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| Cabaret Festival: Gentlemen Prefer Blokes - The Independent 14 June 2009 |
| Gentlemen Prefer Blokes, a revue-style gay-transvestite show, has come to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival on the back of a sell-out season at the Sydney Mardi Gras. Courtney Act and Trevor Ashley hit the stage – all glamour as Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell with their Nurse To The Stars, straight girl Virginia Gay – and launch into "Three Little Girls From Adelaide".
"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" gets the treatment, too. But why the nurse? Well, wheelchair-bound Courtney has broken her leg skiing and needs constant looking after. But it turns out Virginia has her own thoughts of stardom and can grab a mike, apply gratuitous anaesthetic to her patient and belt out a tune of her own. The night is full of show routines, parodies and gags. Icons Madonna and Britney come in for some strong treatment early on, with song lyrics heavily re-written to include slagging references to African babies. A tiny Sonny Bono returns from the grave to gaze up at a very substantial Cher: "So put your great big hand in mine, you're like some great flesh mountain I can climb." A pair of evangelising Southern trannies-for-Jesus burst onto the stage to implore us to "pray the gay away" (of course Courtney has made a miraculous recovery from her broken leg by now). They take it even further: "Let your souls go to glory, not to the glory hole". But how do they make the transition from glamour queen to proselytising mayhem? The live show is broken up with parodies of a diverse range of films, including Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, Notes on a Scandal, The Devil Wears Prada, Beaches and Australia. Bob Downe makes a guest appearance in one of these, and much of it is original and smart, for which writer Phil Scott should be congratulated. Perhaps the best moments of the show come when the serious angle of relationships is explored and the three girls harmonise a straight version of Joe Jackson's Real Men. "Brilliant," said one member of the audience in perfect timing between the dying of the last vocal notes and the eruption of applause that crowned the evening. – Dunstan Playhouse |
| WORLD WAR BOB |
| From the Crimea to Iraq - in 75 minutes!
50 Treasured Tunes! Including... PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES, WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE, LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY, GIVE PEACE A CHANCE, LILI MARLENE, AC-CENT-CH-UATE THE POSITIVE, WE'LL MEET AGAIN, WAR (WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?)... and Many More! A Troop Show that's a Revue that's a Cabaret, Featuring 4 Great Aussie Troupers: MARK TREVORROW as Pvt. BOB DOWNE JANE MARKEY as the Vamps & Heroines of War - and also MRS IDA DOWNE, leading a Community Singalong Musical Director & Arranger JOHN THORN Singing Percussionist & All-Rounder JEREMY HOPKINS BOOK NOW! Sneak Previews! Sat 13 & Sun 14 June, THE CLARENDON, Katoomba Premiere Season at the 2009 ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL: 17, 18 & 20 June, The Dunstan Playhouse |
| Adelaide's fabulous Cabaret Festival Opening - Dont eat the Cardboard 6 June 2009 |
| What a sense of occasion — a sparkling cocktail of glamour, kitsch, decadence and glitz descended upon the Festival Centre tonight. Down the red carpet they strode, they whooped, they waved and froze for the cameras. Everyone who was anyone seemed to sweep down that carpet. Anne Wills-flashy but tastefully showy in gold draped around Bob Downe in his army costume, Carol Whitelock, Jane Doyle all velevety and looking a million dollars and Oh those shoes! - a few envious murmurs from the girls around me. The Father of the Fringe and Cabaret Festivals, Frank Ford, resplendent in a white tux, a sylphed down Magda Szubanski in a fitted red cocktail outfit, a dashing Nick Christo alias Frances Faye, John Bucchino, Adelaide's own stylish nice guy Hugh Sheridan, Amber Petty of Princess Mary fame and the irrepressible 84 year old Julie Wilson with a gaggle of glamorous gals and then the man of the moment himself Director David Campbell, all decked out in a gold sequined jacket with his gorgeous wife. Politicians, The Governor and his wife, it was the night of nights, the Festival Centre bathed in glorious lights amid the welcome winter rain, surely this was the taste of things to come, 3 weeks of the World's best, biggest and most original Cabaret Festival. Dennis Coleman |
| ABC Radio parts company with Andrew Daddo - The Daily Telegraph 29 May 2009 |
| ANDREW Daddo hosted his final statewide evening show on 702 ABC last night - and is now in limbo between his radio and TV careers.
