City Hub 10 September 2015

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city hub 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

Levels of internet piracy AAARRE falling, report finds

BY KENJI SATO The number of people illegally downloading media content has plummeted according to a research report released last week.

The report was released by Choice, a Marrickville based consumer advocacy group and “Australia’s largest and loudest consumer movement”.

It found that the number of people who admitted to regularly pirating movies or TV shows had fallen by a quarter, from 23 per cent in 2014’s report to 17 per cent this year.

Campaign Manager at Choice Erin Turner attributed this decline to the rise in streaming services in Australia, such as Netflix and Stan. 33 per cent of people said that they are downloading much less often since subscribing to streaming services.

“The big change in the last six months is an explosion of new streaming services,” Ms Turner said.

“It’s quite a clear correlation between availability of content in Australia and rates of piracy.”

“When we ask people who are still pirating, why they do so, the reasons are really clear,” she said.

“The core reasons that we hear from consumers are availability and timeliness of content. Most people are pirating TV shows and movies they can’t yet find in Australia. If we fix these problems, piracy rates drop.”

Another reason that people gave for pirating was the perceived unfairness of the pricing.

“We find it offered at cheaper prices in the US and the UK, and there’s a real sense of a rip off,” Ms Turner said.

The report found that the number of Australians signed up to pay per view or subscription services was 59 per cent, up from 46 per cent last year.

Choice had been “strongly opposed” to the federal government’s proposals to crack down on internet piracy.

Ms Turner said that business owners had to adapt to the digital economy.

“These proposals have been pushed by rights holders whose existing business models are being threatened,” Ms Turner said.

“There’s an old world thinking around copyright, the idea that you carve the world up to regions and you sell specific content at specific times at specific prices. But the internet’s here.

Indigenous

Art.

Source:

Wikicommons.

We’re part of a global market,” she said.

“Businesses need to update their practices and recognise what consumers want. The proposals put forward in the last year are misguided and even harmful to consumers. They don’t address the primary reasons for piracy that we’re seeing: availability, access, affordability.”

Simon Frew, president of the Pirate Party of Australia, said that Netflix is the market catching up to consumer demand, and that piracy was a justified method to get around geo-blocking.

“Australia’s a bit of a cultural backwater. That is probably why most people pirate, because they want to access the same stuff as the rest of the world at the same time,” Mr Frew said.

He said that social media meant an increasingly globalised world, and said this was impacting on media consumption behaviour.

“I have friends in the US and if I don’t download the most recent shows that we watch in common at the time that they watch it, they’ll talk about it on Facebook and it’ll be ruined for me,” he said.

“In order for me not to have all the spoilers come up, the easiest thing for me to do is to watch it when it comes out.”

But Chairman of the Australian Copyright Council, Professor Michael Fraser, said that Australia needs stronger copyright law.

Professor Fraser said creators needed protection, so as to not “starve [them] in a garret for the benefit for the community”.

“I don’t agree with the pirate party with their anarchist point of view. They are advocating against a human right, which is an intellectual property right,” he said.

“We should respect the work of creators by respecting the intellectual property just the way that we do for other forms of property.”

Professor Fraser said that he agreed with Choices’ argument that streaming services help reduce rates of piracy. He also agreed that businesses should adapt to the evolving, globalised, digital market.

“I think that it’s important for copyright owners to make their works available conveniently and instantaneously in different forms at a reasonable price. But it doesn’t justify piracy if the work is not available in the way a consumer wants,” he said.

“Strong copyright law is important because it is the foundation for freedom of expression in our society. It means

Michael Fraser said we need stronger copyright law. Source: supplied

independent creators and producers can continue to work as professional creators and producers,” Professor Fraser said.

“It’s also important because it’s a moral issue. We shouldn’t take other people’s work without their permission.”

Ms Turner said people were continuing to use overseas streaming services, and that this showed that people were still unsatisfied with the availability of content in Australia.

“There’s a real frustration out there that people can’t get what they want, and even when they try to do the right thing they’re locked out. It doesn’t excuse piracy. But it gives us a real clear sense of the solution. Just sell the stuff here,” she said.

Dodgy art deals on Leichhardt Council’s radar Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS A panel discussion about the ethics of buying and selling Indigenous art will take place in Leichhardt to address community concerns over recent unethical sales of indigenous art.

The panel discussion, which will take place at Leichhardt Town Hall on September 17, will be moderated by prominent author and advertising writer Jane Caro, and feature indigenous art experts as well ethicist Christian Barry.

Leichhardt Greens Mayor Rochelle Porteous said the convening of the forum was in response to growing unease about unethical business practices surround Indigenous art.

“Leichhardt Council is trying to address concerns within the community around unethical trade of Indigenous art, while also providing a platform for discussion and learning,” Clr Porteous told City Hub. City Hub understands that there had been some members of the community who had raised concerns about potentially unethical vendors in the Leichhardt LGA. Clr Porteous said it was important for council to play a role in educating the public about ethical art buying and selling practices.

“Over the past year, pop up and online auctions have been identified as a potential source for forgeries, and purportedly Indigenous artworks have been the source of ‘buyer beware’ warnings or withdrawn from auction due to concerns about the legitimacy of their source,” Clr Porteous said.

“The exploitation of Aboriginal artists affects the artists, the buyers of their art and the wider community,” she said.

Leichhardt Council appreciates and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and wants to assist a discussion that Indigenous artists have been talking about for decades.”

Indigenous Art Code CEO Gabrielle Sullivan said that Indigenous artists live and work all over the

country, including in the city, the bush, the desert and the Torres Strait.

“We need to celebrate the diversity of Indigenous visual arts practice and address the ongoing issue of unethical trade,” she said.

The alarm had been raised by pop up sales and online auctions over the past year.

Works which had been flagged had subsequently been withdrawn from auction.

Ms Caro and Mr Barry will be joined on the panel by curator Franchesca Cubillo, artist Elizabeth Marrkily Ellis, collector Geoff Hassall, as well as art dealers Christopher Hodges and Adrian Newstead.

The Forum will be hosted by Leichhardt Municipal Council, in conjunction with Indigenous Art Code and the Eastern Region Local Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum (ERLGATSIF).

The hosts are dedicated to helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and seek to shed light on the conversation Indigenous artists have voiced for decades.

ERLGATSIF, which is a partnership between the councils of Leichhardt, City of Sydney, City of Botany Bay, Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra, said that their group recognised that the authenticity issue affects communities across the wider region.

The Indigenous Art Code was formed in 2009 following a federal senate inquiry into Indigenous Art practices.

The organisation has partnered with local government to educate and inform consumers on purchasing Indigenous art ethically.

The organisation said they are providing a structure for dealers to promote ethical practice, respecting the significant contribution that Indigenous artists make to the Australian visual arts sector, the economy and society as a whole.

The discussion will take place at Leichhardt Town Hall on Thursday September 17 at 6.45pm.

Indigenous Art. Source: Wikicommons.

city hub 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

3

Why protesting is the only way for those locked out OPINION BY JASON MARSHALL This Sunday, thousands of people will meet at Hyde Park fountain at 1 pm to protest the decay of Sydney’s public life.

Last year’s introduction of lockout laws have directly contributed to the closure of many beloved venues and an increase in dickheads in areas where there were few or none before. The NSW government have done this without making any difference to the drinking habits of Sydney’s youth.

In noticing the obvious exemptions for the casinos, and the rapid gentrification of areas where clubs have closed, it is not a huge leap to suggest that the primary consideration of these laws was not alcohol related violence. If the government were serious about curbing alcohol related violence, they’d be pursuing smarter solutions to violence that address the social and cultural causes instead.

The draconian control of Sydney’s nightlife is a visible symptom of a much bigger problem: the influence of money upon policy.

As property developers, casino owners, miners, and bankers fight over their own agendas, the interests of the average person take a backseat.

This disregard for the majority of people not represented by a lobby group is why there is much more to protest than just the lockout laws.

Over the years, many other little things have accumulated, that by themselves, would not have been the end of the world, but the small indignities add up, slowly choking the life out of the city. We want to be able to catch the train without being constantly bombarded by threats over the station loudspeaker.

These creepy dystopian messages telling us we’re being watched, to watch other people, not to drink, smoke or put our feet on the seat, to pay for a ticket; they wear us down and bring down the mood.

The Reclaim the Streets protest group would like to be able to walk down the street with a beer without being harassed by the police. Alcohol-Free Zones also unfairly target people who can’t afford to drink in bars: the poor, the homeless, and young people.

A previous Reclaim the streets event. Source: Supplied

It should be made easier to use the public space for public activities. Filing paperwork with the council and paying huge fees for a small party in a park is unnecessarily burdensome for what usually amounts to nothing more rowdy than a picnic.

Our group want greater emphasis placed on public transport, pedestrians and cyclists instead of cars and roads. The dominance of car culture makes living in the city dangerous and unpleasant. 24 hour clearways decimate local businesses, turning our high streets into wastelands.

Nobody thinks it is reasonable to be fined for crossing the street. We want lights to favour pedestrians, and cars should be removed from the CBD altogether, replaced by boulevards and cycleways.

We want to be able to take away alcohol any time of the day.

The 10 pm takeaway restriction stops responsible adults from kicking on at home after a night out, and it unfairly targets many people who work late.

We want to stay out, knowing we can get home late because the trains run all night. The nightriders are unreliable, cramped and don’t even cover all the stations.

We want to go to clubs, pubs and festivals without being accosted by highly inaccurate drug detection dogs. It is embarrassing and degrading to be searched in public as the result of a test that is wrong the majority of the time.

There are plenty more to reasons to come out and dance in protest. You can find details at www.reclaimthestreets.com.au

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5

Fail to prepare, prepare for Bays Precinct failure, community groups warn

BY LEXY AKILLAS Local residents have said the Bays Precinct Urban Transformation Program will fail, unless public transport and infrastructure issues are fixed.

The NSW Government aims to redevelop over 80 hectares of mainly government owned land, from Blackwattle Bay to White Bay Power station, in cooperation with UrbanGrowth NSW and the WestConnex Delivery Authority.

However, community groups are worried these infrastructure developments like WestConnex will result in traffic congestion and the loss of open space in waterfront areas.

Mary Mortimer, Convenor of the Council of Ultimo Pyrmont Association (CUPA) said the group was concerned about the lack of plans for alternative transport options, such as light rail and ferries.

“There is great potential for the Bays Precinct development to be exciting and valuable but there are a lot of ways that it could fall flat on its face,” Ms Mortimer said.

“My position, and the position of the community, in fact, the position of everyone other than the government, is that Westconnex within Bays Precinct should be abandoned, as it will funnel more cars into the city without any absorbable benefit,” she said.

Maintaining open space while still providing adequate services for the expected increase in population is also a

primary concern for community groups.

Christina Anthony, Chairperson for the Coalition of Glebe Groups (COG), said that the community did not want to see any public space removed.

“We need to stay vigilant with watching the rates of the building ratios, apartment numbers and the density of the developments,” Ms Anthony said.

Ms Mortimer also pointed out that despite the government having plans to utilise housing in the area, they had not expressed any plans for affordable housing or social infrastructure, including schools, medical clinics or aged care facilities.

