St Kilda Laughs Festival Comedy Convention Fancy being a comedian or just want to have a go? Learn about stage craft and how to make it in the world of Stand Up. Meet the greats of comedy and learn from the professionals. Featuring experts Rachel Berger, Brad Oakes and more. What’s so funny about YOU? with Rachel Berger Rachel Berger, “Queen of stand-up satire and dominatrix extraordinaire of audiences” The Australian, is one of Australia’s finest Stand Up Comedians. In a 2-hour workshop she delves into what makes YOU funny? This is not a comedy writing workshop but a unique 2-hour kick-start opportunity to draw on Rachel’s twenty years of experience to help you understand some of the basics of Stand Up comedy. The focus is on discovering your own unique and authentic comedy voice and gaining the confidence to craft and prepare your story into a short comedy routine by the end of the workshop. Attack of the B Grade Movie - Improvisation Workshop. More than just making stuff up! Impro comedy can turn a regular comedy set into something that the audience remembers for years. The techniques of impro comedy can be used in all types of performance including straight stand up. Helping performers to be more in the moment and spontaneous. We will play with and use skills that will help: Solo, duo and group comedy, Dealing with unplanned events and hecklers, Using audience members, The basics of impro and creating side-splitting improv-mania. Get reviews like this… we did: “A lot of fun with moments of brilliance…” - The Age Evan Jones & John Corry Book Now - only 15 spots are available! Date: Sunday, 1st February Venue: St Kilda Army & Navy RSL Upstairs Bar Time: 9am-5pm Bookings: Email: comedy@comedyknockout.com or Phone: 03 9311 2264

Trevor Jones - Best of Laughs Fest Cabaret Trevor Jones, Globe trotting master of the piano bar presents a showcase of nightly changing comedy, music theatre, cabaret and burlesque at its finest. Venue: The Butterfly Club, 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne Time: 1030pm Dates: Friday 30th - Saturday 31st January & Friday 6th - Saturday 7th February Tickets: $22 / $17 concession or for groups of 8 or more. Bookings: www.thebutterflyclub.com

Tom Ballard - Is What He Is Tom is a wooly-woofter/queermo/fagatron. He is gay and he is also 18. He is from Warrnambool. He has just come out. In IS WHAT HE IS, rising star Tom Ballard (Raw 2006, Comedy Zone 2008, Triple J) gives a candid, honest account of his coming to terms with his private bits in the 21st century. Tom’s debut solo show is a hilarious hour of personal story telling that will make you laugh, think, squirm and come to love your fellow humans. "A deft performer with subtle, thoughtful material and time" - Alan Brough (Spicks and Specks) "A very talented comedian" - Nelly Thomas "Lanky"- The Age Venue: Amigos Mexican Restaurant, 92a Acland St, St Kilda Dates: Thursday 29th January-Friday 6th February, 2009 Time: 7pm Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au / Ph: 136100 or at the Box Office on Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door.

Terry North (UK) - It All Points North This Englishman’s refreshing spin on familiar topics, has earned him kudos where ever he goes! This UK comedian Terry North is regarded as one of Australia’s best imported comic hosts. His ability to warm an audience and get them laughing is second to none. "IT ALL POINTS NORTH" will take you on the hilarious journey, starting on a London council estate, through marriage and kids, to Australia, another marriage, more kids, lots of beer and comedy and all north, south, east west points in between! Ps The Beers Cold! Venue: Amigos Mexican Restaurant, 92a Acland St, St Kilda Dates: Thursday 29th January-Friday 6th February, 2009 Time: 8:15pm Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au / Ph: 136100 or at the Box Office on Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door. Website: www.myspace.com/terrynorth

