City Hub 5 November 2020 by Alt Media

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Tim Bonython speaks about the importance of seeing big waves on a big screen

BIG WAVES BIG SCREEN BY JAMIE APPS ince 1987 filmmaker Tim Bonython has been documenting big wave surfing around Australia and the world. What initially started as a simple little hobby down at Bondi beach grew into fledgling movie screening events in Adelaide and has now evolved into the annual Australian Surf Movie Festival, which is set to begin its 14th year on Tuesday, Nov 10. As a young boy Bonython grew up by Tennyson beach in Adelaide and developed a strong bond with the ocean. “I lived for anything to do with the ocean,” he recalled. It wasn’t until his family moved to Sydney, after his father opened an art gallery in Paddington, that Tim also discovered his passion for filmmaking. “I would catch a bus to Bondi, where surfing was this new sport that was taking off and I fell in love with it,” explained Tim. “Around the same time I got a

movie camera from a friend of the family and started shooting super-8 down at Bondi beach. So it was really a combination of filmmaking, photography and the sport of surfing.” From there Tim honed his skills making films for his friends until he was able to convince a local surf shop in Adelaide to allow him to chase events around the country and capture footage. Tim would then edit this footage together in a film and hold small screenings at the Victoria Hotel in Adelaide where they would charge $3-$4 entry, and thus the seed of the idea that this could be a career was planted. Even today at 61 years of age Tim says he “can’t get enough of it” and is trying to “stay as fit as possible so that I can try to fit in another 20 years of doing the best job in the world.” Right from the outset Tim approached his filmmaking with a unique perspective. Rather than making the typical surf film he has instead approached his films with a style more closely aligned to a nature documentary.

“For me the ocean is the star, the surfers are just there to enhance it,” Tim told City Hub. “When the ocean unloads I’ll film a wave simply because it looks amazing, but if there is a surfer riding that and looks like a speck that’s 1/10th of the size of the wave then that shows off the size and intensity of the wave.” It is for this reason that Tim believes his films are geared more towards the general audience and are best suited to viewing on the big screen. “We’re always looking at these videos on a tv, computer monitor or even our phone these days, which doesn’t really resonate like it would on the big screen. Making a surf movie with great footage and music and then putting it on the big screen is paramount. To watch an 80-90ft wave on a mobile phone screen looks amazing but at the end of the day you don’t feel the energy of it all, but if you see that on a big screen you feel the energy.“ Continued on page 2

BIG WAVES ON THE BIG SCREEN (Continued from the cover) more so for the general public because they cringe and ask ‘how did they live though that?!’ “There aren’t a lot of wipeouts in monster waves though, because you can only really deal with one crazy wipeout where you’re lucky to come up still breathing.” Even as the filmmaker documenting these big wave sessions Tim says he goes through a lot of the same emotions as the surfers themselves.

“As a filmmaker I always want to get the best angle, which means you better get in the water. And while that is incredibly rewarding it also comes with the potential for the worst case scenario and thus a lot of anxiety before shooting. “I’m kind of getting to the point now where maybe I don’t want to get out there amongst it much more. At 60 I feel like maybe I’m not fit enough to deal with the consequences when the shit hits the fan.”

AUS SURF FILM FEST takes place Nov 10-11 & 25

at the Hayden Orpheum & The Randwick Ritz. $22-$29.70+b.f. Tickets & Info: event.asmf.net.au

Tim Bonython. Photo: Supplied

For Tim the main aim of the Australian Surf Movie Festival is to have the audience leaving the cinema in “aww of what they’ve just witnessed.” Often times the moments which generate this biggest sensation of aww are the rare big wave wipeouts. “Obviously people want to see surfers take on these monsters and ride them to safety but the one thing that resonates even more so with the general public are the wipeouts,” explained Tim. “The wipeout is just as entertaining, or even

Photo: Tim Bonython

Waverley Council Update Mayor’s Message Remembrance Day At 11am on Wednesday 11 November, we pause for a minutes’ silence to observe the Armistice that ended World War 1 and to commemorate the loss of Australian lives during this war, and all other wars and conflicts, on Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day has special significance in Waverley, where, on 15 December 1918, The Right Honourable, Sir Ronald Ferguson, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, unveiled the Waverley Great Memorial, known to many as the Waverley Cenotaph, at Waverley Park, in honour of the many brave soldiers who died in conflict.

