City Hub 29 October 2015

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city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

Archway Theatre ordered out of archway

BY RYAN QUINN An Annandale art studio and theatre will be forced to vacate its unique archway location after struggles with the City of Sydney Council.

As previously reported by City Hub, The Archway 1 Theatre Company and Coffee Co. in Annandale was marked for replacement by a skatepark in the Johnstons Creek Parklands Master Plan 2013.

Now, following a City of Sydney Council meeting on Monday, October 26, the decision has been finalised.

According to a City of Sydney spokesperson, the 2013 Master Plan was developed before the theatre was operating and was therefore offered a short term lease in the meantime.

However, the theatre’s co-founders, Rachel Jordan and Stefan von Reiche claim that they have actually occupied the space since 2003.

City Hub also understands that the theatre and coffee shop received an order to stop operating in September this year, due to consent issues.

“No development consent has been sought nor given for the current use of the premises for theatrical purposes with an associated ticket sales box office and coffee shop,” the notice said.

Prior to the Archway 1 Theatre Company and Coffee Co. opening in 2012, it had been used as an art space by Ms Jordan and Mr von Reiche since 2005 with no trouble.

Mr von Reiche told City Hub earlier this month that there was an understanding that consent was received for an art performance space with associated use.

“From our understanding when we sat down with them three years ago, we asked if we could use it as a theatre space and if we could serve our patrons drinks,” he said.

“The council said ‘sure, go ahead and do that’. But it was all verbal, it wasn’t in writing.

Archways in Wentworth Park. Source: Wikicommons

So we were under the impression that we were able to do what we were doing.”

Mr von Reiche said that the consent issue was only brought to the council’s attention when a theatre patron complained that the strictly-vegan coffee shop did not serve dairy.

The theatre had also received a threat of closure when it first began operating, according to Mr von Reiche, who said that council supported the theatre space.

“I’m not wanting to speak badly about council because initially [City of Sydney Lord Mayor] Clover Moore herself was very supportive of what we were doing. She encouraged the council to keep us here,” he said.

Council put forward the motion to relocate the theatre unanimously on Monday, with councillors expressing sadness that they would have to be moved.

City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone also highlighted at the meeting that the site is uncertified in accordance with standard fire codes.

“Obviously we don’t want to throw them out, but we want to make sure what they’re doing is safe,” Ms Barone said.

She also said at an environment committee meeting on Monday October 19 that the threat of closure stems from local residents wanting the arches opened up ten years ago.

“It’s not a question of appreciation, it’s a question of having the arches open,” she told the committee.

However, a petition to save the attached Archway 1 Theatre Company and Coffee Co. had received 795 signatures in support over the past three months.

Ms Jordan told City Hub that the area would be at a loss without them.

“There’s nothing around the area like us, and there’s probably nothing in the inner west that caters to such a large demographic like we do. I mean we cater from ages three to 80,” she said.

“We’re representing the community’s genuine need for theatre and cultural space really. We use the space for photography, art exhibitions, art classes, acting classes. It’s more like a multi-use training facility.”

“It’s kind of like being asked to move out when you don’t want to move out, and your neighbours don’t want you to move.”

City of Sydney Greens Councillor Irene Doutney had also put out a petition of her own, which received 1,080 signatures in support, but voted in council to relocate the business.

“I do want to help them relocate and to keep them there a little longer so that they have time to organise themselves,” Clr Doutney said.

The theatre and City of Sydney had also received numerous letters during the consultation period to support the petition, including one from Sydney University Architectural Design Tutor Sarah Breen Lovett.

“Their current tenancy at Archway 1 supports Sydney’s grass roots arts scene, in exactly the same way that City of Sydney Council aims to cultivate with its Arts Planning Policies,” she said in a 2012 letter to the City during community consultation.

She also said that the space provides “the arts community, and broader Sydney community with a unique space to network, exhibit and create within the arts”.

It is yet to be decided where the theatre will be moved to.

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BY CH RI STOPH E R HARRI S The findings of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s investigation into the viability of N SW local councils have been slammed by councils across Sydney.

Marrickville Council is seeking “urgent legal advice” after it was found to be too small in the tribunal’s investigation.

Marrickville Greens Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore moved the motion to seek legal advice in a council meeting on Tuesday, October 20.

“We will explore every avenue to protect our strong council and the community services it provides,” she said.

“The I PART report released yesterday was no surprise.

It found two thirds of Sydney councils ‘unfit’ - not because they don’t have strong finances, but because they are smaller than the N SW Government wants.”

The report found that Marrickville council was ‘fit’, but failed on the ‘scale and capacity’ category.

“Under the rigged criteria, Marrickville Council could have a billion dollars in the bank and we would still have been found ‘unfit’, because we’d still be too small in the government’s eyes,” Clr Ellsmore told the council at Tuesday’s meeting.

On Wednesday, October 28, Leichhardt’s mayor Darcy Byrne revealed that the council was “considering” which neighbouring councils it may merge with.

“Council has received legal advice that, although it may be subject to challenge, the State has the legal power to suspend Council and appoint an administrator.

The council was found fit on all counts except for the scale and capacity benchmark. Greens Councillor Daniel Kogey told City Hub last week that The Greens were opposed to any amalgamations. “ That state government wants to get rid of Leichhardt Council because we fight for sustainable development and open space over 16,000 apartments in the Bays Precinct, quality public transport and bike paths rather than the WestConnex, community participation in decision making

rather than unaccountable mega corporate councils.”

Local councils now have 30 days to respond to the findings of the report.

Councils who submit merger proposals to the Department of Premier and Cabinet before November 18 will be given $10 million to cover costs of merging.

A bonus $15 million will be given to these councils for local facilities.

It is unclear whether the councils will be forced to merge, and if they are, whether this funding will also be given to the forced councils.

A statement released by Leichhardt Council noted that the “state has not clearly stated what it will do with unfit councils that don’t agree to a merger”.

The City of Sydney also failed to be “fit for the future”, but was judged in the ‘Global City’ category requiring 600,000 ratepayers, a different category to other councils.

City of Sydney Labor Councillor Linda Scott called the decision about the required size “arbitrary”.

“The City of Sydney has been found capable of being fit for the future against the criteria in the I PART report, including financial criteria. The only reason why the government is claiming otherwise is that the City does not meet the government’s own arbitrary figure for size,” Clr Scott said.

One council appeared happy with the report, as I PART deemed the Randwick-Waverley merger as ‘fit’.

Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza said it was a good decision.

“This is great news for our residents, ratepayers, staff and combined local communities, and I am pleased to see all our hard work and leadership has paid off,” Clr D’Souza said.

“We listened to our community, who clearly told us earlier this year that they value our eastern beaches identity and strongly oppose becoming part of a global city council with the City of Sydney, as originally proposed by the Independent Local Government Review Panel.” city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

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George St: the ‘car-nage’ that never came

BY KENJI SATO “Changing how you travel A section of George Street was can help us break congestion, closed to all traffic last week in because we can’t always deliver preparation for the CBD light rail the amount of capacity or absorb construction. people who want to travel. We Sydneysiders were told to brace need to do it differently and for high levels of congestion on smarter,” she said.

Monday morning, due to the Mr Gay said he was closure between Market and King concerned that emergency streets. vehicles might struggle to But despite fears of make their way through the ‘carmageddon’, the traffic went city, now that a main arterial along “reasonably well”, according road was closed off. to NSW Roads Minister Duncan “Accidents will test us. We CEO Coordinator General Marg Prendargast with Roads Gay. have enough up our sleeves Minisiter Duncan Gay. Photo: Kenji Sato “It’s just a great result. Can we to have covered an accident say thank you to the people of Sydney, you’ve just been because people are being so terrific,” he said. fantastic,” Mr Gay said on Monday.

However, while the government has praised the He said that the level of traffic in the CBD on Monday decrease in people utilising George Street, City of Sydney was the same as the week before, but that it was much Councillor and business owner Angela Vithoulkas said more evenly spread out. that the potentially dire consequences for small business “But people have done the right thing and have moved had been ignored. their systems of travelling into the CBD. They’ve changed “People have been told what to do to make the their travel times and they’ve also moved to public transport.” government’s life easier, nobody has jumped in to make However, Mr Gay told Sydneysiders not to let their the life of the small business owner easier. All they have guards down, and warned that the situation might is effectively a message of ‘wait and see’. I cant write a worsen throughout the week. cheque out for my rent to ‘wait and see’”, she said.

“Don’t get complacent, don’t go back to your bad Although Clr Vithoulkas said she did not have “a old ways, otherwise we are going to continue to have marketing degree or a PHD in Urban Planning”, she said problems,” he said. it was clear that the government’s planned ‘activation CBD Coordinator General Marg Prendergast said that strategy’ for business activity during construction was Sydneysiders had heeded her warnings and avoided the misguided.

CBD during peak hour.

“I hope that someone does a street count, and tells me “What we’ve seen today is what Sydney could be like,” this is a good investment and spending of public money,” Ms Prendergast told reporters on Monday. she said. “[Commuters] heeded our warning and tried public On December 3, another section of George Street transport, travelled a bit earlier or later or travelled along the between Market and Park streets will be closed. edges.”

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city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

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Council News

MAYOR‘S MESSAGE Sculpture by the Sea Congratulations to Barbara Licha for her whimsical sculpture ‘listen time passes’ for winning the $5,000 Waverley Mayor’s prize.

It is the first time Barbara has won a prize for her work so it was lovely to award it to her.

Finalists in Green Globe Awards Our Eastern Suburbs Sustainable Business Program, which is a partnership between Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick, was named a finalist for Water Efficiency at the Green Globe Awards. The program aims to achieve meaningful reductions in water use across the Eastern Suburbs. We targeted businesses with the highest water usage and we have been able to achieve water savings of 670,000 litres a day, across 350 participating businesses. Well done to everyone involved – it is a true testament of strong collaboration between neighbouring Councils.

New Year’s Eve at Dudley Reserve Can you believe the festive season will be upon us soon? We have released tickets for families to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks from one of Sydney’s prime locations, Dudley Page Reserve.

You can purchase your ticket through moshtix.com.au or by calling 1300 438 849.

Tickets are also available at Waverley Council Customer Service Centre, Spring Street, Bondi Junction.

Events

November/December 2015 Dads Read 21 November, 10–10.30am Waverley Library Stories, songs and movement especially for 0–5 year olds and their male carers. Dads, grandads, uncles, big brothers and male caregivers/mentors are encouraged to come along.

Mums, grandmums, aunts and sisters also welcome. Booking must be made via eventbrite.com.au.

Carols By The Sea Wednesday 9 December, from 6pm Bondi Pavilion Come together in the spirit of Christmas. Children’s entertainment will commence at 6pm followed by Christmas tunes.

Bring a rug or cushion to sit on, a donation of cash or non-perishable food items for local charity Norman Andrews House and of course your singing voices and Christmas spirit.

For more event info visit our website waverley.nsw.gov.au.

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022 PO Box 9, Bondi Junction NSW 1355 PHONE 9369 8000 WEB waverley.nsw.gov.au 6

city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

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Big not always better

BY RYAN QUINN City of Sydney Council will retain its planning powers, despite rumoured threat from the proposed “undemocratic” Greater Sydney Commission.

Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson said that draft legislation brought into NSW parliament this week gives the commission the power to make Local Environmental Plans, District Plans and to determine Sydney’s future.

“The Sydney Planning Panels will be determining development applications over $20 million and the commission will have the authority to make Local Environmental Plans (LEPs),” Mr Johnson said.

Local Environment Plans are currently a council responsibility.

City of Sydney’s Central Sydney Planning Committee will, however, retain its power to determine applications for major developments with an estimated cost of more than $50 million.

Other councils aren’t as lucky though, with the commission looking to split Sydney into six regional planning districts.

Greens MLC David Shoebridge said that the draft legislation gives enormous planning power to a commission which is “undemocratic” and “lacks accountability”.

Mr Shoebridge said that the commission will be handed appeals power, originally introduced to the Department of Planning in 2011, to allow for the approval of spot rezonings even if council has opposed it.

“If a developer came to a council and wanted a significant increase for the zoning of a site to increase what they build on it, traditionally council had a veto on it which was unappeasable,” he said.

“At least when the Minister approved a rezoning, which local residents might be offended by, they could hold that Minister accountable in the next election.”

The commission’s appointed nominees won’t be bound to consult with local councils or residents and won’t be required to be democraticallyaccountable.

Mr Johnson said it was important that the commission was separate from the Department of

Sydney’s CBD. Source: Wikicommons

Planning and the Planning Minister.

He said that the commission “clearly” would have to work within the strategies for the city, under new District Plans.

“So there is always a top-down structure across the planning of the city because if the government is going to put a new metro system, they can’t let 40 different councils decide on where it should go.”

