The month of July begins

So it is my final month of holidays before semester 2 commences and I tell you, time as flown by so fast. It felt like only yesterday I was celebrating my 19th birthday with some close friends, stuffing our faces with pizza and dancing into the early hours of the morning! The month of June has however, opened up a variety of options for this current month of July.

Firstly out of bordom and tradition, I decide to enter a competition which gives you the opportunity to see an exclusive, live performance by none-other than the paparazzied, poker faced and superstar on the Edge of Glory, Lady Gaga. In a concert in Sydney only for her Little Monsters whom had to win tickets showing their inner little monster. So in typical Jade tradition, I enter and win with what I call an average entry based on costume and photoshop. I say average as I didn't wrap meat all over me, or tattoo myself. Anyway that morning began with a wake up call by a well known Melbourne radio station, Fox FM. Notifying me that my entry was shortlisted. I was half asleep and my response was a little casual but that soon changed when it was my chance to be the first of three callers to get through on the radio station. I screamed my lungs out.. in disbelief, in shock and in a 'omg you idiot' spirit. I first called Mum and then called my best friend, who was extremely patient with me and applied the Gaga makeup on a very fidgety model.. LOL as she was going to come with me! So free flights, free accommodation at the Sydney Hilton and a free concert by Lady freaking Gaga!  So to the leadup to the concert which is on the 13th of July we have been attempting to learn Gaga's latest Album and failing haha. We are so excited to be able to have accommodation in the city of Sydney to which we can squash in typical sights such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Fortunately I went to Sydney at the start of the year,  so I am pretty confident in navigating the two of us around town without wasting too much time (as it is an overnight stay)!!!!

This month I have also been promoting a hilarious new Australian romantic comedy starring some terrific talent from actor/comedians! It's called Big Mamma's Boy, and in cinemas around Australia from the 28th of July! Click for the Big Mamma's Boy Website!! So being within the street team I am very greatful to have the opportunity tomorrow, to see an advanced screening and I cannot wait!!! AND because it's a brilliant movie, I am going again and just booked tickets tonight to the Premiere with my closest friends on the 12th of this Month!

For a month which I have been expected to chill I have plans to catch up with some friends as well as have a family trip to Fiji, to conclude the month for a week. Family trips- gawd help me, but Fiji and a tan, come sooner! This has just been an overview blog about my plans for the month and hopefully I make an interesting blog of some of these experiences!!!!!  Anyway I'm off Facebook has decided to no-longer be 'temporarily unavailable.'  Toodloooz!

Characterful Snippits!

I've got just over 2 months of holidays starting from today so I guess I will get this blog more regularly updated with posts but for now, feast your eyes (in a non- pedophile way!) on a collaboration of video footage and random improvised scenes I have done with my friend Brooke!

The REEL thing!

So yesterday was officially a 'chill day' spent it not touching any uni work whatsoever, despite my plans to get a little bit done..

Had only one errand of the day and that was to go with Mum to get our passport interviews as I am currently in the process of getting a passport. It would have been in much more of a progressive state however the incompetent lady who took our 'passport photos' neglected to take the photo properly eve when they knew it was a passport photo... anyway I won't rant on about that. I had the opportunity to be trusted by Mum so I drove around locally so instil confidence within her so that I can get some driving hours up because I am not even a quarter of the way through gaining hours to go for my licence.

After facebooking as usual I decided to great a much long awaiting blooper reel of our day filming, 'Visitare La Nonna' which was a short film I made with some of the best friends ever. Took me about 5 hours to stitch together as I had to reupload footage. It is just bloopers and therefore it isn't cut perfect but rather a montage of our filming day. I have realised however that I need to take much more behind the scenes recording as we had hilarious discussions and moments.. such as making my friend, Amy have a big booty.

This is the video, yes we are a crazy bunch!

(if you haven't seen the short film, or would like to rewatch it, it's a couple of blogs down.)

Rock of Ages!

One of my favourite theatrical performances all year, Rock of Ages!

A love story told in the true rocker style. Crazy hair, bright lights, fog machines, glitter and pamphlets showering the audience.. no worries... oh yeah and a bit of bum. We had third row seats just off centre, perfect for capturing and being involved in the true essence of the production! Seats make ALL the difference, so if ever there is a chance of getting good seats and paying a tad more I try and take it! The ushers decked out in their 80s rocker and groupie outfits not only guiding us to our seats but asking if we wanted any drinks delivered mid performance, selling programs and CDs, merchandise (had to buy the tshirt and program), the works. Actually come to think of it, perhaps a concert environment better describes the atmosphere. (even with the expensive price for snacks! Hahaha)

From the first act, the audience were drawn back in time into this recreated world where a love story nestled, a love of a boy, and a boys love for the music. The theatrical performers successfully conveyed all the action, drama, dope from the late 70s and 80s. If I had the money I would go again without a doubt! -enters all the online competition for free tix- It's a must see!!!!! OMG GO AND SEE IT!!! 