“If all housing around here is going to be expensive, million dollar high-rise units, then all of the people who operate the essential services in Bays Precinct are going to be living at Campbelltown and commuting for several hours per day,” Ms Mortimer told City Hub. “They have plans to demolish the existing Ultimo school and rebuild. However, the new school will not have the capacity to accommodate all the children who will be moving into the area,” she said.

Balmain Greens MP Jamie Parker put forward a motion in the Legislative Assembly calling for community consultation to be a priority of the development. He said that as “the largest urban renewal project in the world”, there needed to be sufficiently more community involvement.

Sydney Independent MP Alex Greenwich supported Mr Parker in his motion on August 27.

“His motion goes to the heart of what the local community has been calling for: the prioritisation of social and affordable housing, active and passive open space, environmental sustainability, community facilities and public transport links,” Mr Greenwich said.

Despite this reassurance, however, community group leaders, such as Ms Anthony, are still skeptical.

“We are waiting to see what will happen, and at the moment, we are just trying to remain a part of the process,” Ms Anthony said.

Greens MP Jamie Parker said public transport should be in the mix for the Bays Precinct. Source: Wikicommons

The sulphur is down but it’s all engines blazing at White Bay Cruise Terminal

BY RYAN QUINN Leichhardt Council are outraged that ships will berth at White Bay Cruise Terminal for eight hours a day with their engines running.

The council told City Hub that the ships, docking up to 7 days a week in peak season, will cause noise and harmfully pollute the fresh air of residents on the Balmain peninsula.

Leichhardt Greens Mayor Rochelle Porteous said recommendations from last year’s parliamentary inquiry for an onshore power source at the terminal to solve the pollution had not been implemented.

“Instead of immediately implementing ship to shore power as the inquiry also recommended, residents are going to get a feasibility study that may drag on for some time while they continue to suffer unacceptable levels of noise and air pollution,” she said.

The inquiry’s recommendation for an Environmental Protection License for White Bay had also not been implemented.

However, the council praised the

The Bays Precinct. Source: Wikicommons

success of a local campaign which will force White Bay and Sydney Harbour cruise ships to use low levels of harmful sulphur fuels.

Clr Porteus said the new regulations, set to start on October 1, will begin to address air pollution issues affecting the health of Balmain peninsula residents.

“It is encouraging to see the state government taking real action to make sure that the health considerations of our residents outweigh the economic considerations of a single industry,” she said.

Particulate matter emissions, the harmful component of Sulphur fuels, were found to be the cause of approximately 60,000 global deaths annually, according to a 2007 global assessment study.

The study also linked these emissions to asthma, heart attacks, cardiopulmonary and lung cancer, and premature mortality.

A NSW Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson said that the pollution can significantly impact cardiovascular health.

“Current medical research shows that particle pollution can exacerbate existing respiratory symptoms such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, and at high concentrations cause respiratory symptoms,” the spokesperson said.

The regulations will include the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay and the White Bay Cruise Terminal, Sydney’s two main cruise terminals.

It is set to be extended to all NSW ports by July 1, 2016.

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7

WestConnext Rages On

BY WENDY BACON While families elsewhere focus on school holidays that begin next week, Haberfield families have less pleasant thoughts on their minds.

Along with their parents, school children joined an after-school march to protest against proposed Westconnex tunnel exits, ventilations stacks and demolition of homes in their neighbourhood on Wednesday.

It›s a sign that resistance and anger about the 37 kilometre Westconnex motorway is rising as the Baird government continues to refuse to release a business case to justify spending more than $15.4 billion on tollroads that its critics say will increase not solve traffic congestion.

“Westconnex will do nothing except see people in western Sydney pay huge tolls to drive straight

into an inner-city traffic jam. No doubt that’s why the Baird Government has been so desperate to hide the Westconnex business case – they know the numbers don’t add up,» said Haberfield Westconnex Action Group spokesperson Sharon Laura, who lives close to the proposed Haberfield tunnel exits.

Laura and other members of the community marched from the school to Parramatta Road, which she says « will be crippled by all the extra traffic caused by Westconnex – both from drivers skipping the new tolls on the M4, and the tens of thousands of extra cars and trucks that this tunnel will spew onto our already crowded streets.»

A planned unfiltered ventilation stack and tunnel exits are only metres away from a childcare centre, residential aged care homes, an infants’

home, Haberfield public school and thousands of homes.

But the Westconnex Delivery Authority is also showing its determination to proceed without a business case or planning approval for either the Westconnex M4 or M5 tunnel. An army of security, surveyors, drillers, engineers, earth movers and lawyers have been employed on public contracts to move the project forward.

Twice this week Haberfield residents have stopped surveyors working in local streets. On Tuesday when residents queried their authority for working in a street near the proposed tunnel exit, workers initially denied that they worked for Westconnex. Later, they produced a Westconnex brochure and described themselves as ‹self-approvers with the Minister›, a unheard of concept in planning law. After more upset residents emerged from their houses, the workers eventually packed up and left.

Last week, Westconnex also revealed plans for what the Westconnex Action group described as a ‹LA spaghetti interchange› at the end of the proposed new M5 tunnel at St Peters where it will also sweep away scores of houses and businesses.

Although residents knew that the planned interchange would be huge, many were stunned by the scale of the works. The community reaction was captured by Newtown Greens MP Jenny Leong who responded with a simple post on her Facebook page - collaged images of the interchange with the letters ‹WTF› across it.

If the tunnel is ever built, it will pour 31,000 extra cars a day onto King Street in Newtown and other local roads. The Save Newtown Westconnex Action Group says this will have a devastating impact on thriving businesses and community life on the street, which can be declared a clearway at any time by NSW Roads and Maritime Services. Over last weekend, the group collected 2000 signatures on a petition that calls for a halt to the project until there is a parliamentary inquiry and a full business case is released.

NSW Minister for Roads Duncan Gay said public relations for the interchange was based on new parks and an elevated cycleway. Like all motorways, the St Peters interchange would eventually have greenery between the tangle of roads and ventilation stacks The promise of a new park next to a ventilation stack did not go down well with St Peters, especially as the interchange will take a slice of Sydney Park, increase traffic in its perimeter roads, and come close to the front doors of the few remaining houses that are left nearby.

Most of the interchange will be on the site of the old Alexandria Landfill site. In August Westconnex began major work on the highly contaminated site. The legal authority for this work is also unclear and the NSW EPA have acknowledged that trucks leaving the site with asbestos were not all completely covered.

The Westconnex Action Group claims that the work is not only illegal but also dangerous and have twice blockaded the site for two hours in recent weeks. While police have been called to the site, there have been no arrests.

The Baird government also revealed plans showing that what was a ‹potential ventilation stack› at Arncliffe several weeks ago has now become two big ventilation stacks. The construction of these would pose an additional threat to one of only two secure colonies of the Green and Golden Bell Frogs that will already be threatened by years of intense tunnelling on their habitat just 50 metres from their breeding ponds.

As this story goes to press, the NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes has released the Environmental Impact Statement for the M4 tunnel. The document is thousands of pages long with more than 80 technical attachments.

Despite this, the Stokes has allowed only 45 days for comment rather than the 90 days sought by community groups.

Wendy Bacon lives in Newtown and supports the Westconnex Action Group.

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city hub 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

BY ALEXANDER LEWIS Commuters will be forced to make multiple train changes once the Sydney Metro arrives in the city.

The Sydney Metro, for which the government unveiled plans earlier this year, will supposedly double the capacity of our train network.

However, existing double-decker services along the Bankstown line will be replaced by single-deck driverless trains, which has some questioning the potential repercussions.

At a budget estimates hearing on September 1, a fiery debate was sparked by Greens Transport spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi on the issue.

Dr Faruqi asked NSW Transport Minister whether the Metro would be an improvement for the thousands of people who lived west of Bankstown and would now have to change trains to get into the city.

Mr Constance said that people would now have to deal with making multiple train swaps.

«Some 1.6 million people are going to move into town between now and 2031. We have to face the facts: People are going to have to get used to interchanging,» Mr Constance said.

«It happens elsewhere around the world. It is going to happen here. Commuters are interchanging every day of the week as we speak. There is going to be more interchanging,” he told the hearing.

Dr Faruqi also questioned Mr Constance as to why the Bankstown line had been specifically chosen to accommodate the new service.

«Given that the Bankstown line had about 15 million journeys in 2014 and there are other lines that have much higher journeys, like the Western line with 34 million journeys,» she said, «Why not improve the capacity of lines that are overloaded?»

Mr Constance did not answer the question

specifically, but said the government was building greater capacity into the entire network by separating out the lines.

«All lines are constrained by the city circle, as all lines head there,» he said.

Dr Faruqi told City Hub that converting doubledeck services to single-deck services along lines such as Bankstown would reduce capacity across the entire network.

“The government’s position in [senate] estimates really showed how little thought has gone into this project, which will fundamentally change the entire way our train network operates,” Dr Faruqi said.

“They will not release any detailed studies or cost-benefit analyses that show it is the best solution for Sydney, and it was admitted that the Metro doesn’t have a business case, nor has it been assessed by Infrastructure NSW,» she said.

“People along the Northern and Bankstown lines will suffer for a long time on inadequate replacement services while the Metro is being imposed, and then the rest of Sydney will suffer from a lower capacity service.”

Dr Faruqi said the Greens would prefer the government to improve the capacity of the current network through heavy investment in modern, automated signalling, as well as through the introduction of more light rail.

But according to Mr Constance, improved signalling throughout the existing network had been part of the plan all along.

«I note that the Labor Party and the Greens are opposed to the project. You voted against the funding of the project in the parliament. You voted against the $1 billion to go into the Western line to do exactly what you are talking about in regard to improved signaling,” he said.

Alex Hotel looks set to be saved

By RYAN QUINN Concerned locals will get their chance to voice objection to the proposed demolition of the Alexandria Hotel at a public conciliation meeting.

Alexandria Residents’ Action Group CoConvenor, Ben Aveling, said the meeting, to be held at the end of the month, may bring good results.

“At the conciliation meeting, residents get to speak, council gets to speak, the developer gets to speak, and the idea is that maybe some compromise can be made,” Mr Aveling said.

As earlier reported by City Hub, development application was lodged with council in June to demolish the 81 year old hotel and build a four-storey building consisting of 28 apartments in its place.

An Interim Heritage Order was instated in late July by the City of Sydney to safeguard the hotel from redevelopment for six months while the council investigate its heritage significance and consider a permanent listing.

“While the order is in force, the City’s consent is required to demolish, develop, damage, or alter the building and its land,” a City of Sydney spokeswoman said.

However, Mr Aveling voiced concern that the order could be struck down in the Land and Environment Court, following an appeal from the

developer on August 14 to revoke it.

Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong told City Hub the council’s support was promising and that she had asked the state Heritage Minister to also recognise the site’s heritage.

“Having a venue like the Alex is crucial to allow those community activities, those family celebrations and sporting celebrations to occur. It’s not just about protecting the building itself, but also protecting those kind of spaces,” Ms Leong said.

“Those are things that we need to be protecting to make sure we preserve them, not just as a moment in time but as something that the community can continue to enjoy,” she said.

The hotel’s former lessee Harry McAsey said that local residents treat the Alexandria Hotel as their “loungeroom, their garden and their meeting place.”