Waverley Council Cultural Advisory Committee We are currently seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for a new Cultural Advisory Committee to provide advice to Council on major cultural issues, initiatives and opportunities. This is a significant opportunity for arts industry professionals and those with experience in the advancement of arts and culture to help shape the direction of culture in Waverley. The EOI closes 22 November at haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au/ culturalcommittee

HeadOn photo festival Australia’s leading annual international photography event returns to Bondi Beach on Friday 6 November until Sunday 6 December with an installation of photographic displays along the southern end of the beach promenade. For more, visit headon.com.au

Waverley Customer Service Centre: 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction Ph: 9083 8000 | waverley.nsw.gov.au | Stay in touch: waverley.nsw.gov.au/subscribe

CITY HUB 5 NOVEMBER 2020

Bondi Surf Club upgrade Waverley Council unanimously voted to progress the draft concept design for the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club upgrade to detailed design stage. Council Officers will then report back to Council with the final design prior to lodging a development application. The draft concept design was guided by a detailed Conservation Management Plan for the site and is formally supported by The Heritage Council of NSW. It preserves the 1934 clubhouse, with modern lightweight additions that showcase the original heritage building. The footprint of the overall clubhouse remains the same, and the design will increase useable public parkland. Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley

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HubNEWS

New regulation for short-term rentals (See p.5)

First zero-COVID day since June By ALLISON HORE alloween wasn’t the only spooky occurrence over the weekend. In a scary departure from the usual state of affairs, Saturday saw zero new local acquired COVID-19 cases recorded across the whole country.

H HubARTS: The Silver Tunnel A whirlwind dark comedy thriller about Sydney’s oldest graveyard and the gloomy secrets it holds. (See p. 6)

Published weekly and freely available throughout the Inner City. Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city. Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, we take no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions. ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Publisher Assistant: Mal Moody Advertising Managers: Mal Moody 0404 042 615 Dan Kinsela 0400 319 934 Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au News Editor: Allison Hore Contributors: Allison Hore, Kirsta Cheung Cartoonist: Sam Mcnair Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Contributors: Irina Dunn, Madison Behringer, Mark Morellini, Renee Lou Dallow, Rida Babar, Linc Jenkin Cover Photo: Tim Bonython Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007

In the 24 hours between 8pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday night, there were no new locally acquired cases detected anywhere in Australia for the first time in five months. For Victoria, which only a couple of months ago was being overwhelmed with mystery cases, it marked the second day of zero cases in a row. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said he was advised by the National Incident Centre it was the first time since June 9 locally acquired cases hadn’t been detected in the country. He took to Twitter to express gratitude to health care workers. “Thank you to all of our amazing health & public health workers & above all else the Australian people,” Mr. Hunt said.

Alex Greenwich with members of the Glenmore Road P&C and Clr. Harriet Price on Gurner Lane. Photo: Facebook/ Alex Greenwich

Despite no local cases being detected, four Australians returning to the country who are in hotel quarantine in Sydney were diagnosed with COVID-19 over the 24 hour period. Some areas of south west Sydney also remain on high alert for COVID-19 cases and testing. After the 8pm

“Safer city” active transport grants BY KIRSTA CHEUNG s more people are returning to workplaces from work from home arrangements, public transport services are getting busier and more congested. Could the development of active transport infrastructure offer a new travel option for busy Sydneysiders? In an attempt to boost alternative transport, the Australian government is giving $7.63 million to assist the City of Sydney Council and Woollahra council to deliver active transport links. By improving current active transport infrastructure, councils and the government hope to improve the range of transport options. One of the transport links which has

benefitted from the grants is a new Pedestrian Shared Zone on Gurner Lane in Paddington. Funding has been granted by the Woollahra Council to pedestrianise Gurner Lane, near Glenmore Road Public School. Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, told City Hub the grant would increase safety for local pedestrians, school children and teachers who walk from and to school. “It’s something that the local school Glenmore Public School and the local community are really excited about as they had been advocating for years,” he said. Cycling and walking, according to the City of Sydney, rose by 51 percent in

Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Website: cityhubsydney.com.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au @CityHubSydney

cutoff on Saturday night, a new case of COVID-19 linked to the Hoxton Park cluster was detected. Health authorities say the new case was a child who had visited Flip Out Prestons Indoor Trampoline Park on October the 25th at the same time as another child who tested positive.

