The Big Weekend to bring laughs to Sunshine Coast

Some of Australia’s funniest comedians will descend on the Sunshine Coast later this month thanks to the work of two local stalwarts of stand-up comedy.

Comedian Mick Neven returns to Rockhampton after entertaining the Australian forces in Iraq

Some of Australia’s funniest human beings will descend on the Sunshine Coast later this month as part of the region’s most ambitious comedy festival.

The brainchild of Mick Neven and Nicky Wilkinson, The Big Weekend is five days of world class stand up comedy on the Sunshine Coast from May 21 to 25.

“It’s like a Big Day Out music festival, but for Stand Up Comedy,” said Mick Neven, festival director.

Some of the shows in the program come direct from sellout seasons at the Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals (Bron Lewis: Who’s Talking, Mike Goldstein: 45 Minutes To An Hour Of Stand Up, Jacques Barrett: OK Bloomer).

Tom Gleeson, Troy Kinne and Dave Hughes

Comedian Troy Kinne said Sunshine Coast people were his favourite.

“I love the Sunny Coast, my parents live up here.” Mr Kinne said.

“The festival being four days is perfect, as that’s the exact amount of time I can tolerate staying with them,” he joked.

“Sunny Coast people are always in a good mood and always up for a good time so I can’t wait to see how much I can crack them up at the first ever Big Weekend.”

Mick Neven and Nicky Wilkinson, the Directors of Funny Coast Comedy, are excited about the high-end talent on the program, but as the people responsible for building a stand-up comedy scene on the Sunshine Coast, they’re also frothing about the opportunity for local talent to shine.

Comedian Mick Neven returns to Rockhampton after entertaining the Australian forces in Iraq

“We’ve got some of the best comedians in the country performing at The Big Weekend, but it’s important that we give our local acts a place to perform as well,” Mr Neven said.

“We’ve included a local showcase as part of the big super Saturday line-up, and on Sunday the latest group to complete our Stand-Up Comedy Beginner’s Workshop will have their Graduation Show at Solbar.”

Funny Coast Comedy has assembled a program of established talent, rising stars and high quality local talent.

Fifteen different shows will be held over the five days featuring laughs from more than 25 comedians.

Big names include Troy Kinne, Harley Breen, Chris ‘the Bloke’ Franklin, Jacques Barrett, Bron Lewis, Ting Lim and Rory Lowe.

Saturday, May 24 will see the climax of the weekend, with back to back shows at Solbar and Old Soul on Ocean Street, Maroochydore.

Several stages, live music and street artists will support non-stop shows.

With the first show in Caloundra’s Moffat Beach Brewing Production House on Wednesday May 21, followed by Thursday at Solbar, Friday at Black Box Theatre Nambour and the weekend at Solbar, comedy is coming to the Sunshine Coast in a big way.

Originally published as The Big Weekend to bring laughs to Sunshine Coast