City Hub 17 July 2014

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July 17, 2014

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The inaugural national choreography awards announced this week

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Dangerous inner city housing operation uncovered

BY Lucia Osborne-Crowley Following a fire in an overcrowded property in Alexandria on July 2, the City Hub has identified a series of up to 150 unauthorised boarding houses throughout the city, all of which appear to be part of a single operation. An undercover investigation found dangerously overcrowded living conditions with tenants sharing small rooms with up to 5 other people with some even sleeping on the living room floor.

City Hub can also reveal that the operation of these boarding houses was reported to the City of Sydney Council in May 2014 but council appears to have taken no action as a result of the complaint.

The investigation located the boarding houses through a series of online advertisements. City Hub then spoke to a number of tenants and managers of the properties while posing as a prospective resident.

The site of the July 2 fire in Alexandria was not investigated by council despite the fact a complaint had been made: “Unfortunately, contrary to City procedures, the complaint was not logged in the internal records system and was therefore not found or investigated,” a City of Sydney spokesperson said.

The fire occurred shortly after council investigated and evicted yet another overcrowded property on Quarry Street in Ultimo.

During the investigation, City Hub was informed the properties inspected, as well as up to 150 others, are managed out of a supermarket on Regent Street in Chippendale.

It was alleged the supermarket in question also

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operates the property at Quarry Street, which was reported to council in May of this year. However, it appears the supermarket was not investigated by council following the Quarry Street eviction.

In fact, despite the eviction of the Quarry St property in May, City Hub confirmed it is once again operating as a boarding house as of July 15, 2014.

City Hub visited seven separate properties during the course of this investigation, each housing up to 15 tenants. The apartments included a series of bunk beds accommodating four to six people in each bedroom and four people in the common living room and kitchen area.

Tenants slept on floors and unstable bunk beds that were made to fit into any available space, including in common living spaces and hallways.

One paying tenant slept on the living room sofa.

Apartments housing up to 15 tenants relied on single toilets and kitchen facilities, which appeared unsanitary and undermaintained.

The apartments investigated are located in Chippendale and Ultimo. It was alleged there are other apartments managed by the same individuals in the CBD. The apartments are being advertised for between $100 and $170 per week with a bond of $300 and a fee for the provision of extra swipe cards for each extra tenant.

During the investigation, it was observed that each apartment displayed a notice on the fridge instructing tenants to pay rent to the Regent Street supermarket directly each week. The apartments, among many others including the Quarry Street property, are also connected by a Facebook page that advertises each property individually.

On the Facebook page, each advertisement includes an offer of “20% discount for buying anything at owner’s supermarket”.

Based on the information obtained during this investigation, City Hub calculates the supermarket may be operating up to 150 apartments as unauthorised boarding houses with up to 1,800 tenants in total, resulting in an estimated potential income of up to $14 million per year.

The apartments have not been authorised for use as boarding houses or backpacker accommodation.

This type of overcrowded shared-housing operation may also be against the law, according to Kate Gauld, solicitor for the International Student Service at the Redfern Legal Centre.

“What we often see are cases where a head tenant has advertised a property online and crammed extra tenants into an apartment,” she said.

“Often there is deliberate confusion about who is the property’s landlord, with rent being paid in cash and often to a party other than the property’s owner.

“It is illegal for head tenants to exploit international students in this way.”

It was alleged during the undercover investigation the person running the operation employs between eleven and fifteen individuals, most of whom are

Two sets of bunk beds located in an apartment living room

in Australia on student or holiday visas, to manage between ten and fifteen apartments each. These managers are allegedly employed to ensure the apartments are as full as possible at all times and ensure rent is paid to the supermarket on time.

A complaint was made regarding the supermarket in question and was recorded by council in May of this year.

An Assessment Report for the Development Application (DA) for the supermarket was released by council when a decision was made regarding the DA on May 20, 2014.

One objector to the DA stated: “The proposed grocery store is operating as a reception for the illegal subletting of nearby residential units.”

In response to the submission, the DA states: “With regard to illegal subletting of nearby residential units, the matter has been forwarded to Council’s Health and Building Unit for further investigation.”

A media spokesperson for the City of Sydney said the matter had been forwarded to the Health and Building Unit. However, a source from the Health and Building Unit told City Hub no investigation was taking place regarding the property.

The City of Sydney spokesperson said the City was unable to comment on ongoing investigations.

The spokesperson explained that typically a report of this nature would be investigated by council through a series of reviews, inspections and interviews.

“The City receives numerous inquiries each week relating to non-approved residential uses.”

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altmediasydney A bedroom accommodating four people in a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney CBD

“Investigation of non-approved residential uses typically involves research of the site and its approvals, a review of known residential accommodation sites, followed by an inspection and interviews with tenants and owners, or alleged operators.”

In the case of the properties in Ultimo and Chippendale, investigations into the tenants and owners of the property do not appear to have taken place. In the case of Alexandria, the complaints were not investigated at all. It appears the above protocol was not followed in any of these three instances.

A source at the City of Sydney explained that as well as being a fire hazard, overcrowding poses a serious threat to the structural integrity of inner city buildings, making it a safety issue for all surrounding residents. Housing extra tenants in multiple apartments can cause serious plumbing issues as well as instability in the building’s framework.

City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott called on council to be more rigorous in its response to these complaints.

“We need a clear and easy procedure for residents to report these issues to council and we need to ensure these complaints are responded to by council in a timely and appropriate fashion,” she said.

Liberal Councillor Edward Mandla told City Hub the City’s emphasis on procedures is to be blamed for the lack of action taken on these complaints.

“Council’s dysfunctional culture of too many processes and checkboxes has stifled out human ingenuity and common sense. We all pat each other on the back for following procedure but the problem is being completely ignored,” Cr Mandla said.

Cr Mandla and Cr Scott outlined their concerns that the problem of illegal boarding houses is a result of the broader problem of a lack of affordable housing in the inner city.

Urbanest, the most recent developer to build student accommodation in the City of Sydney area, charges up to $542 per person per week for their housing – this is three times the rent charged by the unauthorised boarding houses in question.

The City of Sydney Council urged residents to continue making complaints about overcrowded properties in order for Council to address the problem.

City Hub has passed on all information uncovered in this investigation to the relevant authorities.

The Redfern Legal Centre offers legal support to students living in this type of accommodation and has been able to reclaim illegal payments made to landlords, according to Ms Gauld.

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Tent Embassy calls for AHC investigation

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“The vision from the early 70s and the AHC’s setup is very different from the corporate model now. It’s totally disconnected from the original residents of The Block,” she said.

Sunday night’s sit-in at The Block has continued throughout the week, and the Tent Embassy plans to maintain the protest until the development is called off entirely.

“There are a lot of people who are in and out every day, and the elders of the Tent Embassy are always there,” Mr Blakeney said.

The protest has also arranged to increase their presence if construction begins.

“If the bulldozers roll in tomorrow morning, everyone will get a call and they’ll show up.”

“The contract with the construction company, DeiCorp, runs out in a few months so they have

until then to forcibly remove the Tent Embassy from the block.”

City Hub was told DeiCorp is unable to comment as its spokesperson is currently on annual leave.

Michael Mundine, CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Company, told City Hub the protests would not stop the construction from going ahead, and confirmed the AHC has no plans to cancel the project.

“These protests will not stop us. Nothing will stop us,” Mr Mundine said.

“The construction will go ahead regardless.”

Mr Blakeney said he and the Tent Embassy had reached a consensus on the plan to launch an investigation and they are now beginning to plan the practical steps they will be taking to this end.

Photo: Kate Ausburn

BY Lucia Osborne-Crowley Kyol Blakeney, an Indigenous Officer at the University of Sydney, met with Redfern Tent Embassy elders earlier this week to discuss launching an official investigation into the Aboriginal Housing Company’s (AHC) allocation of funds over the last ten years.

This proposal follows last Sunday’s sit-in (June 7th) at the Redfern Tent Embassy to protest the beginning of construction of the AHC’s Pemulwuy Project. The protestors oppose the use of AHC funds to construct unaffordable student housing in The Block.

The protest succeeded in delaying construction and the proposal for an official inquiry aims to close the project down altogether.

Mr Blakeney and the Tent Embassy are proposing an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption into the use of AHC funds leading up to the Pemulwuy Project planning. They are also proposing the Sydney University Welfare Officers lodge a freedom of information request on behalf of the Redfern Tent Embassy.

“We feel that this is the quickest way to achieve transparency through law,” Mr Blakeney said.

“The reasoning for the commercial student housing development going up is to make profit for the AHC, but if they’ve had ten years of sponsorship and other income, then where has it gone and why haven’t any houses been built?”

Mr Blakeney said the proposal is still in its development stages.

A major issue surrounding the Pemulwuy Project controversy is whether or not Sydney University still has investment in The Block, according to Mr Blakeney.

When asked about last week’s protest, City of Sydney Councillor Irene Doutney expressed concerns about the operation of the AHC.

news in brief Candle-lit vigil to be held for women’s only services

A candle-lit vigil run by University group Students for Women’s Only Services will be held at Pitt Street Mall in the Sydney CBD at 5.30pm on Thursday July 24. At the rally, organisers will be seeking signatories for a petition they plan to submit to the NSW parliament in August.

The petition calls for the restoration of funding to women’s only homelessness services in NSW. Amy Knox, Women’s Officer of the NSW branch of the National Union of Students expressed hope the vigil will draw attention to the issue. She said the rally is “a practical way to alleviate the impact of the reforms and recognise the sadness of these closures”.

Identity theft increasing in Eastern Suburbs

Eastern Suburbs Local Area Command [LAC] Police have delivered a warning to residents in the precinct following rising thefts from letter boxes and heightened activity by identity thieves.

Blockade for The Block, Sunday July 7

Police have warned Eastern Suburbs residents to take precautionary measures in these areas. Unit block letter boxes have been targeted by organised criminals participating in mail theft across the city. A spokesperson from Australia Post said customers should immediately report any mail theft to the police. “Mail that goes missing from a resident’s letterbox after it has been delivered is a criminal matter.”

Black Saturday bushfire victims secure settlement On Tuesday July 15, Maurice Blackburn lawyers announced a settlement has been secured for the victims of the 2009 Kilmore East - Kinglake Black Saturday bushfires which affected 1242 properties in the area and killed 119 residents. Close to $500 million, the settlement is the largest in Australian legal history. Lead plaintiff Carol Matthews spoke publicly for the first time since the class action began in a press conference held to announce the settlement on Tuesday morning.

WestConnex uncertainty to continue to 2015

BY Jessica Yun House owners cannot be certain if the NSW Government will acquire their property until the final WestConnex development plans are released in mid2015.