The commission’s inception comes in the wake of the IPART recommendations that the City was not fit for the future in its current capacity.

Mr Johnson said that regardless of how, or if, councils are merged, the strategic planners from each council should collaborate to provide a district-wide service.“A plan B option to forcing amalgamation would be to say well let’s at least get the planners into an alignment with what’s going to happen with the future plan of the city,” he said.

Sydney needs bike infrastructure

BY JACK SMITH Rates of commuting by cycling in the Sydney CBD are comparatively low against other capital cities, according to Bicycle Network’s new website, Bike Account.

The City of Sydney’s LGA ranked 17th on the list for all major cities in Australia for proportion of bike riders riding to work, far behind places like Marrickville, Melbourne and Port Philip.

Bicycle Network, a advocacy group promoting the benefits of cycling, collated the information to “inform citizens” about cycling statistics.

The group’s chief external relations officer, Chris Carpenter, said that Sydney was not seeing a “boom in bike riding” due to lacking infrastructure.

Bike Account showed that Sydney’s congestion has the highest avoidable costs if more bicycle infrastructure were built, with a possible $7 billion in savings.

The website’s research indicates that spending more on infrastructure development increased cycling rates.

Mr Carpenter said that most councils and governments at least “boasted ambitions” for improving cycling facilities.

“However when the plans are mere window dressing, with little commitment for change, progress stalls. What communities need is a public and transparent approach to monitor, measure and report on the development of bike riding—and that’s what our Bike Account does.”

Peak hour for cyclists in Denmark. Source: Wikicommons

He said riding a bike to work could be a good way to offset the low levels of physical activity. Bike Account’s figures mirror comments made by Bike Sydney’s David Borella to City Hub earlier this month.

“It’s clear that the design of CBD cycle ways – which the RMS clearly took over – needs to be transferred to either the City of Sydney or Transport for NSW or even NSW Health or the Greater Sydney Commission,” Mr Borella said.

He added that a “modern approach” was needed, which would incorporate all users and keep “Sydney agile”.

Bowling club is growing up

Baird’s office under siege from anti-WestConnex front

BY WENDY BACON A group of anti-Westconnex campaigners occupied NSW Premier Mike Baird’s office on Monday, October 26 to protest against undemocratic planning processes in the WestConnex development.

Specifically in the protester’s sights was the proposed M4 East tunnel between Homebush and Haberfield in Sydney’s inner west.

Two of the protesters locked onto the door of the Premier’s electoral office in Manly, while the group demanded that the project be suspended until there has been an independent review.

Police were called and protesters told City Hub that they could hear a police helicopter circling overhead.

After about an hour, they agreed to leave without anyone being arrested.

‘No WestConnex Public Transport’ spokesperson Cassi Plate accused the government of circumventing normal planning processes.

“WestConnex has failed the single gateway review that has been conducted, there is no publicly available business case for the project, and the NSW Auditor General has raised serious concerns about this project.

Yet despite all this, hundreds of homes and businesses are being compulsorily acquired and work has already commenced,” Ms Plate said.

The WestConnex planning process is highly unusual, as billion dollar construction contracts have been let. Hundreds of residents along the M4 East route in Strathfield, Concord and Haberfield are being forced from their homes before Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) have even been lodged or planning approval granted.

Another of the protesters Pam Blacker told City Hub that it was a case of “planning done backwards”. “[The] Premier already knows the outcome he wants, and everything else is being compromised and manipulated to achieve the outcome,” Ms Blacker said.

“The Premier is ramming this down our throats, and families and businesses facing eviction have no opportunity to respond.”

Anti-WestConnex campaigners also complained that by dealing with the project in stages, the government

was preventing any scrutiny of the total negative impacts of the project.

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes did not reply to hundreds of letters from residents asking for an extension to the 55 day period allowed to submit responses to the 5000 word EIS statement.

With only one week to go in the time allocation, the NSW Planning Department finally wrote to several residents telling them that no extension would be granted.

This only leaves groups and residents until November 2 to submit their objections.

Ashfield Council has already published its submission, which includes reports from independent consultants who have pointed to hundreds of inadequacies in the traffic, air quality and other sections of the WestConnex EIS report.

City of Sydney and Leichhardt Councils’ submissions are also expected to reject the project.

Engineering giant AECOM was paid millions to do the EIS, although it has strong commercial interests in the project and recently settled a damages case resulting from false traffic predictions for the Clem7 tunnel in Brisbane for more than $250 million.

National Trust (NSW) has lodged a submission which is scathing about WestConnex’s plan to demolish scores of heritage homes in the internationally recognised Haberfield Conservation Area.

The Trust claims that such destruction should not be allowed and that the $15.5 billion cost of the project should be spent on other projects, including public transport.

Greens Balmain MP Jamie Parker and Newtown MP Jenny Leong have already collected hundreds of submissions, and Labor Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen organised a EIS workshop which resulted in more than 150 critical submissions.

An EIS writing pub night has even been organised at the Newtown Social Club in Newtown on Wednesday evening.

Information about how to make a submission can be found on the People’s EIS website

Avid garenders at the Club. Source: supplied.

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS Pristine lawn greens have long been the domain of Australian bowling clubs.

But Marrickville Bowling Club is branching out, with an off shoot gardening project which is ‘greening up’ the place and drawing the community together.

Last week, members of the club celebrated the hundredth pot as part of their plan for a community garden.

The idea for the garden, which features native and edible plants, came from bowls volunteers Ross Carson and Mary Crotty.

The club’s board of directors were enthusiastic about the garden from the get go.

The club’s treasurer, Janet McClean, said that the garden was welcome because of the extra greenery it brought to the built-up, light industrial suburb.

“What Ross and Mary proposed was creating something new and green. A bonus for the club that everyone can enjoy, plus if you need something for tonight’s recipe, it’s there for the picking,” Ms McClean said.

The garden began as no more than “a few succulents in hanging pots” but now the garden has enveloped the club’s two bowling greens.

Still not happy with the level of plants, Mr Carson sowed the seed for the goal of a hundred pots.

“We’re avid gardeners – love it,” Mr Carson said.

“We saw an opportunity to create something that makes a green difference at the bowlo. Our chance to give something back in a way we enjoy.”

The growth in the garden has translated to more volunteers who are helping with the upkeep of the garden.

Volunteers dig weeds out for “an hour or so” and are rewarded with a “bag of fresh leafy greens”.

“I like that I can make a contribution and this is a valuable one, I think,” Ms Crotty said.

The garden is still in its early stages and those wishing to volunteer can contact the club.

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HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD Join us to hear about our plans for the area and: We want your help to create the • discover how a new park, community facilities, public art and heritage interpretation will contribute heart of the future to a new neighbourhood in North Eveleigh North Eveleigh neighbourhood, next • discuss the design and layout of new buildings being considered, consistent with our broader work in the to Carriageworks.

Central to Eveleigh corridor.

What we hear at the workshop will help us to finalise a development proposal for public exhibition in early 2016.

To register: www.centraltoeveleigh.com.au or call 1800 756 953 For more information: www.centraltoeveleigh.com.au

North Eveleigh Community Workshop Date: Thursday 12 November 2015 Time: 6pm to 9pm including light refreshments (registrations from 5.30pm) Venue: Bay 4 Dining Hall, Australian Technology Park, Locomotive Street, Eveleigh Pedestrian access: From Redfern station via Bay 1, through the Blacksmiths’ Workshop heritage display, main building entrance via Bay 8 Register: By Monday 9 November 2015 at www.centraltoeveleigh.com.au or on 1800 756 953

Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS) Call 13 14 50 if you need help understanding English and TIS will phone UrbanGrowth NSW for you at no cost. city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

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Sydney Startup Week starts up

BY KENJI SATO This week Sydney played host to Startup Week, Australia’s largest gathering of aspiring and established entrepreneurs.

From 23 - 30 October, local entrepreneurs were invited to attend over 50 events spread throughout Sydney, everything from workshops, to pitching events, to ‘startup speed dating’.

Startup Week Australia’s stated objective is to showcase the talents of existing entrepreneurs and startups.

It also hopes to to encourage all Australians to get involved in creating and supporting startups, as well as facilitating greater investment and commercial engagement between Australian Tech startups and large organisations.

But Kym Kraljevic, the Community and Engagement manager of Piivot, a partnership of Sydney startups, government, and educational organisations, said that her priority was building up Australia’s young startup scene.

“We need to create more connections across the startup community,” she said.

“We didn’t want to preach to the converted.

We’ve managed to get a lot of people on board who are new to it.”

“People think it must be difficult to get involved, but they are surprised about how open it is, and the amount of opportunities there are.”

“Sometimes we’ve got to give people that extra hand to take that first step to get inside a new community. And that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Australia’s startup scene has been described as ‘non-existent’, but there has been significant growth in Sydney, which now houses 64% of Australia’s startup businesses.

Where Piivot is located in Ultimo in particular is described as Sydney’s biggest Tech and Creative

Startups have been trying to plan to grow the industry. Source: Twitter

Digital Hub, with the highest concentration of tech startups in Australia.

According to a survey by StartUp Muster, Ultimo boasts 51.9 startups per square kilometre - and that number only continues to grow.

Ms Kraljevic said that the future of Australia’s startup scene was in tech and creative industries.

“Creativity is a prerequisite of innovation. We need to support our creative industries as well and help them to use digital technologies and celebrate the ones that are doing it. Just look at ones like Animal Logic.”

Animal Logic is an Ultimo studio that

Invitation

produces special effects for movies around the world, and they have recently discovered an innovative way to implement their technologies, Ms Kraljevic told City Hub. “At the University of Technology, Sydney, for example, there’s a data arena. It’s a 360 data arena used to analyse big data – monster data sets to look at things from microbiology to assessing all sorts of complex issues,” she said.

The data arena allows you to see the data in 360 degrees and is powered by Animal Logic software and technology generally used for digital effects for films.

“We’re seeing these really beautiful ways in which technologies are coming together and bouncing off each other.”

However, financing has been a challenge for Australian startups.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, the difficulty of finding investors has prompted many young Australian entrepreneurs to take their idea overseas for investors, and lobby groups are calling on the government to provide financial support to startups.

“Finance is a problem for any business. There’s always different entities and organisations that are very good at lobbying governments to make those changes and I think there’s some strong ones out there already with a strong voice,” Ms Kraljevic said.

“In the last month we hear rumblings for government about changes and recognition about what’s happening in the startup community.”

“London’s startup scene flourished on government intervention. Piivot has good relationships with government, so I think there’s probably government intervention assistance on the horizon, and that will be well received. Sydney is different from London, but there’s other things we do strongly.”

“It’s something that takes a bit of analysis of where the deficit is to find some support – where government can make the best impact? We’re interested in looking at what the conditions are that are necessary for a strong, robust ecosystem.”

“I think our startup community is incredibly strong, and it’s a great collective of incredible people that need support. I think once you’re part of it – it’s collaborative, it’s supportive, there’s so many resources. It’s been nothing but a pleasure to work in.”

“All the events we’re doing at startup week, the Piivot events, we consider them pilots as well.

We’re trying new things all the time. We’re a startup startup,” she said.

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to the launch of Chelsea Street Playground Saturday 7 November 2015 12pm–2pm Corner Chelsea and Stanley streets, Redfern The City of Sydney invites you to celebrate the opening of the revitalised Chelsea Street Playground.

I will officially open the new playground at 12.30pm and there will be free entertainment and refreshments.

We worked with the local community, including children at Bourke Street Public School, to redesign the playground.

Come and see what we’ve created and enjoy the new play equipment, relaxation areas and landscaping.

Clover Moore Lord Mayor of Sydney

For more information visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/whatson or call 02 9265 9333

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Flicking the switch: Marrickville turns off the red lights

BY ANGIRA BHARADWAJ Sex workers are not allowed to conduct business within their own homes in Marrickville, despite no community complaints or raised concerns.

Over the last few years, changes to the 2011 Marrickville Local Environment Plan have effectively prohibited home base sex work within the local government area.

Marrickville Mayor Sam Iskander told City Hub that he thought home-based sex premises were dangerous and that he believed the broader community was actually against it.

“Most of the neighbours will be against it, the community will be against it, the school will be against it, and it will be a place to bring trouble,” Clr Iskander said.

He said that support in council for allowing home based sex work was in the minority.

Clr Iskander said the council followed state guidelines in its treatment of home based sex work.

“We want the workers and clients safe,” he said.

“When you have such a thing open next to the neighbours and the neighbours are not happy, then we have a problem.”

Although the mayor said the council is opposed to sex work as a home occupation, he said he welcomed community opinion on the matter.

Ruby, a 27 year old sex worker who asked not to be identified, told City Hub she believed the prohibition of home-based sex showed a lack of understanding around the role of councils in regulating the sex industry.