ABC local radio program director James O'Brien confirmed Daddo had left the station for a job "on a new commercial television program".
Well, not quite. It's believed Daddo is yet to sign to co-host Channel 9's upcoming This Afternoon magazine show, launching late next month. But that's expected to happen soon, switching the focus to who will replace him on Sydney's second favourite evening radio show. O'Brien said there was a short list but would not reveal it, although Mark Trevorrow, a popular summer fill-in, is on it. Confidential understands The Chaser's Julian Morrow, Sarah McDonald, Angela Catterns, Jennifer Byrne and even Wendy Harmer are also in the mix. Lisa Forrest will fill in for the next month - a trial perhaps? |
| Revue a wartime romp - Adelaide Now 28 May 2009 |
| HAPLESS entertainer Bob Downe really will be in the wars at this year's Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Downe - alias comedian and singer Mark Trevorrow - will perform World War Bob, an affectionate look back at Australian wartime songs and troop shows. "It will be Digger Bob, Private Bob, as he goes through 150 years of songs from the wars," Trevorrow says. "It's a revue that's like a romp through the wars that Australians have enthusiastically taken part in." Trevorrow, a regular star on the Cabaret Festival program, says it is a challenge to find new genres of music to perform each year. "The songs from wars are some of the greatest and most popular songs ever written. The role of the popular song in wartime is to boost morale and for propaganda," he says. "Everybody knows When Johnny Comes Marching Home - and it was written in the 1860s. Then we go into the post-nuclear era, where we're not so sure (about war), so there'll be things like Give Peace a Chance and War (What is it Good For?). It's going to finish with an Iraq rap." Trevorrow's co-star Jane Markey will play "all the vamps and heroines, from Florence Nightingale to Mata Hari to Gracie Fields and Yoko Ono". There will also be a special appearance by Bob's mother, Mrs Ida Downe. Both Trevorrow's grandfathers served in World War I and he had a great-uncle who was killed at Gallipoli. His uncles and aunts on both sides were in the services in World War II, so Trevorrow grew up with family history and rhetoric about the wars. He has enormous admiration for the performers who gave their time to entertain Australia's servicemen in trying circumstances and says Bob's act will follow the format of wartime troop shows. "They put up the lights, they put up the curtain and off they went," Trevorrow says. "We're going to use shadow-play and projection . . . it will be the troop show in Bob's head. The audience will all have a Boomerang songbook on their seat and they have to sing along with every single song." Bob Downe has his own perspective on the art of war. "As long as he's not in the direct line of fire, he's very enthusiastic about it," Trevorrow says. Trevorrow was ready to retire the Bob Downe character five years ago, as he branched out into TV and radio as himself. "I think I was a bit overtired and emotional at the time," he now says. "The more I did the ABC radio and television work, the more I started to enjoy doing Bob again, because of the contrast." After missing out on a radio gig last year, Trevorrow found himself playing smaller venues, including some RSL and workers' clubs: "It reignited the joy of doing a solo show." |
| World War Bob - Blaze 18 May 2009 |
| Bob Downe is so pleased to be back in Adelaide he's written a new show. Peter Burdon spoke to him about World War Bob.
