Hi Everyone,
So amongst everything else that has been going on lately (running around interviewing half of the city) I got to go to two more Fringe Festival events which I really enjoyed. I really want to share them with you! Here's to an awesome Fringe Festival 2016! So much fun.
1. Neil Thornton, Stand-Up Comedy - 'Under Construction' at The Cavern Club
The first show I went to was Neil Thornton at the Cavern Club, last Friday Night. His show, 'Under Construction' was seriously funny. It is framed around the idea of reading self help books. Now I love myself a good self help book but I also can see the funny side that they can be pretty ridiculous. Remember 'The Secret' anyone?
Neil takes us on a dark and twisted but very witty and humorous ride through his failed relationship, hated job and - in an unexpected twist - Hurricane Katrina. So much of this show resonated with me. I laughed until I cried and nearly got thrown out for snorting into my beer. Neil is so great because he doesn't try to sugar coat his comedy. He laughs at himself and at society and brings us along for the ride. Neil talks straight reminding us that we are the masters (of mistresses) of our own destiny. We need to take care of how we are before we can help others. In other words, we are all under construction. A great show with a bitter-sweet heart.
2. Tomas Ford - Crap Music Rave at Bodega
The second event was the 'Crave Rave Dance Party' held at Bodega last Saturday Night. Let me tell you, I was a perfect test case for this - because I really started out NOT in the mood.
I was very on Saturday evening, had no one close to go with (I was going with my flatmates school friends, plus one pal Emily, who I had practically begged to let me come along so I didn't look like a loser). I really would have preferred to curl up with a cup of tea and watch re-runs of 'Location, Location, Location' on the couch.
However, I managed to haul myself into some jeans, put on a nice top and sling some wine down my neck and make it to Bodega to meet Emily. Despite that fuss, I had a ball of a time and I couldn't stop dancing nearly the whole time. It was like dancing at home with the best playlist of bad music, but instead being out at a venue.
The first thing you should know is that at a crap music rave you will literally want to dance to every single song. Tomas gets people to request 'any song so long as it's crap'. At Bodega, I didn't even drink, but I was having so much fun I didn't even notice. Everything you ever secretly loved, but deemed 'Crap' is fair game. 'Baby' (Justin Beebs), 'King-Fu Fighting' (who knows), 'Blue' (Eifle 54) and of course 'Hit me Baby one more time' (Britney, we love you) were all on the playlist.
Although I had to go early due to tiredness and having to get up at 7am the next day on Sunday (I know, crazy but it was for a good cause - you guys - more details coming soon) I simply had a blast.
I can tell you, if a Crap Music Rave can't get you dancing on a Saturday when you would rather stay in, nothing ever will!
What have you seen at the Fringe Festival? What did you think? Were you also at the Crap Music Rave? Let me know in the comments section below!
Surrealism at Te Papa is where it’s at this winter with these wonderful events…!