City Hub 28 January 2016

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city hub 28 JANUARY 2016

Invasion Day marchers invade the streets

BY KENJI SATO Thousands of protesters marched from Redfern to the CBD on Australia Day, declaring the national holiday “Invasion Day” and a “day of mourning”, rather than a day of celebration.

The participants urged Australians not to celebrate Australia Day, because it marks the date the First Fleet of colonising ships entered Australia and raised the British flag in Sydney in 1788.

It was a peaceful march down the CBD roads, with local indigenous leaders, activists, and Greens politicians chanting “Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.”

For the first time in 78 years, Redfern aboriginal activists gathered at Australia Hall on 150 Elizabeth Street where, in 1938, aboriginal leaders declared 26 February to be a day of mourning for the country.

Nathan Moran, the CEO of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, told the gathered protesters that all Australia Day celebrations should be stopped.

“I ask you all to continue the battle, to never stand around and tolerate anyone celebrating the invasion,” he said.

“Today is the celebration of the seizure of our lands and the declaration of war by the British on the first nations of this land. I ask you call to continue that battle 365 days of the year until we end the status as the last penal colony on the planet earth.”

The marchers first gathered at The Block in Redfern, a site which is considered a symbol of victory by Redfern aboriginal activists who had been engaged in a two-year long land dispute with the Aboriginal Housing Company.

“This land that we’re standing on here at the Block is the site of many ongoing struggles,” said Newtown Greens MP Jenny Leong.

She told the protesters that Australia Day was an opportunity to draw attention to the injustice and inequality faced by aboriginal people.

“Today is not a day we should celebrate. Today is a day we should remember, but today is a day we should strengthen our resolve to continue the struggle,” she said.

Traditional aboriginal dance. Photo: Kenji Sato

“The struggle for self-determination for aboriginal people in this country, the struggle for justice the struggle for land rights, and the struggle for a treaty, needs to continue and it is days like this that we must take as a way to strengthen our resolve.”

“We must keep working and struggling until they’re horrible ancient stories of the past, not current stories we hear in the news.”

“It is because of the determination of many people in this community and many people across this country that soon we will see Aboriginal housing on the Block returned and we will see that this site will continue to be protected as a special sacred site, not just for the aboriginal people in this community, but for Sydney as a whole, recognising our connection to our past that isn’t a connection to do with invasion and white colonisation but is a connection to do with a long proud black history.”

“It always was, and always will be Aboriginal land.”

Ken Canning, from the Indigenous Social Justice

Association, told the protesters that opposing Australia Day was an important part of preserving aboriginal cultural identity.

“We haven’t ceded this land, therefore we haven’t ceded our law. We haven’t ceded who we are as a culture, and our way of life has never been ceded.”

“Our spirituality has never been ceded. We are sovereign not only in our land but also in our own self, and that’s an important fact that we carry with us.”

Mr Canning said that he opposed the Recognise campaign to include aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people in the Australian constitution on the grounds that it was only symbolic, without achieving any concrete goals.

Prominent aboriginal activist, Jenny Munroe, said that she was pushing for a treaty, instead.

“We’ve worked on a treaty for unity for the last few years at the freedom summit at Alice Springs,” she said.

“On the path to unity it is the right of each

family, clan, and first nation to light the fires and renew the serious conversation about how we see our place in the life of our country.”

“We seek unity amongst first nations as the foundation of a new relationship with the rest of Australia, set down in treaties that honour these clear principles. This land is defined by lines as clear to us as the southern cross and the dreaming trails.”

Ex-councillor Danny Lim told City Hub that Australia Day amounted to “Bloody discrimination”.

“They’ve been treated like shit for 228 years.

It’s about respect. This is 2016, how many Prime Ministers promised they would do something?

That’s what it is about. Human rights. This country belongs to them. They never signed a treaty, never signed anything. They just came over say ‘no one owns this bloody place’ and they took over.”

Mercury up in Bays precinct 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.

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BY ANDREW BARCLAY Sydney’s largest urban redevelopment project could end up the inner west’s hottest place, with a new study showing temperatures along the coastal Bays Precinct could hit nearly 50 degrees due to a lack of urban greenery.

This has led to claims the N SW Government is at odds with the Federal Government’s recently announced urban tree coverage vision.

The long-awaited Bays Precinct development, which covers 80-hectares stretching from White Bay to the Sydney Fish Markets, is expected to house 16,000 new dwelling as part of the area’s redevelopoment.

Labor councillor and Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne said that as the Federal Government announced plans to cool down Australian cities through better design and more tree canopies, the N SW Government is planning to do the exact opposite.

He said that the by not committing to large parts of urban greenery within the Bays Precinct, it will become the “hottest place in the city”.

“There is no green space – not a single tree or blade of grass – proposed so far in what is already the hottest place in the inner west,” Clr Byrne said “The Premier didn’t get the memo.”

The announcement came on the back of the release of a study mapping surface temperatures in Leichhardt Municipality

that shows land in the Bays Precinct development is already amongst the hottest areas in Sydney’s Inner West.

Acting Minister for Cities and Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced last Tuesday a vision for improved urban tree coverage in cities.

He said that the use of tree coverage in cities to reduce heat would also lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life.

Urban development can lead to streets without trees, which then amplify the heat on hot days.

The study, undertaken by the University of Technology Sydney and Leichhardt Council, shows summer temperatures on the ground in the Bays Precinct can be up to 15 degrees higher than in nearby streets. It found a maximum temperature of 45.9 degrees at the site.

“The Bays Precinct will become hotter still if significant new green open space and tree canopies are not included in the redevelopment,” said Cr Byrne.

Kerryn Wilmot, Research Principal at the university’s Institute for Sustainable Futures, said that addressing high levels of heat caused by high-density development was crucial to creating liveable cities.

She said that further high-density development at the Bays Precinct, without new green space and vegetation, would further increase temperatures potentially dangerous levels.

High levels of heat have been linked to higher mortality rates and also impact upon the psychological state of residents.

“The greater the density, the more important it is to have public open space,” she said. ”This should be mandated.”

A spokesperson for Urban Growth N SW, in response to Clr Byrne’s claims of a lack of commitment to greenery within the development, said that a key principle for the site was to contribute to healthy, prosperous and resilient lives for those who use it.

“The provision of high quality open space in The Bays Precinct will be a key element of the transformation,” the spokesperson said.

“The Bays Precinct Transformation Plan refers to public open spaces that include parkland, recreation and sport areas, conservation and natural areas, foreshore, linear parks, trails and paths.”

“Where possible green space can play an important role in development through assisting keeping cities cooler during hot days.”

Ms Wilmot stressed that urban development should not be done in isolation, and that it requires suitable public transport and locally-placed employment to support its growth.

Sydney’s population is expected to add one million people every decade and reach 7.5 million people by 2051. city hub 28 JANUARY 2016

3

Balancing the power: Doutney to become new deputy Lord Mayor

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS Irene Doutney is expected to be appointed as Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney next month, replacing Robyn Kemmis, who died late last year.

Clr Doutney and Clr Moore both signed a memorandum of understanding last week, which cited Doutney’s political position with that of Clover Moore’s Independent Party.

Clr Doutney said that the new role would increase her influence at council, allow her to focus on policies which could be improved, as well as assist other councillors who were otherwise on their own at the council.

Speaking to City Hub, Clr Doutney said that the memorandum was a decision she and her party had not taken lightly.

“I have got to be strong and independent. This will give me more of an input and influence things. I would have loved to have seen it to be a much more collegiate council, but it isn’t.”

Clr Doutney said the decision taken followed discussions within The Greens Party, as well as council reference groups, and two local Greens groups.

Clover Moore described the appointment of Clr Doutney as a continuum of their already “very effective working relationship” on a Facebook post last week.

She said the move to appoint an existing councillor was motivated by the desire to avoid a costly by-election.

