City Hub 6 February 2020 by Alt Media

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STOP THE NEW TERMINAL The case against Yarra Bay â&#x20AC;¢ Veronica Anassis reports

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HubNEWS

Sport rorts meet media rorts! (See p. 4)

Protesters target Murdoch, News Corp. HubARTS Patricia Ward Kelly presents an intimate portrait of Gene Kelly as a man, husband & artist (See p. 14)

Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide. Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city. Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, we take no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions. ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons News Editor: Alec Smart Contributors: Alec Smart, John Moyle, Eliza Spencer, Veronica Anassis, Jackson Simon Cartoonist: Sam Mcnair Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Contributors: Erika Echternach, Irina Dunn, Madison Behringer, Mark Morellini, Olga Azar, Renee Lou Dallow, Rita Bratovich, Olga Sedneva Advertising Manager: Georgina Pengelly Cover Photo: Philipa Veitch. Save Yarra Bay campaigners at Circular Quay 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: cityhubsydney.com.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au @CityHubSydney

The Murdoch Lie-In protest outside News Corp’s Surry Hills headquarters on 31 Jan attracted hundreds. Photo: Alec Smart

by ALEC SMART HY CAN’T WE LIE OUTSIDE NEWSCORP..... WHEN NEWSCORP LIES EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME?”  That was the question 200 protesters were asking on Friday, Jan. 31, as they protested outside media tycoon Rupert Murdoch’s Australian publishing headquarters in Holt Street, Surry Hills. The event was called Murdoch News Corp Lie-In Protest, and the protestors accordingly lay down on the road surface in front of the building. The demonstration was organised by satirist and former Manly district deputy mayor, Brad Pedersen. Pedersen’s statement: “The only corporate principle of Rupert Murdoch’s Newscorp is to constantly lie. Lie, lies, and more lies. I am [here] with a crowd of lie-minded friends to defend the right to lie at Newscorp.”

“W

Twists and turns

Nicholas Gray, the managing director of News Corp’s The Australian, wrote to staff, “We’ve been working with local police, but we are not sure how many protestors are planning to attend.”

Although red cones cordoned off the News Corp building entrance, the street itself was accessible and NSW Police granted permission for the recliners’ occupation to run from 5.30pm until 9pm. Guest speakers at the rally included: Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney Jess Scully; veteran journalist and former ABC presenter John Highfield; and distinguished journalist and City Hub contributor Wendy Bacon. News Corp publications often promote the views of climate-change denialists,

in Australia is one of the highest in the world. An estimated 57.5 per cent of Australia’s media is owned or controlled by News Corp Australia, which operates at least 170 newspaper and magazine titles, five of the top 12 news websites in Australia, a 65% controlling stake in Foxtel TV broadcasting and Sky News. News Corp Australia manages nearly 75% of daily metropolitan newspaper circulation across the nation, a significant proportion of which share an editorial policy of supporting politicallyconservative interests and politicians.

Pederson called for police

Pranksters

to arrest Rupert Murdoch as a “tax cheat and climate criminal some reactionary conservatives that reject the majority international scientific consensus on global warming and its causes, others supporters of traditional energy producers, who stand much to lose from growing global interest in renewable energy sources. The concentration of media ownership

Pedersen, who vowed to return with more mischief, is a political prankster and no stranger to publicity stunts. In 1994 he campaigned for political office under the nom de guerre Godfrey Bigot, with an election promise to “straighten the curves on the northern beaches,” and was subsequently elected to Manly Council. At the Murdoch Lie-In rally he called for police to arrest Rupert Murdoch as a “tax cheat and climate criminal” before thanking a bagpiper for his “tribute to the windbags in there!”, pointing to the News Corp offices. city hub 6 FEBRUARY 2020

HubNEWS

Screwing independent media by John Moyle enator Bridgette Mackenzie was sure aiming high but shooting low when she oversaw the dispersal of the $100 million Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program administered by Sport Australia. Independent analysis of Round Two of the program found that the Senator presented Sport Australia with a list of 236 projects for funding, of which only 73 met the original merit-based criteria. The Senator’s largess included a $36,000 grant to the Wangaratta Gun Club, of which she is a member, and a $500,000 grant to the NT Field and Game Association, of which her former coalition colleague Nigel Scullion is an enthusiastic supporter.

Finite fund

Appropriately dubbed the “Sports Rort,” all of this was met with a sense of déja vu here at the City Hub. This newspaper felt that it had already seen evidence of the Morrison government’s porkbarrelling up close. In response to the $48 million 2018 Regional and Small Publisher’s

Senator Mitch Fifield oversaw grants to small publishers: 72% were in his own state. Photo: Magda Ehlers/Pexels

Innovation Fund administered by the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield, City Hub’s publisher Lawrence Gibbons and staff worked on a grant proposal aimed at updating computer hardware and software with which to produce the paper and its online presence. As an independent voice that has operated for over 22 years under the same publisher and deals with news events in the inner Sydney region, the Hub was humble but thought that it had a chance of success.

