March 14th

General

Last night my parents sat me down to have a very awkward conversation about the exact nature of my relationship of friend with benefits (given the distinct lack of man in my life lately substituted by said friend they think maybe i have switched teams), at least I know how I'm going to entertain myself now the fringe is over (messing with your parents is a form of entertainment).

Friend with benefits of course thinks its hysterical and wants to play along.

It was a bit sad dropping her off last night, realizing Diesel was our last ticketed show and our little Fringe fest is over. She declared with a tear that she is going to miss all our time together and that we will have to find other things to do. We have already agreed on a quiz night, continuing to support Adelaide Comedy and having a look at Improv now.....I'm going to miss the spirit of the Fringe though. Sigh

Thats all from me

Min.
XXX

March 14th

General

I finally made it in today. I have been putting it off because there has never been an oppotunity with the girls. I am so regretting it, I I had known how cool it was we have gone again, and again, after school every night, before and after every show. D@mmit.

March 14th

General

Friend with benefits gets it right
Last night I went to see Diesel, now shh, don't tell Lizzy, but I was not a particular Diesel fan, this was one of friend with benefits picks. Note I used the past tense there..... I was not a particular fan, that is to say I didn't mind much one way or another, that was until I saw the man live, now I am in love.

That man can sing, and play the guitar, the sound made when he was thumping rhythmically on the guitar goes straight to your soul, and oh when he talks to the audience. I could have sat there and listened all night. The show ran over because he didn't want to stop playing and we didn't want to stop listening. 

Then we gave him the standing ovation he deserved. Apparently he plays quite often at norwood because he prefers an intimate audience. I am so there.   

March 13th

General

Today when my little humans looked at me with great excitment and asked what I had in mind for them I proudly announced we were off to see Animals Aliens and Vegetables. look this show is really only for hardcore claymation fans. Its not funny, its not clever, its not anything good. I had friends that had tickets and abandoned the show based on the bad reviews it was getting, I should have followed their lead. With 1.5 days left of your Fringe dont spend your time in this show, there is so much else on. It is the First show I have ever been close to leaving it was that awful. Thank goodness I took the girls to get their faces painted, plus get balloon animals and cruised around the market for a while or the day would have been a complete write off. Plus now I have to find them something good to watch tommorrow!!

March 13th

General

Apaprently 150,000 people are expected at Skyshow tonight, this impacts on our Fringe how?
1. Public transport free today :)
2. Lots of rush tickets available because people are preoccupied with the fireworks thing
3. Expect the Garden to get crowded about midnight

Min xxx

March 13th

General

A While a go Lizzy posted this;

"Just saw on the news, that the Fringe is expected to bring in over twenty MILLION dollars for Adelaide. Go Adelaide Fringe, but geeze, maybe it's best we don't have anything else on in the year, or how else are we gonna save twenty million bucks?

I wonder where the money goes that is made from The Fringe. I reckon that we, the paying, participating public should get to choose. That could be the ultimate contest over the Fringe. Everyone who reckons they should get all or a share of the twenty million should nominate themselves, then we as a group could vote. It will also be good to help spur on the crowds, I mean I was going to go home and have a quiet night, but then think of the little kiddies who want a new hospital wing at the Women's and Children, better dig deep, have a few more beers. This one's for the kids!
Argh, I know you'd do me proud South Australia."

Well it got me thinking, firstly, how do I run a campaign to nominate myself for that $20 mil, then where does the money actually go
If anyone else cant sleep at night for wondering .......

The Adelaide Fringe is not for profit, the organisers charge a $2.75 booking fee and in return have to administer shows, run ticket offices, promotions, pay staff, etc, etc. Its not like the Festival where if the director doesn't make a profit they get sacked.

I have been told this year that the Fringe bought the tent next to Ammocco that the artists lounge is hosted in and that this is the first major asset they have purchased.

Your ticket money goes to the venue and the performers. So that $20 million being talked about is an estimated figure added to our economy in restaurants, wages, parking and all the other stuff we spent money on, not a bucket of cash we can use to build a new cancer ward. (plus money to performers and venues)

So for example the Garden of Unearthly Delights is run by an interstate company, I am sure they pay the Fringe a fee for the contract, in return they can set up tents and attractions and charge all the stallholders and performers a cut, that profit goes home with them, any wages or profit made by South Australian stall holders stays here

The moral of this story is the Fringe needs its major sponsors, Bank SA, Arts SA, Nova, Adelaide City Council, Advertiser, Ten, Becks, Internode, Motor Accident Commission. So support them to support the Fringe

Note please dont support Becks, and the Motor Accident Commission simultaneously by drinking driving and crashing

Min XXXX

March 13th

General

I feel a bit like Nemo, I need to just keep going, Fringe is nearly done, sleep will come soon.

I have two more ticketed shows; Diesel tonight plus a puppet show for the girls today and mysteriously my fingers keep clicking on the rush tickets section to see what might be available.

someone suggested to me last night I shouldnt panic that the garden is open for another week, but really the spirti is gone now, its just a chance to say goodbye...sob.

March 11th

General

So having bolted on Adam Hills Show 20 minutes early and binned a certain potato cake, friend with benefits and I made a dash for the Maid and Lindsay Webb's show.

This was another show I really wanted to like and had been looking forward to. I am a big fan of Lindsays and even though I have only seen him twice have enjoyed his material both times. Unfortunatley tonight I saw most of that material again with some new stuff in the middle.

Technically I liked the show, Lindsay has good timing, good delivery, good rapport with the audience and a novel concept. This show probably is a little challenging if you are deely religious but you could do a lot worse. If it was the first time I had seen it, I probably would have laughed as hearty as everyone else

March 11th

General

Oh Lizzy, tonight in the garden, apart from seeing Adam Hills I had but one mission and that was to buy me a $1 potato cake. Now I checked your blog and you never actually said they were delicious, but you were so excited it was implied.

They were hideous. Friend with benefits agreed. The satays 3 for $5 however were quite agreeable.

March 11th

General

Well I risked the heckling, and in a feat probably worthy of its own Fringe show attempted to see both Adam Hills and Lindsay Webb tonight. Friend with benifits and I met at the Maid at 6 and drove my car back into the city, where risking life, limb and the ire of taxi drivers we secured a park in a disabled spot outside the fringe club and then I bustled poor friend with benefits at an unfamiliar (to her) pace into the garden. We caught the first 40 minutes of Adam's show and Im really glad we did. The messing about with the audience idea really appealed to me, it guarantees you see a different show ever night and in the Fringe environment where I am increasingly seeing the same comics do the same routines over and over its very refreshing. Tonight Adam had found a young man who was drunk with an artifical leg, he described it as lookingin a mirror 20 years ago, when I left they were doing terminator impressions and the can can. Apparently you can pay may money to see stuff like that!! (And you should) Also Note to Adam, when the young man couldnt remember the name of the strip club he had been to earlier, you should'nt have been able to work it out so quickly, the fact you could was very telling

March 10th

General

I have just realised that the Spamalot show I have booked to see on Friday is in Elizabeth. I have a bad feeling I might have to forfiet my ticket to that one. If anyone is particulary interested look up my contact details from an earlier blog and Im happy to give it to you

March 10th

General

Dilemma: I have been offered the chance to see Adam Hills on Thursday, only problem is his show backs on to Lindsay Webb and they are at different venues. I have been waiting to seeLindsay all year (his show was one of e the first I booked after seeing him as part of a mixed review last year and realising his main show had closed)

Now I either have to leave Adam Early for which I risk a heckling, or be late for Lindsay, again for which I risk a heckling. Or miss Adam all together. I hate that the because of the Fringe I have to make bad choices

March 10th

General

I really enjoyed Spontaneous Broadway tonight. It was a variant of improv done musically and provided plenty of laughs from talented performers. It was clear a number of the audience were back for a second sitting (maybe a third) and I can see why, every show would be different and the touches of the unexpected were fun. I didnt see anyone leaving that wasn't smiling.