“I am overwhelmed by the support that people have shown to save the hotel, it’s been astonishing.

There’s tens of thousands of people on the Facebook page and nearly 500 objections to council,” he said.

The conciliation meeting will be held at the Alexandria Hotel on September 30 at 9:30 am.

City of Sydney Council will also be holding a meeting to provide information on the legal process and how residents can contribute at Alexandria Town Hall on September 21 at 5 pm.

EXHIBITION OF STATE SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE APPLICATION WestConnex – M4 East Motorway Application No Location

Applicant Council Area Consent Authority

SSI 6307 Land generally located on and adjacent to the M4 and Parramatta Road corridor from Homebush Bay Drive at Homebush to Parramatta Road and City West Link (Wattle Street) at Haberfield, in inner western Sydney.

Roads and Maritime Services Ashfield, Auburn, Burwood, Canada Bay and Strathfield Minister for Planning

Description of proposal: The M4 East Motorway upgrade and extension forms part of the WestConnex scheme. The project comprises the following key features: • widening and realignment of the M4 between Homebush Bay Drive at Homebush and Underwood Road at Homebush; • two 5.5 km three-lane tunnels (one eastbound and one westbound) extending from west of Underwood Road at Homebush to near Alt Street at Haberfield; • update of the existing Homebush Bay Drive interchange to connect the western end of each tunnel to the existing M4 and Homebush Bay Drive; • an on-ramp at Powells Creek, west of George Street at North Strathfield providing access to the M4 westbound; • an interchange at Concord Road at North Strathfield/Concord, with access to the eastbound tunnel and exit from the westbound tunnel. Access to the existing M4 to Concord Road would be maintained via Sydney Street. A new access would be provided from Concord Road southbound to the existing M4 westbound, with the existing on-ramp from Concord Road northbound to the M4 westbound to be removed; • an interchange at Wattle Street (City West Link) at Haberfield, with access to the westbound tunnel and exit from the eastbound tunnel. Ramps at this interchange will also provide access to the future eastbound tunnel and exit from the westbound tunnel as part of the future M4-M5 link project. Wattle Street westbound lanes will also be realigned to facilitate connection of the proposed tunnels to the surface road network; • an interchange at Parramatta Road at Ashfield/Haberfield, with access to the westbound tunnel and exit from the eastbound tunnel. Parramatta Road westbound lanes will also be realigned to facilitate connection to the proposed tunnels to the surface road network; • associated road works, including reconfiguration of lanes and changes to traffic signalling, including creating temporary and permanent cul-de-sacs at some local roads, and associated work at locations on and adjacent to arterial roads connecting to the tunnels; • tunnel ventilation systems and facilities located within the existing M4 corridor near Underwood Road at Homebush, and at the corner of Parramatta Road and Wattle Street at Haberfield; • provision of a fresh air supply intake facility at Cintra Park at Concord; • pedestrian and cycle facilities, including re-routing of the existing eastbound cycleway located on the northern shoulder of the existing M4, from west of Homebush Bay Drive to near Pomeroy Street, and a new cycleway on-ramp from Queen Street to the M4 Westbound; • tunnel support systems and services including electricity substations, fire pump rooms and tanks, water treatment facilities, and fire and life safety systems including emergency evacuation infrastructure; • a motorway operations complex at Homebush; • provision of road infrastructure and services to support the future implementation of smart motorway operations; • installation of tolling gantries and control systems along the length of the M4; • provision of new and modified noise abatement structures; and • temporary ancillary construction facilities and temporary works to facilitate construction of the project.

Exhibition The SSI Application, Environmental Impact Statement and other accompanying documents may be viewed on the Department’s website (www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au) and may be inspected from Wednesday 9 September 2015 until Friday 23 October 2015 during the relevant authorities ordinary office hours at: • Department of Planning and Environment: Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney; • Roads and Maritime Services (Head Office): Level 9, 101 Miller Street, North Sydney; • Ashfield Council: Customer Service Centre – 260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield; • Auburn City Council: Civic Precinct Centre – 1 Susan Street, Auburn; • Burwood Council: Suite 1, Level 2, 1-17 Elsie Street, Burwood; • City of Canada Bay Council: Civic Centre – 1A Marlborough Street, Drummoyne; • Strathfield Council: Customer Service Centre – 65 Homebush Road, Strathfield; • Ashfield Library: Level 3, 260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield; • Auburn City Library: Civic Place – 1 Susan Street, Auburn; • Burwood Library: 2 Conder Street, Burwood; • Concord Library: 60 Flavelle Street, Concord; • Five Dock Library: Level 1, 4-12 Garfield Street, Five Dock; • Strathfield Main Library: 65-67 Rochester Street, Homebush; and • Nature Conservation Council of NSW: Level 2, 5 Wilson Street, Newtown.

At the time of publishing this advertisement, the Minister for Planning has not directed that a public hearing should be held.

Submissions Any person may make a written submission concerning the SSI application during the exhibition period. If a submission is made by way of objection, the grounds of objection must be specified in the submission.

Persons wishing to make a submission should use the online form if possible. To find the online form go to the web-page for this proposal via www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/page/on-exhibition Your submission must reach the Department by Friday 23 October 2015. Before making your submission, please read our Privacy Statement at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/privacy or for a copy, telephone the number below.

The Department will publish your submission on its website in accordance with the privacy statement.

If you cannot lodge online you can write to the address below. If you want the Department to delete your personal information before publication, please make this clear at the top of your letter. You need to include: • your name and address, at the top of the letter only; • the name of the application and the application number (SSI 6307); • a statement on whether you support or object to the proposal; • the reasons why you support or object to the proposal; and • a declaration of any reportable political donations made in the previous two years. To find out what is reportable, and for a disclosure form, go to www.planning.nsw.gov.au/donations or phone the number below for a copy.

Contact Phone: Information Centre – 1300 305 695 Address: Planning Services, Department of Planning and Environment, GPO Box 39 SYDNEY NSW 2001 or fax to (02) 9228 6366. Your submission should be marked, Attention: Director, Infrastructure Projects.

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city hub 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

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Get ready to change trains more under the new metro

9

ARTS FEATURE

Technology like that, Art like this– People Like Us

BY ALANNAH MAHER Contemporary art can often be rather ambiguous in nature. Indeed, much art exists purely “for arts sake”, but when it can be used as a medium to communicate, to explore and to push boundaries– it becomes something truly impactful.

Currently showcasing at the UNSW Galleries, People Like Us is a varied and excellently curated collection of works exploring the interrelationships between art, technology and the human experience. Felicity Funner curates varied mediums of work including video, sound and sculptural installations.

Interaction plays a key role in this exhibition, with the space living up to its reputation as being more of a “living creative laboratory” rather than a traditional exhibition space. These works vary in form and function, from George Poonkhin Khut’s Brighthearts app that invites you to control beautiful moving images through touch and control of your heartbeat (originally developed to calm children before surgeries) and a physical embodiment of

the internet in Su-Mei Tse’s aurally immersive purring cat portraits.

Two key interactive works are Veloscape, an installation

by Laura Fisher and Volker Kuchelmeister that takes you on a self-guided virtual bike tour through Sydney; and Inside – Topologies of Stroke, John McGhee’s virtual reality animation work that invites the viewer to explore the inner world inside our brains. “[Veloscape is] part of a broader project around the emotions in cycling and how cyclists connect with public space in a unique way,” explained Laura.

Video was a new format for her to tinker with, but with a background in both fine arts and sociology along with grounding in research around cycling culture, Laura’s expertise were an excellent match for the video art expertise of co-collaborator Volker.

The Veloscape installation itself involves a stationary bicycle interacting with a large video screen, participants are invited to virtually “ride” the bike through the streets of Sydney in rush hour via a video recording that responds to

Laura Fischer on her virtual ride through Sydney – photo Chris Peken

WINNER

BEST OF SYDNEY

2015

the riders pedalling speed. This reactionary capability paired with the sheer clarity of the moving image creates a genuinely immersive experience, you might find yourself gasping as a bus brushes past.

The integration of cyclists sharing Sydney’s roads has been a highly politicised debate surrounded by much hostility and anxiety. Laura says that this project aims to “create empathy” by giving people an experience of the physicality of being a cycling commuter.

“The interesting thing for us is when you talk to people about why they choose to ride or choose not ride… its all about the body,” said Laura. Cyclists enjoy combining physical activity with their commute, whereas non-riders consider cycling dangerous or intimidating.

“I think what bicycles can bring to a city is a more dynamic use of space– improvisation, unpredictable and serendipitous social encounters– in the politics around cycling [those factors] get overlooked,” explained Laura.

“When you look at the cities that have made a change [such as Tokyo, Amsterdam]– there’s just a different energy in the streets… The way we address the mobility problem has cultural implications and it has social implications.” No matter what side of the debate you sit on, you can’t argue with the impressive architectural drama of virtually cycling over the ANZAC Bridge.

From work that shows a different perspective to the subjective and cultural elements of shared space, to work that shows us previously unseen inner landscapes inside of the human body– this exhibition is a true integration of art, technology and science.

John McGhee work with data to visualise the things we cannot see. Inside – Topologies of Stroke uses animation and virtual reality technology to blur the lines between data and artistic interpretation. Visitors are invited to wear a virtual reality headset (an Occulus Rift DK2 headset, for those playing at home) and take a simulated tour through the arteries of the human brain, following the path of red blood cells through to the site of a stroke.

This is an otherworldly experience influenced by pristine

cinematic visuals, and an exciting use of VR technology in its early stages. The live feed from the headsets screening on monitors on the walls are fascinating, but no match to the immersive experience of navigating the tunnels of vessels for yourself.

John trained as an industrial designer and moved into working on television commercials but soon “got bored of it” and developed an interest in “clever machines that allow us to see inside ourselves”. Admitting to not having much of an interest in science at school, he was gripped by technologies that change the way we visualise and communicate data.

“We’re really bad at communicating medical data and science general. We could do much better I feel, and I think computer graphics are a perfect mechanism to do that,” said John.

“We only ever see inside our bodies when we’re sick, we only ever get these images and these scans done when we’re ill. But my interest is, can we not just go to these spaces just to see them? Just because?”

Stroke is one of the most expensive diseases in the Western health system, and from testing the VR technology with stroke patients John has deducted that it allows them, their partners and carers to gain a greater understanding of what has happened to them. “When it comes to rehabilitating people, you have a window of time to impact how people recover, and if we can use techniques like this to improve that, then that’s pretty cool,” he added.

It is well worth setting aside an afternoon to spend drifting through and uncovering People Like Us. The theme of “the human experience” is one that could easily feel quite tired and regurgitated, but with its careful consideration of the capacities of new media and experimentation with new technologies, this exhibition is a stimulating testament to contemporary art that will have you feeling more like a participant than a spectator.

Until November 7 (Tues–Sat, 10am–5pm). UNSW Galleries, corner of Oxford Street and Greens Road.

CANTERBURY OLYMPIC ICE RINK

Skate with the best keep cool and learn to skate during July School holiday dates: September 21 – 25, September 28 – 30 October 1 – 2 10.00am – 11.00am Cost is $23.00 per skater which includes 1 hour group class and Public Skating until 12.30pm inclusive.

Make sure you have your skates on ready to go as classes start strictly at 10.00am.

No booking required.