Of the 25 successful recipients, 72 per cent were based in Senator Fifield’s own state of Victoria.

 186 publishers applied, but

only 29 grants were awarded to just 25 companies, mainly in Victoria Four grants were awarded to newspapers in the Victorian seat of Mallee held by disgraced MP Andrew

Waverley Council Update Mayor’s Message Bushfire update I continue to be heartened by the generosity of our local community through this ongoing bushfire crisis, including volunteers from our local surf clubs for all they’ve done to help our coastal neighbours. If you would like to help our bushfire affected communities, I encourage you to consider making a donation to not-for-profit organisations such as GIVIT and other groups and charities helping to provide relief. The NSW Government, on behalf of all local councils, has commissioned national not-for-profit organisation GIVIT to co-ordinate the provision of much-needed goods and services in bushfire-affected communities across the state.

All monetary donations received by GIVIT are used to buy essential items from local businesses to help generate local economic recovery. It’s the type of assistance that the NSW South Coast community needs from us now as they embark on the challenging road ahead. GIVIT has previously assisted the government to coordinate donations for drought-affected communities. The best way we can help now is by making a donation to the bushfire relief effort and by visiting and spending money in these coastal regions. Waverley Council wants those in the affected communities to know that the Waverley community care and we are here to help however we can. If you’re looking for ways to help those currently dealing with the fire crisis across Australia, please see our website for list of how you can donate. Please note that this list is not all-inclusive. Details: givit.org.au or waverley.nsw.gov.au Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley.

Waverley Customer Service Centre: 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction Ph: 9083 8000 | waverley.nsw.gov.au | Stay in touch: waverley.nsw.gov.au/subscribe 4

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Broad, who resigned on December 17 over the “sugar daddy” scandal, putting the seat at risk. Two well-heeled Victorian-based companies - Morry Schwartz’s the Saturday Paper and Eric Beecher’s Private Media operation of Crikey received five grants. The state of NSW received a total of five grants, which included Lithgow’s The Village Voice, published in the seat of Calare, which in a 2016 by-election went from the Nationals to the Shooters and Fishers Party. In his letter to the Auditor General, Lawrence Gibbons said: “The establishment of a $48 million fund to assist local publishers was promising, but the allocation of funds into coalition-held seats in another blatant display of pork barreling was greatly troubling. Local media outlets are a vital cornerstone to a functioning democracy. They deserve better than to be treated with outright contempt and disregard.” Former Senator Mitch Fifield is now Australia’s Ambassador to the UN. He did not respond to City Hub’s request for comment.

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HubNEWS

Sydney’s inner-city

By ELIZA SPENCER fter bushfires, viruses, and redevelopments, Australian businesses are counting the costs. A slower than expected start to financial trading in the new year has taken a toll on businesses across the city. Feeling the effects of lower profits across the sector, businesses small and large are facing the risk of closure as shops stand unoccupied and operational costs remain restrictively high. Since the start of the new year, 169 closures have been confirmed across the country from larger brands such as Bose, Harris Scarfe and Jeanswest, either shutting stores or moving into administration. For small businesses across Sydney, the closure of larger stores is a concerning sign, even as commercial rental costs decrease. The latest figures from the Commercial Property Guide reveal that rents are beginning to drop, after they peaked in November of 2019. Despite this, shops continue to lie empty across Sydney. “A third of the City’s workforce is

employed in 20,000 small and medium businesses, contributing more than $40 million to our economy every year,” revealed Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. “Developing and supporting small businesses is vital, not only to our economy, but to the way we build community and experience the city.”

Redevelopment brings opportunity and losses

Redevelopment of existing commercial locations for high-density apartments and units is an additional factor in businesses shutting their doors or being forced to move. Petria Hogarth was employed at The Works Showroom on Glebe Point Road until it closed its doors due to planned redevelopment of the space for apartments. “I was told the lease on the building was ending, but the store re-opened a few weeks after closure,” she said. “One of the store holders had taken on the lease, but replaced the original staff.” The store is now home to a small plant

store, with less than six months until redevelopment begins. “I think the core of Glebe is the community feel,” Ms Hogarth said, “which is generated by the small business… The council should be doing more,” she added. For Ken Williams, co-owner of Dimitri’s Pizzeria in Darlinghurst, relocating from their former Surry Hills’ premises lead to new opportunity.

