City Hub 20 November 2014

from Bondi to Balmain...

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tapped out Mark Cleary and Lesley Dimmick of TAP gallery

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Grass roots arts being pushed out of house and home places where people live and work to provide a cultural heart for Sydney are being eroded by development.”

Patrick Morrow, the President of the University of Sydney’s Dramatic society (SUDS) said that there are “immense barriers involved in progressing from amateur to professional art.”

“To have enough time to work on these things is essential, and that means having enough of a net to not be doing full time work,” he said.

“The people that I know that are making an impression on the arts scene are those that had the means to deal with the risk.”

Lesley Dimmick says this barrier exists on the selling side of art as well.

“People are buying art as an investment and not for love. Then they don’t buy living Australian’s art – only dead ones. How are you supposed to make a living if you don’t get paid for your work until you’re dead?”

“Young Australian artists are not only unsupported, but they’re also not respected, and that’s a sad reality,” she said.

Patrick Morrow says this influences the decisions that young artists are making.

“The sense that we need to address financial pressure through art is undermining the value of what we do,” he said.

Dimmick says that the mistreatment of artists goes on in all levels of government.

“Artists in Sydney are treated like dole bludgers and driven out to Western Sydney,” she said.

Mark Cleary, says that the City of Sydneyis showing some promising signs.

“The medium-level things they are doing are showing positive effects. Like the Eternity Playhouse - they gave that place to a small independent theatre company and kitted the place out.”

The Eternity Pllayhouse is directly across the road from the TAP Gallery and its renovation has puzzled Lesley Dimmick.

“We thought we were going to be complimentary and that we could turn this into a wonderful cultural district,” she said.

“The government and councils understand so well what a housing block is, or what an infrastructure zone is, but they don’t understand the value of a cultural zone – there’s actually a huge financial industry revolving around the arts if you create ‘areas’ instead of patchwork.”

Artists are increasingly moving to other cities like Melbourne and Brisbane because they think they will be more supported.

This is despite the fact that the City of Sydney spends $34 million a year on arts and culture compared to The City of Melbourne’s $14.4 million.

A large amount of this money goes into the Biennale, Vivid, and New Years’ Eve with the expectation that there will be trickle down funding for the grassroots artists.

“TAP has not seen any trickle down,” Lesley Dimmick said.

“Not only have they managed to shut us down, but they’ve managed to make us spend so much money on renovations

that we can’t even relocate.”

In 2012, the Mayor of London started the World Cities Culture Forum which gathers cultural data. Sydney is praised for its large scale events and public art installations in the forum, but the data tells a different story. Just 5.5% of Sydney’s population is employed in the

Photo: Steve McLaren

BY Elliott Brennan The future of the arts in Sydney looks bleak following recent instances where artists have been forced to stop operating by councils.

City Hub reported that the TAP Gallery in Darlinghurst and Mark Cleary of Short + Sweet have both been driven out of venues as Sydnety becomes one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world.

Lesley Dimmick of the TAP Gallery was told by the City of Sydney that she didn’t have the correct zoning for the upstairs space and and needed to cease using it as a theatre. They told her this after she had spent $10,000 on renovations to make her theatre firecompliant, Mark Cleary faced similar problems with Marrickville council. They informed him that he was not permitted to both work and live in his studio and gave him three days to leave. Over the last 15 years Mr Cleary has worked with the council on a large number of community art projects.

Ms Dimmick says that these cases are not unique and that there is a cultural gentrification happening across Sydney.

“What happens is that artists move in and make the place interesting, then everyone else moves in because of that and force the artists out,” she said.

Mark Cleary holds the same beliefs but puts more of the blame on development.

“Artists are being pushed out of spaces because their areas are becoming units,” he said.

“All these interesting and eccentric

creative arts - which is one of the lowest rankings of a western city in the study.

Sydney also has one of the lowest numbers of theatres per capita with only 73 theatres servicing the whole city.

Patrick Morrow said he worries for his future, and the future of art in Sydney.

“If you don’t have support for a fledgling community of art and theatre makers, you will not have a worthwhile mainstream in 20 to 30 years.”

Mark Cleary and Lesley Dimmick of TAP Gallery

Balmain Leagues Club back on the market Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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ABN 48 135 222 169 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Manager: Chris Peken Group Editor: Elliott Brennan Contributors: Emily Contador-kelsall, Joe Bourke, Sophie Trigger, Holly Jones, Christopher Harris, Erika Vass Arts Editor: Emma Salkild Live Music Editors: Chelsea Deeley & Alexandra English Dining Editor: Jackie McMillan Advertising Managers: Toni Martelli, Robert Tuitama & Mike Contos Design: Joanna Grace Cover: Steve McLaren - Mark Cleary & Lesley Dimmick Email: question@alternativemediagroup.com Advertising: sales@alternativemediagroup.com Contact: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Web: altmedia.net.au

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BY Emily Contador-kelsall After almost a decade of failed development proposals and community opposition, the site of the old Tiger’s club in Balmain is on the market.

The club first came into the spotlight in 2004, when they approached Leichhardt Municipal Council to discuss rezoning and has since seen several development applications.

Rozelle Village is the current owner and vendor of the property.

Leichardt Mayor Rochelle Porteous said council wants to ensure there is an evidence-based approach, which enables the development of a smaller and more sensible development that aligns with community expectations.

“Council is in the process of developing new planning controls for the Balmain Leagues Club site.”

“The new controls need to properly take into account the restrictions imposed on the site by its location within a residential precinct, the already at capacity traffic network and the border the site shares with Victoria Road” Councillor Darcy Byrne, exMayor of Leichardt said all sides would need to compromise to deliver a development that benefits the community and Tigers fans.

“It is a relief that developer Rozelle Village has finally decided to sell the site on. This creates one last opportunity for a developer with a more realistic expectation

to purchase the site and propose a reasonable development with a new Leagues Club in it.”

Rozelle Residents Action Group [RRAG] spokesperson Mark Wallis said the sale of the site gives the community some hope that with a more reasonable owner who could work with the community, they might get an acceptable outcome.

“Although this saga will never be truly over until something is built on the site the process so far has shown that the type of high rise / retail development proposed will not work on this site” “An alternative that might work would be similar to what is happening on Victoria Road, Drummoyne with buildings of up to 5 storeys stepped down to the residential streets behind.”

Balmain Leagues Club

Mayor Porteous said council and the community want to see the return of the Balmain Leagues Club to the site.

“I think most of the community and council want to see development on the site which is sensible and which works in the local context.”

“The original rezoning and development applications simply did not work. We want to be sure that the new planning controls provide clarity and certainty both for the new purchaser and for the community.”

Labor Candidate for Balmain, Verity Firth said in a statement that any potential purchasers of the site must engage in genuine community consultation, if they wish to avoid the pitfalls that stymied past owners.

Mr Wallis from RRAG said the

decade long struggle between the community and developer had brought the community closer together.

“I think it has shown how a long and sustained community based opposition to an unacceptable development proposal can be successful.”

“Without the widespread support of the community this fight would not have been won.”

Cr Byrne said the State Government and supporters of the Club will have to accept that skyscrapers will never be approved but that a much smaller scale development can be built.

“Mayor Porteous, Jamie Parker and their Greens colleagues will need to actually propose a viable development instead of blindly opposing as they have done in the past.”

“The new purchaser of the site should get on with the job of submitting a development application that complies with the existing rezoning.”

Mr Wallis said he thought Balmain Leagues Club has allowed their brand to be used to the longterm detriment of the club.

“This is a sad state of affairs for such an iconic club as Tigers, but had their original development scenario been more reasonable it would have been built by now and the club would still be on the Rozelle site.”

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Light rail angers south east

BY Joe Bourke Community groups are uniting in opposition of the controversial CBD and South East Light Rail (CSELR), following a public meeting at Randwick Boys High School for communities along the proposed route.

The meeting was chaired by Surry Hills activist Venietta Slama-Powell and also featured appearances from an economist, a Medical specialist, and an infrastructure analyst.

The meeting had the largest attendance yet and infrastructure analyst Andrew Roydhouse said that this is a sign of the general feeling toward the government’s treatment of the affected communities.

“We had almost 200 people, which was roughly four or five times the amount which turned up to the official Transport for NSW meeting. They sent a letter to the local newspaper which said that after being to two meetings previously and treated as a joke they weren’t going to go along to the latest one,” Mr Roydhouse said.

Ms Slama-Powell also said that the number of people at the meeting was encouraging.

“Certainly it was successful from that point of view. It was quite broad in terms of the people who attended from the CBD, Surry Hills, Kingsford, Randwick, Maroubra, Coogee and the vast majority of the attendees were opposed to the project, and asking for ways that they can assist us in stopping the project as it is,” she said.

According to Ms Slama-Powell, the South East could be the most heavily affected area, and the light rail will actually decrease

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public transport to the region.

“The whole precinct is impacted by a significant reduction of public transport activity, with twenty bus services being removed from the area.” Ms Slama-Powell said.

Mr Roydhouse said that the implications of the light rail service will be dire for Sydney’s South East.

“It doesn’t increase public capacity; in fact the figures are that they’re spending 2.2 billion dollars to slash public transport to Randwick, Kingsford and beyond to the South East by over 10,000 passenger capacity an hour,” he said.

“At the same time they’ve proposed

rezoning up to 1100 hectares from Moore Park to La Perouse for up to 20 storey high rise, including 20 hectares of Randwick race course.”

With the Sydney Morning Herald reporting on the November 10 that the cost for the light rail was likely to go $600 million over the original budget of $1.6 billion, Mr Roydhouse said that the taxpayer deserves to know where their money is going.

“It’s costing over $180 million a kilometre; so if you think about it, that’s $180 000 a metre. This is above the ground, virtually no tunnelling and it costs $180 000 a metre. There seems to be a disease

in NSW where public infrastructure costs more than any other state,” he said.

“The transport minister and the Premier are spending taxpayer’s funds, and if they are not prepared to justify and prove to the public that this stands up on its own merits then why should they be entitled to spend that money? Numerous groups have put in freedom of information requests and they have been denied.”

Eloise Walker is a resident of Kingsford, and says that something needs to be done with the transport in her area.

“I want a train station, but I know that’s not going to happen. The buses to neighbouring suburbs are horrible. I need to take multiple buses that take triple the amount of time and effort to get to places that are a five minute drive from my house

and an example of this would be Coogee,” she said.

“I am hopeful that the light rail will improve reliability, but I don’t think it will improve accessibility. There are already lots of existing buses that serve such a purpose.”

Both Mr Roydhouse and Ms SlamaPowell are hopeful that with continued community support, they will be able to stop the light rail in its current form.

