City Hub 6 December 2018

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ARCCO bows to The Bower, for now

BY Michael Hitch The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre in Marrickville has reopened its doors after being locked out by the Addison Road Community Centre Organisation (ARCCO) due to an alleged breach of the conditions of its lease.

Staff, customers and supporters of The Bower rejoiced on Sunday 2 December after negotiating an agreement with ARCCO, allowing them to reopen their Marrickville store for business and volunteering.

Craig Reucassel from ABC’s War on Waste and Costa Georgiadis from ABC’s Gardening Australia spoke at the re-opening to show their support for the Bower’s focus on environmental sustainability and community action.

Mr Reucassel said that Bower had received tremendous praise from fans of The War on Waste and that Bower was providing a legitimate solution to Australia’s growing waste problem.

“Not only does it fix things, it also teaches people to fix things. There needs to be more Bower’s not less,” he said.

“It’s interesting, after doing The War on Waste the most common thing that people said to me was ‘oh I’m so glad you made me aware of the Bower’” and people came back here months later and kept coming back.

“The Bower is very much ahead of its time, we’re now starting to look at having to deal with our own waste and use the resources to do that -- that’s where everything’s starting to go. Even the government is starting to talk about that. Bower has been way ahead of the curve. Having this place close down would be such a massive waste.”

Mr Reucassel also briefly addressed the dispute between Bower and ARCCO, saying that the methods used to issue the lockout were dubious and deceptive.

“If you’re coming out here and saying you want to close this thing down because we’re going to do

The Bower gets resycled in a new deal with ARCCO. Photo: Michael Hitch

this massive brilliant thing, go for it. Tell me that. But don’t give me some dodgy bullshit,” he said.

On Friday ARCCO was informed by the NSW Government that it is in breach of its head lease due to illegal structures erected at Hut 34. The Bower Group is the responsible tenant. As a result, other businesses and artists that operate out of ARCCO could be in jeopardy if the Addison Road Community Centre falls out of public hands.

This breach, as well as other previous disputes

regarding length of the leasing conditions and increasing rental prices resulted in the eviction of Bower on 19 November.

For now ARCCO has negotiated with The Bower Group to allow them access to Hut 34. The celebrations could be premature since the matter will be heard in court on 14 December 2018.

Chief Executive Officer of ARCCO, Rosanna Barbero said: “For two years we have been asking The Bower Group to work proactively together with

ARCCO. A Compliance Order issued by Inner West Council reinforced repeated requests from ARCCO for The Bower to rectify issues including illegal structures, public safety, fire hazards, and centre traffic violations.”

“Unfortunately, these requests were repeatedly ignored, and formal mediation and negotiations failed to achieve an outcome.

“We will be taking swift action to ensure we regain, and remain, compliant with our head lease by addressing the outstanding issues with Hut 34 so as to ensure the safety of all other organisations, community groups and artists that call our site home.

“ARCCO remains committed to ensuring the Addison Road Community Centre remains in public hands and that the essential services provided by the many vital organisations on site are supported going into the future.”

The Bower’s General Manager, Guido Verbist said that he was thrilled with the decision to reopen the centre and that he hopes the community support encourages more civil dealings in the future.

“It’s a big step forward. The big drama was that we might not survive this. Unfortunately all the issues from before the eviction, all the disputes are still there. We hope we can have a correct and transparent process with the two partners around the table,” he said.

Speaking at the centre’s reopening, ABC presenter Costa Georgiadis Mr Georgiadis said: “This is not about a cobbled little straw bale mud-house, in the back-blocks of the Inner West.

This is actually a nationally significant piece of Australia’s future and I would go so far as to say that it’s an internationally significant player when it comes to the future of sustainability in our country. When it comes to waste this is the front line of change-making.”

Working for a Liveable, Sustainable, Progressive Sydney for all.

See my 2018 Report Card at www.alexgreenwich.com/2018_report_card city hub 6 DECEMBER 2018

3

A ferry too far from the ‘Loo

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ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Editor: John Moyle Production Manager: Michael Hitch Contributors: John Moyle, Peter Hehir, Laura Neill, Michael Hitch, Allison Hore, Andrew Woodhouse, Sarah McLenaghan Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Advertising Manager: Georgina Pengelly Cover Photo: Supplied. Sydney Santa Spectacular Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677, Fax: 9212 5633 Website: altmedia.net.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au altmediagroup

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by John Moyle Woolloomooloo is one of Sydney’s oldest suburbs. Subdivided in the 1840, the area’s first land grant occurred in 1793.

Nicknamed the ‘Loo, it is still predominately a working class area with a considerable public housing stock. But in recent years the suburb has witnessed a boom in upmarket dining along the Finger Wharf and many of the local hotels.

Up until 1935 the area’s public transport was served by a tram to Circular Quay. In recent years the only transport option is the 311 bus which is slow and subject to peak hour grid-locked traffic conditions.

“We are on the cross roads where Sydney goes north, south, east and west and we are getting caught in terrible bottle necks and this is adding to the pollution in the area and degrades the general atmosphere,” John Gerathy, co-convener of the as yet un-named association said.

Last week,75 Woolloomooloo residents. business owners, restauranteurs and publicans crowed into the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel to hear speakers propose a ferry service to their area.

Speakers included member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, manager of the soon to be built Sydney Modern, Sally Webster, hotelier Arthur Laundy and residents’ representative John Gerathy.

“Everybody was behind the proposal which would see residents of Greater Sydney get access to the Parramatta River or the harbour east, west, north and south, get to the Botanic Gardens, the Boy Charlton Pool, the Art Gallery of NSW and the new Sydney Modern and the Woolloomooloo precinct,” John Gerathy said.

The proposal is for a ferry wharf to be built near the Boy Charlton Pool and lift installed to take passengers up to the board walk that runs along the top of the pool.

“There is a body of evidence already there and it has some strong backing with the Art Gallery

Boy Charlton Pool is the proposed site for a new Woolloomooloo ferry wharf. Photo: John Moyle

soon to be redeveloped. In 2013 a Government report identified either Woolloomooloo or Elizabeth Bay for a ferry wharf,” Alex Greenwich, member for Sydney said.

The 2013 report which Mr Greenwich proposed failed to gain traction within government, but other failed proposals go back even further.

“We won the Woolloomooloo Ideas competition in 1992 and we had a ferry wharf so this is an idea that is been overdue for decades,” Councillor Professor Philip Thalis, City of Sydney and practicing architect said.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said “While there are no current plans to operate ferry services from Woolloomooloo, Future Transport 2056 includes an initiative to investigate and trial on-demand ferry services across Sydney Harbour in the next 10 years.”

“That is not a very good answer from

Transport, on-demand is something that Minister Constance has been pushing and it’s not the answer to urban services in high density inner urban areas,” Cr Prof Thalis said.

“Why do we have to wait even two years?”

“The process from here is that locals are running a strong community campaign and we need to put the evidence to the Government, to the local area, the local economy and keep the pressure on to deliver,” Alex Greenwich said.

“We are intending to apply pressure on Gladys, she’s there until March, and I will be putting pressure on Michael Daley as well,” John Gerathy said.

“For very little investment they will get big returns for little bucks.”

In Woolloomooloo it is safe to say local residents and business owners know more about the subject than the government authority.