Though a number of residents and tenants have received acquisition notices, a WestConnex Delivery Authority spokesperson confirmed that planning was still at the conceptual stage.

In late June, the state government notified a number of residents saying their property would need to be acquired to make way for WestConnex, but then notified them again stating otherwise.

Haberfield resident Vincent Crow, 65, received a letter and an email both dated June 26. The email arrived first, stating the NSW Government would be acquiring his unit. The following day the letter arrived stating otherwise. Mr Crow then received a phone call that day confirming that the letter was correct and the email should be disregarded.

While Mr Crow does not live in the unit himself, he leases it to tenants who are subject to the changes and are left feeling uncertain.

“The tenants don’t know whether they’ll be staying there or whether they’ll be asked to leave. … [WDA] haven’t worked out the final plans for WestConnex yet. It’s all still in the concept stage. So they might actually change their mind again, which is a possibility.”

“We might get a letter next week saying ‘We’ve changed our mind and we want your block of units after all’,” Mr

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Crow said.

Due to a database error, ten incorrect emails were sent to property owners, according to a WestConnex Delivery Authority spokesperson. WDA officers sought to rectify the problem and contacted all but one property owner.

Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay has acknowledged the issue.

“What happened shouldn’t have happened and it’s raised questions within the community.”

“My job is to make sure this doesn’t happen again. But it highlights that, despite being quiet on the subject, Labor is opposed to WestConnex and is using every opportunity to create unnecessary community concern.”

This misinformation has created confusion for residents, and a number of politicians have called the WestConnex project into question as a result. Among those politicians is Greens Member of the NSW Legislative Council Dr Mehreen Faruqi.

“It is clear that WestConnex was just a line on the map when announced, with no level of detail, planning or analysis of alternative options for easing congestion in Sydney. It is therefore no surprise that the transport planning is in chaos,” she said.

“The WestConnex tollroad is the largest infrastructure project in Australia, costing $13 billion and yet the community has not seen any justification for why this

is a priority.”

NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson and Marrickville Mayor Jo Haylen have also called for clarity regarding WestConnex development plans.

“There’s a clear lack of concern for the local residents whose homes hang in the balance here. The government should not be alarming residents when, in reality, the route is not finalised,” said Mr Robertson.

“Our main concern at the moment is that the government keeps changing the information provided to residents about what’s going on with that project. It’s pretty clear that the government can’t plan this road, and so citizens can’t plan their lives,” said Ms Haylen.

Vince Crow’s property was one of the subjects of incorrect emails sent out regarding WestConnex acquisitions

The community has not been receptive to WestConnex thus far, according to Dr Faruqi.

“I have not spoken to one resident or community group who have good things to say about the community consultation of WestConnex.”

Mr Robertson is concerned that residents are becoming casualties in the Liberal Government’s bid to improve their public image.

“The Liberals are desperate to look like they are building infrastructure. However, the reality is the WestConnex project is nothing more than a line on a map and some animations. Now we discover that that line is far from permanent and is changing,” said Mr Robertson.

“This rush has been to the detriment and confusion of local residents who have previously been told they are in the path of the planned road.”

Dr Faruqi shares these concerns.

“Investing billions of dollars without detailed justification and then changing these on a political whim does not stack up as good decision-making.”

For Mayor Jo Haylen, the primary concern is the impact the conflicting information is having on residents, businesses and vulnerable groups of the inner west community.

“There are a whole lot of residents, many of whom have lived in their property for thirty or forty years. A lot are from the Italian community and therefore English is a second language who are grappling with this constant change; this information that changes daily from the government.”

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class public transport improvement via CSELR light rail” but that using High Cross Park land was “not necessary and should be avoided”.

“All Randwick Councillors want to keep High Cross Park available to the public as open space and as heritage use,” said Cr Shurey.

Outside of the council resolution sits a possible confrontation over the transfer of a Rainbow St site to council for parking purposes.

Greens Councillor Murray Matson is supportive of the CSELR project, yet opposes the government auctioning the site.

“The Market site land issue is particularly painful given that the Government may force Randwick

Council to bid at auction. This unsympathetic disregard for the local area’s parking needs is not reasonable nor helpful,” said Cr Matson.

A June 16 email from TfNSW to council confirmed that it has no current intention to put the site up for a competitive tender process.

No agreement has been reached between the two parties yet, and the sale or transfer of the land to council is still uncertain.

Randwick community group Save Randwick’s Environment & Heritage With Improved Light Rail Design met earlier this month with Coogee State MP Bruce Notley-Smith.

Mr. Smith made it clear that

Photo: Transport for NSW

BY Joshua Tassell The Randwick leg of the recently approved Sydney CBD and South-East Light Rail (CSELR) has been heavily criticised by community groups and local politicians.

Tensions between Randwick City Council and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) culminated in council’s rejection of the development agreement with TfNSW on June 24.

The resolution summarily rejected the development agreement due to ongoing concerns with the controversial High Cross Park interchange, parking loss, tree loss and a lack of transparency to bus timetable alterations.

“Keeping Sydney ‘Open for Business’ during construction of light rail is a priority for the Government and we will continue to work collaboratively with councils, businesses and local communities to deliver the project successfully,” said a spokesperson for TfNSW. Greens Councillor Lindsay Shurey has put forward a motion seeking state government assistance to buy properties in either High Street or Avoca Street as alternative sites for the High Cross Park bus/ light rail interchange.

Cr Shurey says that the Greens want to work with the Government to achieve a “first

An artist’s impression of the light rail development at Moore Park

despite the estimated loss of 760 trees along the entire CSELR route, TfNSW did not want to remove any trees unless it was absolutely necessary. In spite of this, “no specific guarantees can be given regarding which trees can be saved from removal because detailed design had not been accomplished”.

The contestation surrounding the Randwick leg of the CSELR has been complemented by a perceived lack of transparency in the CBD community forum run

by TfNSW. Community group People United for Surry Hills attended the CBD forum and complained that it was unsuccessful.

“The CBD forum was a similar display to the Surry Hills forum where little or no information was forthcoming. These sessions are window dressing to tick the community consultation boxes on their project schedule,” they said.

TfNSW refuted these claims by pointing to wide support for the business forums.

“The forums provide businesses with the opportunity to provide feedback about delivery of the project and work with the project team on measures to minimise impacts during construction.”

TfNSW are yet to propose another development agreement with Randwick Council.

Cartoon: Peter Berner

Randwick light rail project in deadlock

Miranda Devine will blame Clover Moore for the Cooks River Flasher

By Nick Possum “Hey Joadja, how would you like to help me catch the Cooks River Flasher?”

“The who?” Jo asked.

I was holed up in the Brushtail Cafe sipping a cider with Old Stan, the retired colonel and scanning through the police media releases on the web, which is a fun way to keep up with the grungy street-level side of social madness.

“Hilarious. There’s this bike-riding flasher who strikes between 4 and 6 pm along the shared path on the northern side of the Cooks River between Steel Park and Mackey Park. Listen to this police media release from Friday last week: “Police are looking for a man responsible for a number of lewd acts while riding his bike through the Marrickville area.”

“Blah, blah … ‘have received several complaints from women who have been targeted by the man

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as they walked along a path near the Cooks River. ... Incidents have occurred between 4pm and 6pm on a 700m stretch of path between Mackey Park and Steel Park, during the past two months. “‘The man reportedly cycles towards the victim, steering with one hand while performing the act with his other hand.”

“I always wondered why they were called ‘handle bars’. And I just love that understated police prose: ‘While performing the act’. Wonderful.”

“Anyway, it goes on ... ‘Caucasian appearance, aged in his 30s or 40s, with a medium build. At the time he was wearing loose-fitting shorts, glasses, a white or silver helmet, and was riding a bike.’”

“Loose-fitting shorts! The guy sounds like a fashion tragic. I mean most respectable male cyclists – like Tony Abbott – expose themselves by wearing loud lycra skin grafts.

“But the crazy thing is, it’s a really old-fashioned sort of offence. It’s decades since I’ve heard any stories about flashers.

“Might be something to do with fashions in clothing. Back in the day, flashers traditionally wore dirty button-up raincoats. They’d suddenly flash open the raincoats and show women the goods. But who wears old gabardine raincoats these days?

You can’t even find them in opshops.”

“Ah, the rise and rise of cycling, eh”, said Old Stan, whose bike was parked outside. “Did anybody get

a description of the bike? Was it a town bike?”

“Listen up. Any more terrible jokes like that and it’s ‘on yer bike’ for you,” Joadja said.

“Anyway Jo, how about you take Jesse Dingo and walk up and down between Steel and Mackey, and Stan and I can lurk with cameras at either end and you can get flashed and then ring us and then we can get a picture of him. Terrific fun,” I said.

“No thank you very much,” Jo snorted, “It’s a police matter. You’re just a private dick – sorry about the unfortunate choice of slang. Why’s it anything to do with you?”

“Aw, I just haven’t got any cases going at the moment. Besides, it sometimes helps with other matters if one does a favour for the cops now and then. Keeps the line of communications open, so to speak.

And think about how the forces of evil and darkness will exploit this.

When the Murdoch press get hold of it they’ll say it’s Clover Moore’s fault for encouraging cycling. I could write Miranda Devine’s column for you: Clover builds cycleways. More cycleways, more cyclists, more twowheel flashers. Public decency is under siege. The Cooks River Flasher is just the tip of the, er, iceberg. The logic is inescapable.”

“You’re right,” Jo said. “Then Duncan Gay will use him as an excuse to introduce licence fees and rego plates for bicycles and that nasty Pru Goward will suggest that the way to stop such outrages

against public decency is for Urban Growth NSW to resume all the homes along the river and sell them to the developers so they can put up a wall of high-rise apartments looking down on the path. It’ll be a short step from that to turning the riverbank into a freeway. The old Department of Main Roads wanted

to do that, you know, and the roads guys never throw away their old plans.

“We need to catch this guy quick.

Before it gets out of control.”

(Cooks River Flasher incidents should be reported to Marrickville detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000)

More cycleways, more cyclists, more two-wheel flashers in loose shorts. For the Murdoch press the logic will be inescapable

Bondi art culture flourishing as school expands

BY Nick Richardson Waverley Woollahra Art School in Bondi has announced a series of new classes and tutors for the incoming third term of the year, increasing the range of classes available and expanding classes for new students.

The school has been in operation since 1968 and, alongside newer arts events in Bondi such as Bondi Feast and Flickerfest, has played a significant role in Bondi’s development as an artistic hub in recent years.

“It’s a good resource for the community,” said the Chairperson of the Waverley Woollahra Arts School, Prue Cancian. “We have a lot of

returning students and are a good quality art school.”

