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HubNEWS

New Powerhouse Museum design unveiled (See p. 6)

Religious Freedom Bill restricts freedoms

HubARTS Cirque Stratosphere catapults traditional circus into the future. (See p. 12)

Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide. Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city. Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, we take no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions. ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons News Editor: Alec Smart Contributors: Alec Smart, Ashna Bharkhada, John Moyle, Veronica Anassis, James Harrison, Eliza Spencer Cartoonist: Sam Mcnair Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Contributors: Erika Echternach, Irina Dunn, Madison Behringer, Mark Morellini, Olga Azar, Renee Lou Dallow, Rita Bratovich, Olga Sedneva Advertising Manager: Georgina Pengelly Cover Photo: Supplied. Jonathan Pie Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Website: cityhubsydney.com.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au @CityHubSydney

The Govt’s second draft of the Religious Freedom Bill expands powers to discriminate. Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna

By ELIZA SPENCER he coalition government’s second drafting of a bill expands powers to discriminate, based on religious belief. Amendments to the divisive Religious Freedom Bill have brought about significant backlash from advocates and individuals across the nation. The amendments expand the powers of religious institutions to hire and fire to “avoid injury to the religious susceptibilities of adherence to their faith.” This power has been expanded further to include religious charities and care providers, allowing both to avoid claims of discrimination based upon religious belief. Further protection against claims of discrimination has been welcomed by the Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS). The group’s executive officer, Alithea Westerman, said: “the bill is a step towards preserving the choice of parents to educate their children in accordance with their faith. If a student persistently wanted to advocate for and practice Satanism at a Christian school (or a Muslim or Jewish school), the school should be able to use student codes of conduct and discipline to uphold the school’s Christian ethos.” The bill may also allow for nurses, doctors and pharmacists to refuse

treatment based upon religious belief, with potentially deadly consequences for the LGBTQI+ community. “We already know the health effects that are disproportionally suffered by people of gender and sexually diverse backgrounds, we need to try and address those concerns and not make them worse,” the Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation (ANMF), Annie Butler, said. “This bill potentially stands to worsen the situation for people across the board.”

from discrimination on the basis of faith, but we need laws that protect everyone equally rather than licence discrimination against our community,” she said. “We can see a double standard being entrenched, in the sense that harmful religious views will have even more licence to intimidate people and will immunise bigotry.”

Discrimination protected

Equality Australia launched an online campaign opposing the Religious Discrimination Bill earlier this week, calling for people to write to their MPs explaining why they oppose the bill. For Bertin Hyunh, Vice President of the Buddha’s Light International Association; Sydney Young Adult Division, and an openly gay man, the separation between faith practice and gender identity must be resolved. “Faith and my queer identity are the two things that define me the most. For me they are two parts of a whole, my Buddhist faith exists to help others… I believe all faiths are there to help people,” he said. “When we talk about freedom, we must also ensure that those who are less fortunate can have freedom from harm and discrimination.”

Further concern for the ANMF lie with the potential legal implications of refusing care. “If an employer decided that they were not going to provide care to a person because of their sexual or gender orientation and directed their employees to do that, that would put a nurse in direct conflict … under the national law that gives them a license to practice,” said Ms Butler. “We’ve been trying to raise that potential conflict to government… you can’t have one law that is acting in opposition to another law.” Concerns about conflicting policy have also been raised by Anna Brown, CEO of Equality Australia, “It’s worth keeping in mind that LGBITQ people of faith will benefit from legal protections

We need laws that protect

everyone equally rather than licence discrimination

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BBU U H E H T

HubNEWS

Hubbub would love to hear from you! Sent tips and local absurdities to hubbubsydney@gmail.com. BATTERIES NOT INCLULDED It’s quiet in politics at the moment but not dead.Yet. As we roll down to Christmas we get to see what’s under the tree. And the latest infrastructure gift from the state government needed batteries. On the first day of operation the new vaunted light rail system (for god’s sake don’t call it a tram! What is this, Melbourne?) broke down, stranding dozens of commuters. Also, it’s quicker to catch a train from Penrith than a tra – um, light rail vehicle - from Randwick to the CBD. Hubbub never ventures outside the region from Bondi to Balmain so we grabbed our GPS and discovered that Penrith is much further away then Randwick. Of course new systems always have things to iron out but the NSW government hasn’t been great at fixing broken systems or even tweaking almost perfect ones. Meanwhile, if you live in Randwick catch a bus, while they still exist.

p.6

Stadium budget blowout By ASHNA BHARKHADA he Sydney Football Stadium rebuild will cost the NSW Govt $99 million more than expected, as details of the new contract signed with builder John Holland emerged on 18 Dec. The new contract for stage two of the project is worth $735 million, escalating the total estimated cost for the new arena, commercially known as the Allianz Stadium, to $828 million when factoring in other project costs, including demolition and contingency. On 12 Dec, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet ducked the issue of whether the Moore Park project would be completed within budget, but said he was “confident” it will finish on time. “What I can guarantee with Allianz is that we’re going to have a world-class stadium,” Perrottet said. The government budgeted $729M for the controversial redevelopment, of which over $36M was used to tear down the former building. Contractor Lendlease was controversially taken off the project earlier this year after their offer to rebuild the stadium did not meet “the government’s expectations.” It is understood that the quote provided

The Allianz Stadium rebuild will cost the NSW Govt $99 million more than expected. Photo: Alec Smart

by Lendlease was higher than what the government wanted to pay. The remaining $693M is “not enough” to rebuild the stadium, Seven News reported at the time.

