Buzzcuts » Sara Kirby

TMI Tuesdays

Sara Kirby — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 03:13:47 +0000

How much information is too much? The crowd at Fitzroy’s Hares & Hyenas are certain that too much is never enough. The charismatic little bookshop played host to a night of complete openness, honesty and a load of confessions that would cause a priest spontaneously combust. Under the soft lighting of a chandelier, surrounded by books and preparedly open ears, six speakers took to the stage to present their deepest secrets, intimate encounters and shocking experiences that many would swear to take to the grave.

Poetry, spoken porn, short stories and reflections – each so very different, but all the same honest, raw, complete kind of over-share. Speakers included Crusader, who documented his first sexual encounter, and those which followed, some with men who had girlfriends. His detailed sharing of the story of his relationship with a man who gave him his first intravenous drug experience, resulting in a personal downward spiral, was touching and confronting in a beautiful way that can only come with being in a completely open and non-judgmental environment.

Bryan spoke of the time he was mugged by a man he knew, but reflected on the mugger’s life experiences that may have helped lead him to that point – racial issues, lack of family support, drugs and alcohol – rather than the mugging itself, a very interesting viewpoint to take. His story was an insight into his world, raw and eye-opening.

Some of the stories, too R-rated to be written down, too shocking to be re-shared, left the audience with mouths wide open, in fits of giggles and feeling a little loss of innocence at some of the unspeakable things they just laid witness to. Each speaker arose different emotions and reactions in the audience, but all were to be applauded, not only for their fantastic performances, but also for their courage to get up and expose their deepest secrets, as well as for their raw honesty – something rare these days. The audience were supportive, and though leaving the bookshop a little mentally scarred by some of the graphic details, it was an eye-opening and refreshing experience to hear people talk without conventional barriers of political-correctness or over-sensitivity. Terrifically twisted.

TMI Tuesdays has finished its run at the Fringe Festival. For more information on Hares & Hyenas events, visit their events page.

Pants Down Circus

Sara Kirby — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:24:05 +0000

A circus is supposed to leave you in awe of what the human body is capable of, and Pants Down Circus does just that. Pole tricks, balancing acts, chainsaw juggling, and the smooth manoeuvrings of a gymnast’s wheel will amaze and entertain you, leaving you shocked at the wonders of the physical form – a true circus performance.

Highlights include three of the team members swinging and flinging one of the women around from one person to another, skimming her so close to the ground that if she moved her head only a millimetre a serious face-to-floor collision would occur.

Balancing on a cylindrical object would be sure to turn anyone’s hair grey, but hair dye is so effective these days, so wobbling atop of objects that are a one-way street to broken bones is no doubt on the cards! Prepare to be holding your breath for most of the show, hands clasped in dread of the seemingly imminent fall.

Of course though, there is no falling, so you’ll need some time to pick your jaw up off the floor. Never fear – a cute musical duet, featuring a guitar and a ukulele, is just what you need.

Leaving nothing to be desired, Pants Down Circus also features a male strip show, unlike any you’ve seen before, including ball-skills that will get you gasping and neon rings – sure to surprise. (This strip show is, however, suitable for children.)

Pants Down Circus‘s talent teamed with the perfect dancer’s toe, charisma and genuine enjoyment of their work left the audience stomping their feet, clapping and cheering in approval, and it’s not every day that happens at a show. With more flexibility than the Olympics, more balance than a tightrope walker, and with a little more male hip gyration – you’ll just have to see it to believe it.

Pants Down Circus runs until 13 October at Meat Market. Full ticketing information is available on the Fringe Festival website.

In The Cut: Volume 3

Sara Kirby — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:38:21 +0000

Impressive street art, dope DJs, MCs and then, for good measure, throw in a few sexy saxophones.

In The Cut Volume 3 took place in a Carlton basement – its walls covered in artwork – all created by Melbourne street artists. Ranging from impressive full-scale prints of beautiful, curvaceous Native American babes, to cardboard-based political statements, to complex psychedelic images – all pieces kept everyones eyes admirably transfixed.
Some of the works were by up-and-coming artists, while others were created by those more established, however all certainly well-worth eye-time.

Backgrounded by the dope DJs, the night began with fresh and edgy, yet sophisticated, art viewing. Following a few free beers/wines, In The Cut began to bust out the big moves with a young and very talented MC, sided by a band. As the MC took a breather, the band’s brass group took over, reeling the funk and raising most from their milk-carton seating and onto their dancing feet.

