City Hub 26 February 2015

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CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

Rules of engagement: Liberal Party’s confusing regulations

BY ELLIOTT BRENNAN Conflicting statements from different levels of the Liberal party have led to serious questions over what restrictions are placed on candidates contesting the March election in “no hope” seats.

Stephan Gyory, the President of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership told City Hub that the Liberal candidate for the seat of Sydney, Patrice Pandeleos, was unable to attend a debate that was being held in conjunction with the Potts Point Partnership because of “a blanket ban on new candidates participating in debates”.

“I’ve been told this directly by a Liberal worker,” Mr Gyory said.

At the time of publication an invitation has also been extended by the Alternative Media Group for the candidate to participate in a similar debate with her attendance yet to be confirmed.

City Hub called Ms Pandeleos to inquire as to the truth of the claim but was referred to the office of Tony Nutt, the head of the NSW branch of the Liberal Party.

“I’m not authorised to speak about their policies on any of that,” Ms Pandeleos said.

After unsuccessfully attempting to directly contact Mr Nutt, calls were made to other high ranking members of the NSW branch.

“As I understand it, head office has rules for all candidates,” one unnamed senior source said.

“I know they can’t have a Twitter account, but that’s the only thing I can say for certain. The state director, Tony Nutt, he sets the rules,” they continued.

Tony Nutt, John Howard’s former principal private secretary, was appointed as the state director of the Liberal Party soon after the resignation of Barry O’Farrell while the party was in damage control.

Eventually City Hub was informed that a spokesperson would field the questions rather than Mr Nutt. The claims of strict controls were categorically denied.

“There’s no process that the candidates have to go through before attending events,” the spokesperson said.

“Just like any other candidate when they get any

Patrice Pandeleos. Source: facebook.com

invitation whether it be for a community forum or to attend a citizenship ceremony, they have to go through their schedule and see what they can fit in there.”

“There is no formal decree from head office banning them from attending debates and community forums.”

The spokesperson also firmly denied that candidates were not allowed to use Twitter as was said to be certain by the senior Liberal source.

“It’s not a party rule that they can’t have Twitter accounts,” they said.

When City Hub took this information back to the Pandeleos team, the responses contrasted with those of the state office.

“We just have to inform them of what we’re doing to make sure it’s okay,” her campaign manager, Chris Abood, said about the upcoming Alternative Media Group debate.

When asked about the Potts Point Partnership debate invitation that was declined, Mr Abood said “it was decided that Patrice had other things to do that night.”

“We’re focused on the Mike Baird Plan and we go through head office to make sure we’re concentrating on that one message. She’s got a lot of stuff to do,” he said.

Mr Abood pointed out that all the candidates were active on Facebook when asked about restrictions concerning social media.

“It was decided by head office that the best way to contact people is via a Facebook account,” he said.

Mr Abood said that Facebook was the personal choice of Pandeleos, but when pressed on whether a Twitter account in her name could be established hypothetically, he said “well we already have other accounts tweeting on her behalf anyway,” and would not comment further.

At the same time as City Hub was investigating these complaints other local media reported that the Liberal candidate for the seat of Balmain, Lyndon Gannon, had disclosed that it was expected candidates who had never held a seat would not attend debates.

The oddly low profile of three inner city candidates – the third being the Liberal candidate for Newtown, Rachael Wheldall - has come to the fore as the election draws closer and the number of public debates and forums increases.

Stephan Gyory who is convinced that the state branch is pulling strings said that it is counterintuitive to a healthy election.

“How can the Liberal Party expect the electorate to trust their candidate when they don’t even trust them to speak to us in public?” he said.

“If you’re going to put a candidate up, you’ve got to put them out there, some of them will fail, and that’s fine.”

WestConnex debate goes Sydney wide Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city.

Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. Published by the Alternative Media Group of Australia. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, City Hub takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions.

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By JOE BOURKE and EMILY CONTADOR-KELSALL A packed Enmore Theatre took on the WestConnex Delivery Authority on Monday 23 February. “ At the same time the City of Sydney Council released a damning report of the plan.

The SGS report, commissioned by the council, is the first independent report on WestConnex.

SGS found it will not achieve its intended goals of serving population and employment growth.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the report is the first of its kind.

“This is the first solid piece of information that the community is going to get access to,” she said.

The report found there is a lack of information available about WestConnex so an assessment of particular components could not be done, but emphasised the need for public transport in dealing with Sydney’s growth. “… WestConnex is not a holistic solution to Sydney’s growth challenges, and it fails to respond to key employment and transport trends,” the assessment said.

According to the report, Sydney’s current population of five million is expected to grow to approximately 6.2 million by 2031, presenting significant planning challenges.

The independent analysis cost council $39,000.

Liberal councillor Edward Mandla said given the report’s cost, Council needed more time to study it. Councillors received the report just over an hour before Monday’s council meeting.

“We spent $39,000 of council funds to not read a report,” he said.

Across the city, residents and local politicians filled Enmore Theatre to demand anwsers from the chief executive of the WestConnex Delivery Authority, Dennis Cliche.

WestConnex protesters on Monday evening. Source: Twitter

Marrickville mayor Mark Gardiner was at the meeting and called the plan “out-dated” and “old-fasioned”.

“At a time when the world-wide consensus is that urban motorways like WestConnex are obsolete white elephants that should be abandoned or demolished, NSW is pushing ahead with what I call a disaster waiting to happen,” Mayor Gardiner said.

The raucous crowd booed the WestConnex Delivery Authority and held up signs reading “LIES” and “ANSWER THE QUESTION”.

Marrickville Greens councillor Max Phillips

also attended the meeting. He said in a statement that Labor was “using spin to cover up their policy failure on the issue”.

“Labor supports a version of a WestConnex motorway that dumps traffic directly into the CBD, rather than into a tunnel under Marrickville,” Clr Phillips said.

“To have a policy that supports a motorway through the inner west but tell voters you will save them from this same motorway is fundamentally dishonest.”

Despite the opposition, Mr Cliche insisted the full motorway must be completed.

CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

3

Inner city will get new high school after election

BY ELLIOTT BRENNAN After years of concern from residents and politicians, both the state government and opposition have confirmed they will build a new inner city high school if they win the March election.The Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, made the announcement on behalf of the Liberal party on Monday (February 16) outside the Cleveland Street Intensive English High School where the new school will be located.

“Investing in education is vital for our children’s future and the $1 billion investment from rebuilding NSW to transform our schools over the next 10 years will give students every opportunity to succeed,” Mr Piccoli said.

The construction of the new school will cost $60 million and requires the current students to be relocated.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Communities said the “new location will be determined during the detailed planning and implementation phase of the project.”

Skye Molyneux from the Community for Local Options for Secondary Education (CLOSE) said the announcement was most welcome but also left some unanswered questions.

“This is a major milestone. The Cleveland Street School site is a great location for students as it is central, well served by public transport and is right next to the newly developed Prince Alfred Park facilities,” she said.

Ms Molyneux’s problem with the announcement was the timeframe. The Department of Education and Communities told City Hub that they expect the school to be fully operational by 2020, but members of CLOSE feel this may be too late.

“In 2013 Minister Piccoli said a new high school would be needed by 2017. The government owes it to our young people to ensure it opens in the time-frame it is needed,” Ms Molyneux said.

The Department said all factors had been taken into account before the announcement.

“Current projections for the area show that there is

The site of the future school. Source: wikipedia.org

sufficient accommodation until 2020,” the spokesperson for the department said.

“If the situation changes, a number of options would be considered to accommodate students in existing secondary schools until the new inner city high school opens, including converting existing underutilised space to create additional teaching spaces.”

The conversion of underutilised space has traditionally included the installation of demountable classrooms and has come under fire as a band aid solution in the past.

The Cleveland Street High School will be built in

conjunction with a Parramatta and a Ballina high school and the Department claims the investment will see a total of 1,600 new or refurbished classrooms across the state.

On Monday Feb. 23, a week after the announcement from the government, the opposition said they would meet the investment but deliver the project two years earlier with an alternate funding method.

“We’ve listened to the community’s concerns and today Labor is committing to build this school, and investigate all options for kids to enrol in 2018 – but it will be funded by the reliable profits delivered by our

publicly-owned electricity network,” the shadow Minister for Education, Ryan Park, said.

The Labor party hinted at aiming for incremental enrolments if they were elected which would see construction completed by 2020, but the necessary work finished in order to take students from 201 .

Isabel Macintosh from CLOSE pointed out that this approach has already been used in the state.

“A staged building approach is currently underway at the newly opened Cammeraygal High School in Crow’s Nest. This enabled the school to open its doors a month ago to year 7 students while construction continues for future capacity,” she said.

The promise of a new inner city high school comes just months after negotiations regarding the relocation of Ultimo Public School finally came to a head and have the inner city families breathing a collective sigh of relief.

The three promised high schools will help cater to Sydney’s ever growing population. The Bureau of Statistics estimates that the population of Sydney will reach 8.4 million by the year 2060, or an increase of 80 percent.

These are figures that have some seeing the new schools as only a partial fix.

Education spokesperson for the Greens, Dr John Kaye, argued that the current Education Department building in Bridge Street in the CBD would make a perfect location for a school in the future but has criticised the government’s decision to designate it for tourism.

“While the Cleveland St development will provide much needed additional high school capacity in the City’s south, the site that could provide for the next increase in student numbers is scheduled for sale to the tourism industry,” Dr Kaye said.

“At the very least, the Bridge St site should be kept in public hands to make sure that inner city communities don’t face another education capacity crisis in ten years.”

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5

Students pucker up to Pyne

Tent embassy tension rises

BY JOE BOURKE A new way to protest higher education reforms has begun at university O-Weeks around Australia.

GetUp’s PashPyne kissing booths have made an appearance at Sydney’s University of Technology and the Australian National University in Canberra.

The booths feature a six foot cardboard cut-out of Education minister Christopher Pyne.

Students are encouraged to take photos of themselves kissing the booths and post them online with the hashtag PashPyne.

GetUp campaigner Natalie O’Brien said the kissing booths are a quirky way to generate conversations about the issue.

“On the one hand we wanted to give students a chance to kiss goodbye to deregulation, but on the flip side we wanted to use these booths as a way to engage new students in the campaign. So our Pash Pyne kissing booths are a fun way to kickstart a conversation with new first year students about what the government has planned for tertiary education.”

Ms O’Brien said.

President of the Sydney University Young Liberal Club, William Dawes, said the campaign doesn’t contribute to the debate surrounding reforms.

“The Education Minister, as much as anyone, seems to be aware that he’s become a bogeyman in the eyes of left wing student activists,” Mr Dawes said.

“From what I’ve seen, the campaign itself doesn’t really contribute to the debate surrounding the future sustainability and quality of our university system.”

Ms O’Brien said the booths are one of the many ways GetUp is attacking the reforms, and a “cheeky tactic for a serious issue”.

“We’ve had GetUp members calling their MPs, calling crossbenchers, and we’re participating in a huge national day of action in March” “These booths are a fun way to engage new

Residents of the long standing tent embassy on Eveleigh Street in Redfern were issued an eviction notice at 3pm on Friday Feb. 20.