March 9th

General

I went to see Theater Sports at the Excelsior tonight. I remember seeing some theatre sports on TV sometime in the 80's and thinking 'hey that's cool, I want to see that again', and never getting around to it. Now I can't think why, apparently Improv Now is quite active in Adelaide.

It was a good show, I should have come a bit earlier so I got better seats, and the cakes sold out at interval but those were my only complaints. They were selling the cheapest snacks and drinks I have found at the Fringe.

The performers were mostly professionals from other Fringe acts and all did a great job. The Girls from Austen Found were stand outs for me as were the boys from Changing Jennifer's (see entry above) seeing as both of their acts were based on Improv and you can't watch more Theatre Sports as this show has now finished, if you are a fan of this genre then their shows may be worth seeing.

The nights winners didn't identify which act they are from but chose to promote Ross Daniels Transposed Man, its tough when performers of that caliber tell you a show is good and you know you don't have enough time to see it, anyone got a dvd of the show?

March 8th

General

I went to Theatre Sports tonight and had a great time at the show. The competing teams were made up of performers from other Fringe Acts. One of them 'Changing Jennifer's' has their last show on tomorrow night at LaBoheme. They described it to me like an extended improv version of theatre sports. I thought these guys were excellent and as an added bonus they tell me their tickets are only $10. I would have to say if you have nothing booked for Tuesday night there are a lot worse ways you could spend $10 and an hour.

I strongly suggest you get some dinner at Dragonfly round the corner should you decide to do this, try the Enoki mushrooms or Takatai beef!!

March 8th

General

While on the subject of my faux date it has emerged that because she has mobility issues and hence a disabled parking permit, which we have been putting in my car to get us good parking spots and that seems to have a magical ability to protect us from parking tickets that she whishes hence force to be known as my 'friend with benefits'

March 8th

General

Today when deciding what to do there were a series of texts exchanged between my faux date and I during which it emerged that I had not had a shower or gotten dressed by 1pm in an attempt to make myself stay home and do some reports. She responded that she was using the same tactic. I responded there might be a new Fringe act called the 'Stinky Sisters' She responded to ask what time and if I was booking ticketsrn

March 8th

General

I am trying to decide how much I want to brave the weather and see what the street Festival has to offer. I know I have to go out later anyway because I am booked for Theatre Sports at Excelsior Hall at 7.30. This show has sold out and Im pretty excited about it. After or before that hmmm......any suggestions?

March 8th

General

Dear site administrators. Please stop moderating my blog. I really don't like that I cant edit the spelling mistakes I made at 3am because they go in for moderating leaving my errors visible for 3 days of a long weekend (a bit like the facebook photos I need to go and untag every morning)

Mostly I don't like it because I write 4 entries at a time and you always only moderate 1 which means by the time the moderated entry comes up Im 12 entries past and its missed. So now Im really worried that everyone wont know I want them to go and see Jason Cook.

Come on guys, you are always letting my entries through, give me a season pass

Min
XXX

March 8th

General

Merkel I love your blog and choc reviews at Fringe venues. I'm really disappointed you cheated re the Arkaba one, and that we didn't work out we were both going and introduce ourselves.

So....I have this little challenge for you. I can't for the life of me work out why you order a chocolate and take what you get. One would never do it with steak or even coffee.

This week Id like you to pop into the perfect Cup in the Markets (in the mall down from Coles) and order yourself a hot chocolate. Don't just take what comes but specify to them what your dream hot choc for the day will be like (you can tell them I made you, they will understand, they make me some crazy stuff)

I want to see that review

Min
XXX

March 8th

General

I saw Mickey D twice today once doing a free spot for Bank SA and later I caught his show. I was introduced to him too.

I was talking to friends of his after the show and they mentioned he was going straight to another venue to work a charity gig for other Fringe performers that hadn't made enough to cover costs in order to help them out. I have so much respect for him because I think he is funny and I know he works hard.

So I really, really wanted to like his show. (You already know this ends badly don't you)
I offer the following qualifications to my review;
1. I am fatigued
2. I have seen him perform many short bits and have heard a fair bit of his material, this dilutes the funny
3. The rest of the audience thought he was hysterical.

I am not saying he wasn't funny, because he was, I did laugh and I did enjoy the show. I just don't think I am his audience. Please please don't let me discourage you from seeing him because he was good, I have just enjoyed some shows more and rank them accordingly.

March 7th

General

I cruised into the Garden for a while and sat to watch the free shows. Caught the tail end of Carmen and thought it was hideous. My only thought was they let her in because they thought she was cultural and as a sop to WomAdelaide fans. rnrnI love seeing all the children in the gardens with their parents getting into the shows (teach them young I say) Asher Treleaven was doing such a good job as MC I will seriously consider going to see his show. My only criticism is that while there were free tickets being given out a plenty, no shows were suitable for children....so not fair!!

March 7th

General

While on Frome street today my faux date and I popped into the Urban Cow Studio to see 'Pretending things are a c0ck' This is a free show in the upstairs galley. Of the 20 or so photos on display I thought 5 were good. The rest were just left me wondering if I should get the photographer some therapy. I was no where as impressed as I wanted to be, because I actually made a real effort to see this.

Look go and see it anyway, because well, its visual art and I think its meant to be good for you, maybe you will see something in it I didn't (in an emperors new clothes kind of a way) but mostly because the Urban Cow Studio has heaps of cool stuff made by local artists downstairs.

March 7th

General

In the past I have heard some bad reviews of the food and the service at what was the Snotty Fox and is now the Quality Hotel Adelaide, so I thought it was the perfect Venue for the Fawlty Towers dinner show.

Upon entering we were told Mr Fawlty would seat us and directed to the bar where I noticed that some other patrons were complaining the champagne was flat and the barmaid that served me couldn't make a lemon lime and bitters, this was just interesting incompetence and not part of the act.

When the cast 3 entered (Sybil, Basil, Manuel) they were faultless in their Fawlty style. The way of seating guests was novel, I think Basil has the best job in the world, freely insulting his guests throughout the day.

The show was incredibly well thought out, the tables were badly set so you had to ask for your cutlery, if you got two knives and had no choice but to participate in the act as appropriate cutlery was eventually sourced (or stolen of a nearby tabble). I loved all the little details, bread rolls literally thrown at you to catch, seasonings showered on the table if you didn't have a plate, it became dinner with paranoia, you learned to clean your cutlery, hold on to it, search your food before eating and don't ask for anything.

Dinner was served as you would genuinely expect at Fawlty Towers, and as expected the meal was pretty average, however the floor show was anything but. There were all the best Fawlty elements, including a missing rat, nagging and gratuitous violence. All as I can say was bravo to the production company this is a well thought out piece. Take your family or friends to this show without hesitation, however pay attention to the lessons cited above.

