Summer Sidewalk Games (Workshop)

Date: 16th of January, 2010

Time: 1pm-5pm

Location: 19 Harris St, Fairfield

Joseph Hieu Dinh and I spent our Saturday afternoon (1pm - 5pm) at the Wareabouts street theatre and improvisation class. It was heaps of fun working with others in a series of fun acting exercises and games. My favorite would have to the "space jump" activity where people are introduced into a scene and they must quickly improvise a scenario off the top of their head.We moved out of the space to the great Fairfield outdoors and partnered up to formulate a scene for onlookers and passerbys.the day ended with 3 rounds of Wareabouts game where we were armed with walkie talkies and flag poles and had the task of tracking down the target in a flourescent vest.This activity was a little tiring as we had to fight the heat and concentrate on the game.Overall, it was a great Saturday avo of building more comedy skills and acting.

Brief on Workshop
The Sidewalk Games are workshops in using Games for Performance, held in January, April, and October.
This workshop is designed for those aged 16-29 with previous performance experience or who have an interest in outdoor performances. It is about exploring Improvisation and Games, both indoors and outdoors, that can be used to create performance and develop performing skills.
We will also be playing “Wareabouts is the Flag”, an outdoor navigation game of teamwork and bright-coloured vests.
To register, contact Andy Ko on wareabouts(AT)pyt.com.au
Dress Requirements: Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and appropriate footwear for outdoor activities. Bring along sun protection.

10 Observations from Vietlish on Wedding MCs

Written by: Maria Tran
To fine tune our art of mcing we've done our homework and hired the best and worst yof mcers. Have a read!

1. We've witness a so called renowned Vietlnamese MC rocked up late to their gig, unapologetic, and drunk saying " please welcome the most IMPOTENT couple rof the night". Beware of vietnamese mcs who don't present too well in English and don't gve them too much to drink.

2. Beware of single male mcs who may have the tendency to use his mc status to pick up the braidsmaid

3. Never go for family mcs, people have been cheap on mcs and think they can save the money by getting their uncle and aunts to do the job. It ain't cool watching a first time public speaker who may be loud at the ban nhau but quiver on stage as he reads is scribbled pieces of paper like it's his first time learning to read English.

4.Mcing is a fine art that reflects character and should have charisma. We've seen what we called "scavenger mcers" who bring their wives to thee party and their takeaway boxes going around the tables to get tomoorrows breakfast, lunch and dinner.

5. Mcs who have bad dress sense like elvis like suits, 80s style combovers and reeks of cheap cologne.

6. Mcs who mc like it's a protest (excessive shouting), funeral home (sad glum on their faces), comedy club (with unhumourous jokes), with signals that they wish they were elsewhere (looking at watch, sighing, excessive disappearance to the toilet).

7. Mcs who think they can sing (trying hearing mcs croak out the top ten loves songs would sure encourage anyone to divorce to make him stop).

8. Female mcs - who think they are supermodels or wear the most hoey dress that would make the father of the bride break a sweat during his speech.

9. Mcs who are make weird linkages such as what they had for breakfast and then connecting it to how much they value marriage. Do do duyen!

10. Mcs who party more than they mc!

Extra 1. Mcs who look old, grumpy, worn out and don't believe in love and have been through several divorces and Vo bes.
Extra 2. Mcs who are egocentric, think they are the most important think in the room (gods saviour to marriage) and makes himself known to everyone like the president.

WEDDING: Torben Svendsen & Chloe Nguyen @ Pensinsula C Reception, Docklands - Melbourne

Written by: Maria Tran
Joseph Hieu Dinh and I had our New Year escape in Melbourne this, a part from the usual melodramas of Vietlish such as bickering, name calling, and bouts of threats of the end of an empire, we both managed our adventures as mc host of another wedding gig, celebrating the love of Danish groom Torben Svendsen and Vietnamese bride Chloe Nguyen.

They've celebrated earlier on at the werribee park manison and we've joined them for the wedding reception at peninsula c reception at 6pm shed 14, 161 harbour esplanade, docklands victoria 3008.

This is Vietlish's first wedding gig interstate! And this time round our client found us through the power of google and through the referral of the cute an quirky braidsmaid and our Vietlish episode.



Woot! Woot! Go go crazy random vietlish!The gig: the venue itself exerbures epicness, high ceilings, massive concert style dancefloors, an operating bar overlooking the waters.Catering: was provided by crystal palace catering with crab claw, Peking duck, fresh lobsters with Ginger an shallot, quails, eye fillets with mushroom and desserts of mango pudding and fresh fruit platter.

Joseph spoiled himself half a delicable dish of lobster while I accidently opted for Singapore noodles, some greens andBits of mushroom and tofu (thanks jh for sharing).


Music/ entertainment: provided by higher grounds.Highlights: the awesome godlike thunder toilets (marble and all and I don't know where the knob is), the decor, lighting, the goodies table of all things pink (donuts, lollies, marshmallows, lychees, cherries, fondue and fizzy sticks)

Photography: clique photography http://www.clique.com.au/ ask for Joseph he's funny.