The occupants of the site were given until Monday morning to pack their things and move on but refused to comply.

Over the weekend, word spread on social media urging concerned members of the public to join in solidarity with the residents and camp until police arrived to conduct the forced evictions.

Jenny Munro, a spokesperson for the embassy said she believed the timing of the eviction notice was intended to prevent the possibility of any legal blocking.

The CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Company, Michael Mundine, lays a legal claim on the land.

They intend to redevelop it for housing and commercial use.

Mundine told Fairfax Media that it was “private land” and that the occupants were “trespassing”.

The protestors are sceptical of Mundine’s pledge that the proposed $70 million development will be allocated to the Aboriginal community and have occupied the site since Sorry Day last May. Both parties agreed to discuss the situation on Tuesday, but Mundine was reportedly deterred by the heavy media presence that arrived with embassy delegates and rescheduled the meeting for Feb. 27.

The new meeting time has not been accepted by the protestors as a temporary reprieve. They say they still expect police could move in at any time.

“They will have to move us physically,” Munro said.

“It should be our people housed first, not last.

Mick is effectively dispossessing us again.”

“His statement … that this is private land, not Aboriginal land, is the biggest insult you can give to Aboriginal people.”

A student takes part in the PashPyne kissing booth. Source: Twitter.

students on campus but of course a part of our broader education campaigning,” she said.

Student protests have escalated in the last year, the most recent featuring a clash between police and students. Several were pepper sprayed.

Mr Dawes said he believes this increase is due to “the fact that there’s a Liberal government in Canberra”.

“Looking through the reports and images of these protests, I can’t help but notice the same faces and names popping up again and again – people who I’ve crossed paths with at Sydney University, and who are more often than not members of the Education Action

Group and other far-left groups. Their voices reflect a narrow pool of opinion.” Mr Dawes said.

Ms O’Brien said accessible education is at stake, and therefore it is important to protest about the furure of Australia.

“I think there’s scope for students to have a more radical voice. I think that ultimately these issues call for radical action.” Ms O’Brien said.

“We don’t want a U.S. style system. We don’t want U.S. style student debts. We don’t want 100,000 dollar degrees, and if the choice we face is turning out on the streets in order to stop those things, then I think that’s exactly what we should be doing.”

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7

MOU mayhem for Marrickville

BY EMILY CONTADOR-KELSALL UrbanGrowth NSW and the state government have been criticised for withholding information and failing to consult with communities in developing their “New Parramatta Road” strategy.

At last week’s Marrickville Council meeting, Greens councillors moved a motion to withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between council and UrbanGrowth NSW. The motion was lost.

Greens councillor Max Phillips said Marrickville Council should maintain its independence rather than get roped into legitimising Urban Growth NSW by signing the MOU. “I think we are getting taken for a ride by being part of this MOU, and it’s providing UrbanGrowth NSW with legitimacy. It’s giving the good name of council as a democratic local body to this state government authority,” Clr Phillips said.

Marrickville Council became a signatory to the MOU in November last year.

UrbanGrowth NSW’s “New Parramatta Rd” scheme affects ten LGAs. Of these ten councils, Leichhardt and Ashfield have not signed an MOU. An UrbanGrowth NSW spokesperson said the MOUs are about enabling, not forcing a collaborative working relationship between councils and NSW Government.

“They represent an unprecedented opportunity for councils to collaborate with the Government on the project, including having council staff working in the project team,” the spokesperson said.

Labor councillor Chris Woods said he did not support the motion moved by Greens councillors to withdraw Marrickville from an MOU. “Support for that motion would have stripped residents of any voice at all in the Parramatta renewal process. I believe that it is vital that Marrickville residents be consulted and represented in the negotiations and planning of the renewal project.”

Parramatta road. Source: UrbanGrowth.com

“The MOUs are a consultation vehicle. Council staff are involved in an interchange with Urban Growth to look at the plans.”

Clr Phillips said another issue for the Greens was the potential for UrbanGrowth NSW to use the MOU as a sort of blackmail to pressure councils into giving them information.

“I really think that’s an immature way to carry on, to say we’re not going to share information with you unless you sign up to our scheme.”

“The community and council should be given all the information they need regardless of whether they sign up to an MOU or not,” Clr Phillips said.

Clr Woods said he found it interesting the two councils that opted out of the MOU were relying on those who are in the MOU to tell them what’s happening.

Resident and member of the Save Petersham Park activist group, Francesca Christie said the action group was not politically affiliated but support the Greens

motion to withdraw from the MOU and would be calling on Marrickville Council to withdraw.

“I can’t say UrbanGrowth have ever been helpful, partly because I don’t think they know what’s going on,” Ms Christie said.

“They are now starting to actively criticise us and say that we are misleading people in our community and it’s just not true, we are reporting the information we have… no one has any information so all we can report is on that.”

Cartoon: Peter Berner

Greyhound industry on the ropes

8

BY EMILY CONTADOR-KELSALL The Greyhound racing industry has come under fire in the past week, with many demanding review and change within the industry.

Last week the Greyhound Racing NSW Board stepped down following revelations on ABC’s Four Corners of live baiting, mistreatment and cheating within the industry.

In Sydney city, Wentworth Park is the sole greyhound racing ground.

Greens member for Balmain Jamie Parker said the future of greyhound racing is in suspension and it is difficult to know whether the industry will be able to clean up its act.

“It’s clear that the industry regulator has failed. We say that greyhound racing should be suspended and we need to ensure that there is absolutely no chance anything like this can ever happen again,” Mr Parker said.

“The industry has lost all credibility, not only with the public but with the government as well.”

Edwina Lloyd, Labor candidate for Sydney, said greyhound racing authorities face a major challenge to clean up their act, otherwise they risk losing their ‘social license’, and greyhound racing will simply cease to exist.

Greyhound Racing NSW announced the establishment of a taskforce to investigate the extent of live baiting within the NSW greyhound racing industry following the Four Corners investigation.

Minister for Racing Troy Grant said allegations and innuendo have plagued the greyhound racing industry for decades and it’s important the government ends the speculation to ensure the sustainability of the industry and the welfare of animals.

The Four Corners investigation also brought the mistreatment of greyhounds in the industry into the spotlight.

Independent member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said he was not convinced that any CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

Source: Flickr.com

regulation could ever guarantee animal welfare when cruelty reaps the biggest profit.

“We already know that thousands of dogs are bred only to be put down because they won’t run fast enough,” Mr Greenwich said.

Mr Parker said these greyhounds are also the victims of live baiting as the greyhounds that have been blooded face disqualification and risk being abandoned and killed.

“There’s a double impact, not only the animal welfare for the defenceless animals being used as live bait but the greyhounds themselves,” Mr Parker said.

Nora Anderson-Dieppe is a volunteer from Greyhound Rescue, a Sydney based charity organisation that finds homes for the racing industry’s greyhound surplus.

Ms Anderson-Dieppe said they are currently taking up to four to five surrenders a week.

“We also have a long waiting list so this does not include those waiting. We take the ‘urgent’ dogs, the ones we have been told will be killed if we cannot find room.”

“The greyhounds we rescue come in varied conditions. Whilst some arrive in a healthy condition, most are underweight, have poor thick dandruff coats, bad teeth, injuries or eye conditions.”

Earlier this year, Labor leader Luke Foley pledged to cut taxes for the racing industry if elected next month. Mr Foley has stuck by the pledge that includes greyhound racing.

The greyhound racing industry in the Sydney

region generates $174.8 million annually according to a report by the Office of Liquor, Racing and Gaming.

Alex Greenwich said Labor should withdraw its proposed tax cuts to the industry, and the government should rule out any assistance and commit to ending the suffering.

When questioned about Luke Foley’s decision to stand by greyhound racing tax cuts Labor candidate for Balmain Verity Firth said Labor has announced 60 percent cuts to betting taxes to create jobs and help secure its long-term future but will not accept any of the conduct seen on Four Corners.

“Labor will ensure that anyone convicted of live baiting will be banned from the sport of greyhound racing for life,” Ms Firth said.

Mr Parker said the tax cuts are an embarrassment.

“It demonstrates that they are more interested in listening to gaming and racing lobbyists than they are respecting animal welfare or basic humane treatment of animals,” he said.

Ms Lloyd said the issue of gambling taxes have no relevance to the barbaric practices uncovered

by Four Corners in greyhound training.

“It has been disappointing that some people have opportunistically used these serious problems in greyhounds to launch a political attack on the broader racing industry by trying to link live baiting to gambling taxes,” she said.

Ms Lloyd also said that NSW Labor strongly opposes live baiting, and has done for almost 100 years.

“Labor wants to see section 21 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 amended to include “kennels” so that accusations of live baiting can be properly investigated by independent authorities,” Ms Lloyd said.

Ms Anderson-Dieppe said the rescue centre hopes that serious action is taken towards all those who undertake such acts of cruelty.

Coogee candidates debate key issues

BY JOE BOURKE An election panel for the seat of Coogee was held last Wednesday featuring all three candidates for the electorate.

150 people attended the panel held at Easts Leagues Club in Bondi to hear the candidates discuss key election issues such as development, traffic congestion, amalgamations and Voluntary Planning Agreements (VPAs).

The first major topic to be discussed was the development of the Waverley bus depot.

Bruce Notley-Smith, the Liberal member for Coogee, said there are currently no plans to develop the site, and residents of the area can “rest easy”.

“When I was approached about this, I went and met with the Minister for Finance and I went and met with the Minister for Transport and I said ‘no way, it’s not going to happen,’ and the Minister for Transport said he has no plans to do it anyway,” Mr Notley-Smith said.

“I’ve given my word that for as long as I’m the member for Coogee there’s no way that will be built on and I’ve got the letter here from Gladys Berejiklian reiterating there are no plans to move out of the Waverley bus depot.”

Greens candidate Lindsay Shurey said the depot couldn’t be developed as there is nowhere for the buses to go, also voicing her concerns any development would have on Centennial Park.

“These precious public spaces are becoming more and more necessary as we are becoming more and more developed. Hands off anything that changes Centennial Park.” Ms Shurey said.

Paul Pearce, Labor candidate and the former member said the reason why it is still a bus depot is because he “fought it to the nail” and believes it should remain a depot.

Mr Pearce also questioned Mr Notley-Smith after he presented a letter from the Transport Minister

Paul Pearce, Lindsay Shurey and Bruce Notley-Smith at the forum. Photo: Joe Bourke.

Gladys Berejiklian which said that there would be no development, saying the matter is in the Finance Minister’s hands, not Ms Berejiklian.

“The reality is that the Department of Finance has had several options, one from the private sector and one from the state agency, to develop the airspace above by building a rather large cavernous structure with access to buses from Oxford Street,” he said. “…It’s the Department of Finance who makes the decision on this, and we have not got a firm commitment from them that they will not seek to do it.”

Another hot topic discussed in the forum was traffic congestion in the electorate, with all three candidates agreeing that action needs to be taken.

Ms Shurey said there needs to be more dedicated bicycle lanes, and that if she were elected she would work to create a stronger bicycle network.

Mr Notley-Smith said the Liberal Government has an inner city strategy and that he is fighting to keep the College Street cycleway that is set for removal.

