Marc Maron in person…

Legendary US comedian Marc Maron will be visiting Sydney as part of his upcoming Maronation tour. The WTF podcast host and one-time comic hot-shot has spent the better part of the last decade refining his comic act and expanding the definition of a ‘working comic’. Now, with a poplar FX show and high-rating podcast coming up roses, Mr. Maron is finally spreading the love to the land downunder.

The Maronation tour performances will showcase Mr. Maron at his caustic and engaging best. Whether he’s attacking social mores or bringing observational humour to new depths, Mr. Maron’s take on the world is refreshingly honest, heartbreakingly real and often touching.

But in recent times, Mr. Maron’s podcast has become one of the single most consistent fixtures in the shifting digital landscape. If his recent interview with Barack Obama proved anything, it’s that Maron has the world and his audience right where he wants them. After all, could you imagine the leader of the free world taking the time out of his busy schedule to record a podcast in anyone else’s garage?

Organisers have confirmed that Mr. Maron will be appearing in one show only, so tickets for the State Theatre gig will surely sell like hot cakes. If you’re a fan or recent follower, don’t miss out on this great opportunity to see a comic legend live in the flesh.

Some of Maron’s ‘greatest hits’ include:

• “Have you ever had one of those moments when you look up and realize that you’re one of those people you see on the train talking to themselves?”
• “There are also always those burnt, hard kernels at the bottom that don’t pop. You know why they don’t pop? They don’t pop because they have integrity.”
• “Left wing, right wing, I am wingless and tired of trying to fly. Here comes the ground.”
• “Show business is one of the few businesses that the devil will actually agree to own just a portion of your soul because he knows if you have a performer’s ego you were probably working for him all along.”
• “For my next trick I will make everyone understand me.”

When: Thu 15 Oct, 2015
Where: The State Theatre, Sydney CBD

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The Just For Laughs Festival is a premier international comedy event, a rib-tickling celebration of the world’s best stand up comedians and laugh-out-loud acts. The Montreal-based show inspires international tours of its headlining comedians, and this year’s Just For Laughs Sydney looks set to offer locals the chance to see some of the funniest comedians in an intimate local setting.

In the past, Just For Laughs Sydney organisers have snagged their fair share of comedy legends. The amazing roster of performers includes Louis C.K., John Cleese, Martin Short, Demetri Martin, Eddie Izzard, Aziz Ansari, Drew Carey, Noel Fielding, Trevor Noah, Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey, Kathy Griffin, Reggie Watts and so many more. So it’s no surprise that this year’s festival is chock full of funny goodness.

The show will be headlined by controversial British comedian and activist Russell Brand, whose ‘Trew World Order’ tour has wowed fans across Europe and the US. The politically charged gig is sure to offer fans a generous helping of Mr. Brand’s navel gazing comedy styling punctuated by plenty of social ‘philosophising’ and a tirade or two for good measure.

Fellow UK comedy icon Al Murray (The Pub Landlord) will also do a hot run of shows at the Opera House. ‘The Guv’, as he’s known, will surely tickle Aussie audiences with his unique laconic British pub humour.

This year’s Gala night will feature a stellar roster of talent including Tommy Tiernan, Stephen K. Amos, Dave Hughes, Wil Anderson, Danny Bhoy and others. These acts, along with Hannah Gadsby, Cal Wilson, Ronny Chieng, Joel Creasey, Anne Edmonds, Tom Ballard, Tommy Little and Damien Power, will appear in solo shows. Consult the festival program for more information about dates and tickets.

What: The 2015 Sydney Just For Laughs Festival.
When: 19-25 Oct, 2015.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Sydney.
For more information visit: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/about/program_just_for_laughs.aspx

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The popular comedians and sketch show producers are returning to Australian and New Zealand for the second time and are bound to please audiences with their distinct and quirky style of comedy.

Eric Wareheim and Tim Heidecker first met at university in the US in 1994 as film students, and have gone on to create cult satirical TV shows and direct music videos and even a movie.

Since first exposing the world to their peculiar world with the animated series Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim and Eric have gone on to unleash five seasons of the profoundly odd television sketch comedy series’ for Adult Swim, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!.