What I can guarantee with Allianz is that we’re going to have a world-class stadium It’s now obvious the state will pay more for the stadium rebuild anyway. On July 29 Sports Minister John Sidoti declared that LendLease would not be able to sue the NSW Govt to recover

losses after they were dumped from the stadium rebuild because they “failed objectives”. Although he didn’t specify those objectives, it is understood it centred om the projected costs blowout. With the latest announcement that the stadium rebuild will go $99 million over budget anyway under contractor John Holland, it is not known whether LendLease now have legal redress to launch a claim against the NSW Govt. Allianz Stadium is still expected to be completed by early 2022. But with the construction costs overrun, watch this space to see if the construction deadline does too.

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THE HUBBU

HubNEWS

’TIS THE SEASON TO BE BIGOTED The PM’s whimsically entitled Religious Discrimination Bills are a sop to intolerance. And just in time for the holidays. It is an open secret that one of the main intents of the bill is to protect bigots like Israel Folau. Folua took to social media to spread hate against gay people. Rugby Australia kicked him out, on the grounds that he had violated league rules. Folau’s been whining like a little … kid, let’s say, ever since. The prime minister and the hate groups say that they and Folau have a right to discriminate against gay folks on religious grounds—that it would be a violation of their own religious rights to stop them. The argument against this can be encapsulated in the old joke, “Who are you going to believe—me .. or your own eyes and ears?“ Homosexuals have been persecuted for millennia. In the modern era, it has been a scourge of supposedly civilized societies for centuries. Gays have been shunned, persecuted, maimed and killed. They have been left in the street to die like animals when sick; they have been thrown from their families; they have been driven from jobs, and held up to public shame and p.8 humiliation.

New Powerhouse fizzles

by ALEC SMART n 17 Dec the winning architectural design was revealed for the new Powerhouse Museum building in Parramatta. French-Japanese firm Moreau Kusunoki and Australian company Genton were chosen following an international design competition that received more than 74 submissions from 20 countries. Making the announcement, Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said: “We are thrilled to be appointing Moreau Kusunoki and Genton to design the new Powerhouse Museum. Their design is a bold visualisation of how contemporary cultural institutions can provide the inspiration, education and enjoyment that today’s audiences need and expect. “The relocated Powerhouse Museum represents the largest investment in arts and culture infrastructure since the Sydney Opera House. Once this museum is built – there simply will not be another building like it in Australia – it will be a leading cultural institution in the South Pacific.”

As well as display rooms and a 20 metre high exhibition gallery, the building will also incorporate 60 studio

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Walt Secord, Labor’s arts spokesperson, claimed Premier Gladys Berejiklian had committed to protecting the heritage buildings earlier this year. He also took offence to the latticework aesthetics of the winning design, describing it as a “monstrosity on stilts”.

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Development plans will breathe new life into a ‘tired’ and ‘forgotten’ part of Sydney

The winning design for the new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta, described as a “monstrosity on stilts”. Photo: Supplied

residences available to scientists, researchers and students for shortterm accommodation. However, the site chosen to relocate the museum from Ultimo will necessitate bulldozing two heritage-listed buildings: St George’s Terraces and Willow Grove, the latter an 1870s-built former maternity hospital.

The use of stilts is a grim irony: the new site is vulnerable to flooding from the adjacent Parramatta River. Expert hydrologist John Macintosh, who advised the 2015 Grantham Floods Commission of Inquiry into the Queensland catastrophe in which 12 people drowned, cautioned in April 2018 that flood vulnerability on the new site could result in deaths and irreparably damaged exhibits. “My primary concern is for public safety,” he warned. “They’re locating a building, which is of interest to the public, a tourist attraction, in a floodplain. The intention is to attract people there, which, when it floods, is a hazardous location to such an extent that people could die.”