“From my perspective with anything, people always say no until they say yes. Just like a job seeker, they might get 20 or 30 knock backs, and until the minute before they get the call to tell them they’ve got the job, they feel hopeless. If you despair and give up, you’ll never achieve.” Mr Roydhouse said.

PUSH against light rail

Further calls for eviction of drug users from public housing

BY Elliott Brennan There have been renewed calls in the suburbs of Redfern and Waterloo for tenants of public housing who have a history with serious drug crimes to be evicted permanently.

Redfern’s Local Area Commander Luke Freudenstein appeared on the ABC Radio Program The World Today and called for increased powers to remove trouble residents from the area forever.

“People who are applying, if they have a history of drug supply, we don’t want them in Redfern and Waterloo, and it’s not me just saying it as a police officer,” he told the ABC’s Lindy Kerin.

“I speak to the community every day, and the community is sick and tired of these drug suppliers making use and profiting at the benefit of some poor people who have dependencies.”

The comments led to criticism and questioning by Greens councillor for the City of Sydney, Irene Doutney.

“When you’ve got people like this that are vulnerable - and you push them out you leave them no choice but homelessness and crime,” Cr Doutney told City Hub. “It’s pretty extreme for someone

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to find themselves just completely written out of the housing system.

I’m sure that there’s more that could be done in prisons to rehabilitate people, I’m sure there could be more police programs to help people.”

Commander Freudenstein said that rehabilitation is an important aspect of the process and always has been.

“Everyone deserves a place to stay, I agree, and you know I agree with rehabilitation,” he said.

“But you’re not going to rehabilitate, when you come into an area that you’ve been before, that you sold drugs there before, you know the people. Move somewhere else.”

The Family and Community Services Minister, Gabrielle Upton, is on the side of change and says the Government is as well.

“The NSW Government is working to improve the behavior of those public housing tenants who are making life a misery for the vast majority of law abiding residents,” she said.

“We are looking to target the criminal elements in public housing right across the state, not just Redfern.”

In response to Cr Doutney’s fear that the possession of even a small

amount of drugs could lead to a lifetime ban from public housing, Minister Upton said only the worse crimes would ever constitute this.

“Any possible bans for people to continue to access public housing should only be for serious breaches including drug dealing from the public housing that they live in,” she said.

“We need to have a system that rewards good behaviour and

punishes people who abuse the privilege of subsidised rent.”

Cr Doutney isn’t convinced that this will be effective on the crime the Minister and Local Area Commander want to stop.

“They’ll dip back into homelessness and all the things they were doing before they got arrested if they don’t have any help – they’ll just do it somewhere else,” she said.

Redfern’s local area commander Luke Freudenstein

news in brief

A victory in the battle for same sex marriage in New South Wales

BY Elliott Brennan Under new State legislation, NSW will now recognise the legitimacy of same sex marriages that take place overseas.

The change to the Relationships Register Amendment (Recognition of Same-sex and Genderdiverse Relationships) Bill 2014 was put forward by the Independent Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich.

He believed it was an unfair situation where spouses would have to deny their own marriage.

“Under these changes, same sex couples who marry overseas will be able to reflect their marital status on relevant forms and will no longer have to declare that they are not married. The eligibility section of the guide for couples will also be updated to clarify that same sex couples

who marry overseas are eligible to register their relationship,” Mr Greenwich said.

Despite getting the amendment through, Mr Greenwhich still believes there is a lot more to do.

“This change acknowledges that a growing number of NSW citizens must travel overseas to marry the person they love, while waiting for the Federal Government to legislate for marriage equality,” he said.

“Fortunately the NSW Relationship Register will now ensure these marriages receive a level of protection and recognition in NSW, and I thank the Attorney-General for working with me towards this outcome.”

Queensland and Tasmania already have similar laws in place and pressure is building on the rest of the country to do the same.

“The inaction of federal governments, past and present, on marriage equality remains an embarrassing blight on our nation’s reputation for fairness, freedom and equality.”

BY Elliott Brennan The Minister for Planning, Pru Goward has announced the dignitaries who will speak at the Bays Precinct International Summit. The announcement comes after two ‘people’s summits’ held by both the City of Sydney and Leichhardt council to hear community concerns.

The International summit will take place over Saturday and Sunday (November 22-23) and will be held in the Australian Technology Park.

Ms Goward sent out a media release which contained the list of what she called the ‘celebrity city builders’.

“Anyone who follows high-profile urban transformation around the world knows these accomplished individuals,” Ms Goward said.

“Riek Bakker, John Campbell, Rita Justesen and Alexandre Sorrentino, to name just a few – they are the celebrities of city building and The Bays Precinct deserves no less.”

The list shows only 18 of over 60 experts and those included come from France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark.

Frenchman Alexandre Sorrentino is a key adviser on the development of southern Europe’s largest urban renewal project, Cité de la Méditerranée, and will be attending the summit.

He believes that calling on the world’s best designers is a bold move on the part of Urban Growth.

“That’s why I find this summit so innovative.

Gathering various experiences and expertise to draw Sydney’s own path in the exciting journey to urban renewal is a very smart approach,” he said.

There is only one Australian on the ‘celebrity list’ – Peter Newman who is a Professor of Sustainability from Curtin University in Western Australia.

Ms Goward’s announcement that there will be no real Australian or Sydney representation on the

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expert panel reinforces reservations which have been raised to the event, namely that it will not address local needs.

But the official agenda for the summit includes prominent local voices, such as Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Clover Moore.

Cr Moore has pushed for increased community representation since the start of the project, partnering with the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney to generate community feedback.

The City held a public meeting, dubbed ‘the people’s summit’ in Town Hall on Sunday (November 16) that aimed to counter the lack of residents and community groups that have not ­been invited to attend the international summit.

At a council meeting earlier this month, Cr Moore stated that the precinct needs to be redeveloped for the benefit of the community, not developers.

Pru Goward

“Public benefits must include walking, cycling and public transport connectivity; human services such as childcare, health and education; cultural facilities including spaces for artists; affordable housing, especially rent controlled for low income workers; open space, recreation facilities, parkland and foreshore access; and economic development that contributes to the NSW and local economy.

While the Lord Mayor will be addressing the Summit, the Mayor of Leichhardt, Cr Rochelle Porteous was not invited to speak, despite the fact that her precinct covers 80% of the Bays area.

“Neither Leichhardt Council nor the City of Sydney is named as a Project Partner in this major venture, which is extraordinary given the extent to which any development will affect our communities,” Cr Porteous said.

“What happens in the Bays Precinct happens to the whole of Leichhardt. We want to see an evidence-based, fully consulted Bays Precinct Master Plan, with the time allocated to do it once and do it properly. The Master Plan also needs to be developed for the whole of the Bays Precinct not selected parts.”

Cr Porteous has also panned Urban Growth for not extending invitations to all Leichhardt councilors.

“The International Summit is by invitation only, and despite the hurried announcement of a widening of the invitations to include a few not-forprofit organisations and community groups, it has not included most of Leichhardt Council” she said.

Invited community representatives include transport groups. The Glebe Society, Better Planning Network, Friends of Sydney Harbour Blackwattle Cove Coalition Pyrmont Action The summit will not discuss the design of the buildings that will make up the new Bays Precinct, but will only consider the development of the Draft Strategic Plan which will set out the principles for the rest of the program.

Cartoon: Peter Berner

Bays precinct international summit speakers announced

Homelessness problem discussed in Glebe

BY Sophie trigger The problem of increasing homelessness in Sydney was the subject of a conference held by Politics in the Pub on Thursday (November 13) at the Harold Park Hotel.

Gary Moore, the CEO of Homelessness NSW, argued that the spike in housing prices was a driving factor in the increase of rough sleepers.

“If the NSW Government sees social housing as infrastructure in the same way as roads and rail, it simply should be making greater investments in new social housing,” Mr Moore said.

“It’s going in the opposite direction with regards to social housing. Unless the Commonwealth and state government choose to do other things, it’s just not going to get any better.”

A study undertaken by Anglicare in April of this year found that out of 1,200 properties advertised in a test week, only 21 were deemed affordable for someone living on a Centrelink income.

Only 800 properties were considerable affordable for individuals living on the minimum wage.

Homelessness NSW sees these figures as contributing to a 26% increase in rough sleepers between February this year and last.

Sister Anne Jordan, from the organization Cana Communities,

agrees that the property market makes it nearly impossible for homeless and disadvantaged groups to secure housing.

“One of the people who had moved on from our community, and was living with us was on a pension and he paid $330 a week for a single motel room,” Sister Jordan said.

“To get a unit or an independent place in the city, you just can’t do that for less than $250 or $280 a week - affordable housing is just not possible.”

Homelessness NSW proposes that the NSW Government meet a minimum 10% affordable housing target in order to combat this problem.

Media Spokesperson for Greens NSW, Jan Barham believes that a lack of communication between different levels of government compounds the problem.

“It needs to be a partnership between local, state and central governments,” said Ms Barham.

“What we’re seeing is a lack of communication between all three levels to ensure we can have delivery of more housing that is affordable and appropriate for those in need.”

Mr Moore argues that overseas, including in some US states, property developers are required to contribute to the cost of affordable housing as part of new developments.

But in Australia, as property

prices sprial out of control and affordable housing is not built, more and more people are becoming homeless.

“Most of the public generally think that homeless people are older men,” Mr Moore said.

“The biggest group is actually low-income, and often migrant families, squashed into severely overcrowded, poor-quality private rental housing.”

But Sister Anne Jordan believes that as more and more families

become homeless, the issues of affordable housing will finally be addressed.“I think the issues have to change,” Sister Jordan said.

“Eventually there will be enough people who have family members who can’t manage. Votes change when it touches us personally.”

The 2011 census estimated that there were 30,000 people who were homeless in NSW, but it is almost certain that this figure has increased over hte last three years.

Dodgem cars, bowling alleys, and bars in Alexandria

BY Christopher Harris A Development Application has surprised residents of Alexandria.

It’s not another new restaurant, but is rather a haunted house with an attached leisure center- which would include a bowling alley, dodgem cars, laser tag skirmish, a ropes and tyres course as well as amusement machines.

National Bowling and Recreation Centres Limited, who has lodged the application, hopes for the centre to have development consent for 80 people.

The conversion of a warehouse, which is currently vacant, is projected to cost around $1.1 million dollars.

National Bowling and Recreation Centres Limited is a new company whose Managing Director, Roy Menachemson has extensive experience in the leisure industry. A company website describes him as having “held senior executive management positions within the bowling Industry over the past 35 years.”

He is regarded as an expert in bowling centre operations and as a respected leader within the Industry,” the

website reads.

