City Hub 10 January 2019

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city hub 10 JANUARY 2019

Stadium may be headed for court

by Wendy Bacon Waverley Council voted to take legal action to stop demolition of the Sydney Football Stadium unless the Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts, informs it about what action he will take to address concerns about the validity of his project approval by 10am on Monday January 14.

Council passed this motion on Monday night, but Liberal Councillors have put in a recession motion, which will be debated this Friday evening.

The motion states that Waverley Council, which is a “significant stakeholder,” has received legal advice that raises questions about whether the Minister’s consent for demolition and redevelopment has been issued correctly, “especially in relation to design excellence of the concept application” as required by the City of Sydney’s Local Environment Plan.

Waverley Council Mayor John Wakefield said today, “I have not drawn any conclusion about malicious intent on the part of the Minister, rather that an error has occurred from the rush”. The motion states that the failure to comply with requirements will have an “adverse impact on Waverley’s residents and businesses”.

The rush by Department of Planning bureaucrats to approve the project before Christmas was likely designed to make legal action more difficult.

Waverley Council has 12 Councillors, seven of whom are Labor or Greens and five of whom are Liberals. The Council first tried to consider this matter on December 20 but there was no quorum due to the holidays. If there is no quorum on Friday night, the meeting will need to reconvene on another date.

If Liberals do not show up on Friday, other Councillors and community groups would interpret this as a politically motivated undermining of their own rescission motion.

The motion includes a rider stating that Council will not take action unless one other Council agrees to join the action. Randwick Council is understood to be considering the

Waverley Mayor John Wakefield.

Photo: supplied

possibility of joining.

The planning approval states that demolition of the Sydney Football Stadium cannot begin until a Community Consultative Committee is “functional” and a number of documents including the Construction Environment Management Plan are submitted to City of Sydney and the Department of Planning. The Consultative Committee must function according to Department of Planning guidelines for State Significant projects, including the appointment of an “Independent Chair”.

The Minister approved the concept plan and demolition on December 6. In response to questions, a Department of Planning spokeperson stated that a shortlist selected from its panel of chairpersons was issued and Ms Margie Harvie

was appointed by December 11. This whole process took less than three business days.

Ms Harvie’s solid experience as a community engagement professional is substantiated by her company’s website plancom.com.au. She has a long interest in planning matters, and in 2016, she was the fifth candidate for the Sydney Matters team led by City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas.

One of the matters that the Department was required to consider was “conflict of interest”.

One of the first observations that City Hub made from the client list on her website is that Lendlease is included twice, both as a contruction company and a developer. Since Lendlease is now in control of the Sydney Football Stadium and will be attending the meetings of the Committee,

it is difficult to see how this would not lead to a perception of bias.

City Hub put questions to both Ms Harvie and the Department of Planning about the issue of “perceived bias”. She referred the questions to the Department which issued a single response.

The Department provided City Hub with this statement. “The Department’s considerations included the suitability of the candidate, including seeking advice about any relevant pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests.

The Department is aware of PlanCom’s [of which Margaret Harvie is a Director] previous work with Lendlease. The Department is satisfied that the previous work undertaken

by PlanCom does not preclude Ms Harvie from being an independent chair for the SFS CCC. Ms Harvie has significant experience and expertise in community engagement with a substantial government and non-government client base within the State and across Australia. The Department considers that this experience and her expertise makes Ms Harvie an eminently suitable independent chair.”

So it seems that senior staff of the Department of Planning consider that “conflict of interest” matters can be dissolved if accompanied by an otherwise strong CV. But this may not be how the community perceives it. Waverley Mayor John Wakefield says, “I would expect the Community Consultative Committee would be run by people with no connection to a vested interest”.

When added to the presence of the Secretary of Planning Carolyn McNally and Lendlease subsidiary director Alise Tanney on the proponent Infrastructure NSW Board (reported last week) and the overwhelming local opposition to the project, the Department’s attitude reinforces community anger that it has been shut out of the process.

But the appointment of the Independent Chair is just characteristic of the unseemly rush that has involved many players in this project. The aim is to tear down as much of the structure of the Stadium as possible before the election - and hope that Gladys Berejiklian is re-elected.

Wheelchair commuters stranded Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Production Manager: Michael Hitch Contributors: Michael Hitch, Laura Neill, Andrew Woodhouse, Wendy Bacon, Allison Hore, John Moyle, Peter Hehir Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Advertising Manager: Georgina Pengelly Cover Photo: Daniel Linnet. Pigalle Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677, Fax: 9212 5633 Website: altmedia.net.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au altmediagroup

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by Allison Hore Despite federal government legislation requiring all modern train stations across the states to be wheelchair accessible within the next three years, Sydney’s network is far behind.

And disability advocates say this is making wheelchair users lose trust in the system.

Of the 307 stations in the Sydney Trains network, just 169 stations are advertised as wheelchair accessible. This means that 138 stations (45% of the network) do not have wheelchair accessibility.

Within the suburban network, Sydney’s Inner West is especially inaccessible, with Redfern, Macdonaldtown, Stanmore, Petersham, Lewisham, St Peters, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park and Canterbury stations all with limited or no wheelchair accessibility.

Samantha French, Senior Policy Advisor at People With Disability Australia, says that this lack of accessibility often makes it difficult for people with mobility issues to participate in their communities.

“Transport is critical for people with disabilities to access and participate in their community, including travelling to work, school, medical appointments, sport and so on.”

Addressing the issue of transport inaccessibility, Transport for NSW has put in place a Disability Inclusion Action Plan for 2018 to 2022. This action plan includes several projects to upgrade train stations, ferry wharves and interchanges.

Last year Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that a further $133 million would be allocated to the Transport Access Program.

“We are committed to making public transport accessible for customers with a disability, less mobile customers or customers using a pram

Redfern station remains mostly inaccessible despite much negotiation about upgrades. Photo: Alisson Hore

and that is why this Budget includes funding to upgrade accessibility to at least 11 more stations across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said in a press release mid last year.

This means that 31% of suburban stations and 45% of intercity stations will remain inaccessible.

However, in December Ms Berejiklian admitted that it would take “years” before all of Sydney’s train stations were accessible. For wheelchair users and disability advocates this is not good enough.

