Public Enemy's DJ Lord and the band drop by Red Bennies for a surprise show Thursday May 17th.

Door charge is only $10 and doors open at 11:30pm. First come, first served.

And they are not the only superstars rumored to be heading to Bennies this evening...

The Firemen
 
RED BENNIES
Sunday 20 May @ 8pm
 
 
Guitar – Lance Ferguson
Drums – Daniel Farrugia
Keyboards – Simon Mavin
Bass – Yuri Pavlinov
Trumpet – Ross Irwin
Tenor Saxophone/Flute – Anton Delecca
Baritone/Soprano Saxophone – Phil Noy
 
Led by NZ-born guitarist Lance Ferguson, The Firemen began as a side project to Ferguson’s successful Soul/Funk
act The Bamboos (of which all the other Firemen are past/current members). The Firemen build their repertoire from
material drawn from Hip Hop/Sampling/Record-digging culture; re-interpreting classic instrumental Soul Jazz tunes
from U.S labels like Prestige, Bluenote and Groove Merchant in the process. The journey is one based on long
improvisations over oft-sampled grooves and compositions that have become entrenched in the folklore of the record-
collecting community.
 
The Firemen have released two full length albums in this vein for U.K-based Freestyle Records: ‘Black Feeling Vols 1
& 2’ with a 3rd volume slated for release in 2012.  
 
‘Outstanding!!!!!’  
Jazz FM, UK
 
‘Everything Lance Ferguson touches turns to dancefloor gold. He's like a funky Midas. I'll be supporting this release
by playing the tits off it!’  
The Wardrobe, UK

THE CABARET ANTIQUE COMPANY.
Directed by Naomi Brown and Charlie Williams.

The Cabaret Antique Company is a unique events and theatre group. The company consists of 13 talented performers, collaborating there skills as singers, dancers, actors and musicians, to create an exiting collection of cool jazz tunes, sharp stylish tap routines and catchy songs sure to entertain  for any event.

The red velvet curtains part to reveal a man. His inanimate form is sprawled across the floor, his hair matted with cobwebs and his shabby attire obscured by dust, thrown off from the relics and debris of bygone eras of cabaret that lie littered around his lifeless body. His face is hidden in the shadows. Who is he? Is he dead?

Slowly, the man rises from the rubble and stares hard into the audience, his eyes betraying his confusion and awe at the unfamiliar world that lies in front of him. Gone is the familiar, seedy gin-joint that the men and women of cabaret have known so well for so many years. This is a new world – a new time. But before the man has time to process the change, he is dusted off and thrust head first into a night of debauchery that he, and the audience, will never forget.
A twisted plot, Sexy ladies, Stylish musicians and sharp dance routines to make you stop in your tracks!! The Cabaret Antique Company will take you into a theatrical world of entertainment! This is a show you don’t want to miss!

CABARET ANTIQUE HITS RED BENNIES THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY MAY 10-12!

FRIDAY'S WEEKLY KIT KAT CLUB BURLESQUE

With an early show every Friday (Cabaret Antique this week), Kit Kat Club Burlesque kicks off at 9pm weekly.

Melbourne's premier burleque artists bring you a boundary breaking new format, KIT KAT CLUB BURLESQUE that will leave you on the edge of your seat and gasping for breath. A little bit twisted with lashings of raunch, Kit Kat Club Burlesque provides the best evening's entertainment available in Melbourne.

This week features SKOPALOVA and BECKY LOU.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEATURES... AERIAL MANX'S WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT!

Aerial Manx will be attempting to break the world record for the heaviest weight dangled from a swallowed sword. The record currently stands at 26 kg and Manx will be attempting 30 kg!

SATURDAY NIGHT AT BIG BENNIES: SPARK FIRE DANCE

High impact, fun & cutting edge fire shows.

Spark Fire Dance is contemporary fire dancing, martial arts and special effects set to stunning soundtracks. Awe inspiring and striking acts for an audience that has ‘seen it all’.

Dan Miethke, director and main performer has just finished over 1000 performances of his fire acts for Cirque Du Soleil.

Jazz legend James Morrison touches down at Red Bennies Thursday May 24th, headlining the 2012 Stonnington Jazz Festival.