Bob Downe has been among the hardiest of perennials at the Cabaret Festival, but oh! how we missed him in 2008. Bob's ever so apologetic, and hopes to make amends this year. "I was distraught, not being in Adelaide last year," Bob gushes, "It's [alter ego] Mark Trevorrow's fault, he's been doing all this radio and these shows of his own, and it creates the most impossible scheduling problems! But this year I put my foot down and said that it was my turn, then I was able to turn my attention to a show, and World War Bob was born." World War Bob will be an affectionate and no doubt occasionally riotous reflection on the troop shows of days gone by and to the continuing role music plays in time of war. "The troop show's been important all over the world," Bob explains, "and everyone remembers the Andrews Sisters and Vera Lynn, and I'll certainly be paying tribute to them. My 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' for instance, has been commented on from coast to coast, and not just in Australia! (And by the way, there is no truth in the rumour that I am the hitherto unknown Andrews Brother!) But it's not just the World Wars, there's been a lot of great music written since then. Look at John Lennon's 'Give peace a chance' which is a perfect Bob Downe song if ever I've heard one! But I'm extending myself, too, and I'm delving into soul with numbers like Edwin Starr's 'War (What is it good for?)' and I think you'll find there's a striking similarity between me and Bruce Springsteen." So where does this inspiration come from? Childhood memories, perhaps? "Well, to be honest the only military installation in Murwillumbah was the Salvation Army," Bob admits, "but of course they had tambourines and as you know, I love tambourines and they've always played an important part in my shows!" But will he be exchanging the safari suit for fatigues? "I admit that is a challenge," Bob says glumly, "I've been doing intensive research on the possibility of a camouflage safari suit but things aren't looking promising. And as for the slouch hat, I had some promotional photos taken for the Cabaret Festival show, and the damage they did to my coiffure hardly bears repeating. But you've got to give your all for our troops, and I'll be doing my very best." The Andrews Sisters, in their wartime service, went so far as to dance with servicemen and according to some reports, "to treat random men to dinner." What, I wonder, is Bob's approach. "That would be telling!" he says with a laugh, "let's just say you need to have limitless devotion and a specialised technique." World War Bob will feature lots of fun and games, including the comic recitations and singalongs that were so much a part of the traditional shows. "Traditional, but with a twist," Bob jumps in, "You'll go out with your morale sky high!" World War Bob is on in the Dunstan Playhouse from 17–20 June. Session times vary, so check the program. Book at Bass. |
| Big Band "Round The World" |
| Big band fun with MC Bob Downe & vocalists Fiona Thorn and Eugene Hamilton
Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 8:00pm Songs from New York, Russia, Germany, France and swingin' London! - with vocalists multi-lingual Fiona Thorn and suave Euguene Hamilton and your captain for the evening Bob Downe, backed by the fabulous B# Big Band. The Open Family Australia's 'Night On The Streets' gala dinner, ball & fundraiser. |
| Bob Downe - World War Bob - 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival April 2009 |
| When 17 June 2009 - 20 June 2009 Venue Dunstan Playhouse Price Adult $38 Conc $34 Matinee $25 Duration 1 Hr 30 Mins By Mark Trevorrow and Bill Harding (playwright & writer of the original Norman Gunston Show) Musical Direction by John Thorn. Paying tribute to the troop shows of yesteryear Bob Downe and friends explore the role of popular song in wartime - for morale, diversion and propaganda. A knockabout blend of troop show, revue and music hall favourites featuring songs and medleys such as It's a Long Way to Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Give Peace a Chance and War (What is it Good For?). World War Bob will be a fast paced romp that includes shadow-play, rear projection, comic monologues and audience participation. Bob's the Bomb! You'll come for the songs - and stay for the duration. "...three encores were scarcely enough for a near-insatiable crowd." - The Advertiser |
| Cabaret Festival review: World War Bob – Mark Trevorrow (Bob Downe) - The Independent 18 June 2009 |
| Song sheets are taken enthusiastically as the excited audience enters the theatre, knowing that Private Bob Downe is about to lead them on a wartime journey of "army camp" songs – with less emphasis on the songs (or the army, for that matter!).