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THE HUBBU

HubNEWS

And even today there are gross slurs against gays wherever one looks. In this week’s Australian, Jennifer Oriel, amid an ongoing screed against gay people, wrote this: “Under the banner of queer even paedophila was regarded as permissible because it was considered immoral by the society.” The clotted grammar and Orwellian passive voice are of course the techniques of hate and fascism. The message is plain: Gay people are pedophiles. In the American South, religious groups fought in the Civil Rights struggle – on the wrong side. They, too, considered themselves religious people and no doubt prided themselves on it during the lynchings and the Klan rallies. Bigots have a right to their views. The Christian world dominates our society, and right now the most intolerant members of it have a Prime Minister ready to do their bidding. On the other side is a group of people treated cruelly for centuries. Who is being discriminated against? Who are you going to believe - the Prime Minister or your own eyes and ears? Keep sending through your tips, secrets and information to hubbubsydney@gmail.com. And be safe in your holidays.

Underage boys stripped by police By VERONICA ANASSIS ressure mounts to reform drug detection practices after an inquiry revealed the NSW Police have engaged in strip-searches of underage boys as young as 15 years old. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) heard allegations that a teen was told to “hold your dick and lift your balls up and show me your gooch,” by police at the Lost Music festival in February, and the buttocks of another minor were handled by officers without the presence of a guardian.

More than 300 school-age boys have been strip-searched by NSW Police in the last 3 years This has surfaced just months after a separate hearing by LECC investigated the accusations of illegal strip-searching of an underage girl in October. In NSW, a parent or guardian must be present unless a strip-search is deemed necessary for safety. This renders the searches as potentially illegal. None of the youths were found with any drugs on their person. The Guardian reported that more than 300 school-age boys,

NSW Police continue to target drug use at music festivals. Photo: Alec Smart

including one 11-year-old, have been strip-searched by NSW Police in the past three years.

Premier to bin pill tests

The NSW Government announced this week that new ‘amnesty bins’ will commence at music event entrances for roll out on December 28. The alternative to pill testing will allow festival-goers a place to ditch drugs at the grounds if deterred by the sight of nearby police.

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The Premier has decided on the ‘amnesty bin’ solution following urgent recommendations by Deputy Coronor Harriet Grahame in October to swap strip searches and sniffer dogs for mobile drug tests (pill testing). But Berejiklian remains adamant that most of the six MDMA-related festival drug deaths in recent years would not have been saved by pill testing, despite a series of successful trials in Canberra, and would give drug users free reign.

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HubNEWS

Blow up the pokies

annually on Newstart and sickness benefits.” And nobody is more addicted to gambling than governments. The total tax for all state and territory governments is estimated at over $6 billion annually with NSW raking in over $2 billion, and in past times gambling has accounted for around 10 per cent of state revenue. NSW Treasury was contacted for comment but did not respond.

Revenue raising

In the late 1970s, Australia became the world’s first developed nation to abolish death duties, so they had to look around for any means possible to replace the lost revenue.

Poker machines are specifically designed to trigger and exploit the brain In NSW the sprawling network of registered clubs across the state became the perfect source as the NSW Government allowed an increase in the numbers of poker machines that had been legal since 1954.

Nobody is more addicted to gambling than governments with all the tax revenue they raise. Photo:Mayya666/NeedPix

Australia now has over 20 per cent of the world’s gaming machines with over 200,000 spread across the nation.. NSW accounts for over 100,000 of these, with Star Casino licensed for over 1,600. The average poker machine in a NSW club will bring in $57,677 each year while a machine located in a pub will account for $113,561. Dr Christopher Hunt is the clinical supervisor at the University of Sydney’s Gambling Treatment and Research Centre which provides free treatment for problem gamblers, family and friends

across four treatment centres in Sydney. “Usually people who have a problem with gambling have a preferred form of gambling and have a meaningful early win that will put them on the path to gambling more often,” Dr Hunt said.

Play more, lose more

With poker machines there can be no long-term winners as the machines are programmed to have a return to player no higher than 87 per cent. The longer you play the more money you are likely to lose.

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by JOHN MOYLE n 2000 Tim Freedman of Australian band The Whitlams urged us to “Blow Up The Pokies” and that sentiment is even more urgent today. That Australians love to gamble is an understatement. National gambling records for 2017-2018 reveals they bet more than $208 billion across all legal forms of wagering, losing $24.8 billion in the process. According to the international gambling consultancy H2 Gambling Capital, in 2016 Australians lost more money per person, an average of $US990, than any other developed country, including Singapore with losses of $US650 per person. In Sydney, one working class suburb, Fairfield, fluttered away $8 billion, or just under $40,000 per person. “If that $25 billion being lost every year gambling was spent on dining out, buying clothes, holidaying locally etc., it would have a massive positive impact on our economy,” Reverend Tim Costello, chief advocate, Alliance for Gambling Reform said. “To put those losses into perspective, Australia spends around $10 billion