You might also recognise their kooky comedic genius from the infamous Absolut Vodka advertisements with Zach Galifianakis or their big budget commercials for clients such as Old Spice, Wrigley’s, Red Stripe and a Boost Mobile commercial that premiered during the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV.

The pair are renowned for going that little step too far, lingering just a second too long or their (deliberately) questionable production choices. This year, the creative duo released a book called Tim and Eric’s Zone Theory: 7 Easy Steps to Achieve a Perfect Life. The book claims to provide an “inspirational and game-changing life system that promises to instantly provide wellness, happiness, and total, absolute fulfilment. Somehow we question whether this parodical text manages to do that, but we have no doubt that reading it (and seeing their live show) would result in a few side-splitting laughs.

Audiences in Australia can witness the Tim and Eric formula live on stage with their famously bizarre sketches and their uncanny ability to satirise and offend almost everything (kangaroos and bogans beware!)

Expect the weird and wonderful at their Sydney show on Friday 11^th December at the Enmore Theatre. Prices start from $89.90.

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“[The exhibition] is looking at technology and the human interface of technology. We’re all looking at a disgusting element or a point of seepage, where the organic, biological element crosses over in technology,” Josh said.

The exhibition focuses on being fun and playful, with robots throwing things around in all corners of the room. The large gallery space features moving, jiggling, leaking robotic installations, but the exhibition also has some deeper undertones.

“It’s an unusual way of presenting technology in contrast to the aesthetics of technology and progress that we normally get – we get the iPhone, the other robots running around and doing scary and intimidating things and we get beautiful pristine aesthetics of technology and everything is new and exciting about progress. This exhibition is looking at a very different angle of technology, with motivation, points of failure that are in opposition to that beautiful utopian aesthetic of technology that we normally see in advertising and the media”.

“Each of the individual artists have our own take on the relationship between technology and the human and this is the overlap of all of us looking at that question.”

All four artists met at COFA at UNSW and through conversation they realised that through their common interest, it would be very productive for them to work and collaborate together, with slightly different takes on the same theme.

Josh’s work, for example, inspired the name of the exhibition and includes a robot eating a chicken nugget. He has been looking at technology as a performative thing rather than simply a process of something achieving its goal.

“It’s got a big robot arm, you stick a chicken nugget in front of it, press a button and the arm picks up the chicken nugget and goes through the process of slowly digesting the chicken nugget after picking it up…It’s a nice and striking title for an exhibition which is along the lines of technology doing weird things.”

“Louise has this idea of the abject, the disgusting and biological with vivid colours. It’s within in its own coloured set but with an element of disgustingness to it, which fits quite well into the idea of another side of technology…she has some disgusting, overflowing fountains of dubiously coloured and smelling liquids…and it breaks down and becomes the artificial disgusting, the artificial organic.”

“Jason has an irreverent  take on a whole heap of different themes… He’s got a work which is a big sundry machine, which is pretty impressive.”

“Tully has been looking at the imbued life of technology, taking everyday things and giving them an uncanny spirit, an uncanny motion and activity to them, like the cheeseburgers that shake around,all sorts of interesting bits and pieces.”

“And then we’ve got collaborations between us in the gallery space as well.”

Overall the exhibition is very playful. Josh added: “If you’re looking at it through a theory-based side there’s something to get out of it but it’s also a very vibrant and exciting exhibition…it’s a fun show.”

Jason said First Draft gallery has a fantastic model in that they support emerging artist and because they aren’t commercial they give a lot of creative freedom to the artists. “They’re not looking to sell artworks so I don’t think we would have had the opportunity to do a show quite like this that’s so messy and fun in any other gallery,” he said.

‘A Robot Attempts to Eat a Chicken Nugget’ is showing until the 24th July at First Draft Gallery and they will be doing artist talks from 6-8pm on 23rd July. Head along to experience a fun, playful and thought-provoking exhibition that will resonate with kids and adults alike.

