Stitch in the ‘swich – First Nations Comedy – March 2024

Presented by Ipswich Civic Centre

Supported by Sit Down Comedy Club

This month features Dane Simpson, Steve Philp, Matt Ford and a local comedian!

Enjoy some of the funniest First Nations talent Australia has on offer at this month’s instalment of Stitch in the ‘swich at Ipswich Civic Centre!

Dane Simpson was a Deadly Funny national finalist in 2015; & since then, it has been a fast-rising trajectory for this Wagga-based comedian with a whirlwind of corporate gigs, tours, and festival runs – as both a solo artist and as part of Aborigi-LOL. Dane has appeared on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala, the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow, Channel 10’s Have You Been Paying Attention, Get Krackin, and in feature film rom-com, The Merger. He also produces the monthly Riverina Comedy Club and is a programmer/ producer to the Wagga Comedy Festival every year when there isn’t a pandemic. During lockdown, Dane became host of cult-hit Servo Bingo – an interactive online show revolving around the vehicles and characters turning up at the service station opposite Thirsty Crow brewery in Wagga. Yes, it was as silly and fun as it sounds.

Dane’s mob is from Walgett, NSW on Gamilaraay country. He was born in Bundaberg, in the country of his mother’s mob.

“A brilliant highlight” – The Age

“Massively talented” – Time Out

Watching Steve Philp perform is like watching an episode of 80’s TV show It’s A Knockout!, although he assures us no-one gets hurt! Steve started his career by being a National Finalist in Raw Comedy and Green Faces, and in the 20+ years since, has toured the country with comedy legends like Arj Barker, Adam Hills, The Umbilical Brothers and Carl Barron; and has played to sold out crowds at venues like the Sydney Opera House.For five years, Steve co-hosted the ACRA Award-Nominated Saturday Breakfast Show Kennedy and Philp on Nova 969 and filled in for Merrick and Rosso on weekday Breakfast during breaks. Steve is a renowned emcee of huge events like Tropfest and is one of the most in demand audience warm up guys in the country, having revved up and humoured television studio audiences for shows such as Ready Steady Cook, So You Think You Can Dance, The NRL Footy Show, The Sunday Project, The Voice & Taskmaster Australia, just to name a few!

Steve is a proud Gamilaraay man.

Matt Ford is a much-in-demand comic on the Queensland Comedy Circuit. Matt carries the demeanor of a cranky 40 year old, with acerbic observations and hilarious blunt delivery. Matt has earned rave reviews at festivals across the nation as one half of Indigenous comedy show ‘Aborigi-LOL’.

After winning the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Class Clowns competition in his final year of high school, Matt didn’t wait for his academic results to decide what career he’d pursue. As soon as he was of age, the Brisbane-based comedian was putting in the hard yards doing open mic gigs all over Southeast Queensland and anywhere else his dad would drive him to. Matt’s style is an inspired mix of social commentary musings with absurd everyday observations.

Matt is from the Mununjali clan of the Yugambeh people.

“He’s one of those people who could drink a cup of coffee and it would be hilarious” – Denise Scott

“Matt had the relaxed, laid-back presence of a headliner who’s been doing this for the last 10 years…” – Tom Gleeson