I can't decide whether World War Bob is a slightly exaggerated attempt to re-create the fun of wartime entertainment or a poor man's pantomime. There's no doubt that Downe is the central character but there are times when the other cast members step forward to demonstrate their own strengths – most notably, drummer (Corporal) Jeremy Hopkins, who took centre stage to sing "Lily Marlene", beautifully. There are many costume changes throughout this 90-minute show, but the fillers sometimes lack continuity. Jane Markey plays numerous roles and does an impressive Marlene Dietrich-type character as she meanders menacingly through the front rows. Musical director and on-stage pianist (Sergeant) John Thorn and Hopkins hold the show together but stepped out of their comfort zones at times to join Downe and Markey in song and dance routines. "Flamboyant" is not nearly enough to describe Trevorrow's alter ego, and this is the character audiences know and love. A highlight was when he sat on the edge of the stage dressed in a laftan and long-haired wig, guitar in hand, and fired off some great comedy. Mrs Ida Downe (Markey) leads the song sheet sing-a-long towards the end, with raw gusto against a projected backdrop of the inside of a village hall. At the final curtain, Trevorow comes forward and dedicates this show to his father, who died just three months ago. A nice, but unusual, touch was a moment's silence for those that gave so much in the war. "They are great songs," Mark says, "but perhaps it would be better if they never had to be written." |
| World War Bob - SameSame 15 June 2009 |
| It's winter in The Blue Mountains, it's cold but if you look carefully near the first of The Three Sisters you can make out the silhouette of a lonely bugler as he raises his horn to his lips to send out the clarion call. The Empire is in need. All fit soldiers of the Queen are being asked to do their bit and Private Bob has never been one to shirk 'doing his bits.' Like a good Christian soldier he's marching off to war, with a song in his heart and a can of Ultra Clutch hairspray in his knapsack, our Prince of Polyester, Private Bob Downe with his favourite femme fatale, Ms. Jane Markey, are off to entertain and amuse our boys overseas, giving new meaning to the term, 'camp show.'
A quick digression: in Sydney there once was a club that was a restaurant that was a bar that was a theatre that once was a funeral parlour and it was wonderful. It was called Kinselas and it functioned as the unofficial Green Room for Sydney. This is where I first saw Mr. Trevorrow and Ms. Markey when they were performing as 'The Globos', the year was 1982; I have patiently waited twenty five years to see Ms. Markey, live, on stage again. Ms. Markey is one of the great comic talents of Australia and it was mostly for her that I travelled the two hours to the Mountains. Did she disappoint – no siree Bob she did not. With a crooked smile and a knowing glance at the audience Ms. Markey had me – in fact she had me at Hello. As 'Ida Downe', she led us in a sing-a-long, that from now on every good show must have, just think how much more enjoyable 'Sweeney Todd' would be with a little audience participation. What can one say that hasn't already been said better by others about Bob Downe? He has the comic genius and timing of Humphries, he has the wit of Kennedy, (Graham not JFK), and the classic good looks of Barry Crocker… with better hair. If John Waters, (Hairspray), had been born in Australia then Bob Downe would have been his muse. To dismiss Bob Downe as merely a spoof of every bad club performer you've ever seen is to miss the point. Bob is an over the top tribute to a time and era when things were simpler, when a holiday away was a trip in a caravan with Mum, Dad and Aunty Merle, or when 'el dente' was an Italian comic appearing, third on the bill, at the Murwillumbah RSL. Bob is to entertainment what Bakelite is to radio. From the Crimea to Iraq in 75 minutes the publicity blurb said and it didn't lie. No war is too small for this band of military minstrels. Armed only with an Oral B toothbrush and his very own special WMD's, (Words of Musical Distraction), Private Bob and chanteuse Markey embark on an epic journey through the music of the wars. Pro war – anti war you name it they sing it and boy do they sing it well. It's exhausting; from the sexually charged 'Dance of the Seven Veils', performed with great subtlety by Ms. Markey, to the soulful 'Lilli Marlene', sung by the very sweet Jeremy Hopkins, World War Bob is a hoot. An old fashioned cabaret/revue that's proud of its roots. This is the out of town tryout before WWB hits the big smoke of Adelaide. Sure there were problems; lighting cues that didn't work and a microphone on the fritz but Mr. Trevorrow's incredible professionalism and determination kept us laughing until the very last minute. Conceived, written and directed by Mark Trevorrow, with Bill Harding, musical arrangements by John Thorn and choreography by Jack Webster. WWB is indeed the campest of camp shows. 'World War Bob' will be playing in Adelaide at The Playhouse, June 17 through June 20. |
| Packed house for volunteers concert - Government of South Australia 7 June 2009 |
| The Premier Mike Rann says there will be a full house at tomorrow's annual Volunteers Day Concert, which is a chance to say thanks to the State's selfless volunteers.