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The film festival kicks off nationally with the heartwarming comedy, Here is Harold, which shows the journey of a bitter old man who seeks revenge by trying to kidnap the founder of IKEA. Other handpicked films include RAMS, which received the top prize of Un Certain Regard as well as a 10 minute standing ovation at Cannes; the thought-provoking, coming-of-age film, Young Sophie Bell; and the hilarious holiday drama featuring an award-winning performance from Bodil Jørgensen, All Inclusive.  The Scandinavian Film Festival wraps up with an eye-opening documentary on one of Hollywood’s most beloved imports, Ingrid Bergman: In her Own Words.

Another highlight of the festival is the guest appearance from multi-talented actress, Bianca Kronlöf, who appears in the biting drama, Underdog. Kronlöf will appear for the opening night screenings in Melbourne and Sydney for exclusive Q & A sessions on the 10th and 11th of July respectively. We spoke with the star about the festival.

“The program is fantastic I have to say. As a Scandinavian to come here and see all the films that they got together is amazing. I hope that I will have time to see as much as possible. It’s actually weird as a scandinavian to come to Australia and be like ‘now I can see all the good Scandinavian films, this is amazing!’ It’s like travelling back to my roots through Australia.”

Miss Kronlöf said that the fact that more Scandinavian films are heading abroad is testament to the growth of the Scandinavian film industry. She said their point of difference to mainstream Hollywood films is their focus on the characters and their relationships.

“In Sweden we don’t do these huge action things. Of course we have these boring, mainstream movies that don’t say anything about anyone that are just there for people to watch when you’re hungover, which is a good thing we need those movies as well. And then the smaller, underground ones. But to compare Swedish films to Hollywood mainstream I would say that it’s more relationship based and about the characters.”

The Swedish actress also added: “Everyone should go to the Scandinavian Film Festival because it’s such a good program. So if you go, you can be an expert about Scandinavian films right now, because the program is so exceptionally good.”

Head to the Scandinavian Film Festival website for more information on the films and to buy tickets.

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Best-selling author and American spiritual teacher, Marianne Williamson, is coming to Australia this June/ July to conduct special one-day workshops exploring the deep connection between our relationships and our spirituality. The #1 New York Times best-selling author has been a pioneer of the spiritual movement for more than thirty years, influencing millions of people around the world to lead ‘happier and more fulfilled lives’.

‘Spiritual’ is a term that is bandied about a lot these days as many psychotherapies and methods often neglect the spiritual potential that can underpin and influence our relationships. But spirituality has its place and can offer a different kind of energy and enlightenment in a fast paced, technologically-driven and often selfish world. Author, John Amodeo, in the Huffington Post, offers three descriptions of what spirituality means to him.

1. Connecting with life’s sacredness
2. Surrendering to something beyond our limited self
3. Seeing things clearly

Like Amodeo, the personable Williamson believes that spirituality is about connecting with life rather than being detached from it. She holds that we are all interconnected; all our minds are joined. There is a pivotal focus on relationships, particularly forgiveness, through mindfulness (vissapana) – seeing others as they really are. Seeing their fears and hurt, as well as their hopes.

Having published 10 books and appeared as a special guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live and Good Morning America (amongst others). American-born Williamson was named one of the fifty most influential baby boomers in 2006 and is well-versed in delivering relatable content and teaching tools designed to lift your life and relationships to the ‘highest level of creative possibility’. The workshops include a series of teaching sessions, exercises and insights designed to encourage emotional growth and maturity. Her teachings are based on a set of books called ‘A Course in Miracles’, a self-study program based on universal spiritual themes by clinical and research psychologist and author, Helen Schucman.

Marianne Williamson will be conducting workshops in Brisbane (June 28), Melbourne (July 4) and Sydney (July 5). Course costs are between $185-$200 with the option of a ‘kindness scholarship’ for people who are financially challenged.

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Ms Gilbert says Mark Hanham’s work is very distinct and diverse, and his most recent exhibition featuring 24 pop-art inspired portraitures is no exception.

