2020 was a pretty bad year for everyone. But, Michael Shafar probably had it worse than most, having to face death for the second time when he had a testicular cancer relapse, which forced him to undergo high-dose chemotherapy during Melbourne’s second lockdown. He says ‘worse than most’ because some people had to homeschool their kids, which is objectively worse than dealing with cancer.

Back in remission, Shafar returned to the Melbourne Comedy Festival earlier this year with his darkest and funniest show yet, receiving critical acclaim for his cutting observations about the dangers of cancel culture, the hypocrisy of racists and, most importantly, the unknown perils of skinny jeans.

If you missed out on seeing Shafar give 110% earlier this year, we’ve got good news! He’s just been handpicked to performing his show for one night only in Melbourne.

Double-dosed with AstraZeneca (because he’s not a coward) and boosted with Pfizer (because he’s not brand loyal), Shafar is just thrilled to be back in front of a live audience and no longer relying on the government’s NBN to convey his jokes over Zoom.

Since leaving a career in law, Shafar has been busy justifying that decision to his Jewish mother. Having appeared on Channel 10’s The Project and Studio 10, ABC’s Comedy Bites, triple j’s Good Az Friday and heaps of other radio and TV shows, he has (somewhat) achieved that – making a name for himself as one of the fastest rising stars in Australian comedy, performing internationally (well, not in 2020) and selling out shows across the country.

Rumor made a thunderous debut with their first single “Let Me Go.” The duo, consisting of Mitchell Curley and Len Pearce, started out producing electronic music separately before teaming up in 2020. Rumor continues to build a bridge between club culture and global pop trends. Their undeniable ability to produce addictive melodies is proving to be a launchpad into a formidable presence in the world of dance/pop music.

With this next release  the duo is certain to bring another radio hit just in time for summer.

The show  has recently premiered in Australia, with Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film coming to life onstage remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza.

The theatre has been transformed into the famed French nightclub and is set to transport audiences to 19^th century Paris, complete with the iconic red windmill and towering blue elephant.

Spiro Economopoulos, the Program Director for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, joins us to again to update us on how MQFF is progressing this year.

MQFF is running until 29 November 2021.

Melbourne singer songwriter Thea FitzGerald has just released her single ‘Good Like That’ ahead of her second EP.

Following her debut EP ‘Building Blocks’, Good Like That is here to get you ready for a sassy, liberated summer. It’s the perfect soundtrack for saying goodbye to the challenges of the last 18 months and sashaying, swaggering, or strutting into a new chapter.

The lyrics evoke a sense of freedom one finds when growing out of a relationship that doesn’t serve them well and creating distance without disdain –an emotional coming of age.

Thea explores the idea that walking away doesn’t mean shutting someone out forever but gives them space to grow and evolve in their own time.

Created in collaboration with Melbourne producers SB90 and Michael Cooper (Mikki from Preston), and augmented by the silky trumpets of Woody Sampson (House of Wood), this body of work has been a labour of love throughout the difficulties of living in a world of COVID

Good Like That perfectly captures the poignancy of bittersweet goodbyes with an infectious soundscape that implores listeners to move and join in chorus.

Thea’s penchant with vocal arrangement and harmony are on full show, eagerly awaiting live shows to return to wow audiences.

While the 2008 mega-hit was all about sexual curiosity and empowerment, FLETCHER made the decision to celebrate her queer identity just as loudly as her sexual expression by acknowledging “it’s not phase,” despite what others may say.

FLETCHER hails from Asbury Park, New Jersey, where she cultivated her passion for music and her unforgettably candid storytelling. After graduating from NYU’s famed Clive Davis Institute for Recorded Music, FLETCHER carved out a distinct space for herself in pop music, and in 2019 released her debut EP you ruined new york city for me via Capitol Records.

The widely lauded EP features her breakthrough hit “Undrunk,” a track that spent several weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, scored the #1 spot on Spotify’s Viral Chart, emerged as the fastest-rising song at pop radio from a new artist in the past five years, and earned FLETCHER a nomination for iHeartRadio’s Best New Pop Artist.

Over the years, FLETCHER has sold out several headline tours and landed impressive slots at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Life is Beautiful, and other major festivals.

Released in September 2020, FLETCHER’s EP THE S(EX) TAPES hit No. 1 on iTunes across all genres and drew acclaim from outlets like Teen Vogue, SPIN, PAPER, and many others. An unfiltered look into FLETCHER’s world, the EP is a collection of magnetic and moody pop songs about feeling like you‘ve found your forever person before you find yourself and, as a result, needing to uncover the parts of you that remain unknown.

The EP’s lead single “Bitter” has now surpassed 175 million global streams. An outspoken activist and supporter of the #MeToo movement throughout her career, FLETCHER released the 2018 track “I Believe You” in support of sexual assault survivors, garnering over 50 million streams to date. She was also recently nominated for a 2021 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist.

Asbjørn continues his rebellion against gender norms with infectious pop songs and challenging videos;

On top of Jackons’esque beats and a triumphant horn section, Asbjørn discloses childhood crossdressing experiments and defies to be either man or woman by the book. “Can I just be human?”, Asbjørn asks blatantly in the songs chorus.