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HubNEWS

Rogue politicians released By JAMES HARRISON n the past week the public have learned that two disgraced former Australian MP’s are eligible for release from custody and an ex-Prime Minister visited a convicted paedophile in gaol. Milton Orkopoulos, former Aboriginal affairs minister, who was sentenced a minimum of nine years and three months in gaol for child sex offences and drug charges, will be eligible for release from prison no later than 3 January. Orkopoulos returns to the community with former NSW Labor Party powerbroker Eddie Obeid, who has served three years for failing to disclose his family business interest in Circular Quay café leases. Meanwhile, on 2 December, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott was filmed by Channel 7 leaving the Melbourne prison where convicted child sex offender Cardinal George Pell is incarcerated. “Look, I was simply visiting a friend, that’s all,” Abbott told a waiting reporter after his 45-minute visit. In December 2018, Pell was found guilty of five convictions for molesting two choirboys in Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral 22 years ago.

old’s parole was granted based on his advanced age and his involvement in counselling whilst in custody. His parole conditions restrict his economic freedom and his ability to leave the country or state without the permission of authorities.

Public treatment of political criminals

Convicted child sex offender George Pell enjoyed a visit from ex-PM Tony Abbot. Photo: KerryMyers/ Wikimedia Commons

The political criminals

Orkopoulos was denied his first parole attempt following several misconduct charges, including three drug charges and failure to participate in a sex offenders’ program.

the level of public forgiveness is unusual, considering the severity of their crimes

Orkopoulos’ predatory behaviour occurred between 1995 and 2006. The abuse towards young male victims aged between 15 and 20 involved Orkopoulos luring his victims with cannabis, heroin and alcohol before sexually abusing them. Eddie Obeid, a member of the NSW Upper House between 1991 and 2011, was sentenced in 2016 to five years’ imprisonment, with a three-year non-parole period. He was approved for release on 14 Dec. The 76-year-

Criminals with political power in Australian society seem to face less condemnation than those without. In Abbott’s case, maintaining his friendship with Pell is not unusual, as it is common for associates of criminals to assert their innocence, despite a verdict. Pell holding the highest position in the Australian Catholic Church also helps his image in the public eye as a man of character. Obeid and Orkopoulos have both endured widespread criticism for their behaviour, however the level of public support and forgiveness they’ve received is unusual, considering the severity of their crimes. Perhaps the voting public are unwilling to accept that some of their leaders are corrupt, as it questions the legitimacy of their government.

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Coffin Ed’s NAKED CITY

WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE! F ull of homegrown tourists and international travellers the Indian Pacific makes its way into Sydney past the dilapidated, graffiti scrawled landscape of the old Redfern railway yards. As the train slows and snakes its way into Central Station the choking bushfire smoke has all but obscured the view from the carriage windows. “Where are we?” queries one bemused passenger. “Have we finally arrived in Sydney?” “You certainly have,” comes the cheery reply as a team of NSW Tourism courtesy staff board to hand out complimentary gas masks. “Please enjoy your stay and listen carefully for the bells and foghorns on the light rail before crossing the road.” Welcome to Sydney 2020 where climate change and a total lack of Government foresight has redefined the way we attract tourists and entertain Sydneysiders themselves. But do not despair, we are a resilient lot and it’s often the case of making the best of a bad situation. The Opera House is out of bounds for the time being – too many steps to fall down whilst navigating the smog that has enveloped the harbour and also brought all ferries and pleasure craft to a halt. There is however a guided tour of the ruins of the old football stadium at Moore Park, which for various reasons, the Government has now declared a permanent

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city hub 19 DECEMBER 2019

archaeological site. There’s not enough money now to rebuild it but at least there is a revenue stream from those punters, prepared to trudge through the rubble and recall the glory days of the Rugby League grand finals. For a small extra charge, you can dig deep below the concrete remnants of the old dressing rooms and uncover a long lost jockstrap or busted mouth guard. The Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo has finally closed and it could be years before the new facility at Parramatta is open. In the meantime, the Government has introduced a unique initiative whereby Sydneysiders can host and store one of the Museum’s many treasures, for a small security deposit and monthly charge. The “Adopt An Artifact” program will see thousands of treasures distributed throughout suburban homes as well as nursing homes and pre-schools. The move will save thousands on storage and see popular museum pieces like The Transparent Woman and the Strasbourg Clock out and about in the community. There’s no pill testing at music festivals but organisers of one of the biggest events have asked all patrons to come naked in an attempt to foil police strip searches and the possible concealment of drugs. It’s part practical and part a nostalgic flashback to the days of Woodstock when hippies cavorted naked as a

liberation from society’s conservatism. The State Government fights back to ban not only pill testing but nudity as well, although on very polluted days the police will not be able to ask you to remove your gas mask.