“Accessibility and upgrades need to be a much higher priority across the country and to ensure the whole journey is accessible for people with a disability,” says Ms French.

Discussions about improving the accessibility at Redfern Station in particular have been ongoing for decades.

In 2012, Lord Mayor Clover Moore submitted a petition to the NSW Parliament that was signed

by more than 10,000 people calling for upgrades to Redfern station.

“Despite the station’s significance, there are no lifts to its platform, making access difficult, if not impossible, for people with disabilities, for older people, for parents of young children, for pregnant women and for people who are less mobile due to illness or injury,” she wrote on the petition.

Currently only platforms 6 and 7 have wheelchair accessibility after a lift was installed in 2015. Redfern commuters using a wheelchair must change trains at an accessible station, making the trip much more complex.

This lack of accessibility at Redfern station will become a particularly pressing issue in 2020 with an estimated 10,000 Commonwealth Bank employees set to begin work at the Australian Technology Park that year. city hub 10 JANUARY 2019

3

Catastrophic backyard cat breeders Photo: Supplied

by John Moyle A new kitten is just a click away as vendor sites such a Gumtree and Trading Post are now commonly used to advertise animals for sale.

Buying online is often ruled by impulse rather than reason, and by the time a prospective buyer has transferred the funds they have unwittingly bought into a world of pain.

Backyard cat breeders frequently use these sites to advertise their animals, but it is a case of caveat emptor, because other than a cute photo the buyer is given no idea of the condition of the animal, its provenance or health, and no comeback if the animal is diseased.

“It’s a mixed bag. You don’t know what you are getting yourself into,” said Kylie McKendry,

marketing and communications coordinator of the Cat Protection Society.

With cat breeding season now in full swing, Ms McKendry said, “It was a slower start to the season this year, but now our foster carers are getting full and in January we are expecting many more animals.”

The Cat Protection Society receives up to 1,000 cats a year, with a large percentage being kittens.

“When a litter of unwanted kittens comes to us they go into foster care until they are old enough to be desexed,” Ms McKendry said. “An experienced foster carer will be able to determine their personality, so that we are able to tell a prospective buyer about their behaviour and energy levels as well as their physical wellbeing.”

Desexing of kittens should be done at eight to ten weeks.

A quick look at Gumtree’s first page for kittens in the Sydney area shows nine un-chipped kittens for sale from $30 to $100, while for $500, a cat-boarding specialist is offering a purebred Ragdoll with vet checks, microchipping, vaccinations and worming.

“Cats can be bought from breeders or adoption agencies but they cost more, so I think the hip pocket plays a big role in people going online,” said Miriam Meek, deputy director of the Potts Point Veterinary Hospital.

“You see a beautiful fluffy kitten on Gumtree for $50 but those cats come with nothing. Cats from unlicensed breeders are often unwell and they can have diarrhoea, intestinal parasites, fleas and cat flu, which can last the lifetime of the cat, and they can become carriers.”

Elizabeth Bay resident Liz C knows about cats, having had her Ragdoll Frankie for 17 years.

But when Frankie died from diabetes and renal failure, an emotionally distraught Liz was soon searching online for a replacement.

“I started looking after about three days and after three weeks I bought two of the cutest cats I had seen in that time from Gumtree,” Liz said.

“I paid $100 each for the cats, and I wanted a pair as they are happier when I am at work.”

As the kittens were located in Sydney’s outer western suburbs, Liz had to rent a car to pick them up. When she arrived at the cattery, she found that the animals had no health checks and were infested with fleas.

“They were riddled with flea debris, which is flea poo, and when I bathed them the water turned brown,” Liz said. “I then had to get them their shots, and chipped and desexed, which costs hundreds for both.”

Kylie McKendry said that, “It is unfortunate that there is not enough regulation in this area”. And

while the RSPCA and Animal Welfare Australia have the power to prosecute, the Cat Protection Society does not.

The RSPCA currently uses the example of a 2012 legal case to deter people from approaching unregulated catteries.

On 24 July 2012, RSPCA inspectors entered premises at Hill Top and found that cats were being kept in squalid conditions and had been urinating and defecating throughout the house.

The woman who owned them removed all her clothing, claiming that she was incontinent, and the inspectors had to call the police.

The cats were removed and given a health check before being placed into care.

The cat breeder had eight charges of animal cruelty brought against her, was fined and placed on a good behaviour bond and banned from owning animals for ten years.

When you are selecting a kitten over a mature cat from a breeder it is important to view both parents so that you, the purchaser, have an indication of any inherited defects plus an idea of its disposition. These conditions are not always possible to determine until the kitten is mature.

This is why you should approach reputable organisations such as the RSPCA, the Cat Protection Society or Sydney Dogs and Cats Rescue.

“All of our cats are desexed, they have had their first vaccination and they are also up to date with their flea and worm treatment,” Ms McKendry said. “You just pay a registration fee and they come with a seven-day health guarantee, and a bag of food, and you are paying just $150 for the animal.”

“I was told that my kittens were Ragdoll cross, and that is dubious, but they are gorgeous nonetheless,” Liz said.

Miriam Meek said that while unlicensed breeders remain a problem, there are plenty of reputable breeders to choose from.

ARCCO vs Bower dispute going to court

By Michael Hitch The case of the missing rental agreement proposal heats up as tensions rise again between the Bower Reuse and Repair Centre in Marrickville and the Addison Road Community Centre Organisation (ARCCO) over allegations of a deceptive media release.

In a media release sent days before Christmas last year, ARCCO claimed that a rental agreement offer was refused by the Bower group due to the lease requiring more than the “peppercorn rates” that the Bower currently pays.

Bower begs to differ. In a Facebook post from December, Bower responded to the “deceptive” claims, saying that this refusal occurred in 2016, more than two years ago.

“ARCCO have today put out a deceptive media release. The release, dated 21 December 2018, states that the Bower refused a lease offer, and implies that this is a recent occurrence,” the Bower wrote.

“In fact, this happened over two years ago. It was 2016 when we were offered a new lease on our Marrickville premises with a rent increase of 250% over five years.

“Those issues will be addressed via mediation, as part of the legal action we initiated in the NSW Supreme Court.”

The two organisations have been battling since November last year when ARCCO evicted Bower from its Marrickville location due to disputes regarding illegal structures that were erected at its Hut 34 premise.

