Sydney Comedy Festival presents the Homebake Comedy Stage!

Introduced to Homebake Music, Film, Comedy & Arts Festival in 2011, The Sydney Comedy Festival Stage returns in 2012 featuring some of Australia’s best beloved comedians as well as the very best emerging artists in a rollicking showcase of world-class comedy. Homebake has a long history of supporting Australian and NZ music, film and arts, and with the addition of a Comedy Stage, aims to make a positive contribution to Australia’s growing live comedy scene.

Adding a stack of a ‘laughs’ alongside the massive array of music, film and other activities, the Homebake Comedy Stage proved to be a massive success in 2011 witnessing roaring crowds packing the tent throughout the day.

Live comedy has exploded in popularity in recent years and the Homebake Comedy Stage (presented by Sydney Comedy Festival) hopes to have a lasting positive impact on the growth of the local industry. And now to add to the list of incredible performers, the first announcement of names providing the laughs on the Comedy Stage include :.

TOM BALLARD

Tom Ballard is a comedian who gets to perform the ancient art of stand-up all around Australia and who also gets to talk on the radio on a regular basis.

In 2009, Tom debuted his first solo show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival which saw him nominated for a Golden Gibbo and become the youngest person ever to win the prestigious Melbourne Airport Best Newcomer Award.  This debut show Tom Ballard Is What He Is was released on DVD in 2011.

Since his first show, Tom has performed at the invite-only Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and at comedy festivals, fringe festivals, theatres and comedy clubs all over Australia.

In 2010, Tom and his silly friend Alex Dyson started hosting triple j’s national breakfast program, where you can still hear them today, and during that time you could have also seen him wearing make-up and telling jokes on your television on shows such as Good News Week, Spicks ‘n’ Specks, Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight and Can of Worms just to name a few.

In his spare time, Tom suffers from eczema and has fluctuating weight issues and in the spring of 2010, he contracted scabies.

“[Ballard’s] material, most importantly, absolutely kills…It’s tightly paced, it’s perfectly delivered and it’s funny as hell…”

- Time Out Sydney

“consistently, acutely hilarious…” – Herald Sun

HEATH FRANKLIN’S CHOPPER

Heath Franklin is a Logie-nominated Australian actor, comedic performer, improviser and writer.

Heath is best known for his comedy character Chopper, originally created for Network 10’s The Ronnie Johns Half Hour. Since 2007, Franklin, as Chopper, has sold over 130,000 tickets across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. He broke box offices records on his recent tour of New Zealand.

Heath appears regularly on ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks and Channel 7’s Thank God You’re Here and stars alongside Flight of The Conchord’s Jemaine Clement in the recently released feature film The Predicament.

Developing other impersonations for his show, Chopper vs Heath Franklin, which has toured Australia and New Zealand to sold out audiences, adding food critic personality Matt Preston and Man vs Wild personality Bear Grylls to the line-up. Franklin also appears alongside Felicity Ward in ABC’s new comedy game show, Randling.

“Australia’s funniest comedy character” – Sunday Mail

“Franklin is a true comedy talent” - – The Age

“This is character comedy at its finest… Franklin has charismatic aggression down to a fine art… A bloody funny show” – Onstage Scotland

MEL BUTTLE

After a cracking year scoring her own segment on Tom and Alex and landing herself a regular column in Triple J Magazine, Mel Buttle is on top of her game. Since her nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Mel has toured extensively throughout Australia, appearing at major capital city comedy festivals, visiting the regions on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow and supporting Josh Thomas on tour.

Podcasts she produces with Patience from The Grates, The Minutes and You’re Welcome, shot straight to number 2 in the iTunes chart upon debut.

“Buttle has the right mix of confidence and vulnerability to get the audience on side and the material to keep them there” – Courier Mail

“With the confidence, presence and sarcasm of a young Kitty Flanagan, Buttle had the audience eating out of her hand with some hilariously wrong stories…” – The West Australian

‘Gifted of rare talent’ – The Age

BENNY DAVIS – The Human Jukebox

From humble beginnings as a busker, The Axis of Awesome’s Benny Davis presents The Human Jukebox. From the streets to the stage, he’s here to take requests and play all your favourite tunes. Name a song, if he’s heard it, he can play it. With the help of the beatboxing talents of Holly Austin, they’ll remix any tune you tweet them into a dance megamix. Be ready with a playlist and your dancing shoes.