March 7th

General

I noticed today that the Northern Lights will be left on until the 5th of April. Im adding this to my current list of things to be happy about.

March 7th

General

I have gotten home a little late over the last few days and not gotten to sleep until 4am ish regularly, today I caught another 3 Shows plus wondered down Rundle Street to have a look at the Street Festival. Apart from the fact I'm on about my 5th coffee for the day does anyone have an antidote for Fringe Fatigue because I cant seem to stop.

PS I need to mention my Fringe Fatigue, (Im not just bragging) because I feel I need to give my next 3 reviews some context.

March 7th

General

I saw a preview of Dead Cat Bounce at Gluttony and I thought they were awesome, they were rated a 4.5 star review in the Advertiser, then I saw a few 3 star and not so great reviews on here wanted to wonder back and have another look.

Happily the guys were obliging and I got a guest pass to do so. By the second song I am thinking yep they are just as funny as I remember They will do a musical parody of anything , the blues, rugby, girls night out, clockwork orange style thuggery, the disabled, religion. Sometimes I groaned but I was laughing when I did it.

Don't go if you are easily offended; go if you like to laugh. The audience I sat with were into the show plus. I spoke to the sound guys at the end and they said all the audiences were like that. Apparently they did an outdoor gig on Friday and the Police were called they drew such a crowd. All as I can say is there must be some sort of weird Dead Cat bounce conspiracy out there because this show is worth seeing.

March 7th

General

I went to see Jason Cook in My confessions last night, somehow it managed to turn into MissMins confessions. I was accompanied by Big_John and my trusty Fringe Date, who because I haven't quite forgiven her for the Beatles thing was sent to sit in 'coventry'(ie on the other side of Big_John). Jason Cook then asked if she was his wife and I blurted out that she was my date. Later on in the show he asked if I ever smacked my children, and not wanting to lie I fessed up to the occasional tap on the hand, however it was just a yes or no answer, so I yessed. Sigh I entered the venue as a fun loving 30 something and left as a lesbian child beating single mum. As penance I then had to put up with my best friend threatening to stick her tongue in my ear for the rest of the night.

Oh yes, about the show. Comedy is hard, especially at The Fringe where there are so many competing shows. I tend to think a comedian does a good job if they can do 3 things 1. Something a bit different, ie an interesting context, 2. Ad Lib and have fun with the audience, 3. Know their audience and get the tone right. Jason Cook did all three to perfection. When an audience member left to go to the toilet and he immediately planned a practical joke that saw Big_john leap off the stage and nearly take the unlucky punter down when he came back, well the man was my new hero

I laughed a lot, and like many people I saw as they left at the end, I cried (in a good way).

This is a really really good show to go see (not best appreciated if you have serious father issues). Right after it finished I rang my Dad.....and I told him to go see it.

March 7th

General

I was driving through Light Square Yesterday and had an opportunity to take a really good look at the astronaut there. Is it just me or does that thing have a really impressive 'package'.

March 6th

General

Whilst undertaking a little more research today I found the following and couldn't help sharing;
Want to see the Northern Lights this year, but think the parking might be a hassle? Think again... Upark on Gawler Place will be open extended hours and at special rates!
$3.70 max Saturday (enter after 6pm) $4 max Sunday/Public Holidays

Considering I paid $14 for a car par in Frome Road for 4 hours last night, that's a bargain!!

If you have Womad Tickets its better....Pre purchase parking tickets (ie jump out and get the ticket before you go in) from the cashiers office at UPark Rundle. (Valid Friday, 5 March - Monday, 8 March 2010.) $15 all day Saturday $4 Sunday & Monday (must show WOMAD ticket at cashier). Wohoooo

March 6th

General

I was doing a little research about money profits and funding for the Fringe (more about that later) and I came across this blog by Monkey Box

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=220890662&blogId=461560504

'Thanks Bank SA!!!
Bank SA have kindly accepted Monkey Box as a supported Fringe act!! So what does a supported act get? Bank SA will sell 40 tickets to our shows at just $10 each and give us the full price. Our show gets free publicity in The Advertiser, and also get featured in a special section of www.talkfringe.com and as advertising all costs money we can use all the free advertising we can get.'

Honestly I had no idea BankSA did that, I know they sponsor, have this website and are responsible for my beloved free concerts, but this too, really guys, how nice are you!!

March 6th

General

Oh I forgot to mention regarding last Friday, the girls and I wondered off to find something else to do and it turns out that the Northern Lights were about to be turned on so the city did not fail to entertain us!!

PS Don't forget to check out the lights on North Terrace while you are in town, just amazing!! My youngest daughter thought University Hall was so beautiful that I should buy it. Sadly I don't think I can afford the rates.

March 6th

General

Last week on Friday I bought my daughters in to town to see what the Fringe had to offer. We wondered down to the Garden as one does however the horrendous cues which indicated to me a big crowd inside were a bit overwhelming for a couple of small girls and so we went of in search of something else to do.

I couldn't help but notice Rymill Park just across the road was contrastingly quiet and empty, it seemed wasteful to have one space so full its being turned into a dustbowl and the other shut down (Amococco) or corralled off for the exclusive use of artists. As it turned out I learnt a little bit more about that last night, watch this space.

March 6th

General

I caught a preview of this show last night and although when it started I quietly groaned at the hideous singing and amount of props being thrown around the stage, it took very little time to warm up to the fact that Carl uses some clever 'misunderstandings' of the English language to make a very funny show.

March 6th

General

I have previously made the point that I am prepared to put my name to what I write and hence posted a link to my facebook profile. One person contacted me following that and it was Big_John. I wasn't surprised really, its clear he reads everyone's blogs and wants to offer support. We have kept up a line of chat and last night he introduced my friend and I to the artists lounge.

While there I had to suppress many a laugh because he kept introducing me as one of the main reviewers of this site, and seems convinced that people actually read it, when I am fairly confident its about 10 of us reading each others blogs!! However that said while I thought I was passionate about the Fringe this man puts me to shame, he lives it, breath's it and knows all about it.

When I mentioned that I didn't think the reviews of Dead Cat bounce had been fair as we really enjoyed what we saw of them at Gluttony he chased down a member of the band and got my name put on the door so I could see them again and review them properly (although they didn't know about this site either (giggle)).

Listening to Big_John he isn't a man that passively turns up to watch the Fringe and criticize, he has plans to keep building it onward an upward....bravo.

March 6th

General

I have a deal with my friend that for as long as its mutually convenient (and especially during the Fringe) that we will be each others dates whenever required. The upside of this is that she took me to the AC/DC concert Tuesday night. The downside is that she took me to 'Let it be- The Beatles Show' last night.

Interestingly enough I think its fair to compare both shows because I am not a huge fan of either band and so I went with an open mind to enjoy the performance(s).

