City Hub 23 October 2014

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october 23, 2014

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BATTERS BETTER A fermenting experience - Sip & Savor craft beers this weekend

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Religious leaders declare National Day of Unity The Sydney event will be held at the Lakemba Mosque, one of Australia’s largest mosques, where there will be guided tours, traditional foods, Islamic exhibitions and children’s activities.

Mr Rea said people could still partake in the spirit of the day without attending either of the two official events.

“People don’t just have to attend a mosque or attend a march supporting diversity, it can be as simple as speaking to a neighbour on their street they’ve never spoken to or overlooked speaking to for some time – anything people can

do really.”

WTA national director Pastor Brad Chilcott said they were inviting all Australians to visit a mosque in the morning and then join the march of solidarity in the afternoon.

Walkers will gather at Sydney’s town hall at 1pm, followed by speeches, food and multicultural performances.

Mr Chilcott said he hoped the march would paint a picture of social harmony and social cohesion.

“It’s a tangible expression of the Australia that we believe is possible – a

welcoming, compassionate, generous place where everyone can belong and contribute.”

“We are really hoping it can be an expression of unity at a time where fear and division and prejudice are all throughout our media and political conversation.”

However both organisers agreed despite increased tensions many acts of kindness and acceptance still existed within the Australian community.

“I think often it’s very easy to report on people being accosted... but there are

Photo: Twitter

BY Jessica Rapana Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders are calling on all Australians to participate in a National Day of Unity to demonstrate the strength of religious tolerance.

Mosques around the country will open their doors for the Lebanese Muslim Association’s (LMA) first National Mosque Open Day this Friday (October 24).

That same day Welcome to Australia’s (WTA) annual march ‘Walk Together’ will take place in 20 regions across Australia.

LMA project officer Zachary Rea said while the doors to the mosques are always open, people don’t often walk in. The open day aims to demystify the mosques to the general public.

“The idea is to encourage people to walk in and see how it is, what it’s like, and attempt to defuse or mitigate some of the social or community tension that’s out there currently.”

Mr Rea said the current situation in Sydney is challenging.

“I myself am pretty lucky because I don’t look stereotypically Muslim, so I don’t really cop anything with respect to that, but I know with other people for sure – whether it’s just the awkward stares they might get in the supermarket or whether it is getting verbally or in some cases physically attacked.”

“I hope to really make the most of the opportunity, although times can be more challenging and tense now than others, I think it’s probably the most appropriate time to do it.”

Last year’s National Mosque Open Day

those grassroots stories that help you to realise that you’re pretty lucky to live where you do.”

Other groups, including the Uniting Church in Australia (UC) and the Union of Progressive Judaism (UPJ) were also getting behind the event.

Pitt Street Uniting Church minister Reverend Dr Margaret Maymen said a lot of people from the UC had been concerned about all the tensions in the community, and many members wanted to show their solidarity with ordinary peace loving Muslim Australians.

“To love your neighbour – to know them and to reach out to them – is one of the most important things that Christians are called on to do. So these events are both an opportunity and a reminder of that.”

“It is so important for people to cut through the fear and stereotyping and actually find out for themselves the people around them in the community share the same common humanity.”

Executive director of the UPJ Steve Denenberg said he hoped the day would remind Australians about what bound them together.

“From a Jewish perspective, we know what it’s like to be discriminated against for what we believe in, not because of who we are.”

“Whether its us or Muslims, it’s unacceptable.”

“In most community groups there are extremists, the difficulty becomes when others take that voice of extremism to be the representative voice, which is very rarely the case.”

“Most people of faith are moderate and want peace for themselves and humanity for the society they live in.”

Sydney University academic suspended over offensive emails

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BY Lucia Osborne-Crowley Sydney University Professor Barry Spurr was caught exchanging offensive emails with university colleagues last week.

Sent from his university email account over a two-year period, the emails included a series of offensive remarks. In one instance, Mr Spurr referred to Sydney University Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson as an “appalling minx”.

The emails, uncovered by New Matilda, also referred to “abos”, “mussies”, and “chinky-poos”, and included offensive remarks about a victim of sexual assault.

University students staged a protest on Friday, October 17 to put pressure on the university to discipline Mr Spurr.

Sydney University education officer Ridah Hassan told City Hub the incident is indicative of a much broader problem.

“The issue is that his views reflect not just his own, but the entire establishment’s. This is demonstrated by the fact that Spurr has been rewarded and promoted over the years to a position of tenure at Sydney University,” she said.

“Say it loud, say it clear, Barry is not welcome here,” students chanted. “(Spurr) is a professor in a university that claims to be one of

the most progressive universities in the country. We want to know why he is still employed here,” said Kyol Blakeney, President of the Sydney University Student Representative Council.

Following the protest, Mr Spurr was suspended by the university “from teaching and engaging in any other University business” and is “precluded from attending any University campus, while the matter is investigated”, according

to a statement released by the university.

“Racist, sexist or offensive language is not tolerated at the University of Sydney,” said Sydney University Vice Chancellor Michael Spence.

Mr Spurr has allegedly initiated legal action against New Matilda, the publication responsible for revealing the offending emails last week.

Mr Spurr was also recently Photo: Twitter

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Barry Spurr

commissioned by the Australian Government to take part in the National Curriculum Review.

The results of this review, which was established to investigate any revisions needed of the national English curriculum, were delivered to the Government last week.

Ms Hassan condemned Mr Spurr’s appointment to the review board.

“It is highly concerning that Spurr’s bigotry could find its way into classrooms across the country,” she said.

“It’s clear that his prejudices have found their way into the review, demonstrated by his dismissal of Indigenous literature, and recommendations to promote Judeo-Christian values above all else.”

Ms Hassan said she believes these prejudices exist within the federal government as well.

“These recommendations align with the broader racist campaign of the Liberal government at the moment, and their longterm project of white-washing Australia’s genocidal and racist past.”

Mr Spurr’s offensive statements regarding victims of sexual assault were exposed in the same week as Sydney University was accused of failing to respond to a sexual harassment complaint. The university has since responded to these complaints and disciplined the perpetrator of the harassment, according to a statement issued on Wednesday, October 22.

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Separation of siblings angers inner west parents

BY Chris Sutton Changes to school catchment areas in Leichhardt may force siblings to attend different schools as the inner west faces a baby boom.

Annandale North Primary School (ANPS) is the local school for many families in the previous catchment area, but they now face the possibility of added travel distance and the separation of siblings as a result of the change.

Wendy Routledge is a parent in the Leichhardt local government area who lives in a recently removed part of the ANPS zone.

Despite being a 5 minute walk from school grounds she is now placed in Orange Grove Public School’s district. This is a 25 minute walk from her home. She has a child in year 1 at ANPS and a younger son due to begin schooling in 2016.

“We have no idea what will happen regarding the 2016 enrolments. It is likely that we will be informed in October 2015 whether they are being offered a place and that any such offer is solely dependent on any places remaining after in-area enrolments.”

Ms Routledge helped work on a petition with Catherine Sengupta in a fight to keep siblings together, highlighting that the removal of older siblings is unreasonable and unjust.

“We have been very active in petitioning and writing to the Department of Education, various MPs and local councillors. Whether this has helped keep the affected siblings on the agenda, I don’t know, but it has certainly not resulted in any policy changes yet.”

Ms Routledge sent an email to minister of education Adrian Piccoli outlining the concerns about her own children and the

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families of the community.

“The school community was urged to support the boundary change as the only possible option for ANPS to maximise availability for affected siblings. In fact, this has simply created a larger group of affected siblings,” she wrote.

Her email ended with “We ask for your help in resolving this distressing issue and look forward to hearing from you.” There was no response.

Leichhardt Council are in support of the affected parents. Councillor Darcy Byrne told City Hub he has written to Mr Piccoli more than 6 times in 6 months and has received no response, blaming the state government for not stepping up to the problem.

“The government has had its head in the sand for many months now about the critical shortage of primary school places in inner western Sydney,” he said.

Cr Byrne accused Mr Piccoli of having a 1950’s attitude, noting there were deeper issues resulting from the short-sightedness and unwillingness of the government to build schools.

“There is an assumption (by Mr Piccoli) that one parent in each family can afford not to work. The reality is that more often than not, the person who’s missing out on the workforce is the mother, so it’s a gender issue as well.”

“I think it’s a failure of the government to understand the nature of the economic pressures facing most families in the inner west.”

The local area is in a boom; between 2001 and 2011, children aged 5 to 14 in Leichhardt increased 20 times faster than the NSW average. This is expected to grow with the

addition of new apartments.

A Department of Education and Communities spokesperson informed City Hub that they are currently working on strategies to meet the anticipated demand and that changes were made regularly to meet the demographic needs of communities.

“The Department expects it will have completed the development of its future asset strategies for primary and secondary schools across inner Sydney by January 2015.”

Michelle Lehman told City Hub that trying to describe the situation to her children was saddening.

“They’re very close. A 6 year old has to start all over again because of government decisions and lack of planning.

It’s disgraceful. It will change her life and possibly who she is.”

Ms Lehman said she cannot comprehend the lack of understanding.

“We deal with the emotional side of this issue; it’s been very stressful and involves huge changes for families. Yet politicians talk in numbers and borders. “ A petition has been signed by many other affected parents in the area.

Other parents feared the balance of being involved in two separate school communities, having to perform double drop-offs in peak morning traffic and further changes to boundaries when new developments are in place.

Cr Byrne believes the current situation will only get worse unless Mr Piccoli begins working with the council. The parents are of the same view.

“This is not putting the children first. This is not providing the continuity of education and social interaction,” said Ms Routledge.

Michelle Lehman with her two children

City of Sydney flies rainbow flag

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The flag also sends a message right across Sydney that we are proud of our diversity.”

“I’m not sure why the mayor was initially against the flag but maybe she witnessed the significant amount of opposition when the much-loved rainbow crossing at Taylor Square was removed.”

Sydney’s first Mardi Gras in 1978 was met by unexpected policy brutality. Despite the progression, Mr Haynes and Cr Scott believe there is still some way to go.

“The Labor policy now is that we are committed to marriage equality. We’re not there yet,” said Cr Scott.

Mr Haynes said intolerance continues to be reinforced by some politicians and sections of the media.