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5

Small Business Party aims for Senate

BY ALLISON HORE The Small Business Party aims for State After an unsuccessful bid for the seat of Wentworth in last month’s by-election, the Small Business Party has set its sights on the NSW state election.

Twice elected independent Sydney councillor Angela Vithoulkas founded the party earlier this year to advocate for small business owners who she believes major parties overlook.

“The cynic in me will say that in every election, whether local, state or federal, every party claims to have some allegiance to small business, but that is only around for that brief election cycle, but after that they forget all about the small business owner,” she says.

In next year’s March NSW state election the Small Business Party will be vying for seats in both the upper and lower house. And Ms Vithoulkas is hoping to crowdfund $350,000 to pay for the campaign.

She chose crowdfunding instead of running fundraising events due to the lower overhead costs and the fact that more people are able to get involved.

“We need the help and the support of the small business community and those who are interested in small businesses, not just those in Sydney or in NSW,” she says.

According to ABS statistics small businesses account for 97% of all businesses registered in Australia and around 70% of Australians are employed by small or medium businesses.

The CEO of the NSW Business Chamber, Stephen Cartwright, believes that representation of small businesses in parliament is important.

“Anytime the needs of the small business sector are strongly advocated in our Parliaments is a good thing,” he says.

“It’s why we fought so hard to have the Small Business portfolio returned to Federal Cabinet,

Small Business Party major domo Angela Vithoulkas hopes for a Senate win in March. Photo: Ciaran O’Brien

and why we lobbied so hard for the payroll tax threshold to be raised in the last state budget.”

To win a seat in the legislative assembly Ms Vithoulkas estimates the Small Business party will need to win around 110,000 primary votes. The party does not want to rely on preference deals to get across the line.

“We want and need the primary vote so we can stand on our own two feet,” she says.

“If we made a deal it would have to be with people who have small businesses as a very high priority as well.”

Alongside herself, Ms Vithoulkas confirms there will be three candidates running in the election.

Aron Le Saux will be running for the seat of Newtown. His small business in Surry Hills is suffering as a result of the light rail construction, Mr Le Saux and his partner have run a popular

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wine bar in Surry Hills since 2015. It started having financial difficulties this year.

“We are on Crown Street, and we knew it was coming. But even today we are 50% down in our numbers,” Mr Le Saux explains.

“Crown Street was epic. Ot was one of the best places in the Sydney scene and having a 50% drop in foot traffic for a business is absolutely devastating.”

Ms Vithoulkas also knows what it’s like to lose business. Her restaurant, Vivo Cafe, closed earlier this year after 30 years of operation as she was no longer able to afford the George Street rent. Her situation is not unique.

“There are businesses that have been affected along the Westconnex route; there are businesses that have been affected near the new hospital.”

She says that “poor planning” from governments

and companies when carrying out infrastructure and development projects is a concern to small business owners. She thinks it’s crucial for small businesses to be consulted from the start.

“Any legislation that comes before Parliament must consider small business as a priority in their policies. Small business must be a recognised part of the overall community” The Small Business Party has also been rallying support for a class action lawsuit against the NSW Government for the impact the light rail construction has had on small businesses in the CBD. More than 60 businesses have joined the lawsuit and they’re hoping for around $40 million in compensation. But Ms Vithoulkas wants voters to know that the Small Business Party is not anti-infrastructure, they just want to see better planning.

“We are not against infrastructure or innovation, we just want to ensure that the businesses that are there before the project are still there after it,” she says.

Mr Le Saux agrees: “Our state needs to grow.

Just saying no to infrastructure is not the answer.

It’s down to negotiations,” Last week the Small Business Party launched housing affordability as their first election policy.

Ms Vithoulkas says it is important to show that the Small Business Party is not a “one issue party” and that they have interest in issues which face the broader community.

The NSW Business Chamber sees concerns about energy prices as a key issue facing small businesses today. Mr Le Saux says that this is an issue that doesn’t just impact small businesses, but is a concern for all residents.

“Even though we’re the Small Business Party, energy prices are killing all of us,” he says.

“We’re not just about Small Business. We’re looking out for the interests of the entire state.”

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7

Women march for bigger bucks

BY Sarah McLenaghan On Wednesday 28 November, rally goers across Sydney took a stand against Australia’s gender pay gap and walked out of work to support women’s financial empowerment.

The WalkOut Oz Rally was held in Martin Place with women and men encouraged to leave work early to demonstrate their support for fair and equal pay.

Fi Bendall, CEO of The Female Social Network, said it’s time Australian women had their hashtag moment: “Let’s make it a thing; let’s make it a stigma not to pay people equally, a stigma not to treat your daughters the same as your sons.

The movement started with private meetings between women from corporate Australia who were fed up with the same kind of conversations around gender and nothing really changing.

“That’s how it started and it actually blew out to quite a few women and we’d get together privately. We actually supported quite a few initiatives just to try and turn the dial. There was an amazing shift as a result of #MeToo movement and the conversation led into a lot of issues around economic empowerment for women,” Ms Bendall said.

From this conversation a rally for change emerged. It was proposed that women and men should walk out of work at 3:50pm to demonstrate in a very tangible way how Australian women work an additional 70 minutes a day on average for free.

Rally organiser Fi Bendall with Cassandra Thorburn. Photo: Fi Bendall

Ms Bendall said: “It’s not about just women walking out; it would be great if men walked out. I know a number of men who just can’t believe these statistics as well.”

Pascale Helyar-Moray, Director of Communications for the Australian Gender Equality Council (AGEC),

said her organisation was approached by the WalkOut Oz team who saw an opportunity to collaborate and amplify the message, given the alignment of the groups’ missions.

“One of AGEC’s driving principles is to advocate for, and raise awareness of gender equality in Australia. This

rally is a way to do just that.” AGEC’s Chair, Ms Victoria Weekes, was one of the speakers at the rally’s end point in Martin Place.

Eva Cox, Feminist Academic, was another speaker at the rally. “Women earn a lot less than men because feminised jobs, eg nursing, children’s services and care jobs are generally undervalued and underpaid, and we do most of the unpaid domestic and community work as well,” said Ms Cox. Ms Helyar-Moray said the financial exploitation of women by the system was clear when looking at the statistics: Female graduates entering the workforce do so being paid 11% less than males. One in two women in the workforce are being discriminated against for being mothers. Women retire with 58% as much superannuation as men.

Women’s March Sydney CoOrganiser, Meagan Date, shared these concerns: “Women deserve to be treated equally and respected at work.

The gender pay gap impacts all women and has wide reaching consequences, impacting on everything from our ability to save, advancing in our career, right through to not having enough in superannuation when it comes to retirement.”

As a result, Ms Date believes there are a number of significant changes that need to be made to the working conditions for women in Australia: “Acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step. Immediately addressing pay discrepancies between men and

women doing the same job is crucial.

“Then there are multiple other changes needed to address systemic inequality: improving maternity leave policies, making education and training more accessible, introducing internal company policies to ensure women can advance within their careers.”

Ms Helyar-Moray emphasised the importance of making these changes: “The working rights of women in Australia is a vital issue on many levels: at a cultural level, to encourage balance between men and women, at a workplace level, to support and encourage women in the workforce, at an economic level, to assist building our economy.