Clr Moore also said she wanted to avoid “fractured council held hostage by party politicians who sense an opportunity for political point scoring or who refuse to make decisions.”

But that is not how some other councillors see it.

bulldoze social housing in Labor Councillor Linda Waterloo.

Scott told City Hub that it was a “backroom deal” that meant “It is very concerning that the Greens had “put power news for the people of before principle”.

Waterloo. They are talking She said this was evidenced about waterloo because of by the fact the Clr Moore had the metro station, but it is sought to defeat eleven of her concerning for everyone environment saving motions because it will extend into all from last year. of the social housing.”

These included In the memorandum of investigating bike share understanding, it outlined schemes, increase solar the seven key priorities from energy for council property, Greens Councillor Irene Doutney. its 2008 Sustainable City Source: supplied. and increasing green space.

2030 document and the Liberal Councillor values of The Greens.

Christine Foster said that the deal should The memorandum states: “Lord Mayor have been more transparent.

Clover Moore and Greens Councillor Irene “I think the process should have been Doutney acknowledge the alignment between transparent, not a back room deal, election these principles, policies and objectives as the of the deputy Lord Mayor is stitched up, basis for this agreement”. and that delivers Irene into the deputy lord Goals in the 2030 agreement include action mayoralty,” Clr Foster said. on global warming, increased sustainable She told City Hub that in the future the transport,. improved social inclusion and equity Clover Moore Independent Party may be and support for cultural life, forced to engage in cross party consultation The memorandum states that these loosely and decision making with the Liberals and align with the four principles of the Greens other parties. environmental sustainability, social equality and “There is no question in my mind, I would economic justice, grassroots democracy, peace predict with changes to non-residential electoral and nonviolence. role that is very likely Clover will not have the The pair will discuss issues ahead of the control of council. If she’s elected she will have council meeting, and consult continually with to negotiate with other parties.” one another on ongoing issues.

In the meantime though, Clr Doutney has Under the memorandum, the pair shall signaled that social housing will be a priority for discuss issues to reach a common viewpoint her if she is deputy Lord Mayor. on issues.

She said her focus will be on social housing “The Greens come from a more consensus tenants in the local government area, following way of doing things, and we want to work with the state government decision last weekend to people,” Clr Doutney said.

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city hub 28 JANUARY 2016

5

Confused City Residents Bin Mandatory Election Enrollment Forms

BY LAWRENCE GIBBONS Tens of thousands of City residents could be fined as much as $2,200 for not filing mandatory voter registration forms. In early November 120,000 letters were sent to every owner of ratepaer in the City of Sydney. A cover letter from the City’s Chief Executive Officer Monica Barone explained that “as a property owner you may have the right to vote in forthcoming elections.”

Attached to the letter were a series of forms titled “The City of Sydney Non-Residential Register” Form A and Form B. The requested deadline to return the forms was 31 December 2015. According to a City of Sydney spokesperson, the City has received 75,000 responses to date.

45,000 people have not responded. One of those people was Elizabeth Elenius a resident and convenor of the community group Pyrmont Action. According to Ms Elenius, “If the Council or Government issues a document to residents entitled ‘Non Residential Register Form’ why would a resident fill it out? I tossed mine assuming it wasn’t for me.”

Another resident, Jane Anderson, an executive committee member of the East Sydney Neighbourhood Association also threw her forms in the bin assuming they did not apply to her. According to Ms Anderson, “the entire process is incredibly confusing. I can’t help but think that whoever sent out forms titled “Non-Residential Register” to residents had to know this would be confusing.”

The forms were sent out as part of the City’s attempt to create a roll of every eligible business voter in the council area. Yimmy Seifert, the Chair of the Ultimo Village Voice recalls that “at our December meeting last year [the recently deceased Deputy Lord Mayor] Robyn Kemmis explained that residents still need to complete and return the form so they can be excluded from the register of non-residents. With her sense of humour when she was asked what would happen if we didn’t return the form she said ‘you are not allowed to leave your house!’ We will miss her dearly.”

Under changes to the City of Sydney Act implemented last year businesses are required to vote in local Council elections. As has been the case for residents, business voting is now compulsory. Many believe that the law was enacted by the Liberal state government to ensure that the left leaning Lord Mayor Clover Moore is not re-elected. Under the Act, the City’s Chief Executive Officer is required to create a roll of every eligible business voter including landlords, businesses paying commercial rent in excess of $4,000 per year who have occupied their premises for more than three months. Under what has been termed the “Get Clover clause” corporations are required to cast two votes.

Perplexed as to why this writer received a letter regarding the business vote at a residential address and no correspondence had yet been sent to the leased business premises from which this publication operates, a call was put into the 1300 number advertised by the City of Sydney. The operator stated, “As a tenant you don’t need to worry about being on the roll yet. We have only contacted property owners so far. As a tenant you don’t need to do anything right now. We may contact you later.”

Which begs the question: when will the City of Sydney worry about contacting every business to create a roll of eligible voters? Identifying every property owner and business that is trading from premises in the area is a gargantuan task. In a series of reports tabled to Council in August of last year, City officers expressed the opinion that the City could not 6

city hub 28 JANUARY 2016

possibly comply with the Act. “…the establishment and maintenance of the register and rolls will be a complex process. The complexity will…make the process difficult to understand and comply with for some persons and corporations. There are also aspects of the Act that are impractical, and arguably impossible, for the City to comply with.”

One political insider hypothesised that it was clearly not in Clover Moore’s political interest to create a roll of every eligible business voter in the City of Sydney.

“If she stands again, she will have done the numbers and calculated that not enough business voters will be enrolled come the next election to affect her chances of winning.”

The task of compiling a list of every business in the City falls on CEO Monica Barone, who was appointed by the Lord Mayor and shares many of her political views. In an independent audit of the City of Sydney Act commissioned by the City, Price Waterhouse Coopers found that there was the risk of a political conflict of interest in having the City create and maintain a roll of every eligible business voter in the City of Sydney.

Partly in order to overcome the perception of a biased process and partly to deliver a huge project in a short timeframe, the City has outsourced the task of identifying businesses to an independent contractor. According to a City spokesperson, “The first mail-out of enrolment forms begins in February and is ongoing. Our service provider is a commercial property information company that keeps a database of all businesses. They gather some of this information by a regular cycle of visiting businesses.”

If Council elections take place in September, as originally scheduled, the City must create a roll of every business in the City by early July, giving the contractor five months to identify, contact and enrol every landlord and business in the City of Sydney. The City is spending $12 million on contractors, consultants and City staff to complete the task.

The City of Sydney Act is based on similar legislation in Melbourne. In order to identify all eligible businesses in the City of Melbourne, Council conducts an ongoing census of all businesses which takes place over two years. In the lead up to an election, Melbourne then conducts a three month re-survey in key high density areas. In Melbourne, where corporations also have two votes, 60% of all votes are cast by businesses.

Last election 100,000 residents in the City of Sydney were eligible to vote. When asked how many eligible non-residential voters the City estimated would be enrolled for the next election, a City spokesperson stated: “There are too many unknowns to estimate a figure for this.”

In total there are 82,000 businesses with an active ABN and registered address within the City of Sydney, 21,644 businesses that occupy rateable land in the City and 114,000 parcels of rateable land, of which half are rented out.

The City has its work cut out for it. Under the City of Sydney Act, the CEO must submit a list of all eligible business voters to the NSW Electoral Commission sixty days prior to Election Day. The only good news for CEO Monica Barone is that those elections could be delayed until early next year with boundary changes to a range of local councils throughout NSW, excluding the City of Sydney. The extra time will probably come in handy as confusion and frustration mount amongst residents and businesses throughout the City.

Leichhardt labels mergers “deceitful”

BY LUCAS BAIRD Leichhardt accuses state gov of being “deceitful” on council amalgamations Leichhardt Council has filed a freedom of information request concerning the unreleased KPMG report on amalgamations after the state government denied the council’s requests for the full report.