“Pollys has always prided itself in providing a safe and supportive environment at our events

where people can be themselves and celebrate life,” said Mr Haynes.

A City of Sydney spokesperson informed City Hub that this flag labels Sydney as a safe and inclusive city for everyone.

“The rainbow flag is an international symbol of pride and will help reinforce the area’s rich LGBTIQ culture and history.”

The spokesperson cited the council’s willingness to provide an iconic destination.

“We want the artwork to bring as much colour and joy to Oxford Street as the crossing did. It should serve as a landmark and a meeting place – something people will want to photograph and share with others.”

Cr Scott remained focused on making a better future for everyone.

“If people believe in equality and they do something about it, things can change.”

Photo: clovermoore.com.au

BY Chris Sutton The City of Sydney Council has installed a permanent rainbow flag above Taylor Square to recognise Sydney’s gay and lesbian community.

The removal of a rainbow street crossing in Oxford Street last year caused anger and sparked claims for recognition as locals reacted with rallies of support.

Then Labor councillor Verity Firth raised the idea of a rainbow flag almost a decade ago.

Current Labor councillor Linda Scott told City Hub that after Lord Mayor Clover Moore voted the motion down twice, she finally agreed to it this month.

“Quite some time ago now I proposed that the city build a giant rainbow flag in Taylor Square, and we had hundreds of people turn out to a council meeting and chalk up ’we want a rainbow flag’ in the front of Town Hall.”

Cr Scott believes it is important to have a visible sign of history in the area to recognise the contribution of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Question (LGBTIQ) community.

“It always upset me that there hadn’t been a physical reminder of the history of the area.”

The rally of support behind the rainbow street crossing created tension between the state government and the City, which believed the removal was unnecessary. Cr Scott believes the war between the governments needs to stop for outcomes to be achieved.

The Pollys Club, Australia’s oldest gay and lesbian social group, celebrated their 50 year anniversary in 2014.

Polly’s club president David Haynes told City Hub the flag is an important symbol to the community.

“This is an acknowledgement to the LGBTIQ community; that we are here and we are visible.

Rainbow flag in Taylor Square

news in brief NRL launch inquiry after Burgess’ radio interview

BY Jessica Rapana Soon after emerging as grand final man of the match, Rabbitohs’ player Sam Burgess has found himself at the centre of an NRL inquiry.

During an interview with radio 2KY after the grand final, Mr Burgess said he didn’t “remember too much of it”, suggesting possible concussion and forcing the NRL to conduct an investigation.

The NRL told City Hub they have asked the Rabbitohs to explain the comment by Mr Burgess which suggested his recollection of the game was hazy.

“We have asked the Rabbitohs for advice on whether there were any signs that Mr Burgess suffered concussion and, if so, what action was taken by the club,” a NRL spokesperson said.

The NRL strengthened its concussion guidelines earlier this year to ensure clubs identify any player showing signs of concussion and

remove them from the field immediately.

They have fined clubs up to $20,000 this year for breaching the policy, including the Penrith Panthers, the Canterbury Bulldogs and the North Queensland Cowboys.

Burgess received the injury in question after clashing with Canterbury player James Graham in the opening tackle.

He was not taken off for concussion tests and continued to play the remainder of the game.

“During the tackle, I knew I had broken it instantly,” he said in the radio 2KY interview.

But he said he did not want to come off after working so hard to get to the grand final.

“I just thought I would crack on and see how I felt.”

Burgess underwent surgery on October 7 after scans revealed a double fracture to the cheekbone and eye socket.

The NRL are currently awaiting the club’s response and will announce the outcome following completion of the inquiry.

BY Joe Bourke Opinions are divided in Bondi after the announcement that ‘Shore Thing’, the popular beach’s annual New Years Eve music festival, has been cancelled.

In the official statement made by festival organisers Mi5, “lengthy discussions with Council and other stakeholders” were cited as justification for cancelling the event.

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said she was initially concerned about the security of Bondi Beach on New Years Eve now that no organised event will take place, but that council and police

had worked together to address the issue.

“We sat down with all the police last week and went through all the contingents and worked through a whole lot of logistical things.”

Director of Bondi Beach Radio, Chris Williams, is a supporter of the event because it adds to the culture of Sydney on New Years Eve. “Sydney is known worldwide for celebrating the new year in a particular way, and its all about really showcasing our natural environment.”

“Whether you’re at Darling Harbour or The Rocks or North Sydney, it’s all about framing the New Years Eve celebration in the context of this

Shore Thing festival at Bondi Beach

Cartoon: Peter Berner

Bondi New Years Eve festival cancelled

great natural environment that we have in this city and I look at the Bondi experience as being part of that broader celebration.”

Residents in the vicinity of the beach have been campaigning for the event’s cancellation for some time, claiming that the event is noisy, messy, and brings antisocial behaviour to the area whilst cutting off locals from visiting the beach.

Bondi resident Ian Plashchik said: “The local community was predominantly behind its cancellation. I can hear the music from my house and it makes a very big mess of things.”

Mr Williams said that the mess should not be a consideration.

“It may be visually more extreme the next day because there have been 15000 people there but I’m sure after two days it’ll be back to normal, which is no different to when we get large storms.”

“It boils down to the cultural impact. I think that’s the strongest argument to our existence as an international global city, and this great opportunity for the global music spotlight to shine on our inspirational beach.”

The event has featured such artists as Fatboy Slim, Snoop Dogg and Skrillex in recent years.

Cr Betts said that the beach will still be open for anybody who would like to visit, but stressed that no alcohol is to be brought.

“Unfortunately if some people do drink too much, they spoil it for everybody. So everybody is welcome, come and have a wonderful evening but just don’t bring alcohol.”

This year there will be no event, but Cr Betts said that it might be good to have a “family event” in the coming years to replace Shore Thing.

Bronte fights against overdevelopment of RSL

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planning proposal.

“Those two decisions don’t make any sense. They are inconsistent, incoherent decisions.”

“The Department announced that they were supporting the developers plans to double the floor space ratio and increase the height limit to 150% of what is now, which doesn’t make any sense and the community cannot understand how this can possibly happen.”

Bronte resident Cassandra Jordan also expressed disappointment at the lack of consideration for community interests.

“It is shocking that the community has had to be involved in 5 consultations. However, the Save Bronte

campaign will be involved in 10 consultations if that is what it takes to ensure the Department of Planning follows due process,” she said.

“The community have been ignored but Save Bronte will not disappear.”

The Department said: “On 4 September this year the Department confirmed its support of amendments to Waverley Council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP), following broad community consultation undertaken by the council.”

“The Department asked Waverley Council to exhibit Winston Langley Burlington’s amended planning proposal to ensure that the public has an opportunity to provide their feedback.”

Photo: Facebook

BY Emily Contador-Kelsall Bronte residents have expressed concern over the upcoming development of the Bronte RSL. Developer Winston Langley Burlington has proposed to double the floor space of the RSL and increase the height of the building by half, sparking overdevelopment fears amongst local residents.

Waverley Council recently rejected a proposal

by Winston Langley Burlington (WLB) to develop the site, but the NSW Department of Planning is considering overruling the council’s decision.

Last week, community group Save Bronte rallied against the overdevelopment of the RSL and called on Minister Pru Goward to reverse the Department’s decision.

Save Bronte spokesperson Dr Stephen Lightfoot said he was confident the development would be stopped.

“We have confidence in our democracy and we hope we get a good result.”

Dr Lightfoot said the community could not understand how the Department of Planning was looking at overruling what the council and community proposed simply because the developer was unhappy.

“Our group is not anti-development, we want to see redevelopment of the Bronte RSL site, but development to comply with the current Waverley local environment plan.”

A Department of Planning and Environment spokesperson said the department had been open, transparent and followed all of the correct procedures regarding the Bronte RSL site.

“The Department cannot arbitrarily refuse or approve planning proposals without allowing the public to have their say, particularly where there is considerable public interest as is the case with the amended WLB proposal.”

Dr Lightfoot said that the community were extremely disappointed when the Department announced they were supporting the developer’s planning proposal only 24 hours after having announced that they endorsed the Waverley council

Bronte rallies against RSL development

Waverley Council believes the current development limits should not be exceeded.

“The development standards that currently apply to the site are what Council considers appropriate.

These standards reflect the community’s views,” a spokesperson said.

Winston Langley Burlington Director David Hynes referred City Hub to their Bronte RSL Project webpage rather than make comment.

Mr Hynes said the website sets out WLB’s position in relation to key project features: “The plan strives to achieve a balance between financial sustainability, community amenity and the ability of the Bronte RSL to support our veterans and local community groups.”

Don Rowe, president of the NSW RSL state branch said there had been a continued misunderstanding over the RSL’s involvement in the development.

“NSW RSL has continued to be contacted about the development but has nothing to do with the issue. The issue lies with the developer and council.”

Dr Lightfoot said the community and Waverley council had worked together, followed government planning policy, and negotiated rules and vision for the neighbourhood in an attempt to negotiate the scale of the development.

“Now because one party is unhappy with that - the developer - the Department of Planning has stepped in and is looking at overruling what the council and the community have come up with. It’s inconsistent with government policy.”

“Government policy is that council and communities determine the rules of development in their local neighbourhood. That is what we’ve done. Now the department of planning is working against Liberal party government policy, it just does not make any sense.”

Save Bronte has called on Minister Goward to show support for the community and for her government’s local planning policy.

“We would really like her to step in and use her power to dismiss this planning proposal and we call on her to do the right thing at Bronte and for the people of Bronte.”

Marrickville Council supports local campaign to stop coal seam gas

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were reviewing a proposal by IGas Energy to take over Dart Energy, who Ms Hinman said don’t want to hold Australian assets and could resell to a company that have drilling underway.

The council recognised the threat drilling posed on residents and unanimously voted to support the campaign. Marrickville Mayor Mark Gardiner and fellow councillors believe that CSG drilling, fracking, and the impact of CSG mining on groundwater is a serious concern, and will erect banners that say ‘Marrickville is coal seam gas free’.

“Back in 2012 a hard-fought community campaign supported by Marrickville Council successfully

prevented Dart Energy’s previous CSG drilling plans in St Peters.

I’m hopeful that this will be the case again, and that the state government will see sense on this issue and cancel the licence,” said Mr Gardiner.