Public Skating sessions: 11.00am – 12.30pm, 1.00pm – 3.00pm

PHILLIPS AVE, TASKER PARK, CANTERBURY www.canterburyicerink.com.au 10

city hub 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

city hub 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

11

EAT DRINK

EAT &&DRINK

By Jackie McMillan

William Blue Dining If meals at most fine dining restaurants seem too expensive, I’ve found the fancy, white-tablecloth restaurant for you!

William Blue Dining is located in the old Rockpool site, yet despite the fancy, heritage, sandstone location, a three-course meal is yours for fewer than forty bucks.You pay so little because your food is prepared and served by students - under

ROCKS & CBD Basket Brothers In an old skydiving shop, two buddies with impressive restaurant CVs have opened a café on the desolate fringes of Surry Hills and the CBD. Cleverly devised breakfasts, like Smoked Brisket Hash ($18) with egg, aioli, beautifully sweet beef brisket and jalapeño salsa, show the ‘bros’ Jono Forsythe (Mad Pizza e Bar) and Deepak Singh (Kantine) know how to lure people into their fish tank-like café. House-made Beans ($17) with pork belly and ham hock show they can do simple food with flair. Likewise, Hot Tuna Salad ($15) with quinoa, olives and perfectly soft-boiled egg, proves these guys are restaurateur class.With Allpress roasting the beans, their Coffee ($3.50) has the AFP

While the predictable consequences of Lockout Laws are reaping havoc upon the character of Newtown, a level-by-level revamp is occurring in the original 1832 site of the ‘new town store’ from which the suburb drew its name. Snatching back the area’s historical flavour, the first floor summons the 1920s with a bar turning out a surprising range of bespoke whisky cocktails.The standout is Assistant Manager Andrew Tsai’s Jam and Smoke ($19.50), taming Bruichladdich Port Charlotte with Grand Marnier, lemon, egg white and marmalade, without losing the whisky’s aroma or peaty intent.Their

NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS Ribs & Burgers Zetland With a smile that could light up a thousand service stations, we were greeted at the register by an enthusiastic attendee who wholeheartedly put the ‘zeal’ into Zetland.Taking a seat after ordering, I noticed the long queue of locals lining up for large brown paper bags to take away.The Old School Cheese Burger ($10.50) could have used a higher ‘patty to bun’ ratio, as the meat was its only decent feature. Pork Spare Ribs ($28.50) were a little on the dry side, but the smoky BBQ sauce was a savior, albeit thinly spread. Surprisingly, 12

the hawk-like eyes of well versed, industry professionals - from the William Blue College of Hospitality and Management. So you may have to have entertain some at-the-table-training, especially if you choose the well-priced, elegant 2008 Wiltinger Braune Kupp Kabinett Riesling Mosel ($68/bottle) with its cork-stopper. Bonus is you’ll also leave knowing you don’t put the corkscrew in the centre of the cork.Your meal is prepared using standout Aussie produce, from Pepe Saya butter to Alto olive oil, to pleasantly pink Milly Hill Lamb ($18) with saffron fondant potatoes, asparagus, pickled turnips and flavoursome jus. Kingfish Ceviche ($11) is nicely presented, retaining its delicate flavour against blue swimmer crab, coriander, mustard cress and lime. My crosshatched slab of Swordfish ($18) is cooked precisely as requested; and tarragon garlic butter makes Steamed Beans ($5) another success. In a fast-paced world this charming spot reminds you to slow down, be tolerant and gracious – a tasty antithesis to Abbott’s Australia.

107-109 George Street,The Rocks (02) 9492 3290 williambluedining.com Modern Australian $$

becoming regulars.

Shop 1 / 184-196 Elizabeth Street, Sydney (02) 9281 5198 basketbrothers.com.au Café $$ Basement 33 Amidst the hustle and bustle of Goulburn Street’s Haymarket end, is a new hidden bar gem, worthy of any nightlife veteran’s attention. I pull up a bar stool, and order a martini, after raising a respectful eyebrow to the ingenious cocktail list.The drinks certainly are on point, including Mel-Ki ($17) boasting melon liqueur, Grand Marnier and fresh kiwi.The interior of this nouveau nightspot is a mix of trendy tiling and sleek modern finishing; slightly too cool to be called flashy, but certainly shiny. Owner Nathanial Bourke hints to me that live music is close on the horizon.

I’m starting to get a Frankie’s Pizza vibe.

Cross Eyed Dog

Oh yeah… they also serve pizza.

Basement Level, 27-33 Goulburn Street, Haymarket (02) 8970 5813 basement33. com Bar, Cocktails $$

EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES The Dandylion Bondi The demise of movie rentals has seen Chitti Lardi open a fully-fledged vegetarian diner (with vegan options) in an old Bondi DVD store. Popular dishes include Caramelised Tempeh, Shitake Mushrooms & Kale Dumplings ($18) with chilli and sweet miso sauce, and brie-stuffed Portobello Mushrooms ($19).

Pumpkin Ravioli with Goats Cheese ($24) are out of this world - testament

Hunter Valley wine focus means you can accompany your Hanger Steak ($22) with lesser-known varietals like juicy red 2014 Chambourcin ($11/glass).The crackin’, tender, char-grilled steak, decked out with house-made chipotle butter, is teamed with brilliant chips, crisp onion rings and smoked jus.

I’d return just to eat it again.

Welcoming bartender Joel Cockerill cleverly introduces me to Eagle Rare Bourbon in the form of a Peacharound ($19), the perfect cocktail accessory to a heaving handful of Americana: Southern Fried Chicken, Bacon & Waffle Burger ($17.50).And while it’s hard to top the stellar steak, the Mushroom Raviolo ($17.50) put up a good fight. Its toothsome pasta and Vegemiteenhanced mushroom filling that saw my carnivorous dining companion exclaim:“Finally vegetarian that tastes like beef!”

Level 1, Zanzibar, 323 King Street, Newtown (02) 9519 1511 zanzibarnewtown.com.au Pub Bistro $$

my standout were Chicken Wings ($9.50) with sticky soy.We also had a kick-ass Vanilla Malt Thick Shake ($7).

Tenancy 1 APEX Building, 6 Defries Avenue, Zetland (02) 9697 0888 ribsandburgers.com/au/ American $$-$$$ Lucio Pizzeria Venture into Tomorrowland – otherwise known as Zetland.

Swallow down a portent dose of the future, where you can purchase an Audi as easily as you can order a name brand Lucio pizza. Grappling with the location over Birra Ichnusa ($8), I volunteer: it’s Shanghai without

city hub 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

By Jackie McMillan jackie@alternativemediagroup.com

the chaos. “Hence Singapore,” our neighbours at the cheek-tojowl tables, helpfully supply. By contrast, the artisan pizzas are imperfectly perfect – complete with bubbling, chewy crusts and minimal toppings, like Speck ($21) with mozzarella and Fontina, or paper-thin prosciutto, rocket and cherry tomatoes, topped with freshly shaved Parmesan on Filetto ($21). Cold cuts also feature on Il Grand Tagliere ($36.50) a heaving antipasto board won by super-fresh buffalo mozzarella.

Shop 34, East Village, 2-4 Defries Avenue, Zetland (02) 9697 3028 luciopizzeria.com.au Pizza, Italian $$

Bar at the End of the Wharf My date’s late, so I’m nursing an Old Fashioned ($20). It’s not on their short list of cocktails, but they do offer to make any classics you have a hankering for; so I forgive the bartender for it being sweet and gritty with undissolved sugar. Ordering off-list isn’t my usual practice, but I’m

to there being an Italian chef in the house.

The Dead Man’s Chest ($16) – containing Sailor Jerry, Cointreau, orange and passionfruit = entices you to batten down the hatches and make a night of it at the bar.The dandiest dessert ever goes to the Peanut Butter and Orange Tiramisu ($13), served with a flower and a smile.

277 Bondi Road, Bondi (02) 9365 1567 dandylion.com.au Vegetarian,Vegan $$ Cheekyburger Beards come in handy when tucking into the artery-clogging staples at Paddington’s Cheekyburger.The graffitiplastered courtyard creates a salubrious environment to get plastered on Brooklyn Lagers whilst boasting about how you knew about this place before it was cool.The ironically nonchalant

combating pre-theatre anxiety. It’s certainly the place to do it, in a theatre bar surrounded by urbane theatre types, at the end of a very long wharf of timeworn floorboards.Yet it strikes me as incongruous be tucking into Dip Boards ($22/2 people) and Meatballs ($14) in tomato marjoram sauce, in front of a world-class view. More balls arrive – this time Nomad’s Spicy Chorizo and Pea Arancini ($12) – punctuated by drinks: a nicely tart Tommy’s Margarita ($18) and Sippin’

By The Sea ($18), which summons pina coladas using rum, coconut syrup and pineapple juice, updated by apple juice and Angostura bitters. It’s an easy-drinking companion to lightly battered Calamari ($16) with smoked paprika aioli.

Okay, there’s something to be said for pre-theatre food being egalitarian and accessible, down to florets of Cauliflower ($9) with paprika and tahini, for under ten bucks. A messy tangle of Meringue, Quince, Apple, Cream and Candied Chestnut ($12) hints post-show debriefs might be better accompanied in liquid form.

Pier 4, Hickson Road,Walsh Bay (02) 9250 1761 Bar, Bar Food $$

American diner menu persuades you to expect service from a girl on roller skates; but that doesn’t happen.The Double Cheeseburger ($14.99) with (necessary) Bacon ($1.99) lives up to the hype, and will have you thinking of it days later, like that one-night stand you’re thinking of texting again. I could take or leave the Deep Fried Pickles ($6.99), but they’re not the drawcard.Wear tight jeans, but prepare to unbutton.

312 Oxford Street, Paddington (02) 9331 7436 cheekyburgerbar.com Burgers $

GREATER SYDNEY Lan Yuan Genius glossy wasabi mayonnaise in Lan Yuan Angus Beef ($26) makes it

FOOD NEWS

an easy favourite in Top Ryde’s new bamboo garden. Seek haven in Taoism or Buddhism - Tsing Tao ($8) or Lucky Buddha ($8). Peering 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 $$$

By Jackie McMillan

Bake Kobo A new Japanese bakery has opened up in Enmore called Bake Kobo; however you’re forgiven if bread isn’t something you immediately associate with Japanese culture.“I heard it happened – the flourculture – after the war,” says owner Kunihisa Sato,“Americans wanted to sell their products.” “That’s why there’s a joke, Ja-pan,” interjects his wife Amie,“pan means, in Japanese, bread.” As for opening in Enmore, Kunihisa says there are two other Japanese bakeries in Sydney “and they sell for Japanese people or Asian people, but I believe a Japanese bakery can sell to local residents.” He cites the success of Vietnamese bakeries at winning over Australian consumers with crusty baguettes, adding:“but I think we can do better!” After sampling his sourdough, I’m inclined to agree, though I’m most taken with his wasabi bacon rolls. Now if you think by visiting BreadTop you understand Japanese baking, think again! While Kunihisa explains those franchises “also sell Japanese bread” he reckons his products win on authenticity and quality. His soft, savoury curry bun encases sweet yellow beef curry and half a boiled egg.