However, Bower claims that the decision to evict was also ignited by discrepancies with leasing and rental agreements, including disputes over the length of the lease and the increase of rent.

While the Bower has since re-opened its doors, legal action and mediation are now underway in the NSW Supreme Court to find a solution to the two-year leasing saga, and to Bower and ARCCO’s other disputes.

General Manager of the Bower, Guido Verbist, 4

city hub 10 JANUARY 2019

Deceptive conduct and the Bower’s closure could spell out dark days for customers. Photo: The Bower

said that the Bower hadn’t received any proposal from ARCCO prior to the media release and that he is confident the Supreme Court will provide a final fix for the sour situation.

“I don’t know whether it was a Christmas present they tried to give us. I sure hope it wasn’t,” he said.

“It’s a mystery to us. I have no idea what it refers to. We haven’t talked for a long time so definitely no proposal has been put to us … unless you count this two-year-old one. That’s what we responded to on our Facebook page.

“We were concerned that this would make people think we aren’t there anymore, that we wouldn’t exist after the holiday break. I have no

evidence for that but that’s the only thing I can think of.

“That’s why we put the statement out, that nothing has changed, nothing will change … it’s all in the hands of the court. They will make a decision now; it’s no longer up to them or us, it’s the court that will decide what is correct and what is fair. That’s the only way we can fix this situation now.”

Mr Verbist also said that the proposed increase in rent was unjust due to the value and nature of the Bower business as a not-for profit organisation.

“We have evidence that the fees shouldn’t be as high as they are. We have an external party

that’s provided a value of our premise if it were to be rented out and it’s not what ARCCO claims it should be,” he said.

“Not to mention that they consider us as a commercial organisation, but we’re like any other not-for-profit organisation in the community.”

ARCCO paints a different picture.

While the rental price for the Bower is currently $20,000, ARCCO Chief Executive, Rosanna Barbero, said that these rental prices would inevitably need to rise in order to maintain and support the ARCCO community and its other sub-licensees.

“ARCCO has a responsibility for the upkeep of the whole 9-acre site at Addison Road, and for the sustainability of the site, equitably benefitting all of its sub-licensees and the communities they serve,” she said.

“For example, ARCCO does not receive discounts from plumbers, builders, arborists, electricians, waste removalists etc. ARCCO must pay ever-increasing costs associated with building and maintenance work for a valuable inner-city community resource.

“We understand the Bower wants to continue fulfilling their local government contracts for waste collection as well as all the work they do to help refugees and other vulnerable communities to set up their homes, but ARCCO is a charity itself and is not able to continue to subsidize the Bower at the rate they prefer; it isn’t fair or sustainable for any of us.”

Ms Barbero also noted that the press release was not deceptive, saying that Bower failed to respond to the new leasing arrangements and that the ARCCO community would never willingly expel the Bower group from their site.

“The Bower did not respond by the due deadline of 20 December 2018. ARCCO wants the Bower to stay as it is an important part of the site’s heritage, but Bower management must sign a lease and follow the rules.”

WestCONnex. A done deal?

By Peter Hehir Not according to Professor James Weirick from the University of NSW. Sure the Stage 1 tunnels between the M4 and Haberfield do exist and are soon to open; and construction of the Stage 3 disaster is about to get underway; however Professor Weirick and a great many others believe that the tunnels can and should be repurposed for trains.

“Put trains in the tunnels” has been the cry from many of the groups and the wider community who are opposed to tolling road traffic; recognising that this freeway based approach to shifting people to and from the outlying suburbs is doomed to fail.

The tolls are already a burden on the Western Sydney demographic and as they continue to increase by 4% annually, they will leave many Sydney residents with no transport options at all.

Those for whom every cent counts will find themselves caught in a poverty trap from which there is no escaping; unable to jump through the ever increasingly stringent hoops that the Neo Cons demand in the quest for non-existent employment; will find themselves between a large rock and a very hard place.

For some the free accommodation and 3 meals a day on offer at Silverwater, Long Bay and any of the other similar NSW institutions may seem like an attractive alternative.

Professor Weirick’s students put together a detailed proposal in 2016 to repurpose the road tunnels for rail use. It is not only feasible, it is a sane and equitable solution to Sydney’s traffic woes.

The RMS CEO Ken Kanofski gave evidence on oath at the WestConnex Parliamentary Inquiry ‘that none of the gradients in any of the tunnels would exceed 4%”. This assurance eliminates the only construction related hurdle to replacing

vehicles with trains; as the 4% grade is the maximum recommended for rail construction.

The incoming Government in March must ensure that the gradient of any tunnel does not exceed 4% to enable subsequent repurposing for rail; assuming NSW ever does have a Government that is genuinely interested in providing public services for its citizens.

Much has been made of the tunnels “taking 10,000 trucks a day off the roads”. But this claim warrants closer examination. The Government and the tunnel operators know that a great many restrictions apply to the types of material that can be transported through a tunnel.

These restrictions apply to materials including those that are flammable; that are capable of causing explosions; releases of toxic gas or volatile toxic liquid as well as infectious, radioactive or corrosive cargoes.

Loads such as fuel and a wide range of chemicals would obviously be denied tunnel access, but also seemingly harmless and benign everyday materials such as sugar and flour can be explosive in certain situations and so would, or should also be prohibited.

Wide, tall and overly long heavy haulage vehicles would also be unable to utilize the tunnels, so these will remain on the surface roads. The proposed construction on the peninsula associated with the Western Harbour Tunnel will generate an additional 4,500 truck movements a day in the White Bay region, compounding an already chaotic situation.

The surface roads are already unable to cope.

The Anzac Bridge currently has the worst level of service rating, that being F. You can draw your own conclusions as to what the F stands for.

If the ALP are at all interested in being seen as a genuine alternative to Scomo and Glad the Impaler’s “user pays, privatise or perish push”, then they should abandon their support for tollroads and throw their weight behind

John Bartholomew’s board game “WestCONnex: The Facts?” Photo: Andrew Chuter

the Sydney community’s demand for a public transport system that is the envy of the rest of the world, instead of the joke that it is.

Glebe Island and White Bay could become Sydney’s high speed rail hub interfacing with ferry and light rail services to the CBD, the Dulwich Hill light rail Line and also provide a light rail spur to service the Balmain peninsula.