In Red Bennies sumptuous Art-Deco Speakeasy, a world of Big Jazz Bands and Burlesque splendour awaits. Served with Dinners in the private booths or nibbles at the Bar with Cocktails. Red Bennies is proud to present a premier event of the Stonnington Jazz Festival… 
James Morrison, Live, at Red Bennies, with special guests Shirazz and supported by Red Bennies luxurious Burlesque shows. The authentic atmosphere for the most magnificent Jazz performance of the year. James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, double bass and piano.  One of the legends of jazz he’s performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few.

There were also gigs in the world’s most famous jazz clubs ‐ The Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris and Ronnie Scotts in London. Royal command performances on two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. In 1997, James was recognised  for his service to the arts in Australia and awarded a medal of The Order of Australia.

James Morrison is joined by his own 5 piece, plus special guests SHIRAZZ, a 6 piece Dixieland band, fast gaining a reputation as one of the best jazz bands in Australia, as well as the nation's premier Burlesque artists Scarlett and Gypsy Wood with host Andrew Mclelland.

$49 General admission or $99 Three Course Dinner Package (Min 5 people)

TICKETS ARE $49

How long have you been performing at Red Bennies?
I started only a month or two after the club first opened, and I've been here ever since. So around March 2010 up until now.

How would you describe your DJ sets at Red Bennies?
It's a mixture of new & old, and a mixture of originals & obscure covers. I tend to cover a lot of genres too, ranging from swing jazz, funk, soul, rock n roll, hip hop, reggae & disco - as long as it's groovy I'll play it!

What makes DJing at Red Bennies unique from the other clubs & events you regularly play at?
The fact that you're sharing the stage alongside live bands, burlesque performers, circus performers, magicians & comedians on a weekly basis makes you use your imagination a lot more, and you have to be able to use that to make the night flow as a whole, which is really important. Playing to the theme of the venue is fun too, you can really take the whole audience back to a certain era in time, and the energy you can get out of that is very unique.

Who are your main inspirations?
I would say Gilles Peterson, Mr Scruff & DJ Jazzy Jeff would be three of the main ones, as well as DJ Maestro & Derrick Carter who have both played at Red Bennies as well.

What do you hope people take from your music?

I just hope people get to release from whatever worries in life they have for a few hours and take it out on the dancefloor, nothing too serious I suppose! It's always nice when people tell me they've discovered new music they didn't know about before they heard me play it - as a selector that means my work is done!

When can we catch you at Red Bennies?

You can catch me every Saturday night from midnight!

https://www.facebook.com/mike.gurrieri.music

Red Bennies "check's in" with the hilarious Daniel Oldaker - the performer's performer!

When did you start performing?

In my mothers womb I did acrobatics, tumbling and turning. Professionally though…when I was 18.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Park Ranger or Elvis Presley or a Park Ranger dressed as Elvis Presley.

What do you love about the work you do?

Everything, except when it feels like work.

How did your professional career begin?

On Red Faces getting donged by Red and getting a red face.

Any comments on your title “the performer’s performer”?

A lot of performers play jokes on me and get me to dress up like a clown and perform at their Birthday parties !!!!!! Okay not true…but in a number of shows I've presented, I like to push the conventional boundaries, which inspire and appeal to other performers.

How would you describe your performance style?

With words! Physical Comedy / Circus

Who are your main inspirations?

Park rangers who dress up like Elvis Presley and Leo Bassi.

Do you have a favourite performer of the moment?

Paulo Nani.

Do you have a most memorable performance? Where was this?

Naked, getting chased by dogs up a tree at Fira Tarrega Festival in Spain.

What are your views on the current Australian performing arts industry?

Opportunities are limited unless you create them.

Where would you like to see the future of this industry?

On the moon.

What would you like people to take from your performances?

A bead of sweat that lands on their shoe, and the feelings of joy, stupidity and ridiculousness, that they can adopt in everyday life.

What advice could you give to those people out there interested in a career in performing arts?

Eat blueberries they are high antioxidants. Practice anything and everything…you never know when that skills or talent will come in handy.

What does 2012 hold in store for you?

I'm going to get a better tan from the increase in solar flares and tour Europe again if I can trust the weather isn't going to go crazy, if it does then move to a self sufficient commune and tour Oz.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?

Living self sufficiently in a commune touring with the events set up by Varietyville Productions.

What was it like being the referee for the Fringe Royal Rumble in October at Red Bennies?

Yeh great fun! I’m happy I didn't come away with any injuries from trying to do a somersault.

What do you enjoy about performing at Red Bennies?

The crowds are up for anything..