Adrienne Shilling spoke at the council meeting on behalf of Stop CSG Sydney and informed City Hub that she is hopeful the licence will now be cancelled. She believes the council saw the decision as a “no-brainer”.

“There’s now a precedent. The minister can’t say that he doesn’t cancel licences when it’s clear that he has the capacity if he has the will.”

Ms Shilling outlined the possible

risks to residents, as the fringes of the PEL remain in urban areas.

“We know from the experience at Camden where AGL are drilling that methane does escape. We certainly know there is a risk.”

Stop Sydney CSG will continue putting pressure on the minister.

“I think the government is feeling the heat. We will not let this go. We will be writing again. We just won’t rest,” said Ms Shilling.

The council has contacted Mr Roberts to request the cancellation of Dart Energy’s licence to drill for CSG in the local area and have received no response.

Photo: Stop CSG Sydney

BY Chris Sutton Marrickville Council has supported a campaign to cancel the drilling licence for coal seam gas (CSG) in the local area.

The decision has been welcomed

by Stop CSG Sydney, a community group that is fighting to stop all CSG mining activity across Sydney.

Stop CSG Sydney President Pip Hinman told City Hub that the group wrote to the Minister of Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts to outline concerns. It took him ten weeks to produce what Ms Hinman called a “non-reply”.

“We got a ‘thank you for bringing this to our attention’. He said the matter is being dealt with by the office of CSG, which he oversees. If the licence is not being fulfilled he has the power to cancel it.”

Mr Roberts recently cancelled 3 Petroleum Exploration Licences (PEL) in the NSW area, having only suspended licences previously.

“We don’t think any community would put up with a test drill or a drill site in their local area,” said Ms Hinman.

“The council is committed to publicising the issue around this campaign, which means people will be made aware that the licence is still alive.”

The letter from Mr Roberts outlined that the office of CSG

Protestors rally against coal seam gas in Sydney

David Shoebridge MLC delivers Joseph McCabe lecture on The Ellis Defence

BY Chris Sutton David Shoebridge MLC will deliver this year’s Joseph McCabe lecture on the 24th of October, titled The Ellis Defence and its Aftermath.

Mr Shoebridge will discuss the bill he drafted to the NSW government that will allow victims of the church to sue for compensation.

The name of the lecture refers to John Ellis, a victim of abuse at the hands of a deceased assistant priest.

He lost a high court case against the Catholic Church in 2007.

Church assets are placed in statutory trusts, which are immune from claims of abuse. Mr Shoebridge told City Hub about the issue that has been on his radar since he came into parliament.

“Our position is that parliament has an obligation to get rid of unfair legal obstacles that stop victims of abuse gaining fair compensation.”

Mr Shoebridge’s lecture will cover the Ellis case and

the two pieces of legislation that are being proposed.

“The Ellis Defence is used by a number of churches, but mainly the Catholic Church, to protect their assets. This is a matter we’ve raised repeatedly, it is indefensible, and we’ve got a bill that will require churches to meet the cases of victims on their merits, not on legal technicalities.”

The lecture will be held at The Sydney Mechanics Institute at 6pm.

David Shoebridge MLC

Sip & Savour: “Craft beer is a conversation”

By Carmen Cita Something special is fermenting in Sydney. Dozens of boutique brewers from all around Australia are heading to Carriageworks to serve up more than 250 mouth-watering craft beers and ciders at Sip & Savour, the closing event for Sydney Craft Beer Week.

More than 6,000 foodies and ‘hopsters’ are expected to pass through Carriageworks over the two days, sampling some of the best brews and ciders from far and wide, including beverages from Sydney Brewery, Batch Brewing, Young Henrys and Sixpoint Brewery.

Co-organiser Michael Ward says, “We are bringing together over 40 brewers, including brewers from every state in Australia and a sprinkling of international brewers.”

In recent years, the craft beer movement has made an indelible impression on the palates of Sydney beer enthusiasts. Some of the city’s coolest bars offer extensive menus of local micro-brews, and artisanal IPAs have replaced the traditional Tooheys six-pack in many home refrigerators.

Ward says, “In Australia, we follow American trends and we are about 10 years behind when it comes to craft beer. We have about 180 craft brewers in Australia. There are more than 2,500 brewers in America – they are very entrepreneurial.”

Local newcomer Batch Brewing is run by two American expats, Andrew Fineran and Chris Sidwa.

Their Summer Farmhouse Ale is easy-drinking Belgian-style ale with fruity characters and a touch of pepper, and their West Coast IPA, made with American West Coast hops, will be available at Sip & Savour.

After seeing the craft beer revolution sweep across the States, Fineran decided to start a microbrewery in Marrickville. He says, “It’s a global trend and it’s taking off in Sydney for a few reasons. People are drinking less, so when they do drink, it’s about

quality over quantity.

“The trend has been happening for a while now in America – and there is a lot of great beer out there these days. Once Australians discover good craft beer abroad, via the internet or travel, naturally they want to be able to drink it at home.”

Ward claims that Sydney has been something of a latecomer to the craft beer party. He says, “Victoria and Western Australia were the first states to really get into craft beer – Sydney was a bit behind the other cities, but it is playing catch-up now. We are seeing more and more local bars and restaurants stocking craft beer.”

He adds, “People love craft beer because it’s hand-crafted and artisan-based – so it’s made with fresh ingredients, in small quantities, and packaged with more personality. It’s not the bland, blokey drink that we are used to.”

Fineran says, “People’s palates are changing. With shows like Masterchef and local food and wine trends people are experimenting with more flavours and, when it comes to beer, people are appreciating interesting new styles.”

He continues, “There’s also a shift back to people wanting to be more connected to their local community. People don’t want everything they consume to be churned out by big business. People don’t want to just drink beer – they want to know the face that makes the beer, and where the beer came from.”

Dedicated to preserving the craft of brewing, Fineran says, “At Batch, we have an old-school approach to brewing. Each batch is brewed for around two weeks, to give the beer a chance to develop character. Our beers are not filtered or pasteurised so it’s important to drink it fresh, either at the brewery or nearby, to enjoy it at peak freshness.”

As he wins over local beer enthusiasts, one batch

Sydney Brewery will offer four signature brews on tap at Sip & Savour: the Glamarama Summer Ale; the trophy-winning Lovedale Lager; the Piermont Rye at a time, Fineran says, “There is demand for our IPA; and the Sydney Cider, a quaffing classic made beers outside of the area, but for now we are happy in their cider room under World Square in the city. to be a local brewer. We are focused on working with Paddo Pale and Darlo Dark will be available in our community, we want to look after our own bottles. backyard.”

Ward claims that Sip & Savour will be a learning Local pioneer Richard Feyn from Sydney Brewery experience. He says, “Wine is a lecture; but craft beer has been making Sydney Cider since 1989. Two is a conversation. Sip & Savour is all about tasting years ago he joined forces with Dr Jerry Schwartz, and appreciation. This is no Octoberfest. It’s a from Schwartz Brewery in the Macquarie Hotel, to chance to really learn about beer – about craft beer form Sydney Brewery. that is, not the mass-produced drain water that goes Feyn believes that the newfound popularity of craft by the same name.” beer will be lasting. He says, “Once you’ve had Feyn says, “As a collective, the craft beer industry a beer with real flavour, there’s no turning back. And has really grown in the last few years. Festivals like the craft beer movement is very experimental, so this bring people together, the brewers and the beer when you offer people lots of tasty new options, they lovers.” (CC) are not going to stick to the same old mainstream Oct 25-26, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, brands.”

Eveleigh, $18.50-$73.50, sipsavour.com.au

EAT & DRINK

Danjee Venturing down an alleyway running between Event Cinemas and La Guillotine, you’ll find a spruced up Korean restaurant called Danjee. Despite the large interior - divided into a buzzing dining room and a separate, glassed-in barbeque space - you might have to wait for a table amongst the hip, KoreanAustralian throng. Dipping into the wine list is a $ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

ROCKS & CBD Bistro Mint Stolen Rum flamed at the table then liberally applied to a Rum Baba ($14) is just a taste of things to come, explains Sebastien Lutaud, Restaurant Associates’ General Manager of Culinary Services, with a Stolen Rum bar is a likely addition to this already attractive venue.

Lapping up Sydney sunshine and a gloriously dry 2013 Triennes Nans les Pins Rose ($81/bottle) on the stately balcony, I muse that there are already plenty of reasons to visit, including the updated Coq au Vin ($32) with smoked speck, carrot and Shiraz. ‘Sot-l’y-laisse’ ($10) – they’re chicken ‘oysters’ for the linguistically challenged - cooked in burnt butter,

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By Jackie McMillan pleasure, particularly with a bowl of crisp seaweed snacks, dotted with salt and sugar. From a standout selection of French wines, the 2012 Causse Marines ‘Les Greilles’ Gaillac Blanc ($65) muscadelle blend is a perfect aperitif, that lends itself to the cuisine beautifully. The elegant wine transforms with each subsequent dish, making the array of banchan – the profuse collection of side dishes that erupts onto Korean tables – quite the adventure. Kimchi and Mung Bean Pancakes ($14) are great foils to explore these healthy, Korean dishes (and don’t be afraid to ask for more). Du Bu Seon ($9) arrive as dainty tofu sandwiches, stuffed with enoki, garlic chives and green chilli. They contrast well with the charcoal notes of Danjee Sutbul Bool Go Gi ($35), high quality mince, marinated in soy, then cooked on the grill; while the well-dressed Nu Runga Gi Salad ($6) with crispy rice helps combat the heat of Charcoal Spicy Pork Hocks ($38), presented two ways.

1/7 Albion Place, Sydney (02) 8084 9041 danjee.com.au Korean,Wine $$$-$$$$ $$$ - mains between $22-$30

shallots and crisp sage are another.

Upstairs, The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney (02) 9232 2293 bistromint.com.au Modern French,Wine $$$$ El-Phoenician Entering this gleaming glass box it’s immediately apparent it’s a cut above the usual Cleveland Street eateries, shrouded in dusty carpet.

White tablecloths, comfortable leather chairs and a minimal ambient soundtrack are just the beginning.

You’ll also find cocktails and a credible wine list including the 2010 Denis Pommier Chablis ($85/bottle).