He also said the Liberal party is “committed to light rail”, which Mr Pearce said would compromise

not only the cycle routes but also the area’s public transport.

“We’ve got a good bus system that runs across the area, so you can access most of Bondi Junction from the Eastern suburbs by virtue of the bus service we have,” Mr Pearce said.

“That’s got to be built upon and not compromised by such ideas as light rail coming up here and then closing down various through routes.”

Ms Shurey said a significant way to reduce congestion is to remove cars from the road, saying that such things as driving children to school has a major impact on congestion.

“Children being driven to school just exacerbates the actual traffic in the area,” Ms Shurey said.

“We have to ask our schools to make a shift here.

They should do the leadership on teaching children how to walk to school… We need to get the cars off the road for taking our children to and from school.

I really believe this.”

Mr Notley-Smith said car-share is an important initiative to ease congestion.

“We must remember that we hate traffic congestion but every time we jump into a car we’re part of the problem.”

“In areas like Bondi or the inner city you don’t need to own a car because you have access to great public transport,” he said.

All candidates are opposed to VPAs, and maintained opposition to forced amalgamations, although Mr Notley-Smith said it’s “not a bad thing” to be discussed with the community.

An exit poll conducted on the evening found that 55 percent of the audience would vote for ALP candidate Paul Pearce. Current member, Bruce Notley-Smith polled 27 percent and Greens candidate Lindsay Shurey received 13 percent with the rest undecided.. The poll also showed 43 percent of respondents would vote differently from 2011.

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9

ARTS FEATURE

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2015

BY SIRI WILLIAMS The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is always known to be extravagant. It’s a chance to celebrate and highlight the creativity, passion and pride of Sydney’s LGBTQI community and contributes to the cultural and creative powerhouse. Aside from the world-famous Mardi Gras Parade on March 7th, this year’s festivities include performances and parties of all sorts. Since 1978, Mardi Gras festival has continued to grow in size, scale and celebration and showing no signs of slowing down.

There have been some memorable Mardi Gras events for Marc Kuzma, aka Claire de Lune, restaurateur and drag renowned Sydney-based performer. “I think it was 1996,” Marc reminisces, “It rained all through the parade and I got pneumonia!”

Claire de Lune will host a larger version of the popular Cooking with Claire event, taking place at Slide on February 26th, where a live cooking show meets cabaret. “The MC will be Verushka Darling, who will be on the GoPro, and filming all the nitty-gritty going on onstage,” said Marc. “We had a working dinner last week and starting talking about the event and decided we’re not going to script at all!

We’re just going to get onstage and go with it.” With dancers accompanying the onstage gastronomy, you’ll have plenty of entertainment.

Feb 26, Slide, 41 Oxford Street, Sydney, 7pm Doors open, ticket information:info@slide.com.au The Royal Botanic Gardens will host a Harbour Party to party the day and night away with a million dollar view. The lineup includes Canadian kitsch-pop sensation Kiesza, Bimbo Jones fronted by Lee Dagger,

all the way from the UK, and Aussie popstars Samantha Jade and Danii Minogue, among a stellar collection of DJs to provide a pumping good-time.

28 February, Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, 3.00pm to 11.00pm, tickets@mardigras.org.au Till March 5th, The Mardi Gras Film Festival will be held at Event Cinemas on George Street and has a sensational line up of films. The 2015 festival will feature seventy diverse short films, films and documentaries from a range of genres. From its humble beginnings in 1993, the Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney is one of the top five queer festivals in the world. Paul Struthers Festival Director said, “The films challenge the stereotypes of queer cinema and I believe that this is an important element in the film industry today.”

In particular, the Australian film All About E directed by Louise Wadley, is the City Hub’s movie to watch. All About E is a soul searching film about a Sydney DJ named E with the help of her gay best friend Matt. Whilst balancing the nightclub life, lesbian lovers and family, E is on the pursuit find out who she is and what she is made out of.

“E is that heroine. She’s complex. She carries the burden of expectations of her Lebanese migrant family as she struggles to work out who she is.

Everyone has dreams but not everyone has the courage to pursue them, or even know what their dreams are. E is on a journey to find that out, to be her authentic self. It’s a universal story; it’s what we all struggle with,” Director Louise Wadely explains.

Mar 5th, Event Cinemas, George Street, prices may vary see: http://queerscreen.org.au/mgff/ticketing/

Courtney Act and Freddie Mercury’s. Photo: Chris Peken

If you enjoy watching theatre performances, Cock has been playing to audiences worldwide for the last six years including its Royal Court premiere in London and its Off-Broadway transfer in 2010. This year Red Line Productions and Mardi Gras Festival will be launching the Sydney premiere at the Old Fitz Theatre.

“This play is split into three acts in which John [protagonist] is indecisive if he wants M or W,” Nicholas Eadie explains. “Unfortunately, there is no nudity in this performance. However, it is an interesting modern piece about sexuality and labeling. The words of bisexual, homosexual, heterosexual, should belong in the past. We’re trying to get to a point in civilisation where gender difference is a choice and should not define us.”

Until Mar 6, Old Fitzroy Theatre, Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo, $22-$38, oldfitztheatre.com/booktickets

From February 24th to March 5th, Drag and Drop will feature some of Sydney’s best drag-performers in pop-up shows sprinkled all across Darling Harbour.

Alternatively, if you’re ready to unleash the performer inside, you can participate in the “Are You Ready 4 Freddie?” tribute video. All ages and abilities welcome on top of the Pyrmont Bridge. And to end the festival with a sha-bag, make sure you catch the Mardi Gras Party post-parade on March 7th. With an all-star line-up featuring Jessica Mauboy, Nick Jonas, Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters, Betty Who and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian global ambassador and world-famous drag-performer Courtney Act. The event is selling tickets fast, so if you wanna chant and liberate yourself to ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor. Mar 7, Playbill Venues and Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park Sydney, 6th release: $149.36 ($139 + Ticketek fees), http://premier. ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=MARDIGRA15

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EAT & DRINK

By Jackie McMillan you whipping out your phone to document the artful tumble of fluffy hotcakes, edible flowers, berries, seeds, mascarpone and organic maple syrup – even if you’re not the type to photograph your food. For the ultimate twocourse breakfast indulgence, you might like to split a serve with a gaggle of pals, after you all order something savoury.

And in that quarter, it’s hard to choose between their single-pan breakfasts. Harlem Hash ($16) with slow-braised pork, kale, kumera, onions and puffed wild rice sitting under a sunny-side egg nudges out the Scouts Breakfast ($16) of spuds, mushrooms, prosciutto, goats cheese and poached eggs, but only just.They’ve also renovated the Breakfast Roll ($14) into a satisfying avalanche of twice-cooked pork belly, apple ‘slaw, smoked BBQ sauce and fried egg. Single Origin Roasters makes for a smooth Latte ($3.50), or assuage any guilt with The Cleaner ($8/500ml) of beetroot, carrot, watermelon and ginger.

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

Bowery Lane Named for the oldest laneway on Manhattan Island, you’ll find this slick CBD entry wrapped around a glass entranceway at 1 O’Connell Street. It’s well placed for The Porter – that hipster office club you join when you don’t want to meet in your cubicle - but don’t take that as permission to abandon this one to the suits. On-point plating means the Buttermilk Hotcake ($14) might have

$ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

ROCKS & CBD The Morrison Bar and Oyster Room The menu, revamped for summer, hops countries with abandon. Spanishstyle Sardines & Soldiers ($18) come assembled in a teepee of white, piquant flesh, while a Grain Fed Sirloin on the Bone ($34) sits confidently alone on the plate in a puddle of Café de Paris butter.

The more modest beef option - Dry Aged Hamburger ($22) - arrives nestled in brioche with decadent duck fat chips— perfect with the soft, lush Tim Adams Shiraz ($65/bottle).A real standout is the Poached Egg & Kale ($19) salad with croutons, shards of jamon, and lashings of Parmesan. It brazenly defies kale’s healthy

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reputation. Finish with a Florida-style Key Lime Pie ($10), and make plans to come back for oysters.

225 George Street, Sydney (02) 9247 6744 themorrison.com.au Modern Australian $$$-$$$$ The Spice Room For a civilised journey across India indulge in subcontinent-themed cocktails and order the Chicken Tikka Hyderabadi ($12.90), which is succulent and spicy.

The Butter Chicken ($22.90) - a good litmus test of any Indian restaurant - is faultless. Couple it with a Butter Naan ($4.50) for a truly decadent experience.

One of the house specialties is the Railway Canteen Goat Curry ($26.50), and although it might sound a little dodgy, the dish is outstanding.The goat is slowly

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braised and falling off the bone into a rich tomato-based curry.The Goan Fish Curry ($26.50) is another classic they seem to get just right. It tastes like the South – swimming in coconut cream and delicately spiced.

Quay Building, 2 Phillip Street, Circular Quay (02) 9251 7722 thespiceroom.com. au Indian $$ Fino Par Two minutes after walking in the door Brett Harris (ex-Hello Sailor) had me laughing, and loving La Perla ($18), an unfolding blend of Manzanilla sherry, reposado tequila and pear liqueur.

Oaxacan Calling ($17) with joven mezcal and fino sherry proves another winner; the gently smoky cocktail echoes the flavoursome Seared Wagyu Montadito

Chiswick at the Gallery There’s a better meld between the new name-brand occupant and the kind of restaurant we might expect to represent us in a key public space. Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan from MorSul have brought the highlights of the garden-driven Chiswick over to the Art Gallery of NSW’s restaurant space.You’ll find all the communal dining elements they’re famous for – the slow-roasted Moran family farm

($4.50/each). Together they epitomise what this spot’s about: fine pairs.

Executive Chef Nelson Burgos (ex-Foley Lane) scratches Spanish itches, old and new.At the traditional end, Salted Cod Croquettes ($4.50/each) are made from a recipe that Nelson says:“has been in my family for the last 30 years”; while the bright, green Asparagus Tartare ($14), is fresh and contemporary.

111 Goulburn Street, Sydney (02) 8272 3300 finopar.com.au Spanish, Cocktails $$$ INNER WEST PizzAperta The entry-level Manfredi is stylishly crafted to fit into the alcove below older sibling Balla, on the outside edge of

lamb; the whole roast chook – but here, the plants are by necessity potted, and the general aesthetic Scandinavian.The simple lines keep your attention where it should be - on the commanding view of waterside Woolloomooloo. Lacking the necessary companionship for the communal route, I dabbled in cocktails and small plates.While Szechuan Yellowfin Tuna ($20) with apple, cucumber and mint was too muted, the dude food options surprised. I particularly enjoyed Snow Crab Sliders ($9/each) and crisp pieces of Fried Quail ($22) with lively jalapeños and sriracha mayo.They’re prefect against the passionfruit chilli punch of the Picante de la Casa ($17).

Alternatively, construct a light yet classy lunch with Oysters ($4/each) augmented by Native Thyme and Garlic Flatbread ($6) and seasonal Peaches ($17) with bitter leaves and mint.

It makes the perfect excuse to explore their list of interesting wines, starting with the home-grown (Canberra) 2014 Lark Hill Grüner Veltliner ($14.50/glass).

