City Hub 8 August 2019

from Bondi to Balmain...

City News Since 1995 altmedia.net.au

The first-ever Sydney Folk Festival is set to introduce the next generation of folk music Page 20

A U G U ST 8 , 2 0 1 9

FREE

OFFIC I PROG AL RAM INSID E

CRICOS Provider Code 00586B/OOM0631307

Fresh Folk OPEN DAY 2019 We’re here Sydney! Sunday 1 September • 10-3pm

utas.edu.au/openday

Comprehensive range of services:

Do you have big ideas that could transform our city?

• GPs • Skin Clinic • Specialists • Pathology • Eye Clinic • Physio & Allied Health

The light rail in central Sydney, stormwater recycling and the revitalisation of laneways and underused spaces are some of the great projects already transforming our city.

Save time, book online

Medical & Dental Centre

• Bulk Billing GPs* • Online appointments • Extended hours** • New patients and walk-ins welcome

* Not all services are Bulk Billed. Additional fees may apply for non-Medicare card holders. ** See the website for current hours.

www.darlinghurstmedical.com.au

BOOK NOW

02 8302 1111

If you’ve got other big ideas to help shape Sydney, we’d love to hear from you.

All ideas submitted will be considered by a jury of everyday people who will recommend the best ones for inclusion in our Sydney 2050 plan.

Submit your idea for action by Saturday 31 August at sydney2050.com

213-219 Darlinghurst Road Darlinghurst NSW 2010

Print your catalogue or brochure Design

print

Distribute

We take care of print, you take care of business.

Enjoy a complete and personalised service for your next marketing catalogue or brochure from design to distribution.

Our high-speed printing presses produce a wide range of formats for some of Australia’s best known brands. feel free to email us at enquiries@spotpress.com.au

spotpress pty ltD General enquiries (02) 9549 1111

24–26 lilian fowler place Marrickville, 2204 nsW australia

www.spotpress.com.au

2

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

Arrest us: abortion is not a crime

By WENDY BACON This week I joined more than sixty other women on #ArrestUs in support of a bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW. All of the signatories have had one or more abortions in NSW. This statement is part of a much broader campaign led by a Pro-Choice coalition of sixty organisations including Family Planning NSW, the Women’s Electoral Lobby and Domestic Violence NSW. The bill has the support of the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. More than 70% of NSW citizens do not believe that abortion should be an offence under the Crimes Act, which it is has been for 117 years. The bill is sponsored by a record-breaking fifteen MPs, including Liberal, National, Green, Animal Justice and Independent MPs. The #ArrestUs statement was organised by a new generation of feminists including union organiser Emily Mayo. It harks back to earlier public advertisements in the 1970s in which women publicly stated that they had undergone abortions. Those of us who signed statements back then did so as an open challenge to the inclusion of abortion in the NSW Crimes Act. We took our actions in the face of a massive police crackdown that forced limited safe abortion services to shut down or go underground.

Thousands of women met in town halls, marched and rallied for abortion reform in those years. We did not imagine then that more than forty years later, we would still be campaigning while all other states have legislated reforms. In the mid-1970s we set about making women’s rights a practical reality by setting up women’s

Women’s rights campaigners demand abortion is decriminalised. Photo: Lydia Smithers

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, takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions.

ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Production Manager: Michael Hitch News Editor: Alec Smart Contributors: Michael Hitch, Alec Smart, Wendy Bacon, Vanessa Lim, Veronica Anassis Cartoonist: Sam Mcnair Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Advertising Manager: Georgina Pengelly Cover Photo: Supplied by Sydney Folk Festival. Kay Proudlove Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677, Fax: 9212 5633 Website: altmedia.net.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au altmediagroup

altmediasydney

health centres and safe abortion services. We optimistically hoped that comprehensive women’s reproductive health services would have come to be seen as a right many years ago. No longer would the health of women be held hostage by reactionary religious interest groups that have spread hate, ignorance and fear in the community this week.

Safe and affordable The current bill was moved by the Independent MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich. It removes abortion from the NSW Crimes Act and replaces it with a clear framework in which health professionals can provide abortions safely and affordably to any woman. It grants doctors the right to object conscientiously to providing abortion services themselves, but requires that they will nevertheless provide information about available services to a woman. This clause attempts to ensure that no woman is abandoned in a cone of silence that denies her access to services.

I signed #ArrestUS in solidariy with all those who over decades have worked for or suffered from the criminalisation of abortion.