She has lived and worked from her home in Marrickville for the past six years, before and after the prohibition of residential sex work.

“The intention of decriminalisation [of

prostitution in NSW] was to remove any rules or regulations that unfairly impact on sex workers as a legitimate occupation,” she said.

“Banning home occupation sex services or people like me who are self-employed and working from home from a council area is against the intention of the decriminalisation of sex work and it’s also against the intention of state legislation to do with sex work.”

She said the ban was not only bad for business, but contributed to discrimination and stigma experienced by those in the industry.

“Banning home-based sex workers from a local council area sets up an instance of treating certain group like second class citizens.”

Marrickville Greens Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore said council records showed that there had been no complaints over the past year in relation to sex workers operating from home.

She told City Hub that the tweak in the 2011 Local Environment Plan (LEP) had meant that home-based sex workers were now on the wrong side of the law, even though there had been no complaints from the local community.

“In the same way that hairdressers, lawyers or accountants running their own business from home do not require a DA, neither should sex workers,” Clr Ellsmore said.

“Unfortunately, Marrickville Council’s LEP which was not supported by the Greens - includes a prohibition on sex work as a home occupation everywhere in the LGA. We would like to see this changed,” she said.

“Research shows that sex workers and their clients are safer if sex workers can work from their own home.”

“Not recognising this leaves these businesses largely unregulated, and further drives sex work underground, increasing the risk of violence and exploitation.”

Clr Ellsmore said that she was pleased to note in the report of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Regulation of Brothels that Marrickville had not engaged the services of a private investigator to locate illegal sex work.

“The use of private investigators by local councils is an appalling practice that doesn’t work, and has a high risk of corruption or abuse by people working or pretending to be private investigator,” she said.

“The risk of this kind of abuse and corruption when police were primarily responsible for investigating brothels is why the NSW Government decided to decriminalise sex work years ago.”

The issue may not just be confined to Marrickville, as other Sydney councils have also banned this form of sex work.

President of advocacy group Touching Base, Saul Isbister, said he was “disgusted and alarmed” to find out that 32 of 40 Sydney metro councils had prohibited home-based sex work.

Seven councils require a DA to run home-based work in the Sydney area, which Mr Isbister said compromised the privacy and safety of sex workers.

He said the sex workers were “being discriminated against for no valid reason”.

While Marrickville Council’s decision has caused concern amongst the industry, Mr Isbister told City Hub that the issue goes beyond local councils.

“The state government has seemingly washed its hands of any responsibility in regards to regulating the home based sector of the sex industry in NSW,” he said.

President of Touching Base Saul Isbister. Souce: Supplied

“It provides directions to councils of the need to accommodate commercial premises but remains silent when councils prohibit the home based sector.”

He said the banning of home-based sex work leads to increased pressure and mental strain for workers.

“Touching Base has been considering ways that we may in fact take court action against Marrickville Council in regards to their prohibition of home based sex work.”

The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into brothels found last month that Marrickville Council received 93 complaints about brothels and sex services premises in the area over the last five years, but no complaints about home-based sex work.

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Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) wish to inform the community of a proposal for the operation of temporary telecommunications facility in Sydney at Dawes Point Park and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens. The proposals will provide additional services to the people in the area during the New Years period. The temporary facilities will operate from the 7 December 2015 to the 4 January 2016.

The proposal involves the following activities:  The delivery and set up of the equipment containing the equipment room and pump up radio mast;  The installation of three (3) panel antennas and one (1) radio dish on the top of the radio mast at a height of approximately 15 metres;  The placement of a diesel generator adjacent to the base station;  Associated and necessary works to ensure the proper functioning of the telecommunications facility including guy wires, fencing, cabling, electrical works, signage and safe access.

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city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

9

ARTS FEATURE

Gruesome Discoveries:

Friday Oct 30, 6.30–9.30pm.

Australian Museum, 6 College St, Sydney. $19 pre-sale, $22 on the door.

Sydney’s Museum of Horrors for Halloween Visitors will also have exclusive access to ‘pick the

BY ALANNAH MAHER brains’ (metaphorically speaking) of the knowledgeable Are you hunting down an unconventional event to kick resident scientists, who will be conducting three-to-five off your Halloween weekend? While disgruntled people minute ‘speed talks’ detailing their first hand discoveries shake their fists at jack o’ lanterns and argue about of amazingly gruesome animals including vampire whether Halloween should even be acknowledged and squid, deep sea isopods, bot flies and screw worms. celebrated in Australia––the fun seekers, macabre lovers Leading amphibian biologist Dr Jodi Rowley will be and science fans among us can zombie-march down to chatting about the brick red ‘Vampire Frogs’ she came the Australian Museum this Friday evening, where across in a remote mountain rainforest in Vietnam.

Sydney’s favourite prehistoric party will be unleashing a “They have an amazing adaptation that I didn’t realise world of delightful horrors. until I got some tadpoles back to the Stepping things up a few notches from the Australian museum,” explained Dr traditional haunted house, this special Halloween Rowley. “They looked like normal edition of Jurassic Lounge will overtake the Museum boring tadpoles, but when I turned with a plethora of gruesome delights including them over and looked at them under performances from seasoned contortionist Jade the microscope…they had these two Twist, a silent disco spinning classic Halloween black fangs sticking out and I knew tracks, comedians running riot with improvised that was not meant to be in a tadpole’s recreations of their favourite classic horror scenes, mouth!” horror make-up tutorials from The Makeup These foreboding offspring are laid in Wardrobe and many more somewhat remote holes in cloudy rainforest sinister pleasures. trees, with no food around for “You get a chance to check out the them, “the mother comes collections and exhibitions but you back and lays unfertilised also get to discover all kinds of great eggs for the babies to eat talent and take part in interesting, fun and they use the fangs to activities,” explained Jurassic Lounge scoop the eggs into their organiser, Mathieu Ravier. belly.”

In addition to the visiting Having participated in performers and attractions, event previous Jurassic Lounge goers will get after-hours access to the events, Dr Rowley is more existing exhibitions and the latest than keen to meet and additions, including the Crystal greet the crowd, describing Hall main entrance and the them as a refreshing Wild Planet gallery exhibition change from usual scientific showcasing biodiversity and Dr Jodi Rowley - Photo: Chris Peken audiences: “It’s a really great over 400 animals.

way to get our stuff out there and chat to people. It definitely doesn’t feel like work, it feels like you’re at a party but people actually probably care more about what you have to say…”

There will be live native frogs and reptiles roaming the crowds on Friday night, but if living and breathing slimy and scaly creatures aren’t quite creepy enough for you––an actual taxidermist will be quite literally ‘picking the brains’ (and other organs) of a recently departed creature, with a live taxidermy workshop happening over the course of the evening.

“The taxidermist will be doing the work that she normally carries out behind the scenes, but this time in a very public environment, talking to us about the process as she does it,” said Mathieu. “It’s a great insight into how that really interesting but confrontational process happens…not for the faint hearted!”

Making onlookers squeamish in a whole other way, Jade Twist will be ‘bending her bones’ with her popular contortionist act. Jade discovered her passion for contortion at the tender age of four, her parents may have laughed it off when she said she wanted to “run away with the circus” at age 10, but she certainly surprised them when she kept her word at age 18. Nowadays, Twist likes to shakes things up, incorporating burlesque, dance, tumbling and hand balancing into her act.

After performing for a Jurassic Lounge event some time ago, she is excited to return to the immersive space and embrace the Halloween spirit. “It’s a really different atmosphere…the audience are roaming around you,” said Jade. “It’s just a really unique event, the last time I did Jurassic Lounge there was a dinosaur walking around that was twice my height!”

“I definitely don’t think anyone could have an awkward date with a lack of conversation coming into Jurassic Lounge,” commented Dr Rowley.

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Learn more about Mathieu and upcoming events at thefestivalists.com Discover more about Dr Jodi Rowley and her conservation work at australianmuseum.net.au/ science-direct-dr-jodi-rowley Find out more about Jade Twist on her Facebook page.

With such a banquet of attractions, including a ‘Monster Mash’ dance lesson led by Diesel Darling, Jurassic Lounge is not only a great way to rediscover your Halloween spirit as an adult, but also the Australian Museum itself.

Creativity with Halloween outfits is encouraged, with prizes for the best dressed. If you’re racing straight from work, why not have your look gruesomed-up by the talented ladies from The MakeUp Wardrobe?

If a few hours of discovery isn’t enough to satiate your appetite for spooky shenanigans, you can continue your Halloween expedition into the city (luckily, lock out laws won’t be keeping out ‘trick or treaters’ by the time this sideshow packs in).

If you’re thirsty for a nightcap, Mathieu Ravier recommends Kubrick’s Bar on Stanley Street for an appropriately kooky kick on (yes, the bar is inspired by cult film director Stanley Kubrick).

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city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

11

14/10/2015 2:48 pm

EAT DRINK

EAT &&DRINK

By Jackie McMillan

Mamasan Scratch beneath the hipster veneer and many venues come up lacking. Underlying kooky décor that includes a glowing sakura ceiling in the upper bar, and erotic shibari prints, Edison bulbs in birdcages and dangling autumnal leaves downstairs, is both clever architecture (courtesy of FJMT who did neighbouring Surry Hills Library) and a raison d’etre. Fusing Taiwanese street food and Japanese cuisine came about because owner Gemma Lin grew up in a tiny

DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS Rosie Campbell’s Bright, sunshiny colours and a cosy, welcoming interior transform this difficult corner space into the type of spot you’ll enjoy spending time in.Throw in a waitress with a Caribbean grandmother, and you’ll soon have toasted coconuttopped Corn ($8) and vibrant, soupy Callaloo Greens ($8) on your table, with some idea about how to eat them. Hint: they’ll brighten up Grilled Jerk Chicken ($18). Snapper Ceviche ($20) accentuates lovely fresh snapper with hot sauce. My hot sauce highlight is their house-made habanero guava sauce – smother it over the fries that come with your Soft Shell

By Jackie McMillan jackie@alternativemediagroup.com

Taiwanese fishing village where “on a clear day, you can see the coast of Okinawa,” her partner Adam Hunt explains.

Taking cocktails with him at the base of a Japanese maple, it’s hard not to share in his enthusiasm for their “bitchin’ bar”.

Our liquid journey flows from the smooth Brand New Old Fashioned ($19) using Nikka from the Barrel, to Brewing Dude Kamoshibito ($36/300ml) from their interesting sake list. It’s perfect if you like full, funky rice flavours. Chase it with imported Japanese beers, including my favourite Koshihikari Echigo Rice Beer ($16/500ml). Maintain control using a steady stream of bar bites, from tender sashimi off cuts in Popcorn Fish ($19) to sticky-sweet Buffalo Wings ($19) topped with chilli threads.Your must-haves both cleverly employ red Sichuan peppercorns – floating in excellent Homemade Miso Soup ($7) and enlivening pickled cabbage accompanying their achingly tender One Bite Beef ($31).

403 Crown Street, Surry Hills (02) 9331 8881 mamasan.com.au Taiwanese, Japanese, Cocktails $$$$

Crab Burger ($18).The kitchen outpaced our rum-based cocktail selections, but a Red Stripe ($8) will tide you over.

320 Campbell Street, Surry Hills (02) 8356 9120 rosiecampbells.com Caribbean, Jamaican $$ Master Breaking ranks with the ‘simple food done well’ trend everyone seems to be following, Master takes some risks in a reasonably priced menu.What looked like tuna sashimi turned out to be Watermelon in Preserved Mustard & Nori ($10), and tasted like nothing I’ve tried before. Roasted Squid with Snow Pea Sprouts ($20) convinces you the noodle-looking things are noodles, but they’re squid. Burnt Cabbage with Fish Sauce Butter ($18) is the best cabbage I’ve had. Period. If you go here and don’t order

it, we can’t be friends.Trying to explain the flavour of Congee with Pear and Coriander ($10) would be like trying to describe a colour you’ve never seen, so I won’t bother.

368 Crown Street, Surry Hills (02) 8065 0838 masterdining.com.au Chinese $$

NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS Pana Chocolate Raw, organic and vegan are three words that I tend to ignore in life, unless I’m at Pana Chocolate in Alexandria, where it’s literally impossible.The Pana Chocolate Smoothie ($9.50) would satisfy anyone with a penchant for banana smashed within an inch of its life, and doesn’t mind the odd hint of coconut. Citrus Fruit Tart ($11.50), whilst immaculately presented (a common

Geisha Haus

Handsome bartenders spent a lot of time at my table, muddling, freezing and whirling smoke through a range of bespoke Japanese-inspired cocktails, when I imbibed, early in the piece, with three food media pals. Frozen using liquid nitrogen, into a pretty pink slushy, Kawaii Kisses ($19) with watermelon,T2 Just Rose tea, Belvedere vodka and sake, could well become the taste of Sydney summer.Another

theme), was perhaps too lemony - we forgave its congealed texture in light of its raw constituents. Refreshing Cacao Granola ($12.50) taught me that Brazil nut milk is actually worth a shot, even if it sounds wankier than almond milk.The Crepes ($11.50), which were flavourful without being too rich, were my standout.

