
See Live: Today!!! 6, 13 Mar at 5.30pm @ The Spiegletent Book Online

"Robot... Monkey... Robot" Adelaide Fringe Show Trailer

2010-03-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

Whilst you wait for my review vlog, strap yourself in for the future of comedy as "Robot... Monkey... Robot" takes you into the fourth dimension (vid by Trav Nash).

See far: Robot... Monkey... Robot
See further: www.robotmonkeyrobot.blogspot.com

Adelaide Festival - "A Little More Light" Pyrotechnics Display

2010-03-05T21:57:00.000-08:00

This vid just won me two Adelaide Festival tickets. Woo yeah!!

The Adelaide Festival opened over the weekend. If you were in Adelaide at all you would've heard French, pyro outfit, Groupe F's "A Little More Light" from as far away as Glenelg. If you were wondering what you were missing whilst trying to get your dog to shut up - it was this. Stellar!

See further: Adelaide Festival of Arts
See far: Groupe F

Violet Rapscallion - A Stray Cabaret by Bird Wizdom

2010-03-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

If Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice hadn't been stopped from getting married at the end of the movie, Violet Rapscallion would surely be their love child. Bird Wizdom is a rag tag of musical talent accompanied by whimsical nightmares in the form of superbly choreographed burlesque dolls, a stork and a belly dancer. I've seen it once but I'll definitely be staying up to date with what they're up to next because I will totally be going again.

In the meantime I'm going to check out what else is on offer at Nexus for the rest of Fringe, join me won't you?

See further: Bird Wizdom blog

See far: Violet Rapscallion @ Nexus

See live: Fringe season ended. However stay up to date @ myspace and facebook or go and check out the rest of Nexus' Fringe line-up West Side Stories.

Hear: Sample sounds and buy the CD

The Chronic Ills of Robert Zimmerman

2010-02-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

Girls like guys with ills - Mema Reviews: The Chronic Ills of Robert Zimmerman: AKA Bob Dylan (A lie). A theatrical talking blues & glissendorf

The Chronic Ills of Robert Zimmerman is a hilarious surrealo-absudist theatrical reimagining of the life and (weird) times of folk-rock legend and pop cultural icon Bob Dylan. Brought to you by the Sydney-based company The Tamarama Rock Surfers, the show is a reverent-but-playful homage to this notoriously enigmatic man.

See further: Tamarama Rock Surfers

See far: Chronicles of Chronic Ills Production Blog

A Bit O' Sly Courten

2010-02-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

"This one-hour reading of a selection of eclogues from William Barnes' 'Poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect' brings these dialogues to life, in their original nineteenth-century pronunciation, with all their merriment, and all their poignancy. " From the Adelaide Fringe Guide.

If you haven't seen it you missed out you snub nos'd flopperchops!

See further: Adelaide Fringe

See far: creativeworks.byu.edu/chaucer

Nicholas Tweedy - Mentalist

2010-02-26T17:00:00.000-08:00

To shake the hand of Nicholas Tweedy is to shake the hand of a wizard. I'm still in shock. I've just been sitting staring at the computer for the last half hour. Where am I? Who am I? I've just edited it for time, not to accomodate no foolery, so believe me it's all real. He puts the bam in bamboozled, he's Nicholas Tweedy - mentalist.

See further: www.nicholastweedy.com
See live: "Amazed" (which is an understatement) @ Cavern Club 7 Mar at 7.30pm, 9-13 Mar at 7pm| "Afflicted Magic" with Richard Kwesell fresh from Chicago @ Cavern Club 12-14 Mar at 9.30pm Book online

Medigood's Very Good

2010-02-25T22:49:00.000-08:00

Actor Mario Pilla interviews Writer/Director Luke Bartholomew on his new Fringe show Medigood.

It's not Medieval it's Medigood!

Everyone has a purpose in life, but imagine if yours was decided by a crazy wizard! This musical comedy is a fun adventure through a medieval world of intriguing characters, amazing places and dance, with an entertaining musical tune.

See live: Today!!! February 27 @ 6pm and 28 @ 4pm.