The signatories include women across the decades from the early 1960s – when ProChoice spokeswoman Wendy McCarthy had an abortion – until very recently. They include Eurydice Aroney who had an abortion in 1981 and has a deep personal connection with the issue because her grandmother died in a backyard abortion in 1942 when her mother was only eight. Her award-winning documentary Edna Lavilla reminds us of how the silence, shame and stigma around abortion could ripple across the generations.

A woman’s access to abortion has until now depended on her wealth, class or race or where she lives. Ample testimony has already been provided in the current parliamentary debate that this is still the case in NSW. “There is great inequity to access ... and we should not accept that there are two systems of health care: one for the bush and one for the cities”, the Leader of the Opposition Jodi McKay told parliament.

My own abortions occurred in the 1970s. They ranged from safe to unsafe and frightening. I

wrote about these in a City Hub story before the March 2019 election, because I knew that abortion reform was on the agenda.

In 2016, after more than 100 years, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, then the first Muslim woman to sit in any Australian parliament, moved to remove abortion from the Crimes Act, where a parliament of all white men had put it in the first years of the twentieth century. She spoke about her intention to do this in 2015. Although her bill failed on that occasion, a giant coalition of women’s health, legal and social justice organisations formed to campaign for reform.

Both Alex Greenwich and the NSW Greens committed during the 2019 election campaign to move fresh bills.

So long as abortion is in the Crimes Act, stigma and silence will surround it This background shows how outrageous it for NSW politicians to complain that they have not been consulted or given enough warning of this bill. They should be ashamed to say that they need more time to think through their stance on abortion. As the Liberal Member for Heathcote Lee Evans told parliament this week, it is “outrageous” and “false” for MPs to say they or their communities have not been consulted.

Describing the bill as a “very very sensible bill’, he had the grace to say that it was quite “disturbing to me that as a white middle-aged Caucasian man to be standing here making decisions about what younger women like my granddaughter should do.” Evans suggested to his colleagues that before accusing Greenwich of not consulting, they should “do their homework”.

Stigma and silence So long as abortion is in the Crimes Act, stigma and silence will surround it. As Greens MP Jenny Leong told parliament this week, women still do not speak openly of abortion.

It was for this reason that she shared her story on SBS this week and had the honesty to acknowledge that her experiences decades later

in the latter stages of her daughter’s birth were more challenging than the abortion. At 20, she was lucky enough to be in UK where abortion was decriminalised many years ago. She has campaigned for decades for abortion reform because she knows that the support she received is not mirrored in NSW today where we can be sure women will go to bed agonising over where they can get the money for an abortion or even get to a clinic.

The patriarchs at the head of religious institutions, led by Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher, mobilised last week to defend the proposition that abortion is a crime. In a letter, he warned parents and religious followers that the bill allows termination up to the day before birth. This is false and deliberately misleading because, as Archbishop Fisher knows, after twenty-two weeks abortions are only ever done for serious medical reasons by teams of medical professionals. These comprise less than 1% of all abortions. This will not change. The Archbishop was corrected by ex-NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nick Cowdery, but by then the falsehood had been broadcast by opponents of the bill.

Unfortunately, as City Hub goes to press, 17 amendments to the bill have been signalled, including six from Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Attorney General Mark Speakman. Most worrying is an amendment that would mean that later term abortions would need to go before a committee in an approved hospital, rather being considered by two doctors. This suggestion would not only slow down the decision-making process but could be even more distressing and invasive for a woman in the extremely difficult situation of needing to consider terminating a pregnancy.

These amendments shows an arrogant contempt for the medical organisations and doctors who advised on the reform bill.

NSW stands on the cusp of reform. The forces opposing change are doing all in their power to slow and confuse the process. But in a period of understandable pessimism, we need to celebrate the grassroots organising that has brought us to this point. I am sure I join all the other #ArrestUs women in hoping our small act is just one of a thousand acts that will push us over the line. city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

3

Bondi Beach mural makes waves

By VANESSA LIM Wednesday morning saw Luke Cornish’s contentious Bondi mural artwork defaced with graffiti by an unknown vigilante. The controversial mural was an indictment of the Australian government’s asylum seeker treatment. The artwork depicted 24 Australian Border Force guards and symbolised the 24 asylum seekers who have taken their lives since 2010.

Cornish, who is also known as ELK, wanted to make a political statement. “It’s very rare as a street artist or any kind of artist that you’re given an opportunity to say something in such a public space. Public spaces become so commercialised and so sanitised. I really found this loophole of being able to speak openly.”

Councillor Leon Goltsman moved an urgent motion last night, calling for the removal of the mural. Mayor of Waverley Council John Wakefield supported the right for Luke Cornish to have his artwork displayed. “Politicians should not be the arbiters of art.” On the other hand, Councillor Leon Goltsman who has been vocal in opposing the artwork said it ‘politicised’ Bondi Beach.