I categorise Lebanese restaurants into Homous ($11) or Baba Ganouje ($11), dependent upon which dip they do better. Chickpeas outdo the smoky eggplant, but it’s actually

$$$$ - mains over $30

Labne ($9) that wins. A Combination Banquet ($62/head) will deliver all three against a hefty array of salad, seafood, poultry and meat, cleverly spread across three waves. The star is the chicken Shish Tawouk ($30).

7 Towns Place, Walsh Bay (02) 9633 1611el-phoenician.com.au Lebanese $$$ Yayoi While the signature steamed rice Kama Daki Gohan ($8) - takes 25 minutes, the tableside-theatre and resulting pot of fluffy, freshly steamed rice, is worthwhile. This is the first Australian venture of a Japanese chain called Yayoiken. Their speciality is balanced home-style Japanese “teishoku” (meal sets). While you don’t need an entrée, a pretty plate of Gyu Tataki ($16) – seared

Bowery Lane

By Alex Harmon With Brooklyn-style dive bars down every second laneway, it’s refreshing to see a bit of New York City class find its way back into Sydney. This Manhattanstyle offering brings together the city’s unique sense of fashion with art deco glamour, leather booths, dapper staff and not a single hot dog on the menu. waygu with asparagus and ponzu jelly – will keep you entertained.

So will discussing the merits of the Premium Sake Selection ($10). Then tuck into a comforting wagyu beef hotpot - Wagyu Sukiyaki ($33) - or use the balanced sides as an excuse to dabble in deep-fried Pork Fillet Katsu ($27).

Shop 2, 38-42 Bridge Street, Sydney (02) 9247 8166 yayoi.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

Sophistication is paramount, like Yamba Prawn Sliders ($16), zesty and fresh with fennel slaw. Share some Manchego Croquettes ($14) with smoked chilli aioli, the perfect cocktail complement – and trust me, the cocktails here are serious business. Take Bowery Lane’s Pharmaceutical Stimulant ($16), a tonic that is sure to cure any ailment with its cold drip coffee injection. Or the Mexican Gateway Fizz ($16), a twist on the margarita with apricot brandy and bubbles. Of course you can still get your New York Cheeseburger ($20), and it is sublime, cooked medium and oozing with juicy goodness. Go all out and match it with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Shake ($7). If a whole BBQ chicken or lamb shoulder is too ambitious, try the pretty-looking, farm-fresh Globe Artichokes ($25) served with ancient grains, heirloom carrots, beets and goats curd. It might be in the business end of town, but Bowery Lane will have you fashionably bowled over.

Shop 1, Level 4, 1 O’Connell Street, Sydney (02) 9252 8017 bowerylane.com.au American, Cocktails $$

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). The 2012 Ngeringa Growers Series Rousanne ($65/bottle) makes an affable companion to movieinspired 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 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 $$$

EAT & DRINK

Charing Cross Hotel As people open the doors into the newly renovated Charing Cross Hotel, you’re likely to hear a sharp intake of breath. The light, coastally inspired interior is a delightful surprise, especially considering the unassuming pub exterior plonked upon a busy fiveway intersection. The wicker chairs of the stylish, baby blue dining room are but one place to relax and explore a drinks list that hits the trifecta. So expect EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES North Bondi Fish Last year North Bondi Italian closed its doors and no one could imagine this neck of Bondi Beach ever being the same. That was until North Bondi Fish moved in. Stick to the theme and order the Fish and Chips ($29), or branch out with the Mussels ($25) that include a refreshing Stone & Wood beer. Grilled Prawns ($35) are whoppers but need their own side to balance the salty sea creatures. Crab Linguine ($30) gets it spot on, the lime and chilli offsetting the sweet crab flavour. End with cocktails – the Beachside Fizz ($16) fancy vodka soda with almond syrup – and a Cheese Platter ($25) to watch the sun go down.

By Jackie McMillan to smile whatever your tipple - cocktails, wine or on-tap craft brew. A Locals Drop ($17) blending white rum, ruby grapefruit and Campari will help to reduce the rich excesses of Chef Matt Kemp’s Crispy Pigs Head ($14), pressed into fat, crumbed batons and complemented by lovely piccalilli. A relative cheapie - Sant Josep White Garnacha ($36/bottle) is opulent enough to accompany a heroic Roast Pork Neck ($30) with crackling, radicchio, balsamic, honey and pears, without destroying a simple plate of Swordfish ($28) adorned with juicy, wet cucumbers, pink grapefruit and perilla.You’ll find the signature modern British touches – like a Peach, Raspberry and Champagne Trifle ($14) – that Kemp is famous for, sitting alongside area-appropriate seafood, like House Salted Cod Risotto with Poached Egg ($18).

And everything, down to the sides, like compelling Thrice Cooked Fries ($7), show off Kemp’s usual mastery of flavour and technique.

81 Carrington Road, Waverley (02) 9389 3093 charingcrosshotel.com.au British, Pub Bistro,Wine, Cocktails $$$

120 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach (02) 9130 2155 northbondifish.com.au Seafood $$ Vincent Poulet Roti ($35) combines everyone’s favourite - roast chook - with rich bread sauce, chestnuts and sprout leaves. It’s a cool weather smile-maker I enjoy whilst facing a cabinet of cheese in the dining room of this popular restaurant, located in the classic Hughenden boutique hotel. Co-owner Traci Trinder oozes warmth and friendliness, shepherding us into a great 2012 Moreau Naudet Petit Chablis ($79) from the extensive wine list. It compliments delicate Cured Kingfish ($20) with avocado and finger lime on calamari crackers, while still standing up to more decadent choices. End with Chabichou - soft and creamy goats

SoCal Led Emmett, the General Manager of SoCal, provides an expert introduction to the liquid aspects of The Golden State.With my lips still tingling from a Chica Chipotle ($17) that teamed chipotle-infused reposado tequila with Mezcal, lime, agave and a chipotle salt rim, Led introduced me to his list. It’s heavy, as you’d hope, in Californian wines.While these

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,

imports don’t land cheaply enough to make the by-the-glass list, they are worth a look.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 without roundness and balance. It lends itself to liberal, chilled applications against crisp Sriracha Chicken Quesadillas ($20), as you watch the moon rise in the open-roofed space.Another easy-drinker,The Chard Project Chardonnay ($70), won’t fight with a plump piece of Kingfish ($22), served over charred corn and lardons, with romesco sauce. I realise I’m making food sound like an accessory, but some spots just lend themselves to drinking.Throw in a wonderfully consistent ska soundtrack, and you might be left thinking that someone magically transplanted Sunday arvos at The Norfolk into weeknights in Neutral Bay. 1 Young Street, Neutral Bay (02) 9904 5671 socalsydney.com.au American, Bar, Bar Food $$-$$$

of lemongrass yoghurt foam.

As ethical meats are all from Feather and Bone, it was All Good Things Eatery impossible to pass up Organic As well as delivering a bonzer Goat Backstrap Carpaccio brekky, Kingsgrove’s hippest ($18), presented simply with café is open for dinner, every ponzu, wasabi and lily pads of Thursday to Saturday night. Plan avocado puree. your meal around the sweets Shop 9-11 Mashman Avenue, - the Watermelon Granita Kingsgrove with Feta Ice Cream ($12) (02) 7903 0198 facebook.com/ epitomises Sydney summer. allgoodthingseatery Precede them with small or Modern Greek $$ large share plates of Modern The Union Hotel Greek food, like Loulou ($14), Le Bistro’s menu is a hybrid of crisp tempura battered fetaa traditional pub menu with stuffed zucchini flowers or oven- elements of the Gallagher roasted Queensland Prawns Hotels’ runaway success: Le Pub. ($22). Standout Octopus ($15) The “dogs” I loved at Le Pub has its char-grilled tentacles Balmain have migrated over, with the Pulled Pork Dog ($6) edging artfully entangled with dollops GREATER SYDNEY

cheese - against green Brasserie Du Mont Blanc La Verte ($14.50) beer, or tackle tart Baked Passionfruit Custard ($14).

14 Queen Street, Woollahra (02) 8039 1500 vincentfrench.com.au French $$$$

out the Marinated Chicken Dog ($6). Duck and ‘Slaw Open Steamed Buns ($14/2) have good alcohol absorbing qualities; and flavoursome Pea and Parmesan Croquettes ($15.50) with truffled pecorino, pea puree and mint, aren’t just for vegetarians.Accompany either with Jean Luc Mader Pinot Blanc ($56/bottle) before advancing to Fickle Mistress Central Otago Pinot Noir ($15/glass) with your Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder ($25).You need Union Waffle Chips ($10) too.

271 Pacific Highway, North Sydney (02) 9955 5844 unionhotel.com.au Pub Bistro $$-$$$

Ribs & Burgers

By Ryan Kennedy Few things can encourage a diner to messy excess more than a prominently featured hand-washing station, and, at Bondi’s Ribs and Burgers, it holds pride of place. It’s a good thing that it does, as it is pretty much impossible to tuck into their trademark Pork Ribs ($29) and not end up covered in stickywhite bread pocket. Breakfast – like Zucchini and Corn Fritters ($16) - are served all day, alongside great milkshakes like Honeycomb, Malt and Golden Syrup ($5). 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 $-$$ Bay Tinh Dining at Bay Tinh is like a trip down memory lane. While I haven’t been dining here for all of its twenty-eight year history, I have spent many an evening in the (previously putrid pink) space, when it was in the hands of predecessor, Tinh Tran. In the ensuing three decades, Sydney’s

sweet barbecue sauce. But why stop there? Equally slide-off-the-bone tender, are the enormous Beef Ribs ($27), and herb and lemon marinated Lamb Ribs ($24). As the name suggests, ribs are but one part of the experience. The burgers here come with your choice of protein—beef, chicken, lamb, salmon—and an array of topping options. The Wagyu Burger ($18) is a treat; well charred, sauced, and freshened up with salad. Harmonising perfectly against the rich meats on offer is the Cabbage Salad ($6), piquant with green apples and herbs, and resonant with roasted pine nuts. And of course you can’t have a burger without Ribs and Burgers’ Famous Chips ($4-9), which are everything you could want from a crispy fried potato, or Onion Rings ($5)—and why not wash ‘em down with a Thickshake ($6)? With generous portions and the infrastructure to deal with mess, it is hard to resist channelling your inner Flintstone.

