IVAN ARISTEGUIETA

Hola, I am Ivan Aristeguieta – an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer and performer, AKA the ‘Maracas from Caracas’, originally from Venezuela, South America, or as Aussies call me – ‘Mexican’. I get it, we all sound the same.

For 10 years now, I’ve lived in Australia – living amongst you, observing you, learning about you, and now I make a very good living taking the piss out of you. I am a true blue, dinky-di  Venez-stralian. Nah, she’ll be right! (Who is she by the way?).

I left Venezuela after I was carjacked at gunpoint (true story!). Gracias for giving me a citizenship, Australia!

As a stand-up comedian, I have performed all over the world, from South America to the US, Canada, Japan, NZ and the UK, featuring on and headlining some of the biggest comedy festivals and rooms.

You may have seen me on the telly or online, performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala (2016 – 2025),
as well as the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival, or as a guest panelist on shows including Have You Been Paying Attention?, The Project, The Weekly, Hughesy, We Have A Problem and The Living Room. In 2016, my Australian immigration experience was fictionlised in a short form series, Lost in Pronunciation (ABC iView), which I co-created, co-wrote and performed in.

In 2021, my live show, Pinata, was nominated for the biggest award in Australian comedy – Most Outstanding Comedy, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and I have released three full length comedy specials to date, Chorizo Sizzle (ABC iView), The Fourth Floor and Happy Papi, which was recently released on Paramount+.

I am also a trained cook, food technologist and brewer. I’m a loud and proud food nerd. During the pandemic I created and hosted the online sensation, About This Much – Live, a ‘follow-along’ cooking party where I bring my kitchen to yours, via Zoom. When I’m not performing, I’m probably making my own chorizo at home.