Extreme Blonde It's big. It's blonde. It's bloody funny! Extreme Blonde is a showcase of some of this country's freshest and funniest females. Join Cath Styles and Anna Log, ('Extreme Blonde', MICF 2008), Bev Killick ('Busting Out'), Vera Mackney ('Green Faces' finalist, 2008), and Melinda Buttle ('Raw Comedy' Finalist, 2008), as they show you why blondes really do have more fun! It's the ultimate girls' night out - and everyone's invited! "An excellent night - recommended to all comedy punters" - The Groggy Squirrel See www.myspace.com/extreme_blonde_chicks for nightly line-up. Venue: Amigos Mexican Restaurant, 92a Acland St, St Kilda Dates: Friday 30th January-Friday 6th February, 2009 (NOTE: no shows 1st, 2nd or 3rd of Feb) Time: 9.30pm Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au / Ph: 136100 or at the Box Office on Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door.

Tony Lofley - Silencing the Lambs (Lets Stop the Bleating) Tony is a founding member of the NZ Comedy Guild and was a regular on the stand up scene in NZ for several years including a spot on TVNZ’s pulp comedy and 5 shows for the TV2 International Laugh Festivals form 1998 to 2003. A madcap night of music, mayhem and magic with a Salvation Army sense of style and an op shop sense of sophistication, Tony creates a magic carpet ride blending comedy, song and magic into a seamless night of insanity. Your sides will ache and your head will spin as he combines sophisticated sleight of hand with a razor sharp wit, making this a night you will tell your grandkids about. Venue: Speak Easy Ale House, 192 Barkly Street, St Kilda Dates: Thursday 29th January-Friday 6th February, 2009 Time: 7:15pm Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au / Ph: 136100 or at the Box Office on Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door.

Festival Showcase

ST KILDA LAUGHS FESTIVAL - Showcase A nightly showcase of comedians from the 2009 St Kilda Laughs Festival Venue: Amigos Mexican Restaurant, 92a Acland St, St Kilda Dates: Monday, 2nd February - Friday 6th February, 2009 Time: 830pm Tickets: $5 Bookings: at the door or at the box office (info booth in Ackland St)

The Amazing Zig Zag Circus Sideshow The 8th, 9th and 10th wonder of the world, The Amazing Zig Zag Circus Sideshow will leave you gob smacked! Classic sideshow routines with a modern twist - if you have never seen a man swallow a coat hanger, tie it in a knot in his stomach and then regurgitate it, this show is for you...This is side splitting entertainment..If you like the sound of a man hammering nails through his nose, my friends you are in for a treat....If you want to see a man smashing concrete blocks on his genitals, well you are sick..... but we can accommodate...It's the illegitimite offspring of Ripley's Belive It or not, and Guinness world records LIVE on stage, with a twist of lemon juice...The worlds most dangerous, heart pumping, soul slamming, mind bending, gut wrenching show....LADIES AND GENTLEMEN - THE AMAZING ZIG ZAG CIRCUS SIDESHOW!!! “Warning: May contain Nudity” Venue: Speak Easy Ale House, St Kilda Dates: Thursday 29th Jan-Friday 6th February, 2009 Time: 9:30pm Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au / Ph: 136100 or at the Box Office on Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door.

James Moffett The Water Revolution 2008 Triple J Raw Comedy State Finalist and Green Faces Grand Finalist. Very funny man! James believes the world is facing a water revolution. This show is about how tight arse we will all be in our fragile environment. Venue: Gypsies (aka Kat Bahloo), 107 Acland Street, St Kilda Time:745pm Dates:Thursday 29th Jan-Friday 6th February, 2009 Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au, ph: 136100, at the Box Office Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door.

Nick Cody - Real Men drink Daiquiris After packed shows at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, 2008 Green Faces National finalist Nick Cody brings his quick wit and hilarious tales to the St Kilda Laughs Festival for the first time. Whether discussing his difficulties with moving from Werribee to Prahran, figuring out why his balls are trying to ruin his life or why Americans need fish and chips? This emerging Melbourne comic will leave you wanting more. "A brilliant storyteller…kept us glued to his every word" - The Groggy Squirrel Venue: Gypsies (aka Kat Bahloo), 107 Acland Street, St Kilda Time: 900pm Dates: Thursday 29th January-Friday 6th February, 2009 Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au, ph: 136100, at the Box Office Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door.