In an Extraordinary General Meeting on amalgamations last Monday, the council unanimously resolved to file the request for the crucial council mergers document.

Greens councillor, Rochelle Porteous, said the government’s timing and decision making on the issue was “deceitful”.

“The fact that they are not even releasing the full KPMG report is just dishonest, there is no other way to explain it,” Cr Porteous told City Hub. But a spokesperson spokesman for the Local Government Minister Paul Toole said that the full report was publicly available.

“The complete KPMG report consists of the Technical Report, the Local Government Reform Merger Impact Analysis and the 35 merger proposals, all of which are publicly available.”

But Clr Porteus said the report released thus far was “a high level document with very little detail”.

“It is extraordinary the lengths they are going to, to try and stop people from understanding the issue, from allowing them to properly engage and be properly consulted.”

Earlier this week, the KPMG report for a proposed merger of Manly and Warringah was the subject of controversy after the general manager of Warringah Council claimed it to be misleading and potentially inaccurate.

Clr Porteous was also critical of the timing of the amalgamations.

“They are deliberately trying to push through these amalgamations while people are still on holidays,” she said.

“It is a terrible time to engage people on such an important issue and that has been deliberately chosen by the Baird government.”

Leichhardt Council’s Labor and Liberal councillors have also resisted the government’s forced merger proposals.

Liberal councillor, Frank Breen, told City Hub that a public awareness campaign has started, with the council planning on releasing brochures and conducting a phone poll on amalgamations.

“The brochure essentially explains that residents have only one opportunity to make representations about the amalgamations,” Cr Breen said.

Leichhardt had previously held a phone poll on the topic around six months ago.

A spokesperson for the council told City Hub that the response rate was around 60 per cent and in favour of Leichhardt council standing on its own.

Cr Breen claimed that despite previous polling, it was important to get up to date information now that information surrounding the amalgamations had “firmed up.”

He said he wanted more background on what their concerns were.

Greens Member for Balmain, Jamie Parker MP, said he would be working with community volunteers to deliver information to all local residents encouraging submissions to the Council Boundary Review.

He said it was disappointing that Labor and Liberal councillors at Leichhardt Council “put their own political interests” ahead of democratic principles and had rejected the Greens’ proposal for a plebiscite on the issue.

“Instead Leichhardt Council will only conduct a telephone survey of a few hundred residents,” he said.

“This follows the same Labor and Liberal collusion to put forward the three-way merger plan back in November.

By caving in to the State Government after a secret meeting with the Local Government Minister, the Labor Mayors of Leichhardt, Marrickville and Ashfield have sold out their communities.

The spokesperson for Local Government Minister Paul Toole said that the Minister had referred the merger proposals to the CEO of the Office of Local Government.

The Chief Executive has delegated the function of reviewing merger proposals to Delegates who will have the responsibility to review and report on merger proposals. This will also include conducting public inquiries, calling for written submissions and providing their reports to the independent Boundaries Commission.

Council News

Mayor‘s Message The Government’s process to amalgamate Waverley, Randwick and Woollahra is moving very quickly. On 18 December, the State Government proposed the three council amalgamation. While Waverley and Randwick Councils had already agreed to merge and were therefore deemed ‘Fit for the Future’ by IPART, Woollahra Council is continuing to oppose the merger.

The Office of Local Government has appointed a delegate, Dr Robert Lang, to examine the Waverley-Randwick-Woollahra proposal. His role is to look at the Government’s proposal, not new proposals or substantial amendments, and to review it in line with Section 23A of the Local Government Act. This includes looking at the number of Councillors and the Ward structure.

Dr Lang is also responsible for meeting with the three councils, and receiving and assessing written submissions from each council and their communities.

Although all three councils were originally invited, Waverley and Randwick Councils met with Dr Lang and we will be submitting a written submission to the Council Boundary Review before the deadline on 28 February. Anyone wishing to make a submission can do so via councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au/#mergerproposals or by mail to Council Boundary Review Submissions, GPO Box 5341, Sydney NSW 2001.

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Dr Lang is also coordinating two public inquiries, where you are welcome to attend and speak. The date and time of the meetings are as follows: • Thursday 4 February, 1–5pm and 7–10pm Club Rose Bay, 1 Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay NSW 2029

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Those wishing to attend the public inquiries can register online at councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au or by contacting 1300 813 020.

Following the consultation period, Dr Lang will submit a report to the Minister for Local Government and the Boundaries Commission in March or April before a final decision is made by the State Government as to the future of the Eastern Suburbs local government areas.

The local government reform process started in mid 2011 and has been a lengthy process – but a very important one.

I am really pleased the concept of the Global city consisting of our three councils plus Botany and the City of Sydney is off the State Government’s agenda.

A council of that size and diverse communities of interest was always our great fear. Waverley Council has always had the best interests of residents at heart, and we will continue to advocate for our community. No matter what or when anything happens, we will continue to deliver services to our residents with the same commitment.

Sally Betts, Mayor of Waverley

Events

February 2016 Meet the Mayor Sunday 7 February, 11.30am–1pm Seagull Room, Bondi Pavillion Please come along and enjoy a cup of tea, meet your Ward Councillors and chat to us about your neighbourhood, your ideas or any concerns. To kick off our first session, we will also have our design and concept plan for the Bondi Pavilion Upgrade and Conservation Project on display. Council staff will be present to discuss this exciting proposal with interested residents.

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city hub 28 JANUARY 2016

7

ARTS FEATURE

FINDING THE RIGHT WORDS…

BY ALANNAH MAHER Since its inception in America in the 1980s, slam poetry has incited an accessible creative outlet for community connection and personal expression. Miles Merrill can be credited as the founding father of the spoken word scene in Sydney. Heralding from Chicago, the home city of slam poetry, Merrill moved to Sydney in 1996 to find there was “nothing much happening” with spoken word. It wasn’t long before he started the city’s first poetry slam, and by 2007 he was hosting Australia’s first national slam.

Miles is presently the Creative Director and Founder of Word Travels, a not-for-profit arts association promoting literacy and creative expression through words.The group not only organises the annual Australian Poetry Slam, but also the Multilingual Slam event.

Last year’s winner of the Multilingual Slam, Liz Dakash, is a Sydney law student who fell in love with the spoken word and was interested to explore the art form through other languages.With parents from two different backgrounds, her mother from Bulgaria and her father from Palestine, Liz speaks three languages.The Multilingual Slam gave her a creative outlet to explore her identity as a whole. “Living in a multicultural city, speaking in other languages provides an avenue to connect with people on a deeper level – exploring that through poetry brings that to a whole other level,” said Liz. As Merrill added:“There’s something quite powerful about sharing out thoughts, emotions and imaginations… it takes us beyond a conversation to understand something deeper about humanity and each other.”

This year the slam poetry and open mic scene is stronger than ever, with a program ahead of special events and regular evenings to encourage the seasoned spoken wordsmiths and the amateurs among us to witness the form and even step up to the microphone. After a fairly quiet January on the scene, February sees a rush of activity, with many people who’ve been quietly and rigorously writing over the time lapse of the holiday season raring to share their new work.

On the first Tuesday of the month, Petersham will see the inaugural evening of an innovative new space for writers and performers.

Organisers of Poets at the Petersham Bowl Mark Marusic and Barry Sargent have been involved with the spoken word scene since the early 90s and late 80s respectively, and have found the ideal home for a regular open mic night in the community run Petersham Bowling Club.

The club actively supports the arts, and in their purpose-built new performance space Mark and Barry are expecting a blend of new faces and familiar names from the Sydney poetry circuit.“A big part of it is to give an opportunity to people who might not have had an opportunity before,” said Mark.

As this new performance night gets underway, over in Glebe a long running

Liz Dakash. Photo: Chris Peken

spoken word event will make its new year return at the Friend in Hand Hotel.