I genuinely appreciate that Waverley Mayor John Wakefield is in my corner The urgent motion was voted on and declared lost. Mayor John Wakefield said, “The decision of Council gained cross-party support for a reasoned and considered approach which took into accountand paid respect to- the artist, as well as the views of those calling for the temporary mural to be removed, and those who wanted it to remain.

Regrettably, someone has now taken the law into their own hands.”

Community support for Cornish’s controversial

to Prime Minister Scott Morison. “It’s staying there until we can start providing humane treatment to asylum seekers. I’ll just keep repainting it until then but I’m happy to come and paint over it as soon as they get those men off Manus Island.”

Cornish explained that the Bondi Mural work was an extension of his THE SEA exhibition in the Bondi Pavilion Gallery.

Mayor John Wakefield said the exhibition and mural approval process was approved under Council’s normal curatorial processes. He also encouraged others to see Luke Cornish’s exhibition at the Bondi Pavilion Gallery.

Luke Cornish in front of his controversial – and since vandalised - Bondi Beach artwork. Photo: Vanessa Lim

artwork has been overwhelming despite some backlash. A Change.Org petition called ‘Vote to save this mural at Bondi Beach’ has received over 1,900 supporters and calls for Waverley Council to keep the mural.

By contrast, the ‘Please Remove the ‘Not Welcome To Bondi’ Mural from Bondi Beach’ petition has only received over 800 supporters.

Public complaints minimal Public complaints to Waverley Council were also minimal, with only nine recorded against the mural and three formal messages of support.

Cornish stated that while the artwork was confronting, there was never any motive to directly offend anyone.

“It’s never something I intended, to have

that effect on people, especially when it’s new Australians that I’m trying to speak out for. I do apologise for that, but it’s collateral damage.”

Cornish said that despite the negative backlash, there was also quite a lot of positive feedback.

“People are very appreciative, especially the people who have lived experiences. The only people getting upset about it are people who don’t have lived experiences, so what does that say?”

Cornish explained that his artwork was a call to action. “What’s the point of having all this noise being made about something and have nothing done. I’m sacrificing my f***ing anonymity and I want some f***ing results.”

Cornish also started his own Change.Org petition called ‘End offshore detention centres FFS’ in response to the controversy and has addressed it

Waverley Council Update Mayor’s Message

Public art in Waverley Council is preparing options for a series of events and activities to commemorate the 60th anniversary next year of the placement in April 1960 of the Bondi Mermaids at Ben Buckler headland by local sculptor, Lyle Randolph.

In 1974, both Mermaid sculptures suffered badly in a storm and one was swept off the rock. The remnant piece of the last remaining sculpture remains on display at Waverley Library. Council will consider if this piece is re-located potentially to the Bondi Pavilion after the refurbishment project is complete.

We also support, in principle, the reordering of sites in the Public Art Master Plan to allow for the commissioning of a new public art work in Bondi Park to give new life to the Mermaid story.

Bondi Memorial Project Artists have until 27 September to submit expressions of interest for the first phase of the Bondi Memorial Project at Marks Park, Tamarama. The memorial will be in the form of a public artwork to acknowledge the gay men and transgender people who were assaulted and in some cases murdered in homophobic attacks from the 1970s to 1990s in the area.

In June 2018, the Waverley Council Public Art Committee endorsed Marks Park as the most appropriate site for the commissioning of the memorial. The memorial will be located on the north-eastern side of Marks Park in a peaceful area with a natural framing in the landscape and views across the ocean to Bronte.

All shortlisted designs in the second phase of the project will be placed on public exhibition for community feedback.

All proposals must respond to the history of the site and adhere to Local Environmental Plans (LEP) controls.

Waverley Council and ACON have been working on this project since 2015. For more, register at: https://www.tenderlink.com/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

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

Follow us

Political artworks nothing new A spokesperson from Waverley Council said political artworks on the Bondi Murals were nothing new.

“The Bondi Beach Sea Wall has been in operation since the late 1970s and has featured a mix of street and contemporary art with strong social and political messages throughout the decades.”

Cornish revealed that he had painted another political artwork on the Bondi Murals just a couple of years ago with another street artist friend.

“It was this big fat capitalist pig with his wife. She was wearing skins of dead Syrian children but her face was this sort of manicured poodle. The pig had his finger on a red button. I can’t remember what we called it, but it was very political. I think it went straight over people’s heads.”

Cornish was grateful that Waverley Council continues to support political artworks like his own.