You are joining us for our NYE party. Without giving too much away, what can the audience expect from your performance?

Hilarity.

Why MUST people attend the party?

It's going to be the only place in Melbourne going off.

Any final comments?

That was a long interview! Now I can go and have some lunch. Yum… Mmm I'm going to have avocado on toast with marinated tofu and broccoli….and a couple of spirulina tablets.

Red Bennies swings with the fiendishly talented sextet - The Woohoo Revue!

How did the band form?

A bunch of escaped mental patients and circus freaks wound up at a party together and fell in love.

How would you describe your music?

A phrase that tends to get thrown around is 'somewhere between a Balkan gypsy brass band, roaring twenties swing ensemble, Wild West fiddle contest and a soundtrack for Looney Tunes'.

What makes your music so unique?

Aside from the quirky instrumentation, and of course personalities, the band draws inspiration from genres that don’t often find themselves in a room together.

Who are your main inspirations?

Romani bands Fanfare Ciocarlia and Taraf de Haidouks. New Orleans second line marching bands. Gene Krupa. Buddy Rich. The Electric Mayhem Band from The Muppet Show.

Do you have a favourite band of the moment?

Gogol Bordello.

Do you have a most memorable performance?

We’ve had a lot of life-changing moments at festivals and shows, for both ourselves and others, featuring injuries and inseminations, but performing amplified on a 7pm moving train, filled with people dressed in animal costumes and general public on their way home from work, was something that stands out as appropriately ridiculous.

Where have you toured?

This is a band that likes to travel. We’ve performed at festivals in every state of the country in the past year including WOMADelaide and Woodford Folk Festival. Australia’s shores can’t contain us much longer.

What are your views on the current Australian music industry?

If everyone were to burn their TV we would all be better off. This is kind of an essay question but I’ll be as brief as possible. For most musos it’s a full time job just trying to pay rent and the majority have to spend more time undertaking menial tasks over utilising their real skills to do so. If the average Joe were to put a little more value on the art that has effected their lives so positively and were to support the music industry by doing something as simple as going to see a show once a month, the lives of both parties would be richer.

Where would you like to see the future of live music in Australia?

I’d like to see a future of live music in Australia. Oooo, too cynical? STOP CLOSING LIVE MUSIC VENUES.

What do you hope people take from your music?

Our ambition is for individuals of the audience to have an experience that is so aurally and visually encapsulating that they are compelled to abandon their preoccupations of today and tomorrow and to simply dance and drink and celebrate life until it hurts, or doesn’t.

You are due to release your second album in 2012. Can you give us a brief description of the album?

The Woohoo Revue’s second album ‘Moreland’s Ball’, is an album of instrumental tunes inspired by the dance-floors of the world.

Imagine if you will a well worn and wildly decadent ballroom scene, plush velvet curtains and ornate fixtures carved in beautiful hard woods. The thick red carpet on the imperial staircase is soft under foot as you make your way up to the viewing platforms and theatre boxes.

The room is full of people dressed to the nines becoming enchantingly transformed with animal-like qualities, wings and tails, hoofs and scales. Some of guests invited by Moreland to his party “Van Boldrin III”, “R’ambo”, “The Goose, The Moose & The Boose” and “Espaneasca” are dancing a loose waltz to the sounds of The Woohoo Revue.

What else does 2012 hold in store for you?

As a part of the national tour to launch Moreland’s Ball, we have been invited to perform at some of the country’s most well renowned festivals, including Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC), The National Folk Festival (ACT) and Fairbridge Festival (WA) as well as a residency at The Famous Spiegeltent.

You have become quite a Bennies’ regular. What do you love about performing at Red Bennies?

The environment just suits us. The neo-speakeasy/ballroom/bordello personality of the room is worn by the band most comfortably.

You are joining us for the NYE party. What can the audience expect from your performance?

If there were ever a band with which one may deem most suitable to get loose…

Let’s just say this is one NYE that won’t be an anticlimax.

Thanks guys!

Red Bennies strips down with the saucy & seductive International Burlesque superstar Gypsy Wood!

How long have you been performing for?

Since my mother gave me a red Tutu when I was 3!

Did you always want to be in the performing arts scene growing up?

No I wanted to be like Diane Fossie from the movie "Gorilla's in the Mist"! 

Who are your main inspirations?

Diane Fossey, Snow White, Issadora Duncan, Emily Pankhurst, Sigourney Weaver, Moira Shearer, Pina Bausch, Dirty Martini, Kate Bush, Sally Rand, Martha Graham, Josphine Baker & Loie Fuller.