“A recent report by McKinsey Global shows that with full gender equality in our workforce, Australia could add another $297 billion to the economy.

Ms Helyar-Moray suggested that more quotas be introduced to encourage gender equality in the workplace. She also argued government should have greater oversight over pay inequity in companies with penalties for noncompliance.

However, Ms Bendall believes the biggest change we need to see is a change in beliefs: “The underlying attitude and mindset has to be the most difficult but the most important and I think it’s all very easy for people to talk about quotas to put in place but at the end of the day they don’t in a practical sense operate in the workplace. It’s time to rethink and unlearn what we think about gender.”

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Creative space hard to find

BY LAURA NEILL ‘Out-of-date and ludicrous’ red tape is strangling Sydney’s creative sectors, according to a new report authored by Sydney Fringe Festival (SFF) director and chief executive Kerri Glasscock.

Titled ‘An Anthology of Space’, the report proposes solutions to overcome the financial and regulatory restrictions hindering artists from utilizing industrial and retail spaces.

“If artists were able to legally and affordably use available empty spaces, the current venue crisis would literally cease to exist,” said Ms Glasscock.

Funded by the Department of Industry, Liquor and Gaming’s cultural infrastructure and grant program, the report names costs associated with Development Applications and lengthy timeframes for regulatory approval as causing the ‘demise of the venue for hire’.

Several case studies were highlighted from over four years of experience delivering the annual independent arts festival, with more than 2000 artists requiring temporary space.

One case study was SFF’s application last year to use a disused warehouse space in Alexandria as its Festival Hub. Local police reacted by insisting the Festival employ up to 5 security guards – a number normally reserved for nightclubs and high-risk venues. This meant that a morning yoga class would have required the presence of 2 guards.

“Because it’s a warehouse, a festival context, there’s an assumption that this was going to be a super high-risk activation, that this would turn into a rave party. The conditions were no dancing, no DJs and extra security,” said Ms Glasscock.

Under these conditions, ballet or jazz performances would have been illegal.

“That’s almost insulting to the biggest independent arts festival in the state,” said Ms Glasscock. “It’s quite mad.”

Sydney Fringe Festival director Kerri Glasscock and the Alexandria warehouse space. Photo: Ken Leanfore

While approval was eventually granted without dance restrictions, Glasscock’s report notes other examples of Planning and Development regulations extinguishing attempts to activate even smaller venues.

Artist troupe Ru De La Rocket were forced to abandon their ten-show performance at a hairdressing salon when a Change of Use DA was required, triggering additional requirements for noise attenuation, fire exits and amenities.

“It was one artist playing a hairdresser, speaking to twelve people. The only difference was that (the audience) were paying for a ticket at the start, not for a haircut at the end. That one thing would have triggered a full change of use of the building, to upgrade to the same category used for an airport, or an opera house,” Ms Glasscock said.

“It sums up how out-of-date and ludicrously performance is treated in the regulatory world. It’s

a one-size-fits-all assumption of super-high risk.”

If existing retail space was opened to the performance sector, the high streets could be peppered with 30-60 seat performance spaces that would diversify the nightlife economy and re-invigorate the struggling high streets. Renting a retail space is also cheaper than renting a theatre.

“But as soon as performance is involved, it triggers a huge number of regulatory hurdles that are prohibitively expensive.” Ms Glasscock said.

Most artist-led organisations and medium-sized projects seek nimbler and more affordable spaces, much different to the theatres of old. The report requests a change to the National Construction Code, whereby such ‘bare bones’ spaces would fall under the same regulations as restaurants with the same capacity, as modelled by South Australia.

The code is set to be updated next year but until then, small spaces remain unaffordable.

Playwright Sophie Roberts, whose award-winning stage play ‘The Colour Orange’ sold out during the 2018 season, attests to the scarcity and unaffordability of appropriate, fit-for-purpose spaces.

“You end up pulling in favours and rehearsing in people’s kitchens. There’s something inherently fun in that at the beginning; towards the end of the process it’s draining,” Roberts said.

Said actress Isabella Broccolini, “the challenge we face in Sydney is where to obtain artistic access to spaces, in a city with a lot of space, but – sadly – not willing to lend it for art.”

Deputy Mayor Linda Scott, who last year moved to set up the City of Sydney’s Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel, welcomed Ms Glasscock’s report.

“These rules are like trying to kill a snail with a sledgehammer,” said Ms Scott, “the live music and creative joy of Sydney needs to come back, and that means we need changes to ensure they can thrive.”

Ms Scott said that conditions of consent provided by state approvals such as Liquor Licensing and Development Applications need to be addressed.

“There’s a lot that needs to be done, so that we don’t see things like conditions of consent to ban mirror balls or rock music,” Ms Scott said. “The creative sector has shown just how resilient it can be in continuing to produce all the wonderful things that we love but as governments, we can do better.”

Ms Glasscock, a co-chair of the advisory panel, said that change requires a ‘full sweep’ of local, state and federal governments to change the regulation at each level.

“I’d love to see performance treated as any other type of business, not being hit with a stick from the top down. I’d love to see all of our young voices have a place to be able to develop their careers from, because that is vitally important.”

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9

Opinion

Fix NSW: The list goes on…

NSW is broken and is in desperate need of fixing. Photo: Cherubino

By Peter Hehir The State of NSW is really hurting and is sorely in need of repair. Just about everything that Glad the Impaler and her predecessor have had their hands on, has turned to shit.

The assault on public institutions, from TAFE, to prisons and hospitals, to local councils, transport and the energy grid; the flogging off of everything that isn’t bolted down - and most of the stuff that is; this is the physical manifestation of an ideology that sees Government as an impediment to what is so ironically referred to as “progress”. A word, like both “development” and “growth” that have such nurturing meanings, but have been so cynically hijacked.

With the approval of WestConnex Stage 3 B now imminent, Berejeklian is poised to drive

another nail into Sydney’s coffin. Not only will this travesty of a white elephant punish Western Sydney with burdensome tolls, as well as those heading west to work, it will extract a terrible toll on the health of both the residents who live within a kilometre or two of the unfiltered exhaust stacks, as well as the tunnel users.

The impact of climate change is exacerbated here in NSW by Government decisions that benefit multinationals. Decisions that rob us of our publicly owned institutions, our infrastructure, bought and paid for by previous generations; institutions that are being progressively and deliberately white anted so that they can be shown to be in crisis and then only “saved” by the Neo Con’s universal panacea; that being the God of private ownership.

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Transport, hospitals, schools, TAFE, prisons, energy are all now expected to pay their way. We were once part of that group of enlightened countries who believed that these essential services were the responsibility of the Government. That they were there for the benefit of the people; not to make a profit for absentee multinational landlords.

We need to Fix NSW Hospitals; Fix NSW Schools; Fix NSW Universities; Fix NSW Energy; Fix NSW TAFE; Fix NSW Prisons; Fix NSW Politics; Fix NSW Pollution; Fix NSW Employment; Fix the NSW Voting age; Fix NSW Roads; Fix NSW Rail; Hell - just Fix NSW Transport.

The Fix NSW Transport organisers are looking to lock down a date for a huge public rally in the weeks leading up to the election. It would be terrific to also have the support of the wider community.