Part of the school’s expansion has centred on the move away from traditional painting and drawing, towards developing disciplines as wide ranging as street art and graphic design.

One such class is Richard Briggs’ ‘Streetscape Sketching’ classes, which will begin next term.

“The course will focus on drawing and sketching, especially urban sketching,” said Mr Briggs.

“I’d love to plant the seeds in students’ minds to practice drawing streets not only in Bondi, but in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst. I’d like to

Waverley Art Prize Open Prize Winner, Kristen Lethem’s ‘Summer Hill Road’

encourage students with ways of seeing urban environments.”

Mr Briggs, whose background is in architecture, was drawn to sense of community offered by the school and the local area. He had previously worked on Marrickville Council’s mural program.

“I like to draw what’s important to communities,” said Mr Briggs. “It’s about trying to capture that essence of place. It shouldn’t just be a piece of art but a means of starting a conversation.”

Robert Enemark has been a student at the school for ten years after falling in love with the discipline of printmaking.

“The teaching drew me there,” said Mr Enemark. “But we could do with more funds.”

The school survives off grants and subsidies from Waverley and Woollahra councils, and Mr Enemark thinks councils could do more for the school and the local arts scene.

“Councils could offer more support. A better equipped art school will attract more pupils,” Mr Enemark said.

Waverly Mayor Sally Betts endorsed the school on Thursday, July 3rd when she announced this year’s Waverly Art Prize at the site.

Mr Briggs agrees that more could be done to grow Bondi’s art culture.

“Marrickville Council are really encouraging art projects to enliven the streets. It would be nice if Waverley council tried something similar,” he said.

According to Mr Briggs, councils have a crucial role to play in encouraging and building local artistic spaces.

“Art certainly has a place in the public realm,” said Mr Briggs. “There are heaps of spaces in Waverley that could have art.There are a lot of artists out there who just need an opportunity.”

MEET THE LOCALS

Barnardos Adolescent Services Barnardos Adolescent Services has begun recruiting foster carers from across Sydney to assist young people aged 12-18 who are in need of a stable home.

The project provides training for new carers by its resident caseworkers and then assigns each carer a young person in the community in need of a safe refuge outside of home. Last year, Barnardos Adolescent Services assisted 41 young people across

Sydney who had experienced difficulties in their home lives.

The program is designed to provide out-of-home care to young people who cannot live at home safely. The program trains foster carers to provide long-term care, crisis care and respite care. Barnardos Adolescent Services is now looking for foster carers aged 25 or over with a spare room and enough spare time to care for a child.

20 Eight Avenue, Campsie NSW 2194, 9787 4440

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By MELODY TEH There are over a hundred awards for the arts in Australia, but there is not a single one that is dedicated to the art of choreography. It was this realisation that inspired philanthropist Phillip Keir to create Australia’s first major award for the sometimes overlooked and underappreciated contemporary art form. With the partnership of Sydney’s multi-arts organisation Carriageworks, Melbourne’s independent dance centre Dancehouse and the Keir Foundation, a private ancillary fund Keir established with his wife, the Keir Choreographic Awards was born.

“When I got to a certain point of setting up the [Keir] Foundation, dance was one of the first areas that I started to look at,” says Keir. “I think it’s vital and it’s very strong, and there are lots of people innovating in all kinds of form, but I felt what I could bring is to help give some of these artists and this community a higher profile.”

Keir’s two decades of experience in the media helped direct him. “What I’ve noticed is when there are cash awards, all of a sudden you get a different type of coverage and a different way of talking about these things,” he says.

Competitions bring audiences and certainly one with a generous $30,000 cash prize for the winner, as well as an additional $10,000 awarded to the audience’s favourite choice.

While there can only be one grand winner, Keir was determined to make it an award where everybody wins. Eight artists chosen from entries submitted earlier this year were commissioned to develop their ideas into 20-minute works with support from Carriageworks or Dancehouse.

For finalist Jane McKernan, who isn’t normally a fan of competitions, the experience has been wonderful. “It’s great to have money to make your own work without going through the process of writing grant applications and everything else, and to be able to rehearse at Carriageworks.”

With time and help to delve into their ideas, the eight artists then had a platform to showcase their work to judges and audiences in the semi-final performances at Dancehouse over two weeks. Out of the original eight, four finalists emerged – Atlanta Eke, Jane McKernan, Matthew Day and Sarah Aiken – and they will battle it out for the top prize in the finals held at Carriageworks on July 19.

Carriageworks director, Lisa

Havilah, is excited to be hosting the finals, particularly as she’s been impressed with the bold new works by the artists. “[While choreography] does come from that form of contemporary dance practice, there’s been really experimental work that moves between sculptural practices, video practices and contemporary dance practices,” says Havilah.

“It’s really great that the award is a new thing so it doesn’t have any parameters around it.”

Strict parameters and rules is precisely what Keir doesn’t want.

“We’ve taken the broadest possible definition of what choreography is,” he says. Keir wanted the awards to be as open as possible so artists from all disciplines, not just a conventional dance background, would be inspired to create original works. “People have come from visual arts, from music, as well as from dance,” adds Keir, although the “choreographic question” of concept and process is still key.

The judging panel includes Swedish choreographer Mårten Spångberg, New York curator Matthew Lyons, director of Melbourne Festival Josephine Ridge, Australian choreographer Becky Hilton, as well as Keir himself. The mix of international and national judges coming from

different disciplines is again a measure to ensure the process is fair. “By having two international judges, it meant there were people from outside who wouldn’t necessarily know the local artists,” says Keir. The diverse judging panel would hopefully help artists concentrate on their own ideas and not be constrained by the thought “if I want to be successful I need to make that sort of work to fit in with that kind of judge.”

It’s not just the judges’ opinions that matter, though, with the audience getting a say in the audience choice award. It’s a prize that Keir hopes will create a public conversation around contemporary choreography.

“We wanted to make it a way of talking about choreography.

When people see four pieces in an evening, they can decide if they like one because of that or didn’t like that one so much because of that,” Keir says.

McKernan, a choreographer and performer herself, encourages audiences to ask questions and speak to all of the choreographers. “It’s good to hear feedback,” she says.

With eight new experimental works coming out of the Keir Choreographic Awards, it is an award less about the prizes and more about experiencing the many possibilities in the

Photo: Chris Peken

Cultivating choreography

Angela Koh and Lizzie Thomson from Jane McKernan’s entry. independent dance sector. “I hope that these artists go on to bigger and greater things, and I hope the pieces extend to larger works,” says Keir. But most of all, Keir hopes the awards will initiate new audiences into the sometimes

EAT & DRINK

The Spice Cellar While the somewhat lurid colours of this year’s Vivid painted this town, I slipped twenty feet underground to investigate this sunken cellar. By cleverly rolling everything you want from a small bar - food, wine and cocktails - in with a nightclub vibe - DJs and dancing - they’ve created the perfect way to avoid the Sydney lockout blues. Fuel your mini-club adventure $ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS

The Soda Factory The Prohibition era vibe comes through strongly with white shirted, apron-clad barmen at your beck and call.Wanting to stay adult with my cocktail selections, I skipped the soda syphons for a black pepper-spicy Mexican Standoff ($19).The menu has expanded from hotdogs to Harlem heart attacks: Fried Chicken and Waffles ($16) with pots of clarified butter and maple syrup.The Pulled Pork Burger ($15) is not too wet, but not too dry; the Texan BBQ Pork Ribs ($14) are equally delightful, while Cheeseburger Spring Rolls ($9) offer some finger food fun with tomato and 12

strange but always fascinating world of contemporary choreography. (MT) Keir Choreographic Finals, Jul 17-19, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh, $35, carriageworks.com.au

By Jackie McMillan with a better than average bar food selection, that might see you start with witlof boats of Tuna Crudo ($15/3 pieces) dusted with fresh horseradish, or a duo of freshly shucked Oysters ($8) with Champagne mignonette.Vegetarian dishes are well represented on the short menu, from baked feta-stuffed Filo Cigars ($9/4 piece) to fat golden slabs of Grilled Haloumi ($12/4 piece) with shaved cucumber, lemon and dill.

The standout is a Warm Cauliflower Salad ($8) with chickpeas, parsley, tahini and black sesame seeds.

The light and surprisingly healthy dishes suit wines including the Spanish 2012 Colours Chardonnay ($9/ glass), however if you ask me, cocktails are where this bar shines, starting with a cleverly designed absinthe float on the gin and pink grapefruit-based Good Voodoo ($18). Later in the evening, Keep On Keeping On ($18), with an energy boosting glass of bananainfused Tennessee whisky stirred over ice with bitters and smoked maple syrup.

Basement, 58 Elizabeth Street, Sydney (02) 9223 5585 thespicecellar.com.au Cocktails, Bar Food $-$$ $$$ - mains between $22-$30

mustard.This sort of food calls for beer, and the best beer here is the ontap Monteiths American Pale Ale ($9).

16 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills (02) sodafactory.com.au American, Cocktails $ The Farmed Table Comforting and homey – two words I don’t usually associate with the dining offerings in Surry Hills.Yet it’s exactly what Chef Brendan Cato achieves when he takes over Bangbang Café with a healthy Saturday night pop-up called The Farmed Table. Brendan’s a keen forager, and this Menu ($55/ head) was inspired by visiting the Hawkesbury/Hunter region.With two shared dishes, and three individual dishes, it’s good value, even with (bottomless) biodynamic Wine ($80/

$$$$ - mains over $30

head).Tip-top vegetables shine in charred broccoli shoots with cured mullet roe and Meyer lemon. Beautiful Hawkesbury calamari cooked gently in its own ink is presented with river prawns and chickweed before a dessert of rhubarb with lavender cream takes me back to Grandma’s house.

Bangbang Cafe, 113 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills (02) 9281 0018 facebook.com/thefarmedtable Modern Australian $$ The Clock Hotel Inspired by Spain’s tonicas, dedicated gin and tonic bars, mixologist Jeremy Shipley has scoured the globe for fourteen local and international gins.

I started with The Botanist ($13) – a serious Scottish gin with New

Casa Ristorante Italiano “I’d come here for espresso martinis and the chocolate tart,” declares my dining companion at the end of our meal. She’s not wrong – the smooth Sovereign Espresso Martini ($18) with Patrón XO Café and Grey Goose would make an affable postmeal companion for their standout Warm Chocolate Tart ($12). I’m sipping Old Smokey ($18) another martini-style drink uniting Remy Martin VSOP Cognac Zealand’s Quina-Fina (low sugar) tonic and mint.After dabbling in Spain with Gin Mare ($12), I found my sweet spot with Hayman’s Old Tom ($10).