If you support these small businesses, we can stay alive and stay afloat “We basically had our hand forced in terms of relocating. Our previous landlord is redeveloping the property,” he said. “Our current location caught my attention mostly due to the proximity and the fact that it is a much more functional space for our business and also a vast upgrade in terms of our capacity.” Dimitri’s new location, close to St Vincent’s Hospital on Oxford Street, is not as central as their previous location in Crown Street, but Williams is hopeful

of the area’s revival. “Obviously this area has seen better days, though there is still lots of steady foot traffic. Oxford Street is a busy thoroughfare both day and night. We are hopeful that the area will be further reinvigorated, and more small bars and businesses find their way back to the area with the recent repeal of the lockout laws.” The repeal of Lockout Laws has been widely welcomed across Sydney, even in areas not directly affected. Peter Dures, part-owner of MoshPit, a bar and music venue on Newtown’s King Street, said that while he’s feeling ‘optimistic’ about the future, there’s still more to be done. “The biggest problem is making people aware that places are open and safe,” he said. “Getting people back out at night seems to be the biggest challenge.” The small bar recently completed renovations funded largely by the City of Sydney Council as part of a night-time diversification grant, which Dures credits for saving the venue. “Quite simply we would not have been able to undertake the

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HubNEWS

Sustainability

Shops stand unoccupied whilst operational costs remain restrictively high. Photo: Eliza Spencer

renovations without the council grant, and it is doubtful whether the MoshPit could have survived in its old guise.” Not every business is eligible for grants, but according to a spokesperson for

the City of Sydney, grants are not the only path to assistance, with more than $1 million pledged to ‘enhance existing offerings and explore new growth opportunities.’ “In 2020, the

City will continue its support for local businesses…. with an extensive program of grants opportunities, free seminars and a globally recognised events program,” the spokesperson said.

After the closure of the well-loved Cornersmith café in Marrickville, owner Alex Elliott-Howery has had time to reflect on the situation of small business in Sydney. “I feel like the future for small business is probably having one small location, kind of like the old days, rather than these multiple locations, where you’ve got three Sydney rents to pay and three managers’ wages to pay,” she said. “We need to streamline that stuff again and look at business being smaller and sustainable on lots of levels. Government can help, but it’s more businesses taking that responsibility and initiative.” As for how customers can support businesses, Ms Elliot-Howery believes the future is local. “It’s not good enough to say, ‘Oh I love that there’s a Cornersmith in my neighbourhood,’ but not go there,” she said. “You need to go to the businesses that you want to see in your neighbourhood, or your city. If you support them, then these small businesses can exist, and we can stay alive and stay afloat.”

Tell it to the Bees

Song Lang

FRI 21 FEB & SAT 22 FEB Tell It To the Bees will have audiences swooning to the unfolding love story between the enigmatic Dr. Jean Markham (Anna Paquin) and the beautiful Lydia Weekes (Holliday Grainger).

MON 17 FEB 1980s Saigon is beautiful in this dreamy melodrama of two men from seemingly different walks of life – a gangster and an opera singer – finding solace in each other’s company.

Lizzie

Fabulous

SAT 15 FEB & FRI 21 FEB Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart are forces to be reckoned with in Lizzie, a sexually-charged, feminist take on the motivations behind one of the most notorious murders in American history.

SUN 23 FEB Voguing isn’t just dance moves, it’s attitude. Follow Lasseindra Ninja and her young crew in French Guiana set about demonstrating their authenticity with love, pride and pure fabulousness.

Queer Screen’s 27th

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HubNEWS

Is the new light rail as bad as they say? sustainable, and will people continue to use it if it takes longer to arrive to the CBD? When asked, one rider stated that “it’s got potential,” and that his use of the system will depend on whether they increase the speed or not. Additionally, Nina Ferrer, on her way into the city, stated that the train “feels like you’re just walking” - but the regular running times help with time management. Don Langanis, an Australian on holiday, said “speed is not an issue” in the CBD, due to the number of cars and bikes on the road. He said he will ride the $2.9 billion system again when he is back in town.

By JACKSON SIMON here has been withering criticism of Sydney’s new light rail line from Randwick to Circular Quay. Many claim that it’s too slow and unreliable. I travelled on the service to find out more.

Trams -v- busses

The journey from Randwick to Circular Quay typically takes around 38 minutes by bus, whereas the trams arrive in about 44 minutes. From Wansey Road (between the University NSW and Prince of Wales Children’s Hospital), it takes 20 minutes to Haymarket, or 30 minutes to Queen Victoria Building (QVB) station. The new light rail. Photo Jackson Simon.

 Commented Nina Ferrer, on

Hiccups

her way into the city: “It feels like you’re just walking Although the new system may take longer than traditional buses, it is capable of transporting 450 passengers per tram (the equivalent of nearly nine standard busses), which equates to approximately 13,500 commuters per hour, 6,750 in each direction.