Australian Bureau of statistics data shows that there has been a small but steady increase in the amount of children in the AlexandriaErskineville area over a fouryear period since 2007.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is an increasing presence of families living in the densely populated area.

Clare Bartram, a local who lives in the suburb, has doubts about the suitability of the development for the also large population of young urban professionals like herself.

“I don’t agree with the decision to put in a bowling alley in Alexandria. In my experience I think bowling alleys are tacky, especially with a Haunted House, and offer poor quality facilities,” she said.

“Most of the activities they are proposing to include (laser tag, dodgem cars) are often pretty expensive and something I wouldn’t do regularly. I think the space could be better used for other facilities, such as a cinema, restaurant or wine bar.”

The DA is on exhibition at the City of Sydney until the 25th of November.

Gary Moore

Students calculate expensive future

BY Holly Jones A new online ‘Debt Sentence’ Calculator developed by the Labor Party shows students how much they will pay if deregulation of university fees goes forth.

According to the Labor Party’s calculations, students could find themselves paying up to 150,000 for their degrees.

The opposition has been touring NSW to highlight the impact Abbott government reforms will have on the cost of education.. Labor MPs Anthony Albanese, Matt Thistlethwaite, and Bill Shorten have all been visiting schools in their local areas on a public relations run.

Students from inner and greater Sydney held a mock funeral for the proposed deregulation of fees at the University of Technology on Sunday (November 16).

Students and teachers wore black and converged in front of the university declaring the event “the happiest funeral ever,” but deregulation is still a very real possibility.

This is not the outcome Olivia Kilponen is hoping for.

“I’m in so much debt already,” said Olivia, who studies Law and International studies at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Her degree would increase by $20,000 – from $41,203 to $60,255 Case studies found on the website show that over 7.5 years, a degree will cost $40,506, but under the Federal Government’s proposed system it will cost $118,781 over 15 years – a degree costing $78 275 more, and taking 7.4 years

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longer to pay off.

Tate Meredith, who studies Agricultural economics at Sydney University, agrees with the deregulation, even though his fees may skyrocket.

“I’m not against the debt I’m just against the change to the rate in which interest is charged.

It’s changing from inflation, which is usually around 3% to the 10 year government bond rate, which is more like 5.5% I think,” Tate said.

“I think that it’s beneficial that the universities set the fees, as they know how much the degree actually costs; that is medicine will cost a lot more than arts and journalism. Even if the medicine fees are significantly higher, they stand to make more money in the long run, compared to an arts student for example.”

But Tate, doesn’t want to see HECS fees increased. “I do disagree with the raising of the interest charged on HECS fees as I believe it should stay at the level of inflation and not increase to the 10 year bond rate which has been proposed,” he said.

Labor isn’t the first to make an online debt calculator; the Greens made a very similar website in June of this year, A petition to stop the deregulation is being promoted by the Labor Party as well, with the homepage of the online Calculator linking to the petition.

“Yeah I suppose I would sign the petition,” said Kilponen. students protest against deregulation

Homeground A Highlight Of The Corroboree Festival

By Erika Vass The ten-day Corroboree Festival opens on November 20th. The word ‘corroboree’ is derived from a local Sydney language word ‘carriberie’, used to describe a ceremony of singing, telling stories and dancing.

Therefore, this festival celebrates Indigenous culture, heritage, artists, writers, dancers and musicians with over 100 events in various venues across Sydney.

It is estimated that over the 10 days more than 100,000 people will attend the entertainment events.

Each piece of art form showcases, represents and acknowledges traditional and contemporary Indigenous

life in Sydney. These events aim to educate participants on the oldest living culture and welcome everyone to engage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in their communities.

Igniting the event on the November 21st will be a Firelight Ceremony to signify the commencement of the festivities. And concluding, the Gadigal Klub Koori will launch five new artists with comedy and music at the Black Humour Comedy Night on November 28th. All in all, this Indigenous festival acknowledges the hard work, patience and talents of the many people involved.

But perhaps most exciting is the free outdoor concert, Homeground. Earlier this year, the Homeground festival debuted at the Sydney Opera House and with raving numbers by the thousands. Luckily for Sydneysiders, the organisers are bringing back the spirit once more.

During the weekend of November 22-23, the festival will exhibit first nation artists with contemporary and traditional dance, music and Indigenous culture.

“This is a wonderful family friendly free event that welcomes everyone to come down and participate,” Sydney Opera House Head of Programming, Rhoda Roberts says.

As it is a free event on the Western Boardwalk, the line up is split by two stages, the Dancestry and Bar Badu.

The line up consists of local, national and international dancers and musicians; Naisda, Rako, Kids of Leo, Benny Walker (Victoria), Oka, ACPA, Sean Choolburra, Jerome, Teddy Lewis King, Bow and Arrow, Ursula Yovich, Chris Tamwoy (Badu Islander), Richard Frankland & The Charcoals, Breabach (UK), Digging Roots and saving the best for last, Dan Sultan.

The Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts (ACPA), the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA), and Fiji-based artistic movement group Rako, will unveil contemporary and traditional dances and will also conduct workshops for children.

The organisers are waiting in anticipation to have Dan Sultan back on Australian soil after a successful UK and USA Tour. Blackbird is Sultan’s third studio album and was recorded with Jacquire King in the Nashville studio earlier this year.

The ARIA-nominated musician for Album of the Year (Blackbird), Best Male Artist, Best Independent Release, Best Rock Album and Best Australian Live Act for 2014 will resonate his infectious yet invigorating voice among audience members.

Canadian duo, Digging Roots, will also be joining the line up with their mash of genres from roots to hip hop.

The husband and wife band released their album, For The Light, earlier this year inspired by their travels on the road.

“Music is the food for your soul and we have a banquet ready for you,” Roberts explains. And speaking of food, the Sydney Opera House Western Boardwalk will have a range of pop-up bars and food trucks of The House Eatery by George or the Opera Kitchens to cater for all ages.

With the beautiful Sydney spring weather, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the background, it would be a shame to miss this free event.

“Come and enjoy the diversity of performances,” Roberts continues. Keep in mind, the Sydney Opera House is positioned at one of the most historic Indigenous places, Bennelong Point. With Bennelong Point and Indigenous music and dance echoing and thumping the ground, this event will demonstrate traditional Indigenous customs and rituals.

Music and dance is an important aspect towards Indigenous culture as it shapes the Indigenous way of life through the message behind the noise and movement. Before Homeground, there was an event called Message Sticks that had a lifespan of 14 years. It was developed by the Sydney Opera House and incorporated all forms of Indigenous art and entertainment. Homeground is considered a “reinvention, reinvigorating experience” as it focuses on music and dance.

Organisers are hoping that this event will occur annually, but from the attendance from April’s event and November’s line up, there is no doubt that the festival will continue for many years to come.

Homeground runs from Nov 22-23, FREE, Sydney Opera House, sydneyoperahouse.com/homeground Corroboree runs from Nov 20-30, corroboreesydney.com.au

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EAT & DRINK

The Lemon Tree A little ray of sunshine has burst through the concrete brutalism of Australia Square. Its warmth can be felt in the greeting of Kate McMahon, who brings her expertise (and a martini) from Catalina.Tim Holmes à Court and Daimon Downey, the other two owners, get their own nod on the cocktail list, in the form of $ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES

Popolo This is a confident restaurant that knows what it is.The wine list, mostly populated by Southern Italian wines, need not be bewildering.Wine-savvy staff are well versed in matching wines to drinkers, producing at my request for an easy-drinking red, a lovely 2013 Pietradolce Etna Rosso ($72/bottle).With tea and cherry notes, it suits the Pecorino Timballo ($19), a firm, baked cheese dish presented with pear custard.

Napolitana-style pizzas baked in their wood-fired oven are also menu highlights, particularly if the Burrata Panzerotto ($23) is on. It’s a plump belly-shaped pizza pocket stuffed with

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By Jackie McMillan a well-balanced Pelicano Martini ($18).Though, if you ask me, nothing washes away the workday quite like a Negroni ($16). Chef Peter Streckfuss, also imported from Catalina, dishes up a short menu of simple Italian food using premium ingredients. Pasta portion sizes, like Lasagna Di Carne ($24), seem geared towards ensuring the predominantly female audience get to eat dessert.

And Ilaria’s Ricotta Cake ($14) is certainly a nice way to finish, though perhaps with less of the intensely sweet, floral honey topping.While the wine list has bottles available for around forty bucks, splash out on the 2011 Giant Steps Arthurs Creek Chardonnay ($80/bottle). It’s a real star, particularly when taken al fresco, sitting under a lemon tree, on a gloriously balmy night. It’ll suit Sydney Rock Oysters ($4.50/each) or stand up to their shared boards of Antipasti ($16/person), won by perfectly ripe Testun di Barolo cheese.Veal Milanese ($34) will help address any larger appetites.

Australia Square Piazza, Corner Pitt and Bond Streets, Sydney (02) 9241 1685 facebook.com/thelemontreesydney Italian $$$-$$$$ $$$ - mains between $22-$30

creamy-centred mozzarella, tomato and basil. Or there’s a textbook Octopus Ragu Risotto ($24).

50 McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay (02) 9361 6641 popolo.com.au Italian $$$ The Golden Sheaf This leafy courtyard, alive with chattering birds and chatting crowds at sunset, is where the Eastern Suburbs set congregate after the Randwick races or the AFL. And despite the affluence of Double Bay, you won’t find yourself having to double pay at the popular Sheaf Bistro. Both pub classics like the ever-popular Beef Fillet ($29.50) and the lighter Asian-inspired offerings like a Salmon and Tuna Sashimi Salad ($22) are generously proportioned.

$$$$ - mains over $30

Handmade Pumpkin Tortellini ($18) balance the sweet orange filling with a nutty beurre noisette. My only complaint: even drinking at the top end of their wine list, the Simonnet Febvre Petit Chablis ($50/ bottle) indicated there’s room for improvement.

429 New South Head Road, Double Bay (02) 9327 5877 goldensheaf.com.au Pub Bistro $$-$$$ Charing Cross Hotel The light, coastally inspired interior is a delightful surprise, especially considering the unassuming pub exterior. Relax in a wicker chair in the stylish, baby blue dining room as you explore a drinks list that hits the trifecta - great cocktails, wine

Surry Hills Eating House Sujet Saenkham, owner of the ever-popular Spice I Am restaurants, has done it again. Just when you were starting to think you understood regional Thai food, he gives you a real taste of Southern Thai (complete with its Chinese, Malay and Indian influences) that leaves most of Sydney’s Thai restaurants for dead. Sujet has and on-tap craft brew. A Locals Drop ($17) blending white rum, ruby grapefruit and Campari helps reduce the excesses of Chef Matt Kemp’s Crispy Pigs Head ($14), pressed into fat, crumbed batons. A relative cheapie - Sant Josep White Garnacha ($36/bottle) - is opulent enough to accompany Roast Pork Neck ($30) with crackling, radicchio, honey and pears, without destroying a simple plate of Swordfish ($28) with juicy cucumbers, pink grapefruit and perilla.

