FOOTSCRAY LAUGHS

■ Footscray Laughs returns on Friday, June 16 from 8pm-10pm at the Performance Space, Footscray Community Arts, 45 Moreland St, Footscray.

Lizzy Hoo, Aurelia St Clair, Rerose Roro, Rowan Thambar and Woah Alyssa are hitting The Performance Space stage with the aim of having the audience laughing their collective socks off.

Lizzy Hoo is a writer, noodle enthusiast, designer, actor, sports lover, rescue greyhound owner and one of Australia’s new comedic voices.

Comedians and newly ex-boyfriends, Col and Fil are Woah Alyssa who have amassed a cult following with their acclaimed, award-nominated sketch shows that offer audiences an unfiltered glimpse into the personal lives of two millennial gays, intercut with outlandish sketches and pop culture parodies.

Stand-up comedian and regular comedy writer for Channel Ten’s The Project, Rowan Thambar draws upon his heritage, recalling the hilarity of growing up in Australia, the son of Sri Lankan immigrants Rowan’s talents have seen him nominated for Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe, a member of Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Comedy Zone (2018) and Triple J, Nova and ABC National Radio appearances.

Aurelia St Clair is of German-Cameroonian heritage and describes herself as biracial, bisexual and bilingual, starting out at open mic comedy nights in 2018, and since performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne and Sydney Fringe Festivals to rave reviews.

Maddy Weeks, a Melbourne-based writer, comedian and producer is also on the Footscray Laughs bill, best known for her work as host of Channel 31's Wait We're Live!?'and as a producer of 'Queerly Beloved Comedy'.

Rounding out the line-up is Rerose Roro, who began her career in the National Finals of Class Clowns (2019). Her love and dedication to comedy persists as she continues to tell jokes about her family, unique observations and amusing stories from her life.

Performance Details: Friday June 16, 810pm

Venue: Performance Space, Footscray Community Arts 45 Moreland St, Footscray

Tickets: $29-$34 www.footscrayarts.com/

- Cheryl Threadgold

Spanish Film Festival

■ The Spanish Film Festival presented by Palace, an annual celebration of film and culture from Spain and Latin America, will screen in Melbourne at Palace Cinema Como, The Astor Theatre, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, the Kino, Place Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema from June 15 to July 5.

The Festival is celebrating 25 years and befitting such a milestone, will be presenting a 32film strong lineup that offers exciting, inspiring and entertaining viewing from the region.

The highlights include a focus on Women in Filmmaking featuring the work of seven prominent Spanish and Latin American female directors, a comprehensive Carlos Saura retrospective, a Uruguayan documentary with an Australian connection and much, much more.

Opening this year’s festival is the Australian premiere of the comedy Two Many Chefs (La vida padre).

Set in Bilbao’s world of high cuisine, this Spanish box office hit stars Karra Elejalde and Enric Auquer as a father and son whose unexpected reunion after 30 years apart puts their ideas about cooking and life to the test.

For further details on movies being shown in the Spanish Film Festival , visit www.spanishfilmfestival.com

- Cheryl Threadgold

Shake Rattle n Roll

Shake Rattle 'n' Roll the Happy Days 30th

Anniversary Tour is a dynamic concert with memorable songs from the 50s and 60s.

Rick Charles, Glenn Craven, Jonathan Guthrie-Jones sharing the role of front man with ease having performed this show multiple times, Craven is one of the show’s original cast members. With numerous up beat songs, various costumes, a troupe of rock n roll dancers (with a smattering of more modern moves) along with audience banter, there is plenty to keep the audience entertained for two hours.

There were some elements to this show that if changed would heighten the experience such as some live musicians. A live band or some live instruments would have electrified the space - really giving audiences their money’s worth. Perhaps fewer dancers to accommodate this. There were times when the backing music was too loud for the vocals. There were also many backdrops, some distracting to everything else on stage. It was difficult to know where to focus, particularly when there was a clash of colours or moving backgrounds. During the more intimate dances particularly, a well lit stage would be enough.

