COOL GIGS.

02 Apr to 13 Jul Circus Oz
QUEENSLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES AND MELBOURNE
Celebrate three decades of Circus Oz as they tour the eastern states with their 30th Birthday Bash Tour. This high-energy animal-free spectacular is a crazy universe of colour, comedy and breathtaking human feats. Gladstone (2 Apr), Nambour (4–5 Apr), Gold Coast (11–12 Apr), Newcastle (16–19 Apr), Melbourne (18 Jun to 13 Jul). Check www.circusoz.com for ticketing.

18–20 Apr BANGKOK
Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival
Enjoy the festivities as residents of the Phra Pradaeng province, in the heart of Bangkok, honour this late celebration of the Thai New Year with elaborate floral floats, release fish and birds for good luck, and wear traditional costumes.

01–30 Apr SYDNEY
Bags through the
Ages Exhibition
If you know every “It” bag through the ages, here is a show for you. The earliest handbag on display dates from 1760 and was stitched by an American lady, just to carry her handkerchief – imagine! Level One, Queen Victoria Building, 455 George St, tel: +61 (2) 9264 9209.

04–20 Apr SYDNEY
Botanica 2008: The Fruits
of Our Labour
Celebrity cook Maggie Beer opens this international botanical art exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Lion Gate Lodge with an evening of fine food and fine art. Proceeds to Friends of the Gardens and Botanic Gardens Trust. Call +61 (2) 9231 8182 for opening tickets, otherwise free entry.

07–26 April SINGAPORE
World Gourmet
Summit 2008
International foodies unite for a global gastronomic feast this month in celebration of female culinary icons, including Sydney’s three-hat chef Chui Lee Luk of Claude’s. Singapore’s restaurants play host to the world’s best wines and chefs, including Take Home celebrity chef Curtis Stone, who will present five of his favourite dishes. Tel: +65 6270 1254.

22–27 Apr GOLD COAST
Hyundai Malfunction Surf Festival 08
Head east to see the world’s surfers take part in this legendary longboard surfing event. For its 25th anniversary celebrations it features a new location at New Tweed Coast and a “surf lifestyle festival” component, which includes open amateur and aged divisions, a leg of the ASP World Longboard Qualifying Series, a Retro division for boards constructed prior to 1981, Stand Up Paddle Surfing and more. Tel: +61 (7) 5536 9208.

29 Apr to 04 May MELBOURNE
Melbourne Jazz Festival
In its tenth year, the Melbourne Jazz Festival goes from strength to strength. Swing to legendary acts like Deni Hines and James Morrison, Nancy Wilson, Paul Grabowsky, Dr Abdullah Ibrahim, Bobby Jones and Jamie Oehlers. Call Ticketek on 1300 795 012.

8 Apr GOLD COAST
Gold Coast Titans
vs Brisbane Broncos
Catch Round 6, when the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans go up against their state rivals, the Brisbane Broncos. The action takes place on their new home ground, Skilled Park. This is also an NRL Centenary round. Call Ticketek on 132 849.

30 Apr to
04 May BRISBANE
Brisbane Stitches &
Craft Show
If Project Runway hasn2’t already inspired the fashion designer in you then this show will. Learn from the experts of sewing, needlework and beading; and be inspired by the fashion parades. Call 1800 770 222 for details.

BOOK FLIGHTS NOW!

02–05 May
QUT Urban Country
Music Festival
With 500 artists and 15 free events, Queensland’s largest country music festival in Caboolture is bound to “kick up some dust”.

15–31 May
Next Wave Festival
If you like a little edginess in your life, get down to Melbourne for this major biennial event with work by Australia’s best emerging artists.

01–31 May
Noosa Mayfiesta
Enjoy the good life in Noosa as umpteen activities, ranging from food festivals to performing arts to music and sports, jostle for your attention.

09–11 May
The Women’s Showcase
Join Aussie icons Marcia Hines and Kate Ceberano at this celebration of womanhood at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. Beauty, fashion, health, new age services and homeware join forces.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

Melbourne comedian Lawrence Leung is performing Lawrence Leung Learns to Breakdance, for the Cracker Comedy Festival at the Sydney Opera House Studio on 15– 26 April. Named Best Australian Act at Melbourne Comedy Festival 2007, we ask him some serious questions.

How did you get into comedy?

Midway through an arts/science degree, I was so bored I began enrolling in obscure arts subjects only if they had puns in their titles (“To Hell with Dante”). To escape, I started a comedy group and was soon kidnapped by the extreme sport of late-night stand-up comedy in smoky pubs. I entered the nationwide Raw Comedy competition and ended up performing in front of 1,300 people at the grand final. My parents, who had never seen me do stand-up before, were in the audience and I could see the horror on their faces as they realised their son was never going to be a doctor. Sorry, mum.

What’s the hardest thing about being a comedian?

Admitting you’re a comedian when you first meet someone, because they expect you to be funny immediately. Or worse, they feel they need to be funny too. Also, never say your occupation is comedian to immigration officers, unless you want to attract the suspicion of rubber-gloved customs officers.

What’s your style of comedy?

It’s very personal, anecdotal and about things I’m obsessed with. Or about embarrassing things I’ve done. Other times it’s nerdy things like Rubik’s Cubes and entering breakdance competitions with no skills. So it’s “storytelling stand-up”.

What do you find is a common thread of humour internationally? People love to laugh at authority and pretension.

How are Australian audiences?

They have a good bull**** detector so they can tell when a stand-up is not being themselves or dishonest about what they’re saying.

How do you relax and get inspired?

This is geeky but I like puzzles. I find solving Rubik’s Cubes mesmerising. My fastest time is 52 seconds but I want to get it down to 40 before the end of the year. Yes, I’m single.

Cracker Comedy Festival is on 16 April to 11 May. Tel: +61 (2) 9020 6918.