“That’s very different from the Asian bakeries, who make curry bread - Japanese curry bread is very different.” He brought the recipe

bar fly

Middlebar Level 2, 383 Bourke Street,Taylor Square (02) 9331 3100 middlebar. sydney This funky small bar in Darlinghurst is perfect for a first date: the balcony overlooks Taylor Square (so you’ll have lots of colourful wildlife to giggle about if the conversation runs dry) and it’s dark enough that you can easily escape if your Tinder date turns out to be shit. Middlebar’s drinks menu has been inspired by Old Havana in Cuba, with gin not rum being the focus.The bar snacks come courtesy of Johnny Wong’s Dumpling Bar, which operates on the level below.After my Tin-date and I staked out a table for two, she started with a Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron ($18): a punchy mix of Mount Gay rum, kiwifruit, ginger and triple sec, while I enjoyed Winter ($9), a refreshing blend of Tanqueray gin and pressed Packham pear juice.We avoided awkward conversation and instead bonded over our mutual love of Johnny Wong’s Roast Duck Pancakes ($15/3) and BBQ Pork Buns ($9.50/3).

over from Japan “and then basically we follow that recipe, and just use Australian flour,Australian material,” he said. Kunihisa takes me through the eight basic types Japanese dough and the importance of balance. In my favourite double ham and cheese rolled with Kewpie mayonnaise, he says:“we use the bit-sweet dough.” For those with a really sweet tooth, there’s always their kawaii custard bear. www. bakekobosydney.com

By Amie Barbeler

EAT & DRINK

ACME Last week I took some time out of my busy weekend to check out the much-lauded ACME.And yes, while the Macaroni, Pig’s Head, Egg Yolk ($18) is undeniably delicious, you might be left wondering: where’s the rest of it? Engaging (and universality attractive) staff do give adequate warning you’ll need three pastas between two, supplemented by three entrees, salad

$ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

INNER WEST 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 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 house-

CRU1801_Pyrmont_Ad.indd 2

By Jackie McMillan and probably dessert. Gnawing on a fistful of raw baby Turnips in Bottaga Butter ($12), it’s hard not to contemplate food costs - especially as a snack-sized plate boasting half a roasted Beetroot on Macadamia Butter ($14) lands, albeit accentuated by clever grated coffee bean.The winning aspect here is exploring Chef Mitch Orr’s imaginative combinations – Beef Tartare, Prawn and Burnt Onion ($24) – and Spaghetti ($24) with deftly handled calamari and Korean bolognaise. If Grilled Raddichio ($10) with taro and capers still sees you hankering for carbs, bunny and pistachio Maltagliati ($24) is their most filling pasta. Flavour-based sake descriptions belie the beauty of small batch Chiyo Shuzo ‘Moromi Nigori’ ($16/glass) – a fabulous aperitif. Follow it with Natacha Chave Aléofane Marsanne Roussanne 2014 ($82/bottle) and you’ll experience a well-rounded wine that’ll go the distance without buyer’s remorse. Foamy Coconut Rice Cream ($10) hiding a treasure trove of caramelized white chocolate, nails dessert, ensuring you leave on high.

60 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay (02) 8068 0932 weareacme. com.au Modern Australian $$$

$$$ - mains between $22-$30

made 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 $$ Majestic Harvest Despite some hipster trappings - Edison bulbs, cold drip, and dishes presented on boards and in frypans - the food is remarkably honest and free from (much) pretension.The aforementioned, slightly unwieldy frypan, dubbed The Majestic ($19), is loaded with well-handled kale, supple Serrano ham, a trio of poached eggs with rich golden yolks, baked beans and black pudding.Taleggio and basil have been softly folded through Scrambled Eggs ($12.50) offset by roasted Roma

$$$$ - mains over $30

tomatoes. For those who cringe at butter, a board bearing Bircher Muesli ($11) with blueberries, walnuts and coconut, is made compelling by blackened apple compote.

Allpress Coffee scrubs up well as a Latte ($3.50) despite the machine running flat chat.

49 New Canterbury Road, Petersham (02) 8097 2222 majesticgourmetgrocers.com.au Breakfast, Café $ DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS Dragoncello Chef Roy McVeigh marches to the sound of his own beat – and to be honest, it’s refreshing. In an unpretentious upstairs room, enlivened by vibrant Tapestry Girl

Master

By DJ Hookie If any place encapsulates the combination of fine dining without the snooty never-get-laid wait staff; and the trendy without the too-cool-for-you army of bearded artisans of ‘whatever’, Master might just be the perfect candidate. Amidst the ubiquitous ‘simple food done well’

pegboard murals, he defies expectations with a Sydney Rock Oyster, Burnt Leek, Potato Skins and Citrus Leaf Gel ($3/ each) presented without any visible bivalve.

Toffee Beetroot, Boudin Noir, Crackling and Apple ($18) utilises sweetness to well-balanced effect; ditto my dish of the night: Pea Mousse ($28) set under a tangle of its own leaves and flowers, with candied bacon and poured-at-the-table Parmesan broth. Geranium Panna Cotta ($17) deftly juggles intense floral sweetness with tomato soup cake and two forms of rhubarb. Nope, haven’t seen that before.

Level 1, 466 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills (02) 8399 0907 dragoncello.com.au Bar, Modern Australian $$$ Jazz City Diner Myron Mixon from BBQ Pittmasters has taught me is that tender, tasty brisket

trend that everybody seems to be following, it’s refreshing to see a new place that’s not afraid to take some risks.

Moreover, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that achieves this, while also boasting such 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 ever had before.The Roasted Squid with Snow Pea Sprouts ($20) convinces you the noodle-looking things are noodles, but they’re squid. Side note: the broth in this dish is like Asian comfort food liquid gold. Burnt Cabbage with Fish Sauce Butter ($18) is the best cabbage I’ve ever had. Period. If you go here and don’t order it, we can’t be friends anymore.Trying to explain the flavour of the Congee with Pear and Coriander ($10) would be like trying to describe a colour you’ve never seen, so I won’t bother. Get in here before everybody else has their way with it.

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

has a charry crust and good pull on the slices; and that’s just what you’ll find when you pick up a slice of the Beef Brisket ($8/100g) at Jazz City, and give it a tug.

Once you snaffle a table in the nicely kitted out space, the time delay to wrapping your lips around fork-split Beef Short Rib ($5/100g) is mercifully short. Balance your meaty tray of Pulled Pork ($8/100g), house-made Sausage ($5/each) and (slightly disappointing) Pork Ribs ($8/100g) against ‘Slaw ($2.50), super tasty Pinto Beans ($2.50) and standout Pickles ($2.50).A creamy Coconut Milkshake ($8) rounds your feast out nicely.

200 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills (02) 9264 2572 jazzcity.com.au American $$ Busshari Staff are particularly proud of their Soft

Shell Crab Karaage ($18). For good reason, it’s dry and intensely savoury. It’s perfect against Kubota Manju ($33/180ml); dubbed ‘10,000 Ostentatiousness’ it’s the star of their impressive sake list.While hot dishes like Saikyoyaki ($20) - blackened miso-marinated toothfish that flakes into buttery white curls when tapped with a chopstick - are great, Chef Nobuyuki Ito’s heart lies in sashimi. His Chef’s Selection Sashimi Plate ($38) is a stunner, not only for freshness, but also for edible garnishes and knife work. Dashi vinaigrette jelly topped Oysters ($3/each) and signature striped Kingfish Carpaccio ($21) may contribute to a somewhat hefty bill, but are definitely good eating.

119 Macleay Street, Potts Point (02) 9357 4555 busshari.com.au Japanese $$$$

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL OF DREAMS

ABSINTHE Sydney’s famous Spiegeltent (an intimately charming, travelling circus-style pavilion) will return to Hyde Park soon with the hotly anticipated production of Absinthe.With elements of cabaret, circus, burlesque and vaudeville thrown in for good measure,Absinthe is an adults-only production that has enthralled audiences in New York, Miami and at it’s four-year residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Currently touring across Australia, the production has already proved a hit in Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Michal Nowosadko, one of the performers in Absinthe, describes Australian audiences as “super good fun”. He’s part of a duo act from Poland that displays impressive feats of hand balance.

“It’s a very specific kind of hand balancing that I perform with my friend and partner (Zbigniew Sobierajski). I am the top man and he is the base,”

Nowosadko explains.“It’s about balance and strength, because you want to show how much you can control your body. It’s also about trust, because he is holding me so I have to control the movement.

It is a beautiful act full of power and grace.”

Other acts featured include aerial hoops, foosball on a high bar, a ‘chair mountain’, acrobatics, duo straps and high wire, all accompanied by live music.

According to Nowosadko, it’s something best to experience for yourself.

“It’s hard to describe in one word.The show has got a good sense of humour and top class acts from all over Europe and the world. If you would like to see Absinthe, just do it and you won’t regret anything.” (AS) September 15–October 4. Spiegeltent, Hyde Park, Sydney. $54-$154.Tickets & info: ticketek. com.au

If you’re feeling the need to spice up your Sunday night, take a look at the Voyeur Show at Slide. It is for those who need a touch of washboard abs in their life.

This ‘boyleque’ show is all about appreciating the male form.Voyeur is comprised of five award-winning male pole dancers–the Aussie Pole Boys. The night will consist of aerial skills, aerial hoop, trapeze, pole dance, dance numbers and seductive role-play.

This is an adults only, multimedia burlesque show ranging from traditional to neoburlesque.

Every Sunday this month you have the chance to be treated to an erotic and exhilarating night hosted by female burlesque legend Chilli Rox. (AMal) Every Sunday in September. 7pm. Slide Lounge, 41 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.

From $35, drink and meal options avaliable.Tickets & info: slide.com.au

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yourself, respecting other people and respecting your planet.”

The diversity of the festival will also be a major drawcard: “There’s going to be spiritual healers, psychics, mediums, a spiritual busker tent with music, chanting and poetry readings and lots of breakout areas.You can spend a whole day there and experience something completely different every ten metres.” (AS) September 11–13. Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park. $20-$25.Tickets & info: festivalofdreams.com.au

Festival creator Rosie Shalhoub and visiting Native American Elder Saginaw Grant.

THE SISTERS GRIMM DO LA TRAVIATA Sisters Grimm present a splendidly brilliant, funny and emotional version of Verdi’s opera, La Traviata. If you are expecting orchestral accompaniment then you may be disappointed. However, this rendition is a powerful, and incredibly intense, philosophical commentary inspired by the state of the arts funding situation in Australia.

Performer and writer Ash Flanders and Director Declan Greene created the commanding text in this production, and draw from timeless issues which make this production entirely reflexive in its orientation, bringing in the audience to participate with the performers and experience this work as if it was their own making.

La Traviata is beautifully coloured with performance art, drag, song and dance. Emma Maye Gibson, Michael Lewis,Ash Flanders and Zinzi Okenyo all gave this work a great deal of gusto and flair. Hats off to Lighting Designer Matthew Marshall and Set and Costume Designer Marg Howell, who illuminated the camp and quirky stage with colour and humour.

Sydney should take note of this brave and talented group who have dared to challenge the powers that be and question the value of art, the value of idealism–and what, therefore, determines our value and worth as human beings in a capitalist world?