In addition, it seems to be a more pleasant experience, with little noise and a smooth ride. Jan O’Neill, on her way to a meeting at the University of Technology Sydney, expressed that the light rail was “beautiful” compared to busses, as it was clean and people were not crammed inside. But what do these added benefits and an enhanced user experience mean

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However, the $2.9 billion project admittedly needs serious improvements. Ferrer revealed that she boarded a light rail carriage when the driver told her that it was not running and passengers needed to get off. Is the new light rail system as amazing as the NSW government claims it to be? The answer is still very unclear, but time will surely tell.

Short+Sweet:

Licensed to thriLL!

in context of a slower transportation system? The NSW Government identifies the tram drivers as the cause of the long travel times. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW states that drivers have little control over the time. As a result of the dispute, the question then becomes: Is the light rail as an alternative transportation option

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Coffin Ed’s NAKED CITY

WHERE IS THE FRINGE BIENNALE? T he 22nd Biennale Of Sydney is almost upon us and as always it throws up a multitude of interesting and provocative art experiences. Lots of free events and exhibitions and there’s no doubt it delivers a real buzz to the city. However, it’s always a select group of artists who are chosen to participate and that begs the question – what about those who didn’t get a run at Carriageworks or Cockatoo Island? I spoke to a group of slightly disgruntled artists this week who fell into that category, and all expressed an enthusiasm for a kind of ‘fringe’ Biennale that would give them the opportunity to exhibit. Whilst the MCA and Art Gallery Of NSW would be out of the question, Sydney abounds with numerous thought provoking spaces which could easily accommodate. Whilst official approval would be welcome, a more ‘guerilla’ approach would be in keeping with the concept of an alternative Biennale. The crumbling ruins of the old Sydney Football Stadium would be the ideal location for a doomsday foam party and a mass choir of a hundred or more chanting ‘art is dead’. Personally I would love to see a nightly recreation of the famous Odessa Steps sequence from Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin at the iconic entrance to the Sydney Town Hall. Crash test dummies and department store

THAT SNEAKY RABBIT

mannequins could easily be substituted for real people, cascading magically towards the George Street footpath. The real meaning of it all I’m yet to determine. Elsewhere in the city the Devonshire Street Tunnel, with its constant flow of pedestrians, is the perfect environment for a daily art happening. A special lane could be established where anybody walking from the railway to Broadway would be

encouraged to walk backwards to protest against the degradation of the city – like the absurd moving of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta. Those a little unsteady on their feet would be offered the opportunity of riding in a shopping trolley with hundreds of volunteers on hand to offer that assistance. Jeff Koon’s floral puppy, the big yellow ducky – Sydneysiders have always responded well to the display of

By Sam Mcnair

#thatsneakyrabbit

oversized animals and the infamous inflatable Trump Baby would be a wonderful addition to the fringe fest. Flown daily in the Domain, office workers could rent super soakers and while away their lunch hours giving the big baby a symbolic bath. Another innovation might be the backyard Biennale BBQ where you could invite your friends and possibly total strangers over for a sausage sizzle and installation. The latter would be up to your imagination although you could even invite Bondi’s notorious Bobolas sisters over to curate a massive pile of junk and stinking garbage on your patio – a visual metaphor for today’s disgraceful consumer waste. However, don’t expect them to clean it up when the party’s over. Finally, a number of Sydney pigeon fanciers, all with a strong artistic bent, have suggested recreating the famous Coca-Cola sign from St Mark’s Square in Venice, the spiritual home of the Biennale. The strategic placement of bird seed there in the late 1960s saw thousands of pigeons gather to spell out the commercial message. Here in Sydney, with an equally healthy pigeon population, any large open space could be commandeered to spell out a whole series of catch words and phrases from the obvious ‘ETERNITY’ to the more politically persuasive ‘CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL’. Hopefully a residue of pigeon poo would create an indelible copy of the original messages, that would remain for weeks and provide a wonderful photo opp – not to mention a lasting legacy of the first ever fringe Biennale! city hub 6 FEBRUARY 2020

The case against the Yarra Bay cruise ship terminal An out-of-touch government and a deep-pockets industry have teamed up to put a new terminal where it doesn’t belong By VERONICA ANASSIS ittle Bay and Botany residents turned out at Circular Quay on Sunday, Feb. 2, to protest the proposed Yarra Bay cruise terminal. A crowd of 30 Save Yarra Bay Coalition members stood outside the Royal Caribbean boarding terminal, tying the cruise-ship empire to plans they say will devastate their beach-side community. The protesters were greeted with some heckling from those waiting to board the cruise empire’s latest ship, Ovation of the Seas. Several cruise passengers were visibly annoyed by the activists, causing them to direct profanities at the group. ‘Tell someone who cares,’ yelled a female passenger waiting to board, followed by expletives. But the group remained unfazed, handing out pamphlets and chanting their slogan ‘Royal Caribbean no way / Save our beaches, save our bay!’ for hours. Many passers-by stopped to hear more about the campaign, mostly foreigners. “We are not opposed to cruise ships,” explained the group’s leader, Maria Poulos Conklin, to onlookers. “We are against the Royal Caribbean monster cruises in Yarra Bay that will destroy our beaches, the environment, our beautiful marine life, and devastate aboriginal communities. It’s a travesty. It’s going to ruin lives, all for profit.”