You’ll also find gin cocktails like Hotel Georgia ($16), clever snacks like Mini Cuban Sliders ($8) with New York pastrami and beet relish, plus some of the best thin-crust pizzas I’ve seen in a pub. My hit pizzas are the vegetarian Mushrooms, Pumpkin, Zucchini,Treviso ($18) and the Pork and Fennel Sausage with Artichoke and Mint ($18).

470 Crown Street, Surry Hills (02) 9331 5333 clockhotel.com.au Pub Bistro, Pizza $$ ROCKS & CBD Pendolino Niño Zoccali’s two restaurants, La Rosa and Pendolino, sit at either end of this picturesque Victorian arcade.The older

and Ardbeg 10-year whisky using a dash of Disaronno Amaretto. It’s a cut above what I’d expect to be drinking in Darling Harbour, at the site formerly known as Casa di Nico; and testament to the success of their shift from a family-style red and white tablecloths joint, to a more sophisticated eating and drinking venue. And if you’re after drinking snacks, the pumpkin and smoked mozzarella Arancini ($16.90) here, eat better than most. Paul Papadopolous’s (DS17) redesign included making space for a traditional wood fire pizza oven, so do try out Sicilian-born pizzaiolo Salvatore D’Avola’s work, perhaps alla Gamberi ($27.90) dotted with prawns, goat’s milk fetta, semi-dried tomatoes and rocket? You’ll also find a charry 400g Angus Bistecca Alla Fiorentina ($34.90) cooked on the bone and served with lovely rosemary potatoes; plus Lobster and Crab Ravioli ($29.90) in a shellfish butter sauce – pasta a shade thick for my taste, but decadent none-the-less.

42-48 The Promenade, King Street Wharf, Sydney (02) 9279 4115 lovecasa.com.au Italian, Pizza, Cocktails $$$-$$$$

sibling has a dark, moody seriousness.

It softly whispers: red wine; then seduces you with Ravioli Di Magro Con Burro Fusso ($27.90/$39.90).The hand-made, al dente spinach ravioli glisten under burnt butter, crisp sage leaves and Parmigiano Reggiano.This near-religious experience eclipses my Slow-Roasted Duck Leg ($43.60) main; though Raw Beef Carpaccio ($26.50) with wild baby olives, rocket cress and Tetsun di Barolo impresses. Desserts are a triumph, particularly Meringata Di Fragolini E Rabarbaro ($17.90) - a meringue cake that kicks the Eton Mess to the kerb, accompanied by braised rhubarb and wild strawberries, Lambrusco jelly and strawberry sorbet.

Shop 100, Level 2,The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney (02) 9231 6117 pendolino.com.au Italian $$$$ The Bridge Room Sliding into a stylish but comfortable

Autoban chair in this relaxed dining room, it’s evident you’re in for a seamless experience. Having had his fill of Sydney toques, Chef Ross Lusted revisits the charcoal grilling of his South African youth.That’s not to suggest dishes like Moreton Bay Bugs, Sweet Grilled Endive,Tamarind and Roasted Chilli Paste ($35) lack complexity; rather it’s that Lusted makes them look simple. Hand-picked Spanner Crab ($33) with mandarin, Meyer lemon curd, chestnuts and nashi pear impresses, before standout mains like Ocean Trout with Silken Eggplant, Sesame and Puffed Rice ($45) lubricated by roasted tea broth.Your must-have dessert is Burnt Caramel Cream ($16) – re-imagined crème brûlée with mint and juicy pear.

Ground Level, 44 Bridge Street, Sydney (02) 9247 7000 thebridgeroom.com.au Modern Australian $$$$

EAT & DRINK

Ananas Bar & Brasserie They’re assembling quite the gun team over at Ananas, what with Citi Service Excellence Award winner Louise Tamayo stepping in as Venue Manager, and Daniel Mussen (ex-Shady Pines) helping kick the cocktails up to the next level. After 8 ($19) is a prime example, combining two of his loves – whiskey and mint – into a sophisticated tipple with a hint of smoked maple syrup. Samedi Punch ($20) looks deceptively fruity, but turns out to be quite China Republic For me, this restaurant won the battle of Sydney’s Chinese behemoths.The theatre of the duck is the biggest drawcard: Peking Duck ($88/whole) comes with an instruction manual and a tray of Condiments ($2/head).

Emerging from the theatrically dark set of this multi-million dollar space, your white-jacketed chef lights, flames then slices your duck, making a hundred small incisions before you dip, wrap and consume it in fluffy steamed pockets.The 2011 Heemskerk Derwent Valley Pinot Noir ($105/ bottle) kicks it up a whole ‘nother level. Consume it with Beijing-style cold dishes, from crumbly Tofu with Spring Onions and Fish Roe ($12) to Spicy and Sour Cucumber ($9).

Save space for the Labyrinth-inspired Dessert Platter ($21.50/4 people) too.

By Jackie McMillan the smoky player. Executive Chef Paul McGrath has populated the menu with dishes fitting of a French brasserie, including some that hark back to his Bistro Ortolan days, like (reconstructed) Salade Niçoise ($27) with seared yellow fin tuna. Hearty Lamb Navarin ($35) with gremolata-crumbed brain will help keep winter at bay, as do Seared Scallops ($33) with caramelised sweetbreads and Jerusalem artichoke. Pear and cashew notes from the 2012 Patrick Piuze ‘Terroirs de Chichée’ Chablis ($96) provide an elegant foil, and won’t overpower your raw bar selections either, be they Sydney Rock ($4.50/each) or Angasi ($5/each) oysters, fresh Tasmanian uni on a bed of trumpeter, or Yellowfin Tuna Tartare ($20/100g) with freshly grated horseradish. Cold dishes show great finesse across the board, all the way from creamy House-Salted Cod Brandade ($23) to the Charcuterie Selection ($26/3 pieces) of rabbit rillettes and duck liver parfait.

18 Argyle Street, The Rocks (02) 9259 5668 ananas.com.au Modern French, Cocktails,Wine $$$$

World Square Shopping Centre, 680 George Street, Sydney (02) 8081 0888 chinarepublicrestaurant.com.au Chinese $$$$ EASTERN SUBURBS Light Brigade Hotel At its heart, the Light Brigade is a sports bar.The classic pub menu here comes out of the La Scala On Jersey kitchen, and I suspect that now Chef Massimo Mele has bedded in his Italian sharing menu upstairs, we’ll see some movement down here. Now that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with a 250g Char-Grilled Rump Steak ($22), especially on Wednesday nights when they knock ten bucks off the price.

It sings against one of the best green peppercorn sauces I’ve tried in a pub.

Mushroom isn’t bad either, especially

Rocketboy Pizza Dan Luxford is a man “on a mission”: he has a five-year plan to move to his own farm. Keeping him busy in the meantime is taking four of the five Doughboy stores in a new direction - one that will hopefully pave the way. Inspired by an appearance on Matthew Evans’ Gourmet Farmer, Dan took a look at the products he was

putting on pizzas, and decided to start making a sustainable switch. First in line were the prawns, which are now wild-caught Aussie prawns, best shown off against fresh parsley, garlic, lemon and baby spinach, on the simple Chilli Prawn Pizza ($17/M, $22/L, $26/XL). The bases include a healthier spelt option, most enjoyable when it’s consumed hot in the now-green surrounds of the Petersham store.You’ll also find organic chook from Australia’s largest organic poultry producer, Inglewood Farms, popping up on the new Chicken Gorgonzola Pizza ($15/M, $21/L, $25/XL). On your accompanying crisp Caesar Salad ($10) you’ll find free-range eggs and bacon, with the option of Organic Chicken ($2.50).

Consider it a starting point for Dan, who’d actually “love to work with a little farmer.” It’s also a step towards that dream farm, where he’ll get to be the change he wants to see in the world - and I’ll raise my Peroni ($6) to that!

Shop 3, 88-94 New Canterbury Road, Petersham (02) 9550 9988 rocketboypizza.com Pizza $$

($5.50/each) – fried zucchini tacos - and Quesadillas de Espinica ($13) – grilled spinach and The Workers ricotta tortillas - with a Blood and This’ll bring a tear to the eye to Labor Party faithful who remember Sand ($16) Whisky cocktail help Wednesday night comedians go the glory days of Whitlam, Hawke down. and Wran.They’re the dudes 1/292 Darling Street, Balmain on the roof – the question Bar 9318 1547 theworkersbalmain.

Manager Jeremy Baldi gets “asked com.au the most”. Mosey across the Bar Food,Wine, Cocktails $ Astroturf,Woodlands Margaret JamVybz Restaurant & Café River Chardonnay ($43/bottle) Despite Jerk Chicken ($17.99) in hand, to gaze at photographic memorabilia.Tuck into Chihuahuas creeping onto bar menus, there isn’t much authentic Jamaican in ($5.50/each) – mini Mexican hot Sydney.This brightly coloured dogs with grilled franks, jalapenos Glebe flagship cooks it over and cheese – searching for the birth of land rights: Gough pouring wood-fire, coated with tasty jerk marinade producing bona fide sand into Vincent Lingiari’s hands. falling-off-the-bone goodness.

Dude food like Más Verduras INNER WEST

with a plump Chicken Breast Schnitzel ($19). Accompany them with toasty Matilda Bay’s Ruby Tuesday ($6.80/ schooner) or the 2012 Partisan ‘Trenchcoat’ GSM ($44/bottle, $9/ glass).

2A Oxford Street,Woollahra (02) 9357 0888 lightbrigade.com.au Pub Bistro $ Luxe Woollahra Located in Queens Court, or as it appears to be, downtown Provence, the pink stone walls, al fresco dining and designer shops surrounding this café make you feel far from Sydney.

The café’s artisan baked goods are now a perfect side order to the new dinner menu of seasonal share plate specialties from Grilled Peppers ($12) with yuzu salt and creamy goats’ curd; to Scotch Eggs ($12) made with Italian pork sausage and quail eggs;

Initiate yourself with the Chef’s Sample Platter ($18.99) bearing codfish fritters, jerk chicken wings and jerk prawn kebabs.With homemade ‘slaw and pineapple to sweeten the deal, it appeals to both seasoned and unseasoned Caribbean eaters.“Reggae dancehall favourite” Curried Goat ($19) is deliciously tender, while Coconut Curried Shrimp ($22) is mild and easy to eat. Sweet Potato Pudding ($8.50) is warm and deliciously sweet, leaving you feeling the good vibes - driven home by the Bob Marley posters and tunes.