81 Carrington Road,Waverley (02) 9389 3093 charingcrosshotel.com.au British, Pub Bistro,Wine, Cocktails $$$ ROCKS & CBD Pei Modern It takes a strong restaurant to knock down previous tenants,The Woods, but Mark Best has cleared the trees –

taken over the space occupied by the longstanding Harry’s Singapore Chilli Crab restaurant on the upper floor of Triple Ace Bar.While the pub setting has been tempered with an unassuming name, and wood-heavy décor, pub prices for booze remain. Plan B 2012 Chenin Blanc ($36/bottle) might not win any awards, but it’s an affable companion to Asian cuisine, starting with gloriously sticky and stretchy Pak Mor Youan ($9).

They’re rice rolls stuffed with pork and spring onions.

For a completely different textural experience, follow them with crunchy and compelling banana flower fritters – Hua Plee Tod ($12) - and Mieng Ka Na ($16), a sweet and sour pile of pork floss, lime and chilli you wrap in supple Chinese broccoli leaves.Your must-have dish is the Gaeng Het Pho ($28), a well balanced bar cod curry with explosive Thai black mushrooms. Hainan chicken fans will enjoy Gai Pae Sa ($20), which takes the dish somewhere new with a bright ginger and chilli condiment.

Level 2, 198-200 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills (02) 9212 4092 spiceiam.com Thai $$-$$$

and a few walls – to bring his famous Melbourne bistro to town. It’s relaxed fine dining, where you can share Tiger Prawns and Slow Cooked Pineapple ($24) - summer tropics on a plate – or go ‘cray cray’ with mains like flamegrilled Rangers Valley Wagyu Rump ($46) with harissa and charcoaled onion. Cheese fiends should indulge in the Ricotta Dumplings ($30) with kale and hazelnuts - fine-dining comfort food.The Chocolate Tart ($17) with thin shards of chocolate layered upon chocolate ganache and an unusual eucalyptus sauce feels like a bushranger-chic nod to the nearby Rocks.

Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George Street, Sydney (02) 9250 3160 peimodern.com.au Modern Australian $$$$ Zigi’s Art Wine Cheese Bar “Welcome to the house of looove.”

With his fedora cocked jauntily, dapper white shirt, black suspenders and bon mots, Zigi is quick to make you welcome at his eponymous bar.

Testament to his background, the menu is ‘Ausraeli’, and the signature dish is crisp Felafel Prawns ($21).

They’re perfectly matched by an earthy and colourful Beetroot Mille-Feuille ($18). Handmade Labne Cheese ($15) is a rich, simple classic.Wine of the Moment ($12) comes by the glass, with two reds and two whites always on hand. Match your favourite to Occeli al Malto d’orzo e Whisky ($20/1, $46/3), a cheese which has the smoke and spice of whisky.

86 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale (02) 9699 4222 artwinecheesebar.com.au Bar,Wine $$

EAT & DRINK

Mr Tipply’s While the name - Mr Tipply’s - might leave you to believe you’re entering a small bar, the cavernous surrounds decked out with wall-sized murals of exotic-looking women clue you in that you’re entering a modern pub. While my dining companion arched one beautifully shaped eyebrow and made polite comment about being keen to know the Ippudo Central Park Everything I know about eating ramen, I learned from Tampopo, a Japanese cult film about a single-minded obsession for the perfect noodle soup. Reciting the steps, I entered this new Central Park store, the Japanese chain’s second Aussie venture. A raucous kitchen chorus heralds your arrival. Prepare your palate with Goma Q ($7) pickled cucumber – before your Shoyu Ramen Special ($21) arrives. After appreciating its beauty, add fixings from your side plate – a flavoured soft-boiled egg (fun to split and enrich the broth), seaweed sheets, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, shallots and wonderfully moist chashu – simmered pork belly. If you like more intensity, the Akamaru Shinaji Special’s ($24) broth includes miso and garlic oil.

Central Park RB07, Lower Ground

origin of the artworks, my own thoughts turned to Russian artist Vladimir Tretchikoff and the colonial gaze. We’re shown around the former City Hotel

by General Manager Matt Comensoli, who ran Home nightclub’s door during its popular heyday, and started The Fox Hole, one of Sydney’s first small bars. At this new small bar-pub hybrid, he’s really focused on the food.You can see the effects of his attention in the Chilled Silken Tofu ($11), one of the best tofu dishes I’ve had in a while.The Asian-inspired eatery’s Organic Quinoa Salad ($18) is also a beauty, leading me to believe vegetarians will feel quite at home. Carnivores are not forgotten either, with high quality Mongolian Lamb Cutlets ($21) and sticky ‘Char Siu’ Beer Ribs ($35) dished up with Asian ‘slaw.

Generously proportioned cubes of Crispy Salmon ($21) served on betel leaves make great cocktail accompaniments to an Asian-inspired China Doll ($16) – just one selection from an interesting list.

347 King Street, Sydney (02) 9299 4877 mrtipplys.com Pub Bistro $$$-$$$$

Floor, 28 Broadway, Chippendale (02) 8078 7020 ippudo.com.au Japanese $$-$$$ DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS Golden Age Cinema & Bar I’m very taken with this gorgeous bar, complete with electronically controlled curtains that silently glide to reveal a mirrored stage and microphones.

The Maple Pecan Old Fashioned ($18) made on smooth Bulleit Bourbon suits the space, but if you’re sleepy-tired and planning a flick, their espresso martini Paramount House ($19), uses beans from Paramount Coffee Project upstairs. Dip into (another) interesting Ned Brooks wine list against snacks like Tiger Sharks ($10) - canned anchovies – or Szechuan Popcorn ($5).

Three Williams

By Alex Harmon Walking into this unassuming space on the fringes of Redfern is like stepping into a bank or church. Sparse, with wooden furniture, brick walls and a post-apocalyptic tree branch above the counter. But look closer and you’ll find a certain charm in what I find out is an ex-furniture warehouse. Most obvious of all is the well-crafted new Spring menu.

Green smoothies, bright pink sodas, and NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS Daisy’s Milkbar The Beach Boys on the speakers, pin-up girls taking orders, a cordial station, jars of sweets and gingham curtains… If this place was any cuter I’d be sick.This inner west café is the perfect old-fashioned milk bar.Think shakes, Jaffles and sundaes - but with a modern twist. Greg’s Jaffle ($6) is loaded with bolognaise, while Uccella’s packs pulled pork inside its golden, white bread pocket. Breakfast – like Zucchini and Corn Fritters ($16) - are served all day, alongside great milkshakes like Honeycomb, Malt and Golden Syrup ($5).

By Jackie McMillan

The 2012 Ngeringa Growers Series Rousanne ($65/bottle) makes an affable companion to movie-inspired toasties like The Spielberger ($9.50) – basically your Reuben – to The Big Cheese ($8).They’re small, so you’ll also need a Gelato Messina Sundae ($8)…

Lower Ground, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills (02) 9211 1556 ourgoldenage.com.au Bar, Cocktails, Bar Food $ Devon By Night Chef Zachary Tan has kept dinner at this popular cafe distinctly casual.

He’s dishing up Malaysian-influenced hawker snacks, dressed up with the same premium ingredients that make Chef Jacqui Ektoros’ morning menus so special. So expect to find heady Manjimup truffle slices adorning Chinese Egg Custard ($29), and fleshy

salads peppered with the season’s freshest ingredients.The Super Smoothie ($8) is ‘Spring in a bottle’ with kale, apricot, apple, almond, banana, ginger and cinnamon. And the Organic Tofu Salad ($15) with charred broccolini, almonds, Japanese seaweed and peas is so healthy you practically grow muscles upon consumption – Popeye-style! Don’t want to work on your physique? That’s okay, the Chicken Schnitzel Burger ($15) has your back - crispy and delicious with wasabi and avocado mayo. Or there’s the Brioche French Toast ($16) - making your French toast attempts look pathetic, with caramel bananas, hazelnuts and Belgian chocolate. A textural masterpiece, it’s so devastatingly good it should come with a warning. Of course, the signature Three Williams item has to be the Wagyu Beef Brisket Narnie ($15) – soft beef and creamy ‘slaw between fistfuls of naan bread.You’ll be left wondering why every other Sydney café hasn’t followed suit.

613a Elizabeth St, Redfern (02) 9698 1111 threewilliams.com Cafe $-$$

with Mezcal and a chipotle salt rim, Led introduced me to his list. It’s heavy, as you’d hope, in Californian wines. A man after my own heart, Led categorises pinot noir between feminine and “smells like my bedroom after sex”. Bliss Pinot Noir ($60) is one of the former, but for a quaffable red, it is not GREATER SYDNEY without roundness and balance.

It lends itself to liberal, chilled SoCal applications against crisp Sriracha Led Emmett, General Manager Chicken Quesadillas ($20), as of SoCal, provides an expert you watch moonrise in the introduction to the liquid open-roofed space. aspects of The Golden State.

1 Young Street, Neutral Bay With my lips tingling from Chica (02) 9904 5671 Chipotle ($17) that teamed socalsydney.com.au chipotle-infused reposado tequila American, Bar, Bar Food $$-$$$ Kick dessert old school with the Salted Caramel Banana Split ($14), best shared with your sweetheart.

340 Stanmore Road, Petersham (02) 8065 3466 daisysmilkbar. com Breakfast, Café $-$$

Gazebo

By Ryan Kennedy The Gazebo dining room runs in a gentle curve from grand piano to kitchen, the ceiling studded with lowhanging lights.The clientele is inner-east chic, the floor plush, and in the spring sunset glow the outside seating is prize territory, awash with beading drinks. Everyone

lobster tails slathered with Kewpie mayonnaise inside buttery brioche in an individual Lobster Roll ($15.50).

Drink from a concise but cleverly chosen list of alcoholic beverages like the 2012 Mitchelton Marsanne ($17/ glass) or Echigo Koshihikari Rice Lager ($12). End with the poor man’s ‘snow egg’ of Coconut Jelly, Guava Sorbet and Freeze Dried Pineapple ($11).