"The concert will see about 2, 000 volunteers soak up world class entertainment - for free. It's a sign of the State's gratitude for the valuable contribution South Australia's 600, 000 volunteers make." The concert will be hosted by the ABC's Peter Goers and features performances by two acclaimed Adelaide Cabaret Festival acts; comedian and musician Mr Bob Downe and jazz singer and vocal artist Mr Percival. "The concert is also a time to praise this year's winners of the Volunteers Day Awards. These generous individuals and organisations inspire others to give their time and skills to the community." Premier Mike Rann and the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR will present the awards |
| Get Downe This Mardi Gras! - SameSame 17 February 2009 |
| Following his triumphant Retro Dance Set at the 2007 Mardi Gras Party, Australia's Camp Prince of Polyester Bob Downe is hosting Retro-Gras, his very own cabaret and dance night at the Festival Bar Supper Club. He promises you'll "laugh and dance yourself silly every Thursday until late during Mardi Gras!"
So Bob, tell us a little bit about Retro-Gras. What are we are likely to see in the show? Sydneysiders and Mardi Gras visitors will taste the glam cabaret feel of yesteryear as we turn the clock back to Les Girls and Chequers, with top notch lip-sync drag and popular singing between 8 to 10pm, featuring the stars of Oxford Street and beyond, followed by dancing until late! I'll be personally spinning the retro discs, along with Mister Tina (direct from San Francisco) and our very own Richard Weiss. The prices are yesteryear-ish, too: $20 for the cabaret, then $10 after 10pm for drinks and dancing! And I give you my personal guarantee there will not be a single new track or song in this show! You're often called "The Prince of polyester" do you feel this is all you are? I could never be just that. I'm an actor, singer, dancer, and a hand model too. You often bring us back to the "songs of yesteryear". Are we likely to expect a little memory rewind from Retro-Gras? Darling, by the time we're finished with you, you won't know what decade it is! You'll stumble out and down the strip, trying to get into Patch's and Flo's Palace. Tell us a little bit about your guests in the show. My regular Oxford Street classical performers include Cindy Pastel, Joyce Maynge, Miss 3D, Toni 2000 and Monique Kelly. My headliner guests will blow your mind: this Thursday it's the wonderful, brilliant Shauna Jensen. As for the other two Thursdays well, you'll just have to show up and see, won't you? I like surprises and I know you do too. What does Mardi gras mean to you? It's like Christmas, Easter, ANZAC Day and my birthday, all rolled into one. Will there be plenty of costume changes throughout the night? What kind of a question is that? We won't be working nude, that's for sure! Patch's and Flo's Palace here we come! Bob Downe's Retro-Gras is on Thursday nights at Supper Club, 134 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. Cabaret from 8pm ($20) dancing from 10pm til late ($10). Tickets are available through Moshtix. |
| Pam Ann Takes Off In Australia Exclusively On The Comedy Channel - February 2009 |
| THE COMEDY CHANNEL is pleased to welcome aboard international air hostess to the A-List Pam Ann as she takes off in her very first TV series The Pam Ann Show on Wednesday March 11 at 9.30pm.
Pam Ann is the comic creation of Australian comedian Caroline Reid who portrays the 1960s-clad air hostess with a mixture of comedy and glamour. Fresh from a major UK tour, sell-out shows in New York, a sell-out 25 date European Tour and a hit run at the Edinburgh Festival, Pucci-clad Pam has also toured with Cher, crewed private jets for Elton John and even Madonna is a fan! Alex Ristevski, The Comedy Channel Manager said: We are delighted that Pam Ann has decided to park her jet in the Comedy Channel studios. This show reaffirms our commitment to quality local comedy production and ensures that we continue to work with the cream of comedy talent both locally and internationally. This is truly the best in-flight entertainment you are ever likely to experience. Pam Ann said: I'd rather cry in a Rolls Royce than be happy on a bike, I'm Pam Ann, Fly me! Pam Ann Airlines the worlds most experienced airline - the fact is we don't make the same mistake more than three times... maybe four. Fasten your seatbelts your in for a bumpy ride. In each of the 8 x 30 minute episodes, Pam Ann flies to a different international destination and welcomes celebrity guests aboard her Boeing 747. Complete with her cabin crew and the Pams People dancers, The Pam Ann Show features musical numbers, sketches, celebrity interrogations and all manner of mile-high surprises. Joining Pam in the air is a galaxy of stars including Peter Morrissey, Jonathan Coleman, Leo Sayer, Julia Morris, Simon Burke, Dr Cindy Pan, Tania Zaetta and special appearances from Dannii Minogue, Bob Downe, Tina Arena, Darren Hayes and many more. Pam Ann will touch down in Australia direct from the UK next week and will co-host Foxtel's Live coverage of the 2009 Mardi Gras Parade alongside Charlotte Dawson and Alex Perry on Saturday March 7 on Main Event. Passengers, theres likely to be turbulence, so fasten your seat belts as THE PAM ANN SHOW arrives in Australia exclusive to The Comedy Channel. |
| Fun at the fair - Sydney Star Observer 11 February 2009 |
| Organisers say they are expecting record crowds at Fair Day 2009, with the popular day in the park playing host to the official launch of the Mardi Gras season for the first ever time.