The 3 and 4 lane tunnels could be repurposed for interstate and intrastate high speed rail and the others given over to suburban heavy and light rail services.

Surely this sort of “community first” planning is what a government is elected to do? To provide essential services and hold them in trust for future generations?

Not to flog off what should be publically owned

infrastructure to multinationals who have no concern whatsoever for the welfare of the community.

Multinationals who are ready, willing and able to buy the favours of Government ministers and then provide them with obscenely well paid sinecures for a dirty job well done.

Multinationals who operate globally under a cloud of corruption; ever eager to donate to the major political parties, in return for favourable infrastructure contracts that provide them with a cash cow in order to milk the public’s transport dollars.

The bipartisan support for tollroads and the cosy relationship they have with companies like CIMIC, AECOM, John Holland, Transurban, Lendlease and others of their ilk needs to end.

So let’s push the ALP to dump the tollroads and put trains in the tunnels.

And the true cost is unknown.

Maintenance and equipment replacement costs are not factored in.

The impost on ratepayers makes it financially unviable.

Three Woollahra Councillors brought council’s original decision of 2016 back to the table but an anomaly allowed it to be passed on to a smaller finance committee of only eight out of the fifteen councillors. This isn’t democratic enough, say locals.

The council’s decision to appoint tenders by February 2019 should be urgently reviewed.

Council refuses to heritage-list its eastern side of the park to mirror Sydney Council’s western side listing, saying it doesn’t know when the heritage-listing might even be considered.

A professional heritage consultant says “a heritage study for the whole site would conclude that the eastern side of the park has heritage significance”.

Locals are adamant. They don’t object to a skateboard park, per se.

Their three main problems are location, location, location.

Ms Charlotte Feldman, President, Darling Point Society, says “public open space should be treasured not trashed”.

Former Mayor Andrew Petrie said, “Rushcutters Bay is already one of the most overused parks in the municipality.”

Over two thousand locals, including the nearby Vibe Hotel, have now raised concerns in objections and petitions about loss of open spaces.

Cr Matthew Robertson (Greens) says the new location won’t require the removal of trees or “excessive” green space.

Photo: Mark Lynch

Skateboard farce in the park

by Andrew Woodhouse The farce known as Woollahra Council’s Skateboard Park project in Rushcutters Bay Park has taken longer than Wagner’s Ring Cycle to reach a conclusion.

After eight years, council has delivered only divisiveness.

The Paddington school boys who mooted the original skateboard idea now have no use for it because they have left school.

Council initially suggested a harbourside location in Rushcutters Bay Park which it rightly rejected. Its second choice was a location in the same park.

The skateboard park is meant for 8-14 year-olds only, but has no fence, no enforceable time-use limits, no car parking for parents or age compliance controls or enforceable helmet laws.

No safety report exists.

Shawn Little, Kidsafe Playground Advisory Unit officer, says, “Fencing along a Roads and Maritime Services road needs to meet RMS design rules.”

Located alongside the six-lane New South Head Road, the skate park is obviously a fatality waiting to happen.

The NSW Police Force have not given their unequivocal support.

Council’s own community survey of local residents showed 94 residents (66%) against and 56 (34%) in favour.

Council hasn’t undertaken a proper study of other potential sites for its excessive $1.1 million, 1,225 square metre project, which is bigger than an Olympic pool.

Eight other sites are feasible, according to a recent geographical survey by locals. All were ignored or wrongly rejected, locals say.

Opinion

“You certainly wouldn’t see my name on (this proposal) if that was the case,” he said, but he is contradicted by an independent arborist’s report that states, ”the proposal, beyond any doubt, has a negative impact upon four trees. We owe [it] to … future generations to … protect these trees”.

Open space will be excessively reduced by the proposal.

The Total Environment Centre says, “the proposal to construct a skateboard park in Rushcutters Bay … risk[s] the health of … valuable, mature trees; and we seek council’s intervention to ensure the proposal is dropped”.

Additionally, the native habitat of our Sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) is threatened.

A council survey lists Centennial Park opposite the six-lane Oxford Street as a possibility for a site.

Centennial Park Executive Director, Ms Kim Ellis, says, “The Centennial Park Master Plan … does feature a proposal for a skate facility in the northeast corner of Centennial Park in the vicinity of Woollahra reservoir”.

Council’s own acoustic report says it can’t guarantee there will be no adverse noise impacts. However, it took only one measurement at 9:15am for 15 minutes early on Sunday

Opinion

morning, hardly a comprehensive survey. Even this noted that noise would be over 65 decibels: “annoyingly loud”.

Council refuses to even lodge a development application (DA) for this open-cut excavation.

Preliminary legal advice says a DA is required since its own Plan of Management (PoM) is breached.

The PoM is clear: the park’s prime purpose includes open spaces, minimising conflicts between park users, preserving its ambience and satisfying the Crown Lands Act provisions for uses to be compatible with the definition of “public recreation” ie. “informal, passive recreational, low-key sporting, social and cultural activities” A formal, permanent, active, highexposure skateboard park would therefore be illegal.

Council is refusing public access to its Environment Report. It intends to seek tenders and start work in February/March 2019.

Its Mayor, Peter Cavanagh, said “It’s a done deal”, even before council had formally considered the second site.

Was the issue predetermined behind closed doors?

Council is breaching the Local Government Act sections 8A(1)(d) and (2) in not applying “the … planning framework … to achieve … continuous improvements” and in not considering “the long term and cumulative effects of its actions on future generations”.

And where are those teenagers who, eight years ago, requested a skateboard park? They’re all grown up.

Why can’t council do the same? city hub 10 JANUARY 2019

5

W

LAUNCH

H

DAY!

S

’ AT N O

WWW.CASULAPOWERHOUSE.COM

Join us for nibbles and drinks as we launch THREE art exhibitions – What a Life! Rock Photography by Tony Mott, Jumaadi and Looking Here Looking North – on one big day!

SAT 19 JAN • 2PM • FREE

SUPPRESSION DAM

A collaboration between three internationally acclaimed experimental music ensembles performed within the soaring industrial spaces of CPAC's Turbine Hall.

SAT 12 JAN 5PM & SUN 13 JAN 2PM THEATRE

WHAT A LIFE!

ROCK PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY MOTT

Experience rock history through the eyes of one of Australia’s most celebrated photographers.