Star Theatres - Theatre One, 145 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton, SA

$12 Child, Concession, Fringe Benefits, $18 Adult. Suitable for the whole family.

Adelaide Fringe Opening Parade

2010-02-22T23:34:00.000-08:00

Saucy chicas and chicos of La Bomba bring in the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Enjoy!

Flickerfest

2010-02-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

Mema heads along to the Adelaide showing of Flickerfest 2010. And quickly introduces you to a few of the films on show.

Dr. Sketchy's

2010-02-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

As promised Mema brings you footage of what she's been up to. Renee Geyer, Fringe 50th, Mate's 30th, Dr. Sketchy and much more.

Sleepy Mema

2010-02-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

Mema tries not to fall asleep as she tells you where she's been and what's to come in her blogs.

Adelaide Carnevale 2010

2010-02-10T17:22:00.000-08:00

Mema goes to Adelaide's Carnevale 2010. Saucy Italian models, Ferraris, Ducatis, Zappone and more dancing! What else could you want? State politicians singing? You got it!

Adelaide Unley Greek Festival

2010-02-02T20:40:00.000-08:00

Mema kicks off her festival vlogging with a trip to the Unley Greek Festival on the steps of St. Spyridon Church. Whilst there she manages to capture Premiere Mike Rann, Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond and MP Jane Lomax Smith get down.

Alice springs a leak (from an email to a friend)

2008-11-18T15:13:00.000-08:00

I shall return to Adelaide on Dec 15th.

TODD SAYS "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!": The Todd River blocking off a road.
(Please note these are not my sexy legs).

Presently I am trapped in Alice Springs, trapped. There's been a dramatic down pour which has closed off the road home for 3 days now. The hope is we'll be able to go home tomorrow (fingers crossed).

Now usually I'd be more than happy to be stuck in the bustling metropolis that is Alice Springs but I guess it's kind of like being in hospital for asthma. At first you're sitting about watching television and reading magazines in a bed that sits up for you; inches away from your own bathroom and fridge (I have private health insurance) whilst people run about serving you food, changing your sheets, sending you flowers and gifts, and pumping you high with drugs and oxygen in an effort to give you the lungs a horse'd envy (horses inhale 1800 litres of air per minute); but after a couple days you're wondering when the hell the doctor's gonna visit so you can threaten to key their car if they don't let you out of this off-white, airconditioned prison.

Get me the heck out of here! I have Wii games to play, the internet to check, and a dog to make sure doesn't drown god dammit!

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE TRAFFIC LIGHTS: Meanwhile the completely flooded road doesn't warrant a sign.

Returning to the hospital reference, when it comes to being sick, Dorothy was right - there's no place like home. And right now I'm sick as toto - a dawg. I'd much rather be in Papunya than here in Alice Springs, although I am not looking forward to the 3+ hour ride (half the way dirt-roaded), back to merry ol' nowhere.

Another sad thing is that the Papunya Tjupi Art Centre is having their official opening tomorrow! A long awaited event, noone will be in town as the majority of us - nurses, teachers, community workers and locals alike - are all trapped out here in Alice! There's only 3 people who've managed to get through in the last few days. Two people drove all the way out (about 2 hrs) and were stopped at the Derwent River. Conveniently, the police'd come to rescue someone who was stuck in their truck in the river (not so convenient for them). One of the couple waded across the Derwent and got a lift with the coppers on to Papunya, whilst the other had to wait overnight for the waters to subside.

Before I got ill I acquired a new phone from target and your number from your bro with the view of calling you but then I lost my voice and later my air capacity, and didn't think it particularly proper to be panting at you in a deep husky voice over the phone - whatever would they say in those society pages of yours! But I will call soon enough to have a decent catch up.

Interesting tid-bit I'll leave you with, saw a great movie last night called "Wedding Rehearsal" on late, late, late night ABC television (am on a delicious cocktail of five different kinds of drugs* for my current ailments, none of which seem to want to let me sleep). Was a very good black and white oldie. Also went, saw and enjoyed "The House Bunny", proving I am indeed a gal of eclectic tastes.

Tally-ho!

Mema xxx

*an antibiotic, a steroid, an antihistemine, an antidepressant, and a pain-killer