Art Gallery of New South Wales,Art Gallery Road,The Domain, Sydney (02) 9225 1819 chiswickrestaurant.com.au Modern Australian $$$-$$$$

The Star; right behind the large letters tourists love posing in. So grab an Aperol Spritz ($15) or a jug of Birra Moretti ($24) and a front row pew.Your pizza is served in a box, irrespective of whether you eat in, or take it with you.The point of difference is the lightness of the pizza - even my favourite double carb.

- Potato, Rosemary and Gorgonzola ($19) - looked like a Neapolitan pizza, but sat much less heavily. Meaning you can squeeze in an airy Roman focaccia, topped with Prosciutto, Burrata and Eggplant ($20) too.

The Star, 80 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont (02) 9777 9000 star.com.au/pizzaperta Pizza $$ One6Eight Balmain Balmain boy, Chef Leigh McDivitt, has come home to roost. Being back on

the peninsula suits him. Dishes like his Hop Smoked and Blackened Rump Cap ($36) benefit from being less fussy on the plate. Grilled baby leeks and golden ale gel make good foils for the rich, blackened beef, especially with compelling Thrice Cooked Chips ($12).

A slightly busier Seared Scallops ($20) on burnt apple puree with torched prawn and pork dust, modernises our Aussie obsession with surf and turf.

Wife Amanda delivers a great Bacon Old Fashioned ($18). She’s also picked a beauty in the 2010 Lillian Marsanne Roussanne ($16/glass, $68/bottle) from Pemberton, great with the Braised Pork Neck with Apple Cider Cloud ($36).

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CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

11

EAT DRINK EAT &&DRINK

By Jackie McMillan

Civilian Bar & Kitchen It’s a brave restaurateur that jumps into the space formerly occupied by Christine Manfield’s niversal, not least of which because of the Tetris-style pack down required every shift.And while Manfield’s memory lingers in the outdoor courtyard, Steve Waldeck has drawn a clear division by changing her tangerine to cool aquamarine.

It lends a relaxed Mediterranean feel that invites you to

Dragoncello At first glance this deep brown Cleveland Street drinking den looks like a hipster bar, before it sucker punches you with layers of flavour and texture in a bar snack combining Morcilla, White Peach, Fennel and Salted Cinnamon Popcorn ($13).

Work your way through list that includes a 62 Degree Egg ($7) on pea puree with smoked eel dashi poured tableside, and superfine Port and Poultry Pate ($11). Chef Roy McVeigh (ex-Berowra Waters Inn) shows off his playful side in BBQ Potato Gnocchi with Savoy Cabbage, Confit Garlic and Beurre Noisette ($28), then has

Cuckoo Callay

By Ryan Kennedy When it comes to the celebration of all things bacon, the entrance to Newtown Station is hardly the place you would expect to look.

Yet, with its little window boxes of herbs and lovingly mismatched chairs, Cuckoo Callay GREATER SYDNEY The Greens North Sydney The brains behind The Grounds of Alexandria have taken over the North Sydney Bowlo, where old guys in knee high socks have been bowling with views of Sydney Harbour for over 125 years. It’s basically The Grounds, with million dollar views.Try a sultry Baby Beet Salad ($16) with candied walnuts, and apple.The Wagyu Beef Burger ($17) is an all-American classic diner burger; and although it’s something you’d normally eat in a booth, it works here, especially with the Americana college classic: the Watermelon Kegger ($32). If you’re 12

then transformed into a veritable garden of deeply smoky bird, artichokes and lentils. Make sure you stay for a Nettle Gimlet ($17) accompanied by a perfect Eton Mess ($15).

7 Kellett Street, Potts Point (02) 8354 0980 thepowderkeg.com.au Bar, Modern Australian $$$ Kazbah Souk With “Make Food Not War” neon leading into the Lebanese street food dugout bar; huge murals of Arab people in the cocktail bar; and a flight path map centralising the Middle East across the dining room; Kazbah’s Potts Point empire might be just what we need.Throw in a Catalan chef – Quim Hernandez Maluquer – and you have quite the cultural melting pot, ranging from Turkish Delight Danishes ($5) in the bakery to

has turned into an unlikely little hub for a 12-week festival of pig.With eight swinecentric dishes and four bacon-infused drinks, the puns fly thick and fast and bacon is, well, in everything. Don’t Go Bacon My Heart ($19) alone contains five bacon elements: maple bacon, bourbon bacon, bacon steak, bacon sausage and bacon-crumbed poached eggs.The bacon sausage again features in the crackling-filled Bacon Dawg ($16), and it’s heartening to know all the bacon bits come from free-range pigs via The Black Forest Smokehouse in Marrickville. All the flavours here are big and bold to match the bacon, with maple syrup and brioche sweetness uniting with salty bacon and fried chicken in the cardiologist’s nightmare that is Don’t Go Bacon My Heart ($19). On the sweeter side of the balance is Ya Bacon Me Crazy ($20), with warm waffle and cinnamon icecream meeting maple-glazed and chocolate-covered bacon. And, if you haven’t had enough, wash it all down with the impossibly rich Shake ‘n’ Bacon ($9). For bacon lovers, this is an essential pig pilgrimage.

324 B, Newtown Railway Station, Newtown (02) 9557 7006 cuckoo-callay.com.au Café, Breakfast $$

after a ‘club’ meal, the inside area is quaint with antique memorabilia; perfect to take in Lamb Neck in Pastry ($24) with smoked carrot, peas and yoghurt.

54 Ridge Street, North Sydney (02) 9245 3099 thegreensnorthsydney.com.au Bar Food, Modern Australian $$

NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS Three Williams This unassuming space on the fringes of Redfern is sparse, with wooden furniture, brick walls and a post-apocalyptic tree branch above the counter. However if you look closer, you’ll find a certain

CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

Oceans Dining and Drinks

linger in the balmy evening air over your Cambridge Road Papillon Blanc 2014 ($77), an interesting blend of Pinot gris, Pinot noir and Riesling throwing fruit and flowers.The food offerings are pleasantly free from lofty ambitions. Head Chef Andy Ball (ex-Bel Mondo) has put together a short list of accessible share plates arranged by size, allowing you to choose your own adventure. For casual drinkers there are snacks like Almonds ($7), Olives ($9) and Sydney Rocks ($5/each) enhanced by cucumber, apple and chardonnay.

If you’re hungry, skip straight to the mustard-crumbed Coorong Angus ($39); cut tagliata for easy sharing, on kale, white anchovy and mushrooms. Standout Goats Cheese Tortellini ($22) and the Roasted Pumpkin ($16) dotted with pepitas, shallots and chèvre, satisfy without the use of meat.Alternatively you can throw your hands in the air and cry: Feed Me ($65/head) to receive an excellent value six-course meal, ending with a shared Vanilla Pannacotta ($17) verrine.

248 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst (02) 9361 4162 civilian.net.au Modern Australian $$$

me in raptures with a wild Indian Marsala dessert: Carrot Sorbet, White Chocolate and Vadouvan ($16).

466 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills (02) 8399 0907 dragoncello.com.au Bar, Modern Australian $$$ The Powder Keg With Sydney’s largest collection of gin in the hands of star mixologist, Grant Collins, I really didn’t expect to be raving about the food. Head Chef Elijah Holland, a mad-keen forager, very nearly steals the show. Collins does throw down the gauntlet with his Gunpowder Plot ($18), arriving in a cloud of tea smoke. Holland shows his own flare for fire with smoked spuds in Quail Scotch Egg ($16) and a Smoked and Roasted Half Chook ($27).The latter is juniper brined, cooked on the bone for flavour

DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS

By Jackie McMillan jackie@alternativemediagroup.com

charm. Green smoothies and salads peppered with the season’s freshest ingredients abound, like the Super Smoothie ($8) with kale, apricot, apple, almond, banana, ginger and cinnamon, and the Organic Tofu Salad ($15) with charred broccolini, almonds, Japanese seaweed and peas. Don’t want to work on your physique? The Chicken Schnitzel Burger ($15) has your back - crispy and delicious with wasabi and avocado mayo; and the Brioche French Toast ($16) is a textural masterpiece with caramel bananas, hazelnuts and Belgian chocolate.

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

By Alex Harmon While Merivale loudly popped the proverbial Champagne on its new rooftop venue, a rival contender quietly did the same at the southern end of Coogee Beach.

The ‘other’ Coogee rooftop took over the tired space in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and offered Sydneysiders magnificent views and seafood fare – with elbowroom to boot. On a sunny day the terrace calls for an

Sardine Kebabs ($17) in the spacious restaurant. Quim’s menu tweaks, including 10-Hour Suckling Pig ($68/2 people) with green apple, mustard and honey sauce against a clever Grilled Cabbage ($9) side, are worth coming in for, even if you’re familiar with other Kazbah restaurants.

9-15 Bayswater Road, Potts Point (02) 9555 7067 pottspoint.kazbah.com.au Lebanese,Turkish, Moorish, Middle Eastern $$$ EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES

The Grand National Hotel Recently refurbished,The Nash – onetime darling of the Paddo pub scene – is back. It’s been gifted with a downto-earth, hands-on publican in Lance

Oyster Tasting Plate ($12) and McLaren Vale Sparkling ($7.50/$34). Inside would have you thinking it’s summer all year round with its green and gold colour palette screaming pina coladas. Of course, the cocktail menu is more sophisticated than that: the Coconut Margarita ($17) does the trick, and the Summer Dream ($17) with vodka, lychee liqueur, basil and raspberry goes down oh-so-easy. Carb-up with the zesty Balsamic Mushroom Pizza ($18) or turn it down with the Tuna and Prawn Salad ($35), which is generous and as fresh as the breeze.

The Crispy Pork Belly Bites ($21) sound better than they taste, lacking in flavour and sauce, sadly.As a whole, the place is more hit than miss - worth taking a walk south side. It’s also worth thumbing through the nearby beach library - a local Council initiative to shout about.There are good things happening in Coogee if you have the time to look beyond the pines...

Corner Arden & Carr Street, Coogee (02) 9315 9178 oceansbar.com.au Bar, Bar Food, Mediterranean $$$

Burrows. Out back,Woods Bagot have created a spacious, light-filled space that’ll take you through to dinner with a bottle of Squealing Pig Pinot Noir ($44).

To ensure you want to stay for tea, Chef Martin Sutedja (ex-Ananas) puts a contemporary spin on pub classics, without losing the steaks - like the 250g Bindaree Trinity Pasture-Fed Scotch Fillet ($27) with crisp shoestring fries and excellent Béarnaise – the venue’s always been famous for. Seafood is also well handled in Queensland Spanner Crab Tortellini ($28) and even better Hiramasa Kingfish Tartare ($16). 161 Underwood Street, Paddington (02) 9363 3096 thegrandnationalhotel.com. au Pub Bistro $$$ Bondi Rescue HQ “I’ve been rescuing people for over 23 years,

FOOD NEWS

but now I want to help people with their eating habits,” says Bondi lifeguard, Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins. He recommends starting with an Acai Bowl ($11.95) made from frozen blended acai berries, homemade granola, banana, blueberries and strawberries. Couple that with a Hang 10 Smoothie ($8) with mango nectar, pineapple, passionfruit and coconut milk. If you’re serious about your physique - try the Grassy Knoll ($8) (named after the North Bondi perve spot of choice) with kiwi, banana, spinach, avocado and coconut water. If you need your carbs, tackle the Pulled Pork Sandwich ($11.90), loaded with ham, cheese and ‘slaw.