(PU) Until September 20. Belvoir Street Theatre, 18 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills. $38-$48.Tickets & info: belvoir.com.au or 02 9699 3444

VOYEUR SHOW

a&e

Sydney’s upcoming Festival of Dreams is the largest spiritual festival of its kind in Australia. An attendance of 10,000 patrons is anticipated this year by the festival’s Publicity Manager Mieke Buchan.

Buchan is full of enthusiasm when she describes the origins of the festival and what it seeks to represent.

“The whole thing started with an incredible woman called Rosie Shalhoub, where she had this vision a couple of years ago to do this festival,” she explains. “The whole idea is multidenominational, multifaith, multispiritual, multicultural and its all about embracing everyone and everyone’s background.”

This year’s festival will feature a conference by two special Native American guests in the way of Elder Saginaw Grant and Rick Mora, both spiritual pathfinders. The pair were recently in New Zealand and left a powerful impression from reports received by Buchan.

“Elder Saginaw Grant had thousands of people dissolving into tears just because of the way he talks so passionately about his beliefs and what wisdom of his ancient elders can be applied to modern society and life,” said Mieke. “They talk about Native American wisdom and its simplicity of being good to one another, respecting

13 STAGE 16 SCENE 17 Sounds 18 SCREEN

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.

REVIEW: MOTHERS & SONS

Twenty years after her son’s untimely death from AIDS, Katherine (Anne Tenney,The Castle) is facing old age alone, bereft and desperate following the recent death of her husband. She fronts up unexpectedly at the New York apartment of her son’s former lover, Cal, who lives there with his new partner Wil and their six-year-old son, Bud. Katherine still harbours the same fear, anger, disapproval and bitter prejudices she held as the unaccepting mother of a gay man, and her visit makes some attempt at coming to terms with her loss–although one wonders how they put up with her visit for so long without asking her to leave.

THEATRE & PERFORMANCE

MATILDA THE MUSICAL Roald Dahl’s story of a remarkably clever little girl with magical abilities has finally received the musical treatment.

Matilda’s magical powers are downplayed in favour of her other abilities–her brilliant storytelling and astonishing academic finesse, her piercing wit and the devious pranks she plays on her neglectful parents.

With a mesmerizing combination of music and staging to play up these devices – the lack of magic tricks is

Her son Andre, an actor, died aged 29 of the plague that claimed so many gay men last century. Cal, a money manager, is 15 years older than his current partner, a writer. Being of an older generation, Cal has lost many more loved ones to AIDS. Mothers and Sons is certainly indicative of a seismic change in society’s values, when a play about marriage equality can pull a sizeable crowd in the lower North Shore’s Ensemble Theatre. Issues of gender and monogamy abound in this modern day family drama that brings private lives out into the open. (MS) Until Sunday, September 27. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli. $30-$69.Tickets & info: ensemble.com.au or (02) 9929 0644

hardly a bother. The characters in this adaption strike a perfect balance between comic and authentic. This is a show with something for all age groups. Fans of Dahl and Tim Minchin’s music alike should be satisfied. (AM) Until October 25. Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont. $50-$150.Tickets & info: au. matildathemusical.com or ticketmaster.com.au THE TEMPEST John Bell directs his last play for the company he founded almost 25 years ago. Set in a deserted magical island of empty abstract space, designer Julie Lynch

has created an ephemeral floating disc for the performance to take place on. With colourful costumes, the staging evokes the sense of a dream where tales are yet to be written.

Eloise Winestock portrays Miranda, a character who was shipwrecked on an island as an infant. “She is quite different from any other Shakespearean Ingénue. She is completely guileless. I’ve been trying to find that wildness,” said Winestock.

The old master meets a modern day Australian genius for the last time.

(GW) Until September 18. Playhouse,

KINSKI & I

Klaus Kinski lived his life to the extreme, not knowing whether a single day would lead him to a prison cell, a lawsuit or to a stranger’s bed. He was also one of the most successful onscreen actors of all time. Kinski’s thrilling autobiography, which was initially banned due to the brash content, is brought to life through a multimedia smorgasbord of wickedness in Kinski and I by CJ Johnson– movie critic, ABC host of Movieland, playwright and filmmaker.

“Kinski was always the most mad and passionate of actors, but his writing takes those qualities to extreme dimensions–it is berserk,” said Johnson. “He was a mad, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $35-79.Tickets & info: sydneyoperahouse.com or 92507777 LIFE OF THE PARTY Charlie is a jovial recent newlywed who must deal with the loss of the effervescent Anna, the love of his life. With the assistance of two other worldly friends, Salus and Lues, he attempts to navigate his journey through grief. But with these burdensome companions more manipulative than helpful, Charlie is struggling with depression without really understanding it. Life of the Party tackles dark and heavy

tormented genius, but he may also have been a monster.”

Over 90 minutes, CJ Johnson presents the banned writings of Kinski through a theatrical fantasia of humour and obscenity.The production explores Kinski’s extreme encounters and it not a show for the faint-hearted.

Kinksi and I is returning to the Sydney Fringe Festival this September, after its controversial popularity at the Adelaide Fringe and after winning the Theatre Award at last year’s Sydney Fringe.

(NB) Sep 16 – 27.Venue 505, 5 Eliza Street, Newtown. $22-$33.

Tickets & info: kinskiandi.com or sydneyfringe.com

themes, yet balances this with hints of humour and lightness found in intimate scenes between the romantic leads and traditional theatrical devices.

(AM) Until September 13. Erskineville Town Hall, 104 Erskineville Road, Erskineville. $17.50-$22.Tickets & info: sydneyfringe.com or 02 9550 6087 THE ALIENS In the grubby backyard of a coffee shop in Vermont, two professional slackers sit to discuss matters as weighty as ex-girlfriends, the novel they’ll never finish writing, and their rock band that never really made it. Into their midst walks a

17-year-old kid working a summer job at the café whose world will be completely changed.The Aliens is the breakthrough play by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Annie Baker (The Flick).Tender and funny, her play is finely and precisely detailed. Director Craig Baldwin takes the natural rustic intimacy of the Old Fitz and pushes it even further with on-stage seating.

(GW) Until September 19 (Tues – Sat 7:30pm, Sun 5pm). Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo. $32.Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre.com or 0422198955.

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city hub 3 SEPTEMBER 2015

15

THE NAKED CITY

FROM BANKSTOWN TO BUDDY

By Coffin Ed, Jay Katz and Miss Death There are many well-publicised success stories of Australian musicians who have made it big overseas, especially in the pop and classical fields. Less exposed however, are those artists who have proven their talent internationally as sidemen or composers and arrangers. One Australian virtuoso who falls into the latter category is trombonist Dave Panichi, who forged a remarkable career in the US during the 80s and 90s.

Dave’s musical interest began at a very early age when he joined the Bankstown Police Boys Band when he was only eight. By the time he was fourteen he was playing with the Burwood Brass Band, and despite his excellence on the soprano cornet, the band’s conductor Harry Berry encouraged him to try the trombone. With a prodigious talent for his newfound instrument, things began to move really fast and just a few years later he found himself playing professionally. He recalls: “I was in fifth form in high school and heard about auditions for a tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, auditioned, got the gig and promptly left school. I was sixteen and making more money than either of my parents! It was a heady time.”

In his early twenties, Dave’s burgeoning talent was rewarded with a scholarship that enabled him to take

off for New York to study under the guidance of a number of musical greats. Whilst many young Australian jazz musicians now travel to New York to study and play, Dave was a real pioneer at the time.

He began his Big Apple sojourn by getting lessons from everybody he could including improvisers like Dave Liebman and Hal Galper, later studying composition with Ludmila Ulehla, head of composition at the Manhattan School of Music. He remembers: “She was excellent at helping you shape a piece, and I wrote a trombone sonata and a brass quintet under her. I also had two or three lessons with Bob Brookmeyer, who had just moved back to NY after leaving LA and getting sober. He refused to let me pay him and absolutely turned around my entire concept of composition in those two or three lessons. The next year I wrote ‘Manhattan’ at the Arranger’s Holiday Course.”

Incredibly, only a few months later Dave was invited to join the band of renowned drummer Buddy Rich, recording Manhattan with him in 1983. Whilst Rich was notorious for his volatile temper and post-gig rants directed at his musicians (preserved for posterity in the infamous “bus tapes”), Dave recalls his time with the eccentric drummer with fondness: “Hearing your music brought to life by a great band has to be one of the greatest thrills in this profession.

THE OTHER ART FAIR

Art Fair is opening with a bang–with Following eight successful runs in guest DJ Ollie Henderson from the United Kingdom, alternative art House of Riot performing.“It’s not event The Other Art Fair will be just about the art, we’ve got some hosting its inaugural Sydney edition great live music as well,” said Emilya. next week.

Launching at the aMBUSH Project “It’s going to be a great creative environment to come along, have a Space at Central Park, the fair drink and buy some art for your sad operates as a direct selling platform walls!” (ES) for independent artists and covers Sept 10-15. aMBUSH Project various artistic mediums such as Space, Central Park.Tickets: installations, sculptures, painting and $15–$25 for opening night. photography.

Details: theotherartfair.com.au With each of the 80 artists hand selected by a committee of art experts including Meg Robson, Miakayla Dwyer Fair co-directors and Paris Neilson, it’s no Zoe Pausel & wonder the fair has Emilya Colliver. received considerable public interest.

“The great thing is, there’s no frangipani art here,” said Emilya Colliver, director of The Other Art Fair.“It’s all high caliber art and all of the artists are emerging and unrepresented.”

Expected to host over 10,000 people throughout its four-day run,The Other ZERO CONCERTO One of the leading artists of our generation, Jim Lambie brings a curated selection of his diverse body of work to the Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery under the united title Zero Concerto.An instillation artist also working in the expanded field of painting, Lambie is regarded as one of the most significant artists to have emerged from his home city of Glasgow.The exhibition is a wild kaleidoscope cocktail featuring a psychedelic palette of vinyl tape, multicoloured potato sacks, and bicycle 16

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wheels. (AM) Until September 26. Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 8 Soudan Lane, Paddington.

Free. Info: roslynoxley9.com.au INSPIRATION BY DESIGN: WORD AND IMAGE For the first time in Sydney, audiences are able to see one of Pablo Picasso’s art books, fashion sketches by Dior and Beatrix Potter’s original illustrations.This exhibition from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum is now at the State Library.This international collection celebrates over 150 years worth of the

Having Buddy’s band play the @#$% out of ‘Manhattan’ every night was such a high. I felt validated for moving to the US. I was playing with a better band than we had back home and they were playing my music every night. I felt like I was right to move there and I was having experiences I couldn’t have back home.”

Whilst with Rich, Dave played with some of the greatest jazz singers of all time – names like Sinatra, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett and Sarah Vaughan. He also played a number of shows with Aretha Franklin, remembering: “She sang everything you’ve heard her do on record, plus played a beautiful gospel version of ‘He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother’ on piano.”

In 2000 he returned to Australia, furthering his musical studies with a Masters and Doctorate, forming his own band and guesting with artists such as James Morrison, Ralph Pyl’s Sydney All¬Star Big Band and Ten Part Invention. Next Monday he teams up with the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra as part of their featured composer series in what promises to be one of the jazz gigs of the year.