The polling undertaken by the major political parties indicated that, about 12 months out from the last State election in Western Australia, the Neo Cons there knew they would be booted out. But in spite of massive opposition to Roe 8, a freeway through a sensitive wilderness, these philistines were still bulldozing on the day of the election. Doing as much damage as possible.

Why? Because they could.

Glad the Impaler also knows that her days are numbered. The ALP here have said that they won’t tear up the contracts. The same sort of vindictive bloody mindedness that we saw in WA is driving the rush to sign the Stage 3 B contracts before Xmas, to ensure that the Rozelle Interchange, the Iron Cove Tunnel and a good percentage of the Western Harbour Tunnel are guaranteed to be built before she is tossed out on her ear. Why? Simply because she can.

Our youth will suffer and they are only too

well aware of it. They can see the impacts that WestConnex, NorthConnex, the F6, the Western Harbour Tunnel and the Northern Beaches Link will have on health and climate change. They’re acutely aware of the huge quantity of fossil fuel and of the massive quantities of concrete needed to build these tunnels and of the emissions they will concentrate and release both during and after construction.

With a whole generation of kids for whom being educated in the public school system meant demountables were the rule, not the exception, the cutting of budgets to many essential public institutions, hasn’t gone unnoticed.

When the primary focus of educational institutions and hospitals ceases to be the enrichment and wellbeing of the community; and cynically bowing to the demands of the bottom line becomes the order of the day, then we are in serious trouble.

Seeing the schoolkids turn out in droves to protest the dismal lack of action in relation to climate change, was really heartening. Their voices raised in unison, expressing their disdain at the climate change deniers in both State and Federal Governments, showed a comprehension and a concern that is seldom attributed to children and demonstrated a wisdom beyond their years. Sagacity that is sorely lacking in our parliamentary leaders.

These inheritors of tomorrow can see what our elected representatives can’t. The planet is hurting while Glad and Scomo and Co are still blindly flogging coal and fossil fuel, still spending billions pushing tollroads - while the need for a world class public transport system in Sydney is largely ignored.

Somewhere from my distant past I vaguely remember hearing the words “And a little child shall lead them”. Is this the dawning of that day?

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Opinion

Late night opening insomnia

By Andrew Woodhouse “ZZZ… ZZZ …”

“Andrew! Wake up!’

“What? It’s 3:00 am!”

“But it’s time to go shopping “Are you mad? This is silly.”

This scenario could be coming to you if the City of Sydney Council has its way.

It has approved a trial of ultra-late shopping hours after a survey was recently undertaken.

The proposal is to change trading across an area stretching from Darling Harbour to Hyde Park, and south to Central station. It comes as businesses continue to raise the issue of light rail construction in Sydney’s CBD. The extended trading hours would not have any impact on the NSW government’s 1.30am lockout laws currently applying to pubs and clubs across Sydney’s CBD. It would, however, apply to Llankelly Place in Kings Cross increasing hours to 2am.

Council’s Transport, Heritage and Planning Committee discussed the idea at its meeting on Monday 12th November at the highly “convenient” time of 2:03pm, producing a magnum opus of 314 pages of material.

Council’s background notes state the idea is to “balance the needs of those who want to go out, those who want to do business at night and those who want a quiet night at home. The DCP includes innovative planning controls such as trial periods, later trading for lower risk premises such as small bars and late night precincts that reflected the character and activity of the area.” Is this balancing act really possible?

Importantly, they also note: ”The Police have raised the impact of increased late night trading hours or expanded areas on their ability to respond to incidents and manage community safety. They are also concerned about the increased risk of crime that may result from the extension of late night trading hours.”

Yet council still ploughs ahead. I blame council if someone gets hurt.

Only 338 businesses were consulted, hardly an indicative and reliable survey.

There seems to have been no study of landowning ratepayers.

In cosmopolitan Kings Cross only 51 people were consulted with the overwhelming response being “Kings Cross has improved with the lockouts and less violence,” if this is relevant.

Concern was expressed about increased noise impacts.

No “before and after” decibel measurements or acoustic studies are being provided, a convenient truth.

However, the new policy is not welcomed by everyone. Residents are cringing at thought of businesses opening under their bedroom windows creating unwanted noise. Emeritus Professor David Rowe thinks that after-hours opening hours should also consider opening libraries, galleries and other cultural activities, not just drinking and eating places so the city is open to everyone, including families.

This may or may not happen.

Extra staffing costs would add to retail running costs without any guarantee that potential buyers would come out on regular nights, especially if

they are working the next morning.

The scheme might only create retail fatigue and work drowsiness.

Council hopes government facilities would also open, but why would they?

This is admittedly only a “hope” and may not happen.

And council’s idea relies only other government agencies to co-operate by providing public transport, which could become a handy shift-blaming loop hole if the trial fails. This transport point is “critical to city safety” says Phillip Wadda, University of New South Wales criminologist.

The scheme may create more problems than benefits.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore is adamant her thought bubble is worth trying proclaiming claiming “the proposed changes to late-night trading were in response to “overwhelming” public feedback in favour of a diverse and exciting night-time economy”. That may be so however, local retailers in Glebe are reported as saying they have never called for extended hours and wouldn’t be able to utilise them.

“It wouldn’t be feasible for us to be open at 2am in the morning. We’d have to have minimum staffing on, just to be able to open the doors,” Alan Abbey, the manager of York Street bookshop Abbey’s Books, is reported as saying.

“In theory it sounds attractive, but shopping at 2 or 3 am in the morning is not optimal book-shopping time for people.”

City of Sydney councillor, founder of the Small Business Party, George Street

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light rail opponent and state government election candidate, Angela Vithoulkas, has said she doesn’t think the scheme is based on the reality of what these types of businesses are and what they serve. She is quoted as saying that “It’s very difficult to ask a hairdresser to stay open from midnight to 5am. Why would they?”

City Hub has asked what KPIs, or Key Performance Indicators, apply to this scheme to measure the trial’s “success” but no response was provided.

However, on 19th November, 2018,

council decided unanimously not to adopt its original planning staff recommendation but amended it to allow for a further 28-day exhibition period. Council’s on-line website says council will accept submissions until Friday 8th February, 2019.

Interestingly, in the UK a new Minister for Loneliness has been appointed. I might expect council to appoint a professional gaggle of highly paid experts to form a silliness panel to consider further such projects.

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Christmas Countdown

By Jamie Apps

If like many of us here at City Hub you’ve left your Christmas gift shopping to the very last minute we’ve got you covered with our 2018 list of gift and celebration ideas.

With so many great local offerings available this year you will be able to find that truely special and heartfelt gift that makes your gift the best under the Christmas tree.

The Ultimate Christmas Guide Phoenix Collective

In 2019 the Phoenix Collective of musicians will be performing a range of concerts throughout the year and throughout our fine city, so why not buy the music lover in your life a subscription package.

Phoenix Collective showcases classical music with a uniquely Australian edge. Bringing together some of Australia’s most accomplished and high-profile musicians in a riveting recital series, the Phoenix Collective concerts offer a range of exciting ensembles and genres set in intimate & iconic venues.

With a Phoenix Collective subscription the recipient of this gift will be able to attend four seperate concerts of their choosing.