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Sydney is running out of drinking water in 2020 although the Premier assures us we still have essential supplies of Kombucha. As a lastminute resort all foreign tourists are asked to bring their own bottled water and refrain from showering for longer than 15 secs. All public toilets are boarded up and pits are dug in the Domain and Hyde Park for those who really need to go. The homeless have never been a good look in a flourishing international metropolis like Sydney, especially when they bed down at night in the city CBD in some of our most affluent areas. We waived a magic wand back in 2000 during the Sydney Olympics when they miraculously disappeared (for two or three weeks) and it’s time to repeat the exercise. It won’t solve the problem of homelessness but it’s certainly a case of out of sight, out of mind. The city is now so badly polluted with year-long bushfire smoke it’s an easy exercise to get the entire homeless population on the midnight train to Lithgow, lured on by the offer of free sandwiches, oxygen bottles, doonas, pillows and even complimentary WiFi. They all return in the morning but visibility is so bad on the streets of Sydney, they are almost impossible to distinguish. Welcome to 2020 and beyond!

Shouty, Angry and Sweary Jonathan Pie’s Fake News Tour: The uppercut the media deserves! By Irina Dunn ho is Jonathan Pie and why should we go to his show at the Enmore Theatre in late February? Jonathan Pie is a fictitious British news reporter co-created by Tom Walker with comedian and journalist Andrew Doyle. Walker claims Pie is his “alter ego,” who originally appeared in 2015 in a series of spoof video clips as a frustrated British news reporter covering former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s relationship with a British MP, Diane Abbott. Well, Pie has lost that target now but has a bigger one in Boris Johnson, a gift that will seemingly keep on giving after his recent reelection. Pie was so good at his job that Walker was approached by several media companies offering him total creative control. In July 2016 Pie toured with his standup debut show, Jonathan Pie Live, for 23 dates including an appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Walker says Pie is “shouty, angry and sweary,” and when it comes to politics, “aren’t we all these days?” So Walker clearly shares his alter ego’s Weltanschauung, or “world view” for those of you who missed out on a liberal arts education. Pie is “frustrated with his job, frustrated with the state of news media and angry at the state of politics.” Walker says, “He’s pretty good at his job but… can’t help but rant about the state of the world… and he is quite fond of what some might call ‘colourful’ language.”

Jonathan Pie is “brilliant, brave, raw and analytical without forgetting to be funny.” A recent blurb for Jonathan Pie/Tom Walker’s tour says “With over 1.2 million Facebook followers, his videos regularly go viral, achieving millions of views across the globe. His response to the election of Donald Trump was viewed more than 150 million times worldwide. A recent clip exploring identity politics was viewed over eight million times on Facebook alone.” How does Walker explain Pie’s popularity with audiences the world over? “Well, we live in an age where, when it comes to politics, the truth is stranger than fiction. In the UK, we have a bumbling idiot in charge. We voted to leave the EU, which is an act of nationalistic self-harm. In America, a glorified real-estate agent and Day-Glo reality TV star is in the White House. And here [in Australia] you have the country literally burning to the ground and a government that refuses to acknowledge that climate change just might be part of the problem.” “Pie,” Walker says, “helps to make sense of the crazy world we live in. He vents our frustrations. And it’s cathartic to see a character who is lost in this strange political world that we live in.” Like many, Walker believes that Trump is tough to parody, because “he does it himself. All you kind

of have to do is read from his illiterate twitter profile, and the jokes are there ready-made.” Walker says that the worse the world gets the better his career becomes. “At this rate,” he adds, “I’ll be holding an Oscar the day the world ends.” Oddly enough, Walker excuses Trump’s behaviour to a very forgiving degree. “We berate Trump for calling anything he doesn’t like ‘Fake News’, but we all do it. We all read the news we agree with and dismiss the news we don’t. We live in a world where fact and opinion are given equal weight.” City Hub asked Walker what he thought about Australian politics, and his response was, “I’ll certainly be swatting up before I tour there in February. But I won’t do too much research too soon – you seem to get a new Prime Minister every other month.” What, does he expect ScoMo to disappear before his tour? If only! Walker says

he has noticed that Australian news reporters “get away with much ruder language than ours. It’s all a bit … ‘this is the bloody news!’” Walker’s mother and sister live in Australia, and while he’s happy to visit them regularly, he’s not too keen on Australian wildlife. “Everything is out to kill you,” he says, and just as we were about to shrug off his comment as the usual exaggeration, he added, “A couple of years ago I was visiting for Christmas. I went swimming on Christmas day and I trod on a stingray and it stabbed me in the foot. I spent the rest of the day in the emergency ward.” Ouch! Sorry, buddy. You won’t believe us if we tell you that the chances of this happening are really small, will you, and that you’re more likely to be run over by a bus?