The seventeen piece Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra with guest composer Dave Panichi play Foundry 616 in Ultimo on Monday 14 September as part of the club’s second anniversary.Tickets & info: foundry616.com.au

RANDWICK ECOLIVING FAIR This weekend the Eco-Living Fair celebrates it’s eleventh year as Randwick City Council’s signature sustainability event.

Families and residents from across the east and inner west suburbs are encouraged to make a day of it with a range of new and popular events on offer.

Market stalls selling environmentally friendly and locally made goods will set the backdrop for a program of workshops, demonstrations, special talks, live music and children’s entertainment–all with an environmental focus.

Notable talks will include the Eco-Futures Discussion, where sustainability experts Professor Veena Sahajwalla and Professor Mark Diesendorf will talk about how you can make a difference to our environmental future, and the Kids Panel Discussion where local primary school children will share ideas and future visions for the

world’s finest and most talented artists, illustrators and designers. Over 100 designs, illustrations and images will be on display.The State Library has taken this opportunity to also showcase Australian Design. Illustrations of the original Blinky Bill by Dorothy Wall are featured, as well as a Jørn Utzon’s original sketch of the Sydney Opera House. (JC) Until September 27. State Library of NSW, Macquarie St, Sydney. Free.

Information: sl.nsw.gov.au THE GENDERATOR This multi-

environment.

Experts will be on hand helping out with keeping bees, chickens and sustainable food production in addition to other popular events such as the Council’s Garden Awards, free bicycle maintenance workshops and a bike obstacle course.

In musical entertainment, The Vegetable Plot (pictured) will be serving up a fresh feast of grooves, catchy tunes, colourful characters and delicious puns.

Their veggie-positive tunes bring a whole new meaning to ‘roots music’. (They’ll be playing at the Big Top at 10:30am.)

Take advantage of all this remarkably positive day has to offer, and you might just find yourself treading a little more lightly on our mother earth on your way out. (AM) September 13, 10am–3pm.

Randwick Community Centre, 27 Munda Street, Randwick.

FREE. Info: randwick.nsw.gov. au media installation by Mexican duo Sissy Reyes and Jorge Mansilla, also known as Purple Moustacho is as authentically unusual as the Sydney Fringe Festival which it is part of. Jorge explains the character of ‘The Genderator’ as “a lone piece of a bigger equipment who profits from genderizing neutral objects”.The Genderator is Purple Moustacho’s surreal take on the absurdity of gender advertising and consumerism; and it fits in perfectly with Sydney Fringe.“He is shameless, absurd and terrifying at the same time.

NOX NIGHT SCULPTURE WALK In celebration of the International Year of Light, Randwick Environment Park is playing host to a night time sculpture walk that will transform the park and wetland into an illuminated outdoor art gallery; pulsating with unique outdoor installation works, dazzling performers, live music and tantalising treats.

Over a choice of three evenings this coming weekend, viewers are able to observe 34 different artworks installed along a leisurely 1.5km loop walk.

Artists from UNSW Art & Design are responsible for the installations and will be on site each night to discuss the inspiration behind their artworks.

Following the sculpture walk, you are invited to pull up a bean bag under the starlit sky and enjoy replenishments from a licensed bar and host of popular food trucks (including Veggie Patch, Mama Linh’s, Agape Organics,Tsuru and Happy as

He is the puppeteer’s hand pulling the strings of gender identity,” explained Sissy. (JR) September 3–11.The Shop Gallery, 112 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. Free.

CASUAL CONVERSATION, VERGING ON HARASSMENT This exhibition will show works from a number of artists through to midSeptember.Artists showcasing their work include Anthea Behm, a visual and performance artist who also received the 2011-2012 Core Fellow at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Guy

Larry) as roving fire twirlers and LED hula hoopers provide unique entertainment in addition to live musical acts. On Saturday night the Kristen Fletcher Trio apply their unique blend of pop, jazz and fusion to their popular remakes of current pop hits and soulful classics.

Come along for a journey of artistic discoveries at a unique and relaxed evening. (AM) September 11–13, 6–8pm.

Randwick Environment Park, 27 Munda Street, Randwick. FREE. Info: randwick.nsw.gov.au or check the Facebook event.

Benfield, an artist known for painting, photography, sculpture, performance and video; and Hamishi Farah who is showcasing his work, Marginal Aesthetics.These beautiful works are not hanging around for much longer, so it is important to get in there and check them out.There is something for everybody and it is and all ages event.

(LB) Until September 19. Minerva Gallery, 4/111 Macleay St, Potts Point. Free. Info: minervasydney.com or 02 9357 3697

Sydney Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE

By Jamie Apps Yumi Zouma: Beginning in 2013 as a project between friends from Christchurch that was never meant to see the light of day, this band quickly turned into something massive when they were encouraged to release their debut EP, which received overwhelming acclaim. Now with the release of EP II, the group returns to Australian shores with their effortless and engaging sounds.

Thu, Sep 10, Goodgod Small Club

Music In The Park: Welcome in the lovely Spring weather outdoors on a relaxing weekend afternoon, and be delighted by the sounds of some of Sydney’s finest young musicians. With performances by a range of ensembles combining jazz, string and concert band sounds. This is a free event where you’re welcome to bring a picnic basket or enjoy one of the many small stalls offering sausage sizzles, gelato and cakes.

Sat, Sep 12, Pioneers Memorial Park

Perch Creek: This Melbourne quintet made up of four siblings and one partner returned to the touring circuit this month following a break earlier this year to focus on their writing. The fruits of their labour can be heard on their upcoming third album and new single Mama Sings, which has a refreshed and revitalised sound to go with their recently shortened band name.

Fri, Sep 11, Newtown Social Club

Outland Brothers: Hailing from both South Australia and Victoria, the band is set to release their debut LP God Is Drunk In Charge and will be hitting the roads to celebrate. With a low-fi, alt-country sound supported by the wonderful harmony vocals and melodic ukulele skills of their singer Michelle Morgan, this is bound to be a fun show for fans of the genre.

Sun, Sep 13, Gasoline Pony

Dress Up Attack!: Families looking for a fun unique day out need search no further than this special combined music and arts festival for both children and grown ups–featuring some of Australia’s best musical acts such as The Presets, Hoodoo Gurus, Bloods,Ta-Da!!! and Kiddyrock. Combining music, dance workshops a reading area and more, this is a great event for all ages where dressing up is strongly encouraged.

Sat, Sep 12, Sydney Portugal Community Club

Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra: In an exciting new concept bringing together one of the worlds most exciting and innovative independent jazz orchestras, who just so happen to be locally grown, and a feature an Australian composer, this time it is one of Australia’s living legends trombonist Dave Panichi. This show will push the boundaries as the two great acts join forces to perform original and playful music written specially for a big swinging band.

Mon, Sep 14, Foundry 616

CELTIC WOMEN & CELTIC TENORS Since joining Celtic Women in 2013, MacFadden has been able to quickly By jamie apps

Next Friday the mesmerising sounds of the rolling green hills of Ireland take over Sydney, as two of the foremost groups in Irish and Celtic music arrive to entertain and delight fans.

As part of their 2015 world tour celebrating the groups 10 year anniversary, the Celtic Women are set to bring their new energetic and lively show to our shores. Joining the ladies will be the all-male group the Celtic Tenors, who are commemorating the release of their twelfth album,Timeless.

Before arriving in Australia, members of both groups stressed the excitement about coming down under.“We can’t wait to be back, we were down there in January 2014 and we still talk about it. It was an amazing experience, it was like being on holiday because the weather was beautiful, the people were friendly and it was just a great atmosphere everywhere we went,” said Susan MacFadden of the Celtic Women. James Nelson of the Celtic Tenors was also excited, saying:“We’ve been to Australia for the odd corporate gig or one-off concert, so it’s exciting just to see more of Australia, I’m dying to see it.”

PLACES TO LAND – MARICOPA WELLS

Places To Land, Maricopa Wells’ debut album, could be described as “just right”.

It’s not too punk, not too rock and roll, and it’s not too much of anything else. It’s the Goldilocks of albums, bringing a bit of this, a bit of that and mixing everything together, the result is not too hard and not too soft for the ear.

The mix comes from years of honing in live shows before committing to CD, gaging energy and melody, working off each other while bridging gaps between genres.

Paying closer attention, the listener hears life experience, sadness and heartbreak and a strong need to express that built-up passion. Maricopa Wells have put their effort and their skill into this album and have created a polished Place To Land. (SP) WWW

slot right in and become part of the “family”. Joining such a successful and long standing group, Susan obviously felt some pressure and nerves about “not wanting to be the one responsible for a downfall”. But thankfully, as she put it,“[within] five minutes everyone made me feel so welcome and all those fears went away”. Since then the group has gone from strength to strength, touring all around America, Europe and now coming down under.

For the Celtic Tenors, the release of Timeless is an exciting occasion because they are now focusing on some new material, in particular the songs that they grew up loving in the late 70s and 80s. For this album the guys wanted to make sure they weren’t just trying to mimic or imitate the artists they are covering, but as Nelson put it they rather wanted to “put the Celtic Tenors stamp on these songs while still keeping them recognisable and with our own harmonies.”

Both groups are extremely excited to be joining forces for this tour.

James said “we actually know one of the girls, Maréad Nesbitt, really well so it will be lovely to see her again.With the five women and three guys, we think visually it would be lovely to do something together so hopefully we can do that.”

“It will be fresh and exciting for us [having the Celtic Tenors on tour] and I think for audiences it will be a nice treat to see the male version and female perspective of Irish music,” said MacFadden.

September 18. QANTAS Credit Union Arena, 35 Harbour St, Darling Harbour. $131.52-162.10 + b.f.Tickets: ticketek.com

TIGERSAPP – SZYMON BORZESTOWSKI

The secret can finally be told.

With songs released one at a time, we have heard a couple of tracks such as Katyusha and Golden, and now we can also hear Medusa with the release of Szymon Borzestowski’s album Tigersapp, which has been long in the making.

If not for the efforts of his family and friends we may never have heard the haunting layers of this young man’s work, released posthumously this year.

We would have missed out on the sensitive architecture in his music, as well as the talent he possessed to create with feeling.

Tigersapp summons the feeling of stepping in and being surrounded by soft and intricate levels, encapsulating the body and making waves inside the mind. Katyusha, Golden and Medusa are a few of many bright sparks that have come from darker depths, producing something unique and beautiful. (SP) WWW

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LAVAZZA ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL

KILL ME THREE TIMES

LIFE

GAYBY BABY

A touch of Italy comes to Sydney with the arrival of the 16th Lavazza Italian Film Festival, which will be presenting a programme of the finest and most exhilarating films produced in Italy.

Italian cinema has struggled, but in recent years there has been a remarkable resurgence, with 200 films including co-productions, produced in Italy in 2014.

Festival director Elysia Zeccola Hill says Australian audiences should be anticipating this Italian film festival.

“Aussies love Italy, the beauty of the language and the culture which reflects in these films. Like most European films you don’t know where these Italian

Directed by Anton Corbijn, Life is somewhat charming, enigmatic and abstract – coincidentally much like the persona of its protagonist, James Dean.

Based on the true story of photographer Dennis Stock’s encounters and experiences working with the iconic and mysterious movie star, Life unfolds just as Dean’s film East of Eden is about to be released.What follows is the tale of a friendship that developed between one of the most famous names in Hollywood and an awkward but pushy photographer who is commissioned by LIFE magazine in 1955 to take pictures of Dean.