Whether that is at one of the stunning new venues for 2019, the Larry Sitsky Room (ANU School of Music, Canberra) or the stunning Christ Church of Lavender Bay, or in one of their regular haunts the majestic Hunter Baillie Presbyterian Church, Annandale and the beautiful surrounding gardens of Greenway Chapel in Green Point, Central Coast.

Prices range from $90-$275 and are available from www. phoenixcollective.com.au 12

city hub 6 DECEMBER 2018

Albert Tse Metalsmith - Eon Series

Do you have a man in your life who is hard to buy gifts for? If so then metalsmith and jewellery maker Albert Tse may have just the solution for you with his signature Eon Collection of rings, pendants and cufflinks The Eon Collection is hand crafted using the ancient art of sand casting, which gives each piece its own unique flair combining beauty with a timeless ruggedness. Each piece within the Eon Collection is made using sterling silver so they can pair with any fashion style, whether as an accent piece or as a simple daily accessory.

Created at his studio in the heart of Sydney Tse’s jewellery is something truely special and unique, no two pieces are identical so a gift from the Eon series will be an incredibly heartfelt gift that as the name suggests will last an eon.

Prices range from $125-$495 and are available from www. alberttsemetalsmith.com Handel’s Messiah

To help you get into the spirit of the holidays a combination of church choirs from around the city will com together in the Sydney Town Hall for the 78th rendition of Handel’s iconic work Messiah.

Messiah is one of the most magnificent and popular choral works, even though it’s incredible difficult to perform in churches due to the sheer size of the choir required for a truely stirring performance.

For this special charity event a cast of hundreds of choristers from the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, Sydney University Musical Society, Coro Innominata, and the Macquarie University Singers will be joined by a superb selection of soloists and a fantastic orchestra.

Dec 15-16. Sydney Town Hall, 483 George St, Sydney. $38-$43+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.handelsmessiah.org.au

An ideal An ideal Christmas Christmas gift! gift!

Dedicate Dedicateaabench benchtoday today Celebrate a special moment, acknowledge your Celebrate a special moment, acknowledge your love orlove giveoragive meaningful gift gift by dedicating aa a meaningful by dedicating bench bench in thein Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Your gift will support our vital work in the Your gift will support our vital work in the areas of conservation, science, horticulture areas of conservation, science, horticulture and education. and education.

For more information:

TICKETS City Recital Hall - Angel Place (02) 8256 2222 www. cityrecitalhall.com

FURTHER INFORMATION www. cityrecitalhall.com (02) 8256 2222 www. handelsmessiah.org.au

The Radio Community Chest gratefully acknowledges the support of the Council of the City of Sydney.

For more information: 02 9231 8125 02 9231 8125 development@bgcp.nsw.gov.au development@bgcp.nsw.gov.au www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/dedicate www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/dedicate

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The Ultimate Christmas Guide Love Luggage

Christmas is often a busy travel period for many of us, so why not refresh a loved ones luggage with a gift from local store Love Luggage.

Established in 2008 Love Luggage is an Australian based luggage reseller offering a variety of top luggage brands at affordable, competitive, wholesale discounted prices. Love Luggage offers an always expanding fresh range of unique luggage and luggage accessories that make travelling more than just getting from A to B, they make shopping for your luggage almost as fun and exciting as your holiday!

With over a decade in the luggage industry their team of experts will be able to provide great advice and ensure you get the perfect luggage gift for any type of traveller.

325 King St, Newtown. Various Prices.

More Info: www.loveluggage.com.au Paddy’s Markets

Beginning this weekend they’ll be kicking the festive spirit into high gear with a wide array of activities to keep you entertained and stress free during your shopping adventures. From choirs to balloon giveaways, Santa photos, and even Christmas tattoos there is something here to help break up the shopping.

While at Paddy’s Markets City Hub also recommends checking out their Neon Picture Zones to capture a special treasured memory to adorn your social media feeds.

Paddy’s Haymarket, 9-13 Hay St, Sydney. Open Wed-Sun 10am-6pm.

The Cannery Christmas Markets

A favourite of many a discerning shopper Paddy’s Markets have a wide range of independent retailers, making them the perfect one-stop shopping destination this festive season. Whether you’re looking for gifts, decorations, flowers or local produce Paddy’s Markets will have it all.

If you want to jumpstart your Christmas celebrations then head to The Cannery Rosebery next week for a day filled with festive cheer. With market stalls, food trucks, a roaming Santa, live music and plenty of children’s activities there is festive fun for everyone at The Cannery Christmas Markets.

Running alongside the regular monthly markets The Cannery has added some special festive cheer this month with 42 unique indoor and outdoor market stalls, kids activities, gingerbread house making workshops (bookings essential - please see website) and a wide range of food offerings.

Whilst enjoying the festive spirit perhaps pick-up some special one of a kind gifts or adornments for your Christmas table from the leading local providores, lifestyle brands and artisans.

Dec 16.The Cannery Rosebery, 61 Mentmore Ave, Rosebery.

More Info: www.canneryrosebery.com.au Sydney Dance Company

Give the gift of dance to loved ones young and old this Christmas with a voucher to Sydney Dance Company’s 2019 performances or to their dance classes!

Give a full year of dance with a 2019 Sydney Subscription Package starting from $111.50 and celebrate with their 50th anniversary program. Get family and friends onto the dance floor with a multi-pack to Sydney Dance Company’s daily

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www.sydneysantaspectacular.com 14

city hub 6 DECEMBER 2018

325 King Street NEWTOWN, NSW 2042 | P: 02 9557 8283 www.loveluggage.com.au

The Ultimate Christmas Guide Perhaps a gift that will stand the test of time, and potentially span generations, is something you may want to consider this year. If so, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has just the offering for you thanks to their Bench Dedication Program.

Under this program a tax-deductible donation can see your special someone commemorated with a plaque for ten years.

Your gift will also support the Garden’s vital work in the areas of conservation, science, horticulture and education.

More Info: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

the butcher; find a smorgasbord of cold meats, olives and cheeses from the deli; and get a tip or two on pairing wine and beer, from the bottle shop. There is also a bakery and greengrocer on-site.

You never know, you might even run into Santa.

Sydney Fish Market, Bank St, Pyrmont. More Info: www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au The Sydney Santa Spectacular

Sydney Fish Market

drop-in classes and introductory short courses in styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary and more.

For the kids, unleash their creativity with Sydney Dance Company’s diverse Summer Holiday Workshops or Contemporary Youth Term Classes.

Sydney Dance Company - Studio, 385 Wattle Street, Ultimo.

Various Prices. More Info: www.sydneydancecompany.com Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Seafood has become a staple of many a Christmas feast in Sydney, and obviously there is no better place to secure the freshest and most delicious prawns, oysters, muscles and fish than the Sydney Fish Market.

From 5am December 23 right through until 5pm December 24 the market will open for its 36 hour seafood marathon. In what has become a yearly tradition over the past 24 years over 100,000 visitors will stream through the markets to secure their family’s servings of great seafood.

Shoppers can expect to find the largest range of fresh seafood sourced from all over Australia. But it doesn’t just stop at seafood; visitors will be able to collect a Christmas turkey from

Australia’s biggest Christmas Festival is returning to Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, beginning tomorrow and running until December 27, bringing with it a three-week North Pole-inspired extravaganza for families and Christmas-lovers of all-ages.