“I genuinely appreciate that he [Waverley Mayor John Wakefield] is in my corner because it is so hard to speak up these days. He quite easily could have buckled under the pressure. I’ve caused a lot of grief for the Waverley Council and I apologise for that, but at the same time, I don’t apologise for what I did.”

Vandals drain goodwill

LIGHTHOUSE TATTOO STUDIO Mark Mordue by the drain that was blocked in the latest act of Addi Rd vandalism. Photo: Alec Smart

BY ALEC SMART Another spate of vandalism at Addison Road Community (Addi Rd) in Marrickville was probably committed by the same people who targeted the premises earlier this year.

Unfortunately, these abhorrent acts harm every organisation on this unique multicultural site, and ultimately threaten its long-term viability.

Hate speech and trolling – generated on social media by people in dispute with Addi Road management over vital increases in rent – likely fuelled these destructive actions.

In November 2018, Addison Road Community Organisation (ARCO), which manages the 2.6 hectares of Crown land in Marrickville, and is itself a charitable organisation, posted an eviction notice on The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre after two years of The Bower’s non-compliance with repeat requests to remove illegal structures and dangerously stored goods, which breached fire and safety regulations.

The Bower is a charitable operation that trains

These abhorrent acts harm every organisation on this unique multicultural site people to repair worn furniture and encourages recycling and sustainability. It has won the prestigious Premier’s Award for Environmental Excellence and the Community Leadership Award at the 2016 NSW Green Globe Awards, and the Sustainability Leadership Award at the 2016 Inner West Business Environment Awards.

The notice, served in conjunction with an Inner West Council-issued Development Control Order of 23 October, required The Bower to vacate the premises by close of business Tuesday 13 November.

On Monday 19 November, ARCO changed the locks on hut 34 in the converted World War 1 army barracks complex citing The Bower’s failure to comply with the Development Control Order.

Dispute turns toxic The Bower’s general manager, Guido Verbist, told Domain property magazine: “They [ARCO] are constantly on a path to dismantle this centre to stop us operating and trading. I can’t tell you why, to tell you the truth...”

The Bower then went on a social media offensive and launched a petition on Change.org, titled “Fight for Your Right to Repair!” that has since attracted almost 17,500 signatures and raised almost $15,000 through crowd-funding to finance the Bower’s legal fight, originally scheduled for the NSW Supreme Court.

Hereafter the dispute turned toxic as anonymous supporters of The Bower began a guerrilla campaign against Addi Rd, damaging

property, making threatening phone calls and posting hate-speech over the internet.

Between December 2018 and February 2019, several acts of vandalism were committed against Addi Road vehicles and property on the site.

CCTV cameras were smashed, a fire extinguisher sprayed on the ARCO office building, a window cracked, and nails were rammed into the tyres of a staff member’s car and a van run by Food Pantry – a food charity that feeds over 1200 low-income people a week from the Addi Road building.

Hundreds of libellous comments against ARCO are prominent on the Bower’s Change.org webpage; for example: “Evidently the landlord is trying to sell off the land to developers,” “A DISGUSTING MONEYGRAB!!!,” “Such a shame ARCCO is not a responsible landlord.”

Hate speech Addi Road expressed concern that this sort of hostility, prejudice, and inaccuracy emanating from The Bower and others is not free speech, but hate speech that may encourage malicious damage.

Rosanna Barbero, Addi Road CEO, told City Hub: “We manage the lease on Addi Rd, so we’re responsible, but we’re not landlords. This vandalism is terrible. We’re a charity, so why is this going on? Who benefits?”

Some of Addi Road’s charitable highlights from 2018 include: hosting 303 community events, from fundraisers to concerts, exhibitions and workshops; 900 people fed every week with free fruit and vegies and low-cost groceries from The Food Pantry; hosting the 4th annual Public Schools Arts Festival in August for budding artists in public schools across Sydney to develop, design, showcase and display their work in a professional exhibition at the StirrUp Gallery; and over 9.6 million containers recycled at the Addi Rd Return & Earn station.

Proportionate and fair rent is also at the heart of the stand-off. Addi Road claim that The Bower is a financially profitable business, bringing in thousands of dollars a month, yet over the last decade their rent has increased marginally from $53 per week in 1998 to $400.30 per week in 2018 (this being the rent The Bower insists is their right to pay – and not the rent as per the Rent Policy, and not consistent or fair in relation to the other tenants on site).

Mark Mordue, Communications Manager for Addi Road, told City Hub: “These arguments are chewing up energy, money and goodwill. This place is a precious resource; with lots of space and very cheap rents, we’re a refuge for charities and organisations escaping market forces and indifference. Addi Rd provides the ability for users to meet, talk, share ideas and information.”