Comedian Bob Downe and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore will join expected crowds of more than 70,000 this Sunday to mark the beginning of the world-famous festival's 31st year. "Fair Day has proven itself year after year to be one of the favourite Mardi Gras events so it makes sense to mark the launch of the whole season in front of what we expect to be a massive crowd," New Mardi Gras chair David Imrie said. Mardi Gras Launch will take over the main stage at noon. Performer Shauna Jensen and broadcaster Julie McCrossin will host Launch with Neighbour Day founder and GLBTI advocate Andrew Heslop providing the keynote address. On the Broadway stage drag queen puppet Queen Miss Left Titter invites you to spend some time with the Carpenters and Lesbian Supergroup. The Lounge Tent by Bitch will return with a full line-up of smooth sounds in the afternoon with the tempo going up in the evening. The Doggywood pooch show is back and will provide free dog obedience training sessions. Team Sydney will be up to their athletic best in the popular Sports Village and ACON will be doing its annual survey. |
| Help ACON at Fair Day - Sydney Star Observer 10 February 2009 |
| People attending this weekend's Fair Day are being encouraged to help ACON build the health and wellbeing of our community by taking part in an important bi-annual survey.
The Sydney Gay Community Periodic Survey is designed to improve understanding of gay and health issues by gathering data on sexual behaviour, sexual health, drug use and community engagement. The Periodic Survey occurs twice a year and is conduced by the National Centre In HIV Social Research and the National Centre In HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research in collaboration with ACON and People Living With HIV/AIDS (NSW). The study forms a vital part of NSW's HIV response, enabling ACON and other organisations to measure the level of risk behaviour in the community every six months. People interested in contributing to the study can do so at one of several stalls at Fair Day including one at ACON's fabulous outdoor pavillion, ACON Alley In addition to filling out the survey, visitors to ACON Alley will be able to find out more about ACON's Adventures In Pleasure Mardi Gras campaign and get lots of tips and info about staying healthy during the party season. They can also pick up some cool giveaways, help out by becoming an ACON volunteer or become a financial supporter through the ACON Angels program. For more info check out the ACON website: www.acon.org.au/mardigras Top Aussie comedian Julia Morris is set to join mad cap Bob Downe and five other Sydney side-splitters as they tackle the contentious issue of same-sex marriage during Mardi Gras' The Great Debate. Arguing "Is same-sex marriage worth the price of the rice?", the line up of celebrity debaters also includes stand-up comedian Jackie Loeb, drag superstar Mitzi Macintosh, and authour/journalist David Marr. The perennially popular event is a fundraiser for ACON (AIDS Council of NSW) with all proceeds helping the organisation to carry out its work in the community. ACON Event Coordinator David Wilkins says this year's debate is set to push past the taffeta and lift the veil on the pros and cons of tying a same-sex knot. "Same-sex marriage is one of the biggest civil rights issues in the country right now so we felt that an cheeky and completely disrespectful debate on the subject would be a great way to explore the issue during Mardi Gras," he says. "With so many , it's a topic that's ripe with comic possibilities and I think we can expect this year's Debate to be one of the most entertaining ever." So join celebrity celebrant Bob Downe as he pulls out the shotgun for a bridal party that Mardi Gras will never forget. Bouquets and brickbats will be flying from both sides of the aisle with no one expected to hold their peace. Where Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, Cnr Cleveland St and City Rd, Chippendale
When Wed 13 Feb, 8pm |
| The Great Debate - Bride + Prejudice - sydney.jollypeople.com 8 February 2009 |
| Bob Downe will head up the Sydney Mardi Gras' The Great Debate - Bride + Prejudice, a conversational contest about same-sex marriage.