If you’ve ever wanted to celebrate a ‘white Christmas’ but are unable to travel during the festive period then this is the place for you thanks to its ice skating rinks,Australia’s only double-decker carousel, toboggan slides, an enchanted Santa forest and much more.

Whilst attending the event and getting engulfed in the festive spirit visitors will also be able to spread the joy by leaving a gift under the 15 meter high charity Christmas tree fro sick and needy children.

Dec 7-27. Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, James Ruse Drive Rosehill Gardens, Rosehill. $40-$60+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneysantaspectacular.com

Christmas Wonderland Sydney Showground Saturday 15 – Monday 24 December ExpEriEncE a whitE christmas with tonnEs of rEal falling snow, EvEry day, at christmas wondErland.

Q Santa’s Inflatable World Q Enchanted Christmas Village Q Candy Cane Land Q Q Q Q

the 10-day christmas extravaganza will fill families with christmas cheer as they discover spectacular snow and ice, magical christmas worlds and colourful carnival rides.

Jolly Elve’s Workshop Magical Musical Stage Shows Penguin Parade Santa’s colouring competition

Q Carnival Rides Q Ice Skating Q and MuCh, MuCh MoRE!

paddington pavilion, cnr olympic BoulEvard and nEw England avEnuE, sydnEy olympic park christmaswonderlandsydneyshowground.com.au facebook.com/christmaswonderlandatsydneyshowground city hub 6 DECEMBER 2018

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The Ultimate Christmas Guide Percy Marks

Christmas Wonderland

If you really want to blow someone away with a dazzling Christmas gift head on down to Australia’s most respected family jewellery business, Percy Marks on Castlereagh Street.

Founded in 1899 Percy Marks has built their reputation on creating jewellery of outstanding beauty and quality which will be treasured for generations.

Whether it’s white diamonds, pink diamonds, gold, silver, mens or womens Percy Marks will either have the right gift already there in store or can create something bespoke just for you.

Level 3, 70 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. More Info: www. percymarks.com.au Christmas Wonderland

Christmas Wonderland is bringing numerous magical worlds to life at Sydney Olympic this festive season.

Stroll along the festive streets of the Enchanted Christmas Village; feast your eyes on the colourful houses of Gingerbread Land, Toy Land and Candy Cane Lane; and wander through the tall pine trees of Santa’s Alpine Forest. Christmas Wonderland’s magical stage show will also have the kids singing and dancing along, while

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the Penguin Parade and the one and only Singing Tree will add extra Christmas joy.

This event is sure to leave you with the magic of Christmas flowing right through everyone, both young and old.

Dec 15-24. Paddington Pavillion, Cnr Olympic Boulevard and New England Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park. $40+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.hristmaswonderlandsydneyshowground.com.au Yoga Synergy

Christmas is a time of celebration, and often over indulgence.

Luckily though local yoga studio Yoga Synergy have a fantastic offer for new students, which would make for a great gift to balance out the over indulgence.

New students can receive the first two weeks of classes and training videos for just $25, making it an ideal stocking stuffer or secret Santa gift.

Yoga Synergy have studios in both Bondi Junction and Newtown, so they’re exceptionally easy to access.

More Info: www.yogasynergy.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT w

Crime And Punishment

made Dostoyevsky into a ghost story.

Raskolnikov is disturbed and he’s haunted by the woman who he killed. Rather than presenting him as a Netflix hero I thought of presenting him as this man who is starving to death, whose life is falling apart and the actor James Smithers fits into that – well not personally,” laughed Skuse.

Described as an unrelenting ghost story with a cast of 10, Skuse thought of this as a great Christmas play. “It’s like going to see A Christmas Carol, haunted by a Christmas past.

It’s suitable for people who liked the novel, people who like a yarn and hopefully everybody will enjoy it.” (MMo) Dec 12–22. Limelight On Oxford, 231 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. $34-$40+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.secrethouse.com.au

such an amazing group of not only improvisers but musicians performing…I’m really excited to see what comes out of it.”

The show itself is truly one of a kind. The audience themselves guide the direction of the drama, as explained by Ritchie.

“We get them to give us the location that the show will be set…and we get the audience to suggest any word at random and that’ll be the impetus for our show.”

The show itself is a special one, dedicated to the memory of Elliot Miller, with profits going to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. The improvised nature of the show also makes it extra special, with Ritchie saying, “this show only exists in that time and that one moment...of the other shows we’ve done at the Enmore, this is definitely going to be the most distinct.” (MB) Dec 8. Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $36.95+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au or Ph: 02 9550 3666

The Bear Pack

Back for their annual, one-night-only performance at the Enmore Theatre, Giant Dwarf ’s The Bear Pack are set to take their audience on an improvisational journey this Saturday. Returning from a smashing season at the Edinburgh Fringe and a sold-out run of shows at London’s Soho Theatre, the pair of comedians is ready to take on their Sydney audience. Comprised of Steen Raskopoulos (Whose Line Is It Anyway? Australia, BBC’s Top Coppers) and Carlo Ritchie (The Checkout), Bear Pack are excited to share the stage with special guests such as Ange Lavoipierre on the cello, and a “super special guest”, yet to be announced.

When asked how he’s feeling about the upcoming show, Carlo Ritchie said, “we have

New Breed 2018 New Breed is returning for its fifth instalment. Co-presented by Sydney Dance Company and Carriageworks with support of The Balnaves Foundation, New Breed 2018 showcases the stellar work of four Australian choreographers – this year being Katina Olsen, Prue Lang, Holly Doyle and Janessa Dufty.

Each choreographer is given two weeks to develop and create a unique performance with dancers from Sydney Dance Company, and creative teams in sound, lighting and costume design.

“I like the dancers themselves to bring their selves into the work and performance so that they’re not just dancing my steps and ideas but bringing their spirit as well,” says Katina Olsen, one of this year’s four

choreographers. “It’s nice to jump outside of the spheres that you usually work and create in, because as an artist, it is exciting to collaborate and exchange ideas.”

The performances this year draw inspiration from artificial intelligence, Australian wildlife and the act of cleansing to propel transformation. For Katina, her work, Mother’s Cry, simultaneously honours her ancestry as a proud Wakka Wakka woman and calls on audiences to consider the impact of humans on the planet.

“It’s part stories from my family. My grandfather always told my mum and myself about the stars and how they’re actually the campfires of our ancestors.That’s where we go when we pass,” says Olsen.

a&e

“Beyond this, Mother’s Cry is a reflective piece on how we’re treading and walking this earth and what we’re leaving behind as our footprint.We’re in a time where things are changing – and it’s worrying.” (ES)

17 STAGE 18 SCENE 19 Sounds 19 SCREEN

Until Dec 9.

Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh. $35+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneydancecompany.com

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

Gretel Killeen

Adapted from the novel by 19th century Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky, this stage play which centres on a man who imagines himself to be greater than the average man and above morality, should prove to be immersive viewing for audiences.

Girls Night Out

“To prove that he’s greater to himself he kills a woman and then, of course, he realises how ridiculous the whole notion is. He’s completely racked by guilt as he should be and then the story is about his road to redemption,” explained director Anthony Skuse.