Q&A with Tony Mott: Sat 19 Jan 1pm

12 JAN - 24 FEB

WELCOME CHOIR

6

is for EVERYONE, regardless of gender, experience or ability.

At CPAC we love live music. In 2019 we want to share the best emerging talent that South West has to offer in a live music concert series.

SUN 3 FEB • 3 MAR 7 APR • 5 MAY • 2PM

SAT 16 FEB • SAT 17 APR SAT 24 AUG • SAT 26 OCT

city hub 10 JANUARY 2019

THE SAPPHIRES Four Yorta Yorta women sing Motown soul hits against the backdrop of personal change and massive social upheaval.

SAT 23 FEB • 2PM & 8PM

PHOTO BY BRUCE WHITE

TERM 1 ACTIVITIES ON SALE 21 JAN

GIANT LEAP JEFF DUFF BOWIE UNZIPPED

CHRISTINE ANU In Conversation and In Song Adored entertainer Christine Anu returns to CPAC to tell her story and recount the wonderful history presented in her music.

Join us for a night of lunar wonder, as legendary icon Jeff Duff takes us to the moon and back with his rendition of David Bowie’s iconic tunes.

THU 27 JUNE 11AM

SAT 27 JULY 7.30PM

W O W

T S E W OUT

SOFT CENTRE

L A V I FEST

WAY

FOR AG ES

0 - 15

10-14 JULY

MOON LANDING ANNIVERSARY

Casula Powerhouse presents a range of events that respond to the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Exhibitions, performances and film presentations are a few of the creative responses that capture the essence of humankind’s momentous achievement of walking on the moon.

15 JUNE - 8 SEPT A one-day festival where radical performance art, large-scale light installations, one-off collaborations and experimental music intersect to create an unforgettable day of dark abstraction.

SAT 14 SEPT 12PM-11PM

CPAC 25 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.

Join us to celebrate the centre's incredibly rich and diverse history, featuring local stars, unforgettable stories and the best of Casula Powerhouse.

21 SEP – 10 NOV city hub 10 JANUARY 2019

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FEATURE

Sydney Festival 2019

By Rita Bratovich Barely have the embers of Sydney’s New Year celebrations burnt out and the city is getting ready to light up again with its favourite summer party Sydney Festival. Since 1977, the festival has been devoted to providing diverse indoor and outdoor entertainment for a wide and varied crowd.

“An inherent part of our remit is that notion of broad appeal and variety of entry points for the audience, and by the audience I also mean people who attend free events,” says Vivia Hickman, Executive Producer of Sydney Festival 2019. Free outdoor events have been mainstays of the festival since it began, with recurring signature events that include Symphony Under The Stars, Ferrython, and the Hyde Park Hub. Each year it also showcases new works, local content, and international acts, from emerging artists through to A-listers. Asked to provide some of her own picks, Hickman named a cross-section of events that illustrate the eclectic appeal of the festival.

Leading off with Beware Of Pity, Hickman nominates this stage adaptation of a highly charged 1939 Austrian novel as “very much one of our centrepiece shows.” Performed in German with English subtitles, the play has universal social and emotional resonance.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, separate interactive installations have been set up around the city. Apollo 11 at Barangaroo features three large astronaut statues at various locations.

Each one has a QR code that connects to information and stories about the lesser known heroes of the space race. Experience weightlessness with Moon Drops at Darling Harbour - a number of large, button-shaped, water-filled bladders that you can walk or lie on.“They provide a very intimate experience as people lie next to each other - you know, strangers - it’s very much a piece about connection,” says Hickman.At World Square, you

Shanghai Mimi Photo: Yang Xiaohuo

can jump on a Lunar Velocipede (flying bicycle) or ride your own bike and contribute your kilometres to Fly Me To The Moon, a project inviting cyclists to cumulatively pedal the distance from the Earth to the Moon.

For something a little more rambunctious, pop into the famous Spiegeltent and see Pigalle.

“I like to think of it as a burlesque meets disco vaudeville,” says director, Craig Ilott, attempting to describe this amalgam of cabaret, burlesque, vaudeville, variety, circus - all set to a 70s soundtrack. It reflects the ambience of the Pigalle district in Paris, famed for its free-spirited, sexy, inventive culture and home to the Moulin Rouge.

The local and international line-up includes Marcia Hines, iOTA, Kitty Bang Bang and other incredible singers, acrobats and performers. Bangarra dancer Waangenga Blanco not only adds a unique

indigenous element but weaves the whole show together as a recurring figure, replacing the traditional MC.The eclectic program should attract a varied crowd, something that appeals to Ilott.

“I’ve always been more interested in any work I’ve done, where you start marrying different audiences, where you marry, for instance, a music audience with a theatre audience.What happens when they get in each other’s spaces is exciting.”

The venue itself, the Spiegeltent, adds another layer with its authentic, nostalgic charm and intimacy.

“There’s a great energy that happens within that space...it’s really crisp that energy, and it’s really exciting,” says Ilott.

One of the festival’s flagship events is Shanghai Mimi, a homage to 1930s Shanghai, at the time considered the “Paris of the East.”

“People in the West don’t quite understand how big

103 Enmore Road, Newtown. T 9557 4818 More info: www.catprotection.org.au

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the arts industry and the music industry were in China pre-Second World War. It was really progressive and doing some amazing things,” says Sophie Koh, singer/musician and one of the stars of the show.The young pop artist was spotted on Rock Whiz and Spicks And Specks and selected as lead singer for Shanghai Mimi because she had the right look and could sing in Mandarin.The antique version of Mandarin being used, however, required some extra learning and “more and more visits to [her] mum’s house.” And that wasn’t the only challenge.

“I’ve never done theatre or sung jazz songs or done any kind of cabaret or been fitted with these 10kg fur coats and tried to stand in high heels for this long!”

Koh is onstage and singing throughout, backed by a live jazz band made up of musicians from around the world.They will perform traditional Chinese folk songs while acrobats from the Qinghai Acrobatic Troupe present a stunning routine which comprises athletic prowess, modern dance and showmanship.An internationally acclaimed doyen of edgy, transformative performance art, Moira Finucane is directing the show.