76 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills (02) 9211 8777 devoncafe.com.au Pan-Asian, Café $$$ INNER WEST

Annandale Hotel The new-look Annandale Hotel allows canines in the courtyard styled like an Aussie back deck. Even kiddies are welcome, except in the front bar, which retains some of the

seems to be enjoying prawn cracker-crunchy Carrot Crisps ($6) with Chantilly goats curd and balsamic, and after one bite, it is obvious why. Similarly omnipresent are Creamy Polenta Wedges ($9), outrageously crisp and well worth coming for alone. Delicately flavoured, firm pieces of Cucumber Cured Kingfish ($19) come artfully strewn on a striking black plate with shards of green apple and a smoked oyster sauce.The deconstructed green curry that is wood-fired Tiger Prawns ($21) comes with coconut snow and a sharp daikon salad—perfect with the house on-tap Chilcano de Pesco ($13) cocktail.The Ham Hock Terrine ($19) is as pleasingly porky as it sounds, but it’s the Duck Breast ($28) with earthy beetroot, the crunch of honeycomb, and a smoked almond sauce, that really steals the show.

The pick of the desserts is Chocolate ($15), a cookie dough parfait spiked with raspberries and yogurt caramel. Re-opened less than a month ago and already this busy, I wouldn’t wait too long to swing by…

2 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay (02) 8070 2424 thegazebo.com.au Modern Australian $$$

Annandale’s sticky carpet charm - at least around the edges. A far cry from the crowded, sweaty, live band days, there’s now elbowroom to spare as you quaff a Kosciusko ($6.50) and tuck into a toastie from their interesting list. I tried Fontal ($12) with duck sausage, bacon jam and pickled leek.Traditional pub goers will appreciate the steaks, schnitzels and two fully customisable roasts. Free Range Chicken ($20) with duck fat gratin, gravy and seasonal greens will silence a monster appetite.

17 Parramatta Road, Annandale (02) 9550 1078 annandalehotel.com Pub Bistro,Wine $$ Restaurant at 3 Weeds Decorated with bright Aboriginal art from Utopia, this comfortable restaurant is now in the hands of Chef Nathan Jackson. He first

FOOD NEWS

As the weather warms up I’ve been pondering my summer drinking by trying out three of the Daydreamer range of teas.

Before you roll your eyes, they’re amazing iced teas named for some of the world’s most iconic beaches, which come complete with clever ‘spiked’ tea recipes. Bondi, Bora Bora and Barbados [RRP $16.95/100g] are all available from The Seventh Duchess website.The green tea-based Bora Bora was my favourite, blended with lime and mint, and spiked with tequila; though the black tea and mango-based Bondi spiked with vodka and accentuated by fresh mango slices, was a close second. www.theseventhduchess.com

cooked here under Leigh McDivitt, and is now producing a short menu accentuated by a great wine list.The 2011 Domaine Bruno Sorg Sylvaner ($74/bottle) performs well against an interesting House Smoked Mackerel ($18) scattered amongst horseradish, pickled radish and gaufrettes. Fontina and Truffle Tortellini ($18) – a shade thick – are sound on flavour with shaved Serrano ham and mushroom consommé. Mains are bested by the somewhat pricy 7+ Wagyu Flatiron ($40) with bone marrow butter, pine mushrooms and ox tail jus. Ultra-thin ginger nut biscuits make the Salt Caramel Parfait Sandwich ($14) a ripper!

197 Evans Street, Rozelle (02) 9818 2788 3weeds.com.au Modern Australian,Wine $$$$

By Jackie McMillan

I’ve also been trying out Squeaky Gate extra virgin olive oils this week.The Unsung Hero and The All Rounder [RRP $10.45/750ml] are both home-grown Aussie olive oils.The former is bright, grassy and peppery, more of your table oil; while the latter is round and fruity, meaning it will go pretty much anywhere you’d like. Being competitively priced (and available in independent grocers and delicatessens like Zanetti 5 Star Supermarket Delicatessen in Haberfield) means I’m likely to pick one up when I can’t afford more premium favourites like The Little General. www.congafoods.com.au

Bar Fly

By Viv McGregor

The Smoking Panda

We’re very distracted by the jellyfish propelling themselves slowly around their circular tank. This is not just because we’ve had too many cocktails. Against the Panda’s dark and moody vibes—somewhere between late-night LA hideout and retro Chinatown—the illuminated fishtank and its hypnotic inhabitants are glowing bright blue. The commitment to an East-meets-West theme is evident everywhere, from the décor to the food. I imagine it’s one of the few places you can have both San Choy Bau ($5) and a Corn Dog & Onion Rings ($15). From a huge and varied cocktail list, I try the Smoked Whiskey Sour ($18).

Billows of impressive cherry smoke aside, it’s smooth and tangy, but my hand creeps across the bar to steal my date’s amazing Hot Smokin’ Mexican Jerk ($17). Made with smoked tequila, capsicum and chipotle, and garnished with crispy bacon, it’s the best of The Smoking Panda: inventive, spicy, and surprising.

Upstairs, 5-7 Park Street, Sydney (02) 9266 3100 thesmokingpanda.com.au

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Fox And The Freedom Fighters The Fox and the Freedom Fighters is a new production presented by the always stimulating and hard-hitting Performance Space about the life of Aboriginal activist Charles ‘Chicka’ Dixon. Co-writers and performers, Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor and Nadeena Dixon, intimately tell their father and grandfather’s story through heartwarming banter, interviews, historical footage, song and dance.

The two bounce off each other wonderfully as they entertain the audience and tell stories about Chicka’s achievements in the fight for equality for Indigenous Australians.

Collaborated with playwright and dramaturg Alana Valentine, The Fox and the Freedom Fighters is as much a celebration of the life of the iconic Chicka as a glimpse into the struggle of the women who were often left behind with his success. Dixon-Grovenor and her daughter “knew the score” though, and this rare glimpse into the personal experience of an Indigenous Australian activist who contributed so much to society is refreshing and enlightening. (MH) Until Nov 22, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, $25/35, ticketmaster.com.au

Beyond Desire

Leaves

When it comes to entertainment, film, television and theatre, there is one demographic that remains vastly underrepresented - those aged 50 and over. Leaves, a new collaboration between Theatre Excentrique and Emu Productions, aims to tackle that issue, with a show that is fundamentally, “a darkly humorous reflection of what it is to have 50 years behind you,” says Excentrique’s Artistic Director, Anna Jahjah.

When asked what is behind the demographic gap, Jahjah is thoughtful. “I think there’s a fear of time passing.You might be thinking of dying, and it’s hard to play.What works most in theatre is something light and entertaining. If it’s

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Page 8 Ten years after Page 8 first made its debut, both here in Australia and internationally, David Page is bringing back his much loved and critically acclaimed one-man-show, with the help of Bangarra Dance Theatre and its Creative Director (and David’s brother), Stephen Page. “[It’s] a love letter to our family, our history and our culture,” Page says.

David Page recalls doing his best to do justice to his tale of struggle, success and family support. “I think the rest of the family were shitting themselves,” he laughs. “Especially six older sisters.They wore the boots and the stilettos.They were pretty wild, and very strong

Hamlet and Downton Abbey fans are in for a treat this month with the world premiere of a modern Edwardian musical. Beyond Desire tells an enthralling murder mystery story as a young man sets on a quest to find his father’s killer, uncovering a riveting story of jealousy, deception and love.

“It feels like an Upstairs, Downstairs kind of drama,” says Blake Bowden, who portrays protagonist Anthony. “[It’s] set in Edwardian England in a big household and there are servants who know all the secrets of upstairs. It’s almost like a musical version of Downton Abbey.”

The musical score is written by Kieran Drury with book and

women.”

The story covers David’s early successes as a child star with hits on the radio, touted as Australia’s answer to Michael Jackson, to the moment his voice broke and changed everything, and his subsequent life as a performer in Australia and beyond.

Page hopes his show will remind people once more of the important role family plays in our lives. “When you say it’s about family, people can relate to it,” he says. “Family orientation comes in handy and it gives you strength and the will to continue. [It reminds you to] enjoy as much as you can in these crazy times.”

(SW) Nov 21-Dec 4, Bangarra Studio Theatre, Pier 4, 15 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $35 - $49, bangarra.com.au

lyrics by Neil Rutherford and is an intimate, melodic piece of theatre with many lighthearted numbers.

“The score was the main reason why I wanted to do this piece,” Bowden continues. “It’s extremely intricate and complex, but so sweeping and uplifting.The people will walk away singing the tunes.”

The musical focuses on similar themes with a great deal of humour from the secrets of household life ‘upstairs and downstairs’. Most importantly, Beyond Desire encapsulates the universal idea of love, class, family and intrigue. (CT) Nov 21-Dec 13, Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point, $55, hayestheatre.com.au

too dark, audiences might not like it. It’s a tricky topic,” she admits. But, she says there has been great interest the piece, which deals with a group of friends celebrating turning 50 with a camping weekend.

The play, written by Steve Mcgrath, was inspired by the ‘eye-opening’ experience of Associate Artist Gerry Sont, who, after having a heart attack in April, found himself reflecting on his life. “It’s a subject that rings a bell with a lot of people,” says Jahjah. “They’re intrigued. Especially the 40 plus group, because it’s rare to see older actors and playwrights doing something that revolves around their age.” (SW) Nov 18-29, King Street Theatre, 644 King St, Newtown (Entrance on Bray St),Tickets $28 - $33, 0423 082 015, kingstreettheatre.com.au

a&e

15 STAGE 16 SCENE 17 SCREEN 18 Sounds

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

Contributors: Alexis Talbot-Smith, Anita Senaratna, Carmen Cita, Ciaran Tobin, Craig Coventry, Erika Vass, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Jamie Apps, Leann Richards, Leigh Livingstone, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Michael Muir, Michelle Porter, Nick Jewlachow, Peter Hackney, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Ruth Fogarty, Sarah Pritchard, Sharon Ye, Shauna O’Carroll, Siri Williams

Inessa Galante The Legend of King O’Malley When asked why his one-hour show was so expensive, Luciano Pavarotti replied, “You’re not paying for one hour, you’re paying for thirty years.”

Acclaimed Latvian Opera Singer, Inessa Galante, recalls this response and relates it to her own life-long passion for Opera.

“You can’t fight against it,” she says. “You have to have a special character and love for this profession, because Opera singing isn’t a modern language, it’s antique in a lot of ways.”

Sydney audiences will have the chance to see Galante in her first trip to Australia in over a decade. “I discovered I had a passion very early,” she explains. “All my

childhood I was singing a variety of Opera and symphony music, which I would compose in my head. I wanted to study medicine, although it felt like Opera was my destiny.”