At AC/DC the crowd was very big, 40,000 plus I hear, it milled around the gates to Adelaide Oval with huge numbers of people looking lost and seeking directions to what gate they should find. When we found an usher he was feeling overwhelmed and threatening to take of his jacket so he take a break.
At the Beatles tribute show the crowd was about 200 strong, they filed into the venue in an orderly manner- the usher wore what appeared to be a Port Power Logo (this was probably the point at which I should have run)

At AC/DC, once inside it was very organized, laminated signs and an abundance of ushers helped you find your seat. At the Beatles tribute show held at the Queens Arms on Wright Street, it was not organized, you had to go and get a seat (which wasn't exactly light) and plonk it down where you want to sit. I have this job thing I do nominally from a Monday to Friday and in it I have a fair exposure to the effects of long term injuries on peoples lives, watching the occupational health and safety nightmare that was a group of 40-65 year olds pick up heavy, metal based chairs and drop them where they pleased with no care for fire exits was a little harrowing for me. Additionally it was absurdly hot and stuffy in the room, after 2 hours it was uncomfortable.

At AC/DC there were bars everywhere and the beer flowed freely. At the Beatles tribute show the bar inside the venue was closed and you had to go to the front bar and wait a considerable time for a drink.

When the show started my faux date noted that the Beatles Tribute show weren't as loud as AC/DC!! Certainly there were no visual effects, lasers, trains crashing through the stage and large blow up dolls riding trains, however I'm prepared to make allowances for budget given the difference in ticket price.

The Beatles Band were Chatty, I give them that, they kept up a good audience rapport, although they thought they were comedians and they weren't. They seemed to be doing medleys and mashing about 4 songs together, consequently I often lost track of what they were singing. They encouraged singing along. Their singing was mediocre and at about 9.30 trapped in a room full of old people having a sing along I realized I was in my own private hell. I did the only thing possible that being bought a glass of sparkling red and joined in. The lead singer couldn't hold a tune and he nodded so much I thought he may have had a Tic or medical condition I had a half @ssed attempt at diagnosing. The show ran 40 minutes over which wasn't convenient if you had somewhere else to be and I wonder if that's why I saw a few people leave early. At the end of the show the crowd had half filed out when the band decided to do an encore and I notice most of the crowd just kept going, so I'm probably not the only one that felt they just went on too long. In the bands defense people seemed to be having a good time and I didn't hear anyone bitterly complaining (although I heard no rapturous praise either)

AC/DC were not overly chatty, they were clearly seasoned performers and they put on a show!! I was disappointed they didn't do some of their absolute classic songs like 'It's a Long Way to the Top'. They performed for two solid hours and I think the crowd would have happily stayed for two more. There was very little about it that wasn't awesome.

In summary, Beatles show, take your gran, AC/DC take me. Queens Arms on Wright Street (the Beatles show venue), take a muscle bound person with no back or shoulder concerns to lift your chair and fan you.

March 4th

General

I took my 5 year old to the Zoo tonight to see the Ticklish Allsorts, Shamefully it's been a while since I have last visited.

First of all the Zoo as a venue. After 6pm parking is free on Frome Road and not hard to get right out front, perfect for after hours shows. In the past I have given non expired parking tickets to strangers and in a wonderful act of karma/generosity someone gave me theirs tonight which was a lovely bonus. Finding the new entrance was a little disconcerting but it looks great. I loved the Zoo as a Fringe venue and the opportunity to wonder around and see the animals when they were wakeful at twilight was great. A real bonus was getting to see the Pandas with absolutely no cues. Even if they were fast asleep.

The Allsorts. I thought their sound check was really cute because it was so kid friendly. The show was advertised via Fringe tix to start at 6,30 and by the Zoo at 7.00pm, this resulted in a longer than usual wait for most patrons who didn't want to chance missing the beginning. Lots of cartwheels and tree climbing by small and impatient children resulted. I strongly recommend if you attend a show here you bring a blanket.

The Allsorts were good, they lyp-synched the show and because of this I thought it lacked energy, however my daughter had a great time and at the end of the day that was the point. The show was just long enough to hold a child's attention and not so short they felt they hadn't gotten enough. The songs were catch, the dances easy and audience participation encouraged. I wouldn't be afraid to recommend it.

March 4th

General

I got a call from my mum yesterday to invite me around for dinner, over another one of Mum's legendary corned beef and white sauce feasts the subject of what Fringe shows we had seen came up.

Let me give you some context here, my parents are the most Catholic Catholics you will ever meet. They are the ones at Church every Sunday doing the readings, taking the collection, leading Sunday School and being special ministers. My mum was elected Mayor of the last small town they lived in. These are the type of people that dont find Eddie Murphy or Bruno amusing.

The show they raved about, 'Gods Cowboys', Dad thought it was the funniest thing he had ever seen, I probably don't need to go see it because he practically acted the whole thing out for me. That show must be hysterical

March 3rd

General

I attended the Comedy Debate last year and it got me hooked on the Adelaide Comedy Scene. There was no way I would have missed this year's events, to the point I even broke my personal don't get the girls babysat rule.

I am so glad I didn't. I laughed until I literally cried. The 2 teams consisted of Jason Chong, Steve Hughes, Rob Hunter and Tom Gleeson arguing it IS a long way to the top. The opposing team was Justin Hamilton, Dave Callan, Jon Brooks and Greg Fleet. Jason Pestell moderated. I enjoy the interaction between the comedians and the side jokes that come out of the night like inferring Dave Callan's accent is fake, which once started everyone ran with all night. Such a familiar atmosphere is created that Its like debating, theatre and sitting round with your mates getting drunk all rolled in to one.

Steve Hughes was awesome and I'm going to have to find some time somewhere to see his show. Rob Hunter should have been team captain hands down to bring in a team win. Where do I book my tickets for next year?

March 3rd

General

Once upon a time I had the misfortune to be a fat Bridesmaid. Even though the dressmaker for the event did her absolute best I still looked like an uncomfortably upholstered large brown sofa. On that occasion I gazed in envy at my svelte bridesmaid companions and wished.

Fast forward several years to RecyclaBALL and the occasion to 'frock up' presented its self. I, in a new slim line form saw an opportunity to fulfil a wish and borrowed a dress of one of the aforementioned bridesmaids in line with the recycled theme of the event and even had to get it carefully taken in to fit me. Come Saturday night my girls informed me I looked like a sugar plum fairy and I felt gorgeous. They in their gowns looked charmingly sweet and beautiful. Full of anticipation we entered my carriage, carefully disguised as a Toyota Echo and made our way to the ball.

As I drove to the event I was worried that because my expectations were so high that they would be un fulfilled and reminded myself to set my bar low. After all I can't/don't dance. I should have set it much, much lower.

This event according to advertising was sponsored by the Greens. What it did not say was that it was the Greens Candidate Launch and a political fundraiser. I felt that turning a supposedly Fringe Event into a Political event without fairly explaining to customers what they should be expecting was unethical. Additionally; they ran a lottery which had two winners and was not run in accordance with the minor lottery terms and conditions (according to my understanding of them, and I wish I kept my ticket so I had proof), They under-catered, ie only had 4 bottles and 4 cans of soft drink for sale in contrast to 'Our retro bar will have drinks and treats to fill your tummy and fuel your fun'. There was no being 'delighted and dazzled by performances from some of the best of the Fringe festival has to offer' hence the contents of the ball were falsely advertised. The music played was for nightclub style dancing, not appropriate for a ball.

Tammy Jennings stood up and confidently announced she will be elected to the Upper House. Sadly I know enough about our electoral system to know she is right. What I saw Saturday night tells me the Greens can't organise a ball, or a lottery and should have no part in trying to organise the running of our state.