128 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi facebook. com/bondirescuehq Café/Juice Bar $

By Alex Harmon

In a move that will put the holy back into your next bagel, luxury hotel InterContinental Double Bay recently launched a separate kosher kitchen and inhouse catering.The hotel, which opened last November, has collaborated with kosher chefs, suppliers and the local community to deliver a unique menu headed by Executive Chef Julien Pouteau.With modern offerings like sushi, teriyaki salmon and rare roast beef burgers, plus kosher wines, beers, spirits and house-made cocktails, the hotel will cater everything from weddings to conferences to bar mitzvahs. Having just received certification by the Kashrut Authority – the longest continuously operating kosher organisation in Australia –there are many more things to come, with hotel management hinting that guests will be treated to kosher room service in the coming months. www.ihg.com/intercontinental/Doublebay

BAR FLY

By Amie Barbeler

PARSONS “That’s a picture of me as a baby,” says Joe, straight-faced, pointing to a black and white photo on the wall of an octogenarian woman. I love this place already. Created by brothers Nick and Joe van der Heide, and their mate Byron Dunn, Parsons is a testament to the Aussie DIY spirit.The boys have built most of the furniture in the bar themselves, learning some hard lessons about upholstery along the way.The result is a warm and welcoming, working-class Australian bar. I try the bar’s signature drink,The Parsons Mistress ($18): a refreshing mix of vodka, elderflower, gin and mint.

Meanwhile, it’s only appropriate that

my date wraps her lips around The Pornstar ($18), a fruity blend of vanilla vodka, passionfruit, lime and Coco Blanc de Blanc.We share some herbed pork crackling ($4) before inhaling a

few five-hour slow-cooked pulled beef brisket sliders with mustard slaw ($6).

The future looks bright for Parsons.

3 Kellett Street, Potts Point (02) 8540 6320 parsonsbar.com.au

Photo: Lisa Tomasetti

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REVIEW:

FAUST

Opera Australia’s production of Gounod’s epic drama Faust is simply spellbinding from the opening bars of the overture to its fitting denouement. Goethe’s classic story of Dr Faust was adapted by the French composer in 1859, thirty years after the German poet published his final version of the two act play.

On the page as well as on the stage, the devil is intrinsically captivating.When translated into the operatic form, art truly reaches its highest pinnacle.

Teddy Tahu Rhodes stole the show with a masterful performance as Méphistophélès. In Act 2 his rendition of the irreverent aria Le Veau D’Or is riveting.The opening of Act IV, which commences with Rhodes transformation from a massive piece of marble sculpture, was awe inspiring. Michael Fabiano’s performance as Faust was equally stellar while Nicole Car plays the role of Marguerite to perfection.All of the other principals are exemplary and the Opera chorus, whose contribution is special, deserves particular applause.

Opera Australia’s Faust is truly opera at its very finest: interspersed with pieces of wonderfully entertaining cabaret and compelling – indeed spectacularly erotic – ballet.The sets and costumes are exquisite and the orchestra plays to pinpoint perfection.This is truly a night at the Opera not to be missed.

(DG, DC)

The sugar industry generates $50 billion in global trade annually and astonishingly, each family consumes 6 kilograms of sugar in their food and drink weekly. Could sugar which saturates our food at such high levels be a risk to public health?

Actor and director Damon Gameau takes on the challenge of embarking on a 60 day high-sugar diet monitored by nutritionists and doctors, each day consuming foods and drinks perceived as being healthy, all while documenting his every mouthful.

“There was debate and conjecture about the effects of sugar and I wanted to take on the experiment so I could experience it myself”, Gameau explains “The biggest surprise were the mood swings and the effect on my mental faculties.”

Within one month, his weight increased by 5 kilograms and he was on his way to obesity.

After 60 days and 2360 teaspoons of sugar, the results were disastrous and Gameau acquired a deep understanding of the effects of sugar.

“I was inspired to get the message out through this documentary and school campaigns.We decide what foods we put in our mouths – we can make choices” says Gameau.

“This family-friendly documentary has a playful tone and is entertaining. Its purpose is to inspire for a happy and healthier life, instilling hope and not fear”. (MMo) Mar 9th, selected theatres, $20, thatsugarfilm.com

THE BIG FUNK

“Human beings are the absolute home of the unexpected,” declares John Patrick Shanley, whose beguilingly unique play comes to Darlinghurst’s Tap Gallery this March.

Following a widely successful life in the US, The Big Funk is one of the Pulitzer Prize winner’s most iconic dramatic comedies challenging its audiences through its provocative exploration upon the modern condition.

Infused with an ensemble of powerhouse characters, the script promises to be instantaneously gripping. As a support system to her knife-throwing husband, Fifi’s understanding further extends to her husband’s out of work actor friend, Austin. It is through Austin’s character that the simplicity of kindness in explored, entrenched within his developing relationship with ill; a woman he encounters in a bar. Following a harrowing first date experience in which Jill is reprimanded and covered in petroleum jelly, Austin must overcome her disdains and gain her permission to bathe her, an imagery that develops into a cleansing metaphor for the play.

Presented by Suspicious Woman Productions whose performances focus upon the validity of the human spirit, old concepts of compassion and faith are explored through refreshingly offbeat situations. The characters’ flowing soliloquies will continue to probe audiences far after the play concludes. (CW) 11 – 21 March,The Tap Gallery (Downstairs), Darlinghurst, Sydney,Tickets $30/ $25, www.suspiciouswomanproductions.com, 0403 296 196.

PREVIEW: THAT SUGAR FILM

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Arts Editor: Erika Vass Assistant Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Sub-Editor: Charlotte Foster 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, Leann Richards, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Katie Rorison, Mel Somerville, Michael Muir, Michelle Porter, Nick Jewlachow, Peter Hackney, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Ruth Fogarty, Sarah Pritchard, Sharon Ye, Shauna O’Carroll, Siri Williams, Peter Scobie, Lisa Seltzer, Olga Azar, Elyssa King, Brendan Modini

CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

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CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

THE RED DRESS

Prepare to be transported into a world of astounding colour and passion, as The China Arts and Entertainment Group bring the award winning dance drama The Red Dress to Sydney’s State Theatre.

This drama is a touching story of persevering love told through the unique style of the Chinese folk dance language.The performance provides a dazzling glimpse into wedding customs of southern China through a young man and woman from wealthy families in an ancient town. Sweethearts from a young age, they fall in love and promise to marry one day but are separated when he must leave to make his fortune in the city.

With a cast of nearly fifty dancers, they recreate the age-old tale of love, loss and tradition as the beautiful bride-to-be waits to be reunited with her betrothed and marry in her red wedding dress.

The China Ningbo Performance and Arts Group debuted The Red Dress at The Ningbo Grand Theatre, and have since taken the show around the world to multiple curtain calls and soldout box offices in Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai.

Scrupulously contemplated modern stagecraft and elegant music support talented performers in the awe-inspiring execution of this traditional Chinese opera. (AM) Wednesday March 4 – Thursday March 5,The State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney, $30-$70, http://www.ticketmaster.com.au

HAMLET ON FORT DENISON The Sydney Shakespeare Company will be performing Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, Hamlet on one of Sydney Harbour’s most recognizable features, Fort Denison.

After the Sydney Shakespeare Company’s highly acclaimed productions of Othello in 2011 and The Merchant of Venice in 2013, Hamlet is the third production from the company and will no doubt prove to be popular with audiences and critics alike.

Steven Hopley will be playing the title role, as well as being director of the production. He is known for his passion for intimate and simple productions, with a strong focus on the text and getting the most from his actors.

Fort Denison has a long and varied history, from the early days of convict settlement to suffering friendly fire in World War Two, however Hamlet will be the first play to be performed on the island fort. This rendition of Hamlet will be an intimate, immersive experience for the audience, with numbers limited to fifteen per show.

With massive sandstone fortifications, canon and Martello tower, this showpiece of Sydney’s history will no doubt be as melancholic a setting as any Danish moor. ( H) March 2nd – April 27th, Fort Denison, NSW 2090, tickets available: moshtix.com.au.

THEATRE & PERFORMANCE AFTER DINNER Written and set in 1980s Australia, playwright Andrew Bovell’s black comedy depicts typical Friday after-work drinks at the local pub, where the banal banter about the sufferings of single life that seem to thrive around bar tables are comically played out between a group of work friends and a couple of blokes they encounter. (KR) Jan 15-Mar 7, 2015, Sydney Theatre Company,Wharf 1, Pier 4/5 Hickson Rd,Walsh Bay, $50-85, 9250 1777, sydneytheatre.com.au COCK “This play is split into three acts in which John [protagonist] is indecisive if he wants M or W,” actor Nicholas Eadie explains.

“Unfortunately, there is no nudity in this performance. However, it is an interesting modern piece about sexuality and labeling.The words of bisexual, homosexual, heterosexual, should belong in the past.We’re

trying to get to a point in civilisation where gender difference is a choice and should not define us.” Eadie plays John’s father who is from another era and holds different points of view.

“Cock is a fly on the wall piece that is exquisitely written and is like verbal jousting.This performance will have people talking and engage in healthy debates.” (EV) Feb 3-Mar 6, Old Fitzroy Theatre, Cathedral Street,Woolloomooloo, $22-$38, oldfitztheatre.com/booktickets DREAM HOME IIn an idealistic world, everyone wants to move into his or her stable home and live the perfect life with perfect surroundings.

However, in the up-and-coming production, by David Williamson, things are not always what they seem.

Williamson takes a spin on the idealistic lifestyle of a perfect couple and turns their lives around with an ex-lover, jealous husband and kleptomaniacs for neighbours. (EV) Jan 31-Mar 28, Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli, $25-$69, 02 9929 0644, ensemble.com.au MADAMA BUTTERFLY

When Madama Butterfly was first performed at La Scala at the turn of the twentieth century it was a resounding flop. Puccini quickly revised the opera. Several months later his new production was a smash hit with Italian audiences. Over the subsequent century, Madama Butterfly has become one of most popular operas of all time.The tragic story of a young fifteen year old Japanese girl who is married to a two-timing American sailor is brought to life by Opera Australia.This excellent production captures Puccini’s genius completely.The stage, an elegant Japanese house, is exquisitely simple. Greek soprano Alexia Voulgaridou plays Madama Butterfly brilliantly. Her vocal mastery of the part evokes the most emotional aspects of the opera. Her despicable husband, Pinkerton is performed by the Australian tenor, James Egglestone, who was resoundingly booed at the curtain call, indicating he succeeds at being a perfect cad. (DG, DC)

QUEEN BETTE This one-woman show is the lovechild born from the passionate work of two talented thespians and devoted Bette Davis fans. The play accounts the lives and careers of Hollywood’s most renowned female actresses. From her childhood in Massachusetts through to an unrivaled movie star career, that saw four husbands and an unprecedented fight against the studios for creative independence.