Jack Peck organises WordinHand on the first Tuesday of the month, but it is only the latest incarnation of spoken word at the venue. “Poetry has been a feature of The Friend in Hand Hotel for many years, long before I came to organise it in 2007,” Peck explained.“Poetry has been going at that venue for around 20 years.”

WordinHand always involves two feature poets and an open mic section. On the first Tuesday of February Jack will be hosting emerging spoken word poets Rachel Calleja and Lorin Elizabeth, who bring their Finding Crossroads tour down under.

These Australian poets have just returned to the country after combining forces to drive across the USA late last year, and this is will be their first feature gig since landing on home soil.

Calleja and Elizabeth will be keeping busy, also appearing as feature acts at another localised spoken word institution, Caravan Slam. Typically taking place on the fourth Thursday of the month, Caravan Slam began in March of 2011 and has traversed from venue to venue before finding its permanent oasis at Django Bar in Marrickville last year. Organiser Lou Steer describes the slam as a loose competition where they’ve “created a safe space for people to express themselves”. She explained further: “Poetry can be cathartic, particularly for people who are expressing things they haven’t told anyone else… but it’s also entertainment… you never know what you’re going to get… a funny poet and then a searing poet, someone talking about love and then someone talking about international politics… the beauty of the slam format is that it keeps people on their toes.”

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While the encouragement of amateur poets amongst many of Sydney’s open mic nights and slams has cultivated a wonderfully diverse scene, some self-professed “hard core poets” have found the general scene “too nice”. Jess Santosa founded 3 Poets Speak along with Phillip Wilcox in late 2014, with a desire to push poetry to the next level in terms of subject matter, form and rhythm. 3 Poets Speak enjoyed a year of pushing the form and bringing together three guaranteed leading poets to speak at each event.This year they seek to return on a three monthly basis to “cross bridges between poetry and areas of society that hadn’t really explored it before”.

Miles Merrill best sums up the impact of the spoken word: “There’s something to be said for artistic excellence… but the community development, the spontaneity and the bond that happens over an open mic or a slam – particularly amongst people who feel marginalised – there’s something about it that is really overwhelming… it doesn’t always have to be about the best poem performed in the best way.”

Word Travels continues to spread the word of the spoken word. In February they’ll be hosting spoken-wordshops in the lead up to the Multilingual Slam in March, where Liz Dakash will be returning to perform after her win last year.

Poets at the Petersham Bowl

Feb 2, 6pm. Free.

Petersham Bowling Club, 77 Brighton Street, Petersham.

WordinHand

From Feb 2, first Tuesday of every month, 7:30pm (open mic registration from 6:30pm).

Friend in Hand Hotel, 58 Cowper Street, Glebe. See ‘WordinHand’ group on Facebook for info. $5-$10

Caravan Slam

From Feb 25, fourth Thursday of every month, 8pm (open mic registration from 7pm). $5 (performers free). Django Bar, 19 Marrickville Road, Marrickville (opp Sydenham Station).

See ‘Caravan Slam’ group on Facebook for info.

3 Poets Speak

New Year program TBC. If you’re interested in joining contact Jess at jasantosa@gmail.com

Word Travels Spoken-Wordshop

Feb 18, 6-8pm. International Performing Writers Centre, Level 2, 79-1/2 George St, The Rocks.

Multilingual Slam Wordshop

March 3. Marrackville, venue TBC.

Multilingual Poetry Slam

March 19, 8:30pm. Sydney Dance Lounge, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. More details on events to be announced at www.wordtravels.info on Jan 28th.

Social housing shakeup will make for divided City: Greens

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS and non-government sectors to redevelop old public City of Sydney Greens Councillor Irene Doutney has housing estates into mixed communities which will put called on the state government to significantly increase thousands of people in social housing on a better path,” the amount of social housing stock in the City, following Mr Hazzard said in a statement. the announcement of the Baird Government’s Future But Clr Doutney said she was concerned with the Directions for Social Housing policy on Monday. transfer of property to the private sector.

Clr Doutney warned that the plan will fall short on its “I am deeply concerned that the sale of public goals if the number of city properties did not increase. housing assets to the private sector places public housing She said that social housing must be in the inner city, tenants in a vulnerable position. The job of developers is not just on the “outskirts” of Sydney. to maximise their profits. We need strong safeguards in Clr Doutney cited the example of the selloff of place to ensure that the number of public housing units Millers Point properties as delivered are not reduced in a reason for doubting the number or size through the government’s commitment planning process.” to inner city social housing.

“I am enthusiastic The NSW government’s about the commitment to plan deals with both the removing disincentives for supply and demand side of public housing tenants to social housing, in an effort work. However, we have to reduce the number of seen in the past the Liberal/ people on the waiting list of National Party’s ideological 60,000 people. commitment to punishing Part of this plan will be those who are unable to to increase the private rental find work. Their emphasis subsidy to 60 per cent, in on supporting tenants to a bid to keep people out of transition out of public social housing. housing is clearly focused on It hopes to increase the single mothers. I sincerely employability of people hope these processes are in social housing through government by evidence providing “opportunities for Social housing in Waterloo. Under the government’s based policy and not plan, social housing will become a public- private those people to get training, partnership. Photo: L.J. Bar trumped by ideology.” find a job and move into “I want to see a stronger the private rental market”. focus from this Government on inner city public and The Minister said the program will partner with the affordable housing. This strategy demonstrates that the private sector to deliver 23,500 new and replacement Government understands the risks of concentrating dwellings. disadvantage in one area. If they are really serious It will also give 35 per cent of social housing to about this they must ensure that disadvantaged people community providers. are supported to live in the inner city and not just the “We are looking to the innovation of the private outskirts on Sydney.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Nick Ladies Day Offerman – Full Bush

Nick Offerman is excited to bring his smash hit solo show Full Bush to Australia this month. Best known for his portrayal of Ron Swanson on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Offerman’s stage performances are littered with inspirational tips for prosperity, as well as energetic sing-a-longs and cautionary tales.

“I go rather in depth in discussing the pros and cons of growing one’s body hair,” explained Offerman.“Full Bush also refers to the philosophy of being prepared to live in the bush, in case all things luxurious manmade systems fail us. I want to maintain a state of readiness in case we suddenly have to provide for ourselves.”

Full Bush also features Offerman’s own reflections on the differences between America and Australia and a number of fun silly songs.

“I’ll also be devoting a couple of songs to my wife because I’ll be sad to be without her on this tour,” said Offerman. His wife, fellow character actor Megan Mullally, who was originally due to join him for the Australian tour.

Originally from the world of live theatre, Offerman finds the instant gratification of a live audience to be the most enjoyable way to perform.

Full Bush will be no different.

“First and foremost I want to make sure everybody has a good time,” he said.“I like to encourage people to look in the mirror less, and worry about superficiality less, and instead…invest in their relationships with their friends and loved ones.”

He added,“you know it’s a good old fashioned good time.” (NB) Jan 28–29. StateTheatre, 49 Market St, Sydney. $79.90.Tickets & info: livenation.com.au

All Good Things

As the famous saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Whether it be people, places, times or ideas, we must all move on in some way.

Directed by Iain Sinclair (Of Mice & Men, All My Sons) and written by the Australian Theatre

for Young People’s National Studio, All Good Things is part of the ATYP’s Voices Project, an annual production of seven-minute monologues that has changed the landscape for young Australian writers and performers.

“These 11 young Australian voices privilege us into the astonishingly complex, sensitive yet robust workings of 17-year-old minds from all walks of life across Australia now,” explained Sinclair. “It is brave and magnificent writing and it reveals so much more about the bright dreams, dark horrors and massive artistic ambitions of the next generation.”

Exploring themes of departures, the sixth and final annual installment of The Voices celebrates the extraordinary level of young talent right here in Australia, as they all say goodbye in their own way. The Voices Project ranges from works that are shocking, dramatic, funny and sincere, but this 90-minute show allows these writers to discover their voices and showcase their experiences while also supporting their professional development. (ASha) Feb 3–20, various show times. ATYP Studio Theatre, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. $35.