The Baby Seals present "Attack of the B-Grade Movie" … It’s comedy improv mania… the terrified monsters, the swooning heroes, the 5 foot femme fatale... It’s midnight and screenwriter Donald Mayer has just hours to churn out his latest B-grade movie script. Burnt out from the sausage factory that is the Hollywood studio system, Donald is fresh out of ideas and the film’s overdue for production. Caffeine-addicted Donald boldly turns to a theatre audience for inspiration, and he’s so damn desperate that this just might work! Watch in amazement your own story ideas unfold, while a crew of gifted improvisers become the players of Donald’s imagination… the shifty broads, the loose-lipped urchins, the piano-player (optional)… it can only mean one thing: ‘Attack of the B-Grade Movie!’ "A lot of fun with moments of brilliance…" - The Age Venue: Pure Pop Records, 221 Barkly Street, St Kilda Dates: Thursday 29th January - Friday 6th February, 2009 Time: 7.30pm Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au / Ph: 136100 or at the Box Office on Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door.

Herbie and the Coleslaws Hamish (homegrown terrorist) Hudson and Lizzy (small Asian boy) Rutten joined forces to present a musical comedy act that will have you singing and laughing about all those things we are not allowed to mention. If you like the ‘Flight of the Concorde’s you will absolutely wet your pants with this Aussie Bogan version ‘HERBIE AND THE COLESLAWS’… Venue: Pure Pop Records, 221 Barkly St, St Kilda Dates: Sunday 1st February - Friday 6th February, 2009 Time: 8.45pm Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au / Ph: 136100 or at the Box Office on Acland St, St Kilda, or at the door.

St Kilda Laughs Festival Hub as part of Live N Local St Kilda at the St Kilda Army and Navy RSL upstairs bar. Entry is by donation to The Alfred Hospital.

A feast of Stand Up Comedy and Musical acts will be on show nightly from Sunday Feb 1st to Friday Feb 6th from 9pm (from 830pm Wed 4th). Sunday 1st February 9pm Guest Stand Up comedians plus.. 930pm Stubble - Stubble deliver a unique combination of quality blues, classic rock, ska and country music. They exude strong musicianship in high energy, fun lovin' performance that never fails to get the crowd involved. Many of their songs are themed around enjoying a drink and most of all, having a good time. Monday 2nd February 9pm Stand Up that Night Hosted By Johny Katts - starring comedians from the St Kilda Laughs Festival - and more! Tuesday 3rd February 9pm Michael Connell, a rising local comedian - with The Crawling King Snakes - A Comedy Blues Revue. Wednesday 4th February 830pm Bogan Bingo & local band R! from 10pm. Playing funky rocky original grooves that are guaranteed to move your shoulders and the sides of your mouth. R! create cool music vibes for you to boogie to. www.myspace.com/rtheband. Thursday 5th February Show starts 9pm with Stand Up Comedy with Anna Log and more tba. 930pm Miss Kimba and Gin Remedy - sizzling swing, raucous renditions. Liberal sprinklings of wit and dry humour. As well as dishing out tunes to get your toes tapping and your boot shakiung. Miss Kimba and the Gin Remedy always dish out a few surprises including ukulele solos, vocal trombone and even the odd tap dance drum battle. Friday 6th February 9pm Stand Up comedy & 930pm Papa Chango 9 piece afro beat collective, taking cues from the great fela kuti and infusing their own style of dub reggae renditions. www.papachango.com.au

St Kilda Laughs Festival would like to thank all of our sponsors:

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Any enquiries? Please contact us, and we will be happy to assist.

Some photos from past St Kilda Laughs events...