“It’s the end of the 19th century, the age of revolution and people just got caught up in these revolutionary ideas and he’s swept up in the idea of the great man. This great man who can do whatever he likes. But as he gets caught up in it, he succumbs to a fever. He’s physically ill and his perception of the world has altered - kind of warped.”

In the novel, which would stand shoulder to shoulder with War And Peace, the character of Raskolnikov is described as being very handsome, dark-haired and well built. “I thought of turning the thing around a bit. I’ve

“The only thing you can expect is that it’s going to be funny,” says Gretel Killeen, host of the upcoming all-female comedy show, Girls Night Out. The program features five very diverse, incredibly talented comedians who will bring irreverence, wit, profundity “all the emotions and sentiments of a girls night out but up on stage.”

The lineup includes seasoned comic, Wendy Harmer, whom Killeen has known since beginning her own stand-up career in her early 20s.

“Wendy is more traditional and rock solid, just fabulous. She’s got so much life experience and so much dryness and she’s very clever,” says Killeen.

If Harmer is traditional, then at the other end of the spectrum is drag queen, Maxi Shield unconventional in so many ways. Killeen believes Shield will bring a lovely dimension.

“I think that drag is such a fabulous comic medium. It is so without rules. It’s the ultimate potentially politically incorrect platform, and hilarious.”

Drag comedy is unique - funny, naughty, risqué, much bigger and audacious and “only drag queens can do drag comedy,” says Killeen.

The three remaining performers are on the breaking wave of female comedy. Nikki Britton has gathered laudits and fans for her caricature based act, in particular her very popular “Grandma” character - who may be forced to make an appearance or risk a hostile audience.

Lizzy Hoo plays to Asian type with finesse, sass and wry, knowing humour. Gen Fricker, as with almost all comedians, has many strings to her bow: writer, performer, actor, musician. She has a rock-inside-a-snowball delivery style.

The oestrogen charged energy of an all-girl lineup is unlike any other, says Killeen.

“There’s a tremendous bond when women do shows together.And that is fantastic. I think also, they’re often the most exciting and outrageous shows that you go to.” (RB) Dec 8.The Concourse, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood. $50-$55+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.theconcourse.com.au

Contributors: Emily Shen, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Riley Hooper, Erika Echternach & Lili Sekkai, Joseph Rana, John Moyle, Angela Stevens, Will Fournier, Gabe Merkel & Lanie Tindale, Madison Behringer, Allison Hore.

city hub 6 DECEMBER 2018

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The Dance Of Death Strindberg’s blackly comic The Dance Of Death examines a toxic marriage in which Alice (played by Pamela Rabe) and Edgar (Colin Friels) spar with a ferocious intensity.

Add to the noxious duo Alice’s younger cousin Kurt (Toby Schmitz), who has a longstanding grudge against Edgar, and you have the ingredients for an emotional and psychological fight to the death.

Commenting on the Scandinavian playwrights, Rabe says, “Their gift for tragi-comedy is very strong in the Scandinavian writers. Maybe it’s those very dark long winter nights that have

produced all these plays about people who don’t want to leave their houses”.

This is the first time Rabe has tackled The Dance Of Death and she says it is a really fine play.

“This play explores a metaphor of marriage as a living hell, and so they are quite dark, monstrous characters, but brutally funny”.

After her first Strindberg performance, Rabe vowed she would not perform in his plays again, but director Judy Davis tempted her back and showed her what could be “grotesquely funny about this world”.

This is the first time Rabe has been directed by Judy Davis.

“Being an actress herself with impeccable taste it is such a privilege to be guided through a piece by her,” she says.“The hardest thing is to resist saying ‘Judy, could you just get up and show me’.”

In summing up The Dance Of Death, Rabe comments,“It’s scary, it’s surreal, it’s an extraordinarily complex relationship between a man and a woman, and it’s a classic for good reason.” (ID) Until Dec 23. Belvoir - Upstairs Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $37-$77+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au

THE NAKED CITY

XMAS FLASHBACKS!

With Coffin Ed It’s often odious to make comparisons between a bygone era and the Sydney of today but at least it gives us some insight into the way this mighty metropolis has changed over the years – for better or for worse. With Christmas fast approaching, and the emphasis very much on the retail buck, it’s an appropriate time to look back at the manner in which the festive season was celebrated some 50 or 60 years ago – and perhaps how different it is in 2018.

In post war Sydney, before the big shopping malls spread throughout the suburbs, it was the CBD and the big department stores that led the way with both Christmas shopping and a fantasy world for kids and adults alike. David Jones, Mark Foys, Grace Bros and Anthony Hordern’s all sought to outdo each other with not just shop windows but with magical floor wide ‘winter wonderland’ displays. A stinking hot Australian summer? No problem when you could step into an enchanted domain of snow encrusted Christmas trees, a massive Santa’s castle, Santas galore and everything that reeked of a traditional English Christmas.

The massive Anthony Hordern Emporium, with its 21 hectares of retail space, on the corner of George and Goulburn Streets in the CBD, often led the way with a Christmas extravaganza that drew shoppers from all over the state. No expense was sparred with Christmas displays often imported especially

from overseas. Animatronic elves hammered out toys for Santa and the old whitebeard himself drew a long line of eager children with the store photographer there to capture that special moment. Throughout Sydney Santas

were everywhere - no self respecting department store flogging children’s toys, was without one.

All this Christmas entertainment was free, although the payoff for the stores was the

thousands of shoppers who made the annual pilgrimage to the city to buy their Christmas presents. These days much of that festive action has moved to the suburbs with events such as the Sydney Santa Spectacular at Rosehill charging between $40 and $60 a ticket, although generously under two’s are admitted free!

Whilst David Jones still has its traditional Christmas windows and other stores deck out with assorted Xmas bunting, there’s still not quite the celebratory atmosphere that existed say in the 50s and 60s when the entire city embraced the event. There’s a giant Christmas tree in the QVB and another in Martin Place, somewhat ironical given the Berejeklian government’s decision to expand the logging of coastal forests. The City Of Sydney Council does their best to inject a bit of the Christmas spirit into the endless hell that is the light rail construction and various activities are organised for kids and adults alike. But still no Christmas tree in Walla Mulla Park!

Given the numerous problems that currently beset the city, like the constant traffic congestion, the light rail hell and the plight of the homeless, the cynical might see it a bit like putting lipstick on a pig – or to extend the metaphor, a leg of Christmas dinner ham. Millenials might well rejoice in all the window dressing and LED lights whilst the old school shrug it off as just another piece of manufactured joy.

Whatever the situation the day after Christmas all that yuletide stuff is quickly forgotten as the charge is on for the Boxing Day sales.

Song Ling, Wildlife 2, 2017

White Rabbit Gallery - Supernatural

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city hub 6 DECEMBER 2018

“This is an exhibition of works that make sense of things that make no sense,” said Aiden Mackay, one of White Rabbit Gallery’s art attendants.

A guided tour reveals virtual reality as the new reality and rubbish strewn landscapes as a “prevalent terror facing us all.”

Expect to find hybrid creatures half man, half dragonfly projected from the ceiling and black spots stuck to the wall, which are in actual fact ceramic pieces, depicting an oil spill. Apparently when left on the gallery floor people thought they were stepping stones.

