City Hub 7 April 2016

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city hub 7 APRIL 2016

Following the Money Trail: From the Powerhouse To Parramatta LAWRENCE GIBBONS Late last month a few dozen inner city activists did what millions of Sydneysiders do weekly: they boarded a bus and headed west to the suburbs. A minibus picked the group up near the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo and drove an hour inland to Parramatta, the proposed new home of the Powerhouse Museum. After 100 years in Ultimo, the Baird government has decided to sell the existing city site to developers while providing the property market with boundless opportunities to get rich quick in Sydney’s western suburbs.

Up for sale in Ultimo is a heritage building: an old power generation site that was adapted to house Australia’s largest collection of technology and innovation artefacts. As real estate deals go, the $200 million Powerhouse land grab is small potatoes. The Powerhouse sits in the middle of a multi-billion dollar development goldmine.

To the north is the $6 billion Barangaroo South project, adjoining the $3.4 billion Darling Harbour redevelopment which flows onto the $2 billion Central Park complex.

The recently demolished Sydney Entertainment Centre, which is just a stone’s throw from the Powerhouse site demonstrates just how much inner city cultural facilities are worth to developers. The former live music arena is being replaced with a billion dollar complex featuring a 40 storey tower and another 25 storey tower complete with 1400 apartments and 22,000 sqm of commercial office space. Imagine what they will squeeze onto a similar site now housing the Powerhouse Museum.

Once the Powerhouse site in Ultimo is sold off, the Baird government will run out of City land to flog to developers. With plans for the massive Bays Precinct redevelopment on hold while various government agencies fight over the future of the Rozelle Goods Yard, the State government’s redevelopment arm, UrbanGrowth has shifted its

attention to Parramatta: the proposed home for the Powerhouse Museum.

Thirty five kilometres from Ultimo, UrbanGrowth is flogging a property asset worth $2 billion. In North Parramatta, the State government plans to sell off a vast expanse of open space which contains some of Australia’s oldest buildings. The original Parramatta Female Factory was built between 1818 and 1821 and many women were incarcerated within its sandstone walls. The site also housed a vast insane asylum and is still used by NSW Health. The 146 hectare facility is almost two and a half times larger than Callan Park. In Rozelle, a similar heritage site has been preserved from the threat of development by an Act of State Parliament.

Jack Mundey and the CFMEU have put a Green Ban on the Western Sydney site, the same action that saved the Rocks from redevelopment in the 1970s. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) has strenuously objected to the proposed high rise development. The lush suburban grounds contain Australia’s oldest surviving public building, the Vice-Regal Headquarters dating back to Governor Phillip in 1788 (almost 100 years before Callan Park first opened in 1885). Overlooking the Parramatta River amidst verdant bushland, the Vice Regal Headquarters was once home to 12 colonial leaders.

UrbanGrowth proposes to house thousands of people on the site by building a massive residential and commercial complex complete with 30 story high rises. In response to community concerns UrbanGrowth scaled back the original proposal from 4,100 to 3,900, in what can only be seen as a meaningless gesture. ing to a joint meeting of inner city and suburban activists following a tour of the North Parramatta grounds, Greens MP Jamie Parker said the plans for both the Powerhouse and Parramatta were nothing more than real estate deals. “These proposals are about the developer driven

Jamie Parker MP, Suzette Meade and locals ponder plans for the Parramatta Female Factory

privatisation of public land and have nothing to do with any positive cultural or community outcome.”

The President of the North Parramatta Resident Action Group, Suzette Meade stated that her organisation did not want to see the existing Powerhouse collection relocated to the suburbs.

“We would much rather see a museum built on the current site of the Parramatta Female Factory in order to showcase our area’s unique history. New South Wales is the only state in Australia without a

museum dedicated to the State’s history. We think this should be built in North Parramatta.”

The Baird government is instead proposing to move the Powerhouse Museum from Ultimo to the site of the former David Jones carpark in central Parramatta, where yet another $1.2 billion real estate project is planned. Community groups in both inner Sydney and the western suburbs fear that a new Powerhouse museum in Parramatta would be much smaller than the existing Ultimo institution.

Jon Hillman, Vice President of the North Parramatta Residents Action Group said that people are starting to connect a raft of mega property deals mushrooming across Sydney with undisclosed developer donations to the Liberal Party. Last month The NSW Electoral Commission announced it was withholding $4.4 million in public funding from the NSW Liberal Party until the identities of donors, which include a number of property developers, was revealed. In 2010, the Liberals appear to have funnelled developer donations from a federal campaign fund to finance the NSW state campaign in violation of a 2009 state wide ban on developer donations.

In 2011, the Liberals won office after 16 years in the political wilderness. In October of that year then Premier Barry O’Farrell famously proclaimed, “We are sending a message to investors that NSW is open for business.” In April 2014 O’Farrell resigned after lying to ICAC about receiving a $3000 bottle of Grange from a businessman.

From 2011 to the present, the O’Farrell and subsequent Baird governments have offered real estate developers billions of dollars in investment opportunities across Sydney from Ultimo to Parramatta and beyond. According to Jon Hillman, “people are starting to connect the dots between undisclosed developer donations and all of the property deals in the State and they are greatly concerned.”

Council to smash alcohol free zones Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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BY ANDREW BARCLAY Sydney’s homeless population is set to benefit after the City of Sydney Council proposed scrapping over 60 alcohol-free areas across the city.

Under the plan zones will be removed across several suburbs including Redfern, Surry Hills, Newtown and Darlinghurst.

Homelessness NSW has welcomed the proposal, which it said unfairly targeted people sleeping rough.

CEO Katherine McKernan said in the past the zones meant homeless people had been overly scrutinised.

“The majority of people who street drink are from disadvantaged parts of the community,” she told City Hub. “It was impacting homeless people more than others, so for that reason we welcome it.”

Council documents showed concerns were raised that current restrictions disproportionately impacted on “vulnerable groups”, without putting in place “additional measures” including counseling services.

The council decision to remove the signs comes when Sydney’s homeless population is at an all-time high of 516, according to figures from Homelessness NSW. In a submission to the review, Redfern Legal Centre, whose clients include disadvantaged and marginalised people, said the alcohol-free zones were “redundant”.

“Given that police have adequate powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, there is little benefit in continuing with the expansion and use of AFZs,” the submission said.

“This presents an opportunity for the

Many alcohol free zones would be removed.

Source: Garry Knight

City of Sydney to increase the well-being of its vulnerable populations by treating those who habitually consume alcohol in public as benefiting from support services rather than police reprimands.”

But a police group has dismissed concerns the zones disproportionately target the homeless.

Scott Wheeler, President of the NSW Police Association, told City Hub the zones were a useful tool in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.

“These zones actually protect the homeless,” he said.

“They are a safety mechanism for police to look after the community.”

Figures from Homelessness NSW showed

homeless people have high levels of interaction with police.

Two-thirds of respondents said they bad been arrested, according to the organisation’s statistics.

“Significantly, survey respondents reported over 9,200 interactions with police in the last six months,” a recent report said.

City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott said in the past, the zones have forced street drinkers out of public areas and into back lanes.

“It’s not the right thing to do,” Clr. Scott said.

“It’s concerning that these zones may mean there is a risk these people will be criminalised.”

Instead Clr. Scott said they should be supported through treatment programs.

The number of alcohol-free zones has increased dramatically under Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s tenure, rising from 149 to almost 400 since 2009.

As part of the submission, the City of Sydney received 117 submissions objecting to zones and areas and 29 submissions in support.

The NSW Government is also undertaking a reviewing of its controversial lockout laws, which many have said have impacted upon Sydney’s once vibrant nightlife. As a result, the City of Sydney also received 340 submissions relating to the lockout laws, yet these were deemed “not relevant” as they weren’t directly related to the alcohol-free zone review.

Councillors are due to vote on the move next week. If accepted, the changes will come into effect on July 3. city hub 7 APRIL 2016

3

Calls to protect artefacts

BY GEORGIA FULLERTON There are growing calls for action to stop construction on Sydney’s South-East light rail line, following the discovery of 22,000 Indigenous artefacts.