March 3rd

General

Really the only thing I didn't like about the dinosaur Petting Zoo was that it was too short. I have seen some of the U-Tube footage of the show and think the male presenter on there is great in a very Steve Irwin way. The puppet dinosaurs were really well done and at times it was easy to forget they wer'nt real. Watching the little ones jump when the big one came out was hilarious. I heard the cry of "Muuummy" and saw her come running, I think she jumped the first 4 rows in a single bound. I got my tickets through the Bank SA $10 series and felt this made the tickets about the right price.

March 3rd

March 3rd

General

This is a free show put on SA WATER aimed at Children aged about 5 -12. It is both Educational and FUN. Did I say it was FUN? I thought this show was great. For a start I went to a free showing so the price was right, there was just enough educational content to satisfy my mummy conscience without it being overloaded (or bored to death) and the kids had an awesome time. They also got a bit wet, surprisingly enough for kids they didn't mind. I can't say enough good things about this show. If you have children in this age bracket find some time to go see it (take a drink of water)

March 3rd

General

Let me tell you about my Weekend/week, with School camp looming my daughter informs me she needs a costume made of out recycled materials for a fancy dress party. No problems usually for a mother who has a hot Glue Gun and isn't afraid to use it, but last weekend and early this week I had a series of Fringe and other events planned. My Weekend went something like this. Friday Night - Watch the city buildings light up, get two very tired girls home at midnight and put them to bed. Saturday Morning, visit the 'That's not Garbage Shop' in Beverly for costume materials, Drive to Magill for Cat art exhibition, Back to the City for Rock Chick and Science Geek, have a quick lunch break then Dinosaur Petting Zoo, Home again and get ready for Recyclable, get two very tired girls home at midnight and put them to bed. Sunday morning, farmers market, then Harbour Town for some last minute camp supplies, Sunday night - stay up very late making Space Girl Costume. Monday-Day, I have this job thing I nominally attend, Monday- Night Comedy debate at the Ark, Tuesday-Day, the job thing again, Tuesday Night ACDC concert. That people is my excuse on how my blog got so far behind and Im sticking to it

February 28th

General

Sometimes, because I'm a good parent, (or a very mean parent, im not sure which), I take my children to things I think are culturally good for them/ they will enjoy. An example of this was the Cat Art Exhibition. One of them likes to draw, the other has been nagging me to get a cat, win win I thought.

The Children cruised the exhibition in about 5 minutes flat and seemed fairly unimpressed. Sigh. It was a pleasant drive to Magill and the Trinity Gardens Bakery makes excellent steak and potato pies. I liked the pictures and sculptures of cats.

One of the things I like about the Fringe are that the chances I would have happened upon the whole experience are so much less likely were it not on and advertised in one place!!

February 28th

General

The show starts with the statement I bet your nervous....and the performers were right, I wasn't sure what to expect from this show. I mean 90 minutes listening to women talking about their Vagina's with no interval, honestly I went because It's an educational thing I thought I should do for myself, and so I wouldn't get caught at some high brow party having to admit I had never been and done anything remotely cultural, not because I had an unfulfilled need to listen to vagina related discussion (well I thought I didn't).

The Show was good. It was beautifully and emotionally performed. It challenged perceptions and I didn't really notice those 90 minutes. Apart from one performance piece, (which I found quite frankly unbelievable) It doesn't present men in a positive light, and I don't think that's necessary for the performance to still have value, ie, a lot of my thinking was how the play could still have been done without gender bias. I took the time to Google it and I note a lot of the criticism's around the play concern the amount of attention given to brutal sexual encounters compared with consensual or harmonious sexual encounters and negative portrayal of male-female sexual relationships. One section "The Little Coochie Snorcher that Could", concerns an underage girl of sixteen who recounts being given alcohol and then having sex with an adult woman; the incident is recalled fondly by the grown girl. Consider yourselves duly warned. But go see it anyway.

February 28th

General

I really don't know how Big John has time to see shows, update his facebook and blog. Im 3 shows behind on blogging reviews and haven't updated facebook in days......did someone invent a time machine and not tell me?

February 27th

General

I dragged my poor sorry self out at 10.30pm on a school night to see Sung Like a Horse at the Stables. I made an effort to see this show because I kind of know one of the performers....(in that Adelaide 6 degrees of separation way). Glen Butcher in addition to being part of a musical comedy duo has a very respectable community services job and regularly works as a quiz master around town.

I guess with so many strings to his bow I shouldn't have expected he would be good at singing and playing the piano too!! (Although he plays a mean harmonica). So its lucky he sounds good in musical harmony with his partner Matt Roberts who plays the guitar. For a comedy act they don't sound too awful musically

The Advertiser rated the show 4 stars and I thought it was pretty damn funny too

February 27th

General

Its kind of disturbing, but I cant help but notice that the boy one has a cute bum

Min XX

February 23rd

General

I have never written a blog before, Im having fun with this one, but its not generally my thing. My private life is my private life, and Im from the if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it school of thought.

Bloggers and particularly anonymous blogs have been in the news a bit lately seeing as our esteemed Attorney General was having a look at forcing bloggers on political subjects to reveal their identities. A couple of points that come out of that for me are;
In the words of Lainie Anderson
'The internet should not be a social conscience-free zone. If we're to teach our children how to use it wisely and respectfully, we need to start taking responsibility for our own actions.'
Other writes have similar belief's that 'those who write under pseudonyms have something to hide or don't want to be held accountable to their audiences.'

Not this little black duck. Here is my facebook link, add me as a friend if you just NEEED to know who I am, want to hold me to account for my actions or comment on my blogs http://www.facebook.com/minyonnem

Min

February 23rd

General

On Sunday night I went to see the 'Letters Out' exhibition by presented by Rowan Dignam and Josephine Bradley Scott. As an opening night treat it was presented by torchlight in the dark confines of the old gaol which really added to the ambience of the artists chosen gallery.

I strongly recommend this show, firstly its free. So you have nothing to loose. Second it's just plan interesting and fun. Two days later and I'm still reminiscing about it.
The exhibition is a series of short storied presented with matching artwork. The stories are whimsical and fun, some are beautiful, some have an underlying message, some do not. The accompanying drawings are exquisite. Take the story of Pearl for example, when she found out Pearls were created by putting something into an Oyster to irritate it, she decided to see what would happen if she did wickedly nice and pleasurable things to them (the Oysters) instead. If you want to know what did happen, go see the exhibition.
If they were selling a book of the exhibition on the way out I would have bought it in a heartbeat. Moment of honesty I have emailed the artist to enquire if some of my favorite pieces will be available after the show. Really, add 45 minutes to your schedule next time you are headed to the city, swing past the gaol and enjoy

February 22nd

General

All right, its time to come clean, I made it to Rundle Street, Then I got a seat at a table outside the Austral and the ambiance was good, the beverages were cold, and kept being brought to me, the people watching was fascinating, there were wardrobe malfunctions, an abundance of fishnets, more cameltoes to point and laugh at than one sees in the Sahara and lots of people randomly running for no reason (this was theorized about at length), and by the time I snapped out of my pleasant reverie, the Parade was well and truly done.

I am however fairly confident I saw some people that were in the parad....or should have been. Its Ok, crowds make me a bit antsy anyway. So, new plan, by next year I will make myself excellent friends with Big John and have myself hooked up for a shoulder ride view, then I will diligently report on the parade. Big John with doubtless report on having his spine crushed.