72 Glebe Point Road, Glebe (02) 9571 1158 jamvybzrestaurant.com.au

La Rosa The main dining room of La Rosa feels like stumbling into a confessional, what with candelabras - complete with sooty stains on plastered walls - black screens with rosy cross cut-outs, and long velvet curtains, as richly red as a Roman priest’s cassock. A bevy of black-clad staff move around the dining room with purpose, eyes fixed firmly upon the task at to deliciously soft Miso Eggplant ($8) blanketed in crunchy kale. Match a fleshy tail of Grilled Lobster ($34) dripping in saffron butter with a bottle of King Valley ‘Holly’s Garden’ Pinot Gris ($54) before finishing with a Tahini Biscuit Ice Cream Sandwich ($12).

Queens Court, 118 Queens Street Woollahra (02) 9363 8828 luxesydney.com.au Café, Modern Australian $$$ GREATER SYDNEY Spakka-Napoli Positioned at the end of a weirdly shaped arcade and saddled with a quirky spelling of Spaccanapoli (the road that bisects Naples), this restaurant makes you work for your reward: lightly charred, puffy-crusted

hand. When their attention turns to you, things move quickly - first an approachable Aussie 2012 Scott Fiano ($74.90), then a flurry of dishes. Nduja Bruschetta ($16.50) – soft Calabrian salami paste - is bested by our salumi selection, thin slices of cured wild boar sausage - Salsicce ‘Mignon’ di Cinghiale ($16.90) with pickles, bread and olives. The same green Sicilian beauties make a showing in Cetriolo e Schiacciate ($13.50), a side salad which surprises with vibrant, crisp cucumber. It’s a good foil for Cavolfiore al Tartufo ($24), a pizza that tops a credible (though not perfect) base with a decadent mix of roasted cauliflower, buffalo mozzarella and truffled pecorino.

Also in the onslaught are a Char-grilled Asparagus Salad ($22) that sees us hunting for wedges of organic Gorgonzola dolce latte; and simple baked pumpkin and ricotta-filled pasta tubes - Cannelloni col Ripieno di Zucca ($26) - with mustard fruits and Parmigiano. It’s quite the feast.

Shop 133, Level 2, The Strand Arcade, 193 Pitt Street, Sydney (02) 9223 1674 larosathestrand.com.au Italian, Pizza,Wine $$$

Neapolitan pizzas.The Monday/ Tuesday special – three “tapas” dishes and a cocktail for thirty bucks – makes me rethink my ambivalence toward limoncello with The Amalfi ($14.50).

Robust namesake Spakka Napoli ($13.50) sangria is guaranteed to complement their terracotta pots of Meatballs ($9.50), Eggplant Parmigiana ($10.90) and my favourite – Pollo Alla Cacciatore ($9.90).The Eggplant Sausage Pizza ($22.90) special is further improved by chilli sauce, which should come with a warning label, or at least imported red-label Peroni ($7) to ease the pain.

Shop 13, 166-174 Military Road, Neutral Bay (02) 9908 7045 spakkanapoli.com.au Pizza, Italian $$ Royal Cricketers Arms Thirty minutes and thirty years from

FOOD NEWS

Sydney is a pub where strangers chat, and Bar Manager John Mundy uses common sense and conversation to enforce the rule of law. Over an Old Speckled Hen ($11.50/pint) you might enquire after his jar of Pickled Eggs ($1.10/each). Eat “the manager’s hangover cure” doused in Worcestershire and Tabasco right at the bar.Tuck into traditional Toad in the Hole ($21) - three good-quality English pork sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding with mash and onion gravy; or flex your cooking prowess on the high-tech grill.There’s Grass-fed Sirloin ($27/250g), grain-fed beef and Snags ($20/3) – best have a James Squire The Chancer ($9/pint) while you decide.

Cricketers Arms Road, Prospect (02) 9622 6498 mycricketers.com.au Pub Bistro, British $$-$$$

By Alex Harmon I’m always pushing you to have a connection to the produce you put on your plate, and there aren’t many better ways to do this than visiting a farm. For a true paddock-to-plate experience, book in for a Cucina Calabria lunch.The lunches are held at Tre Porcellini, a 200-acre farm in Moss Vale carrying rare breed English Black Pigs,Wiltshire Horn sheep,Angus cattle,Alpacas and chooks. Host Pasquale Multari will take you out to meet the animals, and check out their great vegetable garden, while Cindy Bowman cooks up a Calabrian storm of antipasti, homemade pasta, mains and desserts like baked pears with Gorgonzola dolce ice cream.You’ll also enjoy specialty Italian cheeses, plus local and Southern Italian wines for $165/head.

The only catch being there are only three Sunday lunch dates remaining for 2014 - 14th September, 19th October and 16th November – so book in quickly on (0423) 727 847. www.facebook.com/cucinacalabriansw

BAR FLY

By Rebecca Varidel

MORDEO BISTRO & BAR Word on the street (and in our Facebook streams) is that Mordeo is the new Sydney CBD hot spot. I concur. First up, I’m always really happy when I get friendly and accommodating service.Tick.Then there is the wine list – all wines are available by the glass:Australian sparkling, Italian Prosecco, G. H. Mumm (I don’t have to write French or Champagne do I?).Tick again.

Whites and Reds are well thought out and also available by 450ml carafe. For something different try the 2009 Alpha Estate Syrah-Xinomavro from Florina Greece ($9.50 / glass; $28.50 / carafe). I’m keen.And of course, yippee, there are elegant cocktails.The food is yummy Southern European. In the morning, before the office, there is a terrific breakfast menu, plus single origin coffee. Hungry? Yep.We might even stay on for lunch then dinner…

126 Phillip Street, Sydney (02) 9232 4789 mordeo.com.au

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Let’s Fall in Love Experience love, loss, passion, and romance like never before with Amanda McBroom’s one night only show, Let’s Fall in Love.

Featuring blues, country, ballads, and cabaret love songs, the humorous and moving show about ‘romance for grownups’ is an intimate concert performance with McBroom and pianist and musical director Michele Brourman.

“I have constructed the evening like a fabulous amusement park ride, it goes up and down,” McBroom says.

“We laugh, we cry, we let the audience go home hoping they’ve had a good time.”

Returning to City Recital Hall after

Photo: Bob Seary

Review

over a decade, McBroom says she is thrilled to bring the show to Australia.

“The very first time I performed in a fancy recital hall was in Angel Place, in Sydney, and I am so happy to be coming back.”

The show will feature McBroom and Brourman performing interpretations of old and new love songs, including famous songs composed by McBroom.

“We want to take something that the audience is familiar with and approach it in a way that will surprise people,” she says.

“I am doing it as a concert; it is just me and a fabulous piano.” (SOC) Jul 19, City Recital Hall, Angel Pl, Sydney, $40-65, cityrecitalhall.com

Book of Days

Set in fictional Dublin, Missouri, the home state of playwright Lanford Wilson, Book of Days poses the question: is small-town America as superficial and vacuous as this play suggests?

Heaven forbid that a Pulitzer Prize winner is criticised, but Wilson has certainly taken on some weighty themes (small-town hypocrisy; moral degeneracy; greed; the religious right) and it is less certain how profoundly he’s managed to explore them. For example, the plotting of two murders is clunky.

Despite this, an energetic

performance from a skilled cast and crew makes the most of the material, and the first-night audience certainly enjoyed themselves – applauding generously.

In particular, the off-hand delivery of Gael Ballantyne (as Martha Hoch) is warming, and the character has a critical warning on the potential embarrassment caused by feminine piercings when passing through airport security! (MMu) Until Aug 9, New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown, $17-32, newtheatre.org.au

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Photo: Crea Crea Studio

El’ Circo Blanc

a&e

Macbeth

Renowned theatre director Adam Cook has sunk his teeth into the critically acclaimed 1879 Henry Ibsen play A Doll’s House and will be showing his efforts at the Seymour Centre.

“It’s set in the original period so the audience can see how the world was like 135 odd years ago, and can then compare it to what the world is like now. Have we changed? Have we developed? Have we evolved? What are the problems and challenges? Are they the same? Are they different? It’s a wonderfully exciting, intense and claustrophobic play,” Cook says.

After 25 years in the industry Cook has chosen this old gem, but has made

sure to respect it by staying true to the primary story.

“The only thing I’ve varied in my adaptation is I’ve made it sound contemporary; it won’t sound like 19th century British actors doing a Norwegian play, it will sound like it’s happening right now –– just not using iPhones and laptops,” Cook explains.

“A Doll’s House has a really exciting, riveting plot, surrounding the relationship between men and women. [It’s] a play that has truly stood the test of time.” (RM) Jul 17-Aug 2, Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre, City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale, $25-36, seymourcentre.com Photo: Takaya Honda

pole performers are delightful and the action is so close in this intimate venue that the audience cannot help but be whisked away to another world with Anastasia’s stunning singing as accompaniment. The musical production and choices in this extravaganza are spot-on.

Be enthralled but be aware of the ‘snow’ falling in your drink, the paper version is magical but the ‘icy’ version can leave a bad taste. (LL) Jul 23, 30, 31 & Aug 7, Slide, 41 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, $89+bf, slide.com.au

question of this play: what do you do in that limited amount of time? Do you behave morally or not? Do you act or wait for things to happen to you?” (MT) Jul 21-Sep 27, Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $50-109, sydneytheatre.com.au

A Doll’s House

Review

El’ Circo Blanc is back for another season at Slide and both the show and menu have been revamped this winter to be better than ever.

The one-of-a-kind production is set to a Russian theme, as ‘Anastasia’ reminisces on her days as a young woman in the circus. Her tale comes alive above and around the audience while they enjoy a five-course menu featuring warm vodka cocktails, melt-in-your-mouth lamb goulash and delicious beetroot sorbet.

Contortionists, aerial artists and

The classic tale of ambition, betrayal and brutality, Shakespeare’s Macbeth has been imagined onstage many, many times before. However, director Kip Williams of Sydney Theatre Company’s new adaptation has a keen determination to set it apart from the rest.

In a complete reversal of all theatre norms, the audience will sit on the stage itself while the play unfolds in the abandoned auditorium. But Williams’ innovative staging design is just one ambitious decision of many in his bold vision of Macbeth.

“When I’ve seen [Macbeth] done, I often find the play is rendered as a fable with an element of moral prescription,” says Williams.

For Williams, in characterising Macbeth as a villain, the audience begins to disassociate themselves with his behaviour by the end of the play.

In Williams’ version, there’s an “openended identification with the terrible downfall of this individual,” he says.

Despite the blood and brutality of Macbeth, it’s a play Williams believes is relatable to all.