“Moira’s been really - just so loud and just so colourful - and so exhausting!” says Koh, describing rehearsals with Finucane.“You go to your room exhausted but just really happy and grateful that someone like that exists in the world.”

The calibre of the performers, spectacular costumes, the mix of nostalgia and avant-garde and the great sense of fun make this a show not to be missed.

There is so much more in the festival program.

Pick up a guide or go online - shows are booking fast!

Until Jan 27.Various Venues & Prices.

More Info: www.sydneyfestival.org.au

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT w

Sasha VelourSmoke And Mirrors

Gabriel IglesiasOne Show Fits All Gabriel Iglesias is a comedian of Mexican heritage who has managed to sell out Madison Square Garden in New York with his one-man show. A seasoned performer, he is able to attract top names to his sellout shows, including such luminaries as Antonio Banderas and Will Ferrell. He has nicknamed himself ‘Fluffy’ as a way of diffusing any fat jokes that might come his way, with “I’m not fat, I’m Fluffy”, being his catch cry. Iglesias is an expert at sending himself up. A top-notch storyteller who has travelled far and wide with his one-man show always doing his best to tailor his jokes for his current audience. He has worked in Hollywood as a voice-over artist for animated films too. Notably, The Nut Job and Planes, for DisneyToon Studios.

As well as this he has

appeared in topgrossing films which include Magic Mike with Matthew McConaughey.

Recently Iglesias was hired to perform his show in the Middle East and went all the way to Riad not knowing what to expect. He found himself performing in the middle of the desert with his host being a Saudi prince no less. He said of this experience that his only previous experience of dealing with royalty was, “Ordering a burger from Burger King.” He then remarked on how funny it was that he had to go all the way to the other side of the world before being referred to as, ‘An American,’ as opposed to, ‘A Latino.’

In today’s political climate with the recent shutdown of the American parliament, this

Rock Bang Photo: Andrew Wuttke

Set to leave their audiences blown-away, rock ‘n’ roll circus show Rock Bang will hit Riverside Theatre for Sydney Festival 2019 from today. A collaboration between Circus Oz and art-rock-comedy duo Otto And Astrid from Die Roten Punkte, the show will combine comedy, rock ‘n’ roll, live music and acrobatics for a huge night of entertainment.

With Circus Oz bringing their signature comedy and heartstopping tricks and Otto And Astrid offering up all the rock

Photo: Daniel Grant

‘n’ roll and hilarity they can muster, Rock Bang is an explosive addition to the Sydney Festival lineup.

When asked how the collaboration with Circus Oz came about, Otto (Daniel Tobias) said, “for us its been a long history with the circus community in Australia…we started playing here in 2006 in places with all these circus people, and it’s like they adopted us.” Bringing to the table their passion for live music, Otto explained the

a&e

show is extremely topical.

Iglesias is not left but he is left of right and that is another reason why he is ‘Fluffy.’ He’s not offensive but warm and friendly entertainment. His timing is impeccable and his sound effects brilliant.

Australian audiences can expect an all-round performer with gusto, heart and some well-researched tongue in cheek humour guaranteed to have Aussies rolling in the aisles. (RD) Jan 12. ICC Sydney Theatre, 14 Darling Dr, Sydney. $81.40+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.fluffyguy.com

inspirations behind Rock Bang.

“It’s a circus-rock-opera so The Who and Green Day are big influencers in some ways, but then ah…you know there’s David Bowie and Blondie and B-52 and all kinds of influencers in the show.”

Otto also expressed how rewarding it has been working on the collaborative process with Circus Oz, saying, “we do things that we don’t normally do, in this. And some of the circus people, they play music as well. So everybody in the show is doing things they don’t normally do, everyone’s singing and dancing and doing circus and playing rock ‘n’ roll.” Otto went on to explain the reaction of other audiences who have witnessed the spectacle of Rock Bang: “… when we did the Melbourne shows there were some people saying it was one of the best shows they’ve ever seen.” (MB) Until Jan 13. Lennox Theatre - Riverside Theatres, Corner Market & Church St, Parramatta. $36+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneyfestival.org.au

19 STAGE 10 SCENE 11 Sounds 11 SCREEN

Simply referring to Sasha Velour as a drag queen underestimates her sheer artistry and inimitable performance skills.Velour has transcended the idea of a nearcaricatured depiction of uber female and created a highlystylised androgynous persona who is dramatic and exquisite.

As the season nine winner of the phenomenally successful Ru Paul’s Drag Race, a show which like other reality shows, has become a star-making conveyer belt,Velour has been catapulted into mainstream fame.Velour is debuting her first solo show, Smoke And Mirrors, in Australia in January and many venues on the itinerary have already sold out.

The show will take audiences on a vicarious walk through the vibrant, bizarre drag scene that thrives in Brooklyn.Velour will

perform alone but in multiple iterations of herself, aided by a magnificent wardrobe and her extraordinary signature face art. She will regale her audiences with stories and with renditions of some of her favourite (and most popular) songs including Cellophane, This Woman’s Work, and Don’t Cry Out Loud. The program will include new selections as well and we’re assured all the material is family friendly.

Velour’s visual splendour comes as no surprise when you glimpse at her credentials: she’s a recognised artist whose works have been shown in solo exhibitions throughout New York; she has drawn a comic book series; she produces the highly regarded drag show, Nightgowns, in Brooklyn; she co-

Photo: David Ayllon

founded the drag magazine, Velour, with her partner; and she is a pro-active campaigner, thought leader, and commentator on LGBT issues, gender and queer politics. But, above all, she is a commensurate entertainer.

(RB) Jan 12. Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $79.15$120.50+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au

REVIEW: Fool For Love Do not miss this classic Sam Shepard play, in which the brutal drama of a twisted love affair is set against the wild expanses of the Mojave Desert outside the desolate motel room where the action takes place.

Eddie (Lachlan Ruffie) travels 2,480 miles, as he says, to find his former lover May (Kate Betcher) and persuade her to return with him to live in a trailer on a farm in Wyoming.

Her adamant refusal provokes Eddie, and the nature of their past relationship is revealed in the excoriating exchanges that follow.

As they tear each other to shreds, the old man on the stage (Neil McLeod) reveals himself to be the father of both lovers, and this revelation deeply shocks the fourth character on stage.

This is the dumbstruck Martin (Joel Horwood), an innocent bystander who turns up to take May to the movies and finds himself caught up in the violent domestic scene.