79/61-67 Hall Street, Bondi Beach (02) 9130 4887 ribsandburgers.com.au Burgers, Modern Australia $$-$$$

Vietnamese offerings have come a long way, so home-style dishes like Dau Hu Don Thit ($18.50) – plump, pork stuffed bean curd swimming in tomato sauce – feel like a look at the origins. Goi Du Du ($18.50), green papaya salad with prawns and roast pork goes down okay with the 2012 The Pawn Cassia Pinot Grigio ($7.50/glass).

318 Victoria Road, Marrickville (02) 9560 8673 baytinhrestaurant.com.au Vietnamese $$ INNER WEST

Annandale Hotel The new-look Annandale Hotel allows canines in the courtyard styled like an Aussie back deck.

FOOD NEWS

Even kiddies are welcome, except in the front bar, which retains some of the 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 $$

By Jackie McMillan What’s no larger than 11 inches, soft, elastic and easily foldable? The Neopoletana pizzas produced by Aperitivo’s Francesco Spataro. Recently dubbed the ‘godfather of Napoletana pizza’, Francesco consistently turns out what I believe to be the best pizzas in Sydney. The Italian Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana think so too, certifying him as one of only four Sydney pizzaiolo or pizza makers. I was recently reminded of his brilliance by visiting for a pizza degustation that started with the classic Margherita Buffala, and moved on to my own favourite – Salsiccia - topped with Taleggio, Italian sausage, mozzarella, radicchio and porcini mushrooms. While the Barley Friska Biere Blanche (a fabulous quaffing beer with virtually no hops) from Sardinia is my usual pizza accompaniment, I usually start my nights at Aperitivo with an Aperol Spritz. If you’re wondering what the fuss is about these bitter Italian drinks, head to Aperitivo’s Campari Masterclass on October 30. It’s $35/head and includes aperitivo-style eats.You should definitely stay for a pizza too… aperitivo.com.au

Bar Fly

By Viv McGregor

The Hive Bar

I am drawn like a magnet to bars that have cider by the pint, kumera fries, and sassy bartenders, and The Hive is a cosy and welcoming locals’ bar in the little faux-village of Erskineville. Lowlit and warm, the walls smattered with graffiti-style art, it attracts an eclectic and friendly crowd. Today there’s a poodle sitting next to us, clad in a pearl necklace and sporting a fresh mohawk. My date works her way through pints of the three local beers on tap, settling on a Stockade IPA ($11), while stealing my lime zest coated Kumera Fries ($8.50). The cocktail list focuses on twists on classic cocktails, like the Clean-Shaven Sanchez ($19): an Old Fashioned made with tequila and rhubarb bitters. Today, however, as a massive Spring storm hits Sydney, I’m completely won over by the Hive Chai ($17), spiced and warmed by Fireball Whiskey and chilli schnapps, and I curl up in the window seat, blissfully toasty.

93 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville (02) 9519 9911 thehivebar.com.au

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Carnival of the Bold Social change will be the compass for Carnival of the Bold, returning as part of The Changemakers Festival. A mixture of Sydney artists will shed light on issues affecting modern society through their video entries, photography and painting.

Organiser Kevin Bathman says the arts are a great tool to spread a message to audiences: “The arts can be used as a catalyst for change, to portray an idea and dramatise a situation. We will use that platform to do works that are revolving around a social issue.”

Celebrated Sydney Photographer William Yang is among the artists featured, who will document and explore themes such as poverty, human rights and equality. Bathman says:

“When people go to an arts performance, they absorb the information quite simply, this is because a lot of times the artists themselves are not trying to sell anything – it’s an expression of an idea. If used wisely I think you could really highlight a social issue quite effectively.”

Carnival of The Bold will also support not for profit organisations, including Amnesty International, The Bread and Butter Project and Crimson Movement: “We want to encourage more organisations to engage people through the arts,” says Bathman. (GF) Oct 25, Cleveland Street Theatre, 199 Cleveland St, Redfern, $35, carnivalofthebold.com

Lanie Lane After three years in the wilderness, both literally and figuratively, Lanie Lane returns with her new album Night Shade.

After touring extensively following the release of her debut album, To The Horses, Lane decided to seclude herself away in the Victorian bush to write her next batch of music.

This environment proved to be fundamental in the transformation of Lane’s music to a much more complex and deeply heartfelt nature with her guitar playing and lyrics.

“On the first album I don’t think I was there yet, personally, to be able to go to those places, but now I can

and use that to write things that are so much more personal and meaningful,” says Lane.

This will be Lane’s first national tour since 2012 and she will be accompanied by the excellent band that helped bring her new songs to life on the record.

When describing how she feels ahead of the tour Lane says, “It’s surreal to be in front of people again and putting a new batch of songs out that are such a different style than previously.” (JA) Oct 30, Newtown Social Club, 387 King St, Newtown, $32+b.f, newtownsocialclub.com

November Spawned a Monster and V.D The 2014 season at The Old Fitz heats up as summer approaches with fantastic oneman shows of love, humour and friendship.

Actress Eliza St John commands the stage in the hilarious and honest production of V.D, a show that explores 35-year-old Sophie’s journey of love, enlightenment, self-discovery... and a love of gin.

“It’s really funny and poignant and a lot of audience members will come up and say, ‘Wow were you reading my diary? That was my life!’” says St John.

Relatable to both men and women, the show explores Sophie as she falls in and out of love, struggles in a new job, and travels to India.

“She’s trying to sort out what’s important in life,” she says.

Moving Pictures

Examining another form of self-discovery, the production of November Spawned a Monster follows the journey of William, played by James Wright, who decides to go on a holy pilgrimage to Manchester in honour of his idol, Morrissey.

“It’s the story of a troubled kid looking for answers and the meaning of life, he feels what everyone feels,” says Wright.

Funny and moving, the unlikely love story follows William as he raises the money through looking after a woman with cerebral palsy, and the impact of the music of Morrissey and the Smiths on their lives.

“Smiths fans will love it and people who aren’t familiar with them will discover a lot,” says Wright. (SOC)

Oct 28-Nov 15, Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo, $18-47, sitco.net.au

Pure Gold Live If you were a ‘70s, ‘80s, or ‘90s kid and yearn to go back to a simpler time with some really killer music – this is the night for you. In celebration of the Hordern Pavilion’s 90th birthday,WSFM101.7 and iHeartRadio have put together a onenight-only production showcasing the best loved Australian artists of the past 45 years, including bands such as 1927, Dragon, Eurogliders and many more.

It’s not just the audience that’s eager to reminisce either – the artists are pretty excited too. “It’s going to be insane. A mental asylum on wheels,” says Alex Smith of Moving Pictures, an Australian rock band most famous for their 1982 hit What About Me. “It’s our contemporaries and

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James Wright

a&e

mates [playing]…These are people we shared hotels, cafes and stages with.You used to vent your bleeding heart to them.”

When asked about such an important time in his own life, Smith identifies strongly with the audiences he was performing for. “It wasn’t just an important part of my life, but in these people’s lives,” he says. “They were finding themselves as adults and teenagers and something grabbed a hold of them. And it was kind of like a shared passion.”

That mutual passion is set to be rekindled on October 25, with one night, 12 acts, and 36 massive hits. (SW) Oct 25, Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park, $90-131, ticketek.com.au

16 STAGE 17 SCENE 18 SCREEN 19 Sounds

Arts Editor: Leigh Livingstone 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, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Jamie Apps, Leann Richards, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Michael Muir, Michelle Porter, Peter Hackney, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Ruth Fogarty, Shauna O’Carroll, Siri Williams

photo: Grant Sparkes-Carroll

The Wharf Revue is again ‘Open for Business’, as everyone’s favourite lampoonists return for another edition of their trademark anarchic political satire. Now in its 15th season and with plenty of political cannon fodder courtesy of our elected representatives, they press on undeterred – not even for a bottle of Grange.

“I think that over the last few years the tone in politics has really slumped,” says Douglas Hansell, who replaces Drew Forsyth in the cast. “As a kid growing up I seem to remember things were much more dignified.

There are almost Orwellian things happening now. The upshot for us is that there is so much material to use

in the show.”

The Australian public’s love-hate affair with politics makes the Wharf Revue an annual sell-out crowdpleaser. “Satire is a form of comedy that Australians really respond to,” says Hansell, “It is irreverent and fast.

Politicians make their way into our lives on a daily basis through the media so people feel like they know them pretty well. That makes them really accessible as comic material.”

Sketch highlights include the Adventures of Blinky Bill Shorten as well as Clive ‘Coach’ Palmer and the Balance of Power Rangers. “I get to play everyone’s favourite, Christopher Robin Pyne,” says Hansell, “and Jonathan Biggins does a great impromptu address by Paul Keating with a number of ‘catch-your-breath’ jokes only he could pull off.”

(GW) Until Dec 20, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 1, Pier 4/5, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $40-63, sydneytheatre.com.au

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. “Unlike the other characters she just wants to go where the fun is and that’s why she is so alluring. She just doesn’t care, so she lacks the moralistic conundrums that they have,” says Paterniti.

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.

THEATRE &

PERFORMANCE KILL THE PM With the extremism currently loose in the world, Kill the PM is a provocative title, but director James Dalton says writer Fregmonto Stokes’s aim was to immediately provoke the audience to a pro or con view of extreme action – which the play then explores.

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Potted Potter

Back by popular demand, Potted Potter condenses all seven Harry Potter books into a hilarious 70-minute show including a live game of Quidditch.The parody production also features all the favourite characters and Hogwarts magic.

Potter star James Percy says, “I grew up with the books and the films, it’s a childhood dream come true. As a young boy who wanted to be an actor it seems like Harry Potter was the best job in the world.” He continues, “Little did I know I would have to wait to be a full gown adult to get the chance to play the part.”

With only two actors being onstage

Traditional dance, music and Tonganinspired barbeque cuisine will be on hand to celebrate Pacific Islander culture in Sydney. The Pacifica Gods Festival, Casula Powerhouse’s fifth annual event, is aimed at promoting spirituality and ancestry from the past and present.

Creative director, Leo Tanoi, believes that Pacific Islander culture has been underrepresented in the Sydney community: “We represent certain aspects of traditional and contemporary culture for them. We work with a lot of diverse communities, which are all different cultural identities. We promote their cultures and look at heritage and artworks from the past and present.”

