Smiths Alternative presents The Canberra Fringe Curtain Raiser - An intimate evening of debaucherous entertainment to prepare you for the Fringey goodness that lies ahead over the weekend.

Three shows by some of Australia’s most dynamic cabaret performers. Each of them is an international sensation, so it’s a real treat to have them here as they flaunt their talents and ask some of the big questions. Prepare for a super fun party night of gender flipping, spanner sucking, crooner dripping, and some stripping from these special guests of Canberra Fringe 2017.

7pm Lisa Skye 

Spiders Wearing Party Hats

Work Hard, Live Weird.

An unlikely love story from Melbourne’s favourite sparklepuppy muppet dominatrix hedonism muse. 

This show has sold out in three countries, and Skye can’t wait to bring it to Canberra for her first ever time performing in the ACT! 

A solo show exploring a life lived in the most efficiently hedonistic way possible. Outrageous stories so ridiculous they must be true, with an occasionally heartbreaking sting in the tail. Queer, polyamorous, kinky femme daddy Skye is Not Normal. This leads to wild adventures, but comes with its fair share of judgment, from family and strangers alike. 

Meanwhile, Skye just wants to have fun and ensure everyone around her is having the best time. This includes her audiences: Skye’s warmth and contagious joy is legendary, from standing ovations in Berlin and Helsinki to sold-out shows interstate and in her home town of Melbourne. 

What does it mean to be alternative? Why is difference so confronting? And, most importantly, is her long-suffering husband only enduring her eccentricities because dividing up the blu-rays is too onerous a task?  

A voice for the unique, the weirdoes, the sexually diverse and anyone else who unapologetically lives their most fun-filled life. Directed by ‘Homicidal Pacifist’ Sameena Zehra (best known for her hilariously arch stint on the ABC’s Q & A).

8:30pm Jess McKerlie 

Gender Spanner

Fresh from Edinburgh Fringe, Gender Spanner is a joyous and empowering show of cabaret, burlesque and labels that just don’t stick. Armed with a ukulele, spinning plates and more costumes than you can fit in your closet, Jessica McKerlie presents a smorgasbord of original music and poetry with a common thread: Are you a man? Are you a woman? Are you sure? Inspired by Jessica’s own explorations and understanding of gender fluidity, Gender Spanner is a cabaret that goes to the very core of what it is to be human.

10pm Mikelangelo solo show

Let Canberra’s dreamboat soul brother finish you off with his musical swagger.

Mikelangelo has been making original music for over 25 years, releasing 12 independent albums and touring from Melbourne to Montreal, Darwin to Dublin, New York to Budapest and beyond to share his music with audiences in theatres, festivals, pubs, opera houses, country halls, cinemas, verandahs, galleries, arts centres and arenas.

As well as fronting his band of 16 years The Black Sea Gentlemen, and his new rock band Spectres Of Love, Mikelangelo has built a formidable career as a solo artist; garnering great acclaim for his solo album City Of Dreams, including performing the title track live on RocKwiz; winning the prestigious Olivier Award as part of the cast of the hit show La Clique on London’s West End; and extensively touring his one man show CAVE-WAITS-COHEN through Australia. 

We know you’re going to want more and you can see them all again on Saturday night 18th February at the Canberra Fringe in Petrie Plaza.