The collection, including tools and stone off-cuts, was found at a tram stabling yard in Randwick, and could shed light on how Aboriginal tribes travelled, traded and interacted.

Following the discovery, Transport for NSW stopped construction, after consulting with four local Aboriginal Heritage groups and a consulting archeological firm, GML. Indigenous experts and a politician have said that the government needs to stop work completely on the construction of the site until the full extent of the artefacts is confirmed.

It would halt progress $2.1 billion light rail line is set to open within the next three years from the city to the Eastern Suburbs.

Aboriginal heritage consultant from Tocomwall, Scott Franks, said the material is incredibly unique: “In thirty years I have never witnessed such a rare and complex site. We can learn a huge amount from these artefacts, it’s nationally important.”

“We can get proper dating. The women had ground ovens, they used balls of clay to keep the fire heaters up and as they were cooking materials, the moisture of the meats would have filtered down into the stones and clay. We can find out exactly what they used to eat through resident samples,” Mr Franks said.

Transport NSW have said due to the small scale of the find, work could continue nearby: “Elsewhere on the site, it’s critical that we continue preparations for building a city-changing public transport project. The good news is that the two are not mutually exclusive and can continue simultaneously,” the statement said.

“It is critical that the artefacts are extracted delicately and respectfully and we are making sure that area is accessed sensitively,” the spokesperson said.

Transport for NSW prepared an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report and an Archaeological Technical Report. They took samples of soil from 40 bore holes.

A spokesperson for Transport NSW, said: “At the site of the 22,000-plus artefacts that we have discovered, the soil we extracted appeared to contain stone tools and other fragments.”

The light rail dig at Moore Park. Source: David Shoebridge (supplied)

“The archaeologists and Aboriginal groups noticed that the artefacts did not look similar to others found nearby and so further investigation would be required to determine their origin and use.”

Transport NSW said it was due to the small scale of the find, work could continue nearby: “It is critical that the artefacts are extracted delicately and respectfully and we are making sure that area is accessed sensitively,” the spokesperson said.

The area of interest takes up 200 square metres on a site measuring 20,000.

But Mr Franks said that the site was not confined to 200 square metres, comparing the work site to a chess board.

“You take one out and the game is finished. It’s not an option to continue work nearby, this is what they’ve been told time and time again by us, and by their own consultant archeologist GML.”

He said: “The actual artefacts that we have located is one very small section of the actual archeological deposit. It’s called a potential archaeological development,” he said.

“That’s what those stone tools represent. It’s not just a small section of the major construction, what else happened across this area?” Mr Franks said.

“In fairness to the Bidjigal nation, their history needs to be recorded, it needs to be preserved for their future generations” Protestors gathered at the excavation site on April 1st, to hear speeches from Local Aboriginal elders, Aboriginal heritage experts, environment groups and MPs, who called for an urgent stop work order.

Greens MP, David Shoebridge, spoke at the event: “Excavation on the site has already likely destroyed thousands of artefacts, which have been crushed by heavy machinery.

“The Minister for the Environment needs to immediately issue a Stop Work order to halt the destruction of irreplaceable Aboriginal heritage at this site,” he said.

“Escalating the issue up to the Commonwealth Minister’s desk is essential because of all the state protections that have been turned off.

Mr Shoebridge sent federal Indigenous Affairs Minister, Senator Nigel Scullion, an application asking for an end to the construction.

This would allow a proper assessment of the site, under sections nine and ten of the Federal Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act. Mr Shoebridge said: “This site should be protected and celebrated, the story it tells about the history of Aboriginal people and its evidence of trade routes and potential first contact makes it genuinely unique.

“This is of the utmost seriousness and we are calling on the Minister to act” In 2011, Australia’s largest KFC restaurant in Newcastle was built over more than 5700 Aboriginal stone tools and campsite remains.

The $2.5 million development, which was said to have met all heritage assessments, contained carbon-dated evidence of Aboriginal occupation between 6716 and 6502 years. This is the oldest evidence of human settlement in Newcastle.

The final excavation report was completed a year after the KFC restaurant was built on the site.

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5

WestConnex drives “concrete stake” through Rozelle

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS Two hundred people attended a public meeting at the Three Weeds Hotel in Rozelle on Sunday 3 April for what was supposed to be a small planning session for a new resident action group.

WestConnex Rozelle Action Group was set up in response to an announcement that the third stage of the controversial WestConnex will affect Rozelle and surrounding suburbs.

Projected to commence in 2019, its design features a spaghetti style interchange on the current site of the Rozelle Goods Yard. The overpass would connect the M4 and M5 motorways, the ANZAC Bridge, as well as a subsequent tunnel that will run under the Balmain Peninsula and connect to a second harbour tunnel.

Residents fear that a plan to forcibly acquire homes is imminent, as convener LJ Loch noted, “It would appear the Rozelle interchange is going to go through heritage listed homes and […] would drive a stake through the Balmain Peninsula”.

She told the meeting that Leichhardt Council has had an initial briefing from WestConnex but that information about the overall plan was minimal and light on detail.

Residents expressed concerns about disruptions to their area during the construction phase, as well as the possibility of homes being acquired.

Ms Loch said that the new action group was about informing locals about the project because “just about everyone we spoke to has no idea what was going on.” She said locals were angered by the project because it threatened other projects in the inner west such as the renewal of the Bays Precinct.

Letterboxing about the project had been restricted to a small amount of houses. “I don’t know what the WestConnex rationale is for that.

Given the short timeframe, there are a lot of concerns,” she said.

“It is very clear that this is an as yet unfunded and unclear bulldozer through our suburb, the way WestConnex has approached community consultation to date, and the approach to compulsory acquisition gives me goosebumps.”

Fellow convenor Peter Hehir said, “this will drive a concrete stake into the heart of Rozelle” He said it was likely that the project would result in pollutions levels exceeding maximum World Health Organisation.

“The five portals & their five exhaust stacks will distribute pollution all over Glebe, Annandale, Lilyfield & totally drench Rozelle” The group aims to conserve heritage houses in the neighbourhood from demolition as well as the habitat of the Striped Marsh Frog and Bibron’s Brown Toadlet that live in the neighbourhood.

There was consensus at the meeting that the WestConnex Delivery Authority was not paying fair market prices in other inner west suburbs. This was because home values had dropped dramatically once rumors of compulsory acquisitions hit a neighbourhood, in turn reducing the amount offered by the Delivery Authority for homes.

Residents have had little chance of buying another equivalent house in a similar area for the money they received for their acquired home.

Nathan English from EcoTransit spoke at the meeting and told locals that the government had other plans for more roads in the area. He said that the road has been earmarked as a new port access road by RMS and the Sydney Motorway Corporation.

“This corridor is the most cost-effective way to guarantee an off-road light rail and cycling corridor into the Balmain Peninsula from the rest of the inner west. It must be protected and needs as many eyes watching it as possible in case something changes,” Mr English said in a statement following the meeting.

He said it was concerning that Sydney Ports Corporation had torn up tracks of rail as recently as Saturday at the White Bay Cruise Terminal to extend James Craig Road all the way to the cruise terminal.

Greens Leichhardt Councillor Rochelle Porteous, who has campaigned against the WestConnex for the past two years, told the meeting that the community had a real chance to halt plans to bring WestConnex to Rozelle, because money to fund the entire project is in doubt.

Clr Porteous said the state government would need billions of dollars in federal funds.

With a federal election predicted to take place in early July, Clr Porteous said residents had to make WestConnex a federal campaign issue.

State Greens local member for Balmain, Jamie Parker, told the room that they needed to pressure Labor MP Anthony Albanese, whose newly

Residents at the meeting last Sunday at the Three Weeds Hotel.

redistricted seat of Grayndler takes in Rozelle. He told the meeting that during the last federal election, Albanese promised that Labor would spend $1.5 billion on Westconnex, if elected.

Speaking to City Hub, Mr Albanese said most federal money for the project had already been handed over, and only $250 million remained which will be transferred this financial year, before any federal election.

“If the Greens are serious at all, why are they pretending that a state government project is responsibility of the Federal Parliament?”

“I have made representations on behalf of constituents, because the planning and impact hasn’t been properly considered, and will continue to do so, and point out that the project fails to meet its objectives, as I have pointed out in parliament on no less than 19 occasions.”