An array of traditional Islander art will be

Dual Helpman winner Mitchell Butel and Lucy Bell (All Saints, Crownies) round out a stellar cast with the addition of Ben Winspear who replaces Marcus Graham. 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) Oct 24–Dec 6, SBW Stables, 10 Nimrod St, Kings Cross, $32-49, griffintheatre.com.au

‘Freg’ himself is an agitprop performer whose alter-ego Twiggy Palmcock provokes in a Sacha Baron Cohen manner. Because of the nature of the play, this aspect of Freg may be fraught in future but due to his open and whimsical nature, it seems unlikely the playwright is currently on an ASIO person-of-interest list. He says if he gets arrested when he returns from South America he intends to blame James. (MMu)

at all times, the physicality of the show is a challenge, but hilarity prevails.The fast-paced and highenergy production performs 10 minutes of each book.

“It is a very interactive show and the audience are the third actor,” says Percy, “for example, we play a live full game of Quidditch with the audience.”

If you’re an avid Harry Potter fan or want to see what all the fuss is about buy tickets to this uproarious show.

It’s rumoured that even JK Rowling couldn’t get a last minute ticket. (CT) Until Oct 26, Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $55-85, pottedpotter.com

Pacifica Gods Festival

photo: Brett Boardman

The Wharf Revue 2014: Open for Business

Until Oct 26, Old 505 Theatre, 342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, $18-28, venue505.com HARVEST This sprawling comic play follows four generations of a Yorkshire pig-farming family as they fight to protect their livelihood over the course of the 20th Century.

Harvest depicts 100 years in the Harrison family and how they have survived throughout the decades.

The epic tale written by Richard

on display, as well as performances by Opera Australia community choir, Casula Voices, and a Pacific jazz collaboration called Fresh Plantation.

Tanoi says: “We have PhD students from the Conservatory of Music. They’re studying jazz and looking at the influence of traditional music and contemporary music, and we’ve been able to engage with them so that these students are able to mix with people from the Islander community who are cultured in traditional dance – they’re going to make a fusion.”

There is currently a population of around 400,000 Pacific Islanders living in Australia: “It’s something that pacific regions have been doing for millenniums, we’re not trying to convert anyone but

Miracle City

Miracle City resurfaces for the first time since its original 1996 inception. In association with Luckiest Productions and Hayes Theatre Co, this musical is being developed and performed at a very socially relevant time.

“Miracle City is not really about religion, it’s about hypocrisy. It’s about understanding [that] you have to look to yourself to find out what you believe – you can’t look at something external. Whether that’s organised religion, or your partner, you have to look to yourself,” says co-producer Richard Carroll.

“It’s the only musical that I know which plays out in real time,” he continues.

Performed in conjunction with a live-to-air American Televangelist show; timing is of the essence. With wonderful musical direction and concept by Max Lambert, alongside director Darren Yap, the ‘miracle’ is about to take Sydney on a wild theme-park ride.

Miracle City is taking to the stage thanks to a host of Australian theatre royalty including Mike McLeish, Blazey Best, Hilary Cole, Marika Aubrey, Josie Lane, Cameron Holmes along with Peter

Bean, the celebrated writer of One Man,Two Guvnors, infuses quirky humour and a deep understanding of family and human nature.

Although the family faces hardship throughout the years, Harvest reveals the ironic and dry humour of the characters.

The humanity, humour and storytelling have mass appeal to the audience and who doesn’t love an underdog story? (CT) Until Nov 8, New Theatre,

we’re trying to promote a historical look through heritage objects.” (GF) Until Oct 25, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, 1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula, free, casulapowerhouse.com

Kowitz and Esther Hannaford.

This unique Australian gem has been dusted off, and is sure to entertain a new generation of audiences.

“A joyous night at the theatre that evolves into something altogether more thought-provoking,” says Carroll. (RBM) Until Nov 16, Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point, $44-49, hayestheatre.com.au

542 King St, Newtown, $17-32, newtheatre.org.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”.

Until Dec 31, Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket, $69-114, wickedthemusical.com.au

Cathedral Street kaleidoscope

The much loved East Sydney Hotel – icon of the Loo

By Coffin Ed, Miss Death & Jay Katz Cathedral Street runs nearly the length of Woolloomooloo, one of Sydney’s most economically diverse suburbs. A stroll down the leafy tree-lined thoroughfare soon reveals everything that is good and not so good about the ‘Loo’.

Start your journey at the corner of Riley and Cathedral and the site of the old Pips International night club, now a million-dollar private residence of enormous proportions. This is the sector of the street some real estate agents have cheekily dubbed the ‘Paris’ end, with its block-long heritage terrace and boutique apartments. It also houses the somewhat mysterious First Fleet House where descendants of our original boat people gather for tea and scones to ponder their convict ancestry.

Cross over Riley and you’re at the historic East Sydney Hotel, the legendary ‘pub with no pokies’ and one of Wolloomooloo’s true gems with its wonderful old bar, homely atmosphere and long-running Sunday jazz band.

Directly opposite with its discreet shrubbery-cloaked entrance is one of the neighbourhood’s thriving brothels, named some years ago in a Four Corners program for its connection to the international sex trade. The clientele is almost exclusively Asian and reaches a libido-charged crescendo around midnight, seven days a week.

A mix of residential and businesses take you down to the horrendous knife thrust of the Eastern distributor which effectively carves the suburb into two. If you survive the pedestrian crossing there’s a popular coffee shop on the next corner and then a section of the street dominated by the Matthew Talbot Hostel and the various welfare services. Originally designed as the community hub for the Loo’s extensive public housing estate, it should have developed into a typical

neighbourhood shopping centre along with the rest of Tom Uren’s grand vision. Today it houses only a chemist, a cop shop, a convenience store and a fish and chip takeaway, with most of the area appropriated by the homeless and the welfare organisations that tend to their needs. There is of course nowhere else for the homeless to go and it’s a cruel irony that a suburb that houses some of Sydney’s wealthiest residents, on the ‘Wharf’ and elsewhere, is now a corral for some of its poorest.

This part of Cathedral is also the location of the infamous Walla Mulla Park, directly under the tracks of the Eastern Suburbs railway and home to an ever-changing group of itinerants sleeping rough and talking tough. A few years ago the City Of Sydney Council closed the park for several months and spent thousands on its upgrade. Hours before the official opening of the ‘new community park’ by Clover Moore, city rangers evicted the homeless, disinfected the seats and cleaned the trash away. Hours later and its regular residents had all returned. Surely the thousands squandered on the upgrade could have been better spent on providing proper shelter for the homeless.

Oh well, after a comforting bacon and egg roll at Stan’s Fish & Chips it’s onward up Cathedral, past the ‘Twin Peeks’ men’s club and the welcoming, albeit ramshackle, ambience of the Old Fitzroy Hotel with its regular pavement drinkers and resident raconteurs. Across the road is the graffiti-scrawled epitaph of a homeless man evicted last year by Council rangers from a community garden where he had taken up residence complete with a battery powered TV set.

The City Sightseeing Bus doesn’t run down Cathedral and maybe it should. The Lord Mayor could also make an impromptu drop in at Walla Mulla Park. Both are unlikely to ever happen but for you the reader, Cathedral Street, warts and all, is definitely there to explore!

Sculpture by the Sea

It’s the time of year for sun, surf and sand, and naturally for the popular annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.

The Bondi to Tamarama walk is being carefully prepared for the installation of a series of magnificent sculptures which will captivate, titillate and complement the blindingly azure ocean and the craggy edges of the coastline.

This year the display includes international artists from Denmark, Japan, Finland, England and Germany. Jörg Plickat’s magnificent Dialogue piece is currently being shipped directly from Europe for the show.

The event will also feature contributions from popular members of the ‘decade club’.Those who have been selected 10 times or more.This year, former winner Orest Keywan, famous for his melting ice cream truck, will again surprise sightseers, and Keizo Ushio, who constructs elaborate stone works inspired by the Moebius strip, is also reappearing.

Alongside the large constructions flaunting their innovative facades at the waves, the popular Sculpture Inside will present smaller pieces in a marquee at Marks Park.

Sculpture by the Sea is a highlight of the Sydney art season with its mix of cheeky, fun, intriguing and awe-inspiring creations.

Accessible, beautiful, and free, it’s a wonderful, whimsical window into the world of contemporary creativity. (LR) Oct 23-Nov 9, Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk, free, sculpturebythesea.com

Norton St Festa

Mr Ciano will be leading a cooking class on the day.

“This year will be a spectacular tasting treat for lovers of Italian food,” said Enzo Guarino, MC of the Festa cooking stage.

Norton Street Festa cooking stage, Norton Street, Leichhardt, 10am-5pm, Sunday October 26, ww.nortonstreetfesta.com.au

Leichhardt’s Norton Street Festa will return for its 28th year on Sunday, October 26. Over a kilometre of Norton Street Leichhardt will be blocked off to traffic and filled instead with stalls, entertainment and activities. Organisers estimate the festival attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.

This year, one of the highlights of the festival will be the Italian cooking stage. The stage will feature cooking lessons for lovers of Italian food from 10am-5pm. The stage will also feature stars of the cooking world, including Luke and Scott of My Kitchen Rules. Local chefs Paolo Gatto and Christian Colognesi will cook regional dishes for the audience. Silvia Colloca from Made in Italy on SBS and Pina Pacialeo of “Pina Cucina” will also cook their signature dishes.

The festival will also feature Luca Ciano, Executive Chef at Barilla at founder of Casa Barilla cooking school.

“I was Born and raised in Milan by an amazing family from whom I inherited my passion for food and respect for people.

I started cooking with my Mum and Grandma when I was 8 years old, taking my first few steps with them in the direction of becoming a chef,” Mr Ciano said.

“In 2008 I joined Barilla Australia, where I developed and established the “Casa Barilla” cooking school, where I still offer regular hands-on cooking classes and demonstrations in Sydney. Based on regional Italian gastronomy, and showcasing the breadth of Italy’s cuisine, I have travelled with this concept around Australia, New Zealand and many Asian countries.”

photo: Gareth Carr

THE NAKED CITY

oushi-zokei 2013 2 rings (2012) by Keizo Ushio

Potts Point Galleries opens doors to local community

Early this month, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Sydney icon Paul Baker opened the new Potts Point Galleries.