The Soprano rose to international fame in 1995. “You have to train your voice,” she continues. “You are constantly changing your repertoire and practicing every day. It’s not enough to rely simply on having a good voice - you have to be strong and constantly fight to maintain your place in this industry.” (GF) Nov 26, City Recital Hall, George St, Martin Place, $85-95, cityrecitalhall.com

God loves a good scrapper! Following rave reviews from its Melbourne season,The Legend of King O’Malley stretches its legs on a bigger stage in Sydney.

“It’s going to bigger faster, funnier and louder – it’s going to be great,” says Phil Rouse, Artistic Director of Don’t Look Away, a company dedicated to reviving iconic Australian plays.

A play about an Australian politician might not set the heart racing, but King O’Malley was like no other. A tall, bearded,Texan in a big suit who survived a shipwreck and two years living in a cave. A teetotalling, Christian Socialist preacher, who founded the Commonwealth Bank, Canberra and opposed Billy Hughes in the 1917 referendum on conscription - a larrikin hero and the stuff of legend.

“He was also an amazing self mythologiser,

a brilliant showman, orator and such a character to build the show around,” explains Rouse.

A landmark Australian play in 1970, O’Malley was first directed by a young John Bell at the Old Tote, and heralded the beginning of a golden period for performing art in Australia.

“O’Malley kicked off what became known as the ‘New Wave’ of Australian writing. It was a wide and popular success - a really important production,” continues Rouse.

All-singing, all-dancing - equal parts vaudeville and political satire – and all through that 70s lens. If only politics was always this much fun.

(GW) Nov 26-Dec 13, Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre, Cnr City Rd & Clevland St, Chippendale, $25-35, 93517940, seymourcentre.com

Dirty Dancing

Audiences all around the world know the songs, the dance moves and the iconic line, “Nobody puts baby in the corner.”

Dirty Dancing will be returning to the stages of Australia for the 10th Anniversary of the production.

Dancing behind the shadow of the legendary Patrick Swayze, Kurt Phelan will be playing the eminent character of Johnny Castle.

The NIDA graduate and acclaimed triple threat is determined to shine a new light and show off his unique dance moves as Johnny Castle.

“It is a privilege playing and dancing as Johnny Castle in the Australian production,” Phelan says. “Especially working alongside Kirby Burgess, Mark Vincent and Nadia Coote.”

Dirty Dancing is based in the summer of 1963, with Frances “Baby” Houseman going on a summer holiday with her family.

In the midst of taking dance classes and sneaking behind her family’s back, Baby and Johnny balance their hardship and misunderstandings on the dance floor where the feet do the talking.

First performed at the Theatre Royal in Sydney in November 2004, the production has broken international records over the past decade and is ready to take on Australian audiences once more! (EV) Nov 28-Jan 11, Sydney Lyric Theatre,The Star, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont, $59-203, ticketmaster.com.au

A Night at the Rock Opera Anthemic rock experience, A Night at the Rock Opera, returns to the State Theatre with another star-studded lineup. Eighteen of Australia’s favourite vocalists take the stage to cover some of the great rock anthems from shows like Tommy,The Wall, Godspell and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Ciaran Gribbin (INXS) is something of a veteran.

“The beauty of these nights is that you’ve got so much varied talent, from the young Voice kids to legends like Glenn Shorrock – as well as singers like Mark Williams (Dragon), Steve Balbi (Noiseworks) and Bobbi Fox (Jersey Boys),” explains Gribbin. “The level of talent is fantastic - it’s just a really great vibe.”

When the nervous energy kicks in there is an

THEATRE &

PERFORMANCE EMERALD CITY Sydney in the ‘80s was a party. It gave us lycra, MTV, and a raging economy that ended in the recession ‘we had to have’. It was the ‘greed is good’ decade, with rampant consumerism, materialism and where success was measured in real estate – preferably with a harbour view. Cut to today and things change – there is much less lycra – and David Williamson’s Emerald City is as relevant as ever.

“Even though it was written 30 years ago, we all believe it’s absolutely relevant to today because we are having the exact same conversations,” says Kelly Paterniti (Home and Away,

Packed to the Rafters) who plays Helen, the free-spirited girlfriend of a hack writer.

Our most performed playwright, Williamson’s central characters are decent people, wrestling with their worst selves. In his sharply satirical sights are the worst excesses of materialism and compromise that the harbour city can serve up. Dual Helpmann-winner, Mitchell Butel, Lucy Bell (All Saints, Crownies) and the redoubtable Marcus Graham make a stellar cast. In a splash back to the decade, set design is by iconic ‘80s pop artist Ken Done, whose work was so evocative of the time.

(GW) Until Dec 6, SBW Stables, 10 Nimrod St, Kings Cross, $32-49, griffintheatre.com.au

THE LES ROBINSON STORY and BELLE OF THE CROSS Sydney has had its fair share of quirky characters in history, and two of them will be celebrated in Sitco’s final production at Old Fitzroy Theatre. Both explore the triumphs and failures of the lives of Les Robinson and Belle, two iconic storytellers. The Les Robinson Story, written by Kieran Carroll, explores the life of writer Les Robinson, an eccentric figure on Sydney’s bohemian scene between the 1920s and the 1960s. The production uses film, monologue, music and song to bring to life the quirky Robinson and his extraordinary story. Similarly, the production of Belle of the Cross, written by Angelika Fremd, follows

the life of Belle, a woman who lived on the street of Kings Cross.

Gertraud Ingeborg, who plays Belle, says the production is a poetic and uplifting exploration of homelessness. Based on Fremd’s personal experiences with the homeless of Kings Cross, the minimal piece aims to show the facts of what it is like to live as a homeless person through the true story of Belle. “You embrace her for what she is and what she does,” Ingeborg continues. “She doesn’t complain, she doesn’t say ‘poor me’, which makes it much more enjoyable to watch.” (SOC) Until Nov 29, Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling St,Woolloomooloo, $21-39, sitco.net.au

element of unpredictability. “We fly by the seat of our pants but it always comes together,” says Gribbin. “It takes everyone out of their comfort zone because we are doing material we’re not used to doing.”

As the major fundraiser for the YWCA, all proceeds go towards helping disadvantaged women, children and families. “We are very blessed to earn a living doing music but there are people less fortunate,” says Gribbin. “It’s a fantastic time but the bottom line is we are there to help people who are in need – there’s a lovely sense of unity backstage and I’m delighted to be a part of it.” (GW) Nov 24, State Theatre, Market St, Sydney, $80130, ticketmaster.com.au

WICKED Steve Danielsen joins seasoned Wicked stars Jemma Rix (Elphaba) and Lucy Durack (Glinda) as the award-winning musical returns.

Asked what it’s like joining a team who have been performing Wicked for years, Danielsen says Rix and Durack have been very welcoming and working together is “amazing”.

“I love it and I don’t really just have to say that either, this show really means a lot to me,” he says.

Despite debuting over a decade ago, Wicked:The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is still one of the most popular musicals in the world.

With the whole cast working hard to deliver the best performances they can each and every night, Danielsen says that the “incredible sets and

costumes” will make it “really hard not to like this show”. (LL) Until Dec 31, Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket, $69-114, wickedthemusical.com.au THE WORST KEPT SECRETS What happens when the personal and the political collide? For highprofile couple George Steeper, exPremier of NSW, and his wife Annie it means their 29-year marriage comes to an explosive end.Years worth of scandalous secrets become tabloid fodder.Written by 22-year old Thomas de Angelis, who despite not having experienced divorce firsthand, did draw inspiration from real-life events. (AS) Until Nov 22, Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre, City Rd, Chippendale, $30, seymourcentre.com 15

We, The Muse

THE NAKED CITY

Conspiracy theories, cosmic secrets and whistle blowers are the lifeblood of the internet.Yet it is rare that these narratives are used to inspire art.

We,The Muse explores this mysterious, nefarious and often weird world. According to Bill Dimas one of the organisers, the exhibition takes an approach that is “not political” but “seeks to open up a beautiful subject”.

Artists have responded in creative and innovative ways to the challenge. Ha Ha has painted a series of portraits of leaders of the movements such as David Icke and Project Camelot’s Kerry Cassidy, while Brett Chan has produced multimedia visions of poetic insight.

Cassidy will open the display accompanied by a special presentation of one of Chan’s works. In Bill’s words the show reminds us to be aware that “the planet is a conscious living being”. Despite the controversial theme, that seems to be a timely thought. (LR) Nov 21-23, aMBUSH Gallery, 4a James St, Waterloo, FREE, ambushgallery.com

“Nobody Can Stop The Music” – In Kings Cross

By Coffin Ed, Miss Death & Jay Katz Kings Cross has always been synonymous with live music, going right back to the days of the Roosevelt night club in Potts Point during WWII. American GIs mingled with their Australian counterparts and KC’s cosmopolitan crowd - all relaxing to the jazzy sounds of the early 1940s. A similar scenario was repeated in the late 60s when the Cross became a temporary home to thousands of American soldiers on r’n’r from the Vietnam war. Soul music blarred out from the numerous clubs and bars that catered specifically for the Yanks, both white and Afro-American.

In ensuing decades the Cross has always featured music as an integral part of the entertainment roster but it hasn’t always been ‘live’ – nor has it been consistent as in recent years when it’s been reduced to almost a whimper.Thus a forthcoming event titled “Ignite” designed to stimulate the live scene and showcase a diverse range of local artists is both a welcome initiative and perhaps an exercise in wishful thinking.

On Sunday 23 November artists such as Jeff Duff, Gossling, Jonathan Zwartz, the Potbelleez, Craig Calhoun, Morgan Evans and M-Phazes, to name just a few, will play a series of free shows across “ten iconic Kings Cross venues”. As part of Aria Week, the day has been put together by the Live Music Office of the City of Sydney together with Apra and Amcos.

As newspaper headlines declare the Cross is dead and businesses dying a slow death, there is of course an inescapable irony about this event. Back in the 70s and 80s when corruption was absolutely rife, when many of the venues were owned by gangsters or coke dealers and licensing laws were

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continually flouted, live music thrived.

The Manzil Room, the Kardomah and the Chevron were the flagships of the burgeoning rock scene and the Paradise jazz cellar jammed until 6.00am virtually seven nights a week. Certainly these were the halcyon days of Australian pub rock and the DJ, dance club onslaught was still to hit, but good old laissez faire prevailed and live music was king.

Today with the 1.30am lockout, noise abatement requirements, RSA, sky-high rentals and a regulatory bureaucracy that makes opening a new music venue akin to self flagellation, it’s little wonder there is not much live music in Kings Cross. Nobody really wants a return to the era of rampant corruption or venues that were potential firetraps, but certainly something needs to give if live music is to encroach on the stranglehold of the DJ-only clubs and bars.