city hub 6 FEBRUARY 2020

Save Yarra Bay campaigners lobby Royal Caribbean Cruises at Circular Quay. Photo: Philipa Veitch

Environmentally destructive

Cruise ships are a big industry, and each year companies like Royal Caribbean dump visitors who spend some $5 billion a year in the country. The Circular Quay Terminal operates at capacity, and most

of the new large liners are too tall to fit under the Harbour Bridge and dock at White Bay. The state government and the deeppocketed industry are unsurprisingly looking around at how to get more cruise

ship passengers in the city, and has focused their sights on Yarra Bay. Current plans are for a new international cruise ship terminal to be built near La Perouse, on the north side of Botany Bay. The Government’s $600 million

development envisions a port that can accommodate two 5000-passenger mega cruise ships at the same time. Residents, indigenous groups and both Randwick and Bayside councils say the plans are dangerous and environmentally destructive. The bay is too shallow to support such large ships, so the plans call for dredging to deepen the harbour for the ships. This process is known to dig up contaminated sediment and deep laying waste that will pollute its surrounding waters with toxic silt. Opponents also say that the dredging will drive out marine life, including thousands of fish species, dolphins, whales, turtles, penguins and will destroy the habitat of two endangered species, the pygmy pipehorse and the weedy sea dragon. The plan also includes new breakwaters, which will affect wave and tidal flows; this, opponents say, will cause severe coastal erosion to Yarra Bay and neighbouring Frenchman’s Bay. The accompanying sea swells and congestion, they argue, will disrupt swimming, sailing, water sports and fishing at Botany and surrounding Eastern Suburbs’ beaches.

Road traffic too, will be unprecedented in an already overly congested area positioned so closely to the M5 and Sydney’s busiest port. Cheryl and John Rennie are life-long Botany and Little Bay locals. Protesting together at the Quay on Sunday, they told City Hub the Royal Caribbean’s plans will wreak havoc on all fronts. “The amount of traffic that’s coming through already, I don’t know how they’re going to do it,” said John, whose family built the sailing club at Yarra Bay over 90 years ago. “It’s Royal Caribbean that’s pushing the NSW Government to build a terminal,” said Cheryl. “The dredging they will have to do will end up killing endangered marine life at Bare Island because the silt flows around and smothers them. “And you’ve got one of your oldest Aboriginal populations; they have been here for seven or eight thousands years. They will lose their traditional fishing waters. The transport impact too. People come from everywhere now… the place is absolutely packed out. That part of Sydney is so clogged up now. You’ve got Port Botany right there.”

Indigenous groups not consulted

Yarra Bay is sacred to Indigenous custodians of the land, whose culture relies on access to, and preservation of the water, animals and traditional fishing practices. The cruise ship terminal plan has met with fervent opposition from Le Parouse Aboriginal Land Council. Indigenous groups say they were not consulted for the Port Authority’s business case that assessed the project’s impact. The Save Yarra Bay Coalition have the full support of both Randwick and Bayside Councils, including cross-bench councillors. In January, Bayside Council demanded that the Port Authority have genuine engagement with relevant impacted communities. It is also calling for an urgent reopening of the investigation into Garden Island as an alternative site — previously rejected by Liberal government on the grounds it would interfere with navy operations. The Circular Quay protest was a practice run for a major action March 15, the Save Yarra Bay’s Grand Flotilla. For details, see the group’s website at saveyarrabay.com

Eight Reasons to Stop The Yarra Bay Cruise Terminal • Environmental: Dredging the bay to make it deeper digs up years of highly toxic mud that will kill water life. • Animals: An entire seal colony will be forced to move. Endangered species on nearby Islands will be forced into extinction. • Pollution: Cruise ships burn dirty, sulphurous fuel. They dump food waste into sea waters as they travel, retarding precious ecosystems. • Indigenous: The sea and marine life sustains the culture and the practices of the local Aboriginal heritage, which will be clogged and polluted. • Logistics: Few of the passengers on a 5000-person cruise ship will want to visit Sydney without seeing the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Each docking will create a miserable caravan of wouldbe sightseers navigating 14 miles of inner-city traffic to get there, and then back to their ship. • Character: The water sports and sailing integral to the suburb’s identity will be crippled. • Human Rights: Cruise lines bypass labour codes. They employ crew members from lower income countries made to work below deck for over 10 hours a day, with reports of pay as low as USD $1.25 an hour. • There Is an Alternative: A second terminal should be built on Garden Island, which is just two kilometres from the Opera House and affords the passengers the tourist-friendly views they want.