Some of Sydney's most beloved comedians including Julia Morris (pictured), will ask themselves if 'same sex marriage [is] worth the price of the rice?' The event will be hosted by, and raise funds and awareness for ACON NSW. Tickets for The Great Debate - Bride + Prejudice, on February 25, are available from The Factory Theatre. |
| Fair Day to double as launch - Sydney Star Observer 4 February 2009 |
| Organisers say they are expecting record crowds at Fair Day 2009 with the popular day in the park playing host to the official launch of the Mardi Gras season for the first ever time.
Pop band Chasing Bailey, Melbourne electro pop trio She Said Yes, comedian Bob Downe and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore will join expected crowds of more than 70,000 on Sunday 15 February to mark the beginning of the world famous festival's 31st year. "Fair Day has proven itself year-after-year to be one of the favourite Mardi Gras events so it makes sense to mark the launch of the whole season in front of what we expect to be a massive crowd," New Mardi Gras chair David Imrie said. Mardi Gras Launch will take over the main stage at noon following an opening spectacular throughout the park. Performers Shauna Jensen and broadcaster Julie McCrossin will host Launch with Neighbour Day founder and GLBTI advocate Andrew Heslop providing the keynote address. The main stage will be full letting Fair Day goers kick back and listen to the likes of singer Brecik and The Super Supremes. On the Broadway stage Queen Miss Left Titter invites you to spend some time with the Carpenters and Lesbian Supergroup. Imrie said Fair Day would have some new features this year following a survey amongst members. "Our survey showed many people were looking for more fun activities on the day and a wider variety of stalls. So we're pleased that in 2009 Fair Day will feature the 'Play Pen' with a variety of games - like a bucking bronco and giant Twister. While a new gourmet food and wine area will see a Nations United of tastes from organic olive oils to connoisseur wine tasting," he said. "Following frequent requests we're also pleased to announce you'll be able to get a frothy coffee on the park too." The Lounge Tent by Bitch will return with a full line up of smooth sounds in the afternoons with the tempo going up in the evening. And Fair Day wouldn't be Fair Day without our favourites the Doggywood pooch show is back and will be providing free dog obedience training sessions. Team Sydney will be up to their athletic best and when park goers are finally done Newtown's Bank Hotel will be hosting the official after party. |
| The Day the Music Died in Daru! - James Waites Blog 4 February 2009 |
| Part way through the evening, thinking upon Holly's death at only 22, and eighteen months of fame, I did ponder a wild moment way back in the days when Kinsela's was a fun and successful venue. My dear friend Mark Trevorrow, as Bob Downe? (I don't know it was a very long time ago) was performing. Could have been Globos. Anyway he was having a bit of fun at the expense of an entertainer of limited talent in those days, called Chelsea Brown, who made the odd appearance on television chats shows and the like. All of a sudden someone (photographer Robert Rosen) called from the back of the theatre: "Chelsea is a friend of mine and she committed suicide yesterday! This is the sort of thing to put your average comedian off their game. But not Trevorrow. After a moment's pause he returned to the microphone and quietly enunciated: "Best career move she ever made!" Trevorrow says it is not his original line. I say all credit to him anyway for dredging it up when so vitally needed. It came to me last night because I did wonder how long Buddy Holly would have lasted in the fame game had he lived significantly longer. |
| Bob Downe's Retro Gras - Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras January 2009 |
| If you were lucky enough to catch our very own Prince of Polyester BOB DOWNE's retro DJ set at the 2007 Mardi Gras Party, then you'll know what a treat you're in for, as Bob and his gang boogie on down- with retro cabaret and dancing at this year's Festival Club. Between 8-10pm, Bob hosts cabaret sets featuring classic Oxford Street performers such as CINDY PASTEL, interviews with visiting celebs, and a star-studded array of special guest singers such as DAVID CAMPBELL, SHAUNA JENSEN or PAUL CAPSIS. Stick around, cos from 10pm til late, Bob and guest DJs will spin you round like a record to retro dance music! Prizes for costumes- so get on Downe!
Details |