Tickets & info: http://atyp.com.au or call 02 9270 2400

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10 STAGE 12 SCENE 13 Sounds 14 SCREEN

For her upcoming production Ladies Day, playwright Alana Valentine spent a couple of months in the northern Western Australian town of Broome interviewing the LGBTQ community.

Valentine won’t reveal too much of the plot line, but what she can tell us is the play focuses on a female writer in Broome and her experience and conversations with gay men in the community. All of these stories are based on real life interviews and heavy research.

“I cloak the interviews in fiction and combine them with different stories I’ve been told,” explained Valentine.

This is a very important topic to Valentine, not only because she has been involved with the LGBTQ community for many years, but because she wants to express ideas and themes that normally aren’t publicly known or discussed with the community.

“This play has been an opportunity for me to write about some difficult issues in the gay community and some things that aren’t always confronted,” she said. “[There is a] need to get those stories out of the region. Regional Australia is

more discriminatory to LGTBQ men and women. It depends on the town and the kind of relationship the LGTBQ community has with the town.”

Darren Yap is the director of this evocative play, and also included in this production is a large musical portion by Max Lambert. (AMal) Feb 15–Mar 26, various show times.

SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross. $20-$55.

Tickets info: griffintheatre.com.au

The Poor Kitchen The Poor Kitchen by Daniela Giorgi is sizzling up a tasty treat this February in Newtown’s Old 505 Theatre. Directed by Paul Gilchrist, featuring Mark Langham, Samantha Meisner, Katrina Rautenberg, Randa Sayed and Benjamin Winkle.

This unique production is set in Southern Italy where the food is delicious, the people are gorgeous, and the pasta is perfection, leaving room only of course for the politics that tie it all together. Recently having inherited an olive farm in Italy, Elle finds herself sharing her new-found table with the spirits of a brutal and intriguing past. “The anarchists are crazy, but better than the fascists.”

Passionately praised for her previous plays, Daniela Giorgi has cleverly and successfully crafted theatrical narratives in the past, leaving expectations high for her latest theatre production.

Be sure to save yourself a seat at The Poor Kitchen, BYO sense of humour and an urge to be moved! (RM) Feb 2–6. Old 505 Theatre, 5 Eliza Street, Newtown. $22-$33.

Tickets & info: old505theatre.com

Arts Editors: Jamie Apps - Alannah Maher For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

Contributors: Brendan Modini, Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Alicia Sim, Nyssa Booth, Lauren Edwards, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Lauren Bell, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Matthew Bernard, Mel Somerville, Michael Muir, Olga Azar, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Sinead McLaughlin, Siri Williams, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Shon Ho, Jacqui Rothwell, Anvi Sharma, Emily Shen, Silvia Cheung, Andrew Hodgson, Irina Dunn.

Review: Tender Napalm

The Secret River

Following a sold out season in 2013, The Secret River returns as something of a modern Australian classic. Adapted from the novel by Kate Grenville and once again directed by Neil Armfield, it tracks the story of the conflict between transported convict William Thornhill and the Dharug people, on whose land by the Hawkesbury River he attempts to settle.

Joshua Brennan plays Dan Oldfield, another convict taken on by Thornhill to help work his land. Oldfield struggles between Thornhill’s dubious morality and the grim treatment of the local indigenous culture.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the work.

It’s a really difficult issue to talk about but this creates discussion,” said Brennan, convinced of the importance of the story. Having grown up in remote Western Australia he considers himself fortunate to have had his eyes opened to indigenous culture and the events that have essentially been “swept under the rug”.

“It’s tough. It’s a dark story and we are talking about a really dark period in Australian history,” said Brennan. Although guilt can be a paralysing emotion, he points to the play providing respect on both sides. “Hopefully we will get people in the foyer, who are provoked in all sorts of ways and are safe and able to express how they feel.”

While there are notable similarities between the original and this production, largely half the cast is new, bringing a different flavour to the work. Brennan added: “I certainly don’t think if you saw it the first time round it will feel like a similar show, purely because we’ve got some really prominent characters who now have a different voice and tone”. (GW) Feb 6–20 (Mon 6:30pm,Tues–Sat 7:30pm).

Sydney Theatre Company, Roslyn Packer Theatre, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. $69-$116.Tickets & info: sydneytheatre.com. au or 02 9250 1777.

The Times have described it as “heart stopping” and “wildly intoxicating”, whilst The Australian has said “make no mistake; this is engrossing live theatre”.

Brevity Theatre’s rendition of Tender Napalm does not miss the mark, and is an exhilarating exploration of love and tragedy. The setting, time and characters remain unspecified, and instead the play’s focus is simply on the unfolding, real time drama. Through chilling monologues and conversations, Tender Napalm is an exhilarating, poetic dissection of a relationship, distorted by memory and imagination, war and destruction.

At times throughout the performance I felt lost, however several recurring phrases and locations thread somewhat disjointed scenes together – it is not until the final scenes that the play comes together as a unified whole.

Actors Jordan Cowan and Tim Franklin provide a brilliant portrayal of the characters, utilising every corner of the performance space. Cowan and Franklin complement each other perfectly. Their intense energy really captures the audiences’ attention leaving you hanging off every sentence, thirsting for more.

Due to the intimacy of the Old Fitz Theatre, there were times where both Cowan and Franklin looked directly into my eyes as they spoke, which added to the

The Tribe

The show is staged in a Surry Hills backyard, with the narrator (Hazem Shammas) and cellist (Oonagh Sherrard) summoning Bedouin storytelling traditions.

“It’s a collaboration of the Arab world mixed with Australian theatre,” explained Ahmad, who likens the Bedouin tales told around a campfire in a desert, to the long tradition of Aboriginals telling ancient stories.

Ahmad explained the atmosphere created in the urban backyard setting: “a breeze hits and ruffles the trees, birds are chirping, the sounds of cars, all add to the spontaneity of the outdoors experience associated with the traditions of the storyteller...

It’s about those wonderful moments.” (OA) Until Feb 7. Belvoir Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills (meet at the theatre to be guided to the backyard venue). $25–$48 (subject to change). Tickets & info: belvoir.com or 9699 3444

Author and playwright Michael Mohammed Ahmad has adapted his novel The Tribe, with director Janice Muller, into a play now staged by Belvoir Theatre and Urban Theatre Projects. The story features a child’s view of the Muslim-Australian experience, growing up in Sydney’s west, and immersed in the world of immigrants who don’t care about lurid tales of terrorists or stereotypes.

“It’s political by rejecting politics,” explained Ahmad, who, like the narrator, grew up in the western suburbs and is now a doctoral candidate at the University of Western Sydney, where he also teaches creative writing. “People are not plotting, they really don’t care. Their concern is about homework, what to have for dinner, [and] their grandmother’s health.”

THOMAS MURRAY AND THE UPSIDE DOWN RIVER Reg Cribb’s (Last Cab To Darwin) new play is about a man ravaged by drought, family secrets and love.

Tom Murray’s family have been farming the land alongside the Darling River for five generations, this is all he as ever known. When his childhood friends Lucy and Billy reappear, long buried secrets are exhumed, forcing him to journey into his past and reconcile all of his wrongs to fight for his wife. (JA) Until Jan 30. SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod St, Kings Cross. $30-$38.

Tickets & info: griffintheatre. com.au or 02 9361 3817

THE FANTASTICKS The Hayes Theatre Company brings us the longest running musical in the world. Directed by Helen Dallimore, this musical is about two fathers trying to bring their children Luisa and Matt together, with the narrator El Locco putting them through trials and tribulations to teach them that you have to go through struggle before you can love someone.

(AMal) Until Jan 31. Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point.

Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Wed and Sat 2pm and Sun 5pm. $45-$55. Tickets & info: hayestheatre.com.au

raw emotional power of the performance, making it feel more personal.