Yarra Bay, in Sydney’s Botany Bay, where NSW Govt plan to build a mega cruise ship terminal. Photo: Alec Smart

city hub 3 OCTOBER 2019

HERE FOR SUMMER SAFETY Homophobic and Transphobic abuse and violence is not ok! Be alert and look out for each other this summer. Verbal and physical abuse is most likely in or around nightlife areas, so plan your travel. Situations can get heated quickly, so read the situation and trust your instincts. If you or a friend is being physically abused remain calm and move quickly to a well lit or busy place. Call 000 and if possible record the event on your phone for later use. For help reporting violence or to access support call ACON 02 9206 2000. For legal advice call Inner City Legal Centre 02 9332 1966.

acon.org.au/safety

KNOW YOUR ROVER The ACON Rovers are teams of specially trained volunteers who are there to ensure you have fun and look out for anyone who is unwell or needs medical help at LGBTQ events. Each ACON Rover is trained, supervised and equipped to: • Help patrons who require medical assistance to easily access onsite services • Provide harm reduction services to patrons (e.g. provide water, encourage people to take breaks and cool down, provide accurate alcohol and drug information) • Provide party information to patrons (e.g. directions, lost property, show times, DJ info) • Help patrons easily access party basics (e.g. band aids, ear plugs sunscreen) • ACON Rovers are not security and are only concerned with people’s health.

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city hub 6 FebruARY 2020

“There’s an element [of regret]” about not starting sooner but Geowulf also wouldn’t change a thing

HubARTS

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

he Los Angeles Herald described this show as “Shakespeare written by Reader’s Digest, acted by Monty Python and performed at the speed of the minute waltz.” Will you have time to recognise all 37 of the Bard’s plays, as well as his sonnets, in the 97-minute performance. Director Jess Davis was thrilled to work with the three actors who bring this work to life on the stage – Eleanor Petricevic, Luke W Shepherd and Logan McArthur. She says, “It has been an incredible privilege to work with them, and their creativity, playfulness and openness to new, zany ideas has inspired me in every rehearsal.”

She is a great defender of the work of small theatre companies. “It is so important that the arts remain accessible - and this show, produced by a

The Deep Blue Sea his era in Hester, as she refuses to conform to the social norms of a 1950s woman.“I think the play was written with him in mind. But he just changed the gender, and possibly Miller is Rattigan.” Capsis says. “As a writer, a character like Miller allowed him to, in some ways ydney Theatre Company fantasise about a presents a play adapted conversation he might have from Terence Rattigan’s had with the young man who classic, The Deep Blue Sea. did kill himself.”Rattigan’s The play centers on the play portrays the importance realities confronting Hester of how society has changed Collyer, a socially repressed to include those who were woman who had left her originally excluded for being privileged life, married to different. The Deep Blue a judge to pursue a love Sea draws parallel to the affair with a young former contemporary narrative as RAF pilot. Directed by Paige Rattigan was an outsider in Rattray this show see Marta the 1950s reflecting on his Dusseldorp return to the stage time, making it relevant to to play Hester Collyer, joined audiences today.There isn’t a by Fayssal Bazzi as Freddie play quite like this one! (KC) the former pilot, and awardUntil Mar 7. Roslyn Packer winning Cabaret theatre actor, Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Paul Capsis as Dr Miller. Walsh Bay. $45-$110+b.f. Rattigan had created one of Tickets & Info: the most striking heroines of www.sydneytheatre.com.au

hardworking small theatre company with great love and labour, is a great example of an experience that can be enjoyed by the avid, the casual, and the never-setfoot-into-a theatre goer. For those of you that love Shakespeare, I hope you laugh and cringe in equal measures) – and for those of you that hate Shakespeare, I sincerely hope that you enjoy this show even more.” Sounds like a great night out! (ID) Feb 7-22. The Performance Space at St Aidan’s. 1 Christina St, Longueville. $20-$27+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.trybooking.com

The Campaign

Simon Croker. Photo: Jasmin Simmons

hat began as a community campaign in Tasmania in 1988 and blossomed into the blueprint for Gay Law Reform across Australia, the story of the campaign which resulted in over 100 arrests in Hobart’s Salamanca Markets is being told in Australian playwright Campion Decent’s The Campaign. Presented by the Seymour Centre in collaboration with Sydney’s Mardi Gras festival, the piece tells the story of the fight between people and Parliament to decriminalise homosexuality in the late 80s and is presented in a combination of verbatim and storytelling.“It’s largely verbatim, I’ve taken a little bit of artistic license in terms of some of the linkages because you do need to put

it into a shape that presents a satisfying dramatic night in the theatre. You want to be able to lead the audience through this story,” said Decent.“Sometimes when people think verbatim they just think a whole bunch of people standing on stage delivering monologues. I was quite clear that I didn’t want this show to be that kind of experience,” he said. “One of the things that struck me about The Campaign was the chaotic energy that it takes to run a community campaign of that nature, and I wanted to communicate that in the play.” (MB) Feb 11-28. Seymour Centre, Corner City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale. $30-$45+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.seymourcentre.com