Director Peter Mountford met performer Jeanette Cronin a few years ago and they bonded over a mutual admiration of Bette Davis when he noted Cronin’s stunning resemblance and comparability to her, making her perfect for the role. This is the first time in his international directing career that Mountford has lent his talents to a one-person show, which he said, “has been an intense yet fulfilling experience” With anticipation building over the past year, the dynamic duo have handpicked the

best moments of the Hollywood actress’s life. They present an intimate portrayal of a star whom has often been represented in a harsh light. (AM) 25th of February -15th of March, the Old 505 Theatre, 505/342 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, venue505@mac.com SHORT+SWEET THEATRE 2015 The world’s largest short-play festival is underway and has hit the ground running. “This year I am most excited about our change in venue,” says this year’s Festival Director Peter Malicki. If the New Theatre offers a stable, reputable foundation for the festival then the Factory Theatre is the more adventurous, fresh breath of air. Even after 14 years Malicki maintains the heart of it has stayed the same, describing the event as fun, interactive and full of variety. “[Audiences] can come along and see ten different plays on any night at a bargain price,” he continues. “What we love is that on the way home there is always a discussion about each play, weighing

up its merits. If we can get anything more than that, we’d love for them to consider getting more involved in theatre and perhaps Short + Sweet next year.We always have room for more.” (ES) New Theatre, 542 King Street Newtown, tickets from $28/33, shortandsweet.org/sydney SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER Written by Tennessee Williams and set in New Orleans, IT tells the story of a Southern matriarch’s mission to seek a lobotomy for her disturbed niece, Catharine.Through contextual scientific certainty and social norms, and even the setting of 1935 New Orleans, the viewer is invited to consider the outward appearances we create.And of course, what may really be bubbling beneath the surface.Tennessee Williams really felt the undercurrents of people, and was interested in what they are hiding versus what they show.As with any Williams text, lush Southern-lilted drama is on offer. (HC) Until Mar 21, Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, $58-$99 CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

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THE NAKED CITY

FLAMENCO WITH FUSION!

BY COFFIN ED AND MISS DEATH AND JAY KATZ One of the great rewards about living in a multicultural hub like Sydney is the opportunity for different cultures to combine and produce an exciting new hybrid, especially when it comes to music. Take an Iraqi born guitarist, an Australian born singer of Turkish background and the gypsy rhythms of the south of Spain and you have one such fusion.

Guitarist Alin Bahram and singer Melike Mary Bayram are a Sydney based duo whose musical influences draw on the traditions of the Mediterranean, Turkey and Spain, molded into their own unique take on the modern flamenco style. They first met at a Conservatorium open day as Melike warmly recalls: “I was an excited musician learning flamenco at the time. Alin was playing a flamenco piece in the music hall, I quickly walked towards him and stood for couple seconds, and said this can not be. Play me

another piece. He laughed and said sure, he played another piece, I started to accompany him with palmas ( clapping rhythmically) he asked me if I sing flamenco, I have said yes but a little, but I told him I can improvise in Turkish lyrics and write lyrics.”

From that initial meeting they went on to form a regular duo in 2009 and in 2012 recorded a stunning debut album Seasons.

Alin was born in a town north of Iraq called Nineveh in the 1980‘s and began studying music from

musician Sabahattin Akdagcik.

“I first started to sing Turkish pop and Turkish folk music and later on in my performing arts years I began to incorporate some flamenco singing. From there I focused on flamenco vocal and discovered many different flamenco forms. I have combined my passion for Turkish folk sounds and flamenco music together creating my own unique vocal style”.

Melike notes that “it is always a pleasure to share the stage with Alin as he’s great artist with a great musical capacity. Our performance is always intense and full of emotion and passion. We both feel and speak the music we represent and that’s a fundamental way in connecting with our audience.”

Alin and Melike are set to play the Camelot Lounge in Marrickville on Sunday March 1st from 6.30pm onwards, with special guest Byron Mark on percussion. If you want to witness some inspiring music played with real fire and fervor, this is a gig not to be missed. www.alinandmelike.com

the age of fourteen. He explains: “I came from a strong musical background. Iraqi music has offered me a lot in influencing my love of music. There are many different styles in Iraq, changing musically, rhythmically, and in feeling depending on which city. I was always a big fan of classical Middle Eastern music and grew up in a household that always listened to great music.”

He went through “rough times” in Iraq during the war in 2003 and in needing to escape violence and racism, he moved to his new home in Australia in 2006. After studying at the Australian International Conservatorium of Music in 2009, he has performed at various venues and played community concerts, at the same time honing his considerable skills as a composer.

Melike was born in Sydney to Turkish parents and began her singing career at the age of eleven. After studying at the Australian International Performing Arts High School, she began classical Turkish vocal lessons from the renowned composer/instrumentalist

IN THE STILL At the end of the month, Sydney’s Arthouse Gallery presents its new group exhibition In the Still.Twelve contemporary artists invite us to rediscover the conventions of the still life through their own revelations.The exhibition will feature a dynamic collection of works that foster an interesting commentary upon the interchanging modes in which the traditional still life genre can personify.

Sydney artist Leah Fraser is one of the artists featuring their works in the exhibition. Fraser’s artistic style in paintings and ceramics embody her fascination with different spiritual and religious practices and storytelling from around the world.

“It was an interesting project for me because it’s not what I usually do. It’s sort of looking at my work through the lens of still life,” Fraser said.

Although, inspired by still life artists Matisse and Mondrian, Fraser approached the project with her own panache.The artist’s featured shaman-like characters are portrayed in her ceramic creations, as well as her paintings as a way of expanding the world of the paintings into real life.

Fraser explained,“I guess it’s kind of that sense of stepping into the spirit world of the painting but then you have the artifact from your life.” (CW) 27th Feb to 22nd March, Arthouse Gallery, 66 McLachlan Avenue, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, 9332 1019

EXHIBITIONS ACTIONS FOR TOMORROW This politically potent and visually provocative exhibition by the Yangjiang Group is remarkable for its innovative look at modern society.The first floor of the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art has been transformed into a bizarre boutique. Internationally branded clothes, dripping with dried wax, hang on racks surrounded by sales pitches in Chinese and English.The installation, Final Days (2015) is a unique look at the decadence of commercialism. Upstairs the social commentary continues with a field of sodden, shredded, paper which was gathered after a football match.

These works are intellectually and aesthetically interesting and are shining beacons of individual thought in a world that values conformity. (LR) Until Mar 7, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, 187 Hay St, Sydney, FREE 16

CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

VIRTUOUS DECADENCE A striking and eerily glamorous photographic exhibition has overtaken the Gaffa Gallery.

Virtuous Decadence draws inspiration from mythologies throughout history. It takes a fresh perspective to the concept of The Seven Deadly Sins and plays upon conventional models of femininity and beauty.

The scrupulous work of photographer and creative director, Nancy Trieu (NAT Photography), unveils the marvellous execution of her images.

CIRCUS FACTORY The display is interactive. On the ground level visitors can experience a live thrill from the talented Circa acrobatic team, swirl a hula hoop, get lost in a hall of mirrors, juggle and ride a fully operational carousel.The next section features a historical collection of costumes and information about the famous Wirth circus family, including an amazing, century old photo of the world renowned equestrienne May Wirth, tumbling backwards from one galloping horse to another.

Meanwhile, the basement hosts a collection of odd coin-operated animatronics. Down here the skull of truth will tell your fortune while Tommy will throw a tantrum for the right price.This is an exploration and adventure through the colour, joy, eccentricity and chicanery of itinerant performance in an Australian setting.The opportunity to play, combined with the carnivalesque atmosphere is a reminder of older times when

entertainment was not confined within a hand held device. (LR) Until May 3, Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo, $35/Free for up to 3 children, powerhousemuseum.com CHUCK CLOSE: PRINTS, PROCESS AND COLLABORATION This is one of the largest solo printmaking shows ever presented and is a fantastical journey through the oeuvre of a master craftsman.The voyage is augmented by an array of famous and not so famous faces, whose visages peer from the wall posing unanswerable questions.The exhibition includes tapestries, woodcuts and mezzotints. Each is uniquely and meticulously created to enhance tiny details and subtle colour.These jigsaw images represent exhaustive work and intelligent thought about the nature of humanity. (LR) Until Mar 15, 140 George St,The Rocks, $14-19, mca.com.au POP TO POPISM Leaping off the whitewashed walls in an exuberant

Close up from Banquet of Eloquence - image courtesy of gaffa.com.au.

At first glance, the strong staging and highly developed use of studio lighting gives the images an ethereal effect. On closer inspection, the complex situations and emotive experience of the photographs emerge and the viewer is left to decipher them.

On February 19th, the opening night saw a mass of spectators cluttered into the small gallery.The striking large-scale photographs looming over the space and the waif-like models from the shoot paced the room in full costume and make-up. It was though they had

rainbow of colours and design, is a thrilling ride through the annals of an art revolution.These works are not only familiar they are witty, wry and funny.The Australians are here too. Little known in context of the pop movement, but for the first time presented next to their North American and European contemporaries.The Australian contribution in no way suffers by sharing walls with their foreign cousins, they seem equal members of a family which had no fear. Pop to Popism is a heart racing roller coaster of visual stimulation and intellectual provocation. Above all it’s fun, insouciant and a stunning record of the themes which underpin much of modern creative experience. (LR) Until Mar 1, Art Gallery of NSW, $10-20, artgallery.nsw. gov/exhibitions/pop-to-popism TOWERS OF TOMORROW A plethora of multicoloured, glistening bricks, begging to be fondled and clicked are an irresistible lure to both children and

stepped straight out of the framed images on the walls.

Trieu was delighted with the outcome and expressed great gratitude for all involved with the shoot. She also elaborated on her inspirations:“We’ve seen a lot of (takes on) ‘seven sins’ that have been done before but we wanted to challenge that concept… we feel that everyone has their style, but we wanted to challenge ourselves to give it a different level.” (AM) Until March 7, Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence Street, Sydney, free.

adults and are sure to be the most popular aspect of the show.The display features prominent edifices of Australia and South East Asia which have been built to scale by Lego engineer Ryan McNaught. It includes the beautiful, shining, Petronas Towers, Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, the Eureka building in Melbourne, and a model of Barangaroo.The highlight is the opportunity to play with 200,000 rainbow pieces.This is an immersive experience which will appeal to enthusiasts of architecture and design and is sure to inspire the creativity of the next generation.

(LR) Until April 19, Museum of Sydney, Cnr Philip & Bridge St, Sydney, $5-15 or $45 family ticket, sydneylivingmuseums.com.au ZHANG HUAN – SYDNEY BUDDHA A gigantic installation which touches on the fundamental questions of humanity includes two Buddhas - a shining, headless, silver aluminium casting, and the creation from the mould.They sit in majestic

silence, dominating the space around them inspiring awe and respect from the visitor. Each took a team of artists to create and erect, but it is the ashen Buddha which claims the attention of viewers with its soft curves and impermanence.