21 Fountain Street, Alexandria (1300) 717 488 panachocolate.com Dessert $$ The Bach Eatery Whispers of New Zealand cuisine prompted my visit to see what the hype was about.The predictably trendy interior was actually very welcoming. Being in a Kiwi joint, I assumed the 2013 Earth’s End Central Otago Pinot Noir ($13.50/glass) would be a safe bet, but the less thematic

tea-based concoction, Smoking Geisha ($20), featuring T2 Russian Caravan and mezcal tequila, was whirled in a cinnamon smoke-filled decanter (you guessed it) tableside.

For faster drinks, the intriguing Kikusui Junmai Daiginjo Kirara-Kikusui Sake ($32/250ml) with notes of honeydew melon makes an affable companion to the dishes of Head Chef Rajendra Kumar Tamang. Chef’s resume includes time at Sokyo, and it shows in modern Japanese-influenced bites like Maguro Hana ($18/4 pieces), tuna ‘flowers’ glued onto tempura rice squares with spicy mayonnaise; and blackened Miso Cod ($24) served à la san choy bau. If you’re staying elegant with drinking snacks, Popcorn Prawns ($24) are tasty and easy to manage with chopsticks; though the Seared Salmon Roll ($22) will fill you up. Pro-tip: don’t breathe out while eating the Haus Cigar ($9) of tuna tartare resting over maltodextrin sesame ash unless you want to stroll Kings Cross covered in suspicious white powder.

Level 1/5-9 Roslyn St, Potts Point (02) 8065 1812 geishahaus.com.au Cocktails, Modern Japanese $$$

Chocolate Box Barossa GSM ($11/ glass) was better.Thirlmere Chicken Liver Pate ($19) wasn’t the best I’ve tried, but Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom Ragout ($22) is worthwhile, if only for the slow cooked egg hiding below the mountain of welcome Parmesan. Broccoli & Almond Butter ($8) was literally just steamed broccoli with shaved almonds on top, but the 16 Hour Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder ($22) proved pretty decent.

399 King Street, Newtown (02) 8084 4093 bacheatery.com.au Kiwi $$

EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES The Village Inn After a tough week due to his ‘no high vis.’

dress code, Leeroy Petersen showed me what his new venue should be known for – good food. Inside the once ‘durty’ old Irish bar, you’ll now be bathed in natural light as you tuck into The Underwood ($18) with braised, pickled beef, honey carrots and mustard on toasted soy linseed bread. Pet Two Four ($17): ham hock terrine with duck rillette win best tasting pun (ducks have two legs and pigs have four). The lighter Nordic ($17) cured salmon with smoked baby potatoes and crunchy capers, pairs nicely with Pfeiffer Pinot Gris ($12/glass); and the snazzy ‘tradies’ doughnut’: Chocolate Churros ($8) goes down a treat.

9-11 Glenmore Road, Paddington 02) 9331 0911 thevillageinn.com.au Pub Food $$

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city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

EAT & DRINK

LP’s Quality Meats If there’s a better BBQ Beef Short Rib ($44) in Sydney, I don’t know where to find it. Luke Powell coats his fat, juicy ribs in little more than salt and pepper, and sticks ‘em into the wood-fire smoker for nigh on sixteen hours.Yep, they go in at 11pm and come out just in time for dinner the next evening.They’re charred, smoky and delicious, and if by chance you can’t finish, they’ll happily wrap up the remains in foil, and pop them in a brown paper ROCKS & CBD Abode Bistro Hotel restaurants are curious beasts; and while Abode has been located as a stylish, stand-alone restaurant, it’s still part of the Parkroyal Darling Harbour. So, alongside seasonal, well-handled proteins – including crisp-skinned Cone Bay Barramundi ($32) you’ll find the occasional spark of interest, like Salt Baked Celeriac ($18) with toasted hazelnuts, sweet and sour dressing and ricotta.

Mostly it’s straight-up, honest cooking of dishes you’ll recognise, like Braised Short Rib ($30) with buttery mash and glazed carrots.

Sommelier Jasmin Leighton commands an interesting list, with by-the-glass selections like the 2013 Harewood Estate Chardonnay ($13) supplemented by Aussie benchmarks like the 2013 Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling ($52/bottle).The latter is great with Rhubarb Four Ways ($15). $ - mains less than $15

By Jackie McMillan

bag for you to slice up as the best damn cold meat ever to grace a bread roll. Eat it somewhere nobody can judge you for gnawing on the bone.

And while this is definitely American BBQ, the lack of obvious Americana - well except the (musthave) Mashed Potato and Gravy ($12) – means it also speaks to Europeans. Smoked Sausage ($14) and generous slabs of silky Chicken Liver Pate ($16) go flying out. Sides like Kale, Chickpeas and Anchovy Caramel ($14) serve the same purpose as Porteno’s famous crisp Brussels sprouts with vincotto – cutting the fat.The row of convivial share tables suggests beer hall, and The Grifter Pale Ale ($8) makes an admirable companion drink, though the wine list and Smoked Manhattan ($39/2 people) both warrant careful consideration.

Suite 1, 12-16 Chippen Street, Chippendale (02) 8399 0929 lpsqualitymeats.com American $$$

159 Day Street, Sydney (02) 9260 2945 abodebistro.com Modern Australian $$$

Street, Sydney (02) 9267 3699 lotusrestaurant.com.au Chinese $$$$

Lotus @ The Galeries From slickly modern private dining rooms, to texture-rich ceramics and stone, highlighted by natural light, DS17 have outdone themselves. Equally so, in Head Chef Chris Yan’s hands, the menu builds upon the ideas germinated in the initial Lotus, yet surpasses them.

The through-line is the dumplings – like Steamed Mud Crab and Pork Xiao Long Bao ($21/4) – loaded with premium fillings, but boasting even thinner skins. Compelling Baked BBQ Pork Bun ($9/3) are perfect against a richly herb-infused Tea Thyme ($18) cocktail.The real stars are the dishes that celebrate healthy Aussie ingredients, like supple Crystal Ice Plant Salad ($16) and the vibrant green saltbush offsetting tender hunks of WokFried Wallaby Rump ($29) sautéed in sweet-bean paste.

The Galeries, Level 1, 500 George

One Tea Lounge & Grill David Yip’s enthusiasm for what could broadly be termed stunt food is palpable.That’s how I ended up with a rotating, dry ice billowing, Matcha Wheel One Tea Experience ($50/8 people) dominating my table. Not that I mind a bit of spectacle - lucky as it was followed by a glass cloche reveal of tea-smoked Gyokuro Smoked Octopus Avocado ($15) and more smoky wisps emanating from under a pretty Salmon Tartare ($13).The 300 degree Lava Stone Grill ($58/180g) landed with cubes of top-notch 9+ wagyu beef ready to sizzle and dip in yakiniku (BBQ) sauce and matcha salt.Yes, Japanese green tea pops up everywhere, though it’s best in the Matcha Lava Bomb ($20) dessert.

73 York Street, Sydney (02) 9279 3311 onetealounge.com.au Japanese, Cocktails $$$$

$$ - mains between $15-$22

INNER WEST Da Vinci’s With the upsurge of enthusiasm for pizza certified Napoli, it’s easy to lose sight of styles popular across the rest of Italy.

Nicola Piteo is set to change that using bases crafted using unrefined, stoneground Petra 1 flour, and a 48-72 hour dough maturation process.The resulting pizzas are crisper, without being dry.

They’re perfect for exploring high quality toppings, like Norma ($19) featuring fior de latte, deep fried eggplant, basil and shaved salted ricotta or Ortaggina ($23) which dribbles eggplant, zucchini, cherry

$$$ - mains between $22-$30

tomatoes, red onion and fire-roasted capsicum with stracciatella di bufala (the gooey heart of burrata cheese). Buffalo milk cheese is also featured on Nicola’s antipasti plate - Montagna ($28), against great Italian salumi.

25 Lackey Street, Summer Hill (02) 9716 9000 davincispizzeria.com.au Italian, Pizza $$ Damda The first thing you’ll notice at Damda, beyond the strong design aesthetic, is the monstrous, smoke-belching oven and tattooed, Korean coal-master.This modern reinterpretation of Korean barbecue - the name means ‘resemble’ – is doing things

Capriccio Osteria “It’s like meat butter,” my dining companion exclaims, gesturing with half a two-bite Cannolo alla Mortadella ($4/each) in her hand. It’s crude, but apt: the balsamic cannoli come rolled in pistachio and filled with imported Italian mortadella that has been fashioned into pâté.They’re the first hint of the modern sensibilities, neatly interwoven with rustic, produce-centred cooking, at this vibrant Norton Street newcomer. Juicy rounds of pork sausage with pickles on tasty malt-darkened lentil

FOOD NEWS

By Jackie McMillan

Gin + Tonic

In the realm of adult soft drinks, richly red Sin-kõ-nah Tonic Syrup [RRP: $24/200ml] is right up there, and what’s more, it’s Australian. In fact, owner Sarah Robins tells me, Sin-kõ-nah “will soon be the only Australian-made tonic syrup as Blood Moon Tonic is closing down.”

Expect a bittersweet edge from this drink, which contains about a third less sugar than other tonic waters.The flavour comes from cinchona bark (the natural source of quinine) mixed with locally grown citrus and juniper. It’s great as a stand-alone drink lengthened with sparkling water, but it’s even better in a classic gin and tonic.When it comes to matching your gin, you do have to be wary of herbaceous gins in case the botanicals clash. Keeping the Australian focus, Sarah suggested it’s “fantastic with Loch Gin – they are small artisan distillers in Gippsland, represented by the Nip of Courage folk.” I tried mine with Bombay Sapphire gin in a side-by-side comparison with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic, and preferred the Sin-kõ-nah by far. www.tonicsyrup.com

While we’re talking Bombay Sapphire, they’re partnering with Biota Dining from 18 November – 5 December on Project Botanicals – a paired cocktail and dining experience focusing upon the botanicals contained in the gin. For $105/head you’ll receive a five-course menu matched to five Bombay Sapphire cocktails. My interest was most piqued by James Viles’ angelica root dish combining soured crème made from local milks and the freshest green peas matched to an angelica celery sour. Book fast, it’s sure to sell out. www.projectbotanicals.com.au

bar fly

By Amie Barbeler

Blu Bar Level 2, Cruise Bar, Overseas Passenger Terminal,The Rocks (02) 9251 1188 cruisebar.com.au My date might have been fluttering her eyelashes at me from across the table, but it was Cruise Bar’s gorgeous twilight views of Sydney Harbour that I found myself lusting over. Sprawling across three levels, my date and I spent our evening at the oriental-inspired (and appropriately named) Junk Lounge on Level Two. Unable to resist an innovative cocktail, I opted for the refreshing and bubbly Shiso Flesh ($21), a clever balance of gin, red shiso, rhubarb bitters, cucumber and carbonated water. My date went for the sweet and sour Aloe Geisha ($18) made from rum, sake, aloe vera, cherry bitters, lemon balm, lime and egg white.Together we shared what has to be Cruise Bar’s best dish: the Hainanese Chicken Rice ($36).You receive a whole poached chicken chopped into chunks, served with fluffy rice, wilted bok choy and a side of chilli paste, accompanied by a French press of clear soup.

$$$$ - mains over $30

differently. Instead of cooking at your table, sit back and enjoy cocktail carafes like delicate Green Seoul ($25) with mint, grape and lemon. Sticky-sweet chilli rice cake skewers, Ddeok Ggochi ($8/10 pieces), are great against Korean Cass ($6) beer. Outstandingly tender and smoky Kalbi Beef Ribs ($35.50) arrive in a large metal tray, laden with gochujang noodle salad, cornballs, lotus root chips and housemade kimchi.Add on more meat – like Bossam ($17) (pork belly) – and apply the three accompanying sauces.

166 Norton Street, Leichhardt (02) 9560 0527 facebook.com/damda2015 Korean $$

buns make the Cotechino Sliders ($8/each) melt even the heart of this jaded slider aficionado. Or, if you prefer meat and bread the old-fashioned way, their wood-fire oven baked Foccacia ($5) with Porchetta ($10/100g) both eat wonderfully too. Start your drinking journey with a post-work palate cleanser - the Campari Spritz ($16) - elevated by freshly squeezed blood oranges.

