Review: Tipsy History, Brendale
Picture: The Glitter Martini Tipsy History curtain call (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Take one funky venue, sprinkle with Glitter Martini magic, and you have the start of an enjoyable midweek night out.
Glitter Martini’s Tipsy History has made a welcome return to the Anywhere Festival program, with just two performances at Brendale’s Tannins Brew. The crowd may have been there for the circus cabaret, but they all looked ‘set for the evening’ at the end of the show. And why not: the food looked great (‘Wings Wednesday’ or ‘$25 burger and beer’ on the Thursday), and the craft beers and cocktails were certainly popular.
The 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival show followed the same format as the 2023 show but—as you’d expect from the talented Darcie Rae (Producer/Director)—the drinks menu show included a few new acts, and a new guest host (Tahlia Downs). Tahlia provided some historical anecdotes, introduced each act, and encouraged audience participation with relevant competitions (including blindfolded wine tasting, an unusual version of ‘beer pong,’ and ‘name that cocktail’).
The show opened with Hula Mim’s hula hooping: great balance, and an unerring ability to keep smiling while standing on one leg and keeping numerous hula hoops on the move. Sophie Whitecross’ balance work on the handstand canes was balletic and fierce—a beautiful contrast to the bar immediately behind the small stage.
Picture: Sophie Whitecross (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Hula Mim (and Dracie Rae, behind the bar). Image credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: Tipsy History host Tahlia Downs (image credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Miss Amy May, ‘Lollipop’ LyraPole (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Aline in The Air’s ‘bubbles’ (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Bendy Elle’s memorable Mai Tai contortion (image credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Miss Amy May held the full attention of the audience, from the first entry through the room and throughout the ‘Lollipop’ LyraPole work (great choice of music with ‘I Put a Spell on You’). If you haven’t seen lollipop lyra work before, I’d suggest you look out for future Glitter Martini shows that include this talented artist, who demonstrated incredible strength and poise in a well-thought through routine.
No drinks menu is complete without a glass, or bottle, of bubbles. The Tipsy History menu included Aline in The Air’s ‘bubbles’ alchemy. Aline held the full attention of the audience, crafting and manipulating a confection of occasionally rotating bubbles (some containing smoke). Finally, as you might expect of a ‘Tipsy History’, the final act also had an alcohol-theme, with Bendy Elle’s memorable Mai Tai contortion (certainly a unique way of mixing a cocktail!).
Hats off to the Tannins Brew crew, who kept the food and drinks service flowing throughout. Look out for future Glitter Martini shows—whether a new drinks menu for future Tipsy Histories, or further opportunities to be wowed by their talented artists.
Audience information: The May 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival program included only two Tipsy History performances (15 & 16 May 2024, each 6:30pm) at Tannins Brew, 23 Doherty Street, Brendale. 50+ minutes (recommended 12+).
The reviewer attended the 15 May 2024 performance