Sydney’s most experienced custom tattoo studio.

Solid quality work that lasts 1 Pemberton Street, Botany PH: (02) 9316 4565, E: contact@lighthousetattoo.com.au w: lighthousetattoo.com.au IG: lighthouse_tattoo city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

5

Hospital workers’ safety strike

By VERONICA ANASSIS Crowds of union protestors lobbied outside of Camperdown and Randwick hospitals on Thursday, on strike against unsafe working conditions. Medical and security staff, estimated at 80, stood outside their Royal Prince Alfred and Prince of Wales precincts, as part of a state-wide stand-off. Thousands rallied for their rights across 50 hospitals on the day, attracting a predicted 22,000 turn out across NSW. In- house incidents of assaults, death threats and beatings led them to stand in solidarity.

The strike lasted one hour at RPA, and up to four hours across the state.

The Health Services Union, who spearheaded the boycott, say their long standing pleas for added security personnel has been met with endless roundtables and reviews, but no real action.

“The level of violence against hospital workers is sickening” said HSU NSW Secretary, Gerard Hayes. “There are more than 40 assaults in NSW hospitals each month. In the last three years, our members have been shot, stabbed, punch, bitten and spat upon. Enough is enough.”

Their spokesperson says the Royal Prince Alfred hospital has long been the scene of escalating violence.

“In 2015, there was an all-out brawl in a geriatric ward. In January, a man was stabbed by another patient in the triage area. In May, nurses and patients were injured in an attack with scissors.

All we’ve had is protests and talk fests, and we’re fed up.”

Since the protests, City Hub can reveal there have been three different

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital staff hold up band-aid boards in defiance. Photo: Health Services Union

assaults on NSW health workers, including paramedics being assaulted and abused at Sutherland and Auburn.

“A security officer at Nepean mental ward got punched, and ended up in the emergency department himself” the HSU revealed. “And that’s just in the last 48 hours.”

The Sydney Local Health District says the turnout at RPA was closer to just two dozen, and made “no impact on care and services,” according a spokesperson.

Intimidation and misinformation NSW Health has been accused of using intimidation tactics to deter participation for days leading up to the strikes. Multiple sources confirmed to City Hub that many hospitals— including Ryde—sent out emails falsely informing staff that the strikes had been

‘called off.’ At Blacktown, a witness at the protest revealed that all participants were being actively recorded and photographed by HR personnel. Their spokesperson could not comment on how many staff were swayed by the attempts, but the event went on.

Our members have been shot, stabbed, punched, bitten and spat upon “Despite a campaign of intimidation and misinformation by the Ministry of Health, thousands of security, cleaning, catering, administration and allied health members of the HSU walked off the job for at least one hour” said Mr Hayes.

“Not just for themselves, but for everyone who visited the hospitals”

added the spokesperson for HSU. “Yes, it’s for their own safety, but it’s also for the safety of the broader community.”

Not good enough The Sydney Local Health District still maintain that sufficient measures have been taken for staff to feel safe at work, including remote locking systems, and five additional security staff at RPA. “Across NSW, $19 million has been invested to improve security at public hospitals, upgrading CCTV systems.

In addition, more than $5 million has been invested across NSW to upgrade duress alarms for staff in emergency departments,” said their spokesperson.

What’s more, on the eve of the strike, NSW Health offered to place extra security guards at two Central Coast hospitals, on a trial basis. But while the HSU appreciate the strides taken, they

claim it’s not nearly enough. Demands are for 250 security staff to metropolitan areas, proper training, elevated guard rights and an awareness campaign, to cost $50 million.

“What we’re not talking about is just getting more security guards full stop” their spokesperson told City Hub. “We want them to be trained for a clinical setting. We want them to have special constable powers, which gives them the right to retain and detain people who are acting aggressively, disturbing the peace, or being violent.”

Many protesters say NSW is still understaffed at any major hospital, and the frequency of abuse persists.

“Nurses and support staff cop death threats and threats of abuse on every shift” said a HSU supporter.

A wardsperson working at a regional hospital, even alleges she was appointed to be identifiable as security personnel, despite no prior experience or training.

“I am a full time wardsperson employed on a Health and Security pay level who has been made to wear a security uniform despite not having worked in a security role” they said. “[With] no ongoing mandatory training relevant to security made available to me, no back up, working alone, often challenged by aggression-prone patients who have previously been restrained by security.”