The galleries, located on Mcleay Street in Potts Point, are now home to a large collection of Sydney’s finest antiques belonging to Sydney’s most reputable antiques dealers.

The galleries are considered the newest addition to a vibrant arts and antiques scene in the suburb.

“Potts Point is home to one of our city’s most diverse local shopping precincts, and the new Potts Point Galleries is a welcome addition. I wish Paul and his team every success as they settle into their new home, and have no doubt their treasure trove will soon become a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike,” said the Lord Mayor.

Gallery owner Paul Baker has added the project to a series of successful contributions to Sydney’s art community.

In the 1980’s, Mr Baker restored the Coogee palace, transforming the area for the local community. Later in the 1980s, he transformed Sydney’s first laundry,The Parisian, into the Woollahra Galleries Antique Centre.

“Paul Baker has done it again, Phoenix rising from the ashes: With the Sydney Antique Centre closing its doors forever on June 30, within a month Baker, the visionary behind the Woollahra Galleries, which closed two decades ago, opened the doors to the new Potts Point Galleries.”

This time, Mr Baker has transformed an abandoned video store into the Potts Point galleries, bringing with him many art and antiques dealers from the Woollahra Centre.

Located at 67 Mcleay Street, Potts Point, the gallery is open seven days and includes late night hours to accommodate the vibrant life of the area

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21st Greek Film Festival Starting in Sydney on October 14, The 21st Greek Film Festival features over 20 films.

Opening with Pantelis Voulgaris’ Little England, his film Brides also has a 10th anniversary screening.

Modern-day Greece has all “the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to” with Common Denominator covering online dating and infidelity; Xenia deals with patriarchy, homosexuality and immigrant rights; Stratos is crime noir – with good men trying to right things in all the wrong ways, and Miss Violence tells of domestic and sexual abuse.

Even the western gets a nod with Standing Aside,

Watching: Antigone returns to her hometown as an ‘outsider’ and attempts to reconnect with old friends; and Bollywood dances its way into the festival with Block 12, featuring undoubtedly catchy song and dance routines.

The new Mrs Clooney wants the Elgin Marbles returned to Greece and that saga is covered by the festival’s closing film, Promakhos.

Included is also a Short Film Festival that has prizes for local and international categories. (MMu) Until Nov 2, Palace Norton St, 99 Norton St, Leichhardt, $15-150 (10 film pass), greekfilmfestival.com.au

This Is Where I Leave You The dysfunctional Altman family haven’t been together in years. It takes the death of the Altman patriarch to bring Judd (Jason Bateman), his two brothers (Corey Stoll and Adam Driver) and their sister (Tina Fey) back home to honour their father’s last wish – that they spend seven days living under the same roof. And so it is that the Altman clan cannot escape each other.

They must face each other, their mother (Jane Fonda), and ultimately, deal with the messy complications of their own lives.

Based on the book by Jonathan Tropper – who also wrote the screenplay – This Is Where I Leave You is both hilarious and heartbreaking.

The stellar ensemble cast

interact as if they were a real family and each is adept at portraying their character with humour and an emotional depth that is mesmerising. It’s the strongest link of a film with so much chaos.

There are some narrative threads viewers will want to tug at further and this makes the characters involved seem frustratingly irrelevant but that’s always the downside of translating a good book to film, some aspects need to (and should) be omitted completely.

This Is Where I Leave You is a beautiful comedy about acceptance, loss, and the comfort in understanding that family will always know and love you best. (LL) WWW½

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THE SKELETON TWINS Twins Maggie (Kristin Wiig) and Milo (Bill Hader) become separated as teenagers and end up estranged.

When we meet them they’re thirtysomething and haven’t communicated for a decade. After a suicide attempt, Milo accepts his sister’s invitation to stay with her.

A synopsis might detail the events of this wonderful film but would give you no idea of the emotion, warmth and humanity at the heart of it, not to mention the pain and the sadness, but there’s also a great deal of fun and humour. Ultimately, it’s a positive and life-affirming work, one that will give hope to viewers – and that’s why it must be seen. So well written and so well acted. (MMu) WWWW

Zero Motivation

What can audiences expect from this year’s Jewish International Film Festival? Festival Director Eddie Tamir has ensured the answer is “the unexpected”.

The list of films which promise to lay bare the soul of a fascinating culture include a variety of award-winning features, documentaries and shorts such as The Good Son, which tells of a man seeking sexual re-assignment; The Outrageous Sophie Tucker proves you ain’t heard suggestive till you’ve heard Sophie, a pre-eminent star of ‘20s US vaudeville; and The Farewell Party which is set in a retirement home where the residents build a euthanasia machine to help a friend but soon have interest from others.

There are more recognisable themes: Zero Motivation portrays the tale of three female army clerical staff battling boredom in menial work; the ironically-named The Decent One uses new material to profile the architect of the final solution – Heinrich Himmler; and The Dove Flyer details the final years of the Jewish community in ‘50s Baghdad before the expulsion to Israel.

Alfred Hitchcock was one of the team that assembled German Concentration Camps Factual Survey which had massive amounts of footage

Living is Easy With Eyes Closed

What a gentle, sweet little film this is. Fans of Local Hero will remember how it crept up and cast a spell over viewers.This film is similar.

Spain, 1966, and Franco is still in power. Antonio (Javier Càmara) is a likeable, naïve, eternal optimist who uses Beatles songs to teach his students English.

When he learns that his hero John Lennon is making a film in southern Spain he decides to drive there and meet him.

Along the way he picks up two THE JUDGE Robert Downey Jr flexes his acting chops in this outstanding drama with Robert Duvall. It is something to behold – the frustration and tension constantly bubbling beneath the surface is electric.

The Judge is a moving drama guaranteed to keep audiences on the edge of their seats with suspense.

Every role is expertly cast and Duvall is sublime as the stubborn, righteous, crank at the centre of the film.

To find fault with such a gripping narrative is tough but for the sake of balance, a weak subplot or two could have been omitted and it wouldn’t have affected the flow of the film at all. (LL) WWWW

Jewish International Film Festival 2014

THE LITTLE DEATH Josh Lawson makes his directorial debut with this offbeat comedy that explores the sexual relations and fantasies of a group of neighbours and friends. Unashamedly it delves into sexual and social taboos, as behind closed doors ‘normal’ couples discover what lengths they will go to for that fleeting ‘la petite mort’ – the little death.

With an ensemble cast of Australian talent, each character is well rounded and expertly acted. Lawson’s writing displays quick wit and a love for awkward comedy.Without losing the characters to caricature, Lawson unravels hilarious exploits in a genuine manner.

The comedy won’t be to everyone’s

documenting the horror of the concentration camps – a project which was shelved and not completed – till now.The result is Night Will Fall.

(MMu) Oct 29-Nov 16, Event Cinemas, 500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, $20-95 (5 film pass), jiff.com.au

Whiplash

words are ‘good job’ and that’s why he pushes people to their Whiplash has a similar feel to limits to find the next Charlie Shine and Black Swan, but a Parker. “Wouldn’t that make different setting. some give-up?” Andrew Desperate ambition can be a innocently asks. “No, a Charlie destructive force and Andrew Parker wouldn’t give up,” says (Miles Teller) is a driven young Fletch. That line is a clue to the drummer in the very ending, which has a massive competitive world of jazz.

Andrew falls under the Svengali- twist.

Vengeance is a powerful like influence of the emotion – are talent and sheer uncompromising Fletcher (J.K. determination strong enough to Simmons) who dresses, talks and acts more like a US military triumph over it? drill instructor than a jazz tutor. Viewers needn’t be jazz fans to enjoy Whiplash. (MMu)WWW½ According to him the worst

hitchhikers: the pregnant Belén (Natalia de Molina) and Juanjo (Francesc Colomer), who is fleeing an over-strict father.

All three characters are looking for their own version of freedom – in a country that isn’t free.

There is so much local atmosphere you can almost taste the dust and feel the heat.

Beatles fans will love it, and a beautifully nostalgic guitar score

by Pat Metheny heightens the mood throughout. (MMu) WWW½ taste but with a charmingly authentic treatment it is a subtle reminder that it’s okay to be weird. (ATS) WWW

jealousy and abandonment, it is a stunning, humorous and thoughtful success. (LR) WWW½

THE INFINITE MAN is a quixotic journey through the mind of a very confused man. It is a tale of obsession and erotic fantasies.

Dean (Josh McConville), a quirky, neurotic pseudo scientist, is obsessed with Lana (Hannah Marshall) but his quest for her love takes an almost incomprehensible turn when he uses time travel to repair the rifts in their relationship.

The sparse setting of this movie is a reflection of its low budget, but works well as a backdrop for the raw revelation of human emotions.

This movie is confusing as a narrative; however, as a metaphor for the utter heart-rending dishevelment caused by

BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP If you can’t remember for yourself, you have to rely on others, and that’s the problem for Christine (Nicole Kidman), who wakes each day remembering nothing of her past due to trauma from an assault. Somehow she must sift truth from lies to regain her life and identity.

This is a unique style of thriller that keeps viewers on edge from the opening scene, with tension in the smallest of events.

Kidman and Firth team well in material that offers more scope than their first duo on The Railway Man. (MMu)WWW½

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 excop who now hunts down criminals with his “particular set of skills”, however, this is a more cerebral than action-oriented 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

Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson – Do Tell Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson make a musically overflowing partnership on their album, Do Tell.

From the first note, the folksy feel takes the listener back in time.The harmonica on Stray Hat evokes images of sitting in the back carriages of a rickety train, the open door letting the warm air roll in, highlighting the camaraderie of music.

The listener can feel the heat in the title track and the lonely sadness in Long Dark Cloud.

This short ride is a rollercoaster of tempo changes and emotion. (SP)

Big Deal – Always Boys The latest single from the pop-rock duo of Alice Costelloe and Kacey Underwood’s album Sakura is very much what was expected form the pair.

The fast-paced guitars and ‘90s alternative rock-esque drumming provided by a full band arrangement are the main building blocks for the atmosphere of this record.

Layered over the top is the melancholy, dramatic vocal performance of Costelloe as she bemoans constantly falling for “boys that play guitar”.

Whilst not bringing anything new in particular to the genre Big Deal are accomplished proponents of this particular sound. (JA)

Following on from the success of their first album and abundant praise for their live shows, Melbourne’s The Peep Tempel returned to the studio to produce their latest release, Tales.