People wearing face masks on Sydney’s streets. Photo: Allison Hore

some suburbs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though there are more people who want to walk and cycle in and around the city, numbers are less in the city due to the lack of cycle infrastructure. “The COVID-19 pandemic has really been the call to action to ensure that we are able to build more cycle infrastructure around the city,” said Mr. Greenwich. “We are now able to see delivery bike lanes, widening of footpaths, pedestrian shared zones, these are all elements every city needs.” “I think it’s important to realise our city needs to accommodate active transport and public transport, so people can drive in and around the city. We need to make sure we get the balance right and know that these should not be seen as competing interests at all.” Government grants will also go towards a separated cycleway along Pitt Street between King Street and Alfred Street, improvements at the Lang Road intersection and a pedestrian link to the yet-to-be-completed Redfern station Southern concourse. CITY HUB 5 NOVEMBER 2020

HubNEWS

Climate change drives summer bushfires

TANYA PLIBERSEK FEDERAL MEMBER FOR SYDNEY

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Tanya.Plibersek.MP@aph.gov.au 28/09/2020 1:23:20 PM

Smoke from the Black Summer bushfires shrouds over George Street. Photo: Wikimedia/ VirtualWolf

By ALLISON HORE indings from the Bushfire Royal Commission’s report claim, “in no uncertain terms”, climate change fuelled the Black Summer bushfires. A Royal Commission investigating the causes and effects of last year’s Black Summer bushfires was formally established on the 20th of February 2020. Over the course of the royal commission, almost 2,000 submissions were made, with 270 witnesses presenting evidence. A report of the commission’s findings was presented to the Governor General on Wednesday and on Friday was tabled before the Australian parliament. The 80 recommendations made by the commission include the rollout of a new fire danger rating system, a national aerial firefighting fleet, a national emergency warning app and a national charity regulation scheme. While the commission did not include any specific recommendations in relation to carbon emission reductions, the report makes a clear link between climate change and the bushfire disaster which led to the deaths of 33 people and destruction of more than 3,000 homes. “Extreme weather has already become more frequent and intense because of climate change; further global warming over the next 20 to 30 years is inevitable,” the report said.

OFFICIALS WELCOME FINDINGS

Former commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW and founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, Greg Mullins, welcomed the report’s findings. He said the commission has laid out “in no uncertain terms” climate change was the driving force behind the Black Summer bushfires and will lead to “a future of unprecedented bushfire severity”. “The Federal Government absolutely must act on the root cause of worsening

bushfires in Australia, and take urgent steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This clearly means no new coal or gas, and a rapid transition to renewable energy,” he said. Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie, also welcomed the report’s “incredibly clear” findings. She echoed Mr. Mullins’ call for the government to take action to reduce carbon emissions and phase out the use of fossil fuels which she says are “putting people’s lives, homes and livelihoods in danger”. “The tens of billions of dollars of disaster costs laid out in the final report are staggering, not to mention the loss of life, the long-term health costs, and impacts on Australian jobs and communities,” she said. “Australians have paid a heavy price for failing to tackle climate change effectively and prepare for worsening extreme weather.”

Australians have paid a heavy price for failing to tackle climate change effectively She said the eyes of Australia will now be on the government to see if they follow through with the report’s recommendations. “The Government needs to accept these recommendations, all of them. We will be watching, and we will hold them to account,” said Ms McKenzie. If action isn’t taken to slow the change in climate, the royal commission warns of a grim future for the land down under. The Black Summer bushfires as well as other severe weather events throughout the summer of 2019 including drought, heatwaves, hailstorms and flooding “provided only a glimpse of the types of events that Australia may face in the future”, the report says.

HubNEWS

Short-term rental shake up A mandatory Code of Conduct for the short-term rental industry will come into force across NSW in December in an effort to reduce the impact of troublesome guests on neighbours. The Code of Conduct, put together by the NSW Government department of fair trading, will apply not just to just commercial ventures like hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, but also house shares offered over platforms like Airbnb. According to data from Inside Airbnb, in December of 2017 there were more than 51,000 AirBnB listings across NSW alone. Despite a significant increase in short-term rental accommodation across the state, they have fallen through the cracks as far as regulation. One criticism was that this accommodation, in predominantly residential buildings and streets, may have an impact on neighbours resulting from “inconsiderate” or “anti-social” behaviour by some short-term rental occupants. This community concern led to a series of parliamentary inquiries and legislative reform processes in NSW. Member for

Sydney, Alex Greenwich, thinks NSW Government policy is not quite up to par to deal with all the issues around shortterm accommodation, but he welcomes the code of conduct.

I don’t believe that we have the balance right to stop short-term letting getting out of hand “I don’t believe that we have the balance right to stop short-term letting getting out of hand when the tourist industry gets back into swing, however the code will provide affected neighbours with options to pursue problems,” said Mr. Greenwich.