CAM KNIGHT (MC)

With his film star good looks, Cam Knight’s fast one-liners and wickedly absurd flights of fancy almost take you by surprise with their brilliance.  Cam has appeared and performed with some of the world’s best comics, including Demetri Martin, Mike Wilmot, Stephen K Amos, Seth Green and Will Ferrell.  Running hot off sold out Sydney Comedy Festival shows, get in and see Cam now!

“A great raconteur; relaxed and in control; knows how to relate to the audience” – The Age

DANIEL TOWNES (MC)

With his laidback style of stand-up, Daniel Townes has won over audiences worldwide, having performed in Singapore, Germany, Spain, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Holland, and all over the UK. In Australia, he’s worked everywhere from Mildura to Broken Hill and Griffith to Wodonga.

The last few years have been huge for Townes, in 2011 he recorded his very first live DVD, Previously, at the Sydney Comedy Store, and was shortlisted for both the People’s Choice Award and title of Sydney’s Best Comedian in the 2011 Time Out Magazine Awards during the Sydney Comedy Festival.

“Daniel Townes is charming and disarming as much as he is humorous” – Adelaide Advertiser

RONNY CHIENG (Winner – Best Newcomer, 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival)
It’s been a very busy 2 years for Malaysian born, Singapore and American raised comedian and Melbourne Law School graduate, Ronny Chieng.
Ronny burst onto the scene in 2010, taking 2nd place at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s RAW Comedy National Final. In 2011, he was handpicked for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s prestigious Comedy Zone show, a showcase of the best up and coming comedians in Australia.
In 2012, Ronny performed at the Brisbane Comedy Festival and debuted his solo show, The Ron Way,  at the Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals to both critical and industry acclaim. Selling out his entire 5 week run, Ronny had to add shows in both cities to meet demand. Ronny capped off a very successful festival season by winning the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s prestigious “Best Newcomer” award.
Ronny most recently was invited to perform at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal and performed a successful two week season of The Ron Way at the Soho Theatre in London.

‘Chieng has a rapid-fire, confident style that never lets up.’ – The Age

‘He’s sharp, he’s funny, he’s quick-witted.’ – The Herald Sun

Top 5 list of up-and-coming acts at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival  – The Age, 2012

MATT OKINE (WINNER – Best Newcomer, 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival)

Matt Okine kicked off his comedy career in 2004 by making it to the RAW Comedy National Final at the age of 18 and after only three gigs (those being the preliminary stages of the competition!).  Matt spent the next few years making notable achievements in live comedy including winning the Brisbane New Comic of the Year award (2005), winning the Rove Live Snickers Golden Nut Competition (2007), performing on the NBC’s hit show, Last Comic Standing (2008) and being invited to tour with the Melbourne International Comedy Roadshow (2010).
His 2011 Sydney Comedy Festival show, Being Black N Chicken N Shit, was nominated for Time Out’s Local Comedy Show of the Year, and Matt was also nominated in the same awards for the 2011 Sydney Comedian of the Year. In 2012, Being Black N Chicken N Shit had sell-out seasons at the Brisbane and Melbourne Comedy Festivals, and won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s prestigious “Best Newcomer” Award.
Matt most recently was invited to perform at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal and performed a successful two week season of Being Black N Chicken N Shit at the Soho Theatre in London.  Cereal, bro.

“Outstanding” – Time Out Sydney

“Skilfully crafted and confidently told” – Metro London

“Matt Okine is a revelation!” – The West Australian

RHYS NICHOLSON (WINNER – Best Newcomer at the 2012 Time Out Sydney Comedy Festival Awards)
Rhys Nicholson is known for his spine tinglingly stylish black comedy. Brilliantly irreverent and unapologetic, his unique brand of wry humour and sardonic wit combined with a complete lack of self-censorship make for hilarious social commentary. The Newcastle-born comedian is ruthless. No subject is taboo. He offers a fresh perspective on sexuality, coming out, relationships and relocation.
A Comedy Store regular, he is best known for his appearances on the Comedy Channel’s Balls of Steel, and big hair. At the age of only 22 he has already had great success at International Festival level. He followed a great run at the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival by taking the gong for Best Newcomer at the 2012 Sydney Comedy Festival where he was the deserving winner of this coveted award for his show, Almost A Person.

