After sell out shows in Sydney and Melbourne, former shire girl Jodie Stubbs brings her cabaret act Woman to Cronulla’s Brass Monkey on Sunday, December 2.
Jodie, who attended Kirrawee Public and Kirrawee High schools, takes her audience on a humorous and heartwarming journey of what it is to be a mother, career woman, wife and cabaret chanteuse as she attempts to get through a 60 minute show without having to check on the kids.
Social change has never been this fun as Jodie explores in song and story what it is like to be able to “have it all” … and what the hidden costs are.
The Leader caught up with Jodie for a Q&A prior to her Brass Monkey gig which she described as a “mother” to prepare.
You now live in Drummoyne after growing up in the shire, are you familiar with the Brass Monkey venue and how are you feeling about performing there?
I am very familiar with Brass Monkey!
I absolutely love live music and spent so much of my younger years there.
It’s such a wonderful thing to have a music venue like Brass Monkey at Cronulla, so that shire folk have access to the BEST music the industry has to offer.
Many of my most memorable nights out were spent at the Brass Monkey so I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to be performing there.
What kind of feedback do you get from women who come to your shows? Can they relate to your anecdotes?
This show resonates so deeply with working mothers.
It really touches on something any mother can relate to. This has been the feedback I’ve received from every mother who has seen the show.
Some have cried during the show it has touched on something so real.
Mostly that feeling of being torn between doing something for yourself and being there for your little darlings and trying to get that balance right.
It’s a tough gig!
You’ve got two kids, how did you describe your job to them when they were too young to know what a cabaret performer was?
I think my five-year-old is just starting to get what I do.
She understands that Mummy goes out to sing to earn money, however I don’t think she finds me very funny though! She really is my toughest critic!
She sees me practising all the time and I think this is a really positive thing. I like that she sees me working hard on my craft to show her that to be good at something takes hard work!
What’s harder, performing half-time entertainment for NRL matches or getting the kids out the door in the morning?
Oh gosh, performing is a breeze compared to the morning chaos, it can truly feel like a battle zone!
Most women would agree that parenting is the toughest but most rewarding job of all! Going to work becomes a break once you have children.
What is the richest source of new material for your shows?
My life! Cabaret can be quite cathartic.
I love seeing the humour in everyday situations such as parenting! I think being real and honest about life and it’s challenges is what people resonate with.
Some people are over seeing the shiny Instagram version of someones life and just want to see something real that they can relate to!
You’ll be performing at Adelaide’s Fringe Festival early next year, looking forward to Adelaide and what’s it like performing at these festivals?
Performing at fringe festivals can be overwhelming but super rewarding and fun!
The Adelaide Fringe has something like 1300 shows in it’s program, so it can be really tricky to cut through to get bums on seats, especially if you are an interstate or international act.
You really need to know your niche market and target that audience in your marketing campaign.
This can be quite stressful financially and emotionally. Gaining grants and funding is ideal but not always possible. The rewards outweigh the challenges of being an independent artist most of the time.
- Jodie Stubbs in Woman, Brass Monkey Cronulla, Sunday, December 2
Tickets: Brass Monkey