My Hayes portends that the campaign will only intensify if ignored, with plans to continue protests if demands aren’t met. In the meantime, their talks with NSW Health continue.

For now, they’re holding out hope.

Wicked days are numbered

BY ALEC SMART It appears the writing is finally on the wall for Wicked Campers – notorious for renting out campervans adorned with provocative sexist and homophobic graffiti - after Australian transport ministers agreed on a nationwide crackdown on any of their vehicles displaying slogans deemed ‘offensive’.

At a meeting in Adelaide on Friday 2 August, State and Federal ministers recognised the need to nationalise laws that previously only applied in a few states. South Australian Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said “This national agreement we have achieved today means we will be able to solve this problem once and for all.”

Any vehicle found displaying an offensive or obscene slogan, including sexist, homophobic and racist messages, can be referred to the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB - now known as Ad Standards) for review. If they find the slogan breaches their Code of Ethics, it would have to be removed within 14 days or the vehicle registration will be cancelled.

Examples of Wicked Campers’ slogans that have stoked anger include: A wife: an attachment you screw on the bed to get the housework done I wouldn’t trust anything that bleeds for five days and didn’t die It’s better 2 be black than gay cos u don’t have 2 tell your parents Women fake orgasm because they think men care

Enforcement issues Some states – ACT, Queensland and Tasmania - already have obscenity laws but officials can’t enforce them against a vehicle registered in another state. “We want to make sure that we close down these loopholes,” said South Australian Transport Minister Stephan Knoll, “and stop the scourge of these offensive advertising and materials on the sides of these campervans — but we need to do it in a nationally consistent approach.”

6

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

It will be interesting to see if Wicked Campers survive this crackdown and can compete on a level playing field with a multitude of other camper van rental firms. Founded in 2000 by John Webb, their business model has until now relied upon continuous courting of controversy to attract attention, whether that be their Brisbane headquarters or outlets across the Americas, Europe, South Africa and Australasia, including their Sydney base in Alexandria, behind Green Square Station.

Wicked’s business model relies upon continuous courting of controversy to attract attention Although Wicked’s supporters argue that the provocative firm’s risible-yet-repulsive comments are simply sourced from pop culture and the smutty jokes would scarcely raise an eyebrow in a comedy club, the question remains whether that humour is acceptable when it’s broadcast on a public highway.

In July 2014 women’s rights’ group Collective Shout launched a petition calling for Wicked Campers to remove offensive slogans after Sydney mum Paula Orbea was shocked her 11-year-old daughter encountered a Wicked van with the slogan: “In every princess there is a little slut who wats to try it just once.”

“I think it promotes paedophilia,” Ms Orbea said.

The petition, which attracted 120,000 signatures in just four days, led to an apology from Wicked who promised to remove ‘insensitive slogans’ – a promise they reneged upon.

Guerrilla graffiti After guerrilla graffitists began altering their vans, Wicked lashed back with a statement threatening police action; however, this encouraged more guerrilla graffiti, including New Zealand.

Lonely Planet, the world’s largest travel book publisher, then announced it would remove Wicked

Campaigners are counting the days until Wicked’s ‘offensive’ vans are off from the road. Photo: Alec Smart

Campers from the latest editions of both their Australian and New Zealand guides. “Lonely Planet is a family-friendly travel company, and there are plenty of alternatives to Wicked Campers for campervan hire in both Australia and New Zealand.”

But misogyny and homophobia are not the only tactics Wicked Campers use to provoke controversy.

In February 2011 they were condemned by animal rights activists for attaching stickers on their vehicle dashboards telling drivers “Kangaroo’s [sic], run the fuckers down!”

Wicked Campers’ founder John Webb said: “Everyone’s got a different sense of humour,” insisting the intention was to enforce a road safety message.

In December 2011 they were criticised for encouraging marijuana users to drive stoned with a promotion that included an extra day’s free rental if you admitted to being a smoker.

Between 2008 and 2019, the ASB upheld numerous complaints against Wicked Campers concerning offensive slogans and advertising.

By March 2017, Wicked became the first brand to be subjected to 100 different case investigations by the ASB. In 71 cases the ASB upheld objections and ruled against Wicked.

The tide has turned against Wicked with the new nationally coordinated laws planned. This despite the fact that owner John Webb – who started out as a Brisbane mechanic - has emigrated to a 3-storey mansion with views of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand, where councils and camping resorts are also banning Wicked.

Wicked Campers, which seldom respond to media inquiries, also ignored City Hub’s requests for comment.