JonathanRicky Pie. Photo: Supplied Gervais described Comedian

Feb 29. Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $69.90+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au city hub 19 DECEMBER 2019

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There’s grandiose audacity in Taika Waititi making a comedy based on Nazism… (See p.19)

RIFF RAFF S

ydney City Ballet’s The Nutcracker is returning for another season, back by popular demand. From December 19 the production will feature at Chatswood’s The Concourse and is a festive event for the whole family. Presented by Artistic Director Lucinda Dunn alongside choreography from Paul Boyd, the Sydney City Ballet seeks to bring Sydney productions where the stars of tomorrow perform alongside the stars of today. 17-year-old Darlington resident Lincoln Sharp will be dancing the role of the Snow King in the upcoming production of The Nutcracker and has recently announced he has been selected to represent Australia at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne Ballet Competition in Switzerland in January 2020. Read our full interview with Sharp on CityHubSydney.com.au

hey’ve dominated Australia’s media for generations. They’re rich. They’re powerful. But what goes on behind the scenes? Renowned Australian writer Tommy Murphy was driven to discover and explore the backstage lives of the Packer family and uncover the myth of the Packer dynasty. Originally set to end on Dec 22 the enthralling season of Packer & Sons at Belvoir Theatre has now been extended until Jan 5. For a full preview of the show head to CityHubSydney.com.au

o mark the 90th anniversary of Sydney’s iconic State Theatre the buildings stunning Wurlitzer organ has been unveiled following a decade-long restoration process. The restoration brings the organ, which has not been played with full purity of sound for 65 years, back to life for future generations. The Wurlitzer is the jewel in the crown of the State, making the 90th anniversary the perfect moment to unveil the refurbished organ, the only organ of its type remaining in its original home in Australia.

aving formed The Know in Sydney’s inner west in 2017 the five-pice have quickly risen he through the ranks of the Australian music scene. Just last month they support British India and now they are set to return with their own headline show this Friday.

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city hub 19 DECEMBER 2019

Cirque Stratosphere

he visionary minds that produced Circus 1903 and The Illusionists are bringing a new spectacular show to the Sydney Opera House. Cirque Stratosphere represents an evolution of traditional circus, catapulting it into the future. In an immersive, cosmic universe, a selection of the world’s greatest acrobats and gymnasts will defy gravity and challenge notions of physics and possibility. Among the performers is a unique artist who combines physical skill with artistic beauty. German performer Felice Aquilar is a former rhythmic gymnast whose Spinning Art act has won her international plaudits. “When I was younger I performed an act in which I played the ballerina on the music box,” says Aguilar, describing how she created her concept. “I developed the idea more and more and after several prototypes I decided for the small turning plate which I turn myself in both directions with help of a ball bearing.” Her act is simultaneously thrilling and poignant. It’s a combination she considers important in modern circus. “Today it is very hard to develop something so new that no-one has ever

seen before. So that’s why artists try do something that already exists and make it unique by doing it in their own kind of way or combining it with something that never has been combined before.” According to Aguilar, this is a show not to be missed. ”Cirque Stratosphere is a highly professional show with extremely talented, skilled and unique artists and acts from all over the world. You will find everything to be entertained in this contemporary show, the thrill, surprises, originality and big feelings!” (RB) Dec 24-29 & Jan 14-19. Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $39$119+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker A

beloved Christmas ballet receives an enchanting kid-friendly incarnation this festive season. Thanks to the renowned production company, Storytime Ballet, Sydney’s children are encouraged to dress in their favourite ballet-inspired outfits as they witness Tchaikovsky’s beautiful ballet, The Nutcracker. The current production of The Nutcracker was created as an immersive experience intended to conjure pure light-hearted fun, and follows Clara as she goes on a magical journey and meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King and The Nutcracker Prince. According to Artistic Director David McAllister, “These specially designed Storytime Ballets allow us to tour more extensively and increase accessibility to ballet across Australia. It means we can

provide the perfect first ballet experience for more Australian families.” Why not give the gift of ballet this festive season? Until Jan 4. Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $44-$56+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

All You Need Is Love

ow in its sixth year, the All You Need Is Love concert at the Sydney Opera House has become as much a New Year’s Day ritual as a beach picnic. The 2020 show features a line up of immeasurable talent - Jack Jones (Southern Sons), Ciaran Gribbin (INXS), Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc) and Jackson Thomas (The Voice) – performing with The Day Tripper Band and The Strawberry Fields Rock Orchestra. This Fab Four will sing 30 of The Beatles best-loved songs depicting the full breadth and range of the super group’s catalogue, including enduring classics like Yesterday, Yellow Submarine, Across The Universe, A Day In The Life, Something, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and of course, All You Need Is Love. “The songs are popular Beatles songs for sure, but they’ve been chosen because they lend themselves to orchestration,” explains co-producer Phil Bathols. “We commissioned all of the orchestrations for these shows ourselves. With over 40 singers and musicians on stage in the majestic ambience of the Concert Hall, it promises to be a truly unforgettable experience and auspicious way to begin the New Year. And with major renovations planned in the Concert Hall, the concert won’t be performed again until 2022. (RB) Jan 1-3. Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $89-$169+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