Following reports earlier this week of record infrastructure spending in marginal electorates, Mr Albanese said in January “we called for an audit of the entire infrastructure program, across the board they have been funding projects before business cases.”

In early February, Federal Labor along with the entire Senate supported a motion moved by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon calling on the AuditorGeneral to investigate the Commonwealth funding approvals for the WestConnex.

The M4 and M5 projects that will affect Rozelle is yet to be funded at all and is already listed as a possible project for further Federal funding.

Mr Parker said the NSW state Liberal Party may call on the Federal Government to commit more funding for the project.

Mr Parker said: “while the ALP and the Liberals support the project but may argue about the route and the process it’s important the community makes it clear to both of them support a halt to the project and no more public funding.”

Mr Parker said funding for the entire project depended on the private sector contributing, but after the collapse of the Cross City Tunnel and the Lane Cove Tunnel projects, following inflated traffic projections, no private corporation wants to do business with NSW. The future of the entire WestConnex project is very much in doubt, according to Parker.

Parker told residents that Sydney Motorway Corporation had been put in charge land at the Rozelle Goods Yard.

Parker encouraged locals to attend the first WestConnex public meeting to discuss plans for Stage Three of WestConnex. The forum is being held on Saturday 30th April from 2 to 3pm at the Hannaford Community Centre in Rozelle.

Archaeology comes to Marrickville Council denies WestConnex

BY LUCAS BAIRD A Marrickville Council committee has passed a measure to identify several new sites in the council area as archaeologically important.

The Marrickville Infrastructure, Planning and Environmental Services committee passed an action to label over thirty new sites as archaeologically significant at Tuesday’s meeting.

This comes after council noted a staff submission late last year that requested that these sites be marked because several owners were unaware if their land was recognised as one of these sites or not.

Independent Councillor, David Macri was happy the amendment went through.

“I think archaeology sites are important. Even if you can’t do anything with them, it should definitely be looked at and investigated,” Cllr Macri told City Hub. 6

city hub 7 APRIL 2016

Cllr Macri explained that with the marking of these sites, the council now had to look at the pros and cons to the community of potential developments on a site.

“We went through this when we did the old hospital site. We had to check it out and there were some archaeological old foundations,” he said “That had to be investigated and mapped out and we worked out that the benefit was much more significant than getting a new library” Marrickville Heritage Society Vice-President Scott MacArthur, said that the group welcomed Council’s decision.

“The society is really pleased that council has investigated these sites that have potential for important archaeological sites,” Mr MacArthur said.

Mr MacArthur noted that history is an important aspect of the area’s identity and that this recognition would help protect this.

“What makes Marrickville such an interesting place is that it has all these layers of history and past development.”

“Acknowledging that and protecting it is really important.”

One of the sites the committee has marked for its importance is the St Peters Church of England cemetery.

Mr MacArthur explained that this had a significant historical value “There is the tombs themselves, but there are often things buried with people and then there are the tombstones themselves. Which often have fantastic stories to tell about the lives of people who used to live in the area.”

According to Mr MacArthur, many of the burial sites there had previously been disturbed following an extension of the Princess Highway.

He said that this new classification would help protect the site from future developments.

Marrickville Council voted on Tuesday Councillor Ellesmore said that the refusal night to refuse the state government access to sent a strong message to the state government local roads as part of its WestConnex project. regarding the toll road project.

The council voted to deny a request for Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong sub-contractors to access local roads and to said that the decision showed solidarity with install underground electricity mains for the the community and the protestors who have proposed St Peters interchange.The decision been blockading the construction in the local to officially refuse access means that the state government area. government must decide if it is to ignore the “Residents and community groups made council’s jurisdiction and continue with the over 12,000 submissions about this aspect of project, or respect its decision. the WestConnex which almost universally The motion, moved by condemn this project.

Greens Councillor Sylvie Many call for the St Peters Ellsmore, means that the component of the works to council will refuse to grant be completely reshaped. a Road Operating Permit “The only reason for the installation of contractors would be underground electrictrity applying to dig up streets mains to service the and lay cables before any WestConnex interchange formal planning approval at St Peters. has been granted is if the In its decision, the Baird Liberal Government council noted that there has no intention of was no planning approval genuinely considering for WestConnex New M5 the submissions from the second stage, and that the community about this council was opposed to stage of the project,” she the WestConnex project. said.

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7

Refurbished Newtown building helping charity

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek stopped by youth cancer support charity CanTeen in Newtown on Monday morning.

The Labor member for Sydney visited by the charity’s new headquarters to chat to people who had become involved with the youth service CanTeen provides a raft of support to one thousand young people aged 12-24 who are diagnosed with cancer, as well as young people who have family members dealing with cancer.

“To be able to say to young people and their families, who have just received the worst piece of news ever, in their lives, that there is a place that you can go to be with other young people and be happy and relax is great,” Ms Plibersek said.

She said young people who had been diagnosed with cancer faced different challenges compared to older people, and it was important that charities such as CanTeen were supported.

“When I was the Health Minister we gave Canteen $18.2 million of funding Ms Plibersek at the new because they had been doing a great job as a volunteer organisation, doing their own fundraising.”

She said that cancer affected young people differently psychologically and physiologically.

“There are about a thousand young people diagnosed with cancer each year, and it is the very last thing you expect to hear. You go from being a normal healthy 12 or 16 year old year old, and getting that diagnosis of cancer it is just devastating.”

“The reality is many young people go through treatment for a period of time and they get better, and having that message from people who have been through the treatment and got better is really important, and it’s really important to hear that firsthand.”

Jessada was half way through his HSC when he found out that he had cancer. Post treatment, he said that CanTeen’s support was invaluable because it was hard to go back to the life you had before. He couldn’t go back to school and didn’t know what to do.

building on Monday.

“Yes it is a struggle, and yes it is hard, and it is not what you’re expecting. There is not a lot you can do but keep fighting, keep pushing, take it day by day.”

Anthony, was one of the organisers behind the Youth Cancer Summit, which last year brought together survivors and youth cancer experts from around the world to provide education workshops and discussion groups. It also allowed young people affected by cancer to talk about and share their experiences.

He said it was important for people to be treated as they otherwise would have been.

“When you’re going through that experience, the last thing you want is for people to treat you differently, and people do do that. I had friends that had lost contact, and I asked them why, and my best friend said it was because he didn’t know what to say. I would rather him say shit stuff than say nothing.”

Music’s ‘satellite account’ to benefit all

BY LUCAS BAIRD Sydney’s struggling live music industry contributes to Sydney’s overall nighttime economy according to one expert.

Coordinator of music technology at the University of Tasmania, David Carter contributed to a specialist panel on the state of live music in Sydney and Australia on April 4.

He explained that a live music scene in Sydney would impact several other categories of the nighttime and entertainment economy.

“When someone goes out to see a gig where does the money go? Do they have a meal before they go out? Spend money on a cab? Do they pay for a baby sitter?” he said.

“Each of these examples flows through the economy and can be attributable to that one focus activity.”

“We did a survey of a bunch of people, a bunch of venues as well and saw the beginning of something called a satellite account for live music,” Mr Carter said.

Mr Carter explained that a satellite account was an analysis formerly used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to gather the economic flow on effect to other related industries.

“Being able to show quite clearly the national report that spending on tickets, food and beverage represents less than half of what people actually spend when they go out to see a gig or they go out to see live music. It is pretty powerful and important to show the benefit to the wider Australian community,” Mr Carter told City Hub. Along the same lines as using ABS data analysis, Associate Professor for the Arts at Monash 8

city hub 7 APRIL 2016

Live music generates more economic stimulus than we realise, according to one expert.

University Shane Homan said it was time for a national database on the problems associated with live music venues.

“I was struck last year by the Creative Spaces in The Building Environment Forum. One of the byproducts of that forum was the swapping of stories about how different venues with different problems solved them,” Prof Homan said. “‘Perhaps the time has come for a national database of these things, or at least a statewide database?”

This forum occurred when there is a government review into the lockout and much discussion of the state government’s lock out laws.

The government’s Callinan review has now finished taking submissions from the public on the laws and is due to report back to the government in August.