Despite being marketed as displaying street art, the work wasn’t what many imagine ‘street art’ to be – spray painted stencils, tags and the like. However, In The Cut’s works were neat, interesting and full of talent – sketches, prints, sculptures and light box demonstrations – something that most people would appreciate and enjoy.

Though In The Cut ran from 8pm until 1am, it wasn’t a big enough exhibition to spend that long there. Despite this, it was the perfect event to spend a couple of hours at, enjoying the art and music, and free beers – how could you go wrong? A fun and well-organised event, I have high hopes that In The Cut will return next year for volume 4. If so, pop on your monocle, your best dancing shoes and head down for a funky arts overload.

Everybody’s Talkin’

Sara Kirby — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:05:58 +0000

Set in the Arts House Fringe Club, Everybody’s Talkin’ began with a smooth and relaxing atmosphere. The bar was filled with park-bench style seating, and each table had upon it tea light candles in coloured paper cases. This calming atmosphere was a perfect backdrop to the debate/discussion/question time that eventuated as six local media personalities took to the stage. Crikey writer, Ben Eltham, adjudicated the panel which consisted of fellow Crikey heavyweights Sophie Black and Andrew Marlton, more commonly known as First Dog On The Moon. Editor, journalist and poet Geoff Lemon represented the left side of the panel, alongside writer, broadcaster and confident feminist Clementine Ford, and Ben Pobjie – writer, comedian and poet.

As the audience tipped back Sunday beers from the bar, the panelists weren’t keen to be to be left out; passing a bottle of red wine up and down their on-stage table, eagerly pouring it into their glasses as they spoke. Despite the potentially sloppy situation, the Q&A-style set-up kicked off to a roaring start, with the analysis of politics and various politicians. The panelists were all happy and confident to give their opinions, and agreed, as well as debated with each other throughout the session. Each one presented their own insight into a variety of issues, leaving the audience with a range of thoughts to take home and mull over a cup of tea, or bottle of Gatorade – depending on how many beers they downed over the course of the night. Topics of discussion were raised by panelists, as well as sourced from the audience and the Everybody’s Talkin’ Twitter feed, which was displayed on a projector screen. Nothing was off limits as the discussion swayed from asylum seekers, to the existence of the “Aussie battler,” to theory surrounding what exactly people smugglers’ ‘business models’ really are.

The panelists were all intelligent, funny and really interesting people to listen to and engage with. Heading there, I was worried that Everybody’s Talkin’ would be cold and serious, however there were many laughs to be had, everybody was in a lovely mood, and I felt a little smarter for attending. What a perfect way to end a weekend.

Knock Off

Sara Kirby — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 04:09:35 +0000

A Zen gardener, a stripper turned renovator and an interior designer take you on an Ikea style step-by-step lesson in how to create a contemporary circus show. Reminiscent of Play School, but for adults, the trio will have you laughing, gasping and maybe even learning a thing or two about occupational health and safety when it comes to contemporary circus.

Knock Off involves amazing aerobatics that will make you hold your breath whilst trying to calm the tummy-butterflies that appear at the certain idea that somebody is going to fall. The men work seamlessly as a team; back-flipping from see-saws, leaping through the rungs of a ladder, and balancing upside down on each other’s shoulders. The show is more than that though, with major highlights including a boy band performance that will have you in uncontrollable bouts of laughter as you re-live the musical atrocity that was the ‘90’s. A burley man dancing with a broom quickly turns into a stunning display of graceful body movement, as he keeps the broom spinning and twirling in perfect motion on the back of his neck. The Japanese Zen gardener combines culture with occupation as he takes his watering cans, joined together by a rope, and skillfully flicks them around in the air like a gnome’s version of nunchucks.

One of the things that makes Knock Off so seamless is its careful use of music, teaming the tunes and lyrics to match the action, such as combining Hammer Time with clever and swift hammer throwing. A smooth, sexy track is played as the stripper turned renovator dons a pair of tight track pants and scales a rope, twisting and turning mid-air, graceful as a spider spinning a web. Despite these flawless acts, funky dance moves and surprisingly beautiful singing, the trio reassure you that their manliness is not compromised by taking their voices a few octaves lower and giving their manly parts a scratch as they talk about man topics – boobs, beer, Top Gear.

Knock Off is a hilarious, inspiring and highly impressive performance. The men are friendly and their charisma will have you forever wanting the show to go on. A traditional Aussie humour encapsulates the show; almost anybody will love it. One I could return to over and over, Knock Off gets two manly thumbs up.