Cannot forget the highlight of hearing the songs of the 80s soo smoothly weaved into a performance! 

Before I go I will leave you with a great quote, line, phrase, lyric...

Don't Stop Believing!

Doctor Zhivago the Musical Opening Night!

What's better than free tickets to a Musical?

Free tickets and sitting 2 seats away from Australian character legend, Chris Lilley!

Thanks to a lovely Great Aunty for getting us tickets to the opening night of one of the latest musical productions of Melbourne, Doctor Zhivago I was fortunate enough to relive the opening night experiences of Chicago, Fame and Mary Poppins once again. Held on Thursday the 14th of April, 2011 at Her Majesties Theatre, the red carpet was rolled out as local stars walked into the bar and theatre in fur to team with the theme of the Russian story which was about to unfold before their eyes. The carpet was home to the likes of Darynn Hinch, Alan Fletcher, Ronda Burchmore, well known presenters of the news past and present and even talented star of We Can be Heroes and Summer Heights High, Chris Lilley walked in with their 'plus ones' to witness the Musical of the film, Doctor Zhivago. It was lovely to see most people in fur hats and scarves on this Autumn evening however animal rights activists may not take the same perspective if it were real. What else could top off the night by personally given a front row seat to the show amongst celebrities! As we entered the auditorium I was fortunate enough to be able to speak to Chris Lilley as we briefly spoke about his latest series, Angry Boys. (on screens early May!) He was nice and modest and coincidently had seats 2 seats down our row!

This would have been the second production at Her Maj to be seated front row and I must say, rumours of the front row being a neck-breaker is absolutely false. These seats ultimately allow you to be further immersed into the production as you see not only the performance, the wig alignment to the actor's heads but the sweat and spit flying across the stage. (not at the audience.. that would be awkward, no need for another shower thanks!) To be honest I did not think that this musical would be my sort of style however I am extremely glad that I did take a day off work for this as it was SOOO worth it and changed my perspective. The voices were amazing, the set was spectacular, the acting was true, (even the crying!)  and the plot was a beautiful love story which had tears in the eyes of some of the audience. I heard sniffles a lady.. (quite possibly a well known figure... just not to me...) told me how touching and watery her eyes were. The sound effects were also brilliant and despite us knowing when a gun was to fire... I could still be surprised when it does and jump in my seat. Funnily enough, so did well known dancer Rhonda Burchmore as we jumped in unison and connected gaze as we quietly mimed a laugh as we were the only ones that jumped in out seats. Well at least I can say I had a moment with Rhonda right? haha. After the show there were camera and an interviewer going around and interviewed most of my relatives on their take on the show, including me and my sister. So if you see us in footage floating around, Let me know! 

Comedy Gala 2011

Since December my comedy gala ticket had been sitting in my 'ticket' draw on my desk (Yes, I dedicated a little draw to my tickets to future stand up and theatre shows) and today was the day they saw the blissful light of day.

The long awaited day began with a call as to a 'change of plans' to get to our destination thanks to the fantastically unreliable train system we have in Melbourne. However, it acted in our favour today as my best friend decided that she would drive us to the venue in St. Kilda. She hadn't driven solo around St Kiilda or the city so this was an adventure from the very start! In the spa of 10 mins, prior to her arrival to pick me up, I google mapped directions and grabbed dad's GPS... and the adventure began. To our surprise we managed to successfully get to the venue without getting lost (considered we are from the other side of town) and the real struggle was working out the ticket machine. Eventually working out the technicality of the machine, we ventured out to find a place to dine. After walking around for at least half an hour with our inner with Italy on our mind we had Italian and it was a great chance to catch up .

The evening proceeded as we entered The Palais Theatre full of eager punters set for a night of laughter! And so the night was just that... if not more, from side splitting laughter to a subtle exchange of a glance saying 'this hat guy is not funny.' It was great to see the gala live and unedited as I had always wanted to go since year seven. There were some fantastic acts from Zoe Lyons, Stephen K Amos, Steve Hughes, Laurence Mooney, Bob Franklin, Denise Scott, Cal Wilson, Reginald D Hunter.. the list went on and on! The show ended with the audience getting flooded with streamers and it was a great atmosphere! We took some photos whilst everyone forwarded out of the venue but I couldn't help but play in the streamers. Let's just say.. glitter and streamer were kept as a keepsake.

We then drove back to MacDonald's in a suburb closer to home and pig out as soon as we worked out how to get home and make sense of the crazy St. Kilda road markings!!! It was fabulash! Got home at midnight for an early morning of university the next day. We had such a memorable night. This is my favourite photo of the night, despite the bad colour and plastic arms in the shot, standing in streamers with the Gala sign truly captures the night that I hope will be annual from this year on!

Mambo Italiano

Here is a short film I made which got screened as part of the "Italian Short Film Competition" for La Dolce Italia Festival on Lygon St. Last Saturday. Despite the rain there was a pretty good turnout!