Upnext Team

Every week Bri Ellen Comedy serves up a roster of Sydney's funniest comedians. We've featured local and international acts- as well as Sydney's' quickest rising comics.We are Covid Safe and have placed the following procedures:Staff are up-to-date on safe hygiene practicesEach person entering will scan into our traceable bar codeWe have sanitizing stations readily available for our patronsOur venue has a current Covid plan registered and in placePatrons are strategically placed to adhere to the safe space 4sqm rule

Hilary Geddes QuartetWinner of the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award in 2019- Hilary Geddes is a talented guitarist spending half of her musical life making contemporary jazz and improvised music- and the other in the popular indie band 'The Buoys'. As a jazz guitarist- Hilary has become an in-demand collaborator with the likes of Barney McAll and Mike Nock- while The Buoys are regularly featured on Triple J and on the Australian festival circuit. A truly modern- exceptional talent who will lead contemporary music in the direction she wants to see it go.Hilary Geddes (guitar) Matt Harris (piano) Max Alduca (bass) Alexander Inman-Hislop (drums)Jodie Michael's Organ SituationWinner of the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award in 2013- drummer Jodie Michael gained experience playing in jazz ensembles at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music- before touring the USA with the Wollongong Con Jazz Orchestra. She has immersed herself in the US jazz scene- playing with world-class drummers like Michael Carvin- Eric Harland and Kenny Washington- and went on to study in the Global Jazz Master's program at Berklee College of Music. Jodie promises to bring her fluid sense of rhythm for this double bill not to be missed.  Jodie Michael (drums)- Nish Manjunath (tenor saxophone) Steve Barry (organ)Covid-safe measuresAll patrons are socially distanced inside the venue and must use sanitizer provided and enter individual contact details on entry. Face masks are available for those who want them. Hand sanitizer is provided and visible throughout the venue. People with any symptoms of colds or repeating dry coughs are not admitted and if such symptoms become visible after entry- would be asked to leave. Table service only except for those who are seated at the bar. There is no standing in groups allowed.

This 9 week course will provide the skills and techniques to give you the confidence to draw what you see. Each week we will undertake drawing exercises that provide solid drawing skills. We will cover drawing faces and figures- perspective- animals and birds- landscapes and much more. In a relaxed and informal class- the student will receive instruction in all aspects of drawing. This class is conducted in studio using Covid safe procedures to ensure student welfare.No previous experience is required. Beginners welcome.

Elana Stone is an ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter from Sydney's Inner West whose style combines instrumental invention with quirk- writing pop that is exultant and introspective.If Ella Fitzgerald met Dirty Projectors and Joni Mitchell- you'd have an idea of how Elana's band projects might sound- but you'd be missing the country and folk influences. Elana Stone Band encompasses folk- modern electronica- indie pop and balladry. Expect a deep dive into her catalogue with an inventive attitude to arrangements- played by some of Australia's most accomplished musicians.Elana Stone (vocals) Aaron Flower (guitar-vocals) Zoe Hauptmann (electric bass-vocals) Evan Mannell (drums-vocals) Covid-safe measuresDo not attend if you are feeling unwell. Shows will be seated and limited to 60 per sitting- with patrons seated to allow for social distancing. Please adhere to social distancing at all times and follow direction from venue staff. The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety- including: Hand sanitiser dispensers- signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue- and regular sanitising of the venue and facilities.