Third generation restaurateur, Matteo Galletto, will shepherd you through a succinct Italian wine list. His suggested Sardinian 2013 Terresinis Cantine Vernaccia ($14/glass) tames the normally floral varietal with combination oak and concrete tank ageing. It’s a fruitdriven companion to delightfully cheesy Cacio Fave e Pepe ($19) - rigatoni with Pecorino Romano brightened with broad beans. It’d be hard to beat the modern Cappuccino ($12) with brownie, condensed milk gelato and crisp milk skin, well, unless ricotta cheesecake is their Dolce Del Giorno ($12) (daily dessert).

159 Norton Street, Leichhardt (02) 9572 7607 capriccio.sydney Italian $$-$$$

GREATER SYDNEY Mrs Mi Mrs Mi in Chatswood Chase brings the authentic taste of Northern China’s Shanxi region into what appears to be a bustling, vibrantly coloured street-side location.

Their specialty is knife-shaved noodles, made by none other than the robot chef.

Braised Beef with Noodles ($14.80) are the freshest you’ll taste.You can see the (human) chefs preparing everything right before your eyes. Go for the naturally colourful Handmade Dumplings ($14.80) against palate-cleansing (and surprisingly delightful) Cherry Tomatoes in Plum Juice ($7.80) before diving into Taiwan-Style Fried

Chicken ($15.80) - the perfect street food.

You should also try the crowd favourite - Pan Fried Pork Buns ($11.80) – which ooze sweet, tender pork from inside their delicate casings.

Shop B-040, Lower Ground, Chatswood Chase, 345 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood (02) 9904 6375 facebook.com/mrsmiaustralia Chinese $-$$ LanYuan Genius glossy wasabi mayonnaise in Lan Yuan Angus Beef ($26) makes it an easy favourite in Top Ryde’s new bamboo garden.

Seek haven in Taoism or Buddhism - Tsing Tao ($8) or Lucky Buddha ($8). Peering

La Puerta

By Alex Harmon Taking someone who has just arrived back from Peru to a South American restaurant is a double-edged sword.

They’re full of helpful advice, but they’re also a little, well, full of it. Luckily one of La Puerta’s owners’ Colombian wife, Catherin Rodriguez, was there to step in:“We’ve

through Chinese bamboo at the giant outdoor TV screen feels very Hong Kong.

The chefs are also from the former British colony, meaning they’re great at making Southern Chinese dishes for those who don’t tolerate heat, like gentle Live Pippies in XO ($30/500g). For those that do, there’s Szechuan Chicken ($22). Lan Yuan Fried Rice ($18/small) proves worth the spend, with tender scallops, king prawns and crab roe; and the Egg Yolk Tofu ($20) here is addictive.

Shop 4005, Level 1, Top Ryde Shopping Centre, Devlin Street, Ryde (02) 9808 1030 lanyuan.com.au Chinese $$$

taken our favourite dishes from the whole of South America and adapted them to the Australian palate.”

Before you can say ‘this one time in Cusco’, we were showered with share plates, including Platanitos ($9) elaborate plantain chips which come with a delicious avocado dip - and Cassava Flat Cheese Bead ($8), which is worth it for the smoked butter alone.Throw in some cocktail twists like the Basil Passionfruit Caipirinha ($14) and the salty Chimichurri Margarita ($18) and you have yourself a party.The Wild Ceviche ($25) is “better than anything you’ll find in Peru” (say both) and the Crispy Pork Belly ($24) topped with chorizo crumbs is a Colombian specialty you’ll want to get acquainted with. If you have room, don’t neglect the tasty homemade Corn Cakes with Cuban Beef ($5/each). I could eat them all day, or for something excruciatingly sweet, the chef’s take on pavlova, the Merengon ($12), sums up this AussieLatino union perfectly.

Shop 5/2A Waters Road, Neutral Bay (02) 9953 8367 lapuertarestaurant.com.au South American $$ city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Bell Shakespeare’s HAMLET Whether you’re a Shakespeare fanatic or a newbie, you’ve surely heard the famous “to be or not to be” line.

Damien Ryan’s production of Hamlet opens at the Sydney Opera House after four months performing in sold-out venues around Australia. With an extremely talented cast including Josh McConville, Matilda Ridgway and Sean O’Shea, it’s not something to miss.

This critically-acclaimed performance of one of Shakespeare’s most complex and wellrenowned plays is set in Elsinore, Denmark, and follows the story of a depressed young man dealing with his father’s death and his mother’s infidelity, with her sudden marriage to his uncle, the new King. When the ghost of his father reappears to inform him that he was murdered by his brother, Hamlet is charged with avenging his father’s death.

According to Damien Ryan: “Hamlet is one of the most complete experiences theatre can provide––extraordinary poetry, intense passion, dazzling intelligence, terror, casual slaughter, friendship, humanity, great humour and great grief. Shakespeare casts his spell through the sheer scope and grandeur of this story, beginning with a dead man walking and ending with a stage littered with bodies.”

The inherently flawed character of Hamlet is plagued with indecision and inability to act, making him the modern anti-hero. Family drama, politics, war, tyranny, loyalty, friendship, romance and death; this play has it all. (ASha)

The Goodbye Girl Neglected Musicals present Aaron Tsindos (Elliot) their latest foray into and Deone Zanotto (Paula) performing fantastic musical Photo: Noni Carroll theatre productions that have never or rarely been seen on Australian stages, with a twist––shows are performed on a limited run, scripts in hand, with only one day’s rehearsal.

This time around, 1993 Broadway Musical The Goodbye Girl receives the Neglected treatment. Based on the screenplay for Neil Simon’s 1977 film of the same name, the original production of this musical comedy had a run of 188 performances and 23 previews, and was acclaimed performer Martin Short’s Broadway debut.

In this sensational tale, selfaudiences will fall in love with.” centred actor Elliot Garfield sublets a friend’s With a cast including Deone Zanotto, Aaron Manhattan apartment only to find it still Tsindos, Romy Watson, Leah Howard, Caroline occupied by said friend’s ex-girlfriend, Paula, and Kasper, Lisa Callingham, Emma Cooperthwaite her perceptive tween daughter. Despite and more–– this is sure to be a riotous differences in opinion and personality, Elliot and performance featuring raw musical talent.

Paula (a former dancer) eventually arrive at an After two opening performances on Monday, uneasy truce, finding themselves attracted to tickets are limited to the third and final show one another despite all. this Sunday. (AM) “With the pedigree of talent involved in Nov 1, 1pm. Hayes Theatre Co, creating this show originally on Broadway, it 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point. $40. always held great interest for me,” said director, Tickets & info: hayestheatre.com.au or Tyran Parke. “It’s funny, it’s romantic and it’s got neglectedmusicals.com.au a truly winning Broadway score that I know

Oct 27–Dec 6. Sydney Opera House. $75.

Tickets & info: bellshakespeare.com.au

Good Works Good Works is an emotionally powerful and exquisitely told Australian story by acclaimed playwright, Nick Enright. This November, watch as the Darlinghurst Theatre Company bring this compelling drama to life at Eternity Playhouse.

Renowned theatre director Iain Sinclair has expressed that it has been a delight to work with a script written by Enright, who is considered to be a master of the theatrical world.

“It’s a really structurally ambitious piece,” Sinclair explained. “There are times where there is anything up to four time-zones happening at one time, but they’re all kind of united by a dramatic energy or an emotional energy.”

Good Works follows the pasts and presents of two boyhood friends, and travels between several decades and generations in order to

explore the family histories that have helped to shaped them as men. It presents a moving story that deals with the timeless issues of identity labelling.

“I think so many of Nick Enright’s plays deal with people getting pegged, people getting their identities handed to them, and the expectation of them behaving in a certain way,” said Sinclair. “…And Good Works is a very adult investigation of that.”

The play will offer the audience a complex ride, with an underlying emotional through-line, giving an insight of what it’s like to be different while growing up in a small country town. (NB) Nov 5–29. Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. $38-$45.

Tickets & info: darlinghursttheatre.com

a&e

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14 STAGE 16 SCENE 17 SCREEN 18 Sounds

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, Jemma Clarke, Jacqui Rothwell.

Review: BLOOD BANK

BLOOD BANK is a hauntingly brilliant piece from Ensemble Theatre that will send shivers down your spine, and leave your body covered in goose bumps. As a world premiere, BLOOD BANK certainly delivers, exploring the ever prevalent need for blood donation in today’s society.

Set in a hospital waiting room, the play takes us on a chilling journey of Justin’s last weeks, his fragmented relationship with his brother, Michael, and the metaphorical bond between

them, powered by the giving of blood.

Tom Stokes performs the dual role of Michael and Justin exceptionally well, and is perfectly balanced by Gabrielle Scawthorn, who plays the wonderfully mysterious Abbey. Together, the pair create moments of absolute hilarity, in among the incredibly powerful and emotional story at hand.

BLOOD BANK jumps back and forth in time, and is full of puzzling secrets. The play reaches its climax when Abbey finally reveals the role she has played in each brothers life. As BLOOD BANK ventures deeper into the brothers’ psyches, the raw power of emotion is captivating, leaving the audience to feel as if they are watching the drama unfold, from within the waiting room itself.

The story is incredibly eye-opening, asking the audience to re-consider the importance of giving blood. It is the intensity of pure emotion, and tension between characters, that makes BLOOD BANK so mesmerising. (NB) Until Nov 22. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli. $30-$69.

Tickets & info: ensemble.com.au

A Girl With Sun In Her Eyes

A Girl with Sun in Her Eyes offers insight from the rare perspective of a woman who chases down violence, and the psychological repercussions of being faced with it every day.

Lucy, an undercover cop, poses as a prostitute in an attempt to get a very terrible male off the streets. She feels responsible for all of womankind to find these guys; her own life is put in danger because of that.

“It’s exciting and refreshing to play Lucy, such a strong female protagonist,” said lead actress, Kate Williams. “I feel the same sort of pressure that Lucy has to do justice to women who’ve been hurt by awful men. It’s a mountain to tackle. She’s blinded by this need and want to make men pay.”

“The best thing about A Girl with the Sun in her Eyes is the darkness.You don’t often see something so gritty and physical on stage. It’s a down to earth and cut-throat look at an ugly side of the police force, The States and violence against women,” added Williams. “You’ll walk out of feeling like you need a drink or a shower. What makes it interesting

THEATRE & PERFORMANCE WE,THE LOST COMPANY A combination of physical theatre, poetics and recorded memories taken from communities all over Sydney.Vivid associations with water make up the sound scape, put together by Ben Pierpoint, giving the show a spiritual dimension.“The through line of the piece is what water has seen, the different impressions that water has had over time and we’ve tried to create some of those impressions on stage in a very mysterious dream-like world... It’s looking at our relationships to elements and the earth…” said director, Emily Ayoub. (MS) Until Oct 31.Tues–Sat, 8pm. Old 505

is you’re seeing something live on stage that you would normally see on the screen, shielded by your couch and your popcorn. It’s absolutely violent.”

This play leaves you wondering how far you would go to protect what you have and love; and how much of yourself would you give up in order to fight for a cause you believe in.

A Girl with Sun in Her Eyes is a chance to get a little peek into a world you may not know anything about. There’s a darker side to all police forces. It gives insight into the emotions that police officers feel. (MS) Oct 27–Nov 14 (Tues-Sat 9pm, Sun 6:30pm).

Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street (Corner Cathedral Street), Woolloomooloo. $25-$28.Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre.com/girlwith-the-sun-in-her-eyes

Theatre, Level 1, 5 Eliza Street, Newtown. $22-$33.Tickets & info: old505theatre.com ARMS AND THE MAN In this 19th Century fairy tale set in Bulgaria, the Serbo-Bulgarian War rages, Raina (Andrea Demetriades) finds herself in a love triangle involving two gorgeous men, Sergius and Bluntschli.The hilarious play directed by Richard Cottrell is ironic as well as saucy.As Raina tries to make her decision between the most eligible bachelor in town or the mysterious Swiss Soldier who could take her away from her life, the audience is thrown into a magical world helped by the incredible set and costume design from Michael ScottMitchell and Julie Lynch. (LB) Until Oct 31. Drama Theatre, Sydney

Opera House. $58-$99.Tickets & info: sydneytheatrecompany.com.au RENT A struggling group of Bohemians in early 90s East Village New York attempt to survive and produce art––but the spectre of HIV hovers, disease withers and loved ones are taken from them. Jonathan Larson’s rock opera Rent comes to the Hayes Theatre. Director Shaun Rennie and musical director Andrew Worboys have assembled an eclectic cast of seasoned performers and newcomers. (GW) Until Nov 1. Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point. $59-$70.

Tickets & info: hayestheatre.com.au or 0280657337.