This sculpture is the essence of Buddhist thought, it represents the transience of life and the continually decaying nature of existence. Its substance was taken from places around China. It is the remnant of thousands of incense sticks burnt in temples, each representing the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of a person and their family.The Buddha is thus a physical manifestation of the innermost desires of a diverse range of people.These works are a fitting tribute to the city of Sydney, a memorial to the dreams of those who provided the material and a monument to the innovation and skill of a unique artist. (LR) Until Mar 15, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street Eveleigh, FREE, carriageworks.com.au

A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

REVIEW: THAT SUGAR FILM

It’s the winter of 1981, the New York heating oil industry is not necessarily for gangsters, neither is it scrupulously honest.

Abel Morales owns Standard Oil and stakes his future on purchasing an oil terminal, pays a 40% deposit, agreeing to settle in 30 days – or lose the deposit. Meantime, his delivery trucks are being hijacked and his drivers are terrorised by an unknown adversary.Then the Assistant DA, the ubiquitous David Oyelowo, decides to investigate his business practices.What will the bank he needs to fund the terminal purchase make of all this?

It’s a ripping yarn of almost Shakespearian proportions with a Godfather/Mario Puzo ambience. Abel (Oscar Isaac) is someone you warm to; he has cojones – three of them!

Writer/Director J. C Chandor also made last year’s brilliant All is Lost (Robert Redford) and I cannot wait to see what he does next.

It’s unlikely 2015 will see a drama more thrilling than this. (MM) WWWW

This is the film which the food industry may not want people to see. Insightful and compelling, the health issues relating to sugar are raised by an investigation when a man embarks on a high-sugar diet for 60 days.

Damon Gameau directs and fronts this documentary, consuming foods and drinks with a combined 40 teaspoons of sugar each day and the results are astonishing.

Brilliantly written and researched with fascinating interviews, audiences will be enthralled as mindboggling facts and figures are revealed.

Innovative in its format, this frisky and upbeat documentary doesn’t attempt to distil negativity and hopelessness, but instead aims to spread awareness about the choices we make concerning our diets and the need for change.

With surprise appearances by Hugh Jackman and Stephen Fry, this is the most important and life-changing film you will ever see. (MMo) WWWW

CITIZEN FOUR Born 1737, a supporter of the American and French Revolutions, accused of being a traitor to his country and irreligious, Englishman Thomas Paine answered: “My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.” Likewise, Edward Snowden had the world in mind when he selflessly and irredeemably compromised his own life by revealing the massively-intrusive, global intelligence-gathering of the National Security Agency.

Acclaimed documentary-maker Laura Poitras is contacted by a mysterious ‘citizenfour’ and they meet in Hong Kong, in June 2013, where he presents classified documents to prove his story. But how you take something this momentous and make the account dull is a strange achievement indeed? Perhaps the scoop aspect overwhelmed some of the niceties of film-making. Everyone should know the message of Edward Snowden but whether this particular documentary is the best way to become acquainted is a moot point. (MMu) WW EASTERN BOYS Eastern Boys is a controversial new film from France which will intimidate and unnerve audiences.When middleage Daniel (Olivier Rabourdin) invites a young male prostitute named Marek (Kirill Emelyanov) into his apartment for a discreet meeting, he inadvertently falls into a trap and has a gang of illegal immigrants to contend with.This is the catalyst to a psychological journey of danger and desire Performances are powerful, notably from Daniil Vorobyev who is incredibly frightening as ‘Boss’, the deranged leader of the gang.The script is risqué and gritty, effectively combining gang culture and the story of a building homosexual relationship. Sexual content is highly graphic which may offend some viewers. Eastern Boys is a suspenseful and provocative film which will leave audiences cautious about who they invite into their homes. (MMo) WWW

FOXCATCHER Heir to a massive fortune and leading a life of privilege, John DuPont decides to fund and ‘coach’ a group of American wrestlers to Olympic glory.Wrestling is merely the setting for a story that explores notions of wealth, privilege, power, weakness, manipulation and aspiration.The story revolves around three characters: DuPont (Carrell), wrestling bothers Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his older brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo).

Carrell most certainly deserves an Oscar nomination. He portrays Du Pont as self-important, controlling, needful and distinctly creepy; but ultimately – pathetic, sad and tragic. Both Carrell’s performance and the film itself are totally mesmerising. Don’t miss this. (MMu) WWWW PAPER PLANES Sam Worthington takes time off from his busy filming schedule in Hollywood to star in a small Australian film which should delight holiday movie-goers.The story surrounds 11 year-old Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) and his dream to participate in the world paper plane championships in Japan.

Worthington delivers his best performance to date as Jack, Dylan’s father, who is grief stricken after tragedy strikes.The love of his child and his involvement in this sport helps Jack rebuild his shattered life.The original and simplistic nature of the story ensures audiences of all ages warm to this children’s film, which is written with just the right balance of sensitivity and humour.

Paper Planes encourages children to be imaginative and is one of the better Australian films produced in recent years. (MMo) WWW MOONLIGHT CINEMA Australia’s favourite outdoor cinema is the perfect time to sit back, relax and enjoy some great movies, screening advance previews, contemporary, classic and cult movies on the lawn of Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park. Nab the best

seats (bean bags) in the house (grass). ‘Gold Grass’ tickets are available for $35 if you book ahead to secure your place. Nothing goes better with a movie then some delicious LA Street food, like some nachos, southern fried chicken burgers, New Yorker chilli dogs and a fully licensed bar to keep you nice and hydrated. (CT) Until Mar 29, Centennial Park, $14$35, moonlight.com.au MR TURNER The latest masterpiece from director Mike Leigh (Another Year) is a stunning, albeit warts-and-all, portrait of J.M.W.Turner, the eccentric English artist whose creative endeavours polarised public opinion throughout his tumultuous life.

The meandering pace and sombre tone won’t appeal to everyone but Mr.Turner is a rewarding experience for patient viewers with Dick Pope’s cinematography a particular highlight — the meticulously crafted shots channelling the grandeur of Turner’s haunting landscape paintings are simply breathtaking.

(JH) WWWW PADDINGTON StudioCanal’s most expensive movie ever is about a talking marmaladeaddicted Peruvian bear that goes to London when an earthquake destroys his home and uncle.

Luckily for Paddington a wealthy family offers him hospice and try to help him find a new home.This kid’s movie is full of laugh out loud moments that both old and young will enjoy. A charming but honest portrayal of London has just the right amount of Poppins to delight.

(PS) WWWW SELMA The third feature from LA filmmaker Ava DuVernay chronicles Martin Luther King Jr’s legendary struggle to secure equal voting rights for AfricanAmericans, with a focus on his frustrated efforts to lead a peaceful procession from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.The era’s pervading climate of racism is convincingly depicted – scenes of police brutality unsettle, as do

King’s vitriolic adversaries (“He’s a political and moral degenerate,” one spouts) – but it never feels gratuitous nor does it detract from the film’s core objective: celebrating the dignity and courage with which King and his cohorts faced great injustice.

Selma is a stirring and nuanced docudrama anchored by strong performances, especially David Oyelowo as King and Tom Wilkinson as conflicted .S. President, Lyndon Johnson. (JH) WWWW ROSEWATER Iranian-Canadian Journalist Maziar Bahari was detained in an Iranian prison for 118 days under suspicion of being a spy. Set in 2009, this drama details his plight as he was blindfolded and brutally interrogated daily whilst an aroma of rosewater permeated the air.

High production values abound and solid performances are delivered from a cast led by Gael Garcia Bernal. Actual footage cleverly edited into the film complements and adds credence to a shocking story. Adversely, the script contains many humorous moments which detract, slightly tarnishing the dramatic impact of the story. Part of a wave of similar films depicting the horrendous maltreatment of people, their survival and resilience, Rosewater may have very limited appeal.

(MMo)WWW THE IMITATION GAME This stylish and engrossing thriller based on actual events during World War II surrounds Alan Turing, an English Mathematician and logician whose cryptanalyst skills helped crack the enigma code (decode German naval communications). His achievements incredibly shortened the war by two years and saved an estimated two million lives.A brilliant script and wonderful ensemble cast led by Benedict Cumberbatch as Turing and Keira Knightley as his love interest bring this extraordinary story to life.The film is humorous and poignant at times as it progresses through the

high and low periods of Turing’s life.

The Imitation Games contains no war action but is fast paced and complemented by archival footage and a magnificent score. (MMo) WWWW THE WATER DIVINER Russell Crowe thrives in his starring role and directorial debut, an epic drama about hope, courage and loss which is based on true events. Set in 1919 four years after the battle of Gallipoi, Connor (Russell Crowe) an Australian farmer, honours a promise he made to his late wife (Jacqueline Mckenzie) and ventures to Turkey in search of his three missing sons. Filmed in Turkey and Australia, advantage was taken of some of the most beautiful landscapes in these countries, resulting in a film which is visually astounding. Crowe delivers an emotionally-charged performance and the standout in the supporting cast is Ryan Corr who plays Connor’s son.Audiences will be moved by his heartwrenching scenes in the horrifying battle sequences.Adversely, the romantic subplot involving Russell’s character feels drawn out and suffocating, overshadowing the primary storyline. Detracting also are the convenient aspects in some storylines which ensure the story progresses. ltimately,The Water Diviner is inspiring and should enthral and touch audiences (MMo) WWW THEORY OF EVERYTHING “I thought he was me,” says Stephen Hawking about Eddie Redmayne’s performance, a role which has already scored him several prestigious awards as Best Actor and sees him nominated for a dozen others – including the Oscar. It’s the highlight of a film that could be described as ‘A Country Practice meets cosmology’; a standard biopic about a truly outstanding individual. But very enjoyable all the same: it is by turns moving and funny, with much hilarity coming from Hawking’s own waggish humour.The Professor says he was ‘honoured

and humbled’ by the film but must have been disappointed that the focus is on a life he’s always avoided talking about rather than his ground-breaking work. Perhaps though his attitude to the eternal versus the transitory was summedup on social media when he said,“It would be an empty universe indeed without the people that I love.”

(MMu) WWW WYRMWOOD – ROAD OF THE DEAD The lead is called ‘Barry’ and accents, bushland and beer prove this to be an Australian road movie about flesh-eating zombies. Director Kiah Roache -Turner knows how to create tension and is surely destined for greater things.The bizarrely inventive script comes from Kiah and his brother Tristan. Filmed mostly on weekends over 3.5 years, you have to admire the persistence of everyone involved (many ‘zombies’ worked for free).

Apparently genre festivals around the world (Texas, South Korea and Canada) have already received it warmly. Could it become a cult classic? (MMu) WWW UNBROKEN Jolie’s astute directing ability is apparent as she manages to extract optimum performances from the cast. Jack O’Connell who shares an uncanny resemblance with Zamperini is a natural in the lead role. Japanese Army Corporal Watanabe known as “the Bird”, is a psychotic sadist and is effectively portrayed by Takmasa Ishihara. Audiences will be tormented by the atrocities he commits and his welcome to the prisoners: “You are enemies of Japan and will be treated accordingly…” will long be remembered.The extreme brutality Zamperini endured and his race against death will shock but ultimately his need to meet and forgive his captors in later years will inspire. Filmed entirely in Australia, nbroken is an unforgettable film set in one of the darkest chapters in history and is a resounding experience.

