Author: Lloyd Marken

Hello people and thank you so much for checking out my blog site. I will not reveal much about myself on this page. I am a fairly open person and give plenty of personal insights in my posts so that is where you will find information about me. My hope is this diminishes preconceptions when you come to read my text and also rewards long term followers with a deeper insight into me. You are getting to know me and I am getting to know you. I look forward to it. If you're just casually dropping by, that's cool too. Feel free to drop a comment whether you agree or have a different opinion to offer. I hope you enjoy yourselves. Thank you.

AFTER HOURS REVIEW AVAILABLE ON WEEKEND NOTES

Posted on March 21, 2019March 22, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

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It was Saturday the 9th of March at the Brisbane Comedy Festival, and Karen and I were having a wonderful time. We had arrived mid afternoon on a sunny day, attended a performance of Brisburned@Work for Scenestr which Karen really enjoyed, taken in a session of Queensland Theatresports, run into some people we knew and really had a great time and had our fill of the tasty bar food. Yet the day was not yet over as we descended the stairs that led to the Turbine Studio.

The Turbine Studio a smaller more intimate venue is housed right next door right across the Visy Theatre on the same floor – the river level. Despite seeing some fantastic shows at their more glamourous cousin the Powerhouse Theatre I have to admit I have a soft spot for these two venues and maybe in particular the Turbine studio just because it tends feature shows or entertainers that are building towards something. I saw Nath Valvo at the Turbine Studio when he was big in Melbourne but growing his fanbase here, one of the first performances of Love/Hate Actually, Cassie George in There’s Something About Mary(s), the promising debut of the Grass Is Dead On The Other Side and so as I headed to see After Hours at the same venue it felt appropriate. By choosing to attend I was in on a secret, by staying later I was somehow more hardcore and more genuine than other audiences but little did I realise what a treat I was in for. You can read more of my thoughts here https://www.weekendnotes.com/after-hours-brisbane-comedy-festival/

Afterwards Karen and I headed off into the night to home and bed. It had been a good day spent at the Brisbane Comedy Festival 2019.

Weekend Notes are a growing online magazine with a wealth of contributors based out of several cities across the United Kingdom, Australia and New York. Articles are leisure related and can include a wide variety of subjects from rainforest hikes to cultural festivals, from what hot new play is on at your underground theatre to a ultra trendy eatery. Writers are paid for their work based partly on how many views their articles get so please feel free to stop by and show some love.

-Lloyd Marken

The Brisbane Powerhouse nearing midnight. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

The blue lights of the Brisbane Comedy Festival were already turned off as we left. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

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BRISBURNED@WORK REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on March 19, 2019March 18, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

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The Saturday before last I was lucky enough to be back on assignment for Scenestr at the Brisbane Comedy Festival. I was there to check out Brisburned@Work, the follow-up to last year’s run away hit Brisburned: Sketch Comedy About Brisbane. While I had not seen the previous show, the premise intrigued me and by all accounts I was in for a treat.

Mark Lombard and his fellow sketch comedians did not let me down, there were plenty of laughs and I almost fell out of my chair when James Tinniswood impersonated legendary rugby league coach Wayne Bennett. You can read my review here http://scenestr.com.au/comedy/brisburned-work-review-brisbane-comedy-festival-2019-20190312 Local readers be aware the show performs this Saturday as well.

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Having started in 1993 they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland every month.

Tree in the carpark. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

A familiar sight during the day. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

My favourite spot to sit. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Seating area near the bar. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Outside the River Room Terrace. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

The Turbine Platform. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Poster for the original Brisbane Comedy Festival as you can see in bottom right hand corner Scenestr have a long history with the festival. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

We arrived at the Powerhouse mid-afternoon with the sun still shining to check out Brisburned at 4:45pm in the Rooftop Terrace where I have now seen 3 shows at this year’s Brisbane Comedy Festival. From there we got dinner, tucking into the bar food pizzas and chips. The sun went down and we gathered at the Turbine platform in anticipation of the free Queensland Theatresports. Starting at 7:45pm it featured comedy improv performers competing against one another complete with commentators and a referee. In fact Michael Griffin part of Brisburned, was one of the commentators here. As free entertainment it was highly entertaining and the already substantial crowd quickly grew.

We had a wonderful night but it wasn’t over yet. I had bought tickets for After Hours. starting at 10:15pm.

-Lloyd Marken

On the way to the men’s toilets. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

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Later in the day but still light out. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Karen. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Queensland Theatresport Championships. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

INTERVIEW WITH KATHYRN GEORGE, OAM AVAILABLE AT QUEENSLAND COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Posted on March 15, 2019March 26, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

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Last month I was given the opportunity to use and develop my skills as a freelance writer where I currently work in my ‘day job’. An opportunity that I am very grateful for and presented with it a lot of different ways to grow and learn from some very experienced people.

Over the course of one day I interviewed three remarkable individuals who were recently awarded the Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day, 2019. All three are, or were, teachers and I interviewed them to promote the profession and to highlight their achievements. The three interviews have now been edited and published on the Queensland College of Teachers website.

The second interview was with Kathryn George, OAM and can be found here.

The citation for her OAM can be found here on the Australian Honours website.