“His work has very distinctive, iconic elements so that when you look at it you instantly recognise that it is Mark Hanham. You can see by the way that he drops the paint, the way he creates the image and his inspiration behind it. He’s very observant of the human condition, how we are in society. His cityscapes represent the hustle and bustle of the city, where as the pop art has that same sort of vision where he’s looking at faces as periods of time or how people connect an image or a face with a time in their lives.

“[In Face Value] he’s looking at commodities and how we value our faces and looking at that with pop art as a product as well. There’s lots of Marilyn Monroe’s, Audrey Hepburn’s, Charlie Chaplin’s, Elvis and Jimmy Hendrix; quite a few icons that the audience can relate to, so there’s something for everyone.”

Jessica Gilbert believes that being a contemporary artist in the modern age means being in tune with what’s happening around you as well as what’s happening worldwide.

“Mark’s work does very well internationally so as a contemporary artist his vision is looking beyond what’s happening in Sydney or Australia and looking at how the world is moving – in America, Paris or London. Each environment and each country are each in a different style of his work. So as a contemporary artist he’s constantly looking for new inspiration and changing up his collection of work.

“Whether he’s looking at a European, US or Australian market, it’s looking for those different things that those people can connect with.”

Mark has a very unique style of painting that he has built up across his entire career. He started up as quite an abstract painter then moved to a more linear, illustrative style. He is an action painter, so features a unique drip style action. He uses a monotone palate with lots of black, white, red and blue, and repeatedly uses a coke symbol as a common thread across his exhibitions.

“You can recognise it as Mark Hanham’s palate and what he uses to brand his work,” said Jessica.

Mark is a prolific painter so is always creating new works for the gallery. Art enthusiasts can head in to the space every month or few weeks to experience something new. Next up that gallery will be reintroducing some of Mark Hanham’s Paris series.

Mark has done something very different with Face Value by going into portraiture, so the gallery is thrilled about the current exhibition and they believe it will be a very exciting experience for gallery-goers. This fun series of art is being showcased until 26th June, so be sure to head in to the gallery on Crown Street to witness the unique works for yourself.

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What are the aims of Bondi Blitz, and it’s benefit to young people?

Bondi Blitz is a free music festival that stands apart from other extortionate festivals. For the bands themselves, there’s not really any places musicians under 18 can play to a large audience so we’re giving them a stage, these young and upcoming bands, to actually get on the stage, play in front of a large audience that isn’t just their school assembly. It give all those budding musicians somewhere they can perform in front of hundreds of people and then also the event itself is actually organised and put on by young people. I”m there managing but we’ve got two young people on stage MC’ing, two young stage managers, young people on the merchandising stalls, young people doing all the promotion and social media.

How does the event relate to the ideals or aims of Youth Week, which is finishing up this weekend? 

We run this event every year and it’s always in Youth Week. Waverley Council and Woollahra support Youth Week and there is high demand for having this event in youth week so we get a lot more support from local council.

Can you tell us about some of the artists who will be playing at Bondi Blitz this weekend?

So we’ve got artists coming from all over the country. We’ve got a band coming from Melbourne, Storm the Sky, and coming from Canberra, Brisbane, wider Sydney and a handful of local bands which play down at the beach on smaller gigs throughout the year. And we ran a competition last year, The Battle of the Bands, and the winner got a guaranteed spot on the Blitz stage.

It’s taking place at Dolphin Park on Bondi Beach – how does that venue help to create a unique atmosphere for the event?

It’s a beautiful setting with the beach event and we are the only live music event on Bondi Beach – so it’s a great opportunity for the bands. It’s a daytime event as well (11.30am-5.50pm) and we chose the Sunday because the beach is usually busiest on a Sunday and that would give the bands a large audience. And we also try not to clash with other events taking place around Sydney and that way we get more people coming.

So it’s drug and alcohol free event and all about a relaxed atmosphere? 

We promote that it’s all ages and that goes back to giving young people a space or an environment to listen to live music and party and have fun without the influence of drugs or alcohol being there, giving them an alternative. It’s a great day, there’s no entrance or exit you just rock up in any direction and you can sit on the beach or the grassy knoll or get a bit of a mosh put going on.