The Ignite program does illustrate that many live music spaces already exist in the Cross, although many are preferred as dance clubs on a Friday or Saturday night. Getting live bands back on the weekend, as per the 70s and 80s, is going to take not only a cultural shift on the part of the diminishing number of punters who still flock to the precinct but a substantial encouragement for anybody prepared to open a venue that features essentially live music. The new ‘X’ studio under the Coca Cola sign is a potentially exciting venue with its promise of a 500-capacity performance space but we need a lot more small clubs and bars that are prepared to accommodate a live band.

The Cross is currently in such a stage of flux, with vacant shops all along Darlinghurst Road, an increase in gentrified residential apartments and many of the late night party people relocating to Double Bay, it’s anybody’s guess what the future holds – especially for the live music scene. One thing Ignite will demonstrate on Sunday 23 is what it could be like and as it’s a free event you should certainly get out there and support it – even if the glorious illusion is created for only one day!

John (1998)

Photo: Zan Wimberley

Prints, Process and Collaboration – Chuck Close Faces of the young and old, famous and infamous, star at the Museum of Contemporary Art this summer as the works of Chuck Close invade the gallery.

Close, who has been working since the 1960s, is best known as a creator of hyperrealist portraits. His meticulous technique and use of various media combine to produce pictures which conceal and reveal the multifaceted character of their subjects.

The show includes huge towers of canvas which feature pixelated colour and black and white impressions of the human visage.

They are intricate combinations of prints, photographs, acquaints and etchings which delicately sketch the harshness and fragility of life.

Prints, Processes and Collaboration features art from all eras of Close’s career, including masterpieces such as Keith (1972), Bob (1969-70) and John (1998).This exhibition will be a showcase of the diversity and talent of a master artist and a visual treat for visitors. (LR) Nov 20-Mar15, Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St,The Rocks, $16-21.95, mca.com.au

Faces I Have Met - Jane Elliot After 30 years of teaching primary, secondary and tertiary students, Sydney artist Jane Elliot will exhibit her collection of works titled Faces I Have Met. Inspired and impassioned by her students, Elliot was influenced and inclined to explore different representations of people, faces and topical issues.

“Over three decades I have noticed children more reluctant to labour too much with media. I think this is due to the influence of the computer where the delete button readily allows us to restart documents, and you only have to click on ‘fill’ to render a large shape in the colour of your choice,” Elliot said. “Connecting to people in really empathic human ways is vital for everyone, and I always discuss with my classes that the faces they portray for portrait work should convey more than just a likeness.”

Faces I Have Met mixes various artistic elements such as 2D images that have been “created from a child’s clay piece, a collage, drawing or painting.”

This collection of work is Elliot’s tribute to her students over the years. (EV) Nov 11-23,Tap Gallery, 45 Burton St, Darlinghurst, 9361 0440, tapgallery.org.au

THE MULE

Inspired by true events, The Mule is an Australian film set in Melbourne 1983 and surrounds Ray Jenkins who is drawn into the seedy world of drug trafficking. Suspected of carrying narcotics internally, he is detained for 7 days without charge until he expels the evidence.

Angus Sampson stars as the mule who refrains from emptying his bowels and Hugo Weaving is effective as the arrogant and abusive Federal detective. This crime comedy delivers a welcoming injection of humour which detracts

from the numerous graphic scenes of human excretions, brutality and murder.

Towering above the gross and disturbing nature of this film, is an intelligently written script containing ongoing references to America’s Cup, a match race between two yachts. The film’s unpredictable climax aptly coincides with Australia’s victory in the race.

Dark and gritty with numerous twists and turns, mature viewers should be enthralled by the events that unfold.

The Mule is on sale digitally from November 21 and available on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital Rental from December 3. (MMo) WWW½

Exists Exists is another in a long line of twisted horror films from Cuban Director Eduardo Sanchez. It centres around five friends who predictably venture into a creepy Texan wood for a party weekend at an abandoned cabin. After a minor collision with what they think is an animal, they are slowly stalked by the Sasquatch, a Bigfoot-like creature.

Out of this predictable beginning comes a surprisingly enthralling and motivated screenplay.

The Dark Horse A bit like Once Were Warriors, remarkably it is chess pieces that triumph over aggressive machismo here.

Based on the true story of Genesis Potini (1963-2011), a one-time chess champion burdened with bi-polar disorder. He decides the youth of Gisborne need more than a future of drugs and gang culture, so teaches them chess and eventually leads a group to the National Championships in Auckland.

Central to the story is the

relationship with Mana, his nephew. For reasons that are poignantly revealed, Mana’s father desperately wants him to be initiated into a bikie gang, to be part of a ‘family’ in a harsh world.

Cliff Robertson (Genesis) has to get some kind of award for his performance. It is impossible not to be involved as he draws you into the emotions of a man who is so vulnerable, and yet so strong; a warrior of the chessboard of life. (MMu) WWW½

Maps To The Stars

“The Weiss family is making their way in a sun-soaked Los Angeles, driven by all the wrong values and rife with money, dreams, fame, envy, yearning and angst.”

Yeh? But which footy team do they barrack for? (Let’s ask the questions that matter!)

Also described as “a darkly comic satire of our celebrity obsessed culture” … which is surely something worthy of being parodied. Perhaps the filmmakers are the contemporary equivalent of

A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES At first glance this may seem like a Taken clone in that it stars Liam Neeson and centres around an ex-cop who now hunts down criminals with his “particular set of skills”, however, this is a more cerebral than actionoriented affair.

Set in a rain-soaked, gloomy and grey New York circa 1999, the environment and cinematography help to build the suspense and tension of this serial killer thriller.

Despite following typical crime cliches, this film overcomes its flaws and could potentially be the start of a new franchise for Neeson. (JA) WWW½

BRITISH FILM FESTIVAL 2014 The 16 new films include epics set during the war and a host of highly anticipated flicks featuring stars such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Kit Harrington and Pierce Brosnan. Testament of Youth centres on a free-spirited woman who overcomes prejudice, wins an Oxford scholarship and pursues a literary career, but chaos ensues with WWI; Mr Turner deals with the artist who painted with light itself (which also won two awards at Cannes, including Best Actor for Timothy Spall); ’71 covers the ‘the troubles’ in Northern Ireland – Jack O’Connell (Skins) plays a young British soldier, separated

from his unit, who must find his way through the mean and deadly streets; and moving film What We Did On Our Holiday (starring Billy Connolly) looks at the dynamics of a couple going through divorce who take their children on a holiday reunion to Scotland. Six from the 60s has six standout classics from the influential era.

(MMu) Until Nov 26, Palace Norton St, Leichhardt & Palace Verona, Paddington, $19.50-150 (10 film pass), britishfilmfestival.com.au JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL Can you imagine a Japanese version of My Fair Lady? Masayuki Suo’s Lady Maiko is a musical loosely based on the Audrey Hepburn

After watching the film, it is no shock that Sanchez co-wrote and directed The Blair Witch Project, which shares a similar format and style. Relying on the sketchy recordings of handycams, the film builds suspense and mystery surrounding the creature.

Genuine performances and some witty writing save what could have easily been a stale, unoriginal film.

Though for a plot that deviates from traditional horror conventions, it would have been nice to see stronger, more-driven female leads. (ATS) WWW

Men, Women & Children Adults and adolescents look for love – in all the wrong places – and Information Technology is hindering not helping.

Almost every character is compromised in some way by combinations of social media, the internet, websites, mobile phones/texting, online erotica, online dating.

Adam Sandler (Don Truby) should play more drama – he does it well, with Rosemarie DeWitt (Helen Truby) the central relationship.

There are several squirminducing moments which will

prompt you to wonder how we sometimes find ourselves with people we don’t like, doing things we don’t enjoy. How can we be more honest, circumspect and patient in our choice of relationships and so avoid the traumas this film details?

As the Voyager 1 Space Probe takes a last photo of earth from a distance of 6 billion kilometres, Professor Carl Sagan is quoted, “The folly of human conceits … underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another.” (MMu)

WWW½

Edward Gibbon (Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire), dramatising the decline of the American Empire or, beyond that, western civilisation?

Even so, given the confronting, cynical and bizarrely brutal nature of this David Cronenberg film - and previous ones - I wonder does he really have a message for us or is he just on some weird little trip of his own?

If you like his films, you will like this one; I don’t, and I didn’t.

(MMu) WW½

classic and is the opening film of this year’s Japanese Film Festival. It’s one of over 50 titles featuring and, for the first time, 19 of these will be screening in Parramatta. Next, be prepared to be scared out of your wits by what Japanese audiences labelled the most frightening of all horror series: JUON – The Beginning of the End. The contrasts continue to the last with what is, eventually, a feel-good film: The Vancouver Asahi. It’s based on the true story of pre-WWII Japanese migrants in Canada who overcome racial prejudice by the way they play baseball. (MMu) Until Nov23, Event Cinemas, George St & Parramatta, japanesefilmfestival.net

TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT An extremely simple but nonetheless emotive French drama, beautifully crafted and subtly performed by all involved. Particular praise goes to Marion Cotillard who plays Sandra, a Belgian mother with a history of depression. Sandra is about to lose her job, and she is trying to keep herself together for her family and her sanity. If her co-workers choose their significant bonus over her keeping her position at work, she may fall back into bad habits.

Viewers can’t help but struggle with her and any mild victory is magnified with brilliant nuances by Cotillard. (RBM) WWW

WINTER SLEEP Set in a remote and fascinating area of Turkey where houses are cut into caves, Aydin runs a less than busy hotel. Educated and wealthier than most, he writes a column for a local newspaper from which he preaches his own brand of morality. In his own eyes, he has never set out to hurt anyone, but as he prophetically preaches, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Few people like him. He speaks of conscience, yet stands by idly while one of his tenants is evicted and he treats his wife like a child. Many long conversations follow as those close to him attempt to wake him from his ‘winter sleep’.

(And with a running time of 196 minutes, they damn well better!)

(RBM) WWWW

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Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders — Playmates In his previous outing, Hurtsville, Jack Ladder resembled Nick Cave with his baritone, gallows humour and tales of love going awry.

Some things have changed though.The producer, Kim Moyes of The Presets, has brought in keyboards.The single, Come on Back This Way, features a cheap-sounding synth.Tracks with guitars high in the mix sometimes miss the mark. Model Worlds succeeds because washes of backwards guitar dovetail with lazy keyboards recalling Lost-era Died Pretty.

And there’s the international guest: Sharon Van Etten sings on two tracks, the single and To Keep and To Be Kept, where a pedal steel takes it towards alt-country.

Overall, Playmates is brighter and less claustrophobic than Hurtsville.You can thank the synth and Van Etten for that.