February 22nd

General

I can't help but think the Talk Fringe Blog was designed by a man. Our efforts in blogging frequently are rewarded by our member names getting bigger, bolder and more prominent. Frankly I wouldn't be surprised if the things start throbbing soon and little explosions start cascading out of them.

There's no capacity for feedback and no emphasis on quality (I neeeed a spellchecker)......dammit, feedback and quality are important, can somebody please get a woman involved, and fast.

February 20th

General

Today I went to Gluttony. Having read (somewhere) that if I didn't arrive early entry wasn't guaranteed I got there about 2pm. Having paid $15 to get in there didn't seem to be any of the promised market stalls, the food stalls comprised all the usual suspects and the wine at $7 a glass was very expensive. Especially when I knew most of them could be picked up for $7 a bottle. The free glasses provided read Barossa and were obviously a cheap recycle and not even a decent Fringe souvenir. The security tam looked mostly like it consisted of the work experience kids, but what they lacked in quality they made up for in quantity. The organizers of this event must have made a decent profit.

The entertainment prior to 6pm consisted of buskers, all of whom expected a payday, and although they were mostly fairly amusing, I quite frankly was feeling a bit violated and that my purse was hemorrhaging money.

At 6pm Mickey D introduced himself and started to MC the evening's entertainment. He had a little trouble warming up the crown who were probably feeling as jaded as I and wondering when he was going to get out a hat and pass it round. I have now heard him use the same material about 10 times and I'm not finding it so funny anymore, yes I know he lives in Plympton and wants a lift home after the show, is single and has taken up doona origami as a habit (he can fold a doona 7 ways to resemble a person), he hates it when his dad heckles him. Honestly Mickey your first joke is about how small Adelaide is, work it out, its mostly the same people at these shows, change it up a bit. He was at his funniest when chatting with the audience and did win them over in the end.

The first Act a musical duo called 'Elbow Skin' were awesome. Apparently they don't have a Fringe show, I tried finding them in the guide and this seems true. I have put in a Facebook friend request to them and I'm going to start stalking them now to see if they are playing anywhere in Adelaide at the moment because I would love to see them again. Next up was Lindsay Webb, I already have tickets to his show and I am glad, he is just a funny guy. Then came 'Dead Cat Bounce'. This band was a highlight of the night and I am definitely getting tickets to their show. They sing a song about a driving lesson that goes horribly wrong where at one point as they driving down the autobahn in a televised chase with the car in second gear and the handbrake on the instructor yells 'keep your hands at 10 and 2, check your mirrors and you might want to turn yourself in'. I found this disturbingly familiar.

The last two comedy acts were Jacque Barret who lamented at his last show in an 85 seat venue, 75 people came dressed as seats (I kind of get that) and Marcel Lecomte, who I found so exciting that I went off to find the toilets. This was followed by the short film Festival screening.

At The end of the day the entertainment after 6pm was worth every cent of $15 and I had a very chilled and relaxing day sitting with my friend drinking wine and enjoying some lighthearted entertainment. The limited crowd allowed into the venue was a real plus.

February 20th

General

I have just discovered Merkels blog review of hot chocolate at various Fringe venues. Sheer genius really. I am thinking of starting something simalar myself based on either lattes or gelati but I don think my waistline would stand it

February 20th

General

On Thursday my daughter couldnt attend school because she had an ear infection and her class was going swimming. Rather than make her watch her classmates enjoy the water all day while she quietly sunburned I got her babysat.

When her babysitter enquired how she might like to spend her day, she promptly took them to the garden, and even though it was closed took them on a tour and explained how much fun everything would be when it opened

February 13th

General

Please don't act surprised at my blogging absence. The Garden has been open and that's all I feel I need to say by way of explanation. Regarding opening night please refer to the comments of LizzyThePuma, I concur wholeheartedly.

I had a couple of shows booked with my girls today and approached the garden with a little trepidation. I love her so by night, cloaked in her dark velvet finery and bedecked with jewels of brightly colored lights, truthfully I was afraid that she might be a little 'morning after' by day and that my girls wouldn't be as enamored of her as I am. I was wrong. I have just tucked my too exhausted little people into bed and they have had the time of their lives. We started the day with a quick lap of honor so the girls could check things out, they began a pester campaign regarding the rides immediately and noted the chips in a cone for future reference. We caught the 3pm show of Pigs in Wigs which both I and the girls thought was great. It was very Sesame Street like in that it is aimed at Children but there are a few references only an adult will get. With three hours to kill until our next show we headed for the silent disco where the girls had previously been fascinated by the action, they were duly issued headphones and as the adults retreated to the comfort of a padded lounge complete with umbrella we couldn't help but notice that they appeared very, well......seated. As we theorized about weather or not the DJ was telling them dirty jokes or hypnotizing them all to come back later that night with their parents phones and wallets one of the other children informed us not all the sessions are dancing, some are stories.

We chilled for quite a while in the central open marquee near the bikes while the girls played on the bikes and harassed us for aero plane rides. We paid for the first ride and then gave the children decreasing amounts of money and told them they could only go on if they could successfully negotiate themselves discounts. This amused us and the ride operator no end, however I only recommend it for very, very slow afternoons. The Circus Trick Tease People were spruicking and they were awesome fun, again blame it on the slow afternoon but they were teaching the girls to do tricks and this was one of many highlights of their day (yes I am going back to that show, how could I not?)

We then headed over to the stage near the bridge where the free concert series is on, we bought some very tasty chips in a cone, and settled down in the grass at the front of the stage just in time to catch Mikey D who clearly looked at all the children in the audience and delivered a slightly tamer version of his usual material, he was followed by Jason Choong who was also in fine form, both of these guys are regulars on the Adelaide comedy scene and I have seen them a few times, It was great to see them working some new material in for the Fringe. I wasn't going to go and see them this season as I figured I had all year to catch up, but may reconsider. Jason sang a version of Casey Chambers 'Am I not pretty enough' which my shy little petals decided to dance to (badly) so he was a particular hit with them.

We finished out the day with another puppet show the 'Kings New Clothes', this wasn't a sell out, actually it was me, my two girls, another couple and I believe 3 fellow performers who were padding out the audience for the show. This performance required audience participation and so of course the obvious choice was again my shy retiring petals, the trick isn't getting them on the stage, its getting them off, they had a marvelous time. I felt sorry for the puppeteer, not because of my girls, he actually had a good time with them and ad-libbed fabulously, but because he really was very talented and deserved a much bigger audience.

At about 8pm I dragged the very unwilling girls out, they want to know if they can go back tomorrow.

February 9th

General

Today is the 9th of February, that means in one more sleep it will be the 10th of February and in one more sleep after that it will be the 11th Of February....... and that's when the Garden of Unearthly Delights opens.

The Fringe is now well and truly upon us. My tickets have been arriving in fits and spurts in the mail for some time now, coincidently fits and spurts also somewhat describes my happy little dances when I get them. Actually a quick check of the Fringe event Calendar tells me that if I want to get a head start on my Fringe I could say, go to the 'Ferris Wheels and FairyFloss Exhibition' at the Exeter Hotel and check that out. Anyway, cant stay and chat. Im um thirsty.