Pomona

REVIEW

Photo: Clare Hawley

(See p.14)

omona is a small island in an industrial wasteland. It has canals on either side and one road in and out. There are remnants of concrete buildings littering the abandoned grounds of what was once a port. A labyrinth of catacomb-like rooms is secreted beneath the surface, accessible via a hatch. We don’t actually see any of this in a literal way; it is described by the characters but becomes very vivid in the mind. Pomona in Manchester, England is a real place. Its haunting desolation inspired Alistair McDowall to create his dark, malevolent tale - a mystery thriller that edges against surrealism. The story is told through a series of vignettes - disordered scenes from a narrative whole that gradually come together like fragments of a torn photo. Ollie (Amanda McGregor) is looking for her twin sister who has gone missing, suddenly and inexplicably. Her search brings her into contact with Zeppo (Dorje Swallow), a shady, fast-talking, cocky character who owns much of the real estate in the area, including Pomona. Their encounter opens the play and the scene is followed by two men who engage in a violent but clearly staged fight. Moe (James Smithers) and Charlie (Kevin Batilwala) are panicked about being caught by people un-named because of something they’ve done. In a subsequent scene we meet Ollie again or is it Ollie’s twin sister? She appears to be in a brothel, being shown around by Fay (Lauren Richardson). Gale (Monica Sayers) is a well dressed woman with dubious business interests and Keaton (Jane Angharad) is quiet but sinister, diminutive but oppressive. It’s a play that unfolds slowly, each scene revealing awful elements of a sordid, disturbing big picture. Powerfully emotional, possibly triggering. Good theatre. (RB) Until Feb 8. Kings Cross Theatre (KXT), Level 2, Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William St, Kings Cross. $20-$42+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.secrethouse.com.au city hub 6 FEBRUARY 2020

HubARTS

Gene Kelly: The Legacy

iographer and film historian Patricia Ward Kelly presents a very intimate portrait of Gene Kelly as a man, husband and creative artist when she brings Gene Kelly: The Legacy to Sydney. “I take people on a journey into Gene’s heart and mind, using the stories he shared with me along with brilliant film clips on a big screen. Gene wanted to be known more for being behind the camera as a director and choreographer, so I share these dimensions of his work. [The show] explores many subjects, including romance, loss, grief, innovation, the pursuit of excellence and basic human integrity.” Patricia met Gene Kelly whilst writing for a television special in 1985 and initially didn’t realise who he was. “I didn’t grow up at the movies as many people do and

By Jamie Apps hile Star Kendrick and Toma Banjanin grew up as childhood friends on the Sunshine Coast they only came together as the dream-pop duo Geowulf recently. Since finally coming together in London the duo have gone from strength to strength and are now set to return home to Australia for their first ever tour here. Speaking to City Hub ahead of the tour Kendrick told us of the excitement for the upcoming tour, an element of regret concerning the formation of Geowulf, and future plans for the band in 2020. Geowulf have been afforded the opportunity to return home to Australia thanks the widespread success of their second album, My Resignation. Released in late 2019 the duo had actually been sitting on this record for close to 12 months, so they were incredibly anxious to set it free. “We recorded the album in December 2018 but didn’t release it until October 2019,” explained Kendrick, “In the music industry in particular it can be all about timing so I was a little bit nervous but I also loved the album. So to hear that it got some love was a dream come true.” As Kendrick, Banjanin and their touring band from the UK gear up for their debut tour of Australia the excitement levels are reaching a fever pitch. “With this being our first tour of Australia it’s pretty special,” said Kendrick before continuing, “Some of our friends and family haven’t ever

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I also never dreamed that I would move to Beverly Hills and marry a legend!” Patricia said that Gene was a very cerebral man whose mind was constantly in motion. “He was a voracious reader who also loved listening to music when we sat in front of the fireplace at night, especially with his friends Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.” Gene Kelly was a standout performer of a bygone era when ‘stars were stars’, alongside Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Fred Astaire just to name a few. “I always say they were like comets that fly by once in a lifetime. Gene was an actor, dancer, director, choreographer, writer, singer and producer. He always said that the purpose of his work was to bring joy, and that translates all around the world and for every generation.”