As a balanced mix of intense raw emotion relieved by witty one-liners, Tender Napalm is an explosive piece of live theatre. (NB) Until Jan 30. The Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo. $25.

Tickets & info: oldfitz.com

JASPER JONES Dealing with a lot of issues – from race matters, to growing up and issues about women ¬– it’s partly a ‘whodunit’ story but mostly a coming of age tale about a couple of kids in Western Australia in the 60’s.

Jasper Jones is fictional, but set within the time frame of the Vietnam War and Australian politics. (MS) Until Feb 7. Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir Street Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $37-$92.

Tickets & info: belvoir.com.au or 8396 6242 THE GOLDEN AGE A production that still resonates with theatregoers since its

inception in 1985, strikingly exploring Australia’s dark commencement as a nation by asking the questions at the very core of our history. “The score of this narrative is huge, the story spans from the wilderness of Tasmania through to war-torn Berlin…” said director Kip Williams. “The questions that [playwright] Louis [Nowra] was asking back in the mid-eighties are questions that we’re still grappling with 30 years later…” (AH) Until Feb 20. Wharf 1 Theatre, The Wharf, Pier 4/5, Hickson Road Walsh Bay. $64. Tickets & info: sydneytheatre.com.au or 9250 1777

THE PEARLFISHERS Awardwinning theatre director Michel Gow returns to Opera Australia to direct this new production of Bizet’s muchloved work The Pearlfishers. The score does not specify a particular period, but Gow sets this production in 1860 at the height of colonialism in the East. This production is perfectly cast, with rising star Ekaterina Siurina as Léïla, José Carbó as Zurga, Pavil Breslik as Nadir and Daniel Sumegi as Nourabad. Treat your ears and eyes and go see this interesting and lovely production. (ID) Until Mar 12. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. $44-$330.

Tickets & info: opera.org.au

LA BOHEME In this tragic tale of first love, Natalie Aroyan plays the consumptive seamstress Mimi, while Yosep Kang sings Rodolfo, her confused and fickle lover. In setting the story in Germany’s Weimar Republic of the 1930s, rather than Paris in the 1830s, director Gail Edwards modernised the production and gave set designer Brian Thomson the opportunity to create the interior of a spiegeltent on stage.

(ID) Until March 23. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. $44–$330.

Tickets & info: opera.org.au or 02 9318 8200 city hub 28 JANUARY 2016

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THE NAKED CITY

REVENGE OF THE COCKIES! With Coffin Ed, Jay Katz and Miss Death It’s now one of Sydney’s most popular big events with over 60,000 tickets sold each year. Opera Australia’s extravaganza on the shores of Sydney Harbour is a multi-million-dollar production that defies the vagaries of our summer weather and the onslaught of native fauna.

Last year’s much heralded production of Aida was disrupted when marauding cockatoos decided to chew the top off the imposing centrepiece of the set.With this year’s presentation of Turandot, the organizers are taking no chances with the show stealer, a massive polystyrene Chinese dragon that has taken over 1,000 man hours to carve.All sorts of precautions have been taken to keep the sulphur crested vandals at bay, but whether they are effective remains to be seen.

Here at the Naked City we have long endorsed the policy of urban dwellers living peacefully side by side with the local indigenous fauna – be they ibis, possums or cockatoos.The latter are a somewhat recent addition to Sydney’s exploding wildlife population, adapting brilliantly to the rigours of everyday life in the CBD.Their influx has not been without controversy and from time to time the City Council has seen fit to ruthlessly cull their numbers, largely as a result of their destructive habits.

Why sulphur crested cockatoos love to chew and tear up stuff remains somewhat of a mystery and even learned ornithologists can only provide theories as to this behaviour.The popular belief is that the exuberant and highly intelligent cockies become bored and partake in communal

Dämmerschlaf

LUMINOUS WORLD An exciting new exhibition brings together a selection of 61 different paintings, photographs and ceremonial objects by some of Australia and New Zealand’s most significant contemporary artists. Collected from artists such as Paddy Bedford, Rosalie Gascoigne, Bill Henson, John Mawurndjul and Lena Yarinkura – the works all carry with them a message built around the theme of ‘light’, which carries with it a symbolic resonance. (JA) 12

city hub 28 JANUARY 2016

Dämmerschlaf explores the liminal states of creative practice and the processes of translation involved in the making and interpretation of art.

As Artspace’s first exhibition for 2016, it showcases site-specific work of three of the inaugural Artspace One Year Resident Studio Artists – Nick Dorey, Mikala Dwyer and Clare Milledge.

Dämmerschlaf is the German word for the term “twilight sleep”, which describes the medicalised sensation induced to prevent the memory of pain through a combination of analgesia (pain relief) and amnesia. Collaboratively creating an immersive experience, the artists probe the invisible forces which intrinsically link us together and address perceptions of reality, alternate spiritualties and the supernatural.

The exhibition looks at the stage of the “in-between” and the physical and conceptual divide of the studio and gallery. Unique to Dämmerschlaf, patrons will be given an opportunity to watch the artists build upon the exhibition and work on other projects in a designated space in the gallery, allowing rare behind the scenes insight.

Curator Talia Linz explained that the exhibition deals with “a state of not Until Mar 6, 10am–6pm. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh. Free.

Info: carriageworks.com.au

EL ANATSUI – FIVE DECADES Internationally acclaimed Ghanaian artist El Anatsui presents his first major exhibition in Australia.The exhibition presents more than 30 works collected from 1970 until the present, and covers a wide range of mediums from ceramics, drawings, sculptures and woodcarvings right up to the largescale, intricate and expansive installations for which Anatsui is best known for. (JA)

LLOYD REES: PAINTING WITH A PENCIL 1930-36 A celebration of Sydney telling the artists story through a series of stunning pencil drawings and sketches.

Having been an active artist for more than 70 years, Rees’s work has been the center of many exhibitions. However, this is an indepth examination of Rees’s drawings from the 30’s (a period of rapid modernization in

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CHEN QIULIN – ONE HUNDRED NAMES This exhibition includes over a decade of photographic and video work focusing on the central issues of migration, displacement, ancestry, urban development and its disruption of traditional culture and way of life. Qiulin’s favourite piece is the installation ‘One Hundred Names for Kwong Wah Chong’, the latest iteration of her ongoing video works documenting the decaying process of one hundred common Chinese family names carved from tofu. (AMal) Until Feb 27. 11am-6pm. 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, 181-187 Hay Street, Sydney. Info: 4a.com.au

destruction simply as a means of combating their ennui.What is often overlooked is that these mischievous critters are highly selective in what they attack. Combine this with the fact that they have excellent memories and Opera Australia certainly has reasons to be concerned.

We all know cockatoos not only love to screech but respond brilliantly to all manner of sounds and human noises.A rousing version of ‘Nessun

Until Feb 27, 11am-5pm, Mon-Sat. National Art School Gallery, Forbes St, Darlinghurst.

Info: nas.edu.au/NASGallery

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BOOMALLI’S ANNUAL MEMBERS SHOW Following in its tradition of showcasing exceptional Indigenous art, the Annual Members Show by Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative features the diverse works of 25 Boomalli members.This multi-media exhibition explores a wide range of topics and issues, be prepared to be enchanted! (JR) Until early Feb. Boomalli, 55-59 Flood Street, Leichhardt. Info: boomalli.com.au

Photo: Jay Serendipity

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Dorma’ is more than likely to ignite their eardrums and see them returning, en masse to the scene of last year’s crime, ready to tear that fire breathing dragon to shreds. It’s a scenario of Hollywood dimensions, one that could well attract cockies from all over Sydney, descending on the Botanic Gardens like the final scene in Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’.

Rather than repel this avian invasion we would love to see Opera Australia embrace the local population of cockatoos and incorporate them into the actual production. It might be stretching the imagination, but cockatoos are remarkable mimics and with some intensive coaching they could easily participate in some of the in the minor chorus pieces, albeit only for their ability to hit the really high notes.