“We’re all forced with the quandary that our lives begin and end. And that’s it,” he says. “That’s the essential

15 STAGE 16 SCENE 17 SOUNDS 18 SCREEN

Arts Editor: Leigh Livingstone Music Editor: Chelsea Deeley Live Wire: Alexandra English

For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au

Contributors: Alexis Talbot-Smith, Anita Senaratna, Anthony Bell, Catherine Knight, Cheryl Northey, Ciaran Tobin, Craig Coventry, Elise Cullen, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Jamie Apps, Laurie Hackney, Leann Richards, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Melody Teh, Michael Muir, Michelle Porter, Peter Hackney, Rhys Gard, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Ruth Fogarty, Sean May, Sharon Ye, Shauna O’Carroll, Siri Williams

Darlinghurst Theatre Company and AccessA (Access Australia) present this new Australian production – a daring yet witty play.

Every Second depicts the common issue of infertility and the struggles of starting a family.

“It has the personal struggles and the strain of relationships through it emotionally,” says Simon Corfield, who portrays Tim, “while it’s doing that it still manages to be rather funny and lighthearted.”

Every Second is a very personal production to playwright Vanessa Bates, as she experienced these same issues not long ago when she found out that she and her husband were infertile. Personal experience coupled with wry observations and bitter truths illustrate a common problem in society today.

“You can tell it’s quite personal, the way she (Bates) handles the shifts in relationships in the structure of the play,” says Corfield, “it is such a current issue and problem that doesn’t really get spoken about in the artistic world.”

Darlinghurst Theatre Company has partnered with AccessA

Photo: Aaron Tait

Mr Kolpert Pantsguys break the surface this year with their newest provocative play, David Gieselmann’s Mr Kolpert.

Directed a decade after conception by James Dalton, this production is buzzing with maddening anticipation.

“I found that underneath it all, although it’s quite a madcap play for an audience to experience, there’s some exciting ideas in there. Where we have added our own signature to this piece is more through cosmetic ideas, as well as updating the music that appears in the show,” says Dalton.

“There are so many things that are happening in our world, that we can’t actually justify logically, and sometimes that’s how reality works, things just happen. In the play there’s an attempt

to help raise awareness about infertility. AccessA is a not-forprofit organisation that provides men and women with life support who experience difficulties conceiving their families.

(CT) Until Jul 27, Darlinghurst Theatre, 39 Burton St, Darlinghurst, $30-43, darlinghursttheatre.com

by certain characters to find some kind of question of order, and then at the same time revelling in the chaos that seems to be found everywhere,” says Dalton.

This wild and eccentric display will challenge the audience as they realise what they’re reacting to, and perhaps therein lays the message of the show.

“Learning that no matter how violent and extreme circumstances can be sometimes, all you can do is just let it happen to you and laugh it off afterwards. It’s a play you need to experience. Come in with an open mind, and just be prepared to accept the ride, because the logic is very mad,” he says. (RBM) Jul 30-Aug 16, ATYP, Studio 1, Pier 4/5, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $20-30, atyp.com.au

Photo: Wendell Teodoro

Every Second

Photo: Kate Williams

Connie and Tristan are polar opposites who sign up for a new anti-depressant drug trial. As the dosage goes up they fall in love – but is this the real thing or just an adverse side effect? Does it matter? Analysing the results from an objective distance are doctors Lorna and Toby.They used to be involved with each other but now that’s history – or is it? Is love the drug? Is the chemistry right? This is The Effect, a new play by young English playwright, Lucy Prebble.

“It’s a play that asks more questions than it answers,” says Sarah Goodes (Vere) one of STC’s co-resident directors. “It is very much a story about love and falling in love, but it also poses the question – are we just the sum of

our chemical reactions or do we have souls?”

Rising star Anna McGahan (House Husbands, Underbelly: Razor) plays Connie while Mark Leonard Winter (Thyestes) plays the unemployed drifter, Tristan. One is a ‘thinker’ and one is a ‘feeler’.The contrast drives much of the play.

A play about depression could be, well, depressing – but Goodes is upbeat.

“Lucy Prebble writes with such a fabulous sense of humour, so she is able to reflect the dark side of life with this wonderful warmth and sense of the ridiculous.” (GW) Until Aug 16, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4/5 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $50-99, (02) 9250 1777, sydneytheatre.com.au

Photo: Greg Barrett

The Effect

Crooked Colours Crooked Colours are another trio of lads from Perth – the city that again and again proves itself as a melting pot of talent.

The indie-dance band have wrapped up a national tour supporting RÜFÜS and are now ready to prove that they can hold their own.

Lead vocalist, Phil Slabber says that the reception so far has been “really good” and he “couldn’t ask for more.”

Band dynamics on tour have also been tried and tested, with Slabber revealing that “Liam is the biggest stirrer.”

THEATRE &

PERFORMANCE STRICTLY BALLROOM: THE MUSICAL Baz Luhrmann’s latest creation is bursting at the sequined seams of the Lyric Theatre in an explosion of colour and feathers.

Luhrmann’s holistic creative approach and boundless imagination means his hand is involved in every aspect of the production, from the design, to the direction and the music.

The notes feel like they were written for the stunning co-lead

Phoebe Panaretos (Fran) who outshines all except the hilarious Heather Mitchell (Shirley Hastings). The talented Thomas Lacey (Scott Hastings) gives a solid performance as the male lead but is sometimes underwhelming on a very busy stage.

Catherine Martin’s costumes are yet another ‘win’ for the designer, referencing familiar elements from the film and successfully amplifying them for the stage.

Strictly Ballroom:The Musical is an entertaining, lively night at the

theatre that will delightfully overload the senses. (LL) Until Sep 14, Lyric Theatre, Pirrama Rd, Sydney, $55-145, strictlyballroomthemusical.com OF MONOPOLY AND WOMEN The relationship between sisters is a highly confusing but fascinating one: best of friends one day and worst enemies the next. It’s this complex connection that Of Monopoly and Women is looking to explore through the rollercoaster of relationships between sisters, Zoe, Kate and

He continues, “There’s quite a lot of back and forth banter going on – it’s fun.”

Being producers, Slabber says they always need to consider the best ways to incorporate live elements into their shows.

For their In Your Bones tour, Slabber promises an entertaining live show with accompanying graphics and lights while the boys keep busy on the decks. “We’re going to pick out as much of what we can do and try to deliver it.”

(SY) Jul 18, Goodgod Small Club, 55 Liverpool St, Chinatown, $12+bf, goodgodgoodgod.com

Ella. The house becomes tense when Zoe wins two tickets to Paris, leaving Kate and Ella to battle it out for the second seat.

A game of Monopoly seems to be the answer, but that childhood favourite has the ability to drive people insane.

Moving beyond superficial portrayals of ‘crazy bickering sisters’, Of Monopoly and Women delves into the multifaceted nature of female relationships, revealing the kind of person you can be with your family or without your family. (MT)

Until July 24, Exchange Hotel, 94 Beattie St, Balmain, $17-20, bnwtheatre.com.au MOTHER BARE Comedienne, Denise Scott, is baring it all on the stage and exploring motherhood in her hilarious production.

Based on her personal experiences, Scott explores all the phases in life of being a parent: toddlers, kids, adolescents, adult kids and death.

The Aussie icon doesn’t hold back in her 90-minute show, telling stories about all things

motherhood, from giving birth to losing her own mother to Alzheimer’s. After a successful run in Melbourne, which saw families of up to three generations attending together, Scott says she is looking forward to bringing her show about family to Sydney. Laying out her life on the stage, Denise goes back to the fundamentals of great theatre, simple storytelling, with a few surprises along the way. (SOC) Until Aug 3, $44.9049.90, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, sydneyoperahouse.com

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THE NAKED CITY

A Spiritual Connection – Graham Toomey

High on high-rise – low on pep!

‘‘Dreaming Warriors’, by Graham Toomey

Graham Toomey combines Aboriginal imagery with modern motifs in A Spiritual Connection.

The reds, blacks and whites of his pieces leap off the canvas with startling force. However, it is the contrast of dark silhouettes floating upon a kaleidoscopic vision of sky, redolent of the view from the Hubble telescope, which makes them unique.

In Dreaming Warriors, shadows perch on a tightrope stretched across the stars, walking a bridge between old and new, and in Dreamworld, animals surf on slices of white netted clouds barely aware of the earth below.

The paintings are complemented by bird sculptures with eyes that gaze warily at the onlooker, their striped wings seemingly ready to fly.

Toomey’s works are inspired by his ancestors and they are bathed in the light of a creative spirit which spontaneously tumbles from the heavens. Startling and honest, they are a monumental fusion of traditional and modern Australian art. (LR) Until Jul 26, Art Atrium, 181 Old South Head Rd, Bondi Junction, free, artatrium.com.au

The Curtain Breathed Deeply – Justene Williams

By Coffin Ed, Miss Death Katz

& Jay

The inferno in an illegal backpackers’ caravan ‘gulag’ in Alexandria two weeks ago demonstrated how desperate some people are to find cheap accommodation in Sydney, living as they were in a kind of third world slum. As Sydney’s skyline soars it appears there is little room for low-budget tenants in the gleaming new residential towers.

Take the forthcoming 67-storey residential tower that has just been given the green light for the corner of Bathurst and Pitt streets. Funded by the Shanghai-based Chinese state-owned developer, Greenland, the project will also include the conversion of the adjoining heritagelisted art deco former Water Board building into a boutique 180-bed, five-star hotel. Whilst the City of Sydney has extracted a number of concessions out of the developer, including a $25 million arts hub as part of the building, the prices of the apartments in what will be Sydney’s largest ever residential tower, tell the story.

About 400 of the apartments have already been sold with the averagesized apartment bringing between $1.5 and $2 million and with half the sales going to overseas investors. It’s a story that’s been repeated over and over during the last decade or so in Sydney, especially in the CBD and immediate precincts.

Whilst the new Central Park development at Broadway promises a large number of rental apartments for students, elsewhere in the city, the rising residential blocks cater

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only for the top end of the market.

Prior to the Sydney Olympics the residential population of the Sydney CBD numbered only a few thousand and the council welcomed new apartment blocks as a means of injecting new life into a burgeoning ‘international’ city.

These days the residential population of the Sydney CBD is booming, the city no longer shuts down after 6pm, and there’s a vitality approaching some of the truly international cities like New York and London. However the cost of renting or buying in the CBD is now exorbitant and increasingly restricted to only high and very high income earners.

What these million dollar apartment owners bring to the CBD in terms of cultural and social ‘pep’ remains to be seen, secreted as they are in their high-security towers, glued to massive flat screen TVs. It could be argued that these well-heeled folks bring nothing to the cultural and social environment of the city, especially when it comes to the more street level activities.

The Sydney Council have a great opportunity to build hundreds of rent subsidised apartments, means tested for low income earners, on the great slab of land they now own directly opposite the Town Hall.