Be Human speaks to being free to be who you are, free of societal labels and allowing yourself to just Be Human! The track follows Asbjørn’s latest releases Young Dumb Crazy, Remember My Name and the official video for Be Human is the third and final video in the Boyology Series. Asbjørn’s third LP “Boyology” releases on January 28 2022 on Embassy of Music.

The ambitious and visually appealing series was created in collaboration with Danish documentary filmmaker Kathrine Skibsted (Forever Young Forever Old – A Love Story, Loves Me, Loves Me Not)

The exquisitely shot Be Human sees Asbjørn interpret the song’s message through movement.

With over 3 million streams on his catalogue and a whopping 8 million views across his video catalogue on YouTube, Asbjørn’s music and visuals really resonate with audiences.

“I am very grateful for the exposure my queer colleagues and I receive in mainstream media during Pride. But queer youth doesn’t only need representation once a year. They need support every single day, so nobody grows up feeling wrong in our society”, Asbjørn’s says and adds: – “I definitely needed someone like me to look up to in my childhood.”

MQFF is coming back out again, from 18-29 November! Join MQFF31 at Cinema Nova, ACMI, and Village Jam Factory, as well as online Australia-wide via MQFF+. All passes and tickets are on sale now. It’s time to book your sessions!

Passes are back for every film fan and budget, saving on the per-ticket price, from the 3-film pass, all the way to an exclusive limited edition All-In-Pass (which includes all in-cinema and online screenings and special events!)

Remember tickets will be limited due to 75% capacity limits, so book early and come join us for MQFF31! We can’t wait to be reunited with our community.

Don’t forget to update your iOS app or android app through your device’s app store to book MQFF31 films, view trailers, and never print your in-cinema tickets again. You’ll also be able to use the app to stream your MQFF+ content!

Super Disco Club revived the irresistible rush of dancefloor Disco, with modern House touches on their recent debut single: 

Now Super Disco Club share their second single: ‘Happiness,’ which features a very special guest in the shape of Sadako Pointer (related to the legendary dance-pop divas: The Pointer Sisters). ‘Happiness’ is released alongside an official video. 

The title ‘Happiness’ says it all when this meteoric track drops and instantly ignites the dancefloor.  Super Disco Club’s new jam leaves a lasting impression, as it effortlessly unites the uplifting House and Nu-Disco scenes, with an abundance of commercial crossover appeal.  Both accessible and cool in equal measure, the track is elevated with an outstanding performance from Sadako Pointer, who definitely helps to “keep that goodness coming.”

‘Happiness’ looks on track to be a huge hit, with huge support already coming from the likes of: Carl Cox, Tommie Sunshine, Mark Doyle, Mighty Mouse and StoneBridge playing the track in clubs as the world re-opens.

Super Disco Club commented: “We have always loved the original classic disco version of ‘Happiness’ and wanted to bring it into 2021.  We were thrilled to work with Sadako and think she’s delivered an awesome vocal.  We believe everyone deserves a little Happiness in their lives right now, and we hope our remake of this amazing song brings joy to people’s hearts.”

Sadako Pointer commented: “I’m honoured to be able to record and perform a new version of ‘Happiness’ by The Pointer Sisters with Australia’s Super Club Disco.  It feels great knowing my family including my Nana Ruth and Auntie Anita both approve and are so supportive.  I remember early on when I joined the group hoping for this type of outcome..”

“THAT IS THE SHIT!!!!!” exclaims original Pointer Sister, Ruth Pointer!

The ‘Happiness’ video also makes the most of its joyous vibe.  Written and directed by Scott Winn, the video depicts a boys versus girls ‘dance-off’ in an otherwise sleepy town.  But as the music inspires everyone’s most dazzling disco moves, the two teams are instead united as one.  Even the locals – judges, children, pensioners and a token metalhead, get in on the fun.

‘Happiness’ is accompanied by two new remixes. The international music duo Earth n Days deliver a straight-up House treatment, full of energetic beats, massive bass, powerful vocals and Disco ​​elements that are key parts of their huge club sound.  Then the enigmatic Disco edit masters JARC strip things back to a slinky, slow funk meets disco groove, letting the bassline take the lead, over an escalating intro, that eventually drops into Sadako Pointer’s massive vocals.

HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. A record-breaking masterpiece that has “transformed theatre and the way we think about history.” – The New York Times
The Tony®, Grammy®, Olivier and Pulitzer Prize winning musical opened at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in March, 2021.

Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre – a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. HAMILTON has has also received an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Centre Honours.

Hailed by critics as “A reinvention of the musical” – Chicago Tribune and “A singular work of brilliance.” – Rolling Stone, HAMILTON has gone from theatrical rebel to cultural phenomenon.

SYDNEY
Sydney Lyric Theatre
Booking to 27 February 2022
Tickets for the Sydney season are available only via ticketmaster.com.au

MELBOURNE
Her Majesty’s Theatre
Playing from 16 March 2022
Tickets for the Melbourne season are available only via Ticketek.com.au

Website: HamiltonMusical.com.au
Instagram: @hamiltonaustralia
Facebook: Facebook.com/HamiltonAustralia