The flying foxes have long been excluded from the Botanic Gardens, driven off with a mixture of Heavy Metal and old Nick Cave records, amplified to over 120db. How fitting it would be for the far more genteel Aussie Opera to welcome the fauna back, even encouraging patrons to lure a cockatoo with titbits to their shoulder for the duration of the performance.We’ve heard that the giant laser-shooting dragon is to be retained and recycled after the season. But surely it would an act of ecological symbolism, if on the final night, three or four hundred beak busting cockatoos were encouraged to rip the sucker to threads.

Hang the expense, as this is surely a gesture of good faith – an acknowledgement that cockies are as much entitled to a slice of this planet as any other animal, humans included (ferals excluded), splendour!

knowing”. She elaborated:“The works in the show might have started from a concrete solid idea but they have been given time to evolve in the space.”

According to Linz, the use of organic materials and an interest in the processes of alchemy and natural flora unite the three practices.

Dämmerschlaf encapsulates “the idea of something taking root, germinating and growing over time”. Like the actual plants in the exhibition, “the artworks are living and changing”.

A number of public programs will be hosted during the course of the exhibition, including artist talks with local sustainability collective GreenUps followed by cocktails, and a screening of Containment, a part graphic novel, part speculative documentary and part observational essay about the future of nuclear waste. (SH) GreenUps: Artists talks, cocktails and Containment screening will be held on February 2, 6pm–late.

Admission: $10 (all proceeds go to GreenUps).

Exhibition: Jan 28–Feb 28. Artspace, 43-51 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo. Free. Info: artspace.org.au

Sydney) and includes over 30 never seen before images. A classically beautiful exhibition. (NB) Until Apr 10. Museum of Sydney, Cnr Bridge and Phillips St, Sydney. $5-$10.

More info: sydneylivingmuseums.com.au WHEN SILENCE FALLS This exhibition encompasses painting, video and sculpture – presenting the work of contemporary Aboriginal artists alongside contemporary international artists. It considers the violence and loss of often-unacknowledged

historical events: cultural displacement, political oppression, ethnic cleansing and massacres. Featuring a new major acquisition

by Australian Indigenous artist Judy Watson, as well as significant loans from Naomi Milgrom, Ben Quilty, and Gene and Brian Sherman; this exhibition speaks strongly of conflict, but does not look to blame. (AM) Until May 1. 10am–5pm daily, Weds until 10pm. Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road,The Domain, Sydney.

Free (exhibition catalogue $16.95).

Info: artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE

By Jamie Apps Bondi Cigars: Throughout their 26 year career the Bondi Cigars have been constantly tweaking and perfecting their distinctive fusion of blues, funk and R&B. Now after all of this time they are set to officially launch their seventh studio album, Child In The Desert.The band have one motto when it comes to performing,“you are only as good as your last gig”, so they won’t disappoint.

Thu, Jan 28,The Basement

Fri, Jan 29, Newtown Social Club Storm The Sky: Despite announcing late last week that founding member Daniel Breen was leaving the band, Storm The Sky will live on and have even teased new music for later this year. Until then the bus will be hitting the road, supporting Short Stack with their live show which has been finished and fined tuned over the course of 2015 whilst on tour with Sleeping With Sirens, In Hearts Wake and Chiodos.

Sat, Jan 30, Metro Theatre

Luca Brasi: While everybody else was indulging on great food and relaxing over the festive break, these hard working guys from Tassie had their noses to the grindstone finalising this tour and Sydney show tomorrow. Rocketing up the Triple J charts, the boys have something special in store for fans after spending most of last year perfecting their performances supporting the likes of Violent Soho, Kisschasy and You Me At Six. Fri, Feb 29, Plan B Small Club

February Jump Up: This coming Monday the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) is bringing together internationally acclaimed musicians on one stage for one night only, to create music that will only be available to hear this one time.This mini-festival features an eight player ensemble with members from Switzerland, Norway, the Netherlands and some of Sydney’s best local talent.

Mon, Feb 1, Foundry616

Gold Class: With their debut album ‘It’s You’ now out in the wild and receiving nice support, Melbourne post-punk four piece Gold Class are eager to return to the stage and celebrate with fans tomorrow night.

Late last year the group was ranked as the third best Australian Live Act behind Courtney Barnett and Tame Impala.

Jaala: To celebrate the release of their debut album Hard Hold, Melbourne four-piece Jaala will bring their indie-rock art-pop fusion sound to Sydney midweek.

Jaala have quickly received praise for their chaotic live show, being named the standout at the BigSound festival.

Wed, Feb 3, Oxford Art Factory

Louise Love

By Jamie Apps To help cure any Mondayitis you may be suffering next week (which I’m sure we’ll all be after this shortened week), an exciting up and comer on the electronic music scene will be arriving in Sydney to close out her tour.

After having spent many years “in and out of bands and solo projects”, Louise Love first stuck her toes into the water of electronic music production just five years ago as a way to explore her creativity and enjoy the freedom that comes with creating music in this way.

“At first it was out of necessity because I needed a new way to write, I didn’t have a band at that point and I wanted more independence as a writer,” she explained.“But then I actually started to find my own sound in that medium and fell in love with that way of working.”

Working as a solo producer has allowed Louise to create her very own sound, because she is able to “take risks and put things in songs that a mainstream producer may not”.

Since taking that leap, Louise has moved to Melbourne where she has found a “really exciting burgeoning underground electronic scene” that has continued to inspire her. This newfound inspiration has led to the new EP Tantric Shuffle. The decision to release an EP was not the original plan for Louise, she had originally wanted to put out another album, but with the way she saw the environment changing in the music scene she changed tack.

Louise explained the thoughts behind this

Polaris – The Guilt & The Grief

I’ve only been at my desk for half an hour today, but I’m already getting strange looks from my co-workers and my heart is already racing. I can’t blame my morning coffee this time, today this is all due to Sydney hardcore band Polaris’ new EP. The six track offering opens up powerfully with the bands best track to date,‘Regress’.The Guilt & The Grief is packed with fast bass pedal hits and charging guitar riffs, with a blend of harsh and clean vocal from Jamie Hails.Throughout the EP, Hails’ voice is something to behold as he effortlessly flows between the two techniques, with his clean vocals a particularly surprising standout (these can often be something bands in this genre fail to pay full respect and care with).

There is however one thing holding the EP back from being a truly memorable outing for Polaris, the tracks fall into the trap of repeating the formula that they found worked in the opener.That is not to say this record isn’t worth checking out, but it’s more likely that only one or two tracks will really sink their hooks in your memory, rather than the entire body of work. (JA) WWW1/2

decision:“I think people have a changed attention span now.While albums are still important because there is so much brilliant material coming out... in order to stay relevant it’s important, especially for up and coming or unknown artists to have something coming out regularly to connect with people, so an EP is a good way to go.”

Ahead of the Sydney show Louise said she was “really looking forward” to the night as it will be the final show of the tour and “a bit of a celebration at the end of a long process.”

For people wondering what you can expect, Louise described it as “a new expression that people need to see through a different lens.” She added:“It’s not like seeing a band or a DJ, it’s seeing a semi-live electronic act who has created all of the music.There are no samples or loops from other artists, it’s all my own work and composition, it’s definitely not like EDM, techno or hard dance. It’s a different expression of electronic dance music that people find quite refreshing.”

Feb 1.The Newsagency, 375 Enmore Rd, Marrickville. $11.50.

Tickets & info: thenewsagencyvenue.com

Ewan Mackenzie and Swing Dynamique – self-titled

The familiar jazz melody makes the listener nostalgic for a time they haven’t lived. Evoking false memories of parties driven by music which seems to have a life of its own, weaving a story with plenty of ups, downs and nuances to last the evening.

Mostly instrumental, the listener can focus on the differences in tone and more fully disappear into a long lost past, a night filled with elaborate glittery dresses, a fog of smoke and not even a thought of television.

