Fresh from the festivities of Mardi Gras, Bob Downe is grooving his way over to WA for this month’s Club West cabaret show.
After attending 25 parades and eight stints hosting the television coverage Downe has become an integral part of the annual Mardi Gras.
‘Well, it’s certainly a wild and crazy gig, that’s for sure!’ he told OUTinPerth.
‘Trouble is- the Parade is going past BEHIND you while you commentate off a TV screen. A bit topsy turvy, even for me.
‘The Foxtel broadcasts have been the best yet, I think – great crew, great production team and co-hosts.’
For the second year in a row Downe performed alongside local and international artists in his hit cabaret show, Retro Gras as part of the Mardi Gras Festival line up. Not one to let the intense fame go to his head, Downe likes to keep a balance in his life.
‘I’ve been learning the crochet in between my Mardi Gras Festival commitments,’ he said.
‘I get the odd 5 or 10 minutes off every third day or so. I’m also doing Back to School fashions in the window at Grace Bros, Murwillumbah. You have to keep up your day job!’
Downe said he is looking forward to his visit to the Wild West and often pops over in secret to visit old pals.
‘Haven’t you seen me dancing around my man bag at Connections?’
If you don’t catch him on the dance floor, tickets are available for Club West on Saturday, March 20, where is planning to regale audiences in traditional Downe family style.
‘(I’m planning) a good, nice, old fashioned slide show. I’ll be boring you to tears, just like my Nana Downe and Aunty Bev have done for decades. Every dull detail. Plus a few songs so we don’t all go to sleep!’
Club West tickets and enquiries: www.clubwest.com.au or 9440 5226
Amy henderson