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

Kate Betcher, Neil McLeod, Lachlan Ruffy.

Photo: Clare Hawley

Limelight designer David Jeffrey does wonders with the third-floor space across which audience members must walk to get to their seats, creating a set which acts as the setting, cage and maze for the actors’ to perform in and around.

In addition to being a playwright, Sam Shepard (19432017) was an actor, director, author and screenwriter whose career spanned five

decades. He won a large number of awards and was regarded as the greatest American playwright of his generation.

Fool For Love was a finalist for the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and deservedly so.

Go see it! (ID) Until Jan 12. 231 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. $28-$38+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.limelightonoxford.com.au

Contributors: Emily Shen, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Riley Hooper, Erika Echternach & Lili Sekkai, Joseph Rana, John Moyle, Angela Stevens, Will Fournier, Gabe Merkel & Lanie Tindale, Madison Behringer, Allison Hore.

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Counting And Cracking The Belvoir Theatre is off to the Sydney Town Hall for Counting And Cracking, its massive new production which charts the story of a Sri-Lankan Australian family over four generations. It features 16 actors from six countries speaking five languages as 50 characters.

Director Eamon Flack said, “Working with a big cast is a real treat. The challenge has been working across so many languages.

We’re performing some scenes simultaneously in English, Tamil and Sinhala with some Yolngu, Sanskrit and Arabic as well. It’s like putting together an orchestra of instruments that haven’t played together before.”

Wow, that might just sound like a cacophony!

Why the Sydney Town Hall?

“We chose Town Hall because it’s the civic heart of Sydney, and we wanted to put this story at the heart of the city.”

Flack has been working “very happily” with writer Shakthi Shakthidharan for the past five years.

“It’s been a great labour of love, and a happy one too. Shakthi is the most remarkably open writer. He has his eye on the bigger idea, not on his own reputation. He’s very driven and very clear.What he’s done with this play is quite remarkable.”

Counting And Cracking was assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals initiative.As part of the show, you’ll be offered a taste of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine served by Dish Dining & Events.

The Belvoir Theatre urges you to,“Book now for this spectacular event and be a part of Belvoir history.”

Sounds good! (ID) Jan 11-Feb 2. Sydney Town Hall, 483 George St, Sydney. $39-$99+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au

THE NAKED CITY

IT’S WORLD ‘SOMETHING’ DAY!

With Coffin Ed It’s about this time of year that we often familiarise ourselves with the new calendar to see just when the public holidays fall.

This is seldom done out of any particular reverence for the holiday in question.Take Australia Day for example. Apart from the announcement of the finalists for Australian Of The Year and a bunch of jingoistic merchandise, like Aussie flag stubbie holders in Coles and Woolies, there is no great sense of anticipation for what is supposedly our national day of celebration.

If anything the sense of dread from those who see the day as an insult to our indigenous peoples far outweighs the expectancy of the patriotic masses.

Come Australia Day and that feeling of national pride will no doubt be whipped up by both the media and an expensive Government PR campaign, manifesting in ways both good and bad – from multicultural get-togethers to boozy hoons draped in Aussie flags.

The next day, and apart from half price Aussie flag stubbie holders in Coles, the flag flapping fury will quickly subside and we’ll all be back to our evil ways. That’s the way it often plays out with these one day of the year celebrations or acknowledgements. Whilst it’s the public holidays that resonate the most, the calendar is overflowing with a plethora of ‘days’ – from the deep and meaningful to the almost totally frivolous.

The more ‘legitimate’ of these world days are designated by the United Nations and include

World Suicide Prevention Day, World Tsunami Awareness Day, World No-Tobacco Day and World Aids Day. Whilst they all draw our attention to important issues they often become just a footnote on the morning TV news and their sheer number tends to overwhelm the real significance of any single day.

Then, of course, there are those national and international days of observance and

around 200 stores across Australia combine to participate in what is now an international movement. And then of course, in case you have forgotten, there’s July 6 – International Kissing Day, sometimes referred to as ‘World Kiss Day’ – which obviously confuses the issue if you are a member of a certain face painting ‘army’.

In the often hideous and superficial click bait world in which we now live the proliferation of days dedicated to anything and everything is bound to get totally out of control. After all, there are only 365 opportunities in the year to fly the flag for some particular cause. The real likelihood is that days will have to be shared and more by random selection that any sense of design.

For example, World Kissing Day could soon fall on the same day as International Gingervitis Prevention Day and Halitosis Awareness Day. All three combined together could become quite a mouthful for any TV presenter wanting to highlight their significance (if you will forgive such a shocking pun).

Finally, I would like to advocate at least one day of the year, not devoted to any cause, celebration or historical observance. Not entirely a day of commemoration that attract widespread public ‘nothing’ but one in which we would all be asked support, spurred on by both commercial interests to halt for 30 minutes, put down our smartphones and an ingrained cultural psyche. When thousands and ponder a conundrum – like “If a tree falls in of Elvis fans travel to Parkes each year it’s to the forest and nobody is there to hear it does it celebrate the day when the fat old bastard (who actually make a sound?” There would, of course, would have been 84 this year), was originally born. be no definitive answer, but at least we would not The vinyl revival and a reaction against the be dealing with the absurdity of World Dog downloading of music has prompted a recent Biscuit Appreciation Day or World Sword addition in Record Store Day Australia in which Swallowers Day!

International Grammar School Whilst it still feels like we only just got over Christmas and New Year it’s already time for parents to begin making plans for the ‘back to school’ rush. One school in particular that Sydney’s parents may want to consider is the International Grammar School (IGS) in Ultimo, thanks to its prodigious history of high achievers.

International Grammar School (IGS) is a coeducational, secular school, Preschool to Year 12, with the motto Unity Through Diversity.Throughout 2019 the school will be celebrating its 35th anniversary by highlighting some of its past high achievers.

One such former student is Davis Evans of Glebe, who topped the State in German Beginners in the 2018 HSC, and 10

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said that “a fresh start” gave him an edge.

“I didn’t try very hard from Years 7 to 10, and decided I wanted to do better,” Davis said. “Learning a beginner language gave me a fresh start. I’m very grateful to my teachers, who were awesome.”