The band which has had many iterations throughout its lifetime, started out as a two-piece “jam session over a few beers” that consisted of singer-songwriter Blake Scott and drummer Steven Carter, who eventually grew and produced 7-inch singles.The band then added Matthew Duffy as a bassist for their debut studio album, which received widespread critical acclaim. More recently the band continued this process of evolution and their signature sound once again changed with the addition of new bassist Stewart Rayner.

“This album isn’t as fast and furious as the first, which was deliberately a lot more frantic, we even bumped up the tempos of some tracks to add to the nervous energy whereas this record has a few more tracks that are groove-based, which is something we’ve never explored,” says frontman Blake Scott.

With this being their second full-length album and given the altered makeup of the band,The Peep Tempel were bound to face some obstacles during

LIVE WIRE

Robert Ellis and Jonny Fritz: These two American singer-songwriters bring their unique flair for country-folk style music and storytelling to Sydney. Ellis has a raw emotional streak to his music which pulls the audience in deeply. Fritz also employs emotional stories throughout his music, although he tends to twist these with a selfdeprecating, skewed perspectives of humour.

Thu, Oct 23, Newtown Social Club

the recording process.

“With Stewie as our new bass player we had to work to get the transition from the first album to the EP - which Stewie was a part of - to this album to sound right, so it was a little more difficult.We got a fair way into it then culled a few songs, which made the direction more clear and set in stone,” says Scott.

Despite all of these obstacles and changes the very distinct Australian rock and roll sound urging listeners to dance continues to shine through whilst also keeping the bands well known humour - which is albeit slightly darker this time round.

The Peep Tempel have come to be known as a great live act, which is as Scott says, “noisy, high energy and something we’ve always tried to pride ourselves on.We love getting people going, getting the blood running and getting people moving.”

The Sydney leg of the tour will be the second last stop, but the band assures fans that they will continue to bring the energy and will have sorted out any kinks to the show along the way, so this could very well be the best show of the bunch. (JA) Oct 24,The Lansdowne Hotel, 2-6 City Rd, Chippendale, free, (02) 8218 2333

Sydney Live Music Guide

All Our Exes Live In Texas: This Sydney folk four-piece consists of four highly talented and renowned songwriters in their own right – Elana Stone, Georgia Mooney, Hannah Crofts and Kate Wighton.

Crafting enchanting folk-pop tunes that combine mandolin, ukulele, accordion, guitar and vocal harmonies, the ladies have received positive reviews for their performances at the Big Sound showcase. Hot off this success and notoriety, the band hits the road.

Fri, Oct 24, Newtown Social Club Siskin River: To celebrate the release of their debut album this sister duo will be holding court at their album launch event.With a musical style that sways between soft fairytale folk and dirtier rock, the duo are proving to be an exciting act. Following the release of their music video in June the girls have notched up 15,000 views already. Now is the time to catch them in an intimate setting before they hit

The Peep Tempel

the stratosphere.

Sat, Oct 25, 107 Projects Floyd Vincent & The Temple Dogs: After years together playing live shows to rave reviews, Floyd Vincent alongside longtime collaborators Bill Jacobi (bass) and Dave Marsalis (drums) have finally released a debut album under a new moniker. In order to commemorate this momentous occasion, an album launch party is set for this weekend. Despite a history in classical guitar there is no doubt this show is pure

world music, rock and pop.

Sat, Oct 25, Lazy Bones Lounge The Bon Scotts: Continuing on with their quirky original sound full of satire, thumping drums and catchy melodies, The Bon Scotts tour in support of new release Modern Capitalism Gets Things Done. Known for their charismatic, boisterous live show they remain at the forefront of the modern folk pop-rock revival.

Sun, Oct 26, Shady Pines Saloon Ben Ottewell: The UK’s artist best known for his

unmistakable voice and guitar work as part of rock band Gomez is set to make his return to Australia for a run of solo shows.The tour in support of new album Rattlebag will see Ottewell performing songs from throughout his entire musical catalogue, including some Gomez tracks. Rattlebag is filled with infectious melodies and bluesy riffs that are so perfectly suited for the intimate setting. (JA) Wed, Oct 29, Newtown Social Club

FREEWILLASTROLOGY

by Rob Brezsny

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): The driest place on the planet is the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. It gets about a half-inch of rain per year.

And yet in 2011, archaeologists discovered that it’s also home to a site containing the fossilized skeletons of numerous whales and other ancient sea creatures.

I’m detecting a metaphorically comparable anomaly in your vicinity, Aries. A seemingly arid, empty part of your life harbors buried secrets that are available for you to explore. If you follow the clues, you may discover rich pickings that will inspire you to revise your history.

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Businessman Warren Buffet is worth $65.5 billion, but regularly gives away 27 percent of his fortune to charity.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates owns $78 billion, and donates 36 percent. Then there are the members of the Walton family, owners of Walmart, where 100 million Americans shop weekly.

The Waltons have $136 billion, of which they contribute .04 percent to good causes. You are not wealthy in the same way these people are, Taurus.

Your riches consist of resources like your skills, relationships, emotional intelligence, creative power, and capacity for love. My invitation to you is to be extra generous with those assets -not as lavish as Buffet or Gates, perhaps, but much more than the Waltons. You are in a phase

when giving your gifts is one of the best things you can do to bolster your own health, wealth, and well-being.

C

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You have two options.

You can be in denial about your real feelings and ignore what needs to be fixed and wait for trouble to come find you. Or else you can vow to be resilient and summon your feistiest curiosity and go out searching for trouble. The difference between these two approaches is dramatic. If you mope and sigh and hide, the messy trouble that arrives will be indigestible. But if you are brave and proactive, the interesting trouble you get will ultimately evolve into a blessing.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): Astronauts on the International Space Station never wash their underwear.

They don’t have enough water at their disposal to waste on a luxury like that. Instead, they fling the dirty laundry out into space. As it falls to Earth, it burns up in the atmosphere. I wish you had an amenity like that right now. In fact, I wish you had a host of amenities like that. If there was ever a time when you should be liberated from having to wash your underwear, make your bed, sweep the floor, and do the dishes, it would be now.

Why? Because there are much

better ways to spend your time.

You’ve got sacred quests to embark on, heroic adventures to accomplish, historical turning points to initiate.

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): What are those new whisperings in your head? Are they messages from your inner teacher? Beacons beamed back through time from the Future You? Clues from the wise parts of your unconscious mind?

Whatever they are, Leo, pay attention. These signals from the Great Beyond may not be clear yet, but if you are sufficiently patient, they will eventually tell you how to take advantage of a big plot twist. But here’s a caveat: Don’t automatically believe every single thing the whisperings tell you. Their counsel may not be 100-percent accurate. Be both receptive and discerning toward them.

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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the English-speaking world, a sundae is a luxurious dessert that features ice cream topped with sweet treats like syrup, sprinkles, and fruits. In Korea, a sundae is something very different. It consists of a cow’s or pig’s intestines crammed with noodles, barley, and pig’s blood.

I expect that in the coming week you will be faced with a decision that has metaphorical similarities to the choice between a sundae and a sundae. Make sure you are quite clear about the true nature of each option.

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The average serving of pasta on a typical American’s plate is almost 480 percent bigger than what’s recommended as a healthy portion. So says a research paper titled “The Contribution of Expanding Portion Sizes to the U.S. Obesity Epidemic,” by Lisa R. Young and Marion Nestle. Muffins are 333 percent larger than they need to be, the authors say, and steaks are 224 percent excessive. Don’t get caught up in this trend, Libra. Get what you need, but not way, way more than what you need. For that matter, be judicious in your approach to all of life’s necessities. The coming phase is a time when you will thrive by applying the Goldilocks principle: neither too much nor too little, but just right.

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Children are the most desirable opponents at Scrabble,” declares Scorpio author Fran Lebowitz, “as they are both easy to beat and fun to cheat.” I don’t wholeheartedly endorse that advice for you in the coming days, Scorpio. But would you consider a milder version of it? Let’s propose, instead, that you simply seek easy victories to boost your confidence and hone your skills.

By this time next week, if all goes well, you will be ready to take on more ambitious challenges.

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You are entering a

phase when you will have more luck than usual as you try to banish parasitic influences, unworthy burdens, and lost causes. Here are some projects you might want to work on: 1. Bid farewell to anyone who brings out the worst in you.

2. Heal the twisted effect an adversary has had on you.

3. Get rid of any object that symbolizes failure or pathology.

4. Declare your independence from a situation that wastes your time or drains your resources. 5. Shed any guilt you feel for taking good care of yourself. 6. Stop a bad habit cold turkey.

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Are you ready to be as affable as a Sagittarius, as charismatic as a Leo, as empathetic as a Cancerian, and as vigorous an instigator as an Aries? No? You’re not? You’re afraid that would require you to push yourself too far outside your comfort zone? OK, then.

Are you willing to be half as affable as a Sagittarius, half as charismatic as a Leo, half as empathetic as a Cancerian, and half as inspiring an instigator as an Aries? Or even a quarter as much? I hope you will at least stretch yourself in these directions, Capricorn, because doing so would allow you to take maximum advantage of the spectacular social opportunities that will be available for you in the next four weeks.

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the coming weeks I hope you will find practical ways to express your new-found freedom. All the explorations and experiments you have enjoyed recently were fun and provocative, but now it’s time to use the insights they sparked to upgrade your life back in the daily grind. Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying.

I love it when you are dreamy and excitable and farseeing, and would never ask you to tone down those attractive qualities.

But I am also rooting for you to bring the high-flying parts of you down to earth so that you can reap the full benefits of the bounty they have stirred up. If you work to become more wellgrounded, I predict that you will be situated in a new power spot

by December 1.

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The heavy metal band known as Hatebeak broadened the definition of what constitutes music. Its lead singer was Waldo, an African grey parrot. A review

by Aquarius Records called Waldo’s squawks “completely and stupidly brilliant.” For Hatebeak’s second album, they collaborated with animal rights’ activists in the band Caninus, whose lead vocalists were two pitbull terriers, Basil and Budgie.

In the coming weeks, Pisces, I’d love to see you get inspired by these experiments. I think you will generate interesting results as you explore expansive, even unprecedented approaches in your own chosen field.

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CASULA POWERHOUSE