“Hilarious… uproariously catty… sure to entertain with his sharp wit” – The Herald Sun

“… razor-sharp, corrosive wit …” – Sydney Morning Herald

“His tongue is as sharp as his dress sense. See him before his career becomes as big as his hair” Wil Anderson

GENEVIEVE FRICKER
In this year alone, Sydney-based comedian Genevieve Fricker toured nationally, co-hosted FBi Radio’s Up For It Summer Edition, performed sell-out shows at the Sydney Fringe, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney Comedy Festivals, and was named ‘The Next Big Thing in Comedy 2012′ by the Sydney Morning Herald. Her twisted songs and stories will make you laugh ’til you puke.

“Edgy, quirky and funny” Sydney Morning Herald

“Hilariously dark” The Age

DAVE WILLIAMS
With over ten years in the business Dave Williams as established himself as one of Australia’s most sought after headline acts. Dave is a veteran of Fringe and comedy Festivals both here and abroad, having starred in one man shows as well as ensemble shows.

With a solid background in acting, Dave uses strong characters and has a tendency to improvise lending his show a distinctly theatre flavour, and his ability to adapt his performance from pubs and clubs to theatre and television ensures Dave will continue to work alongside Australia’s best known comedians.
Dave has played the Melbourne International Comedy Festival every year since 1999 with a new show each year – a testament to his writing ability. He was chosen to perform in the MICF Montreal Showcase and the Australian MICF Roadshow which tours nationally. In 2000 David performed his one man show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, achieving full houses and rave reviews.

“A fine, original comic mind; always surprising his audience with his wit” – Edinburgh Evening News

“Charming storyteller with a delightful grasp of silliness” - Manchester Evening News

NICK CODY
Never a dull moment – Nick Cody is certainly a name to look out for. Nick Cody is quickly becoming one of the funniest young comedians in the country. At 25 years of age, he’s already supported some of the biggest names in stand-up.  Nick’s brand of stand-up offers a unique combination of edgy, thought-provoking material ranging from brutally honest and uninhibited storytelling to rapid-fire and hilarious social comedy. Fresh off sold out shows at Sydney Comedy Festival, don’t miss him at Homebake!

“He’s charismatic, self-deprecating and warm, and the crowd absolutely love him, at one point even chanting his name in their enthusiasm” – Chortle

“Both uncontrollably laugh-out-loud funny and hang-your-head-in-shame funny …” – The Herald Sun

ANTHONY SALAME
The ‘King of Urban Comedy’, Anthony Salame has been performing his bold style of stand up since 2005. He’s toured the world to wide acclaim, sold out shows at international comedy festivals and at all of Australia’s top comedy venues. As well as sharing the stage with comedians such as US legends, Pablo Francisco, Maz Jobrani and Jo Koy, Anthony’s unique edginess and hip-hop flair have taken him into the musical arena as comic support for LL Cool J, De LA Soul and Bobby Brown.
Salame’s touring has taken him to far-flung destinations as Canada, the UK, Lebanon, Singapore, Holland and New Zealand, proving his casual style and fresh take on urban living to be universally funny. His television appearances include his (2007) TV debut as a cast member on the hit series Fat Pizza and a regular spot on SBS’s Swift & Shift Couriers. The future looks bright for this young stand-up comedian. His sharp and provocative observational style sets him defiantly apart from the crowd. Check your political correctness at the door and get ready for some funny sh!t.

“One of the undisputed kings of Australian urban comedy” - Adelaide News

“… frank and unabashed…”-  Herald Sun

MICHAEL HING
Michael Hing is an independent comedian working out of Sydney. He co-founded Sydney’s best comedy night Project 52 (Time Out Comedy Awards 2011) has received 5-star reviews for his festival shows (Illustrious Physicians of Romance, Sidney Critic) and was nominated as Sydney’s best comedian (Time Out Sydney).

He has achieved all of this without representation, which is why you will probably never see him on television and why, despite being Chinese, he refuses to be an ‘ethnic comedian’ on the laughable grounds that he doesn’t want to be a racist. You can find him regularly at The Comedy Store, as well as working at his day job.