Geowulf

Patricia explained that her show is for all audiences regardless of age and gender as everybody was equally drawn to Gene Kelly and his movies. “Obviously the show appeals to people who work in the entertainment industry and those who idolise him. But the show also appeals to people with no real knowledge of Gene’s work. I greet people after the show and one comment I hear quite often is, ’I loved him before, but I love him even more now.’” (MMo) You can find an expanded version of our interview with Patricia Ward Kelly on the City Hub website. Feb 12. State Theatre, 49 Market Street. $59-$109+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.statetheatre.com.au

been to a show, so it will be nice to have them there. We’re also really looking forward to showing our band around our home as well.” Perhaps the most intriguing chapter in the story of Geowulf though is their formation. Whilst Kendrick and Banjanin grew up together and both loved music they wouldn’t ever collaborate until later in life. According to Kendrick, “there’s an element [of regret]” about not starting sooner but they also wouldn’t change a thing. “I spent a lot of years trying to work out what I wanted to do and who I was. When we eventually did come together I was writing about things that I was going through at that particular moment, which were very real, so I may not have been able to do that earlier and things were meant to be this way.” Looking ahead to the show on Saturday Kendrick said fans can expect, “a show which is a bit more upbeat than the album... we try to have fun with it and a have a good time.” Finally looking further ahead fans of Geowulf should be on the look out for a new album as the duo are spending some time in country Victoria writing. Feb 9. Lansdowne Hotel, 2-6 City Rd, Chippendale. $19.90+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.thelansdownepub.com.au

HMLTD West Of Eden

group of rockers from the UK, HMLTD, is set to release their debut album, West Of Eden. HMLTD doesn’t hold back musically or lyrically, boldy singing about political issues and social topics such as gender. The band tackles toxic masculinity and seeks to celebrate the feminine found within the masculine. Mikey’s Song especially shines as a culturally relevant musical masterpiece. The group is unafraid to experiment with various styles of music, often incorporating unlikely instrumental and electronic combinations. Each track has a distinct and separate sound from the others on the album, demonstrating the group’s versatility. Essentially, if you’re looking for something completely different in the music industry, West Of Eden is for you! (EE)

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HubARTS

Hypmotive Hub - Valentine’s Day W ith Valentine’s Day just around the corner we’re all looking for that unique, special and cherished gift for a loved one. Luckily for our readers Hypmotive Hub in Marrickville have the perfect solution thanks to their collective of local creatives who are creating a wide range of beautiful items. Whether you’re looking for a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, a beautiful artwork, an intricate macrame plant hanger, fine dining experience or even a creative workshop

for the artist in your life Hypmotive Hub has it all. As a special offer to our readers Hypmotive Hub have teamed up with Roastville and Where’s Nick to giveaway $300 worth of gift vouchers. In order to enter the competition head on over to Hypmotive Hub’s Instagram page (entries close Feb 11). Hypmotive Hub. 155 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville. Info: www.hypmotive.com To enter the competition head to: www.instagram.com/hypmotive_hub

The Lighthouse A Guide To Second Date Sex

couple meet at a club and decide to go out on a date. An awkward first date leads to a second in which each hopes to improve their maneuvers but instead manage to embarrass themselves and each other by trying too hard to impress. A familiar state of play for any two people trying to start a relationship. George Mackay (Ryan) and Alexandra Roach (Laura) shine as the awkward twosome each on the rebound and each determined not to make the same mistakes they

have made before. On meeting for the first time they are not exactly besotted with one another but manage to fall into an easy banter which makes for a comfortable progression to the next step. Both rely on friends via text messaging to help them get through. On the second date sex is definitely on the agenda for both. Beautifully and sensitively written and directed by Rachel Hirons this is a film which is not afraid to explore the naked truth of life in the raw. (RLD) WWWW

arkly entrancing, this remarkable period psychological horror film meticulously details the mental breakdown of two lighthouse keepers serving on a desolate rock island. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson deliver career enriching performances as the two lost souls who slowly succumb to their isolated existence and alcohol abuse. Pattinson who selects his film projects wisely since finding fame in the incredibly successful Twilight franchise displays his maturity as an actor and works incredibly well alongside Hollywood favourite Dafoe. Effectively filmed in black and white the atmospheric cinematography which enhances

the unsettling nature of these two macabre and somewhat dehumanised characters, has justifiably earned the film an Oscar nomination. Disturbing imagery and camera shots which are reminiscent of experimental films from a bygone era, are utilised as a storytelling technique and may pleasantly challenge some audience members whilst predictably perplexing the majority. Long poetic monologues and dialogue with comedic undertones are welcomingly appropriate in a script that could be envisaged as a theatrical production. (MMo) WWWW city hub 6 FEBRUARY 2020

Sampa the Great

Music | Dance | Food | Culture | Theatre 13 – 15 March 2020 Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta discoverparramatta.com/parramasala

Presented by

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Major Partner

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