DISRUPTIVE GUESTS EXCLUDED

The code of conduct prohibits guests from making noise which will “unreasonably” disrupt neighbours, and, causing damage to common property in a strata building. For hosts, they will be expected to hold insurance which covers them for a third party injury or death, be contactable by

The view from luxury waterfront duplex in Balmain available for short-term rent on Airbnb. Photo: Airbnb

neighbours in the case of an issue with the guests and take “reasonable steps” to ensure guests comply with the code. Penalties for breaching the code of conduct will include warnings, fines and being listed on an exclusion register which will prohibit a person from participating in the short-term or holiday rental market for five years. Guests or hosts who breach the code may be recorded on the exclusion register if they receive two strikes within a two-year period. These penalties and the code of conduct may be difficult to enforce, however, as compulsory registration for

short-term rentals in NSW will not take effect until June 2021. It will be the responsibility of hosts to check potential guests are not on the exclusion register and the responsibility of platforms to ensure hosts aren’t. Earlier in October Airbnb removed more than 500 Australian listings from the platform and cancelled over 9,000 bookings in a crack down on “party houses”. This came after the platform announced a global ban on party houses and encouraged neighbours to make complaints about offending properties using their support page.

COFFIN ED’S NAKED CITY

WILL THE STADIUMS ROCK AGAIN?

he sight of large crowd numbers at the recent football grand finals in Sydney and Brisbane drew mixed reactions. Admittedly capacity was reduced to around half and COVID protocols observed, however, there was some concern to see so many people gathered together in such close proximity. On the other hand others welcomed it as a partial return to the norm and the foot of health regulation finally easing off the brake. Whilst 2021 may well bring us packed sporting stadiums again, whether we see a return to so called ‘stadium rock’ remains to be seen. It’s a phenomenon that began in the 1960s when music acts such as The Beatles became so popular that they moved to venues such as Shea Stadium to accommodate their hordes of screaming fans. In the 70s ‘stadium’ or ‘arena’ rock became a genre in its own right, synonymous with loud, posturing, hard rock bands pumping out anthem like songs to an audience which resembled one huge mosh pit. In the decades that followed the world’s biggest music acts, spanning a variety of styles, from AC/DC to André Rieu regularly commandeered the huge sporting stadiums to stage their massive concerts. Fans worldwide gladly parted with large amounts of money to secure tickets that often saw them so far from the main stage that they watched most of the concert on large video screens. As more and more money was invested in monster sound systems and elaborate stage sets, the cost of staging these stadium shows ballooned. In some

cases bands were happy to break even on actual ticket sales and make their money at the merch stand selling overpriced t-shirts and other memorabilia. In Australia we have regularly seen the so called world’s biggest rock bands like U2 and the Rolling Stones fill venues such as the Sydney Cricket Ground and the old football stadium at Moore Park. ANZ Stadium has also had its share of mega stadium gigs, and in most cases devoted fans have scrambled to get their tickets. Some of the shows have not been without their controversy with many fans complaining about inferior sound quality or poor sight lines to the stage. The 2017 Guns N Roses at ANZ drew an angry reaction from a number of ticket holders with one posting:

“Attended Friday night and the band was brilliant but the sound was disgraceful. I too saw many leave just prior to Angus coming stage. The sound improved after Angus but was still poor. Completely out of synch, unable to hear 80% of the vocals.” Similarly when Adam Lambert and Queen played ANZ in February of this year, fans complained when the large video screens which flanked either side of the stage were turned off. Such is the problematic matter of stadium gigs, where sound quality often varies greatly, from the premium seating in front of the stage to the nose bleed seats high in the stands. It’s a drawback that many concert goers have come to expect, but one that is quickly overridden by being part of the overall experience of witnessing your favourite group or singer – amidst an adoring 60,000 plus crowd. After all it’s unlikely anybody ever complained about the sound at the Nuremberg Rally! As the pandemic escalates globally it’s highly unlikely we will see a return to stadium rock any time soon. The big international acts won’t be touring and maybe the COVID enforced break will prompt us to consider the future of these highly corporatised events. If they do return in one or two years time, promoters should be encouraged to include the following warning on their tickets: “Sound quality at this concert may vary from good to dreadful and some sight lines may be restricted. Video screens will be employed at our discretion. Please use the free hand sanitiser on entry.” CITY HUB 5 NOVEMBER 2020

HubARTS

MAHALIA BARNES:

COVID-19 restrictions force festival reinvention (See p.7)

THE SILVER TUNNEL W

arwick Moss’ upcoming The Silver Tunnel is a whirlwind dark comedy thriller about Sydney’s oldest graveyard and the gloomy secrets it holds. The Silver Tunnel is set to be performed at Ashfield Uniting Church, the HQ of the Australian Living Treasure, Reverend Bill Crews. Crews has been an advocate for the poor and needy for almost 50 years, launching his free restaurant Loaves And Fishes on the church’s grounds. Church services are mostly held outside nowadays, allowing the church itself to be converted into an arts and entertainment space. “What a year it’s been eh? No Theatre. No Church,” says Rev Bill. “Now we’re underway again with a magical combination of both. Like all our endeavours this production is aimed at

raising awareness and therefore funds for the poor and disadvantaged people we exist for. “The beauty of this production is that right through rehearsals and performances, our wonderful homeless and sometimes struggling guests are welcome to attend. After all, this great little play has a huge theme... the wonder and value of life. ”There have been COVID-safe measures put in place, with a capacity of 25 seats per show. (RBa) Nov 9-14. Ashfield Uniting Church, 180 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield. FREE. Bookings: www.thesilvertunnel.com

WORD TRAVELS’ STORY WEEK 2020 GOES VIRTUAL M iles Merrill is the artistic director of this simultaneous hook up event where musicians, poets and producers share their newest revelations. “Performance of narrative envelopes us in empathy and understanding. The spoken word is really the thread that keeps us all together,” said Merril. Word Travels Story Week has this year reached beyond our borders to other countries across the globe also running word festivals. So this year, via Zoom, all can come together to create an international story web. On the whole, this action-packed week of wordsmithery will include Australia’s first Nations artists sharing their stories alongside other performance writers of colour who understand what it means to be stereotyped. “In fact that is why I became a writer,” said Merrill. “I knew that as a person of colour, if I waited to be cast in the mainstream as anything other than a

Hani Abdile

stock character as best friend of, or military personnel, or servant/slave, I’d never get anywhere. ”As part of this online narrative feast there will be prose, rap, song and even lessons for parents on how to create unique stories and songs to lull their children to sleep at night. The festival finishes with the Australian Poetry Slam National Final, a showdown between the nation’s best. The final will feature poets competing for the title of National Champion. (RLD) Nov 6-14, Online streaming. Info: www.wordtravels.info

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1. Vodafone propose to upgrade their existing facility located on the rooftop of the existing building. The upgrade will include: • Replacement of three existing panel antennas with three new panel antennas. Each antenna will measure no more than 2.8m in length; • Installation of three new 5G panel antennas to be located on new and existing mounts; • Reconfiguration of existing and installation of new ancillary equipment including antenna mounts, RRUs, GPS antenna, cabling and other items associated with safety and operation of the facility; • Reconfiguration and installation of equipment within the existing equipment shelter. 2. Vodafone regard the proposed installation as an Exempt Development under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 based on the description above. 3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact: Jodie Leeds from Nokia Solutions & Networks on 0406 001 832 or at communityrelations.vha@groups.nokia.com by Thursday 19 November 2020. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/2000135

BAD CRIME WRITERS FESTIVAL

eemingly everybody loves a good true crime podcast, but before the advent of podcasting, crime stories - whether true crime or fiction - were conveyed in the written form. This weekend the State Library and the BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival are joining forces to deliver the ultimate fix of crime writing. Over two jam-packed days crime aficionados will be able to enjoy a program of talks and events featuring award-wining and bestselling authors, journalists, academics and professionals from the justice system including detectives, criminologists and psychologists.

Some of the highlights include; former detective Gary Jubelin and Media Hall of Fame journalist Kate McClymont: award-winning journalist Jana Wendt in conversation with former top cop Nick Kaldas: Tom Keneally on What is Evil?; bestselling writer Chris Hammer in conversation with crime reviewer Sue Turnbull and crime journalist Mark Morri talking with A Woman of Force, Deb Wallace. “Despite COVID we’re back in person at the State Library with a smaller audience but the same great mix of crime fiction, true crime as well as social justice sessions examining important questions like domestic abuse, and what happens to victims of

Jana Wendt & Nick Kaldas

HubARTS

crime,” said Artistic Director Catherine du Peloux Menage. For those concerned about COVID the event will also be available via Zoom live streaming. (JA) Nov 7-8. State Library, Macquarie St, Sydney. $10-$40+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.badsydney.com