February 7th

General

The Fringe hasn't quite started yet, (although the anticipation is building) and a girl has to do something to entertain herself, so last night I went to see Clearway at Noah's "Top of the Ark".

While I was there it occurred to me that I should have a bit of a practice of thinking about how I would review a show. This was a valuable learning experience from which I observe the following.

1. I have never been to the Arkaba on a Saturday night before, this is an experience everyone should have once, and I do mean an experience. Watching the meat market pair ups and guessing whom was going home with whom is fascinating. My favorite attempted pick up line of the night was 'will you make me breakfast?', sadly for the punter it was unsuccessful. It was followed closely by the man who accosted me in the taxi rank at 4am and announced 'I can't believe I am going home alone, If I could rewind time you and I would be leaving hand in hand right now' (also unsuccessful). I was saddened to see the Rod Stewart lookalike try his luck with many women, but at the end of the night perched lonely at the end of the bar drinking alone silhouetted like a sad ****atoo against the neon lights, as usual I have made the requisite number of new female bosom buddies in the toilet.....The Ark is an experience in its self.

2. Clearway- When I told a friend this is where I was going he boldly announced they were probably the greatest pub band in Australia and I would know every song. I don't know every pub band in Australia but I can attest to the following; I did know every song. It's hard to resist dancing to a great line up of music with a great beats, music from the 80's, 90's and today's disco. Clearway got the crown moving with Jump and never stopped. There sound was crisp and rapport with the crowd was good. One of my new 20 something new found friends from the toilet complained her feet never hurt so much from dancing but she just couldn't sit down because every song was her favorite.

3. Me as a reviewer- If I am going to do this again I need to do a combination of things those being; a; maybe not drink so many ****tails so I remember clearly beyond the first set, b; write stuff down (in case I fail on point a), and c; see if I can get some sort of program in place that stops any McDonalds serving me between 2 and 6am.

February 6th

General

It is 13 days before Fringe, and all through the town
Adelaide is 'a-buzz' the Sideshows are around;
The Spiegeltent is erected in the Garden with care,
In anticipation the acts, soon will be there;

The comedians tout their acts on radio shows
Smart punters are heading out to see the previews;
There's a last minute rush to download the I-phone Fringe App
Plus to check Twitter and see where its at.

To get the Fringe crumpler there will be a clamor
As well as the T-shirt, beer holder and other Fringe glamour
Though you have to find Fringe Tix new home, to go spend your cash
Also 'The Adelaide Fix' has re launched with a splash

Its getting hard to find an unsold ticket to a $10 show
But check the Fringe guide there's still free places to go
There are so many quality acts will appear
See film, theatre, visual arts, comedy or just weird;

So go one, go all get involved with the Fringe
Don't just sit home and do the 'nothing's on whinge'
The opening night parade will be a hoot
Then a free concert is thrown in to boot

A fabulous Fringe to you all and to all a goodnight

February 4th

General

I took my girls to the opening night parade and concert last year along with a friend and two teenagers (just to round out the group), and a fabulous time was had by all. The evening got off to a bit of a shaky start though when we decided that after meeting in the city we would wander down Rundle Street, grab a bite to eat and then on to watch the Parade. Now on any normal Friday night this is a flawless plan with any number of quality places to enjoy whatever cuisine your palate desires. On Fringe Opening Night if you have not booked it is very bad plan indeed. What struck me however was all the restaurants 'looked' empty, they just had reserved signs on all the tables, and I thought to myself

'self, those restaurants really could be doing better (to serve my selfish needs), all those staff are standing idle, what if they were offering takeaway picnic baskets, a gourmet bbq or takeaway selection out the front, nibble platters, express tables, or set sittings at 6 and 6.30, surely all of those things would benefit both them and me?'

Happily for us Cafe Primo were doing a splendid job of turning over tables as fast as they could, they promised us a 30 minute wait and delivered 15. When you are feeding people under 16 a general rule of thumb is chips, schnitzels and nuggets are required staples, so my party was very happy. Also I cannot give enough Kudos to their Floor Manager that night who was worth triple whatever he was being paid.

This year I will book at the Dragonfly despite it being at the other end of town (because their food rocks my world and small people need not be considered) but Rundle Street Restaurant's, think about it, please.

February 2nd

General

I picked my two small Fringe apprentice's up after school today and took them down to Cheap as Chips where we stocked up on all sorts of glorious glowing things, the luminous glo- fairy wands for $2 and wild animal print test tube style glo-necklaces were especially appealing. Getting the girls to choose their glo stuff early gives me the added benefit of being able to bribe them with the promise of obtaining their glowing treats in the lead up to the Fringe, ie,

'if you learn your 6 x table this week (or all the words to Mamma Mia) you can have your glowing fairy wand to take to Fringe'

Then once back in the car we had a bit of a discussion on the BFG and my elder daughter read another chapter.....It's not much, but its enough to keep me going.

That was until I opened my email and discovered my beloved friends at Adelaide Comedy wanted to remind me that

'Being on this Email List will get you 2 for the Price of 1 Tix to plenty of Fringe Shows this year. So tell your Friends to Sign Up at www.adelaidecomedy.com and they will get the same deal. Each week of the Fringe we will send you a Password and a List of Shows that you can use the password to get 241 Tix at the door, as long as the shows have not sold out.'

(I corrected your spelling mistakes Craig Egan). Yes this probably means every time a comedian can't fill a venue I'm going to get an email; however I have learnt some important life lessons from the Adelaide Comedy Scene;

1. If Chris Franklin asks if you have seen his C**k, don't say no and don't look, it's a trap
2. If you hang out a car window and scream hello Uncle Arthur someone will always respond (thanks Greg Fleet)
3. 'It is Forbidden to touch Grandpa' can be used as an effective threat or curse when delivered with the correct inflection in a foreign language (I'm learning Latvian Mickey D)
4. It is not OK to do nearly 70 in a 60 zone, even if your car is pulled over to the side of the road.

So on the balance of probability Ill probably see a show or too at a very odd time and a very good price, laugh a lot and learn some more valuable life lessons.

February 1st

General

I am taking my two little people to the Fringe, and I determined that they are going to enjoy it, this I have learned can be facilitated with a little bit of preparation, so here are a few bits of advice you may wish to consider;

Children are easily distracted by shiny things (mine especially its genetic). The Garden of Unearthly Delights, especially at night is pretty much the most exciting, mysterious and fabulously interesting place in the whole world to them and the potential for them to wonder off and become lost, especially while their parents are equally distracted is huge. I have taught mine my mobile phone number by heart, I have given them their own mobile phones (cheap pre paids) and ensured they know how to use them, and I will still give them a card with my mobile number on it as another back up, I have taught them what to do if they get lost (beyond crying). Much more than find a policeman, it's about how to identify the security people or in a worst case scenario another mummy with children. I have lost a child in the garden and it's terrifying. My advice is notify security immediately - In my case they closed the exits, and while it seems melodramatic some risks aren't worth taking. Take a separate mobile picture of each of your children before leaving home and when you arrive at each event show them what the specific security guards or marshals for that event look like, designate a go to if you get lost point, somewhere big visible and obvious. Practice getting lost, I know it sounds dumb, but when you see what your child does, you identify the gaps in what they have learned. Also I know a lot of people have a philosophical objection to wrist straps, if you don't, bring it and use it, if you do, hold your criticism until after you experience the gut wrenching terror of losing your child that can't say its own name let alone yours in a huge frenetic crowd on a dark night.