International recognition beckons. (NJ)

The Growlers – Chinese Fountain Everything sounds better when it’s sung.

The serious juxtaposed against the playful makes Chinese Fountain curiously pleasing to the ear.The Growlers’ unique combination of wit and resignation runs alongside the lighthearted continuation weaving through the music.

Illumination and a tone of acceptance skip through many topics like a fast-paced lesson delivered by a lackluster teacher with fairy wings and a tambourine; alerting the listener to the evils of the world with a sad smile.

This album is a complicated mix which produces some very pleasant music. Listen and smile. (SP)

Hand Of Mercy Since forming in 2007 Hand Of Mercy have been slowly chipping away to the point that they are now set to headline their first tour.They have toured both locally and abroad with the likes of Parkway Drive,The Amity Affliction and A Day To Remember.The local Sydney boys are now considered mainstays of the Australian hardcore scene.

The band has extensive touring experience having played in Australia three times, Europe twice and being a part of the Warped tour in the US over that last couple of years.With the upcoming tour being 23 shows the boys feel they are well prepared. “In Europe we played 22 shows in 22 days which was really gruelling but was great practice and a good habit to get into,” says guitarist Dawson Michaels. “We think with our schedule over the past few years we’ve put ourselves in really good stead for the upcoming shows.”

This tour will be in support of their new album Resolve which was recorded in Boston and is also the first to feature vocals from new frontman Nick Bellringer.The transition from former vocalist Scott Bird to Bellringer was relatively smooth albeit rushed due to a pending

LIVE WIRE

Flight Facilities: Since arriving on the scene in 2009 this duo has proven to be one of the most constantly popular acts with multiple successful singles and sold-out tours worldwide, including headline performances at major festivals, Coachella & Falls Festival. Off the back of this success they have recently released debut album Down to Earth and are set to tour Australia stopping in Sydney

deadline for the new record.

“We were really conscious of not only getting a good singer but someone we could have a good time with,” Michaels explains. “Our biggest hurdle introducing Nick was time because we’d already delayed the album six months. So he had to record his vocals as soon as possible or the record wouldn’t have been out until next year.”

Recording the record in Boston with its long heritage in the hardcore scene was also something that appealed heavily to the band. “Being there and the history of the state was cool.Then to add to that we got to meet and work with all of these really cool people like Mat from Bury Your Dead and Mark from Emmure,” he continues.

Hardcore shows tend to have a reputation or stigma attached to them of being aggressive but Michaels assures fans that is not the case with their shows.

“It’s not scary or intimidating so people shouldn’t be worried about that if they’re just getting into heavy music.We’re all really nice people and we just like to have fun and encourage the crowd to get into it, enjoy it and have as much fun as we do playing.” (JA) Nov 21, Bald Faced Stag, 345 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt, $18.90, oztix.com.au

Sydney Live Music Guide

for two shows following overwhelming demand.

Thu, Nov 20, Enmore Theatre New Navy: Hot off the heels of a successful tour supporting Andy Bull, South Coast band New Navy are hungry and excited to be hitting the road for their own debut headline tour for their own fans.The summery pop-rock sound of tracks Zimbabwe and Heaven has seen the band garner positive feedback from both

Triple J and Channel V. Fri, Nov 21, Newtown Social Club Young Magic: The pairing of Indonesian vocalist Melati Malay and Australian producer Isaac Emmanuel based out of New York are set to head down under with their first port of call to be Sydney. Having received high praise from BBC, New York Times and others for their debut album they now return with their

second album Breathing Statues.

Fri, Nov 21, Oxford Art Factory Jimmy Eat World: To celebrate the ten year anniversary of one of their most iconic albums Futures the band are returning to Australia. Futures is often described as the bands most emotive and mature album in terms of songwriting and composition. Following a highly successful run of festival shows earlier in the year fans have been clamouring for more and

now the band will deliver.

Sat, Nov 22, Enmore Theatre Waxhead: Following the release of their debut EP which incorporates elements of the early Australian rock scene, Pink Floyd and Talking Heads while maintaining a distinctly unique flavour the band will be embarking on a national tour which stops off in Sydney over the weekend.

This is one for the true surf-rock fans and is sure to be a fun party atmosphere.

Sun, Nov 23, Frankies Pizza New Oxford: Having spent

the last two years honing their craft on Australia’s live music circuit the band then went away for six months to write and record their debut EP. In preparation for the release of the EP, the Sydney based band will be hitting the live music scene once again.The band will be joined

by Ruby May on support who’s mesmerising and addictive acoustic music will have the audience engrossed in her intricate melodies.

Tue, Nov 25,The Vanguard

F R E E W I L L ASTRO L O G Y

by Rob Brezsny

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Someone on Reddit.com posed the question, “What have you always been curious to try?” In reply, many people said they wanted to experiment with exotic varieties of sex and drugs they had never treated themselves to before. Other favorites: eating chocolatecovered bacon; piloting a plane; shoplifting; doing a stand-up comedy routine; hang-gliding and deep-sea diving; exploring the Darknet and the Deep Web; spontaneously taking a trip to a foreign country; turning away from modern society and joining a Buddhist monastery. What would your answer be, Aries?

The coming weeks will be an excellent time to explore what you have always been curious to try. The risks will be lower than usual, and the results more likely to be interesting.

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Contrary to popular opinion, crime fiction author Arthur Conan Doyle never once had his character Sherlock Holmes utter the statement “Elementary, my dear Watson.”

For that matter, Humphrey Bogart never actually said “Play it again, Sam” in the film *Casablanca.* Star Trek’s Captain Kirk never used the exact phrase “Beam me up, Scotty.” Furthermore I, Rob Brezsny, have never before issued the following prophecy: “Deep sexy darkness and deep sexy brilliance are conspiring

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to bring you Tauruses intriguing pleasures that will educate the naive part of your soul” -- until now, that is. At this juncture in the ever-twisting plot of your life story, I am most definitely saying just that.

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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Here are some thoughts from Gemini author Fernando Pessoa: “The feelings that hurt most, the emotions that sting most, are those that are absurd -- the longing for impossible things; nostalgia for what never was; the desire for what could have been; regret over not being someone else.” Can you relate, Gemini? Have you felt those feelings? Here’s the good news: In the coming weeks, you will be more free of them than you have been in a long time. What will instead predominate for you are yearnings for very possible things and contentment with what’s actually available to you.

(Pessoa’s words are from *The Book of Disquiet,* translated by Alfred Mac Adam.)

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): The most important thing you can do in the coming weeks is learn how to take care of yourself better. What? You say you’re too busy for that? You have too many appointments and obligations? I disagree. In my astrological opinion, there’s one task that must trump all others, and that is get smarter about how you eat, sleep, exercise, relax, heal yourself, and connect with people. I can assure you that there’s a lot

you don’t know about what you really need and the best ways to get what you really need. But you are ripe to become wiser in this subtle, demanding, and glorious art.

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Naturalist Greg Munson says that many dragonflies are great acrobats. They are the “Cirque du Soleil” performers of the animal kingdom. Not only do they eat in mid-air, they also have sex. While flying, two dragonflies will hook up and bend into a roughly circular formation to accommodate the idiosyncrasies of their reproductive organs, thereby forming a “mating pinwheel.”

I don’t expect you to achieve quite that level of virtuosity in your own amorous escapades, Leo. But if you’re adventurous, you could very well enjoy experiences that resemble having sex while flying.

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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Born under the sign of Virgo, Yuriy Norshteyn is a Russian animator who has won numerous awards. His *Tale of Tales* was once voted the greatest animated film of all time. But he hasn’t finished any new films for quite a while. In fact, he has been working on the same project since 1981, indulging his perfectionism to the max. In 33 years, he has only finished 25 minutes’ worth of *The Overcoat,* which is based on a story by Nikolai Gogol. But I predict that he will complete this labor of love in

the next eight months -- just as many of you other Virgos will finally wrap up tasks you have been working on for a long time.

get overly preoccupied with the “cement” at the expense of the other 85 percent of the stuff you will need.

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Every saint has a bee in his halo,” said philosopher Elbert Hubbard. Similarly, some Libras have a passiveaggressive streak hidden beneath their harmony-seeking, peace-loving persona. Are you one of them? If so, I invite you to express your darker feelings more forthrightly. You don’t have to be mean and insensitive. In fact, it’s best if you use tact and diplomacy. Just make sure you reveal the fact that there is indeed a bee in your halo. I bet you will ultimately be pleased with the consequences you stir up through your acts of courageous honesty.

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Many people use the terms “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably, but they are not the same. Cement is powdery stuff that’s composed of limestone, gypsum, clay with alumino-silicate, and other ingredients. It’s just one of the raw materials that is used to make concrete -- usually no more than 15 percent of the total mass. The rest consists of sand, crushed stone, and water. Let’s regard this as a good metaphor for you to keep in mind, Scorpio.

If you want to create a durable thing that can last as long as concrete, make sure you don’t

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Whatever returns from oblivion returns to find a voice,” writes Louise Glück in her poem “The Wild Iris.” I think that will be a key theme for you in the coming weeks. There’s a part of you that is returning from oblivion -- making its way home from the abyss -- and it will be hungry to express itself when it arrives back here in your regularly scheduled life.

This dazed part of you may not yet know what exactly it wants to say. But it is fertile with the unruly wisdom it has gathered while wandering. Sooner rather than later, it will discover a way to articulate its raw truths.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness,” said American humorist Josh Billings. I propose that we make that your motto in the coming weeks. It’s an excellent time to liberate yourself from memories that still cause you pain -- to garner major healing from past anguish and upheaval. And one of the best ways to do that will be to let go of as much blame and rage and hatred as you possibly can. Forgiveness can be your magic spell.

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Denmark has been

a pioneer in developing the technology to supply its energy needs with wind power. By 2020, it expects to generate half of its electricity from wind turbines. Recently the Danish climate minister also announced his nation’s intention to phase out the use of coal as an energy source within ten years. I would love to see you apply this kind of enlightened long-term thinking to your own personal destiny, Aquarius. Now would be an excellent time to brainstorm about the life you want to be living in 2020 and 2025. It’s also a perfect moment to outline a master plan for the next ten years, and commit to it..

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean actor Sir Michael Caine has had an illustrious career. He has won two Oscars and been nominated for the award six times in five different decades. But for his appearance in *Jaws: The Revenge,* he was nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor. He confessed that his work in that film was not his best, and yet he was happy with how much money he made doing it. “I have never seen the film,” he said, “but by all accounts it was terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.” In accordance with the astrological omens, Pisces, you have permission to engage in a comparable trade-off during the coming months.