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city hub 19 DECEMBER 2019

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HubARTS

Celebrating the release fo their catchy new single, Hurt Somebody, the group are set to once again impress with their unique sound which blends influences from The Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys and Rolling Stones. Dec 20. The Bridge Hotel, 119 Victoria Rd, Rozelle.

iff Raff correspondents Rita Bratovich and Mark Morellini recently engaged in a heated debate over the quality of the upcoming film Portrait Of A Lady On Fire. Check out a short snippet of this debate below before heading to CityHubSydney.com.au to read more… RITA: So Mark... how gorgeous was that film. Subtle, delicate, sensitive. MARK: yes…all of the above... a lavish production and it can’t be denied that it was beautifully crafted, with a gorgeous cast of predominantly women, very meticulous to detail and mesmerising cine-matography....but ultimately I found it somewhat underwhelming....is it the masterpiece that it has been described as??

REVIEW

Blue Christmas B

lue Christmas features two new Australian plays by award-winning playwrights Katy Warner and Gretel Vella. The first play, Good People by Katy Warner, has an all-female cast playing long-term friends on a holiday in a foreign country who have had to leave their hotel abruptly and are stuck at the airport. As time moves on the conversations between the women weave back and forth through present, past and future plans. Rivalries begin to surface and anxieties begin to take over. We learn that they have witnessed something terrible and that there are men with machine guns everywhere. They are dealing with the guilt of having done too little too late to help those

in trouble and now must make the decision to stay or leave. The tiny Kings Cross Theatre is just perfect for such an intimate performance. A very well-written play too. The production just needed to be better paced and the tension needed to build in order for the gravity of the situation to be believable. At times the performance was too conversational and looked like an acting class in progress. The second play Shandy’s Corner deals with issues faced in a women’s refuge. Greta Vella takes on a raw and edgy topic and treats it with sensitivity and kindness. Rather than dwelling on the pain she has chosen to write a play that is able to break through the inner anguish and social isolation that women in homeless

Laura Djanehara, Harriet GordonAnderson & Meg Clarke

shelters have to deal with every day. Vella focuses instead on the solidarity of women helping each other to help themselves. Well-directed by Lucy Clement with a strong ensemble cast and a stand out performance from Zoe Jensen. (RLD) Until Dec 22. Kings Cross Theatre, Level 2, Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William St, Kings Cross. $20-$32+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.kingsxtheatre.com

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By Jamie Apps s legendary musician Lloyd Cole approaches 35 years in the music business he took some time to sit down and chat with City Hub. During the conversation, Cole spoke about his career and the hidden challenges of the creative process. Although many years ago Cole still recalls with clarity the moment he realised music could become a fulltime career. “I went to my parents in the summer of 1983 and said ‘we have a job and a following. So I’m going to leave university,’” Cole reflected before adding, “You don’t get many opportunities like that so had we decided to wait a year we may have missed it. In retrospect, although I knew absolutely nothing about what we were doing in The Commotions I was incredibly confident that we could do it.” From that moment on Lloyd Cole And The Commotions would go on to become household names around the world with multiple top 20 charting records. With the period between 1984 and 1994 being so lucrative for Cole and

city hub 19 DECEMBER 2019

Lloyd Cole

his band he told us he began making retirement arrangements at just 29 years of age. “When I was 29 I started making my retirement arrangements for when I was 45 because I had more money than I ever thought I would have.” However then life took a turn for the worse and early retirement was no longer a feasible option. Which luckily for fans of his music has meant Cole has continued

to produce wonderful music for over three decades, the latest release being the 2019 album Guesswork. Guesswork saw Cole reuniting with former bandmates Neil Clark and Blair Cowan but in a new unique way. “It was odd because we were never in the same room,” explained Cole, “I was up here in my attic most of the time. Neil was in Toronto and Blair was in Glasgow.” Another odd thing about this

record was the time it took Cole to finally begin working on it. “I was thinking about [the record] for about five years before I started making it. I think for the last two years I had a lot of sketches and ideas in my notebook but was a little overwhelmed by the task at hand which prevented me from getting started.” For Cole, it was the prospect of being alone in a room with constantly changing creative requirements that were so overwhelming. “I can’t just go from thinking about programming drums to writing lyrics the next minute. I need time to get into the right frame of mind. It’s like it’s not the same part of me that does all of these different jobs.” Ultimately it was the notion that not putting out any new material would see him relegated to “oldies artist” status that spurred Cole to dive in and make the record. “When I look in the mirror I’m not ready to see myself as an oldies artist just yet!” Dec 20. City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney. $54-$80+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.cityrecitalhall.com