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM

AUGUST 16-18 2019

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

1

7

Australia’s biggest selling ukulele songbooks And distributor of Flight Ukeleles halleonard.com.au

Members’ Library Venue Hire Talks & Events Tom Keneally Centre 2 8

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

AUGUST 16-18 2019

280 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 02 9262 7300 | http://smsa.org.au

Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts is proud to be a sponsor of the 2019 Sydney Folk Festival

A MESSAGE FROM the PRODUCER, BRIAN JONATHON As Festival Producer and President of the Folk Federation of NSW I welcome you to this celebration of folk music, song, dance, plays and poetry that is the Sydney Folk Festival 2019.

I thank our committee and all the many volunteers who have given so freely of their precious time. An event such as this is indeed a mighty achievement and would not have been possible without a dedicated team effort.

Likewise the City of Sydney and our generous sponsors

and venue partners, without whom we could never have tackled a festival of this magnitude and in this location, slap-bang within Sydney Central.

We intend to truly celebrate our organisation’s 50th anniversary next year and I would urge you to support us by becoming a member by picking up a form at the festival info desk or visiting us online at www.folkfednsw.org. au. You can also help by offering a tax deductible donation to our Folk Federation Fund.

Brian Jonathan, festival producer

Warren Fahey AM. artistic director

A message from the Artistic Director, Warren Fahey AM Welcome. The Sydney Folk Festival is a long-overdue celebration of all those musical genres that sit under the big, joyous ‘folk music’ umbrella. The term ‘folk music’ has come to represent everything from our traditional music, mostly born in the bush, through to singer songwriters who carry on the tradition of storytelling in music. It also takes in musical expressions that found their way to our country representing the streams of migration from the First Fleet through to those who arrived last week. Blues, bluegrass, jug band, a cappella and touches of jazz also sit under the same umbrella for folk music is a welcoming music beyond boundaries. We also celebrate the music of our first peoples and acknowledge the past, present and future traditional owners of the Gadigal land, where our festival is held.

The most exciting aspect of our festival is that festival goers will be about to explore so much new music. Several venues will operate simultaneously and audiences can pick and chose their own programming. There will also be a separate program of dance where you can learn the steps and have a wonderful experience in contra, set dancing, bush dancing and, if you’re game, even have a go at a Morris dance. There’s also a program of fascinating talks and mini concerts where experts in their field will discuss and demonstrate everything from the tin whistle to guitar styles. Above all I wish to thank all the participating singers, musicians and dancers who have willingly supported this festival. YOU are the spirit of the festival.

WITH THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM

AUGUST 16-18 2019

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

3

9

The next generation of folk music Folk festivals are now a firm part of the Australian live music scene.

Each one is excitingly different. We encourage you to explore them all, look at their websites and plan an adventure. Whether it’s down to Tasmania for Cygnet, up the north coast to Dorrigo, west to the Blue Mountains, further west to historic Gulgong, down the coast to Kiama, Kangaroo Valley or Cobargo, or the annual pilgrimage to the National Folk Festival in Canberra - you will find extraordinary music, friendly faces and our extended folk community.

Quiet Please. Ours is a live music festival and we ask patrons to please turn the sound off on your darned mobiles in all venues.

Hungry? Sydney’s famous Chinatown is situated very close to our festival and you’ll find hundreds of inexpensive eateries. Our two licensed venues, City Tatts and the Edinburgh Castle also have a wide variety of dining for you to explore.

CDs. Many of our artists have CDs which they will be selling after their show. Support independent music.

Wheelchair Friendly. Our festival venues are all wheelchair accessible.

Drink sensibly. We want you to have fun but patrons should drink sensibly.

Our licensed partners conduct business strictly according to licensing regulations. Underage and intoxicated persons will not be served and no alcohol is to be taken in or out of our licensed venues. Drugs of any kind will not be tolerated.

Smoking is bad for you. Our festival is a non-smoking event apart from designated areas in licensed premises.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: Your festival wristband must be worn at all times (including children).

Sound and video recordings are not permitted without agreement with the Artistic Director.

Lost property. Goods lost or found should be reported to the festival office in the SMSA Building 280 Pitt Street.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY To the extent permitted by law, the Folk Federation of NSW shall not have any liability to you beyond the face value of the ticket purchased, plus any relevant per ticket service charge. The Folk Federation shall not be liable for any loss of employment or wasted expenditure and accepts no responsibility for any personal property loss, damage or breakage howsoever occasioned.

Festival Ticket Prices

AUSTRALIA’S

FESTIVAL TICKET SALES ONLINE eventopia.co/event/SYDNEY-FOLK-FESTIVAL-The-Next-Generation-ofFolk/383051 Book online and collect your wristband tickets from our City Tatt’s desk.