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S JAZZ FESTIVAL - MAHALIA BARNES BY JAMIE APPS he Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival (SIWJF) is a yearly highlight on the live music calendar, but will be taking on a new look this year. Obviously with travel restrictions still in place the international contingent of the festival will be presented in a new way, with streamed rather than in person performances. Despite these changes the festival is still going to deliver an incredible lineup. This year SIWJF will be highlighting our incredible local talent much more prominently, with Mahalia Barnes standing out as a great addition to the bill. When most people see the Barnes name they think rock and roll. But as Mahalia explained to City Hub ahead of the festival, jazz has actually been a big influence on her music. “I mostly sing soul and blues music but jazz, blues and soul are all sort of from the same place. It’s all about a heart and soul connection, its about emotions and feelings. Jazz music is sort of the beginning of most contemporary music that I love... There are some incredible jazz artists that have influenced what I do. One of my favourites would be Nina Simone.” Bearing this in mind Mahalia was “thrilled” to be invited to take part in

A LION RETURNS

his low budget controversial new Australian film, written and directed by Serhat Caradee, deserves many accolades and should be classified as mandatory viewing. Jamal is a Muslim who returns to Australia to visit his terminally ill mother. He’s regarded as a terrorist in Australia,

SIWJF for the very first time. “There’s a whole bunch of wonderful women on the bill and it felt like an honour to be asked to be honest,” said Mahalia. With the way 2020 has panned out for music artists the return of live music, and such a prestigious festival, comes with a heightened sense of excitement and importance explained Mahalia”In the current climate it’s just exciting to be able to do a show, but especially when that is part of such an amazing lineup and event. As artists we love what we do so much and we are grateful to be able to perform in front of an audience... we are also very aware that we need to keep people safe and still keep the music alive. “To this end Mahalia says curated festivals like SIWJF play a crucial role in highlighting the women in music, “All around the world there’s all sorts of

disowned by his father for bringing much shame and misery to his family. He claims Allah (the Islamic god) gave him a mission that he carried out for all the Muslims in the world, but is he really a brainwashed radical extremist who is slowly being tormented by his past actions? Audiences should be drawn in quickly to this topical, highly emotional, and dramatic film which ultimately aims to

different struggles going on, but women have had to fight for a seat at the table. They absolutely deserve that seat and as many as they can have really. “Some of the women such as Emma Pask and Alana Stone are amazing artists who have worked for many many years. So I’m just really glad that the Sydney audience will get to experience several days of their talents. “Obviously with this festival being in the early waves of a return for live music Mahalia understands if audiences are hesitant or nervous, as she is feeling similar herself. However, she assured us that the festival are taking all of the necessary steps to ensure everybody is safe. “We’re very fortunate to get to enjoy live music and I want everybody to do it safely. I’m grateful to be working with a festival who I know are putting in lots of measures to ensure that it’s safe for the performers and the audience.”

SIWJF runs from Oct 30-Nov 8 at various venues around Sydney

Mahalia will be performing two shows on Nov 6 Mary’s Underground, 29 Reiby Pl, Sydney. $45-$50+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.siwjf.org

educate Australians on one significant misconception they may have of the Muslim religion - that the faith supports terrorism. Powerful performances from a vastly unknown cast compound to the dark and confronting nature of this story which also concerns betrayal and family honour. (MMo) WWW1/2

CAITLYN SHADBOLT STAGES

n the face of adversity rising star Caitlyn Shadbolt is continuing to chase her dreams with her second album, Stages. Throughout the 11 track offering Shadbolt delivers incredibly catch songs which build upon her country music roots. For this record Shadbolt injects a pop edge to her sound, which echoes Taylor Swift - another young songstress who has evolved from country roots into a pop powerhouse. Standout tracks on the record include opener Edge Of The Earth, Two Lost Lovers, Oxygen, Bones, and the closing title track Stages. Edge Of The Earth and Two Lost Lovers fall steadfastly within the country genre but as the album progresses with Oxygen, Bones, and Stages Shadbolt grows into a true pop starlet. This record is sure to see Shadbolt become an Australian favourite thanks to her catchy melodies and striking vocals. (JA) WWW1/2

Heidi Alamein (Jacqui Purvis) and Jamal Alamein (Tyler De Nawi CITY HUB 5 NOVEMBER 2020

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TOURING NOV-DEC 2020 BOOKINGS & MORE INFO AT

A S M F . N E T. A U 8

CITY HUB 5 NOVEMBER 2020