VELVET Exploding into Sydney in an electrifying boogie wonderland of

Review: DEAD CENTRE/

SEA WALL

Dead Centre/Sea Wall is a tricky work, made up of two monologues, each exploring themes of grief and possible madness.They are companion pieces, with Dead Centre hinting at events via the unreliable, perhaps manic, Helen (Rosie Lockhart) and Sea Wall supplying more concrete details through Alex (Ben Prendergast).

Dead Centre, by Australian playwright Tom Holloway, was commissioned as a sort of response to Sea Wall, written by British playwright Simon Stephens.The show begins with Helen, an Englishwoman, explaining how she came to live in Australia and her trip to Uluru. Lockhart is at turns droll and vague and lacerating, bewildered and haunted as she skilfully inhabits the challenging role.

Next (no intermission) is Alex, an Irishman and decent bloke harbouring almost unspeakable sadness.

Prendergast is convincing as a man resisting mental collapse when it seems all paths lead to sorrow, tainting everything past, present and future.

It’s a little counter-intuitive to have the commissioned work, Dead Centre, precede the original. But Holloway’s script abstracts thought and emotion brilliantly. Director Julian Meyrick wisely lets the actors and their stories speak for themselves, with minimal distractions of sets or props.

On the small stage of the Old Fitz, the narrator stands in front of an almost sheer black screen, with occasional

movement on or behind the screen (digital design by Katie Cavanagh), often to eerie effect. Sound design (Ian Moorhead) supports but does not overwhelm. Copresented by Red Stich Actors Theatre and Red Line Productions, Dead Centre/Sea Wall is darker than light but not without humour, the impression left a tribute to the commitment and talent of all involved. (OA) Until Nov 14 (Tues-Sat 7:30pm, Sunday 5pm).

Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street (Cnr Cathedral Street),Woolloomooloo. $25-$35.

Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre.com

STC’s The Wharf Revue Celebrating 15 years and 21 shows of irreverent political satire, the Sydney Theatre Company is putting on a special birthday edition of The Wharf Revue.

With humble beginnings, the The Wharf Revue initially began on the set of The Recruit in Sydney’s Wharf Theatre as an adaption of Three Men and a Baby Grand––but is now an established cultural bastion of lampooning and exposing the follies behind Australian politics. Offering a mix of new sketches alongside the most beloved highlights of previous productions, this year’s show features all three original creators: Jonathan Biggins, Phillip Scott and Drew Forsythe, with Amanda Bishop rounding off the talented cast.

“We’re getting older, but luckily some of the politicians are getting older with us,” said Drew Forsythe.“[The show]’s evolved over the fifteen years... it’s surprised us glitter and glamour,Velvet is an amalgamation of variety and concert forms set to a pumping disco soundtrack. It also charts a young man’s (Brendan Maclean) journey of self-discovery as he is guided through the evening by a fairy godmother like figure (Marcia Hines). “Velvet is a nightclub, but it’s a state of mind, it’s a fantasy”––director Craig Ilott has assembled a handpicked cast of ten including “an astonishing bunch of Australian singers and performers” accompanied by astounding international circus and variety acts.

(AM) Until Nov 1. Studio, Sydney Opera House. $35-$89.Tickets & info: sydneyoperahouse.com or velvettheshow.com

that it’s grown to the extent that it has.”

Combining new material alongside their most popular sketches and characters, the show displays an immense demonstration of satiric versatility and has outlasted the last few Prime Ministers, challenging the performers to swiftly adapt their shows to reflect the tumultuous events of Australian politics.

“Young people are becoming more disenchanted with the way the system is run.The adversarial system doesn’t allow for proper discussion and proper debate on policy,” said Drew.“It’s what satire has always done. More than anything, it’s poking fun at hypocrisy, and there’s so much of that involved when people are trying to win power.” (ES) Until Dec 19.Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4/5 Hickson Rd,Walsh Bay. $48-$65.Tickets & info: sydneytheatre.com.au or (02) 9250 1777

THE REAL THING Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing is a theatrical comedy/ drama focused on two central characters––Henry (Christopher Tomkinson) a successful playwright, and Annie (Ainslie McGlynn) his mistressturned-wife.The entire cast are involved in the inevitably precarious dance of fidelity. Instantly amusing, this play is filled with dry English humour. Quick and witty repartee, along with comical facial expressions from all involved, set the scene for a mere comedy –– but it soon exceeds the expectations it, itself, sets.

The second act is greatly superior, thought-provoking and emotionally involved. (RM) Until Nov 7. New Theatre, 542 King Street Newtown. $17-$32.Tickets & info: newtheatre.org.au/the-real-thing/

MY ZINC BED Sam O’Sullivan plays Paul Peplow, a recovering alcoholic, poet and freelance journalist. Paul gets taken under the wing of Victor Quinn (Sean Taylor), a self-made software mogul.Victor challenges the nature of Paul’s addiction. Paul gets introduced to Victor’s wife Elsa (Danielle Carter), who is also a recovering addict –– they inevitably form a connection that quickly becomes inappropriate.

“Drama-romance-comedy is the genre… People will have… a good time seeing how we deal with the situations we get ourselves into,” said O’Sullivan. (MS) Until Nov 22. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli. $55-$69.Tickets & info: ensemble. com.au or 9929 0644 city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

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T H E NA K ED CITY

IT’S ‘SHARE’ LUNANCY

With Coffin Ed, Jay Katz and Miss Death “There has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian” – We’ve all heard those words recently, but perhaps they needed the qualification – “particularly if you have millions of dollars stashed away in the Cayman Islands.” Then again, if you are a taxi driver, working fifty to sixty hours a week, the excitement level is probably not quite that elevated––with the threat of Uber tailgating your every movement.

Only last week the Labor Party announced its plans for the so-called “sharing economy”, emphasising that “the next Uber should be launched in Australia.” There was the usual waffle about regulating the global giants like Airbnb and a ‘guestimate’ that there were potentially 16 million rooms that could be let out across the country.

Forgive us if we are overwhelmed by our own cynicism, but not only is the ‘sharing economy’ nothing new, its current promotion is essentially just a moneymaking grab.Technology has certainly enhanced the opportunity to become your own maverick taxi driver or flog your granny flat to a bunch of Swedish backpackers, but the idea is nothing new.

We can well remember the days when people advertised online to share petrol costs and ‘company’ on a trip to Melbourne; the driver arrived at your door and

all was going well until he suggested a detour via the Belanglo State Forest. Likewise, landlords (both the honest and totally unscrupulous) have been renting out spare rooms for ages. Reinventing that concept as Airbnb might look like an attractive idea to some gentrified folk, but personally we’d rather not have perfect strangers leaving semen stains on our vintage Joyce Mayne waterbed.

We all know it’s the technocrats who come up with these concepts like Uber, and the technocrats who reap the greatest rewards as their tentacles spread

Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman In Conversation The Sydney Writer’s Festival presents the power couple of modern American literature, Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman. Meeting through a blind date in 1992, the authors were engaged within three weeks and married the next––now living in Berkley, California with four children and more than twenty books released between the two of them.

Pulitzer prize-winning novelist, essayist and screenwriter Chabon has had multiple award-winning novels, non-fiction and short stories including The Mysteries of Pittsburgh,Wonder Boys, Summerland and The Yiddish Policemen’s Union and his most recent publication Telegraph Avenue. Chabon believes that three things are required for success as a novelist: “talent, luck and discipline”.

Waldman is a New York Times best-selling author

LIVEWORKS FESTIVAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ART Presented by Performance Space, Liveworks features acclaimed Australian and international artists who are breaking new grounds of performance, and challenging the way visual art is traditionally perceived.The festival presents a diverse variety of works ranging from theatre, dance, digital technology and visual arts.

Guests can explore 11 major works and interventions as part of the Liveworks Free Performance Program, as well as take part in specially curated workshops, screenings and lectures.

(NB) Until Nov 7. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh. FREE Performance Program.Ticketed 16

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worldwide. Good Lord, Uber has even entered poverty stricken Peru where for years drivers in Lima could purchase a detachable plastic taxi sign for a few dollars and affix it to their rattletrap whenever they wanted to earn a few extra bucks.

The so called “sharing economy” is simply just a mask for opportunist, tech driven globalisation. If it affects and eventually screws conventional businesses, then it’s simply labelled good old fashioned competition. Like when Starbucks was setting up its global chain of coffee shops, it would often open right alongside a long

established independent café, poaching their customers and eventually driving them out of business.

All we can do is speculate as to what the next obscenely successful startup of the sharing economy will be. Maybe brothels and escort services should be on guard, as “wife swapping” becomes a legitimised enterprise. Pimping your partner could be an added attraction for your home b&b, with 24h pick up in your own Uber cab.

Share your pet, share your jacuzzi, share your compost pit, share your grandparents and share just about anything that is shareable. Everybody will be looking for that next shareable asset that can be exploited on line, masterminded by some huge global conglomerate and accessible with the click of a smartphone.

The irony of course is that the “sharing society” is largely controlled by the ‘unsharing society’, the tech barons and wealthy shareholders who control most of the world’s wealth.Those charities and NGOs who genuinely share within the community, without any financial remuneration, must surely take umbrage at the descriptor. Perhaps we should now label the whole phenomenon as the ‘snaring’ economy – just another money trap out to capture your bucks, regardless of any collateral damage.

Underneath The Fig Tree

with novels such as Love and Treasure, Red Hook Road and Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, as well as Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, which was adapted into a film called The Other Woman. She has also written numerous essays and insightful profiles of public figures such as Hillary Clinton, which have been printed in highly-esteemed publications such as The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Join Waldman and Chabon as they interview each other and talk about various aspects of their lives including their marriage, their children, and most importantly about their literary endeavours. (ASha) Nov 3.York Theatre, Seymour Centre, Corner of City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale. $25-$35.

Tickets & info: swf.org.au/events or 9351 9740

Events: $25-$35.Tickets & info: performancespace.com.au/events/ liveworks-fpp/ N.A.S. POSTGRADUATE EXHIBITION The National Art School Postgraduate Exhibition showcases and celebrates the achievements of the graduating students from the Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) and Master of Fine Art, a group of more than fifty artists majoring in ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography or sculpture.

For more than 100 years, the National Art School has nurtured the talents of some of the most respected artists in the nation. (AM) Oct 30–Nov 7, Mon–Sat, 11am-5pm.

National Art School Gallery, National Art School, Forbes Street, Darlinghurst. Free entry.

Info: nas.edu.au/NASGallery/ DANELLE BERGSTORM – RETURN Inspired by her own experiences and memories, Bergstrom paints a series of evocative and highly reflective landscape pieces inspired by the land around her enclave in Hill End. The dream-like sceneries have a sense of rawness about them, visible through the mixing of the fleeting shades of blue and earthly, grounded browns.The artworks symbolise a journey of selfreflection and acceptance for the artist.

(ASha) Until Nov 7. Arthouse Gallery, 66

Local experimental artist Michelle Genders is bringing to us her latest solo multi-media art exhibition, intriguingly titled Underneath the fig tree.

The exhibition, opening early November at the Chrissie Cotter Gallery in Camperdown, is an explorative and imaginative take on a metaphysical fig tree in the Marrickville local government area.

According to Michelle, this metaphysical tree is “made up of five trees growing in Camperdown Park, one in Camperdown memorial rest area and one in O’Dea reserve”.

The interesting (and from first glimpses, visually appealing) exhibition is about Michelle’s experiences through this space, and she takes us through her own journey of memories associated with this metaphysical fig tree and what it symbolises in her life.

“I remember riding my bike past their thick, protruding roots,” recounted Michelle. “Lying underneath their green, shady limbs. Looking up at

chattering rainbow lorikeets in their branches,” she added.

Reflecting Michelle’s interests in psychology, cosmology, mysticism and meditation––the preview art piece seems almost to read as if a grid of human life is spread across a green canvas of nature, with streets symbolising feelings and emotions escaping the complexities of life.

This Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) graduate from University of Sydney works with a variety of mediums that include drawing, sculpture, installation and wearables.

Interested in the similarities and differences between recent scientific discoveries and ancient spiritual traditions, Michelle can well be called a revolutionary artist, setting the bar high with Underneath the fig tree. (JR) Nov 5–15, Thurs to Sun, 11am to 4pm.

Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Pidcock Street, Camperdown. Info: marrickville.nsw.gov.au/ chrissiecottergallery/

McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay. Info: arthousegallery.com.au

and Greens Road, Paddington. Free.

Info: artdesign.unsw.edu.au

STREETS OF PAPUNYA This exhibition unearths the tumultuous history of Papunya, a Western Desert town regarded as the birthplace of contemporary Aboriginal painting. In particular, this exhibition showcases the remarkable art of the present day women painters of Papunya, celebrating of the re-emergence of Papunya painting maintained as part of the Papunya Tjupi Arts Centre established in 2007. An exhibition that treats Aboriginal art and its history with regard and respect. (AM) Until Nov 7,Tues–Sat, 10am-5pm.