(MMo)WWWW CITY HUB 26 FEBRUARY 2015

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SYDNEY LIVE MUSIC GUIDE LIVE WIRE

BY JAMIE APPS Harts: Right off the back of a highly acclaimed and sold out Australian tour Melbourne rock funk guitar virtuoso Harts is set to release his latest single this week in Sydney. Described by Rolling Stone Magazine as “supernaturally talented” Harts blends the blistering shredding of Hendrix with the electro-funk pop style of Prince.

This talent saw him nominated for Best New Talent and Single of the Year in last years Rolling Stone Awards.

Thu, Feb 26, Frankie’s Pizza

Clowns: This Melbourne punk group has carved out quiet the niche for themselves over the past few years.

Along the way they put together a new full length EP and are now set to tour these tracks around the country.

Embodying the carefree attitude that has made Australian guitar music such a success internationally and having learnt from the likes of Frenzel Rhomb whilst on support duties this show is bound to be an energy filled affair.

Sun, Mar 1, Frankie’s Pizza

Incubus: The iconic rockers known for their litany of sing-a-long hits such as Drive, Nice To Know You,Wish You Were Here and Megalomaniac begin their sideshow tour in conjunction with Soundwave Festival this weekend.

Joining them on Friday will be Antemasque a new musical duo of former At The Drive In and Mars Volta members Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler. Rounding out the evening are Mexican garage-punk trio Le Butcherettes.

Fri, Feb 27,

Mogwai: Six years after their last headline tour Mogwai finally embark on the long journey down under again.The six piece Glaswegian outfit are not known for doing things in half measures and will be taking over the Opera House Concert Hall on Monday to take the audience on an epic sonic journey.

Mon, Mar 2, Sydney Opera House

Lime Cordiale: Fresh off a nine show tour supporting The Delta Rigs, Sydney’s own Lime Cordiale return home to close out their own headline tour.The five piece are celebrating their forthcoming single Hanging Upside Down which has been praised as a great follow up to their sophomore EP. Sat, Feb 28, Newtown Social Club

SOUNDWAVE 2015 - TWIN ATLANTIC This weekend, heavy metal and rock commandeer Sydney’s Olympic Park as Soundwave Festival rolls into town.

This year’s edition of the festival will be spread over two days with some of the biggest names taking the stage. Day one’s bill is topped with Faith No More, Soundgarden, Incubus, New Found Glory and Lamb of God. Day two is highlighted by performances from Slipknot, Fall Out Boy, Smashing Pumpkins, Marylin Manson and Twin Atlantic.

Ahead of the shows Sam McTrusty, the frontman for Twin Atlantic, will be embarking on their first ever tour of Australia as part of the festival.

“We’ve never been [to Australia], not even as tourists, so we’re really looking forward to coming down,” Sam said,“Honestly it’s a bit of a dream come true for the band because it’s something we’ve been trying to do for the last three or four years but couldn‘t get all the pieces to fall into place.”

In August of last year,Twin Atlantic released

their third studio album Great Divide.With a great response from fans, the album peaked sixth on the UK charts and topping their nation of Scotland.When asked about the album, Sam responded,“Its a real weight off our shoulders because we put our blood, sweat and tears into this so that response makes it really worthwhile.”

Twin Atlantic has re-focused on their live performances and in particular the upcoming Australian tour.“We’ve heard a lot about the

Graveyard: Nordic metal band, previously described as Sweden’s 21st Century answer to Black Sabbath, are set to bring their distinct sound to Sydney for one night only.

Back home Graveyard has amassed an impressive number of accolades ranging from Swedish Grammy for Best Hard Rock Album, three different billboard chart mentions, multiple best of 2011 listings and even their own beer brand.

Wed, Mar 4, Oxford Arts Factory

Australian rock scene plus we’re going to be travelling a long way so when we’re given the opportunity we are going to give it everything we’ve got,” Sam said.

The band will be playing Sidewave shows in both Sydney and Brisbane. However, according to Sam, the fans will get the best experience by seeing them at the festival because,“playing a festival is such a spontaneous thing and you never know what is going to happen so that keeps us on our toes and makes the shows a little more real so I enjoy that.”

Sam and Barry McKenna (guitarist) plan to take in one of their favourite activity which most unexpected and that is to hit the golf course.“The weather down there is amazing which we aren‘t used to being from Scotland so if we get the chance we will jump at it because the courses look ridiculously good,” Sam said. (JA) Feb 28-Mar 1, Soundwave Festival, Sydney Olympic Park, $132-188+b.f, soundwavefestival.com

BRAD BUTCHER - JAMESTOWN Brad Butcher’s soul is in his music.

Ringing out from every lyric and every guitar strain, the listener hears his pain and his determination to continue.

Lightly traversing the scale of musical genre, the album has a little variation on a few themes. Beginning with Simple Things and ending with Lay Your Head they speak to the heart of

every individual calling for a kindly response. Especially Believer, the single coming from this album. It’s emotional depth plunges through the ears, bypassing the brain and straight into the heart.

Jamestown is not so much for the pleasure of the ears or the brain as it is for that soft spot inside the chest.

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FREEWILLASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Lately your life reminds me of the action film Speed, starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. In that story, a criminal has rigged a passenger bus to explode if its speed drops below 50 miles per hour.

In your story, you seem to be acting as if you, too, will selfdestruct if you stop moving at a frantic pace. I’m here to tell you that nothing bad will happen if you slow down. Just the opposite, in fact. As you clear your schedule of its excessive things-to-do, as you leisurely explore the wonders of doing nothing in particular, I bet you will experience a soothing flood of healing pleasure.

b

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If you’re a martial artist and you want to inject extra energy into an aggressive move, you might utter a percussive shout that sounds like “eee-yah!” or “hyaah!” or “aiyah!” The Japanese term for this sound is kiai. The sonic boost is most effective if it originates deep in your diaphragm rather than from your throat. Even if you’re not a martial artist, Gemini, I suggest that in the coming weeks you have fun trying out this boisterous style of yelling.

It may help you summon the extra power and confidence you’ll need to successfully wrestle with all the interesting challenges ahead of you.

C

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The prolific and popular French novelist Aurore Dupin was better known by her pseudonym George Sand. Few 19th-century women matched her rowdy behavior. She wore men’s clothes, smoked cigars, was a staunch feminist, and frequented social venues where only men were normally allowed.

Yet she was also a doting mother to her two children, and loved to garden, make jam, and

d

do needlework. Among her numerous lovers were the writers Alfred de Musset, Jules Sandeau, and Prosper Mérimée, as well as composer Frederic Chopin and actress Marie Dorval. Her preferred work schedule was midnight to 6 a.m., and she often slept until 3 p.m. “What a brave man she was,” said Russian author Ivan Turgenev, “and what a good woman.” Her astrological sign? The same as you and me.

She’s feisty proof that not all of us Crabs are conventional fuddyduddies. In the coming weeks, she’s our inspirational role model.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It seems you’ve slipped into a time warp. Is that bad? I don’t think so. Your adventures there may twist and tweak a warped part of your psyche in such a way that it gets healed. At the very least, I bet your visit to the time warp will reverse the effects of an old folly and correct a problem caused by your past sins. (By the way, when I use the word “sin,” I mean “being lax about following your dreams.”) There’s only one potential problem that could come out of all this: Some people in your life could misinterpret what’s happening. To prevent that, communicate crisply every step of the way.

e

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): IIn English and French versions of the word game Scrabble, the letter z is worth ten points. In Italian, it’s eight points. But in the Polish variant of Scrabble, you score just one

f

point by using z. That letter is rarely used in the other three languages, but is common in Polish. Keep this general principle in mind as you assess the value of the things you have to offer. You will be able to make more headway and have greater impact in situations where your particular beauty and power and skills are in short supply.

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won’t have to make them all your yourself.” So said Alfred Sheinwold in his book about the card game known as bridge. I think this is excellent advice for the game of life, as well. And it should be extra pertinent for you in the coming weeks, because people in your vicinity will be making gaffes and wrong turns that are useful for you to study.

In the future, you’ll be wise to avoid perpetrating similar messes yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Love her but leave her wild,” advised a graffiti artist who published his thoughts on a wall next to the mirror in a public restroom I visited.

Another guerrilla philosopher had added a comment below: “That’s a nice sentiment, but how can anyone retain wildness in a society that puts so many demands on us in exchange for money to live?” Since I happened to have a felt-tip pen with me, I scrawled a response

h

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): One of the most dazzling moves a ballet dancer can do is the fouetté en tournant. The term is French for “whipped turning.” As she executes a 360-degree turn, the dancer spins around on the tip of one foot. Meanwhile, her other foot thrusts outward and then bends in, bringing her toes to touch the knee of her supporting leg. Can you imagine a dancer doing this 32 consecutive times? That’s what the best do. It takes extensive practice and requires a high degree of concentration and discipline. Paradoxically, it expresses breathtaking freedom and exuberance. You

may not be a prima ballerina, Taurus, but in your own field there must be an equivalent to the fouetté en tournant. Now is an excellent time for you to take a vow and make plans to master that skill. What will you need to do?

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Don’t worry, even if things get heavy, we’ll all float on.” So sings Modest Mouse’s vocalist Isaac Brock on the band’s song “Float On.” I recommend you try that approach yourself, Sagittarius. Things will no doubt get heavy in the coming days. But if you float on, the heaviness will be a good, rich, soulful heaviness. It’ll be a purifying heaviness that purges any glib or shallow influences that are in your vicinity. It’ll be a healing heaviness that gives you just the kind of graceful gravitas you will need.

i

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “What I look for in a friend is someone who’s different from me,” says science fiction novelist Samuel Delany. “The more different the person is, the more I’ll learn from him.

The more he’ll come up with surprising takes on ideas and things and situations.” What about you, Capricorn? What are the qualities in a friend that help you thrive? Now is a perfect

j

time to take an inventory. I sense that although there are potential new allies wandering in your vicinity, they will actually become part of your life only if you adjust and update your attitudes about the influences you value most.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): At the turn of the 19th century, Russian laborers constructed thousands of miles of railroad tracks from the western part of the country eastward to Siberia.

The hardest part of the job was blasting tunnels through the mountains that were in the way.

I reckon you’re at a comparable point in your work, Aquarius.

It’s time to smash gaping holes through obstacles. Don’t scrimp or apologize. Clear the way for the future.

k

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The British rock band the Animals released their gritty, growly song “The House of the Rising Sun” in 1964. It reached the top of the pop music charts in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia, and was a hit with critics. Rolling Stone magazine ultimately ranked it as the 122nd greatest song of all time. And yet it took the Animals just 15 minutes to record. They did it in one take. That’s the kind of beginner’s luck and spontaneous flow I foresee you having in the coming weeks, Pisces. What’s the best way for you to channel all that soulful mojo?

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to the question posed in the second comment: “Be in nature every day. Move your body a lot. Remember and work with your dreams. Be playful. Have good sex. Infuse any little thing you do with a creative twist.

Hang out with animals. Eat with your fingers. Sing regularly.”

And that’s also my message for you, Scorpio, during this phase when it’s so crucial for you to nurture your wildness.

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