The Disability Information and Resource Centre

A comedy night that will have you in stitches! Come and support Parents Assisting Kids with Autism (PAKA)’s social development programs for children with ASD and have a laugh with top SA comedians Granny Flaps, Kate Burr and Mike Kilmczak.

Date: Saturday 14 May 2011

Venue: Clarence Park Community Centre, 72-74 East Avenue, Clarence Park

Cost: $20 per person; $30 VIP Tickets

Details: Ring Kylie on 0411 065 043 or email PAKA at paka@autismsa.org.au for more details or to book. Open bar. Strictly adults only event.

Comedian Imaan Hadchiti takes audiences on a hilarious and eye-opening ride into his world in A Little Perspective. The multimedia mix of stand-up comedy and video clips explores perceptions of socio-political corrections from the worm’s eyed view of a shortstatured, un-abled body, height deficient, disabled, incumbently insufficient, vertically challenged Lebanese comedian – with a hidden micro camera, which captures the cringe worthy comments and actions that Imaan faces when he goes out.

Imaan’s composure, ability to identify, empathise and challenge standard beliefs has granted him a unique place in the world of stand-up.

Starting his career at 15, Imaan, won Triple J’s Class Clown national stand-up comedy contest in 2005. He’s also featured in The NRL Footy Show as the youngest stand up comedian to perform on the show. He has also appeared in the Cult SBS Comedy TV Series ‘Wilfred.’

Fresh from a sell-out season at the 2011 Adelaide Fringe Festival, A Little Perspective is coming to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on Thursdays to Sundays at 11.30pm, from 31st March at Hairy Little Sista, 240 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Venue: The Upstairs Lounge @ Hairy Little Sista, 240 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Dates: 31st March -24th April (Thursday-Sunday)

Tickets: $13.00 Full $10.00 Concession $12.00 Group 4+

Times: 11.30 pm

Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013, www.comedyfestival.com.au or at the door.

Humour really is the best medicine, which is why you should experience it for yourself in the upcoming fringe show ‘Cracking Up’. The show features people who have experienced mental health conditions sharing their stories and struggles through standup comedy. The show is based on the Canadian documentary ‘Cracking Up’ and was originally developed by David Granirer, a mental health support worker and comedian. Following this the MHCSA with funding from Arts SA have developed the highly inspiring and hilarious live show of ‘Cracking Up’. David Granirer states, “We use comedy to give consumers a powerful voice and help reduce the stigma and discrimination around mental illness”.

According to the ‘Cracking Up” team, “If you can laugh at yourself then it is the show for you… and if you can’t laugh at yourself then you definitely have to see ‘Cracking Up’”. First hand communication with someone who has experienced a mental health problem is known to be a highly effective method of influencing the way people think and subsequently reducing stigma. This is truly what the show accomplishes although you will be so busy laughing you won’t know it.

The idea around ‘Cracking Up’ is to laugh at the setbacks and consequently rise above them says Granirer. It has been internationally proven that laughter has both physiological and psychological benefits including helping to relieve fear and reduce stress.

As a result of having fallen through the cracks that present through various mental health conditions, the ‘Cracking Up’ team of stand up comedians will take over the stage to tickle your funny bones with their witty, bold, reflective and amusing stories.

Filled with a diverse range of comedians with different stories to share the ‘Cracking Up’ team invite you to laugh out loud with them and appeal to your comedian within. Come rally at the Box Factory in an intimate easy to find venue where you can bring your funny bones, your laughter and your smiles and continue to prove that laughter really can be the best form of medicine.

Featuring: Helen Keene, Abner Bradley, Kathryn Hall, Ceridwyn Owen, Sharon Cheney, Kim McKenzie, Donna Schilwa, Kylie Harrison and the vocal talents of Vocal Lunacy.

Location: The Box Factory – 59 Regent Street South, Adelaide SA 5000

Dates: 25, 26, 27 February 2011

Times: 8.30pm to 9.45pm (1 hour 15 mins)

Costs: $10 each – Carers Free

Tickets available at FRINGETIX 1300 374 643 www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Further enquiries to MHCSA: Ph: 8212 8873 or 0406 980 962
Email: openyourmind@mhcsa.org.au Web: www.mhcsa.org.au.

The Cracking Up! flyer.

No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability is holding a character based comedy show called “A Touch of Compost” on Saturday October 30 at Higher Ground in Light Square.

A Touch Of Compost is a series of works put together with the guidance of some of the best comedians in Adelaide along with a cast of extremely talented No Strings Attached Theatre Of Disability performers who will endeavour to make you laugh, cry and wonder why……

The show will be hosted by the honorable Robbie Butternob.

4pm to 5.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased from the door for $10.

You can have a look at the flyer for the event here.

Do you want to learn to do Stand Up Comedy?

Starting in July the Mental Health Coalition will be commencing a 6 week Stand Up Comedy Course for Consumers (individuals who have experienced a mental health issue). The 6 week course will lead to a performance during Mental Health Week at the Mercury Theatre on the 13th of October.

Classes are free & lead by comedian Jo Coventry with special guest teachers during the 6 week period. So if you have ever wanted to do Stand Up, have always been the class clown or just have a story to tell we would like to hear from you.

Applications are available at the MHCSA via the web site www.mhcsa.org.au (see Mental Health Week section) or by contacting Tracey Davis at the MHCSA on 8212 8873 or email her at tracey.davis@mhcsa.org.au.

You can have a look at the flyer for the event and also an application form.