Back on this side of reality, with only a few notes, the listener can always return to the sewn-together creation, to the moment it turns to intrigue and becomes sinister, continuing off into the possibilities of the night.

Blissfully ignorant of the current year, grab an immortal partner and dance off into the life of the music. (SP) WWW

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Room

Spotlight

worthy of forgiving the film’s structure. Both actors perfectly capture the emotions and stress that one would feel being so suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar environment.

The story of Room is told predominantly through the eyes of Jack as he grows older and becomes more inquisitive about the situation, this keeps the film from becoming too dark.

Ultimately the thing the audience takes away from this film is a sense of hope, that despite any horror you may endure you can survive.

(JA) WWWW1/ 2

Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company Live presents The Winter’s Tale Revolutionizing the cinema and theatre experience, the first season of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company Live brings to the big screen a unique escapade: The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare’s classic tragicomedy of obsession and redemption.

Gripping performances and an artistic re-imagining of the classic lends The Winter’s Tale an aura of fine production. Judi Dench as Paulina steals the show, with Adam Garcia as Lord Amadis and Kenneth Branagh as Leontes making this version a vibrant and mesmerizing production of glittering brilliance.

Co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, The Winter’s Tale tells the story of King Leontes, whose jealousy results in

WORLD SQUARE SILENT CINEMA The World Square is hosting its free outdoor cinema and it will be difficult to find a better way to spend those lazy summer evenings than just taking a seat back and relaxing as you get to enjoy the classics: favourites like The Holiday and Love Actually and cult-classics such as Muriel’s Wedding, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Romeo & Juliet will ensure that audiences are glued to the headphones and deckhairs provided by the organisers. (JR) Until Mar 16, 7pm Weds. World Square, 680 George Street, Sydney.

Free. Info: ticketpro.com.au or worldsquare.com.au LOOKING FOR GRACE A teenage girl is on the run, her panicked parents are in pursuit, and a large sum of cash is missing in this suspenseful, fragmented film.Writer/director Sue Brooks is definitely more infatuated with the small moments than the overall plot. Unexpected characters and twists are continually introduced, 14

city hub 28 JANUARY 2016

a bread crumb trail of clues reveals dark secrets of greed and passion, amusing anecdotes, pure moments of human connection and all eventually taking a much darker turn than you would have foreseen. Patient viewers should find pleasure in this remarkably packaged Australian film. (AM) WWW1/2 THE HATEFUL EIGHT Quentin Tarantino’s eighth film is truly an epic, clocking in at over three hours long for the 70mm offering (which is highly recommended).The film sees eight despicable characters trapped together within Minnie’s Haberdashery as a means of escaping a brutal Wyoming blizzard.The ensemble cast, which has for a large part been drawn from past Tarantino films, all perform stunningly.This is very much a signature Tarantino offering, with extremely graphic scenes broken up by moments of dark humour that will have you cringing at yourself for even laughing. (JA) WWWW

him risking his power, wealth, loving family and trusted friends.

Perhaps the most striking element is the use of visuals and colours.

What’s even more delighting is this newfound weird sense of watching a play and a movie at the same time, the performances so realistic yet choreographed.

Broadcast to Australian cinemas only for a limited run, to watch or not to watch should not be a question – go watch it. (JR/JRoth) WWW1/ 2

Those four journalists, Walter “Robby” Robinson (Michael Keaton), Sacha Pfieffer (Rachel McAdams), Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo) and Matt Carroll (Brian d’Arcy James) are played expertly, with each of them having very distinctive personalities and individual stories to convey.

Spotlight is a masterpiece in that it manages to perfectly balance all of these separate yet intertwined stories, and ensure each piece of the puzzle seems just as relevant as the last. This is one of the best films to tackle investigative journalism and leaves the audience with the nagging question of what will happen to this type of journalism if newspapers continue down the path we see today. (JA) WWWW1/ 2

Photo: Johan Persson

Based off the novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue, Room is a film essentially in two halves. The first exploring the horrifying circumstances as captives in a 10 by 10 windowless room that Jack (Jacob Tremblay) and his Ma (Brie Larson) live in before escaping. This is where the second half of the film kicks in, as Jack and Ma adjust to the outside world in very contrasting ways – one is seeing it for the first time while the other is having to readjust.

Due to this structure the film does feel a touch disjointed, but thankfully the performances by Tremblay and Larson are outstanding and

Despite its unassuming title, Spotlight boasts a story which makes it a film everyone must see.

The title of the film is drawn from the Boston Globe’s investigative journalism team who uncovered the atrocities committed by a remarkably large number of Catholic Priests, firstly in Boston and then later around the world.

This film could easily have become slow, plodding and depressing – but it masterfully avoids those pitfalls by mixing the overarching story of the Catholic Church with the day-to-day task of digging through documents and chasing leads while researching the horrors, the stories of some of the survivors, and finally the tales of the four journalists tasked with the high pressure assignment.

Broadcast live to select cinemas between Jan 30 and Feb 4.

Tickets & info on participating cinemas: the-winters-tale. branaghtheatrelive.com

CAROL Cate Blanchett plays Carol, a glamorous and refined lady living in a loveless marriage who meets and falls in love with Therese (Rooney Mara), a much younger lady who is desperate to break away from her mundane life. Undeniably the best film of the year, this is pure cinematic indulgence, artistically flawless with electrifying performances from Blanchett and Mara who are supported by a high-calibre cast.

Audiences will be allured by their magnetic attraction and the love affair, which escalates sensually and erotically. (MMo) WWWW1/2 POINT BREAK A re-make of Kathryn Bigelow’s 1991 surfercrime film, this fails to retain the charisma and chemistry that made the original such a cult classic.

Following Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey), a motorcross champion turned FBI recruit, in his undercover assignment into a group of extreme athletes who pull

off a string of fantastical crimes.

While the stunts are extraordinary to watch, it hardly makes up for the constant dismissal of logic in the plot, nor the failure to develop rich characters. (ES) WW1/2 GOOSEBUMPS To finally see the Goosebumps book series by R.L. Stine come to life on the big screen is a dream come true for many. The stories are brought together in the vain of Jumanji, with magic books summoning the monsters from the stories – this was a great way to bring these non-connected stories together. Jack Black is effective in his role as R.L. Stine, but at times the voice he uses for the character can become grating. (JA) WWW1/2 SUFFRAGETTE A slow paced dramatic story about the working class foot soldiers of the early feminist movement. Through a mix of fictional characters and historical

figures, Suffragette highlights a time of extreme women’s activism, but it’s a white washed interpretation.

Cary Mulligan is genuine in protagonist Maud’s journey from a passive victim of circumstance to active member of the suffragette movement, as is Anne-Marie Duff as the tough-as-nails Violet. Underlying tones in the dialogue highlight problematic attitudes that still exist today. By all means let the drama absorb you, but for a better historical understanding, do your homework. (AM) WWW THE BELIER FAMILY A heartwarming and very funny comedydrama from France about family, first love, independence and the emotional stress in making lifechanging decisions. Paula Belier (Louane Emera) lives and works on a farm with her parents and brother who are all deaf and mute.

When her music teacher suggests she audition for a reputable music

school in Paris, she must consider the possibility of leaving her family to follow her dream of becoming a singer. The ongoing use of sign intensifies the emotions as the parents inadvertently disallow their daughter from taking her first step towards independence. (MMo) WWWW YOUTH Fred (Michael Caine), a celebrated composer, is being badgered to come out of retirement for one last performance. On top of that, his neglected daughter Lina (Rachael Weisz) needs advice and comfort.

His old friend Mick (Harvey Keitel) struggles to complete the script for what he hopes will be his last great film. Together, they ponder life, relationships, the future, the past, and other guests at an exclusive retreat. A picturesque, wry and poignant film which will leave you pondering what exactly is ‘youth’.

(CCov) WWW

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