Do you have a favourite performer?

My favourite burlesque performer right now is a European performer called Lada Red Star. She is amazing! Extremely generous on stage and has the most creative modem ideas with the all the traditional techniques and style of old school Burlesque. She is a dead rigger for Tempest Storm,  just a lovely & wonderful person who I've been lucky enough to perform a lot with last year. 

You have performed all over the world; do you have a most memorable performance?

Last year I spent 4 weeks at a theatre restaurant in Geneva. Burlesque and food makes for some spectacular comedic moments. Swiss people are so much fun to ruff up and entertain.  

Can you describe what it was like performing at Bob Hawke’s 80^th birthday party?

Its was a serial experience performing at Bob's 80th. I had to fly back from Paris to do it and I was a bit worried about how it would go. But it was a big hit! Performing to such a famous group of people you can imagine how nervous I was. But as soon as Kevin Rudd burst out laughing I knew everything was ok! I was really happy to take my small John Howard act as far as it could go. The media frenzy and whirlwind of headlines was as much fun as the show. I was totally amazed that even John Howard made several comments about the show and I was even spoken about the next day in parliament. Not bad for a little stripper hey! 

What are your views on the current Australian burlesque scene? How does it compare to the rest of the world?

Australia has a wonderful burlesque scene with many diverse and talented artists who cross into many different genres and know how to rip a stage up! The scene is always changing and growing. Just recently I've noticed a few new comers who have really developed their own style and have stepped up to the world stage. 2012 looks like its only going to get better.  

How would you describe your performance style?

I'm all about the Beauty and the Beast. I'm out to create traditional vintage striptease acts that are polished which I hope look authentic enough to appear like I've just sent the audience back to 1947. And on the flipside, I'm interested in the comic ugly and strange neo burlesque style. Such as my beauty Queen who gets her period on stage in the middle of her special Jazz dance in a white leotard.

My aim within my work is to challenge stereotypes within popular culture, politics and modern sexuality. I also run a show called ‘Comic Strip’, which is, in a nutshell, a tribute to the great Lenny Bruce! Comic Strip is a night of Stand Up and Strip Tease, belly laughs and nipple tassels, punch lines and pasties. Each of our shows feature some of the best comics and strip teasers from the world. 

How would you define the art of burlesque?

Burlesque today can mean 100 different things. But it has without doubt been the most influential performance style of the last 10 years. A movement that people either love or hate, which has flipped many stereotypes of Striptease on its head.

For me the art is in the performers interpretation of an exotic dance, be it comedy or irony or just simply dance. At the heart of all good Burlesque is SEX!  

What do you love about performing at Red Bennies? How would you describe the venue?

Red Bennies is a great mixture of artists, whom are constantly growing. It has a wicked and nostalgic atmosphere that is so much fun to party for hours in. The venue and location has a notorious history and I like that the artists have taken back or taken over the block where the Melbourne gangsters used to rule. I can just imagine the types of people who wander in not knowing what they'll find at Red Bennies and getting their mind bent by what they experience.

That’s what I mostly love about performing there. I can be performing to fans or people who have never experienced live burlesque. 

A Bennies’ regular and also your second year performing for NYE at Red Bennies. What can the audience expect from your performance?

I'm hoping to unleash my gorgeous Belle Époque Green Absinth Fairy act. I'm currently sewing 1000's of green and gold crystals to my new costume.  

Why MUST everyone attend the Club Briefs NYE Party?

Because NYE is the only night where your bound to fall in love or at least go home with somebody beautiful. I've noticed on the dance floor lately only the hottest, beautiful people in Melbourne. Yes...and the show is going to be spectacular as always!  

Thank you Gypsy!!

Red Bennies gets tangled in the ropes with the multi-talented and adorable - Ikko!

When did you start performing?

I started to perform 10 years ago dancing Hip Hop and Jazz in Tokyo.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a pilot when I was a child. And I was thinking about joining the Army. I always wanted to be a boy….

How did you train to be able to do the amazing things you do today?

I trained at NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts) in Australia. It is also thanks to all my great trainers, especially Helene, my Aerial Trainer and to all my Yoga teachers, dance teachers, circus trainers and my tai-chi teacher, in India, Japan, the USA and Thailand.

What do you specialize in?