Alana Wesley, another of the gallery’s

dedicated attendants points out the need to represent the ‘shadowy world of contradictory memory’ where one is never sure of what is real. The ancient Chinese believed that gods lived in the mountains and immortals dwelt in caves.

Supernatural beings once inhabited the landscape, co-existing in a harmonious equilibrium of yin and yang but the earth and its inhabitants are now endangered by urbanisation and industry. A mixture of modern and ancient techniques fuse together in a dreamlike photo lense to get this concept across.

The influences of 20th century American abstract paintings are clearly visible as are

influences of Medieval ideologies. In fact, Hieronymus Bosch’s hallucinogenic medieval vision of Heaven And Hell, was the inspiration for Zhou Xiaohu to make his dystopian video, Garden of Earthly Delights in which marionettes, act out the fables in bleak post-industrial locations.

A cautionary tale for a world on the brink of environmental catastrophe. This is a stunning exhibition which combines creative skills, philosophies and ideologies and is both an inspiration and a catalyst for change. (RD) Until Feb 3. White Rabbit Gallery, 30 Balfour St, Chippendale. FREE. Info: www.whiterabbitcollection.org

Bloods

By Jamie Apps In an industry which is often focused on building fame and making money Sydney band Bloods, and their record label, are taking an entirely different, much more philanthropic, approach.

When Bloods were first introduced to the concept behind Share It Music and Sub Pop publishing the decision to join the not-for-profit organisation was a “no-brainer” according to lead vocalist MC. “The concept behind the label [donating all profits to charity] is such a fantastic idea… We were actually shocked nobody else was running their label in this way, because it’s such a good opportunity for music to do good.”

Even before joining Share It Music and Sub Pop the group had been associated with charity endeavours, so a partnership was a natural fit for the release of the group’s second album, Feelings.

For the new record Bloods wanted

to “focus locally” on the issues they felt were important in Australia, and thus chose the Indigenous Literacy Foundation as their partner charity.

With this being the groups second album there were some delays in the process.

“It took us three, almost four, years to make this album,” explained MC. “The process was a lot longer than

we would have liked but we felt we needed to invest the time and focus to do everything the right way and not rush the process at all.”

Happily the “loyal and patient” fan base the group has built throughout the years was rewarded with a record which they have embraced and seen perform very well critically.

“We’re so grateful for any level of

Anna And The Apocalypse

A British Christmas movie that’s also a zombie musical?

There’s a lot going on in Anna And The Apocalypse.

This is a coming-of-age film with its fair share of teenage angst, not to mention the virus

a game of cat and mouse with zombies littered throughout their sleepy country town. With shades of Shaun Of The Dead, but with characters breaking into song mid-zombie attack, this film isn’t for everyone.

Teenagers will either love it and relate, or hate it and revolt.

Themes of first love and finding your own place in the world will resonate, but the that appears suddenly and sadistic teacher sub-plot is a slowly turns the whole town of little over the top. But that Little Haven (not to mention is actually the appeal of this the world) into zombies. movie – it’s out there, it’s Desperately trying to find different, and it’s a little bit of their loved ones, Anna and everything.

WW1/2 her friends find themselves in

Can You Ever Forgive Me? Hepburn and discovers there’s a market for such things, leading her to venture into the criminal world of forgery.

The performances are excellent all round with McCarthy a revelation in the non-comic lead role. Richard E. Grant plays Jack Hock, a boisterous, camp, down and out gay man who befriends Israel and becomes a kind of side kick. Neither character is particularly likeable, yet they have the “can’t look Nothing to forgive here. It’s relatively successful biography away” appeal of a car crash. a witty, intuitive script with writer who, at age 51, falls out Grant has the kind of screen even-handed direction from of favour with her publisher presence that makes him Marielle Heller and a story that and loses her day job due to a scene stealer, but in this is unexpectedly compelling. an uncontrollable misanthropic movie, he works in perfect Set in New York, 1991 and temperament. Out of complement to McCarthy. based on the true story of Lee desperation, she sells a personal An Oscar contender. (RB) WWWW Israel (Melissa McCarthy), a letter written by Katharine

support that we get, whether that be somebody writing something nice about the album or somebody giving it a spin. We still send each other excited emails every time we hear of something new.”

Now to celebrate the album’s success Bloods have put together a “house party” type show.

“We’ve designed these nights so that it’s not just a show but more of a big house party. We’ll be DJing after the show, and we’ve got our friends DJing as well, so it should be fun.”

Strangely this show will also be the first time the group will be performing a set comprising mostly material from Feelings.

“It feels like we put the record out a while ago, so we’re really excited to finally be able to celebrate and play the songs live. We’ve been dropping in songs here or there for the last couple of years to test them out, but this will be the first time where the bulk of the set is new stuff.”

Dec 8. Union Hotel, 576 King St, Newtown. FREE. Info: www.unionnewtown.com.au

Rita Ora - Phoenix The major singles from British pop singersongwriter Rita Ora’s second album, Phoenix, have been hitting airwaves for well over a year now but we’re only now getting to hear the plethora of songs on offer on the entirety of the record.

For much of this record Ora follows the path which many a modern pop star has taken by incorporating electronic dance elements with catchy lyrics, which simply beg to be sung along with.

Whilst the previously released singles such as Your Song, Anywhere and Girls will likely be the first to jump out at listeners the City Hub strongly recommends listening to the record in its entirety as some of the most compelling tracks arrive towards the end. These new standout tracks are Falling To Pieces, Cashmere, and the incredibly personal closing track Sole Survivor. (JA) WWW1/2

Climax

A woman is walking through snow dressed in a black singlet and pants, screaming, falling, her arms leaving pinkish stains in the snow as they flail beside her. Opening credits. A long montage featuring snippets of audition interviews with young, ambitious dancers. Cut to a warehouse sized building in rural France that has been converted into a live-in dance school.The floor of a large hall is painted red and a curtain sized glittering French flag hangs on one wall.The students engage in a group dance, each in turn demonstrating contortionlike flexibility, athleticism and

hardcore vogue moves to the beat of a 1990s house soundtrack.They are filmed from above, at floor level, in close-up.

More credits. Rehearsal is over.

There’s an after-party.We move from group to group, listening to conversations. End credits.The

Lean On Pete Newly arrived in Oregon with his single, mischievous father (Travis Frimmel), a troubled youth named Charley (Charlie Plummer) finds meaning and belonging in a job caring for an ageing racehorse called Lean On Pete.

Whilst the horse’s gruff owner Des (Steve Buscemi) and jockey Bonnie (Chloë Sevigny) help fill a gap in his family life, trouble soon arrives in the form of a looming slaughterhouse appointment for the horse with which he has developed a close bond.

Leading Charley off into the wilderness on a quest to save Lean On Pete’s life (a-la Robert Redford in The Electric Horseman) and to find family with a loving aunt from whom he has long been separated, adventure and hardship await.

Parents thinking of entertaining the little ones with this boy/ horse story during the Christmas holidays should probably think again. Director Andrew

sangria has been spiked. The room descends into infrared madness.

Gaspar Noe’s new film, Climax is intense, disturbing, horrifying, exquisite, voyeuristic, fascinating and macabre. (RB) WWWW

Haigh’s fine cast deliver quality performances in this film, which is often both intense and sad.

(CCov) WWW

city hub 6 DECEMBER 2018

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