Remember that crowds can be scary things for small children, and try and keep out of the midst of them. When watching bands, buskers and shows at larger stages stand further back, away from the speakers and if possible put your kids up on your shoulders so they can see better. http://www.efestivals.co.uk/info/kids.shtml, has lots of good advice.

Be prepared. Take anything to the Fringe that your child is unhappy without. If there is a dummy, teddy, pillow or toy that your child relies upon, then take it to ensure plenty of relaxing times. Having said this, don't take anything that you are not prepared to lose, so if there is a dummy, doll or blanket maybe now is a good time to get them used to the travel version on short shopping trips, when you go to familiar places or in play at home.

Plan extra space in your Fringe time for children ie I will book a show at 3pm then down time until 5pm, this allows an hour and 15 minutes for a toilet break something to eat and a play in the giant sand pit. I know a 4pm show would be a disaster, if dinner has to happen in there 2 hours.

If you want to save money go to Cheap as Chips or the Reject Shop and buy a couple of packets of glow sticks and any glowing neon toys, this will save you a fortune when the children see the Garden vendors of 'glowing delights' and the whinge factor cuts in. Take snacks, you probably won't hold them off the food stalls forever, but likely a fair while (and the more you save the more shows you can see). Take a blanket, one you may be prepared to throw away when done, seating is at a premium, as are clean spots on the ground. Take sunblock, even to weeknight events, and a spare change of clothes, even for older childre....stuff tends to happen at the Fringe.

That's all technical stuff, most importantly get them excited about it, talk about the shows you are booking, let them help you choose. Mine are very excited about going to a ball and their ball gowns. We are going to the BFG so they have started reading the book in installments. There are a number of other shows where we have started to listen to the music and bringing it back into their recent memory so when we go to them they can sing and dance along and the experience will be that much more 'current' for them. They also know about those changes of clothes, because its OK if stuff happens at the Fringe!!

January 31st

General

So today I promised my children I would take them to the beach. This meant a quick trip to the shops for a new pair of bathers for moi as I have recently discovered that some of the recent attention I have been attracting on recent soujourns to the sand is due to the fact mine are a little see through when wet (and not my banging beach bod as previously assumed). The choice of bathers came down to two pairs, both very nice, however one much nicer than the other. I opted for the nice $22 (reduced from $80) pair rather than the very nice $80 ones (reduced from $140) on the premise Id rather save the $50 odd and see another 4 Fringe $10 Bank SA shows (have to allow for those booking fees). We then went off to find some sunscreen and a copy of Ronald Dahl's BFG because I am taking my children to that show and I want them to read the book before they see the show.

However I couldn't stop thinking about those others bathers, and a voucher I have lurking in the bottom of my bag that my brother got me for Christmas, and by the end of the shopping trip I knew I was going back for them. Arriving back at Myer and re locating the bathers from the discard pile outside the change room after an intrepid search I took them to the counter to be advised that sale finished at lunch time (what the ??**) I briefly tried to negotiate, however with two small girls looking on who had faces like thunder and clearly present desires to be on the beach I abandoned my lovely bathers.

Which brings me to the point of tonight's blog (finally). As I log back in to the support act page it's a bit like going through the bargain racks, there are so many lovely shows to see, I have left some room in my Fringe schedule for those unexpected hits the bow chicka wow factor and to allow me to pick up cheap box office tickets and see a few random shows. Now my dilemma is what if these acts are like my bathers Im going to want them and then go back and find I have to pay double to get them, and then I wont get them, because I wouldn't enjoy them as much if I had to pay double. Sadly there is no solution for this, I just have to suffer, OK if you must know, I bought tickets for 3 more shows, but Im going to stop now....honest.

January 30th

General

One of my fondest memories as a child growing up in the country was going to dances with my family and particularly dancing with father. As a 'Grown Up' (and I use the term loosely) the balls and dances I have attended have been $100 plus ticketed events and not entirely child friendly. So when I saw RecyclaBALL on the Fringe calendar the choice to attend was a no brainer for me

http://tix.adelaidefringe.com.au/ticketing/EventDetails.aspx?EventGuid=bae8805b-67c7-490d-befb-6fe30e8837cf

Family were advised this was a non negotiable event (especially my father and tickets were booked en mass)
This year I am working on a theory that my girls will enjoy the Fringe more if I build their anticipation, this started today with a full day of 'op shopping' for recycled ball dresses. 8 Salvo's shops later for the grand sum of $14 I have two darling little numbers and two very excited little girls one of whom is very confident she is going to dance with a prince. For myself I have my sisters year 12 prom dress in mind, failing that there are a number of prospects on my ebay watch list.

Im also thinking of booking in some dancing lessons this week

http://www.garryroberts.com.au/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

He does say beginners are welcome!!

Its only 13 days until the first children's Fringe events start.... have a lot of prep work to do....

January 29th

General

I want to share the joy that is Fringe with the world, sadly the responses of my family and friends to my carefully crafted fringe calendar ranged from 'oh yeah I have to been too busy to read that', 'Im going to Melbourne that week', 'I don't use outlook','I can't afford it' (pathetic they did'nt even look at all the free stuff), 'I cant get babysitters' (take the kids lazy, I am) to 'what's the Fringe?' (dont worry I have plans for that person!!)

Undaunted I developed a new plan and it worked out very well. I got a random text from a girlfriend a few weeks ago who wanted someone to accompany her to Clearway at the ARK in a few weeks and figured I would be the most likely person to respond 'what the hell'. So I have re paid this favor ten fold by inviting her around for dinner and introducing her personally to the Fringe Guide. Several bottles of wine, some awesome slow cooked pork ribs and a very tasty Asian noodle salad later I now officially have myself a Fringe buddy, have reconnected with a good friend and we are both going to go see some shows that without the other ones interest we might not, wins all round as far as I can see. On a side note, I hope she doesn't think we are dating now.

There are still a few shows I cant talk her in to that I have bought 2 tickets too anyway (remember that person that denied all knowledge of the Fringe) I have plans to round up random acquaintances and workmates to accompany me to those and figure it will just add to my Fringe experience. If worse comes to worse I can always make new and drunk friends on any given night in the East End, this can be especially fun when going to some of the comedy shows because drunks make awesome hecklers ( please note not all of the advice offered in my blog will be good advice).

Min

January 28th

General

Well I have downloaded the Fringe i-phone application, obtained the Fringe on a shoestring guide and the Official Fringe Guide. After Many hours of negotiation with myself about how many hours I actually need to sleep and the bare minimum I need to work during February and March I believe I have developed a reasonable schedule of events.

Of course the next most logical thing to do is to develop a calendar in outlook, schedule all these events and invite all my family and friends (so we can book our tickets en masse and save molouah)

WARNING- Do not try this at home, my brother won't come to Recyclable because its run by the Greens and he is a Liberal voter, my best friend wants to know if she can sneak her 12 month old into Diesel (I think we can fit him into my Spencer and Rutherford boot bag), and my sisters want to negotiate dates and add events...it seemed like such a good idea until people messed with my perfect plan.

I have now adapted much more of a screw them all philosophy and booked myself into everything free and all the shoestring events while the tickets are still available, it's a Jungle out there people.