I specialize in Multi-cord, which are the 8 black ropes, each about 11m long.

You are originally from Japan, where did you grow up?

I grew up in Hokkaido, a northern part of Japan. It goes 20 degrees below zero in winter. So my favorite things are skiing, ice skating and snowboarding!

I grew up in a traditional family. My father was a Kendo teacher. He is like a Samurai. When I told him that I wanted to do ballet, he brought me to his martial arts place instead, and I wasn’t very happy to be in the smelly Kendo place….

When did you move to Australia?

I moved in Australia in 2009 to enroll in NICA.

What is the performing arts industry like in Japan?

There are more traditional theatres and dance styles such as Kabuki or Geisha, especially in Kyoto. A few years ago when I was in Japan, pole dancing was very popular, and it was seen in many nightclubs. All my aerial friends are ex - pole dancers in Tokyo.

Hip Hop dance culture is huge. And you will see lots of young kids practicing dance near the station around midnight. People love Arts but I don’t think there is enough financial support.

What are the main differences between performing in Japan and Australia?

I love to perform in Australia. The audience is very supportive, and the reaction is very clear. In Japan, people are very nice, but sometimes they get too shy to applaud. I think I would be more nervous performing in Japan; I would probably have to consider my costumes to cover my skin more.

Where have you performed in the world?

In Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Okinawa (Japan), Goa (India), Bintan (Indonesia)

Do you have a most memorable performance? Where was it?

It was in Bintan island (Indonesia); my first Flying Trapeze show in front of the audience. I was very nervous if the catcher would catch me or I would fall onto the net, but I had great time feeling the wind, and flying in the air. That was a great moment.

What advice would you give to those people out there interested in a career in performing arts?

Just do it! If you know what you love, be honest with yourself. Talk to the people, do the dance classes, and start performing on the street.  I had been thinking for so long if I should choose to be a performer or not. I studied and got a job, which I wasn’t very interested in, and it didn’t make me happy.

Now I am very happy to be able to do what I most love. I enjoy my life very much. 

Who are your greatest influences?

The movie “Patch Adams”.

Do you have a favourite performer?

My favorite performers are Tarn Scully (rope) and Alex Mizzen (hand stand), Daniel Power (Tissu) and Wolfe Bowart (lalaluna) and more……!

What is Christmas like in Japan?

Christmas in Japan is very different from in Australia. We usually have a white Christmas, and it is a famous event for couples. I remember once we had a date on Christmas Eve above Tokyo city in a helicopter. People usually book nice restaurants or organise a surprise date for their partner to have romantic night.

As a family event, I remember that my grandfather used to buy KFC on Christmas day, because KFC was very special for us, (we didn’t have much chance to eat it when we were children). Our brothers were very happy and waited for KFC every year.

How do you normally celebrate Christmas?

Have a date with my boyfriend, have a party with friends or have dinner with my family.

Have KFC, cake and champagne. Socks and Christmas presents for the children.

We decorate the small Christmas trees and have a Snowman in front of my house.

What would you love for Christmas this year?

Watching lots of Christmas movies with my boyfriend!

You have become quite a Red Bennies regular. What do you love about performing at Red Bennies?

I love the staff, music and atmosphere of Red Bennies! People are very friendly, creative and supportive, and I like the crowd at Red Bennies. A very nice place to perform.

Without giving too much away, what can the audience expect from your Christmas performance?

It will be an abstract act, a puppet tangled in the rope….

Any final Comments?

Please come & enjoy the Christmas time together!

Thank you for your support!!

Please visit http://ikkoaerialperformer.weebly.com for more information about Ikko!

Thanks Ikko!

National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) presents

23 November to 3 December 2011

Catch a rising star.
Armed with courage, strength, grace and split-second precision, NICA's graduating artists make their farewell appearance in a stellar performance season. Their signature acts have been developed over three years of intensive circus training and study as part of Australia’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts.

Circus Showcase 2011 is extraordinary circus suitable for all ages.

Directed by Megan Jones.

Evenings: 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 November and 1, 2, 3 December @ 7.30pm

Saturday Matinee: 26 November @ 1.30pm
School Matinee: Fri 2 December @ 1.00pm
Half Price Preview: 22 November @ 7.30pm

Tickets: Adults $28 / Concession $22 / Child under 16 $18 / Family $72
Visit the ticketing site for group and school discounts.

Bookings:  <http://www.nica.com.au/>
Enquiries: 03 9214 6975