Bondi Blitz is taking place on Bondi Beach at 11.30am-5.30pm. Be sure to head there to rock out to some tunes this Sunday arvo.

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Youth Week has a phenomenal number of programs on offer so be sure to visit the National Youth Week 2015 website to see how you, or your friends or family can get involved. It prides itself on being the largest celebration of young people in Australia, involving thousands of young people aged 12-25 from across the country each year. NYW 2015 kicks off this Friday the 10th of April and runs until April 19th. This year’s theme is ‘It starts with us’, which corresponds with an entirely new design and program of events.

Youth Week in NSW will host 750 events and involve 151 councils and 84,000 young people. There is a state-wide talent search for high school students, YouthRock, which is judged by industry representatives and includes over $10,000 worth of prizes for finalists. YouthRock is held at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre and takes place from 15th-19th April.

Much of Youth Week NSW takes place in Campbelltown, with events ranging from a free skate session to a one day Chip Music Festival – Pixel Sounds, to  a bootcamp, health and wellbeing workshop, and an all ages music gig.

Regional New South Wales is also playing host to a number of events, that will be sure to inspire indigenous and rural communities. Narromine is hosting a Blue Light Disco this weekend, Narrabri will next week celebrate the opening of the Panton Cottage Youth Shack and Airds will be the site of an Oz-Tag Youth Sports Tournament.

If you’re looking for events a little closer to the Sydney CBD, be sure not to miss out on the ‘It Starts With Us’ Youth Week Symposium and the 17th Annual Fernside Skate Competition on 10th April, the Youth Week in the City Sports Day on 18th April and the Bondi Blitz Music Festival on 19th April.

Youth Week is organised by young people, for young people, and it is a truly inspiring and exciting initiative that all youth should get involved with. Rather than simply making a mental note of the diverse set of events on offer, be sure to do your research and book yourself in for these educational, entertaining and collaborative events now.

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History of Saint Patrick’s Day

Saint Patrick’s Day dates back to the 17th Century, as a religious feast day that commemorates the death of St Patrick in the fifth century. Patrick is renowned for bringing Christianity to Ireland, and being cemented in history as the nation’s patron saint, and marking a date for national devotion. The day remained largely a religious celebration in the 20th Century, not becoming a public holiday in Ireland until 1904. Military parades began in around the 1920s and then Irish bars didn’t start opening until the mid-1960s. It was also at this time that the parades became more festive and flamboyant. In 1996 the celebration became the St Patrick’s Festival – a four day event filled with performances, guinness, parades treasure hunts, U2 tribute bands and all things green.

The true remarkableness of St Patrick’s Day is it’s international reach. No other national celebration is honoured so widely or by so many diasporas around the world – and non-Irish people. Australia Day, Independence Day and other national holidays are popular celebrations in their respective countries and by small communities of nationals in other countries. However, St Patrick’s Day has become an international celebration where huge portions of the population don their brightest green attire, enjoy a guinness or seven, and enjoy some traditional irish dancing and music.

Perhaps it’s because almost all Australians have an Irish great-grandparent or because everybody has at least a few Irish friends, or perhaps its just because the Irish know how to party and Australians love any excuse for a drink and a dance – but St Patrick’s Day is a staple celebration in the Australian calendar and it is celebrated in Irish pubs all across the country.

St Patricks Day in Sydney 2015

So how can we best celebrate this exciting national holiday? There are a plethora of Irish pubs across the city that put on special events and performances in honour of old mate St Pat. Unfortunately the big parade has already taken place on Sunday 15th March with a whole suite of performances, rides and stalls. But on Tuesday 17th March there is still a lot of exciting events taking place for you to get involved with.

P.J. Gallaghers Irish Pub has venues in Moore Park, Leichhardt and Parramatta and will no doubt be putting on a wonderful show this Tuesday. P.J. O’Brien’s on the corner of King and York Streets is another top quality Irish establishment. Other venues include Kelly’s Irish Pub in Newtown, Scruffy Murphys and Maloney’s Hotel in the city and Paddy Maguire’s in Haymarket.

Be sure to don your green and sip a few guinness’ tomorrow to get in the St Patty’s day spirit.