Stormzy - Heavy Is The Head

ith his much anticipated second album Stormzy breaks the mould of UK grime, and in doing so establishes himself as a major crossover artist. Throughout the 16 tracks on Heavy Is The Head Stormzy delivers huge variety. Simultaneously Stormzy is able to remain true to his roots in the UK grime scene but also evolves the genre, driving it into mainstream pop stardom. Lyrically the record harks pack to Stormzy’s early days as a witty, precociously braggadocious UK park poet. Which works wonderfully with the sparse, yet punchy, production elements. To list the highlights of this record would require us listing more than we omit. So put simply, give Heavy Is The Head a spin. (JA)

WWWW

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Kate Mitchell: All Auras Touch

efore her exhibition, All Auros Touch, opens in January artist Kate Mitchell is appealing to the public to help find people employed in occupations listed by the Australian and New Zealand Bureau of Statistics’ Standard Classification of Occupations. Why would she do this you might ask? Well, the answer is that All Auros Touch is going to provide a snapshot of contemporary Australia by revealing the human energy fields, otherwise known as auras, of

Kate Mitchell, All Auras Touch (artist portrait), 2019. Commissioned by Carriageworks. Image courtesy the artist, Anna Schwartz Gallery and Chalk Horse © the artist

everyday Australians. For the exhibition, Kate Mitchell will use electromagnetic field imaging equipment to photograph aura of one person for each of the 1,023 recognised occupations. Each aura portrait will then form part of an expansive installation which will remind us that we are all energetic beings made up of the same matter. If you’d like to participate register your details on the Carriageworks website. Jan 8-Mar 1. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Everleigh. Info: www.carriageworks.com.au

here’s grandiose audacity in Taika Waititi even considering making a comedy based on Nazism and he certainly goes full-throttle with his signature brand of humour. This film will definitely divide people, not least because of the subject matter. In short, Johannes “Jojo” Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) is a 10-yearold boy in the Hitler youth who lives with his mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson). His father, so Jojo is told, is fighting on the front. Jojo has been completely indoctrinated into Nazism

and is guided through life by an imagined avatar of Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi). When Jojo discovers that his mother has hidden a teenage Jewish girl in the attic, he is faced with a turmoil of doubts and confusing emotions - including a crush. It’s a sweet premise and there are devastatingly powerful moments, but its messages are heavy-handed and obvious, and the humour becomes tiresome and distracting. Cliched, simplistic and disappointing, though there are quite funny bits. (RB) WWW1/2

The Diver, Backpedal, and Closed Doors. For a comprehensive round-up of the festival check out City Hub's deep dive feature in our first issue of 2020 on January 2.

Well, derr! What’s not to love? Girl meets girl. Girl paints girl. Girl’s dress catches fire. Girl and girl have sex and then help another girl have an abortion. It’s got everything! Granted, it’s not fast paced, edge of your seat kind of stuff. Yeah! right! Did I enjoy the film??? Perhaps if I enjoyed watching two hour television commercials for over-priced luxury soaps I would have, which is what this overly-rated film seemed like...the smoke has clouded your judgement… Ahh, what happened between your first comment and now, Dr Jekyll? “a lavish production and it can’t be denied that it was beautifully crafted, with a gorgeous cast of predominantly women, very meticulous to detail and mesmerising cinematography.”

Flickerfest 2020

unshine and cinema coming together hand in hand has become a tradition in Sydney thanks to the Flickerfest International Short Film Festival. Over 10 thrilling days, Flickerfest, a beloved Sydney summer institution will once again delight audiences with the very best in short films from Australia and around the world, screened under the stars at the iconic Bondi Pavilion in January. Of the over 3,500 submissions Flickerfest has chosen an incredible selection of films for Sydney film buffs to check out. Some of those top films being; Chicken,

...meaning....did you enjoy the film???

Yes....the film moved at a snail’s pace and the complete omission of a musical score compounded to the sheer boredom…. yes that’s right...but I’m now telling you what I disliked about this film.... as it’s a hit and miss…

Jojo Rabbit T

If Andy Warhol’s copy and paste of Campbell soup tins can be called a masterpiece, then yes.

Jan 10-19. Bondi Beach, Bondi. $18-$180+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.flickerfest.com.au

re you still without plans for NYE? If so, check out the range of VIP offerings available at Luna Park’s Harbour Party! Harbour Party have three different VIP packages available to help you ring in the New Year in spectacular fashion. First up is the Crystal Palace package which gives you access to an exclusive party space, decadent canapé menu and a wide range of complimentary beverages for $439. Next up is the ever more luxurious Sonar package which comes with priory entry, complimentary cloaking facilities, all-inclusive rides, live entertainment and a VIP position to witness the fireworks display for $479. For the ultimate in extravagance though pick up the Palais & Altum package. This package includes an exquisite six-course sit-down dinner paired with a selection of beverages, exclusive access to the Palais and Altum spaces, entry to the Sonar underground dance party, priority entry to Luna Park and the best view over the harbour for the fireworks display. For more info head to www.harbourparty.com city hub 19 DECEMBER 2019

city hub 19 DECEMBER 2019