Davis learnt Italian from Kindergarten at IGS, which runs a unique partial language immersion program from Preschool to Year 10, but decided to expand his language skills from the start of Year 11.

Davis had previously told one of his language teachers that learning a language from Kindergarten was a life-changing experience, as it helped him realise that “the things that set us apart – language, culture, identity – are the things that we

should celebrate and not hide”.

Davis’s mother, Donna Woodburne, said he was “really lucky” to have had excellent German language teachers at IGS and that he worked “very hard”.

“We are absolutely thrilled for him,” she said.

“The main thing is he was incredibly happy and loved it. He just did his own thing, which is great.”

Davis isn’t the only remarkable story coming out of IGS, the school also had students finishing in the top ten of ATAR scores and also received 82 honourable mentions for the distinguished achievement of 90 per cent or above.

More info: www.igssyd.nsw.edu.au

Davis Evans with parents Donna Woodburne and John Evans

By Jamie Apps The Sydney Festival is renowned for bringing some of the most interesting and experimental artistic works to our fine city, and to kick things off on the music front a world premiere event this weekend promises to be just that with a once in a lifetime experience.

Led by award-winning saxophonist Sandy Evans, Bridge Of Dreams is a one night only performance which blends together the sounds of Indian music with the brilliance and energy of a jazz big band.

In order to develop this monumental experience, Evans has been working on the project for a number of years.

Evans has called upon the talents of Indian musicians Shubha Mudgal, Aneesh Pradhan, Bobby Singh and Sudhir Nayak the Sirens Big Band to bring their shared vision to life.

“All of us have this dream that we could see which had us playing together to create something that we felt was very special and hadn’t been done before,” explained Evans.

Jazz and Indian music are diverse, complex, constantly evolving musical systems. The music in this

Bridge Of Dreams

collaboration will draw on many aspects from both systems, as Evans explained though there are enough similarities to make the process both challenging and exciting.

“In the beginning, it was the rhythmic similarities that drew me in.A lot of the reason I got invested in finding out more about Indian music was to improve my ability with rhythm. In

both types of music, there is also a lot of improvisation, which is the other thing that we both share and what makes it so interesting to blend.”

Even with these similarities, there were some challenges along the way. In particular, the decision to incorporate the big band style in the show because Indian music is typically performed with a small number of musicians.

Evans explained how they went about overcoming this challenging, “selecting what was going to be appropriate to this context was something that we thought about quite carefully. So we’ve chosen specify types of melodies from the Indian side of the music, because they would work best with the big band whilst maintaining the integrity of all of the various influences.”

With Bridge Of Dreams being such a unique collaboration we asked Evans how accessible it will be for audiences who may not be familiar with Indian music.

“I think this show is quite accessible. There are some really fantastic grooves, so people who enjoy reggae or Latin music or funk will enjoy the rhythmic grooves of the music. It’s also very melodic and beautiful, which any audience can understand. Anybody will be able to find some element of the show that they will be able to enjoy.”

Jan 12. City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Pl, Sydney. $40-$50+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.cityrecitalhall.com

Deerhunter - Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?

Ever wondered what techno would sound like if it had been a genre during the Middle Ages? The answer lies with Deerhunter’s latest album Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?

The entire album seems to come from nowhere – a message out of time regarding the disappearance of culture, nature, logic and humanity.

From the strong harpsichord intro on Death In Midsummer to the electric instrumentals in Greenpoint Gothic, the new record gives off major Medieval vibes. As the songs’ titles imply, the album carries haunting themes throughout, maintaining a melancholy tone.

The innovative use of the harpsichord revamped the antiquated instrument for a 21st century crowd. Deerhunter also experiments with various microphone, drum kit, keyboard and guitar sounds.

Regardless of your usual musical preferences, this album is worth giving a listen sheerly for its creativity. (EE) WWWW

Ensemble Offspring

Suppression Dam

By Jamie Apps Three internationally-renowned art music ensembles, Ensemble Offspring (Sydney), International Contemporary Ensemble (New York/Chicago) and Ensemble Adapter (Berlin), are set to unite at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC) for a world-exclusive performance this weekend.

By combining the forces of the three groups Suppression Dam will present a surround-sound experience in the vast Turbine Hall, for Sydney Festival’s first ever visit to CPAC.

Aquaman

After years of waiting DC have finally redeemed themselves from the slew of flops that have been coming out of the studio.

Aquaman is the sixth instalment in the DCEU with James Wan directing the story by Will Beall, Geoff Johns, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Wan. The superhero film features a star-studded cast of Jason

Mamoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren,Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman.

The story follows Arthur Curry, the secret identity of Aquaman, as he fights against his brother to claim the throne of Atlantis before Orm can declare war on the surface world. To prove his worthiness Aquaman makes

Featuring ARIA award-winning percussionist and Artistic Director of Ensemble Offspring Claire Edwardes, the performance sees the three avant-garde heavyweights uniting to perform two vital, transcendent pieces from forward-thinking Australian composers: The Dam by Kate Moore, and Cleave by Natasha Anderson.

“We are beyond thrilled to present Suppression Dam here at Casula – the only place in the entire world you’ll catch this incredible supergroup of art music titans!” said CPAC Director, Craig Donarski.

Jan 12-13. Casula Powerhouse, 1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula. $25-$70+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.casulapowerhouse.com

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

his way to the deepest depths of the ocean to retrieve the mythical golden trident and thus unite land and sea.

Taking a break from the usual dark and ominous feel of the DC Universe, Aquaman doesn’t take itself too seriously while providing genuine entertainment and action. (RH) WWWW

From DreamWorks Animation comes the third instalment from the How To Train Your Dragon saga, The Hidden World.

The beloved Hiccup is now chief of his hometown Burk, with girlfriend Astrid leading beside him. His relationship with his companion and pet dragon Toothless becomes

strained when a new and intriguing dragon is introduced.

Filled with action, emotion, all new dragons and enemies, the third and final addition to the How To Train Your Dragon series is the perfect ending to the saga. With budding romances, fierce battles and tearful goodbyes, the film

lands all the right punches.

Enjoyable for children and adults alike, The Hidden World supplies audiences with everything they could have wanted, and more, for the final farewell to Hiccup, Toothless and all the dragons and Vikings from Burk. (MB) WWWWW city hub 10 JANUARY 2019

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