“Michael Hing was fantastic!”  – ABC Radio

“Michael Hing, is wicked smart and one of the funniest f*&king comics I have ever seen, with his standout, unique and hilarious psycho rantings” – Jamie Kilstein, Citizen Radio

NICE KICKS – Steen Raskopoulos and Susie Youssef
“Nice Kicks” is sketch comedy duo Steen Raskopoulos and Susie Youssef. They have been writing and performing in sketch comedy and improvised stage shows at festivals around the world, on the interweb and the television for the past six years and both have amazing shoes.
LAURA HUGHES
After completing a BA in Acting Laura turned to comedy because her father suggested she find a suitable ‘Plan B’ for her acting career. After becoming a RAW Comedy National Finalist in 2011, her fourth ever time doing stand-up, Laura decided to have two ‘Plan A’s’ instead. She was then selected as one of five of Australia’s “best stand-up-and-comers” and performed in The Comedy Zone at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2012. Laura also recently won the Green Card lottery, and splits her time between Australia and the US. By default, she can now call herself an International comic.

And for those of you who were there for our inaugural Homebake Comedy Stage in 2011, here’s a fan YouTube clip of a surprise performance via the comedy genius of the TV series, ‘Housos’:

(NB: language warning!)

HOMEBAKE Music, Film, Comedy & Arts Festival 2012
The Global Edition

Saturday December 8th, 2012  – The Domain, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney City, NSW

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Taking the gloom out of doom as we celebrate the Mayan ‘end of the world’ with the biggest party in the park!

It’s the Global Edition starring Explosive Performances by ….

(Via the USA, the legendary and iconic multi million selling hit makers….the ‘atomic’) BLONDIE,  HILLTOP HOODS, (Direct from huge sold out shows worldwide and a starring  role in Californication) TIM MINCHIN, KIMBRA, (together but not together) ANGUS STONE, JULIA STONE, BIRDS OF TOKYO, DANIEL MERRIWEATHER, (finally returning home to OZ) SAM SPARRO, (the legendary) THE SAINTS,  SOMETHING FOR KATE, (A special ‘best of’ return by electro pioneers) SONICANIMATION, (NZ’s multi-platinum megastars) SHAPESHIFTER, SIX60, JINJA SAFARI, THE BAMBOOS,  TIM ROGERS of You Am I (with full band and special guests), SAN CISCO, EMMA LOUISE, POND, BALL PARK MUSIC, SEEKAE, DZ DEATHRAYS, DIAFRIX, HUSKY, FULL TOTE ODDS

Plus many more to be announced including the crème of comedy stars, short films, and

our triple j Unearthed Winner!

And now joined by the first Comedy Stage announcement:
Tom Ballard, Heath Franklin’s Chopper, Mel Buttle, Benny Davis – The Human Jukebox, Cam Knight (MC), Daniel Townes (MC), Ronny Chieng, Matt Okine, Rhys Nicholson, Genevieve Fricker, Dave Williams, Nick Cody, Anthony Salame, Michael Hing, Nice Kicks – Steen Raskopoulos and Susie Youssef, Laura Hughes
+ more to be announced

Featuring…
FOUR STAGES (Main Stage, The Big Top, The Dome, the new Rowland S Howard Stage) + more!
THE HOMEBAKE CINEMA PAVILION, (Curated by Kieran Darcy-Smith / Blue-tongue),
The Brand New HOMEBAKE COMEDY STAGE (Presented by Sydney Comedy Festival), MULTIMEDIA, INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR, ROVING ACTIVITIES and PERFORMERS, INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR, MARKET STALLS, ARTIST SIGNING TENT, YOUTH and COMMUNITY INFORMATION and AWARENESS STALLS and more!
Homebake supports YouCan – http://www.youcan.org.au
 
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Only $99.00 incl GST + Booking Fees according to selected ticketing agency (see below)
* Ticketek phonecharge: Ph 132 849 or web: http://www.ticketek.com.au
* Purchase tickets online via HOMEBAKE direct – at http://www.homebake.com.au or Tel: 1300 762 545
Nb: this service is provided by Oztix Australia – http://http://www.oztix.com.au/
* Moshtix: Ph 1300 438 849 or web: http://www.moshtix.com.au

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT HOMEBAKE IS AN OVER 18′s EVENT – YOU MUST BE OVER 18 (EIGHTEEN) YEARS
OF AGE TO PURCHASE A TICKET – Relevant Government authorised photo ID required on entry and if you wish to drink alcohol – ie; passport or drivers licence.

Visit the website – http://www.homebake.com and http://www.facebook.com/homebakefestivalofficial

NB: Please be aware of all conditions associated with purchase of ticket to Homebake.

Check out our teaser video here (starring AFI and Logie awarded actress, Emma Lung)