There were many highlights, Anthony Petrucci one of them. His Elvis tribute was touching. He captured the sentiment of Elvis, his connection with the audience heartfelt, his voice close to the real deal. Jonathan Guthrie Jones had a great rapport with the audience. He was warm, funny, and a talented singing host.

Shake Rattle ‘n’ Roll is a nostalgic show with fabulous songs, great vocals, intricate colour costumes, and talented dancers. I can even forgive some of the old fashioned, eyebrow raising remarks/actions that are a reminder of what people could say and do on stage 30 years ago.

If there was a dance floor, we’d have been dancing along all night. As a fan, thankyou for keeping this style of music alive.

- Review by Elizabeth Semmel

Media Flashes

■ Nat Tencic is now a Producer for the ABC's Fierce Girls podcast. She will work on the current season until early July. Nat also continues in the same role at ABC Radio National's Life Matters, where she has worked since the beginning of 2022.

■ LiSTNR has announced the release of a new podcast, Blak Matters, which explores First Nations issues and why they matter. Published weekly, the episodes will be hosted by Michael "MC" Christian and Teela Reid. The podcast is focused on sharing stories and explaining the context of Aboriginal affairs leading to the Voice Referendum.

■ Melbourne Press Club last week ld a Masterclass webinar in the lead-up to the Victorian state budget. It eature ABC State Political Reporter Richard Willingham, Nine’s Heidi Murphy, and The Age’s Josh Gordon.

■ Concert halls, town halls and churches are frequently used for concerts, but tonight (Wed., May 24) classical music lovers will have the chance to enjoy a concert in the surrounds of the heritage-listed Toorak Synagogue.

The Live At Toorak Synagogue concert will feature celebrated Australian musicians cellist Umberto Clerici and concert pianist Konstantin Shamray.

After a career of playing in concert halls across the world, Clerici is currently chief conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Shamray’s journey to fame began in 2008 when he won the prestigious Sydney Piano Competition, and these days he has a busy international touring schedule.

The concert features music by Bruch and Rachmaninov , designed to celebrate Rachmaninov’s 150th birthday, and there will be a small surprise from the Toorak Synagogue Choir

The concert is part of the Live at Yours series, the brainchild of founder and director Vladimir Fanshil, who said he wanted to engage with the Melbourne community as the host of this romantic program of music in the fine acoustic of Toorak Synagogue.

Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson was also delighted to invite music lovers into his synagogue.

“We are excited to open the doors of this Synagogue to the broader community and share this unforgettable concert. Music is a universal language that brings people together regardless of their backgrounds, and this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the power of culture in our community.”

The concert begins at 7pm on Wednesday May 24 at 7pm at Toorak Synagogue , 8 Toorak Rd, South Yarra (corner of St Kilda Rd ). Tickets can be booked at eventbrite.com.au

Julie Houghton

MSO directors

■ MSO Chairman, David Li, has announced the appointment of three new Directors to the MSO Board: former Victorian Minister of Creative Industries and Health Minister Martin Foley, investment manager Edgar Myer, and corporate leadership and risk management expert Mary Waldron.

“We are delighted to welcome three extraordinary leaders to the MSO Board,” said Li. “These distinguished individuals bring exceptional relevance and expertise. Each has proven leadership, corporate and creative sector experience to contribute to the governance of the MSO.”

Mr Li also acknowledged the contributions of departing Board Directors, Danny Gorog and Hyon-Ju Newman. “My sincere thanks go to Danny and Hyon-Ju for their work in ensuring the MSO’s success since 2014 and 2017 respectively. They will continue to be a vital part of the MSO community.”

Julia Morris’s show

■ Julia Morris: 75 Years in the Business will be presented at Arts Centre Melbourne on June 16-17. The award-winning stand-up comedian, actor and TV presenter has announced an additional show. After years of being indoors, she is back in circulation with her brand-new stand-up spectacular.