The Order of Australia Medal is often awarded for service to community over several years and often with volunteer organisations. Kathryn George created with others a school marching band that has performed all around the world. Perhaps more importantly she has inspired and improved the learning of countless individual students through her passion for music. It was a privilege and a joy to get to speak to her.

You can read many more stories of such individuals on the QCT website.

-Lloyd Marken

DANIELLE WALKER’S ‘MYTHS AND LEGENDS’ REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on March 13, 2019March 26, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

Following the hilarious Georgie Carroll, I got to review for Scenestr emerging talent Danielle Walker’s new show at the 2019 Brisbane Comedy Festival. We were back in the Rooftop Terrace this time on a Friday and yes Karen and I again partook of the bar food downstairs which included some pizzas. Danielle Walker is an excellent stand-up and you can read my review here http://scenestr.com.au/comedy/danielle-walker-review-brisbane-comedy-festival-2019-20190307

-Lloyd Marken

Copyright Lloyd Marken. This might have been working class men once sat for their lunch breaks and now swanky people sipping alcohol in th same space on their way to stand-up comedy. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Karen and I explored the walkway on the 1st floor after having seen the show in the Rooftop Terrace on the second level. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Where the magic happens and the pizzas are born. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Before the show begins in the Rooftop Terrace. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

The crowd for the free Knock Off on Friday night. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Views from the terrace. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Landed a park. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Karen on our way in from this end. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

There were bowls with some jokes distributed around tables. I approved of this even if Karen did not. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Been a while so decided to strike my traditonal Brisbane Powerhouse pose. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

For many years the building was derelict host to film crews, homeless people and graffitti artists. The graffitti has been retained. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

INTERVIEW WITH KEITH GRAHAM, OAM AVAILABLE AT QUEENSLAND COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Posted on March 11, 2019March 11, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

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I am lucky enough to be a freelance writer, whenever asked about it I am at pains to express that it is merely a side gig – one for which I am very grateful. My regular job is working in office administration and recently I was given the opportunity to build upon some of the skills I’ve accumulated in my ‘other job’ in my day job. An opportunity that I am very grateful for and presented with it a lot of different ways to grow and learn from some very experienced people.

Over the course of one day I interviewed three remarkable individuals who were recently awarded the Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day, 2019. All three are, or were, teachers and I interviewed them to promote the profession and to highlight their achievements. Over the past two weeks, two of the interviews have been edited and published on the Queensland College of Teachers website.

The first was with school principal Keith Graham and can be found here.

The citation for his OAM can be found here on the Australian Honours website.

The Order of Australia Medal is often awarded for service to community over several years and often with volunteer organisations. Keith Graham has been making a difference for a long time and it was a privilege to interview him. You can read many more stories of such individuals on the QCT website.

-Lloyd Marken

CAPTAIN MARVEL FILM REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on March 6, 2019March 6, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

Last night I went to a preview screening of Captain Marvel two days ahead of its release date to review it for Scenestr magazine. I have been to all sorts of screenings over the years, long before I got to be a freelance writer, Karen was winning tickets in competitions and taking me along. However until last night I had never been to a preview screening of a Marvel blockbuster. I attended it at the top of the Myer Centre in the Brisbane CBD with other press and social media influencers who had been invited along as well as elite female athletes which was on theme for the story of a powerful woman. We were given lanyards and a free drink from a makeshift bar. The VMAX cinema the film screened in was perfect for making use of big theatre sound. I do think there are things that could’ve been done better in the film but overall I enjoyed Captain Marvel and you can read my review here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/captain-marvel-review-20190306

This is coincidentally the 90th piece of writing I have had published with Scenestr and my 150th overall. Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Having started in 1993 they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland every month

-Lloyd Marken

Karen and I at the screening. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Going down Queen Street Mall at the end of the night. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Pizza after the movie at Vapianos. I got bbq chicken but Karen got a spicy meatball. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Lanyards. Copyright Lloyd Marken

Ascending to the top of the Myer Centre for the screening. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

GEORGIE CARROLL’S ‘TREAT YOURSELF’ REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on March 3, 2019March 3, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

It is once again a great joy and privilege to attend shows at the Brisbane Comedy Festival 2019 for Scenestr magazine. I went for the first time last year to the 9th Brisbane Comedy Festival where I saw Tom Animated! from Impromafia, Rich Hall, Tom Gleeson’s Sure Thing, and Convince Me! Comedy Debates to review for Scenestr magazine.

First show was last Tuesday night to see Georgie Carroll who I am familiar with due to appearances on the entertaining television program Have You Been Paying Attention? My interest in seeing her though was due to her work as a nurse, as a former wardie I was interested in seeing a comedic slant on the work of hospital staff from someone who knows what they’re talking about.

We were back in the Brisbane Powerhouse which continues to grab my interest with its clever installations and lighting in a setting that evokes so much history. We saw Georgie perform in the Rooftop Terrace which was new since I’ve previously only gone to shows on the two bottom floors. It was a relatively simple room, similar to some others and about the right size for the crowd involved. Still always exciting to go somewhere new and I enjoyed the views.

The view from the Rooftop Terrace. Copyright Lloyd Marken

Georgie was on stage as we entered and made small talk with the crowd in the front. That’s kind of amazing to be that comfortable and ready to go with your audience before the show. You can read my review here http://scenestr.com.au/comedy/nurse-georgie-carroll-review-brisbane-comedy-festival-2019-20190227

-Lloyd Marken

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