Many submissions have been critical of the government, and have focused on the decline of the Sydney music scene and have cited the lockout laws as a key reason for this.

The City of Sydney’s submission to the review in particular emphasised live music. Their submission called for a trial of a twelve month exemption to the lockouts for live music and performance venues.

Some City councillors have also sent in their own submissions to the review.

Councillor Jenny Green called for the state government to support live performance venues.

“As greater Sydney develops so does the demand for varied night entertainment options across the city,” Ms Green stated in her submission.

“There are numerous suburban hubs in addition to the CBD that could cater to the local population’s night entertainment needs, provided there is local consultation and consent.”

“There is now an opportunity for authorities to review the cumulative impact of too many liquor licences in an area, the liquor licence approval process, transport availability and the required support for live music and performance based entertainment to be offered,” she said in her submission.

Not all submissions believed that lockout laws should be relaxed on venues.

East Sydney Neighbourhood Association (ESNA) used their submission to take aim at the venue patrons and owners.

“Residents are infuriated at the lack of respect and consideration from many venue operators and patrons shown to the people who live in our neighbourhood,” The ESNA submission stated.

The submission, which included a survey of residents, claimed that 100 per cent of the residents thought the streets were safer and there had been a sharp drop in anti-social behaviour since the introduction of lockout laws.

FEATURE

BY Alannah Maher

With the school holidays and Youth Week both about to launch, many people will be looking to keep themselves and/or their children entertained.

Scratch your heads no more – City Hub presents you with our top suggestions for creative outings and events to inspire, inform and get you engaged with our artistic city SCHOOL HOLIDAYS (Apr 9–26) ◆ The Peasant Prince A new Australian play developed especially for children, inspired by Li Cuxin’s beautiful picture book The Peasant Prince, which is based on his internationally successful memoir Mao’s Last Dancer.

This play will inspire young people to overcome fears and follow their dreams; exploring themes of belonging, motivation, loneliness and hope. (6+ years) Apr 9, 3pm + Apr 11–20, 10.30am + 12.30pm.

Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre, Harbour Street, Sydney. $29pp (family + group passes avail).

Tickets & info: monkeybaa.com.au ◆ The Bee and the Tree Help Bette the Bee and her friends save the last tree and bring the flowers back in this ‘choose your own adventure’ style world of play. Mongrel Mouth theatre have been delighting adults with their unique, immersive theatre style since 2014 and now they invite children along for the fun with an environmental theme. (Infant–10 years) Apr 14–24,Thurs–Sun, 11.30am + 1.30pm.

107 Norton Street, Leichardt. $20+bf pp.

Tickets & info: mongrelmouth.com ◆ School Holidays at USYD Museums The University of Sydney contains three different museums, and during the school holidays each of them will host a day of child friendly activities.The Nicholson Museum invites kids to be part of a Greek Tragedy and handle genuine archaeological artefacts; with the Macleay Museum children can explore Indigenous culture and handle Aboriginal stone tools; and the University Art Gallery invites them to create their own masterpieces of surrealism. (5–12 years) Apr 14, 19 + 21, 10am–4pm.The University of Sydney, various locations within. Free.

Info: sydney.edu.au/museums or museums.education@sydney.edu.au

YOUTH WEEK (Apr 8–17)

◆ The King and Queen of Green Young princes and princesses are invited to the Botanic Gardens for a special royal visit as the King and Queen of Green invite them to get their hands dirty and learn about landfill in an interactive hour of outdoor theatre.

Activities include turning trash into treasure and making your own crown to take home. (6–12 years) The King and Queen of Green

Apr 11–17, daily, 11am + 1pm. Adjacent Rathborne Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. $12+bf pp. Tickets & info: rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au ◆ 20BOS Drop-In Art Workshops The art world fun isn’t all for adults during the 20th Biennale of Sydney. Catch the ferry to Cockatoo Island and drop in for make-and-do activities inspired by the surrounding artworks, pack a picnic and make a day of it! If you’d rather stay on the mainland, the Museum of Contemporary Art is holding their own workshops for Contemporary Kids. (4+ years) MCA Workshops: Apr 12–16, 10.30am.

Donations encouraged. Info: mca.com.au Cockatoo Island Workshops: Apr 19–23, 11am + 2pm. Free. Info: 20bos.com

◆ smart ARTS This arts and cultural festival is designed for young people, by young people, and invites you to join the exciting next generation of visual artists. The program kicks off with a launch party and involves a careers forum, and free creative workshops including mini-terrarium making and figure drawing. The exhibition My Story: Artefacts + Artefiction continues until April 28. (15–26 years) Apr 8–17. Pine Street Creative Arts Centre (Chippendale), Harry Burland Activity Centre (Darlington), 107 Projects (Redfern). Free. Info & bookings: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au ◆ Film It & Show It – Award Ceremony This creative film festival has invited the diverse and creative young filmmakers of Sydney to address multicultural and youth issues in our city. Film buffs are welcome to come see what they have to offer at a free screening of the top 10 films and award ceremony. (15+ years) Apr 8, 6–9pm. Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay. Free.

Bookings & info: eventbrite.com.au ◆ Youth Week in the City mini fest A full day bursting with entertainment including live art, live music, interactive workshops, a BBQ and the 18th annual Fernside Skate Comp. Weave Youth and Community Services and Sydney Youth Music present this event with the support of the City of Sydney.

Stunt Lounge. Photo: Teresa Tan

Special guest performers include Lyall Moloney and Kid Pharaoh. (All ages) Apr 9, 12–7pm. Waterloo Skate Park, cnr McEvoy and Elizabeth Streets, Waterloo. Free ($5 for skate comp entrants). Info: weave.org.au ◆ Stunt Lounge Witness the next generation of circus. Traditional tricks meet contemporary twists when the Flying Fruit Fly Circus (Australia’s national youth circus) invites you to run away with the acrobats in this jaw dropping, genre-defying performance. An inspiration to test your own limits, the April 14 show will be followed by a Q&A with the performers. (12+ years) Apr 13–17, various show times.The Studio, Sydney Opera House. $20–$45+bf.

Tickets & info: sydneyoperahouse.com

Available on website, see New Years resolution page

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200 Devonshire Street SURRY HILLS NSW 2010 www.shakespearehotel.com.au Ph: 02 9319 6883 https://www.facebook.com/shakespearehotelsydney/ Instagram: shakespearehotel city hub 7 APRIL 2016

9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Packed Lunch For one night only at the Exchange Hotel, a comedy show unlike any other will be performed. Packed Lunch is a sketch comedy act combining improvisation and theatre sports.

Speaking to the creator of this act James Hartley, he was inspired by a number of comedy legends to create something that hasn’t been seen before in Sydney.

“I was inspired by the work of Charna Halpern and Del Close in Chicago, where they essentially created long-form improvisation and worked with comics like John Belushi, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler,” he said.

“Most [similar] Sydney stuff was Theatresports, which myself and some other veterans of the scene were tired of, because the games had been reduced down to a formula.”

So what can you expect while watching this side splitting performance? Hartley assures the audience will see authentic comedy by hardworking actors.

“We aren’t interested in trying to be funnier than the other performer – we’re all working together to create something awesome on stage, whether that’s hilarious or touching,” he said.

“But the most important thing is that we aim

Hay Fever – presented

by STC

for truth on stage, because ultimately the truth is funny. Honest discovery, observation, and reaction is better than contrived invention.”

You can also eat dinner and have a beer or two watching the performance so you don’t starve while getting your fix of comedy for the day. (AMal) Apr 7, 8pm. Exchange Hotel, 94 Beattie Street, Balmain. $22-$25.Tickets & info: exchangehotel.com.au

Storytime Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

One of the greatest works in the ballet catalogue, Sleeping Beauty, has been refashioned into an easy to watch piece of theatre that runs for under an hour.

The Australian Ballet presents Storytime Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty. Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, Puss in Boots and Bluebird all make an appearance which is sure to start a fascination with any young companion.

The fact that the play promises to be interactive can only add to all of the fun.Young ones are

encouraged to join in by calling out to the performers. Packed with dazzling dancing, sparkling tutus and enchanting Tchaikovsky music, this is the perfect first ballet experience for boys and girls.