UNSW Galleries, cnr Oxford Street

PEOPLE LIKE US This is a varied and excellently curated collection of works exploring the interrelationships between art, technology and the human experience; implementing video, sound and sculptural installations. Interaction plays a key role in this exhibition, from Veloscape, an installation by Laura Fisher and Volker Kuchelmeister that takes you on a self-guided virtual bike tour through Sydney; to Inside – Topologies of Stroke, John McGhee’s virtual reality animation work that invites the viewer to explore the inner world inside our brains. (AM) Until Nov 7,Tues–Sat, 10am-5pm.

UNSW Galleries, corner of Oxford Street and Greens Road. Free. Info: artdesign.unsw.edu.au SCULPTURE BY THE SEA Back for its 19th year running, Sculpture by the Sea is the world’s largest outdoor exhibition, featuring over 100 sculptures from global artists. Receiving over 500 submissions worldwide, a curatorial panel selected the featured works to complement the two-kilometer Bondi stretch. One inclusion to look out for is local artists Gillie and Marc Schattner’s six-meter tall flying fish. (ES) Until Nov 8. Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk, Sydney. Free. Info: sculpturebythesea.com or (02) 8399 0233.

The BBC First British Film Festival

FILM ALEX & EVE Aussies take the backseat in this enchanting Australian romantic comedy which centers on a forbidden inter-racial relationship. Alex (Richard Brancatisano) is a maths teacher who meets Eve (Andrea Demetriades), a prominent lawyer.

Their relationship is doomed from the moment they meet, as Alex is Greek Orthodox and Eve is a Muslim Lebanese. Based on the hit play by Alex Lykos, this is not an original concept, but it is hysterically funny and a delight to watch. (MMo) WWW1/ 2 ONLY THE DEAD Australian journalist Michael Ware was on assignment for seven years in the Middle East, reporting on the American war against terrorism.Ten years on he has produced this extraordinary documentary which will shock and arrest audiences.

Detailing the origins of Islamic State,

matters”.

Hanks plays Donovan with all the wit and charm you would expect from the incomparable actor. In a tense look at the animosity between the US and the Soviet Union at that point in time, the humour is well placed and doesn’t trivialise the story.

Spielberg has a natural affinity with retelling historical events, as most good directors do, and he can do it in his sleep — although he hasn’t since 2012’s Lincoln.

Bridge of Spies delivers a strong narrative with solid performances from a top cast, at a time of year when cinema releases are gearing up for the inevitable blockbuster/ sequel bombardment. (LL) WWW

this film touches on the shattered lives of civilians and how American soldiers have been desensitized and depersonalized by the extremities of war. Provocative, insightful and seemingly uncensored, this is not a film to be enjoyed, but one which must be seen. (MMo) WWW1/ 2 CRIMSON PEAK The latest offering from Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) is a gothic twist on the romance genre formula.When mysterious stranger Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) rides into town, aspiring writer Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) falls hard and fast for him. However upon getting married and moving back to his castle in England with his less-than-welcoming sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain), she soon discovers that the siblings and their house are haunted with secrets and bloody apparitions. A visual feast with beautifully constructed sets and exquisite costumes. (ASim)

KIM PETALAS’S TOP 3 PICKS

Youth – This beautiful film from Paolo Sorrentino (director of The Great Beauty) is complemented by brilliant performances, notably from iconic British actor Michael Caine. Thought-provoking and stylish.

Brooklyn – The deeply-moving and exquisitely filmed story of a young lady’s immigration from Ireland to New York should resonate with Australian audiences owing to our multi-cultural history.

Suffragette – This drama details the early feminist movement in the fight for the right to vote in Britain. An intense and important film which boasts a stellar cast including Cary Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep.

Oct 27 - Nov18. Palace Norton Street Leichardt & Palace Verona Paddington. $19.50 (single sessions) – $280 (20 film pass). Tickets & info: britishfilmfestival.com.au

the eye to the events of that fateful day.

The black hole of a town is full of morally bankrupt souls, and as the colourful Tilly transforms the loathsome people with sartorial skill, her story begins to unravel, leading to a satisfyingly deranged and over-the-top ending.

Less satisfying is Winslet’s Australian accent, which begins strong and waters down as the film progresses. Though her performance as the tough-as-nails-yetvulnerable Tilly commands Based on the novel by the screen without fail.

Australian author Rosalie There are a multitude of threads Ham, The Dressmaker is weaving their way through the an outback drama about central story, and each one revenge with dark features a treasure trove of comedic undertones.

Australian talent––including Liam Fashionable femme fatale and Hemsworth, Rebecca Gibney, dressmaker, Myrtle ‘Tilly’ Shane Jacobson, Sarah Snook and Dunnage (Kate Winslet), Hugo Weaving in a hilarious turn returns to her dusty country as a police sergeant living a lie. home of Dungatar to take care The Dressmaker utilises that of her unstable mother (Judy talent Australians have for finding Davis) and confront the a touch of humour in even the demons of her past. As a child, bleakest of circumstances well–– Tilly was accused of murdering and also the premise of if you’ve another child and sent away, got it, flaunt it. (LL) WWW but there’s more than meets

WWWW MISS YOU ALREADY Milly (Toni Collette) and Jess (Drew Barrymore) have been best friends all their lives.

Now adults, with their own families and careers––their lives are upended when Milly, the more gregarious of the two, is diagnosed with breast cancer.While the film is about the tight bonds that bind female friendships, it becomes more about Milly’s battle with cancer and its emotional toll on her and everyone around her. Collette turns in an amazing performance and the film should be commended for its unflinching and realistic perspective.

(ASim) WWW1/ 2 LEGEND Throughout the 1960s, a pair of identical twins controlled London’s dark underbelly.Tom Hardy attempts to fill the shoes of both Ronnie and Reggie Kray in new flick, Legend. Hardy does a rather admiral job in what must have been an extremely difficult set of roles to

perform.‘Muddled’ is perhaps the best word to describe this film, as it seems that director Brian Hegeland was unable to decide on one particular story arch to follow––is this a crime drama, a love story/tragedy, or a comedy? Excellent cinematography and visual effects. (JA) WW1/ 2 THE WALK The masterfully told true story of Frenchman Philippe Petit’s daring high-wire walk between New York’s (then not-quite-finished) World Trade Centre Twin Towers in 1974.

Director and writer Robert Zemeckis (Cast Away, Forrest Gump) has created a remarkably suspenseful film with the best use of 3D seen in a long time–– beautiful cinematography and fluid special effects complement the Petit’s high-wire movements. Joseph GordonLevitt (Inception) portrays Petit––one of a few actors consistently at the top of their game, a true creative who can disappear into a character quietly. (LL) WWWW

Sleeping With Other People

Bridge of Spies

Bridge of Spies is gathering Oscar buzz, and it’s easy to see why.The drama is directed by Steven Spielberg, co-written by the Coen brothers, stars Tom Hanks and is based on a fascinating true story — all the elements are in place for a high-quality Spielberg winner, and Bridge of Spies delivers.

Tom Hanks plays attorney James Donovan, an insurance lawyer who is thrust into the middle of the Cold War when he’s asked to defend a captured Soviet spy known as Colonel Abel (Mark Rylance).When an American pilot is shot

down over enemy territory, Donovan is sent to Europe to negotiate Abel’s exchange for the captured pilot.

The lawyer is in over his head, and of course there are complications, but he feels he has no choice when it comes to doing the right thing.

As he honourably urges,“Every person

on the rich history of British cinema with our Love Actually – A Century of British Romance retrospective,” concluded Petalas. (MMo)

The Dressmaker

The BBC First British Film Festival 2015 presents a sneak peek at some of the best films British cinema has to offer. The program consists of 21 feature films, of which an incredible 18 are Australian premieres, and 10 classic British films which can also be enjoyed on the big screen.

“This is actually the 3rd British Film Festival, but it’s the first sponsored by BBC,” explained Festival director Kim Petalas.

“Australians should be interested in this film festival – we understand British cinema. Australia is similar in culture to the British and we identify to them.”

45 Years is a performance driven film which should appeal to lovers of fine cinema. “This is the story of a couple who have been married for 45 years. Set in a seven day period, there’s a life-changing twist in the relationship,” said Kim. “This year’s festival gives lovers of British Cinema a great opportunity to see a rich, diverse program and to embrace the energy of contemporary British film making, at the same time warmly reflecting

After 2012’s The Bachelorette, Leslye Headland’s latest offering, Sleeping With Other People, is a refreshing take on the tired rom-com formula.

Our story begins with a conventional meet-cute: Lainey (Alison Brie) is hammering on the door of college guy Matthew (Adam Scott), yelling about losing their virginities. She’s about to get kicked out of the dorm when she’s saved by Jake (Jason Sudeikis), resident niceguy-on-the-block, who invites her into his room.

Hours of conversation later they realise they’ve got amazing chemistry–– too bad Lainey bolts the next day without so much as a goodbye note.

LEARNINGTO DRIVE An unlikely friendship builds when two culturally diverse NewYorkers experiencing marital difficulties meet and become dependent on each other for relationship advice.Wendy (Patricia Clarkson) a middle-aged book critic, accepts driving lessons from Darwan (Ben Kingsley) a Sikh driving instructor, when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. Darwan is fighting his own demons, feeling trapped in an arranged marriage.

Touching on themes of racism and illegal immigration, this comedy/drama is extremely witty, much of the humour arising from the sharp-tongued dialogue delivered by the deliciously spiteful Wendy. (MMo) WWW1/ 2 PAN The origin story of Peter Pan details Pan’s arrival to Neverland and how he came to be known as the boy who could fly.This newly penned, epic, fun-filled and swashbuckling family adventure also details Pan (Levi Miller) and Hook’s (Garrett Hedlund) first

They don’t cross paths again until 12 years later––at a sex addiction meeting, ironically–– and they’re very different people: Jake is a serial womaniser, and Lainey can’t keep herself from cheating on her boyfriends with Matthew, the one that got away in college.They’re equally bad at relationships, so why not just be friends? But this is a romcom, so we know they’re going to fall for each other one way or another, and what makes Sleeping With Other People so memorable is the how.

It’s an honest take on the modern love story, and its portrayal of two friends who are determined to stay friends despite everyone thinking they’re a couple is just the right amount of funny-yet-touching.

(SC) WWW

meeting, their friendship and how they joined forces to fight the malicious Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman).Audiences will be enchanted by the energy and imagination which implodes from the reincarnated world of Neverland – this is the Peter Pan for today’s generation, CGI-heavy and artistically flawless.

(MMo) WWWW BLACK MASS An adaptation of the book of the same name by two Boston Globe reporters responsible for exposing the seedy underbelly of the FBI and their murky relationship with one of America’s most notorious criminals, James ‘Whitey’ Bulger (Johnny Depp).

This film picks up after Bulger has completed a stretch in Alcatraz. It is often plotting and methodical with it’s approach, which some may find too slow - but this is more of a character drama with intermittent violence dispersed throughout, rather than an all out gangster action thriller. (JA) WWWW city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

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Sydney Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE

By Jamie Apps

The Rubens

Ainslie Wills: Catapulting into the Australian music conscious with her highly regarded debut album You Go Your Way in 2013, Wills has spent the past few years slowly accumulating more and more accolades ahead of her recent Oh The Gold EP release.

With the EP now here, Wills is celebrating by summoning her five piece band for a quick capital city tour which arrives in Sydney this week.

Thu, Oct 29, Newtown Social Club Clowns: These Melbourne punks have become infamous for their riotous tour shenanigans and tomorrow night is sure to be no different as they return home to their natural habitat of smaller venues. Following a tour of the states, which featured appearances at the renowned SxSW festival, the have plenty of energy and excitement to bring their fans.

Fri, Oct 30, Factory Floor The Indians: With a unique sound which fuses indie vibes with Brit-pop and punk, the five piece band has quickly garnered a lot of attention. In particular their Into Darkness was recently featured on TV show Shameless––can their follow up, Unsatisfied, live up to expectations?

Find out tomorrow at their live show.

Fri, Oct 30, Gallery Bar - OAF CW Stoneking: Having recently returned from an extensive European tour, CW Stoneking is extremely excited to perform a short run of

shows at home. Revising some of his favourite tracks from recent album Gon Boogaloo, as well as a few surprises, this show will be the last chance for fans to see him before he heads to work on some new exciting projects.

Fri, Oct 30, Manning Bar Tiny Little Houses: Celebrating their signing to Ivy League Records–– joining a roster which consists of Cloud Control, Alpine and The Rubens to name just a few––the Melbournians are heading out for a run of headline shows.