Earmarked for some horrendous neo-brutalist civic square complete with gratuitous water features, it could easily be developed as a low-budget accommodation hub with literally thousands of small and compact apartments. Who needs a massive oversized pad when all the CBD action is out on the streets, in the cafes, the parks and the numerous cultural attractions?

With The Curtain Breathed Deeply, artist Justene Williams has produced an aural and visual omelette that both entices and confronts.

The installation begins with a stark white ute supporting a trio of screens simultaneously displaying images of chequered fingers, vaginas, and a distorted digital shaman who invites the visitor to continue their journey.

A series of rooms hosts intriguing displays of visual decadence and aural discombobulation. In one, masked figures and plastic owls gaze upon a wading pool which doubles as a wishing well.

In another, a natural landscape is playfully dismantled.

This extensive collection of video art and sculptural experiment is a dissonant stroll through the paths of uncharted imagination. The vibrant colours and random noises suggest a rough passage through a storm-tossed sea, but the perturbed subjects are somehow comforted through the raging tempest.

With this show Artspace continues a tradition of provocative exhibitions which elongate the boundaries of abstraction. (LR) Until Aug 10, Artspace, 43 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo, free, artspace.org.au

‘The Curtain Breathed Deeply’, by Justene Williams

National Geographic Presents: Coral, Fire, & Ice For National Geographic photographer, David Doubilet, a picture is worth a thousand words: “...images have to transcend that storytelling medium and be more or less iconic,” he says.

“They need to have the ability to grab people by their hearts and their eyes and later, by their minds. It is an emotional reaction... pictures have an immense amount of power.”

Doubilet is hoping to put that power to good use with his latest National Geographic Live series lecture, Coral, Fire, & Ice, which took him to some of the ocean’s most ecologically precarious environments. These included the frigid waters of Antarctica as well as the “coral triangle” of Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, a place which with every dive, Doubilet explains, “reveals a tremendous concentration of life”.

Doubilet hopes that the pictures from these journeys will capture the extent to which global warming has threatened these vulnerable ecosystems.

“Change is coming”, he notes, and for him, these photographs represent not just captured moments from a “voyage of exploration”, but documentation of these ecosystems as they are now, and as they will, very likely, never be again.

“It still has the infinite joy that it has always had,” Doubilet notes, but it is also a “very sad experience and an enormous challenge and responsibility. That is the difference right now.” (SW) Jul 27, Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, $29-124, (02 9250 7777), sydneyoperahouse.com

David Doubilet

Sleepmakeswaves – Love of Cartography Most people assume that a band needs a lead singer – Sydney band Sleepmakeswaves puts paid to that idea pretty quickly on Love of Cartography, where the songs convey feelings, emotions and even ideas perfectly well without the human voice. Instead, the songs (perhaps best described as ‘melodic crescendos’) take listeners on a journey with dramatic build-ups, plateaus and descents achieved via melodic rock passages flecked with electronic textures.

The lead single Something Like Avalanches is a good representation of the album, while the cover image – a stylised aerial pic of Sydney at night – brilliantly evokes the hypnotic soundscape within. (PH)

Broadwing Pinhole Camera This five-track EP

by Alice Springs act, Broadwing, inhabits a melancholy, somewhat dark space that recalls the likes of Chet Faker, Grizzly Bear and Radiohead. It’s an impressive collection of songs, especially considering Broadwing is actually just one man – Ben Allen.

Pinhole Camera bears the hallmarks of tight songwriting, which reaches its apogee on the insistent The Virus In – a song that also boasts a striking video produced by Allen himself, in line with his strong DIY ethos.

Having said that, all five tracks here bring something worthwhile to the table, with Broadwing merging alt-rock, acoustic and electronic elements to a satisfying whole.

(PH)

The White Album Concert

It was over five years ago that four of Australia’s most respected rockers joined forces to commemorate one historically stellar album. But ask Grinspoon frontman, Phil Jamieson, about his memories of that time and his answer draws a roaring laugh.

“I’ll be perfectly honest I just kind of blagged my way through interviews because I didn’t understand the importance of The White Album at all,” he admits with a chuckle.

“I was really excited by the idea of sharing a stage with Chris [Cheney of The Living End],Tim [Rogers of You Am I] and Josh [Pyke] who are my peers and my contemporaries, but in interviews they would ask me ‘How important is The White Album to you?’ and I’d be like ‘It’s really important!’ but I was lying.”

Jamieson says that the 2009 tour allowed a deeper understanding of the album’s form, “after singing it that many times and coming back to it.”

As an album that held a unique collection of lyrics and melodies, Liverpool’s famous four,The Beatles, created what Jamieson describes as “one of the most amazing art installations ever,” despite being gripped by the turmoil that slowly broke them apart.

LIVE WIRE The Walking Who: This three-piece have been gigging around for a while and if you haven’t caught them yet, you’ve probably been living under some sort of rock. These guys appease anyone with an appetite for ‘60s and ‘90s stoner rock by forging the dark charisma of Lou Reed with the kind of ‘90s psych-infused fuzz that has seen resurgence lately.

Fri, Jul 18, Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills.

“It just creates this bizarre world that you enter and it’s a beautiful thing,” he says.

“I don’t really have favourite bands or favourite songs. I mean one day I like Miley Cyrus the next day I like Miles Davis. I like lots of different shit. So with The White Album, you can definitely single out great songs off it but I like it as a whole.There was no fear.They weren’t artists trying to get on the radio, they had the world at their feet, and they wrote what they wanted to write.That’s impressive and that’s what I love about it.”

With an additional re-work of Revolution 9 added to the 2014 leg, Jamieson reckons that it is “more a theatre show” with a swift shot of rock ‘n’ roll added into the mix.With his final words of our conversation, this could not be more blatant.

“I did a live radio interview where the guy asked me ‘It must be everyone’s dream to pretend you’re a Beatle?’ and I was like ‘Excuse me? No!’ This is not me pretending to be a Beatle or wanting to be a Beatle at all. It’s our interpretation and we just hope people enjoy it.” (CD) Jul 18-20, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, $89-159+bf, sydneyoperahouse.com

Sydney Live Music Guide

Pretty City: If Pretty City were to play on some indie-flick soundtrack, the catchy riffs would start up at the moment when the protagonist walks into a smokey basement party not knowing anyone, but by the time the song has finished, everyone is friends because they’ve realised that deep down, everyone is the same. The point being: if you’re feeling down, this angst-but-hopeful,

‘90s-driven grunge will pick you right back up.

Fri, Jul 18, Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst.

Symbioses: This is a travelling concert series curated by Australian/New York-based soprano Jane Sheldon. She and two guest instrumentalists perform duo and trio pieces that transcend contemporary and 20th century avantgarde to “cast a light on the symbiotic nature of

chamber music.”

Fri, Jul 18, 107 Projects, Redfern.

Burn Antares: It’s perplexing how a group of twenty-somethings can sound (and look) like they have stepped out of the ‘60s, but with none of the pretention of other retroinspired bands. They’re on the brink of dropping their second EP so you’ll hear new tunes with a deep-rooted groove, and old rock ‘n’ roll favourites.

They’re supported by psych-rock quartet, Montes

Jura.

Sat, Jul 19, Standard Bowl, Surry Hills.

The Preatures: Fans of The Preatures will have noticed a significant shift in their style after the release of Is This How You Feel? late last year. They took their poppy ‘70s feel-good groove overseas and picked up critical acclaim at SXSW and Coachella. Now they’re back for a national tour with a new, more soulful single, Two Tone Melody, ahead of a new album.

Sat, Jul 19, Metro Theatre,

CBD. Little Bastard: Seeing these guys fill the space on stage is impressive but when the seven-piece begin their bluegrass romp on all sorts of necked lutes – guitar, mandolin, banjo – it’s a whole other thing.

This is country music, but influences from Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young emerge to take their music from the country into the heart of the metropolis. (AE) Sun, Jul 20, Newtown Social Club, Newtown.

Scandinavian Film Festival 2014 The inaugural Scandinavian Film Festival comes to Sydney, screening a curated selection of 21 films from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark.

The critically acclaimed selection of comedies, dramas and documentaries ensures there’s a film for all tastes. Scandinavian films rarely receive cinematic releases in Australia and this festival allows audiences to experience them as they should be seen, on the silver screen.

Special events including opening night after parties, dress-up screenings, Q&A sessions with the film’s stars, food, and music promises a memorable and ongoing event. Not to mention the wealth of Scandinavian films getting their Australian premiere.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is the Swedish blockbuster which opens the festival. This comedy centres on an elderly man who escapes from his nursing home and embarks on a hilarious journey.

Waltz For Monica is the extraordinary biopic of Swedish Jazz singer Monica Zetterlund, highlighting the dark side of fame and success.

Ego revolves around a conceited young man’s obsession with partying, girls and sex.

Reaching For The Moon is a biographical drama set in the 1950s when samesex relationships were unacceptable.

When poet Elizabeth Bishop (Miranda Otto) travels to Brazil to regain her poetic flair, she meets famed architect Lota De Macedo Soares (Glória Pires) and a decade-long romance flourishes, restoring her literary brilliance.

Bishop consequently achieves fame and fortune, but at what cost?

This film explores the darker aspects of Bishop’s life,

including alcohol abuse and her involvement in a love triangle.

Performances are faultless and the production stylish, with visually stunning exotic locations, but the story is initially tarnished by the unrealistic and hasty commencement of the romantic entanglement.

Reaching For The Moon lacks substance and only audiences who are familiar with the poetry of Elizabeth Bishop will find this insightful and mandatory viewing. (MM) WWW

Reaching For The Moon THE LUNCHBOX A one-ina-million mix-up with Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a neglected housewife (Nimrat Kaur) with a curmudgeonly accountant (Irrfan Khan). What follows is a series of increasingly honest hand-written notes through which the two strangers find a new lease of life.

Don’t be fooled by what is, on paper, a somewhat cheesy premise. The debut feature from Indian writer/director Ritesh Batra is a bitter-sweet romance that offers cinéma vérité-style realism, goodnatured humour, and relatable characters as well as thoughtful observations on the human

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Charlie’s Country

Flow is the arresting rags-to-riches story of a young man’s rise from labourer to rapper and stars Danish rapper Kian Rosenberg Larsson.

August Fools is an uplifting comedy based on real political events and stars Finnish actress Laura Birn who will be attending the Q&A screening.

Pioneer is the much anticipated suspense thriller starring Australia’s Jonathan LaPaglia, who will also be in attendance for the Q&A screening.