If reviews are anything to go by, this production specially made for children of 3 years and up promises to be an absolute delight. (AH) Apr 12–13 (11am, 2pm & 4pm).

Riverside Theatre, corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta. $29-$49.

Tickets & Info: riversideparramatta.com.au

a&e

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city hub 7 APRIL 2016

10 STAGE 12 SCENE 13 Sounds 14 SCREEN

So much of modern comedy owes to the wry slapstick of Noel Coward. Clever and droll, his characters are always ready for another dry martini or a classy misstep.

The Sydney Theatre Company presents Hay Fever, first produced in 1925. For fans of Noel Coward, this tale of naughty people is among his earliest and also the best of his comedies. A wry take on the bohemian mayhem of the Bliss family, each member invites a suitably unsuitable guest for a weekend away.

Tom Conroy, who plays Simon Bliss, the son and painter of patriarch David Bliss, describes his character as “sort of socialite”. After graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts and spending the past six years in theatre around the country, Conroy offers that this straight-out comedy (his first) has been hard work, and also a learning curve.

Heather Mitchell and Tony Llewellyn-Jones Photo: James Green

“It’s been really fascinating [to work on],” said Conroy. “It will be a great night out at the theatre, a really fun couple of hours.” (OA) Apr 11–May 26, various show times. Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House. $64-$104.

Tickets & info: sydneytheatre.com.au

Bard to the Bone

Improvisation is a long tradition, there’s short form like Theatresports and then there’s Bard to the Bone, which is long form improvisation, the telling of thorough and authentic stories inside of an improvised format. The Post-Haste Players are back for their fifth year performing comedy based in the Shakespearean world.

“We make up a cohesive Shakespearean play and we try to understand why those plays are so wonderful, what style of storytelling still gets us 400 years on. The words may sound strange and archaic but the audience can still understand it, to do it with such beautiful language, we’re inspired by that poetry, that’s something really unique,” explained Bard to the Bone actor/director Oliver Burton.

“We don’t know what the script and story is going to be, who the characters are, that’s all going to come on the fly. When you come to improvised theatre, those actors are real people telling you that story in the moment. We try to give our audience a completely authentic experience, sometimes we scrabble to come up with the next idea, and the pleasure the audience get, to watch them do that, to sometimes have the wheels fall off and then put back on again in ingenious ways, there’s a joy to it,” he explained.

“The audience don’t know what’s coming next and neither do we, and there’s an exciting chemistry that happens inside of that.”

There’s lots of recognisable stereotypes and

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

Ewan Campbell and Oliver Burton Photo: Stephen Reinhardt

archetypes, characters are given new names, motivations and ideas so that it may become the type of show that Shakespeare might have written. There are all the troups, (stereotypes of the genre), that you would expect; like the fairies, The French, princes, Kings and Queens, the overthrowing of the throne, the Catholics and Protestants and questions around religion – all of those ideas the Elizabethans held dear.

Bard To The Bone will be back on stage towards the end of the month after their first 2016 show on April 4. (MS) Apr 25, 8pm.The Old Fitzroy Hotel, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo. $10-$15.Tickets: eventbrite.com (or at the door)

Contributors: Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Alicia Sim, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Shon Ho, Jacqui Rothwell, Emily Shen, Andrew Hodgson, Irina Dunn.

Replay

but as adults they may have ‘narrativeised’ their pasts differently, and what happens when they have to come to terms with reaching a consensus about what really occurred and the events that have shaped them.”

Kavanagh was initially interested in memory – collective memory, the fallibility of memory – and to him an exploration of sibling relationships went hand in hand.

Kavanagh feels that this brotherly bond has been built and portrayed well amongst the cast of three on stage, with much of the quirky source material coming from his own childhood.

Originally developed as a short play for his study at NIDA, Replay was soon picked up by Griffin Theatre, a move which Kavanagh credits as allowing him “to push the themes and ideas further and deeper rather than ‘padding them out’ to fill a full length play”.

He added: “It’s great that we have a home for Australian writing, and that’s what Griffin offers the country.” (AM) Until May 7, Mon–Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm + 7pm.

SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross.

Tickets & info: griffintheatre.com.au

As a child, John saw his brother die. His other brother saw it too, but remembers things quite differently. They are forced to dredge up their competing pasts in search of a common truth – yielding terrifying, unexpected consequences.

The past is what you make it in Replay, this newly devised work of Australian theatre penned by forthcoming playwright Phillip Kavanagh.

“It’s a play that is exploring ideas around memory and how the way we remember our past shapes who we are in the present,” Kavanagh enthused when talking ahead of the season. “Specifically looking at that through the prism of sibling relationships, [people] who share the same foundational history,

80 MINUTES NO INTERVAL Travis Cotton’s black comedy is bold and slightly absurd, it allows us to laugh at the unfortunate failures of other people.The play is about Louis, an unsuccessful novelist turned theatre critic.The production traces his trials, tribulations and obstacles over a 30year time frame as he fumbles through life, governed by repeated mistakes and bad luck. In Australia, where modern comedic theatre is scarce, the play brings a breath of fresh air. (SH) Until Apr 9. Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street,Woolloomooloo. $28$38.Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre. com or 0409 020 119 AWAY A delicious mixture of comedy, drama and social commentary on class,Vietnam and family. In the late

1960s Australia was divided by its ever increasing diversity and ensuing racism, but at the height of the Vietnam War some people in the community were able to cast those prejudices aside and be drawn together by an enduring conflict against a common threat. Away conveys a story of redemption as the human spirit overcomes tragedy and despair. (JA) Until Apr 9.The Performance Space at St Aidan’s, 1 Christina St, Longueville. $15-$25 ($70 for a family pass).Tickets & info: lanecovetheatrecompany.com PLAYTHING Two theatregoers accidentally walk on stage and find themselves in a play.They can’t leave but they don’t know their characters, the script or even who they are themselves.

The idea for the script all started when multi-award winning comedy writer Simon Dodd tried to find the bathrooms while seeing a play but nearly ended up on stage instead.

(AMal) Until Apr 13 (8pm Wed-Sat, 5pm Sun).The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville. $22-$32.Tickets & info: thedepottheatre.com

Brewer. Incorporating highly technical multimedia elements, this is a contemporary production that invites more depth and investigation into universal struggles of mental health and disability. (AM) Until Apr 15, 8pm. 107 Projects, 107 Redfern Street, Redfern. $20-$25.

Tickets & info: montaguebasement. com/tickets

THE BIG BRUISE This new play cuts to the core of society’s often-fetishized relationship with suicide.The Big Bruise goes beyond using suicide as a narrative point and actually invites the audience into the tangled mind state of someone coping with suicidal thoughts. Cathartic and comedic in its own ways, it was written by Saro Lusty-Cavallari and codevised with sole performer Sam

THAT EYE,THE SKY A quintessentially Australian play based on the novel by Tim Winton, this is the beautiful coming of age story of Ort, a young boy whose father is seriously injured in a car crash.The common theme is the idea of survival, that we need something to hang on to that helps us survive when everything goes to hell.That Eye,The Sky is an

exploration in how we cope, and how we reach out to something to help us cope. Everything is seen through the eyes of a child, he sees the world in his own fantastic way. (MS) Until Apr 16 (Thurs-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm). New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown. $17-$32.Tickets & info: newtheatre.org.au SAVAGES Four men embark on a cruise that doesn’t quite go to plan.

This play explores multiple personalities the Aussie male can portray. Actor Josef Ber, who plays the character Rabbit, describes Savages as a “relentless, energising and pulsating play that explores the darker side of manhood”. If you’re in the mood to watch a reflective piece of theatre that discusses Australian masculinity,

this play is a safe bet. (AMal) Until May 1, various show times.

Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. $30-$45.Tickets & info: darlinghursttheatre.com NOTHING PERSONAL A typical David Williamson middle class family crisis, but unlike most of his plays, the male characters get little focus. In fact one of the best things about Nothing Personal is the strong presence of women.A comedy first and foremost, the play is set around office politics in the publishing industry, and is about women coming to terms with losing their power as they grow older in the workplace. (MS) Until May 7. Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney. $25-$30.Tickets & info: genesiantheatre.com.au

8 –19 JUNE ESSENTIAL SCORSESE: SELECTED BY DAVID STRATTON At the Art Gallery of NSW 11–19 June as part of the 63rd Sydney Film Festival

MEAN STREETS (1973)

THE KING OF COMEDY (1982)

ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE (1974)

GOODFELLAS (1990)

TAXI DRIVER (1976)

THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (1993)

Tickets on sale now at sff.org.au/scorsese

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (1977)

CASINO (1995)

RAGING BULL (1980)

THE AVIATOR (2004)

The retrospective program of 10 specially imported 35mm prints, features iconic works by one of the most influential directors of our time, curated by one of Australia’s great masters of film criticism.

Essential Scorsese: Selected by David Stratton is presented in partnership with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and the National Film & Sound Archive (NFSA).

SFF.ORG.AU city hub 7 APRIL 2016

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THE NAKED CITY

ART & ANARCHY IN THE MODERN WORLD With Coffin Ed, Miss Death and Jay Katz The 20th Biennale of Sydney, now spread throughout venues across the city, has lots to say about the world we live in. Artists from all over the world are represented in a potpourri of radical ideas, in your face challenges and biting social comment.

We are supposed to be stimulated, surprised, engrossed and intellectually provoked as we explore the various artworks and installations – not the most forthcoming reactions in a world now dominated by both an overwhelming cynicism and an onslaught of visual triggers.The truth is that most folks probably perceive the current Biennale as just a bit of modern day eye candy, not all that removed from the spectacular displays of fruit and vegetables at the Royal Easter Show. Ironically, there’s probably more political and philosophical comment to be milked from 50,000 pieces of fruit and a humongous pumpkin than the entire contents of Cockatoo Island’s ‘Embassy Of The Real’.

No knock on the Biennale, but what we would really love to see is art liberated from the cloistered halls of the MCA and the NSW Art Gallery and unleashed on the streets of Sydney. It’s been done before of course, when artists have dumped oversized sculptures and absurd installations anonymously outside prominent galleries, not to mention the explosion of so called street art/graffiti in cities around the world.

What we really need in Sydney however is a coordinated burst of unauthorised al fresco artwork, a kind of fringe Biennale that would

Five years ago Japan was devastated by triple disasters of an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear explosion. The Japan Foundation of Sydney is currently holding a series of events and exhibitions to commemorate the anniversary titled After 3.11: Have you met the new Japan?

The centrepiece is a screening of the film Tell the Prime Minister (2015), which documents the rise of the nation’s anti-nuclear protests. This account of how the Japanese population took to the streets to stop nuclear power is an odd mixture of talking heads and citizen journalism, interspersed with stark black and white titles.

The interviewees range from an ordinary Fukushima resident to the former Prime Minister, and each has their own unique perspective on the emergence of social activism in the country.

The movie shows the beginning of the movement, with a few anarchists marching on the footpath and reaches a crescendo with overhead shots of over a hundred thousand people chanting “No Restarts” in a government square. It chronicles these waves of demonstrations with contemporaneous footage of the colourful, musical and non confrontational rallies.

It also shows the formation of a coalition called MCAN and their meeting with the Prime Minister, which resulted in a major political party promising to close all nuclear reactors by 2030.

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

Having been an active artist for more than 70 years, Rees’s work has been the center of many exhibitions. However, this is an in-depth examination of Rees’s drawings from the 30’s period and includes over 30 never seen before images. During the 1930’s Sydney underwent a period of rapid modernisation, with suburbs expanding and the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A classically beautiful exhibition. (NB) Until Apr 10. Museum of Sydney, Cnr Bridge and Phillips St, Sydney. $5-$10.

More info: sydneylivingmuseums.com.au CITY OF ILLUSION The first solo outing for two and a half years from Sydney born and bred contemporary artist Dirk Kruithof, consisting of around 25 mixed media paintings made of images and text, created from recycled 12

city hub 7 APRIL 2016

engulf the city and enable anybody with an artistic axe to grind to express themselves with a spontaneous artwork or installation. Graffiti has been done to death so we are thinking more of the temporary installation or adornment of an everyday object. Nothing that would destroy or vandalize public property, but something that would enrich our everyday lives and give stressed out commuters a bit of a chuckle.

Unfortunately the documentary’s focus on the nuclear issue results in it ignoring other possible causes of popular discontent, although some are briefly mentioned. Nonetheless, this is an interesting look at events which defied stereotypes and challenged the shape of democracy in Japan. (LR) WWW1/2

After 3.11 is accompanied by an exhibition, Icons of time: Memories of the tsunami that struck Japan (until Apr 15), featuring Tomohiro Muda’s posttsunami photography of the shorelines of northeast Japan.The program will also culminate in a talk, 3.11 in Literature and Film (Apr 15, 6.30pm), which gives insights into the latest literary developments in Japan.

Film Screening & Director Q&A: Apr 8, 6.30pm (doors 6pm). University of Technology Sydney, Bldg 2, Lecture Theatre 3.02. Admission free. RSVP essential: jpf.org.au More info on After 3.11 and associated events: jpf.org.au

or found materials. Inspired by the urban environment and the contrast between beauty and decay, Kruithof’s style is self-described as abstract-pop, post-grunge artwork. Drawing ideas from the streets of Sydney, Kruithof’s work is vibrant yet almost angry – a reflection of his own shock at the absurdity of gentrification and commenting on a range of social issues. (ES) Until Apr 17,Wed–Sun (11am–4pm). Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Pidcock Street, Camperdown.

Info: saatchiart.com/Dirkovitz or marrickville.nsw.gov.au/chrissiecottergallery CUSP: DESIGNING INTO THE NEXT DECADE Seen by over 50,000 people around the country, this travelling national creative program is sure to be an experience that broadens the mind.The exhibition highlights the works of Floyd Mueller, Greg More, Leah Heiss, Stephen Mushin, and Super Critical Mass – an ongoing participatory sound project pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in their arena.They will attempt to use design to change the way we

The City Of Sydney Council would no doubt object, particularly if a giant papier mâché wombat was placed on the steps of the Sydney Town Hall, but eventually we hope they would come to the party. They are forever carting away household rubbish, dumped on the streets so the odd illegal installation is not going to upset them, not to mention the enormous cultural benefits.

Council clean ups could even encourage residents to stack their old analogue TVs and other domestic trash in an artistic display, even illuminated with Christmas lights and pulsing strobe effects. Free parking could be offered during a specific week for those willing to decorate their vehicles in a humorous or innovative way – like something out of Mad Max: Fury Road or Herbie Goes Bananas.The spirit of Christo, the artist who wrapped Little Bay way back in 1968 with a million square feet of fabric, could be revived with spontaneous wrappings of well known Sydney landmarks, like the “poo balls” at Kings Cross, the statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in Macquarie Street and the Archibald Fountain.

It would be the greatest democratisation of art since those painting by numbers kits appeared in the 1950s and anybody could whip up the Mona Lisa in an afternoon or two. The city would be bubbling, bursting and literally engulfed by art – just about everywhere you looked. The official Biennale might at first perceive it as some serious competition, but ultimately they would embrace it as a genuine fringe event, their own anarchic bastard offspring.

The practice of romantic landscape painting finds a modern and inherently revolutionary purpose in this new series by awarded Australian artist Jason Benjamin.

Presented by Art Index, Benjamin’s paintings and sketches in Balentes: A Living Ancient Soul reflect the work of documentary maker Lisa Camillo. Camillio’s film, Balentes, draws attention to a contamination disaster that has devastated her island home of Sardinia, a large autonomous region of Italy.

It’s not every day an art series is commissioned to accompany a documentary film, yet Benjamin’s artworks manage to poignantly reflect the themes of Camillo’s film.

“Documentaries are in general made for a call to action… to alert and inform, and I think [Camillo] is doing a really great job at that… As a counterpoint, paintings are quite simply contemplative, sort of the yang to the yin,” said Benjamin, speaking to City Hub ahead of the inaugural exhibition at Tusculum House.

In his delicate vignettes Benjamin manages to express whispers of the cultural and human experiences that Camillo surveys alongside the environmental destruction.