Overall, mcing with Joseph hieu is always a treasure. He's my buddy and at times he can be irritating, shamefully scared of ghosts, talks jibberish, aggrevates other people that calls upon my potetial Kung Fu skills to defend, he's still that crazy bum chum for life of mine!

2010 have started already with 4 more potential gigs lined up for Vietlish so for anyone wanting a "vietlish" new age experience, book soon because we are running out of weekends!Joseph Hieu Dinh, the braids maid and Maria Tran

10 Observations from Vietlish on Wedding MCs

Written by: Maria Tran

To fine tune our art of mcing we've done our homework and hired the best and worst yof mcers. Have a read!

1. We've witness a so called renowned Vietlnamese MC rocked up late to their gig, unapologetic, and drunk saying " please welcome the most IMPOTENT couple rof the night". Beware of vietnamese mcs who don't present too well in English and don't gve them too much to drink.

2. Beware of single male mcs who may have the tendency to use his mc status to pick up the braidsmaid

3. Never go for family mcs, people have been cheap on mcs and think they can save the money by getting their uncle and aunts to do the job. It ain't cool watching a first time public speaker who may be loud at the ban nhau but quiver on stage as he reads is scribbled pieces of paper like it's his first time learning to read English.

4.Mcing is a fine art that reflects character and should have charisma. We've seen what we called "scavenger mcers" who bring their wives to thee party and their takeaway boxes going around the tables to get tomoorrows breakfast, lunch and dinner.

5. Mcs who have bad dress sense like elvis like suits, 80s style combovers and reeks of cheap cologne.

6. Mcs who mc like it's a protest (excessive shouting), funeral home (sad glum on their faces), comedy club (with unhumourous jokes), with signals that they wish they were elsewhere (looking at watch, sighing, excessive disappearance to the toilet).

7. Mcs who think they can sing (trying hearing mcs croak out the top ten loves songs would sure encourage anyone to divorce to make him stop).

8. Female mcs - who think they are supermodels or wear the most hoey dress that would make the father of the bride break a sweat during his speech.

9. Mcs who are make weird linkages such as what they had for breakfast and then connecting it to how much they value marriage. Do do duyen!

10. Mcs who party more than they mc!

Extra 1. Mcs who look old, grumpy, worn out and don't believe in love and have been through several divorces and Vo bes.

Extra 2. Mcs who are egocentric, think they are the most important think in the room (gods saviour to marriage) and makes himself known to everyone like the president.

Rate My Number Plate

In the car after a 1.5 hour work out at Fairfield Leisure Centre, a Sumo Salad and bump in to Jack Ngu and Quoc Do at Liverpool Westfields Shopping Centre, myself and Joseph Hieu were on the drive to home when Joseph, like a teenage girl, gleefully pointed out number plate SAI6ON and squealed “Sai Gon! Sai Gon!’.

To me, a big time 2.0 Gen Y Aussie-Viet, it didn’t strike much to me, but to Joseph, who is a Vietnamese “Junkie” and finds all things Vietnamesey “exotic”, this is perhaps one of his highlights the day.

But for me, I’d like to see the following:

And finally my favourite of the day is one, "Insured by Mafia - You Hit Me, We Hit You"/

Well I hope Joseph's fetish for number plates doesn't get him into trouble this time. Click on the image to find out what happened.

FOOD REVIEW: Nick's Cockle Bay Wharf Seafood Restaurant

Date: 25th of December, 2009.

Location: The Promenade, Cockle Bay Wharf Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.

T (02) 9264 1212F (02) 9264 8686

This place is yum! yum! when it comes to seafood. I can only compare this seafood experience with Watson's Bay Doyles Resturant and I'd like to say it kicks ass!

Me and my colleague Joseph Hieu Dinh tried the $145 Seafood Platter for 2 an awesome display of fresh cooked lobster, steamed mussels, fried calamari, catch of the day,king prawns, blue swimmer crab, freshly shucked oysters and avocado with sweet chilli calamari.

Platter for 2? No way! more like for 4! Definitely worth the indulgence and the finer details in presentation makes it all worth while.

Check out their website

WEDDING: Nhu Quynh & Quoc Dung @ Barluck Restaurant

Date: Saturday 19th December, 2009
Time: 8.30 till late.
Venue: Barluck Restaurant, John St Cabramatta

2009 has brought a lot of gigs for Vietlish including the consistent Wedding MCs ones and tonight we celebrated the love between cute couple Quoc Dung & Nhu Quyh. These two met in 2008 in Vietnam and ever since they are fallen so deeply for each to lead to that special day where their unionship is confirmed. We had a crowd of 130 people, friends and family of the bride and groom. The game was a hit and a bellyful of laughs and the entertainment included our favourite Tram Anh and Dani Bui.

Check out the pics below.

The lovely couple cheers!

Singer for the night! Dani Bui with Maria TranJoseph Hieu Dinh's turn!