(MM) Until Jul 27, Palace Norton Street, 99 Norton St, Leichhardt; Palace Verona, 17 Oxford St, Paddington, $20-75 (5 film pass), scandinavianfilmfestival.com.au

condition, including the value of companionship. (JH) WWWW JERSEY BOYS This film is the true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, from their spectacular rise to fame in the ’60s with hit songs such as Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Sherry, to their eventual tempestuous disbanding.

The list of recognisable hits is longer than you might think and sadly, for a musical, they don’t get enough screen time.

Songs have been cut or shrunk to make way for lingering looks and close-ups. Even big events in the original story are skipped over in cursory fashion.

Three out of the four main cast members were plucked from

This Australian film is the story of Charlie (David Gulpilil), an elderly aboriginal living in a remote community. He is unable to conform to change and is forced to live under the “whitefella way of thinking”.

Charlie feels he is being stripped of his Aboriginal culture and ventures into the wilderness to live the “old way”, and ultimately returns all the wiser. Beautifully filmed in Arnhem Land,

Words and Pictures

Jack Marcus (Clive Owen) is an English teacher at a prep school, is obsessed by the power of words, and his career as a writer has stagnated owing to writer’s block.

Dina Delsanto (Juliette Binoche) is the new art teacher, a passionate artist whose battle with arthritis has brought her career to a standstill.

An attraction ignites, but once Dina declares that words are “traps” and “lies”, Jack sparks a school-wide debate: which is more powerful, the word or the picture? the award-winning stage show, and are so comfortable within these versions of their characters that translating them to the screen is boring. (LL) WW TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION The fourth instalment in this franchise is much of what audiences expect from the action-packed films.

Though, this time they’ve switched Shia Lebouf’s Sam Witwicky for Mark Wahlberg’s single father/inventor Cade Yeager, and thankfully, it’s a massive improvement.

Disappointingly the character arcs are non-existent, the half-realised subplots are plentiful, and sadly, most of the

Words And Pictures is directed

by Fred Schepisi and is an enjoyable romantic drama, sleekly written with dialogueintensive monologues which delightfully unite two very unlikely characters.

Teachers and students especially should connect with storylines involving these leading characters, effectively portrayed by Owen and Binoche.

Perfect viewing for moviegoers who enjoy well-crafted, witty and challenging films. (MM) WWW½

female characters are either underutilised or irrelevant.

The Transformers films are not meant to be cerebral-challengers and audiences will largely ignore the flaws to appreciate it for the easy, entertainment that it is. (LL) WWW½ CALVARY Father James (Brendan Gleeson) is a priest, striving for decency on Ireland’s west coast. His parishioners present daily moral tests of his faith and he confronts their rage, grief and cynicism with humane compassion and wit.

During a confession he’s threatened with murder – retribution for a sin he didn’t commit – and he must decide

this is a pessimistic but realistic depiction of life for Aboriginals in communities, highlighting the discrimination, the alcohol abuse, and the low standards of living.

Gulpilil is captivating as Charlie, a role inspired by his own experiences, for which he justifiably won Best Actor at Cannes with his powerful and heartfelt performance. (MM) WWW½

Venus in Fur is Roman Polanski’s latest film with French subtitles and features only two characters. Venus in Fur is hot, so hot someone in the audience actually whimpered. Based on David Ive’s play which was inspired

by Austrian Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s 1870 semiautobiographical novel, the film stars Emmanuelle Seigner (who is married to Roman Polanski in real life).

It’s set in an old Parisian

theatre and delves into a fantasy world, exploring domination and submission in a bizarre and complex obsessive role-play situation that is breathtakingly erotic.

The psychoanalysis, the tempo, the script, all work well to create this intellectual situational drama where actress and director play the ultimate game of seduction.

(MS) WWW½ Limited Release at Palace Cinemas

Venus in Fur if he’ll face up to the penance.

This small, powerful tale, stunningly shot against the wild and craggy setting of the Atlantic, deftly handles dark themes with gallows humour.

The film is an ode to Gleeson, whose expressive face governs the screen. (RF) WWWW 22 JUMP STREET The inevitable sequel to 2012’s parody of the hit ‘80s television series has arrived. This time Jenko (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt (Jonah Hill) are going undercover in college to investigate the distribution of a new killer drug.

There is no stretch of the imagination here and they don’t even try to hide it. It’s

the same story, with the same characters and similar jokes.

Stick around for the spoof sequels in the credits – arguably the best bit of the film. (LL) WWW BLENDED This romantic comedy flick feels familiar because, not only is it another reunion for Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, but the storyline has been washed up, thrown out and trampled on so many times it’s hard to keep count.

The African scenery is a highly westernised view of Africa, and while the superimposed safari animals are almost convincing, the human acting is not. (AE) WW

F R E E W I L L A S TROLOGY

by Rob Brezsny

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): “I have complete faith in the continued absurdity of whatever’s going on,” says satirical news commentator Jon Stewart. That’s a healthy attitude. To do his work, he needs a never-ending supply of stories about people doing crazy, corrupt, and hypocritical things. I’m sure this subject matter makes him sad and angry. But it also stimulates him to come up with funny ideas that entertain and educate his audience -- and earns him a very good income. I invite you to try his approach, Aries. Have faith that the absurdity you experience can be used to your advantage.

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Bananas grow in Iceland, a country that borders the Arctic Ocean. About 700 of the plants thrive in a large greenhouse heated by geothermal energy.

They don’t mature as fast as the bananas in Ecuador or Costa Rica. The low amounts of sunlight mean they require two years to ripen instead of a few months. To me, this entire scenario is a symbol for the work you have ahead of you. You’ve got to encourage and oversee growth in a place that doesn’t seem hospitable in the usual ways, although it is actually just fine. And you must be patient, knowing that the process might take a while longer than it would in other circumstances.

C

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): While at a cafe, I overheard two people at the next table talking about astrology. “I think the problemsolvers of the zodiac are Cancers and Capricorns,” said a young, moon-faced woman.

“Agreed,” said her companion, an older woman with chiseled features. “And the problemcreators are Scorpios and Geminis.” I couldn’t help myself: I had to insert myself into their conversation so as to defend you. Leaning over toward their table, I said, “Speaking as a professional astrologer, I’ve got to say that right now Geminis are at least temporarily the zodiac’s best problem-solvers. Give them a chance to change your minds.” The women laughed, and moon-face said, “You must be a Gemini.” “No,” I replied. “But I’m on a crusade to help Geminis shift their reputations.”

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): Mozart debuted his now-famous opera *Don Giovanni* in Prague on October 29, 1787. It was a major production, featuring an orchestra, a chorus, and eight main singers. Yet the composer didn’t finish writing the opera’s overture until less than 24 hours before the show.

Are you cooking up a similar scenario, Cancerian? I suspect

that sometime in the next two weeks you will complete a breakthrough with an inspired, last-minute effort. And the final part of your work may well be its “overture;” the first part will arrive last. (P.S.: Mozart’s *Don Giovanni* was well-received, and I expect your offering will be, too.)

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “We must learn to bear the pleasures as we have borne the pains,” says writer Nikki Giovanni. That will be apt advice for you to keep in mind during the coming months, Leo. You may think I’m perverse for suggesting such a thing.

Compared to how demanding it was to manage the suffering you experienced in late 2013 and earlier this year, you might assume it will be simple to deal with the ease and awakening that are heading your way. But I’d like you to consider the possibility that these blessings will bring their own challenges.

For example, you may need to surrender inconveniences and hardships you have gotten used to, almost comfortable with. It’s conceivable you will have to divest yourself of habits that made sense when you were struggling, but are now becoming counterproductive.

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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I would hate for your fine mind to become a liability. As much as I admire your native skepticism and analytical intelligence, it would be a shame if they prevented you

from getting the full benefit of the wonders and marvels that are brewing in your vicinity. Your operative motto in the coming days comes from Virgo storyteller Roald Dahl: “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” Suspend your disbelief, my beautiful friend. Make yourself receptive to the possibility of being amazed.

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Kris Kristofferson is in the Country Music Hall of Fame now, but it took a while for him to launch his career. One of his big breaks came at age 29 when he was sweeping floors at a recording studio in Nashville.

He managed to meet superstar Johnny Cash, who was working there on an album. A few years later, Kristofferson boldly landed a helicopter in Cash’s yard to deliver his demo tape. That prompted Cash to get him a breakthrough gig performing at the Newport Folk Festival. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were able to further your goals with a similar sequence, Libra: luck that puts you in the right place at the right time, followed by some brazen yet charming acts of selfpromotion.

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In her poem “Looking Back,” Sarah Brown Weitzman writes that she keeps “trying to understand / how I fell / so short of what I intended / to do with my life.” Is there a chance that 30 years from now you might say something similar, Scorpio?

If so, take action to ensure that

outcome doesn’t come to pass.

Judging from the astrological omens, I conclude that the next ten months will be a favorable time to get yourself on track to fulfill your life’s most important goals. Take full advantage!

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “There is no such thing as a failed experiment,” said author and inventor Buckminster Fuller, “only experiments with unexpected outcomes.” That’s the spirit I advise you to bring to your own explorations in the coming weeks, Sagittarius.

Your task is to try out different possibilities to see where they might lead. Don’t be attached to one conclusion or another.

Be free of the drive to be proven right. Instead, seek the truth in whatever strange shape it reveals itself. Be eager to learn what you didn’t even realize you needed to know.

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Architects in ancient Rome used concrete to create many durable structures, some of which are still standing. But the recipe for how to make concrete was forgotten for more than a thousand years after the Roman Empire collapsed in the fifth century. A British engineer finally rediscovered the formula in 1756, and today concrete is a prime component in many highways, dams, bridges, and buildings. I foresee a similar story unfolding in your life, Capricorn. A valuable secret that you once knew but then lost is on the verge of resurfacing. Be alert for it.

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Beginning in 1798, European cartographers who drew maps of West Africa included the Mountains of Kong, a range of peaks that extended more than a thousand miles east and west. It was 90 years before the French explorer Louis Gustave Binger realized that there were no such mountains.

All the maps had been wrong, based on faulty information.

Binger is known to history as the man who *undiscovered* the Mountains of Kong. I’m appointing him to be your role model in the coming weeks, Aquarius. May he inspire you to expose long-running delusions, strip away entrenched falsehoods, and restore the simple, shining truths.

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the simplest, calmest of times, there are two sides to every story. On some occasions, however, the bare minimum is three or more sides. Like now.

And that can generate quite a ruckus. Even people who are normally pretty harmonious may slip into conflict. Fortunately for all concerned, you are currently at the peak of your power to be a unifying force at the hub of the bubbling hubbub. You can be a weaver who takes threads from each of the tales and spins them into a narrative with which everyone can abide. I love it when that happens! For now, your emotional intelligence is the key to collaborative creativity and group solidarity.