Performance4a

Even Now, a short film featuring poet and Performance 4a storyteller Mary Tang, has been selected for the Poetry Underground Film Festival, part of the Sydney Fringe Festival.  The video screens on 13 Sept at Madame Fling Flong in Newtown.  Bookings through the Sydney Fringe .

A stripped bare musical journey searching for life after birth and death.  Oprah hits a high note, Nigella prepares the perfect cuppa and Beyonce is... well...fierce, in this beautiful and suprisingly funny exploration into the aftermath of dead babies, dead husbands, dead dreams. Performed by Lena Cruz (Cynthia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and written and directed by Lisa Freshwater.  Newtown Theatre 11-26 September.  Bookings 02 9550 3666 or through the Sydney Fringe Festival .

Sexy Tales of Paleontology has everything you could possibly want: science, evil corporations and a lumberjack! When a group of scientists are taken over by an un-self-consciously evil corporation, a clash of ethics and robots ensue. Expect hysterical geologists in pit fights with paleontologists, flamboyant glam-pop mercenaries breaking out in song and the world's worst narrator. Written by Patrick Lenton with Daniel East and Bridget Lutherborrow. Directed by Anne-Maree Magi. Performers Shalane Connors, Lincoln Hall, Jovana Miletic, Laura Munro, Teik Kim Pok, Scott Selkirk, Will Snow and Alex Williams. Boiler Room Factory Theatre, Marrickville - Sept 16-19 & 24. Book through The Sydney Fringe Festival.

Melbourne Fringe Festival features this new work written and directed by Hoa Pham.  Shireen, an Indian international student ends up in Maribrynong detention centre. Trapped with Ania and Con her only visitor is Huong, her Vietnamese-Australian lawyer. It's enough to drive her mad...or is she? Based on true stories and the history of the Maribrynong Detention site. Starring Shalini Akhil, Susan Doel , Shane Lee, and Diana Nguyen. At Theatreworks, St Kilda, Sep 23-25 and Oct 5-9.  Tickets on sale 1 Sept from Theatreworks and Melbourne Fringe.

The first annual Parramasala , the South Asian Arts Festival, takes over Parrramatta from 4-8 November with an exciting program that includes Indian singer Kailash Kher; a picnic under the stars led by British-Indian composer/producer Nitin Sawhney; the Australian Art Orchestra; and a return to the stage by dancer Anandavalli in collaboration with musicians Anil Srinivasan & Sikkim Gurucharan.  The festival is calling for expressions of interest from local artists representing South Asia in all its breadth and diversity to take part. More details below.  Closing date 30 August.

Anthony Brandon Wong offers two additional Sydney workshops in the Chubbuck acting technique: Workshop 1 on Aug 28 & Sep 11 and Workshop 2 on 16 & 17 Oct.  The workshops are suitable for first-timers as well as those who are familiar with this technique.  See below for more details.

The fourth annual OzAsia Festival takes place at the Adelaide Festival Centre from 17 Sep-2 Oct.  The 2010 program features 133 artists from Korea, Indonesia, Tibet, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and Australia. The exciting program includes spectacular theatre, special events, food events, forums, film and animania festivals and visual arts. Check the OzAsia website for the full program.

Each year the Asialink Residency program sends 40 Australian writers, performers, artists and arts managers to live and work throughout Asia. Since its inception in 1991 the program has sent more than 550 people to hosts in 19 countries. The grant of up to $12,000 goes towards travel, living and project expenses, and affords recipients the opportunity for in-depth research, stimulating cultural exchanges, international collaboration and uninterrupted time for creativity. Applications for 2011 residencies are now open, and close 10 Sept 2010.