An improv comedy show inspired by the news.Improv Theatre Sydney and a couple of guests who are smarter than we are- break down news and current events of the day for you. They then re-spin it into comedy improv sketches and silliness. Hot tip: there will probably be something on COVID (and hopefully there'll be other news too!)Venue doors open a minimum of 30 minutes prior to show start time. Pop in before the show for a drink and a physically distanced mingle!Giant Dwarf is a licensed venue. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The venue reserves the right to refuse admission to any person. Any discriminatory- illegal or aggressive behaviour- will not be permitted.Giant Dwarf Covid-Safe Measures: Please do not attend if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms- have travelled overseas within the last 14 days or have been in direct or indirect contact with a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19.Patrons are required to provide their name and contact details upon arrival as well as have their temperature taken with a remote thermometer. If your temperature reads above 38 C you will not be permitted entry for the safety of all patrons.Card-Contactless payment only - We are no longer taking cash sales.Shows will be seated and limited to 30 per sitting- allowing for physical distancing.Please ensure everyone you wish to seat at your table is included in your booking to avoid being seated separately.Tickets will need to be pre-purchased- no door sales will be available on the night.Drinks included in ticket price are valid for any drink available from the bar. They are redeemable for the individual show only- and cannot be used at another time.Please adhere to social distancing at all times and follow direction from venue staff.The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety- including hand sanitiser dispensers- signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue and regular sanitising of the venue and a full clean between sittings.Bookings available here

La Haine is a 1995 French black-and-white drama film written- co-edited- and directed by Mathieu Kassovitz.When a young Arab is arrested and beaten unconscious by police- a riot erupts in the notoriously violent suburbs outside of Paris. Three of the victim's peers- Vinz (Vincent Cassel)- Said (Said Taghmaoui) and Hubert (Hubert Kounde)- wander aimlessly about their home turf in the aftermath of the violence as they try to come to grips with their outrage over the brutal incident.After one of the men finds a police officer's discarded weapon- their night seems poised to take a bleak turn.Covid-19 safety measures here

If you are you looking for ways to encourage teamwork at your company- feel like your business meetings lack energy and direction and love playing with blocks then this is the event for you. Join LEGO® Serious Play® master Michael Fearne as he demonstrates how PLAY can jumpstart your team. LEGO® Serious Play®- a methodology to bridge and harvest an organisation's collective intelligence to solve problems and improve decision-making- actively engages every participant and embraces a 'leaning forward' approach where everybody contributes. The bricks are used as a medium to build and to express complex ideas through storytelling and metaphors.It unleashes creative energies- modes of thought and ways of seeing that most adults have forgotten they even possessed. Dare to play!

Fight the fear and learn how comedians make one of the scariest pursuits look so effortless. Equip yourself with the tools required to crack up your audience- experiment with styles and techniques and discover the tricks and secrets behind the performance to transform yourself to be the funniest you can be. You will write your own material and learn how to deliver it.This online course will have a stronger focus on writing- developing material- experimenting with styles and discovering your voice. Students will be encouraged to also make time for writing in their own time to get the most from their class experience. Classes will consist of online meetings where we can do live exercises- learn about new comedy styles- and share material at our digital open mic.Marcel Blanch- de Wilt is a stand-up comedian and improviser. In 2011 he entered the world of stand-up comedy and was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Adelaide Comedy Awards- as well as winning a place in the state finals of the Raw Comedy Competition. He has produced four stand-up shows and performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival- Sydney Comedy Festival- Sydney Fringe and Bondi Feast. Marcel is a regular MC and has hosted some of the best comedy shows across Adelaide- Sydney- Perth and Melbourne. He has performed in Hobart- Perth- Newcastle- Wollongong- Canberra- London- Wellington and Chicago. He has supported such names as Dilruk Jayasinha- Dave Hughes- Celia Pacquola- Claire Hooper and more.

Sundown Sketch Club is moving online. Unearth your creative potential in these interactive online drawing classes guided by MCA artist educators. Experiment with approaches to mark-making and be led through a series of exercises- all from the comfort of your home.Suitable for any experience level- for ages 18+.What to expectEach class will focus on a specific theme where you will be guided to reimagine objects from your home.Wednesday 4 November: Light and shadowsWednesday 2 December: Negative space and the voidWhat you needPaper and drawing materials are essential. Nothing fancy is required- use whatever you have available! Feel free to pour yourself a drink during the class (BYO as well).Ticket informationThis event will take place on Zoom- and participants will be asked to have their cameras on throughout the class. The event link will be emailed to all participants 1-3 days prior.Duo ticket optionDo you live with someone who would also like to join the class? We've created a special duo ticket offer for a partner- housemate or family member to collaborate with you in this workshop- using the same account log-in.