Without any people being painted into these settings the human impact is still evident, and

listen and will be presenting a one-night-only Sub Mass, questioning our social structure in the process (more details to come). (AH) Until Apr 28.Tues–Fri, 11am-4pm.

Australian Design Centre, 101-115 William Street, Darlinghurst. Free. Info: cusp-design. com or australiandesigncentre.com WHEN SILENCE FALLS Providing a voice for those who have been silenced, this exhibition encompasses painting, video and sculpture; presenting the work of contemporary Aboriginal artists alongside contemporary international artists. It considers the violence and loss of often-unacknowledged historical events – cultural displacement, political oppression, ethnic cleansing and massacres. Featuring a new major acquisition by Australian Indigenous artist Judy Watson, as well as significant loans from Naomi Milgrom, Ben Quilty, and Gene and Brian Sherman; this exhibition speaks strongly of conflict, but does not look to blame. (AM) Until May 1. 10am–5pm daily, Weds until

audiences are also invited to imagine the benevolent, universal interactions that might play out in them.

The care taken with the most modest of elements, from individually painted blades of grass, to an old olive tree in a yard or a crumbling building – creates a sense of timelessness and ultimately of hope. (AM) The Opening Night tonight includes a presentation by Lisa Camillio, extended documentary trailer, and a talk on Jason Benjamin’s works from art specialist Brenda Colahan.

Opening Night: Apr 7, 6pm–9pm. RSVP: info@artindex.com.au or 1300 55 74 73 Exhibition: Apr 7–14.Tusculum House, 3 Manning Street, Potts Point. Free. Info: artindex.com.au/news

10pm. Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road,The Domain, Sydney.

Free (exhibition catalogue $16.95).

Info: artgallery.nsw.gov.au 20TH BIENNALE OF SYDNEY In this milestone year, the Biennale and all its associated art works follow a topical theme:“The future is already here – it’s just not evenly distributed”.

Official Biennale sites – The MCA, Cockatoo Island and Carriageworks – have been rebranded as several different ‘Embassies of Thought’.The most revolutionary works however exist in public locations, the ‘InBetween’ Spaces.Although these works differ greatly, each casts a new light on its location. City Hub recommends heading to Redfern to check out ‘We Built This City’ and ‘Making History’ before swinging around to Newtown to see ‘Fade Away, Fade Away, Fade Away’ in Camperdown Cemetery. (AM) Until June 5.Various locations. Free. Full program: 20bos.com

HEAVY ARTILLERY Prominent themes in this group show are identity and tradition and the modernist impact on both. Furthermore (with all artists hailing from China and Taiwan) the restrictive atmosphere in which Chinese artists live results in work which is subtly subversive and intricately planned. For example: He Xiangyu’s contribution, ‘Tank Project’ (2011–2013), is a life sized leather replica of a Chinese tank – the creator sneaked into an army base to obtain accurate dimensions. Heavy Artillery showcases the craft, the cunning and the imagination of artists who need to navigate the perils of political indoctrination and censorship.

(LR) Until Aug 7 (10am-5pm, Wed-Sun).

White Rabbit Gallery, 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale.

Admission Free.

Info: whiterabbitcollection.org

to celebrate with fans here and have a great fun filled party in Newtown.

Sat, Apr 9, Union Hotel Newtown Tropical Zombie: The whole aim for this group of six Sydney surfers when writing music is for fans to have a “rip-snorter” of a time at all of their live shows.This weekend local fans will have a chance to do just that when they return home following a lengthy tour to wrap it up in the best way possible.

Sat, Apr 9, Brighton Up Bar Fractures: Melbourne instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer Fractures has been chosen specifically by English superstars Daughter to perform as their only Australian support.

Pairing infectious pop hooks with haunting stories, Fractures has quickly won fans and praise from his peers for his dark, alluring sound.

Sun, Apr 10, Enmore Theatre Justice Crew: Next week the singing and dancing supershow that is Justice Crew will debut a brand new never before seen live show as part of the Live & Local Tour. Since arriving on the scene the group has skyrocketed to the top, touring internationally while remaining humble and helping local communities.

Wed, Apr 13,The Juniors Kingsford

By Jamie Apps When the City Hub recently spoke with Tuka, he really opened up to us about the philosophy and mindset which led him to reinterpret his successful solo album as a new live acoustic EP.“I think there is a huge authenticity watching a performer play songs live…you have to really bare it all when you do a live performance,” he said.

The seeds of the idea for this new EP were originally planted in 2012, when he started making short Youtube clips of acoustic versions of tracks, which fans went wild for and begun requesting more and more. Unfortunately time constraints, due to simultaneously working on his solo project and with the Thundamentals, meant Tuka was unable to reinterpret the entire album live. Instead he chose to intensely work on an EP – “We recorded the six songs in one day,” Tuka explained.

Juggling the projects has been difficult for Tuka

UV Boi

While listening to the opening 90 seconds of the new EP from Brisbane producer UV Boi, it’s impossible not to envision a dreamy, grey-fog-blanketed landscape that wouldn’t go astray in a fantasy movie or video game opening sequence before we meet the hero.

Throughout the EP this world continues to come to life, as UV Boi provides a wonderfully produced soundtrack full of slow melodic builds and catchy vocal hooks.

There are two true standout tracks that you will be hearing much more of in ‘Show You’ (ft. MTNS) and ‘If She, If He’ (ft. EASTGHOST). Both of these are phenomenal electro-synth-pop tracks that are heightened by the vocal melodies which work seamlessly with UV Boi’s synth and beat compositions. (JA) WWWW

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simply because of the time required, but he feels they certainly feed off each other and have made him a better songwriter all round. “I don’t think I could have written such good songs for Thundamentals if I hadn’t done the solo thing and vice versa, because they’re both so different and keep me open minded.”

For this record Tuka looked to the path society is taking with social media and technology, and sought to write with a different approach to better connect with his audience.“These days people are

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Black Stone Cherry – Kentucky

Blasting forth from my computer’s meagre sound system, Black Stone Cherry makes a strong and immediate impression. There is a high level of accuracy there, and it is overshadowed by the raw power and the application of rise and fall within the music.

This is no monotone pelt of well-meaning enthusiasm, Black Stone Cherry’s album Kentucky pulses with a danceable beat and polish rising over the electricity listeners love to hear.

Five albums into their career, experience yields some very exciting tracks, appealing to the body, the brain and that other thing that more thoroughly appreciates good music: the soul.

Static electricity resonates but does not take over the sound, using the tricks of other genres and building a complicated mix of feels, with a special mention of ‘Cheaper to drink alone’, Kentucky is worthy of repeat.A few times. (SP) WWWW

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sitting by their computers and it’s become a very narcissistic culture, it’s all about posting something then searching for recognition with likes,” he said.“I didn’t want that, I wanted to talk to the people behind the computer. So instead of saying ‘me’ or ‘I’, I always said ‘you’ or ‘we’.”

While he is still unsure whether the new writing technique worked, Tuka says he gets “a lot of people I’ve never met sending me these beautiful messages about what the music meant to them or what they got out of it [every day]”.

Ahead of tomorrow night, Tuka told us why he was so excited for these shows: “I’m pumped because this will be the last opportunity I have for a while to connect with people that follow the Tuka journey, because the next Thundamentals record is going to be huge and take up a lot of my time. So I’d love to see people out.”

Apr 8, 8pm. Manning Bar, Manning Rd, Camperdown. $30+b.f.

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The Dead Love: Tonight this Sydney based two-piece are launching their new single ‘Love Drugs’, which exudes euphoria and breeds good times, so if that’s what you’re after on a Thursday evening be sure to get down and support local talent.

Thu, Apr 7, Newtown Social Club The Bennies: Tomorrow night The Bennies will arrive in Sydney to celebrate the release of their new album Wisdom Machine with fans. The new 11-track offering sees the group explore some new directions with a nice mixture of party anthems, politically charged rock tracks, and finally, a seven-minute epic that is bold and ambitious.

Fri, Apr 8, Oxford Art Factory The Lulu Raes: These sunny indie-pop rockers kick off a run of tour dates to celebrate their forthcoming debut EP. The local four-piece have quickly risen through the music ranks receiving praise and high rotation from both Triple J and FBi Radio with their track ‘Burnout’ which has clocked up 300K plays on Spotify.