Sat, Oct 31, Brighton Up Bar Loon Lake: Sydney fans will have their final chance to see Loon Lake perform this weekend before they hang up the instruments and call it a day. Over their six year career, Loon Lake have built a strong following and are looking forward to thanking the fans during these shows.

Sat, Oct 31, Newtown Social Club

by Rob Brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): On a January morning in 1943, the town of Spearfish, South Dakota experienced very weird weather. At 7:30 a.m. the temperature was minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit. In the next two minutes, due to an unusual type of wind sweeping down over nearby Lookout Mountain, thermometers shot up 49 degrees. Over the next hour and a half, the air grew even warmer. But by 9:30, the temperature had plummeted back to minus 4 degrees. I’m wondering if your moods might swing with this much bounce in the coming weeks. As long as you keep in mind that no single feeling is likely to last very long, it doesn’t have to be a problem. You may even find a way to enjoy the breathtaking ebbs and flows. Halloween costume suggestion: roller coaster rider, Jekyll and Hyde, warm clothes on one side of your body and shorts or bathing suit on the other.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the last ten days of November and the month of December, I suspect there will be wild-card interludes when you can enjoy smart gambles, daring stunts, cute tricks, and mythic escapades. But the next three weeks will not be like that. On the contrary. For the immediate future, I think you should be an upstanding citizen, a wellbehaved helper, and a dutiful truth-teller. Can you handle that?

If so, I bet you will get sneak peaks of the fun and productive mischief that could be yours in the last six weeks of 2015.

Halloween costume suggestion: the most normal person in the world.

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TAURUS (April 20May 20): How dare you be so magnetic and tempting? What were you thinking when you turned up the intensity of your charm to such a high level? I suggest you consider exercising more caution about expressing your radiance.

People may have other things to do besides daydreaming about you. But if you really can’t bring yourself to be a little less attractive -- if you absolutely refuse to tone yourself down -- please at least 18

city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

try to be extra kind and generous.

Share your emotional wealth.

Overflow with more than your usual allotments of blessings. Halloween costume suggestion: a shamanic Santa Claus; a witchy Easter Bunny.

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CANCER (June 21July 22): Members of the gazelle species known as the springbok periodically engage in a behavior known as pronking.

They leap into the air and propel themselves a great distance with all four feet off the ground, bounding around with abandon.

What evolutionary purpose does this serve? Some scientists are puzzled, but not naturalist David Attenborough. In the documentary film Africa, he follows a springbok

Jamie Apps Ahead of their biggest tour to date,The Ruben’s lead vocalist Sam Margin took the chance to reflect on their growth and the drastically different approaches they’ve taken to writing and recording their two albums.You could very easily make the case that the boys from Melbourne recorded their albums in reverse of what you would usually expect to see from a new band on the scene.

For their first album the boys had the opportunity to head over to New York City to work with Grammy Award-winning producer David Kahne, which in Sam’s own words was “lucky, because we weren’t really a band for very long and it all happened very quick.” Kahne had heard one of The Rubens songs and was immediately interested in working with them.“Within two months a few major, major things happened and changed everything for us.We were suddenly in the States with borrowed money from our parents and a tiny budget per day,” said Sam. On the inverse for their second record, the guys decided to go for much more humble surroundings, setting up shop in an “old beach house right on the water” in Coledale.The decision to take this approach was a multi-faceted one incorporating both business and pleasure.“We did it for ourselves a little bit too, because we’ve been touring so much and haven’t had a holiday or done anything outside of the band for years,” reflected Sam.“We’ve just been on the road constantly, always with a tour manager, always with a schedule everyday

Caligula’s Horse – Bloom

Bloom is absolutely the perfect title for the latest record

by Brisbane rockers Caligula’s Horse.As you hear it sprout from a little seed, you are quickly immersed into a forest of exquisite progressive rock songs.

Throughout the record, the band and vocals work in conjunction perfectly to create a mysterious, dark, emotional atmosphere––Caligula’s Horse have done something that every record attempts to to do, but others often cannot strike the right balance.

The vocal performance by Jim Grey is truly special throughout, exploring his full vocal range without ever appearing to overstretch. Grey is also unabashed when it comes to being the centre piece where necessary, which certainly helps the group maintain a balance between vocals and musical accompaniment.

This album is an all round experience from start to finish that is best appreciated when listened to from cover to cover, in order to enjoying its full blooming beauty.

(JA) WWWW

FREEWILLASTROLOGY

herd as it wanders through the desert for months, hoping to find a rare rainstorm. Finally it happens. As if in celebration, the springboks erupt with an outbreak of pronking. “They are dancing for joy,” Attenborough declares.

Given the lucky breaks and creative breakthroughs coming your way, Cancerian, I foresee you doing something similar. Halloween costume suggestion: a pronking gazelle, a hippety-hopping bunny, a boisterous baby goat.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “A very little key will open a very heavy door,” wrote Charles Dickens in his short story “Hunted Down.” Make that one of your guiding meditations in the coming days, Leo. In the back of your mind, keep visualizing the image of a little key opening a heavy door.

Doing so will help ensure that you’ll be alert when clues about the real key’s location become available.

You will have a keen intuitive sense of how you’ll need to respond if you want to procure it. Halloween costume suggestion: proud and protective possessor of a magic key.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The ancient Hindu text known as the Kama Sutra gives extensive advice about many subjects, including love and sex.

“Though a man loves a woman ever so much,” reads a passage in chapter four, “he never succeeds in winning her without a great deal of talking.” Take that as your cue,

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that was down to fifteen minute increments for two years. So being able to get a beach house together and almost have a holiday together for a few weeks was really therapeutic before slowly easing into writing.

Over the years the guys have grown as musicians thanks to their experiences on the road, having the chance to listen to more bands live and learn from them.With these lessons in mind,The Rubens always had the live performance in the back of the minds while writing Hoops.These songs are moulded to be “fun for us to play with moments that excite us, which then excites the crowd.”

The time away from touring has also allowed the guys to refine their live performance, which Sam believes is now “the tightest we’ve been because we’ve rehearsed a lot more too, which allows us to relax on stage.” (JA) Oct 31.The Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $44.95+b.f. Tickets & info: enmoretheatre.com.au

Virgo. In the coming weeks, stir up the intimacy you want with a great deal of incisive talking that beguiles and entertains. Furthermore, use the same approach to round up any other experience you yearn for.

The way you play with language will be crucial in your efforts to fulfill your wishes. Luckily, I expect your persuasive powers to be even greater than they usually are.

Halloween costume suggestion: the ultimate salesperson.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I encourage you to be super rhythmical and melodious in the coming days. Don’t just sing in the shower and in the car. Hum and warble and whistle while shopping for vegetables and washing the dishes and walking the dog. Allot yourself more than enough time to shimmy and cavort, not just on the dance floor but anywhere else you can get away with it. For extra credit, experiment with lyrical flourishes whenever you’re in bed doing the jizzle-skazzle. Halloween costume suggestion: wandering troubadour, street musician, free-styling rapper, operatic diva, medicine woman who heals with sound.

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I expect you to be in a state of continual birth for the next four weeks. Awakening and activation will come naturally.

Your drive to blossom and create may be irresistible, bordering on unruly. Does that sound

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City And Colour – If I Should Go Before You

Five records in, it certainly seems Dallas Green has solved the conundrum of “if I try to change direction I might not find what I’m looking for” with his most developed and mature record to date.

Over the course of the five City And Colour records, it is obvious that Green has grown in confidence and stature in regards to his vocal performance, with this record being his strongest performance yet.

It is hard to tell if incorporating his touring band into the creative process allowed for this extra level or confidence and freedom, but they have definitely helped to produce a much fuller and more rounded sound.This is most evident in ‘Mizzy C’,‘Lover Come Back’,‘Killing Time’ and ‘Map Of The World’. (JA) WWW1/2

overwhelming? I don’t think it will be a problem as long as you cultivate a mood of amazed amusement about how strong it feels. To help maintain your poise, keep in mind that your growth spurt is a natural response to the dissolution that preceded it.

Halloween costume suggestion: a fountain, an erupting volcano, the growing beanstalk from the “Jack and the Beanstalk” fairy tale.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): “Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.” So says Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield.

Can you guess why I’m bringing it to your attention, Sagittarius? It’s one of those times when you can do yourself a big favor by sloughing off the stale, worn-out, decaying parts of your past. Luckily for you, you now have an extraordinary talent for doing just that. I suspect you will also receive unexpected help and surprising grace as you proceed. Halloween costume suggestion: a snake molting its skin.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19): Speaking on behalf of your wild mind, I’m letting you know that you’re due for an immersion in revelry and festivity.

Plugging away at business as usual could become counterproductive unless you take at least brief excursions to the frontiers of pleasure. High integrity may become sterile unless you expose it to an unpredictable adventure

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or two. Halloween costume suggestion: party animal, hell raiser, social butterfly, god or goddess of delight. Every one of us harbors a touch of crazy genius that periodically needs to be unleashed, and now is that time for you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I hope you will choose a Halloween costume that emboldens you to feel powerful.

For the next three weeks, it’s in your long-term interest to invoke a visceral sense of potency, dominion, and sovereignty. What clothes and trappings might stimulate these qualities in you?

Those of a king or queen? A rock star or CEO? A fairy godmother, superhero, or dragon-tamer?

Only you know which archetypal persona will help stir up your untapped reserves of confidence and command.

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PISCES (Feb. 19March 20): t’s time to stretch the boundaries, Pisces. You have license to expand the containers and outgrow the expectations and wage rebellion for the sheer fun of it. The frontiers are calling you.

Your enmeshment in small talk and your attachment to trivial wishes are hereby suspended. Your mind yearns to be blown and blown and blown again! I dare you to wander outside your overly safe haven and go in quest of provocative curiosities. Halloween costume suggestions: mad scientist, wildeyed revolutionary, Dr. Who.

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Kings Court Massage Kings Court is the only place to have twenty two massage rooms and eleven hot tubs, spas, and bubble baths.

Wall to wall beautiful ladies, pool tables and luxurious leather lounges. You can have a coffee and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

Approachable managers help you choose a lady for your massage.

There is a fair queuing system and no hidden charges or credit card fees. We are just along from Central Railway at 261 Parramatta Rd Glebe, Sydney NSW 2037 Phone 02 9660 0666 Its a $10.00 Taxi Ride from the CBD Visit our web site at

www.kingscourt.com.au We are open 9 am to 1 am and 24 hours on Weekends. There is a 20% discount from 9 am to 12 noon & FREE ENTRY before 9 pm each day.

After 9 pm a $20 entry fee forms part of the pricing structure and also protects the massage ladies from insincere callers.

Parking is available in the Broadway Shopping Centre near our discreet rear entrance at 18 Grose St Glebe, first 2 hours free. Check out the website: at www.kingscourt.com.au for information, funny stuff and pictures of pretty women. There are no photos of the regular girls as they are too shy.

Also check out Big John’s Facebook to see a mixture of really funny pics, photos and stories. This is updated regularly:

www.facebook.com/KingsBigJohn Kings Court Massage: Where the first time customer can meet the first time massage girl!

VACANCIES Kings Court is the best place to learn adult massage. You can work with us part time or casual and you are paid cash daily. Work times can suit students or young mothers. When you start we get one of the regular girls to show you how to do your first massage. We have off street parking for ladies with cars and for your interview you can park in the Broadway Shopping Centre near our discreet rear entry with two hours free parking. The 18 Grose Street Glebe NSW 2037 address is the best way to find us using GPS plotting. Ring us on 02 9660 0666. Some ladies from out of town stay over when they visit. We have the bestest and sweetest customers of any place. The website is www.kingscourt.com.au On the home page have a look at, “Is this your first time” and see the ten tips that help customers to understand how we do business and how they must behave towards our girls.

Hi, this is Big John the owner of Kings Court.

We don’t use slick advertising because we are not that kind of slick place. We do have the biggest and most interesting place but our personality just isn’t slick.

A few years ago when the police stopped taking an interest in all the places and many places became legal we had to decide if we would become a full brothel like many other places did. We decided to continue as a massage place that does a happy ending. It really is a very nice experience and you can sit naked in the spa with a pretty girl and have

champagne at no extra charge. It is about half the price of going to similar places where they offer more. We have very nice, normal “girl-next-door” types here and because we don’t allow the girls to have their privacy invaded they remain as sweet young things and do not toughen up. You will leave with a smile on your face and a tremble in your knees!

The best new thing we have at the moment is all the really funny stuff on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/KingsBigJohn

city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015

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Be Yo!

Sun da y 15 nov Live Music, Art, Food Trucks & Bar Basketball Court Peter Forsyth

11am – 5pm

Ngaiire Polographia Richard In YourBerlinMind Love

Free!

New Venusians MC Miles Merrill DJ Dr Motte Parade Founder

Coin b y Gold Donation

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city hub 29 OCTOBER 2015