Featuring some amazing shots, Life does justice to Stock’s interpretation of Dean, and his faith in him to be the next superstar.With Robert Pattinson as Dennis Stock and Dane Dehaan as James Dean, this is a different perspective on Dean’s life, which is

FILM 5 FLIGHTS UP The story of an older couple (Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman) who are thinking of selling their apartment after living in it for decades.As they start to show their house and make the decision, the story also delves deep into their lives together and how their interracial relationship started.

You get a good sense of how this couple got to where they are, and how they deal with potential buyers.

It is a heart-warming and uplifting story about love and friendship. If you enjoy both these actors then you will enjoy the movie. (LB) WWWW A WALK IN THE WOODS Not since 1993’s Grumpy Old Men has there been such a delightfully cast comedy/drama starring two endearing and veteran actors. Based on the book by travel writer Bill Bryson, the story surrounds Bryson’s (Robert Redford) actual experiences as he, along with peculiar and estranged friend (Nick Nolte), decide to hike the rugged 2100 miles of the 18

city hub 3 SEPTEMBER 2015

films are going–the unpredictability fascinates me,” said Hill.

“Audiences can enjoy a taste of Italy by choosing from an exciting line-up, with 30 Australian premieres featuring Italy’s brightest and best talent.This selection presents the newest and most highly awarded Italian films hand-picked from the world’s most prestigious festivals,” she explained.

Italian box office hit God Willing opens the festival, an engaging and hilarious comedy which focuses on what follows when a respected surgeon’s son announces he wants to enter the priesthood. An Italian atmosphere is created for the opening night party which includes Italian beverages, food and entertainment.

Italo is the extraordinary story centering on the friendship between a lonely boy and a stray dog called Italo, in a town where dogs have been banned.

Based on true events, this is a charming and heartfelt film for the entire family.

“Black Souls is a multi-award winning Godfatheresque film – a gritty, dark tale of crime, almost Greek tragedy style, which comes highly recommended,” concluded Hill. (MMo) Sept 15 – Oct 11. Palace Norton St & Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema. $19.50 - $65 (Opening Night Gala).Tickets + Info: italianfilmfestival. com.au

touching to watch.There was only one James Dean, but Dehaan comes pretty close – overall impressive and entertaining. (JR & JRoth) WWW1/2

Appalachian Trail.They have many misadventures, but it’s a therapeutic experience as they ultimately reconnect and learn many life lessons.

Redford and Nolte’s comic flair astounds and a funny script surrounding the quirky characters they encounter on their journey arouses continuous laughter. (MMo) WWW INFINITELY POLAR BEAR This is an inspirational true story which delves into the sensitive subject of bipolar disorder. Cam (Mark Ruffalo), who is diagnosed with the disorder, resides in a halfway house. Living on the poverty line, his wife (Zoe Saldana) decides to move to New York to attend business school for eighteen months, and Cam reluctantly agrees to look after their two teenage daughters. Ruffalo’s portrayal of a man suffering from this condition is commendable, and most of the fun and humorous one-liners are provided by the boisterous daughters.This is an enriching and feel-good dramedy which deserves more accolade on home entertainment than it received upon

its theatrical release. (MMo) WWWW HOLDING THE MAN An endearing love story based on the memoirs of Tim Conigrave, which centres on two teenagers who met in a catholic boy’s high school in Melbourne in the 1970’s, and their romance which kindled a fifteen year relationship.This heart-breaking story deals with the prejudice and disapproval Tim Conigrave (Ryan Corr) and John Caleo (Craig Scott) experienced and the promiscuity which led to their ultimate battle with aids. Corr delivers an intense and highly emotional performance, supported by veteran actors Anthony La Paglia, Guy Pierce and Geoffrey Rush. (MMo) WWWW1/2 RICKI AND THE FLASH Meryl Streep plays Ricki Rendazzo, leader of the band The Flash. Ricki’s dreams of stardom didn’t work out the way she planned after her marriage disintegrated and she left her children in the care of their affluent father (played by Kevin Kline) and his caring new wife.There are few surprises in the script or storyline, but the actors

Kill Me Three Times has received mixed to negative reviews from most of the global critics. In more ways than one, Kill Me Three Times offers nothing new or expresses any desire to cast its unique shadow on the global film industry.

This said, from the moment Simon Pegg says that loved yet despised four letter that thou-shall-not-sayto-your-parent, the movie offers a unique element which defines good cinema: entertainment! And entertain it does.

Kill Me Three Times is a blood-soaked, darkly comic-action thriller that tells the story of an assassin (Pegg) who is hired to kill a woman (Alice Braga) of a sun-drenched Western Australian town, but finds himself in the middle of mayhem, chaos and blackmail. It is told thrice from different perspectives and time-frames; not genuine, but amazingly fun to watch.

Throw in a short-fused oddball character (Luke Hemsworth), a jealous husband (Callan Mulvey), a greedy cop (Bryan Brown), a crooked dentist (Sullivan Stapleton) and his psycho partner (Teresa Palmer) and you have yourself a winner.

For Aussie director Kriv Stenders, this film was a new genre to experiment with. “It is completely different to Red Dog,” said Kriv, referring to his previous work.

Stenders is known for making movies that are a blend of fiction and real-life, which according to him is “a great way to make films from small amounts of

Directed by Anton Corbijn, Life is somewhat charming, enigmatic and abstract – coincidentally much like the persona of its protagonist, James Dean.

Based on the true story of photographer Dennis Stock’s encounters and experiences working with the iconic and mysterious movie star, Life unfolds just as Dean’s film East of Eden is about to be released.What follows is the tale of a friendship that developed between one of the most famous names in Hollywood and an awkward but pushy photographer who is commissioned by LIFE magazine in 1955 to take pictures of Dean.

Featuring some amazing shots, Life does justice to Stock’s interpretation of Dean, and his faith in him to be the next superstar.With Robert Pattinson as Dennis Stock and Dane Dehaan as James Dean, this is a different perspective on Dean’s life, which is

make it work. Pleasantly surprising is Rick Springfield’s performance as Ricki’s tortured love interest and lead guitarist of The Flash.The scene-stealer, however, is Mamie Gummer, Streep’s real-life daughter–her character’s struggle with mental health lends some needed weight to this comedic drama.

(LL) WWW THE GIFT Joel Edgerton stars as the arch-villain in this unnerving mystery thriller, which he also wrote, produced and directed.A young married couple Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall), move to Los Angeles and have a chance encounter with Gordo (Edgerton), a sinister school friend from Simon’s past.

Gifts start appearing on their doorstep followed by unannounced visits, and this rekindled “friendship” has dire consequences on their marriage.

Edgerton is compelling as the socially inept Gordo and his directorial debut is remarkable, keeping audiences at the edge of their seats. (MMo) WWW1/2 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E Swiftly following on the shiny black

money and use real life as an asset”.

In contrast to his previous work, Kill Me Three Times is amazingly different; and the casting of Simon Pegg is gold.

“Comic actors play best villains,” said Kriv. “Simon is playing it against type and audience expectations.”

Kriv defines the film as “fun, energetic, kinetic and stylized”. Adding: “I hope people have as much watching it as we did making it.”

Full of silly goof-ups, mayhem, sun and blood, Kill Me Three Times shows the skills of a master filmmaker and is a worth-while Australian cinematic experience. (JR) Kill Me Three Times is getting a first to home release in Australia via digital, Blu-Ray & DVD platforms from September 9.

touching to watch.There was only one James Dean, but Dehaan comes pretty close – overall impressive and entertaining. (JR & JRoth) WWW1/2

heels of last year’s Kingsman:The Secret Service, comes Guy Ritchie’s loosely adapted version of camp sixties television series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Set during the Cold War, it brings Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) together for in a CIA/KGB operation to stop a group of exNazis and Fascists distributing nuclear weapons.Whilst Ritchie stays true to the playful nature of the TV series, this particular 113 minute affair is often laboured. (And what - no cameos!?) (CC) WW1/2 VACATION National Lampoon’s Vacation gets a do-over in this sequel of sorts. Rusty Griswold, the son in the original films, is all grown up and looking to inject a bit more excitement into his family. So what to do? Go on a family road trip of course! Predictable mayhem ensues.

Ed Helms (The Hangover) and Christina Applegate play off each other well as Rusty and Debbie Griswold.The star of the film however is Chris Hemsworth as a tractor riding, bull herding TV

weather man married to Rusty’s sister.With cameos from Chevy Chase and Beverley D’Angelo, as well as several well-known American comedians, this funny, slapstick film that harks back to the legendary National Lampoon’s humour. (LS) WWW1/2 SOUTHPAW Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Billy Hope in a classic redemption story of a boxer at the pinnacle of the sport (and seemingly untouchable) before suffering a horrific tragedy. All of the building blocks and blueprints are there for this type of film, so often it comes down to the performances.

Thankfully Gyllenhaal, Oona Laurence (as Billy’s daughter Leila) and Forrest Whitaker (as Billy’s mentor Tick Willis) are outstanding.

Laurence in particular is great, performing some of the most touching moments of the film.The film is sluggish at times, which would be excusable if it were based on a true story, but as a work of fiction tends to drag. (JA) WWW

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 queueing system and no hidden charges or credit card fees. We are just along from Centrail Railway in a huge building at 261 Broadway, 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 9pm there is a $20 entry fee that protects the massage ladies from dealing with men who have no intention of being polite.

Parking is available in the Broadway Shopping Centre near our discreet rear entrance at 18 Grose St Glebe. Check out the website for information, funny stuff and pictures of pretty women. There are no photos of the regular girls as they are too shy and don’t provide full service.

Also check out Kings Big John’s Facebook to see a mixture of really funny pics, photos, stories and links to the best pages of our website. This is updated regularly:

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

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

Raining and windy as hell at the moment as I write this brrrr... with the colder weather coming on this is a good time to come in for a hot spa and massage. Some of the ladies can do wicked things with the hot oil! This time of year can be a bit quiet so you will have plenty of ladies to choose from.

I have been running a series of adverts that relate to the idea from some customers who did not want their annoying friends to know where they are going for fun.

So this gave us the idea to have a recurring story where the character; a rich bastard called Robert St. James tries to figure out where the boys are going for fun. Each week you can see how things don’t work out for him due to his personality.

with cars and for your interview you can park in the Broadway Shopping Centre near our discreet rear entry at 18 Grose Street Glebe 2037 with two hours free parking. The Grose Street address is the best way to find us using GPS plotting. Some ladies from out of town stay over when they visit. We have the best and sweetest customers of any place. The website is www.kingscourt.com.au On the home page click on “is this your first time.”

This takes you to a page of ten tips that helps our customers to know how to behave towards our massage girls and it is a clear idea of exactly what we do. See you soon! Big John

It is also interesting that we are changing our billboards from “Delightfully Different” to “Have an Affair Responsibly.”

In the face of recent public events I think it’s a bit of a giggle.

Check out the really funny stuff on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/KingsBigJohn

VACANCIES We are currently looking for new ladies who would like to do a massage with a happy ending. It is a safe place to work, where you do not do full service and everyone knows someone who could handle a discrete financial boost. You are paid cash daily. 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

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