Fri, Apr 8, Newtown Social Club Kim Salmon: Last month Salmon released his new solo album My Script, filled with pop-rock tunes that are sure to get crowds dancing. He now comes to Sydney

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Spanish Film Festival

This festival celebrates its 19th screening in Australia – and festival director of four years, Genevieve Kelly, enthused that the honesty and rawness of films in this year’s programme is refreshing.

“This festival is growing in popularity each year and it’s not just Spanish audiences attending. These films deal with all kinds of life situations – there are many facets to Spanish culture to be learnt. Spanish love comedy, they’re not afraid to laugh at themselves and this should resonate with Australian audiences.”

It was inevitable that Spanish Affair 2 should be the opening night film, considering the success Spanish Affair garnered at last year’s festival. “This Daniel Guzman Festival guest

IRISH FILM FESTIVAL This relatively new film festival returns to Sydney with a programme consisting of only 8 feature films and 3 shorts, highlighting that quality is paramount to quantity. Glassland, which stars Toni Collette, opens the festival and is an intense and heartfelt film concerning a lady’s tragic battle with alcoholism. Other highlights include Older Than Ireland, an award-winning documentary in which thirty colourful centenarians from all over Ireland are interviewed, and After ’16, consisting of 9 short films which celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Irish Rebellion. (MMo) Apr 7–10. Chauvel Cinema, 249 Oxford St, Paddington. $15-$20. $30 (Opening night including party).

Tickets & info: irishfilmfestival.com.au 14

city hub 7 APRIL 2016

comedy was the right choice to open the festival – the sequel to the massive box office hit of 2015 continues on with the jokes between the North and South, and the inclusion of the Catalans only adds to the hilarity.”

The award-winning Truman is a film which deals with friendship and one man’s acceptance of his approaching mortality. A story concerning death would normally be envisaged as depressing, but this beautiful film penned with just the right balance of emotion and humour should delight audiences, making this one of the most rewarding and must see films at this year’s festival.

“A Ticket To Your Life is a documentary which details the experiences of three Spaniard immigrants to Australia who are attempting to escape the economic crisis in Spain to start a new life. The cameras follow them around as they converse with local Spanish, hoping to establish themselves in a new country,” explained Kelly.

Ma Ma is an intense drama which stars Penelope Cruz, who delivers a breathtaking performance with unabated depth and strength. In recent years Cruz has been typed-cast as a strongaccented villainesses in American comedies, but her true acting ability is exemplified in this film. This tear-jerker deals with a lady who survives a marriage breakup. She meets the love of her life and a beautiful relationship develops, until tragedy strikes when she is diagnosed with breast cancer.

“This story of a woman who is determined to handle a health crisis with dignity and positivity is an inspiring and engrossing emotional-rollercoaster.”

Incorporating a wonderful array of films, opening parties, Q&A sessions and director Daniel Guzman in attendance, this film festival is indisputably a cultural event.

“Attend this festival and teleport into the spectrum of emotions of Spanish language cinema,” concluded Kelly.

(MMo) Apr 12–May 1. Palace Norton St & Palace Verona. $15-$80 (5 film pass).

Tickets & info: spanishfilmfestival.com

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE DC Comics finally jumps full force into the cinematic superhero fight (catching up with Marvel) by using the most recognisable superheroes of all time. For diehard DC fans this film is packed with subtle nods to the comic books. The action sequences in this film are the true highlights with car chases and fight scenes that all feel grounded. The biggest issue with this film however is the overall pacing. This is worth seeing if you are interested in the genre but it certainly won’t capture new fans. (JA) WWW ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING This movie has all the right ingredients – weird romance, comedy, goof ball characters, sci-fi story, a talented cast – and they all just connect.The story is simple: a group of eccentric aliens (the

Monty Python team) give a school teacher (Simon Pegg) special powers to do absolutely anything. Pegg is hilarious and all over the place as usual, and a voice over cameo by Robin Williams is spot on. But if it is the Monty Python team that rocks your boat,Absolutely Anything is worth its while. (JR) WWW1/2 A BIGGER SPLASH Rock ’n’ roll legend Marianne (Tilda Swinton) and her partner Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts) retreat to the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, seeking a chance to recover from recent life crises. When Marianne’s ex, flamboyant record producer Harry (Ralph Fiennes) intrudes with his beguiling daughter Penelope (Dakota Johnson), all four are drawn into a vortex of jealousy and desire with devastating results. A Bigger Splash is a breathtaking tale of

Rams

From Iceland comes this beautiful award-winning film, an inspirational fable-like drama which quintessentially showcases the high quality and significance of world cinema.

Gemmi and Kiddi are two elderly brothers who raise sheep on neighbouring properties and have been estranged over 40 years. A virus leads to the mandatory slaughter of all the animals in the valley, resulting in heartache and economic downturn for farmers, the catalyst which reconnects theses siblings. A violent confrontation transpires, ultimately restoring the brotherly love which they once shared.

This human story details the simplistic lives of farmers and touches on the ramifications of unforeseen disasters on the land which lead to loss of livelihood, escalating debts and bankruptcy.

Pleasant and relaxing viewing, this slow-moving film unveils the exhilarating wintry locations of Iceland, inadvertently alluring moviegoers to the panoramic beauty of this country.

Gratuitous nudity and an abrupt ending may detract, but ultimately this alternate cinematic experience is ideal for audiences who are tired of the monotonous Hollywood blockbusters. (MMo) WWW1/2

Observance If you are a movie-goer who likes their films to have clear endings, where every little plot thread ends in a neat little bow, Observance is certainly not the film for you. If however, you like to spend your time pondering the story and the characters’ backgrounds as it all unfolds in front of you, this is your style of film.

Observance follows Parker (Lindsay Farris) who has taken a mysterious job spying on a young woman from a dreary, decrepit apartment building following a difficult run in his own personal life which saw his young son pass away and his marriage then fall apart.

nostalgia’s dark side fuelled by an excellent soundtrack and fearless performances. (JH) WWWW EYE IN THE SKY The moral fibres of warfare are astutely examined in this high-paced British thriller. Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) heads a drone mission to capture a most-wanted group of terrorists living in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. As the situation progresses, a young girl enters the kill zone and the strike is suspended as a political battle ensues. Mirren showcases her versatility, radiating assertiveness and military persona. A suspenseful and affecting film. (MMo) WWWW ZOOTOPIA Rural rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) wants to join the police force, and despite the

This is where the film’s psychological horror begins to slowly creep in, becoming more and more terrifying as time elapses.

Farris is great in his portrayal of Parker, as descends into delirium as both he and the audience begin to question what is and isn’t real.While Observance is chilling and terror inducing, with some moments that will have you jumping out of your seat, unfortunately the end will have many leaving the cinema frustrated by so many unresolved mysteries. (JA) WW

judgements of her parents and peers – who are astounded at the very idea of a ‘bunny cop’ – she steels herself through a tough run at police academy and becomes a full-fledged officer.

Zootopia sprawling metropolis populated by innumerous animal species – but it isn’t the haven of tolerance and acceptance Judy expected.There’s some ropey plotting going on, but Zootopia is another success for Disney: gorgeously animated and brilliantly imagined with a nuanced consideration of racism to boot. (DC) WWW1/2 THE DAUGHTER As an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck, The Daughter is imaginatively set in working-class Tasmania, where a timber town is beset by economic woes and secrets. A stellar cast including Geoffrey Rush, Anna Torv and Sam

Nielsen give weight to the film.

Despite the cast, this is a glorified dark soap opera. Though director Simon Stone does find beauty in the harrowing and sorrowful situation of bewildering poverty in a Tasmanian town. (OA) WW SPEAR Stephen Page, the artistic director of Bangarra Dance Theatre, is no stranger to interpreting and developing stories of Indigenous Australia on an international scale.

With Spear, he transcends the stage and uses the land as a backdrop to an amazing, heart felt, vital form of storytelling that moves you with its movement.Very little dialogue, great camera work, and composition throughout and an intensity that is inescapable, Djali (Hunter PageLochard) is perfectly cast in this splice of Indigenous culture. (RM) WWWW

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