The final touches to create heaven on Earth: Dry Ice

Vietlish hosts Xmas Party at Campsie RSL

Date: Friday 18 December, 2009
Time: 7:00pm til late
Venue: CAMPSIE RSL Club 25 Anglo Rd, Campsie NSW 2194

Christmas hasn’t ended for myself and Joseph Hieu Dinh and from the Santos Café Xmas party we were called to do another gig but this time with Campsie RSL. I sported a Christmas spirit red and green while Joseph exhibited his snowman pin.

The crowd slowly trickled in by 9.30pm and Vietlish engaged the crowd with some interested trivia. Then we moved on a very dynamic balloon game with 4 “gungho” and competitive teams.

The band for the night was the Queen Bee Band (Internationally renown band) with top singers KIM THOA, NGOC MINH, CAM QUYNH.

Lucky-door prizes and give aways were won and boy, was it a fun night!

Check out some of the pics for the night.

Maria Tran & DJ Viet ex-gangster

Joseph Hieu Dinh's turn

Canley Heights Xmas Party/ Santos Cafe Grand Opening

Date: 10th Dec, 2009
Time: 7pm till late
Venue: Shop 4, 231 Canley Vale Rd, Canley Heights.

Thursday night and I raced home from work to MC/ host with my Vietlish colleague Joseph Hieu at the 2009 Canley Heights Xmas Party hosted by Santos Cafe.

Last year I recall coordinating/MCing the 2008 Noel Vui Happy Christmas Event and it was the first time gig that Vietlish had run with the community; with live bands, music, Christmas carols and heaps and heaps of giveaways. Click here to find out what we did 2009.

Coming back to the present time, tonight was a fun and mellow mini red carpet event with great mingling food and unlimited Coronas; an event that should not have been missed out by any Asian in their mid 20s and living out Western Sydney.

The new Santos is very modern, it has a bar, a fireplace, it’s got outside dining, and a lounge area. In addition, the space is digitally equipped with LCD screens for entertainment and the front windows fold open to provide views overlooking the street.

Apparently Santos is a part of a wave of new dining experiences for Canley Heights, and as Mayor Nich Lalich as "bringing the Leichardt to Canley Heights".

The context of it is that there isn't many trendy places out the west but Santos Cafe has been the central hot spot for over 24 years for after work drinks, coffee meet ups and business get togethers.

And now with its new location (literally just across the street), it's design and inner decor can be view by passerbys on the streets.

The who's who of Fairfield regions was there. Mayor Nich Lalich and former councillor Del Bennett, Joe Tripodi, Frank Carbone, Cherly Bosler (Cabramatta Moon Festival Team), Dai Le where amongst the guests.

Raffle draws, outdoor rock band performances and hot racing cars and bikes were all in display for public access.

Shout out to Mr John Mileno - Busines owner of Santos who was one busy man for the night.

WEDDING: Maria Nguyen & Davis Huynh

Check out: jdinh.blogspot.com as well!
Finally, my two high school buddies Maria Nguyen To Anh Nguyet and Davis Huynh have finally tied the knot last Saturday 5th December, 2009 at Bach Dang Resturant, Canley Heights. These two go way back to 5th Grade and had an almost Korean series of reunions until the pivotal event of 2001 Vietnamese Tet Festival, Warrick Farm that finally drew these two much closer. Davis Huynh reminscences asking Maria Nguyen out during a friend’s birthday party only to have tough chick Maria "pretending" she didn’t hear. But like all risks in life, this eventually reaped its rewarded and Maria said ‘yes’.

The Proposal
I thought this is the most quirkiest new age way where two very saavy and competitive gamestars mentioned the thought of tied the knot.

“Hey, wanna get married?” Davis casually asked while being in full concentration at the game at hand.

“Yes" replied Maria.

Easy peesy and love is truly as simple as that.

It was a great night and once again, myself and Joseph Hieu had the privilege of MCing the night. The reception at Bach Dang Restaurant in Canley Vale saw an intimate family and friends gathering of 240.

Highlights of the night includes the first dance with ‘Heaven’(Bryan Adams) performed live by best friend Kylie Morte as well as the intimate speeches of cousin Peter and bride’s sister Annalee Nguyen.

Wedding Consultant & Tea Ceremony: Joseph Hieu Dinh
Wedding Celebrant: Ngay Do Marriage Celebrant
Reception MC: Joseph Hieu Dinh & Maria Tran
Entertainment: The Majestic Band
Singers: Sydney’s top singers Gia Minh & Minh Tam
Camera: Hung Linh Video & Photography

Vietlish Joseph Hieu Dinh & Maria Tran on Kristine Sa Show

Source: Joseph Hieu Dinh Blog

Vietlish personalities Joseph Hieu Dinh & Maria Tran have been invited special guests on talkshow: The Kristine Sa Show.

They have been featured for consecutive two weeks (two episodes) and broadcasted on VHN-TV and VAN-TV. Check out the adventures of JH & MT as they bombard Kristine Sa's set and gets her to try our very own VEGEMITE.





Now available online:

Episode 1 - Part One
Episode 1 - Part Two
Episode 2 - Part One
Episode 2 - Part Two

Vietlish also did a reverse interview on Kristine Sa - coming soon on VietlishTV!

Vietlish on The Kristine Sa Show set

Joey, the Vietlish camera-man