Folk Music LABEL

TICKET SALES DURING THE FESTIVAL Purchase your tickets from the Festival Ticket Desk - City Tattersall’s Club 198 Pitt Street, Sydney. Sales at the festival are more expensive than online so book now.

FESTIVAL RUNNING INFORMATION • • •

Friday 16th from 5pm - 9.30pm Saturday 17th from 9am - 9.30pm Sunday 18th from 9am - 3.30pm

SEASON PASS Weekend ticket all venues 16/17/18 August

$150

SATURDAY Saturday day pass (includes Eric Bogle concert)

$90

Season pass under 16s

$75

Saturday pass under 16s

$45

FRIDAY Friday only day pass all venues

$50

SUNDAY Sunday day pass all venues

$75

Sunday pass under 16s

$38

(All quoted prices are plus booking fee)

10

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

SHEAR-

STON HERE & THERE NOW & THEN

Single show entry: Want to see just one particular show at the festival?

You can do that by purchasing a $20 one show ticket from our sales desk in the foyer of City Tatt’s Club 198 Pitt Street.

4

GARY

AUGUST 16-18 2019

An Anthology of Gary Shearston

available as downloads or CDs:

undercovermusic.com.au

Program: Friday august 16 Time

Pitt St Church

SMSA

CHURCH

MITCHELL

GADIGAL

7.00-7.45PM Mara!

7.00-7.45PM A Womans Song Rosie McDonald, Chloe Roweth, Kate Burke, Kate Delaney & Ann Palumbo

7.00-7.45PM Den Hanrahan and The Rum Runners

8.00-8.45PM Sirocco

8.00-8.45PM The Roweth Band

8.00-8.45PM Kejafi and Seanchas

9.00-9.45PM The Last Aurochs

9.00-9.45PM Elijah Wald

9.00-10.00PM 3 Jimmies Willing Ponies

7.00 pm 7.15 pm 7.30 pm

40 DEGREES SOUTH

City Tattersalls SESSION BAR

7.45 pm 8.00 pm 8.15 pm 8.30 pm

Session Bar Tunes, songs and good cheer Meet your friends at the session bar

8.45 pm 9.00 pm 9.15 pm 9.30 pm 9.45 pm 10.00 pm 10.15 pm 10.30 pm 10.45 pm 11.00 pm

10.00-11.00PM Luke Plumb and the Circuit

10.00-10.45PM The Mutual Aquaintances

HEAVE HO! The Shanty Club 10.15-11.45PM The Button Collective Session Bar open until 2.00AM

11.15 pm 11.30 pm 11.45 pm

Folk Festival Membership Offer JOIN AS A CITY TATTERSALLS CLUB SOCIAL MEMBER FOR THREE YEARS VALUED AT $10! COMPLIMENTS OF THE FOLK FESTIVAL, THIS OFFER CAN BE REDEEMED BY SHOWING YOUR FESTIVAL WRISTBAND AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE. Offer Available 16/08/19 - 18/08/19 To take advantage of this great offer, please visit the Customer Service desk with your Folk Festival Wristband to complete a membership form.

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM

AUGUST 16-18 2019

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

5

11

Program: Saturday august 17 Pitt St Church TIME

CHURCH

MITCHELL

10.00-10.45AM Senor Cabrales

10.00-10.45AM Welcome Celebration Eric Avery

10.00 AM 10.15 AM 10.30 AM

Sydney Mechanics School of Arts KENEALLY

LONGROOM

10.00-1045AM Guitar Stylist various artists

Edinburgh Castle Hotel THE EDDY

City Tattersalls NANGAMAY

10.00-1045AM The Water Runners

10.00-1045AM Victor Mishalow

11.00-11.45AM Shelley’s Murder Boys

11.00-11.45AM Cap in Hand

10.45 AM 11.00 AM 11.15AM 11.30AM

11.00-11.45AM Wang Yu Chinese Ensemble

11.45 AM 12.00 PM 12.15 PM 12.30 PM

12.00-12.45PM Riley Lee & Cliona Molins

11.00-12.15PM Young Folk Allegra Dunning Amber Stanton Megan Roweth Arlo Sim

12.45 PM 1.00 PM 1.15 PM 1.30 PM

1.00-1.45PM The Last Aurochs

12.30-2.00PM The Soul of a Poet Roweth Band

10.45-1215PM Ballad Singing Margaret Walters

1215-1.00PM My Boomerang Did Come Back Michael Alexandratos 1.00-1.45PM 40 Degrees South

11.00-11.45AM Hunter Signing Choir

12.00-12.45PM Francesca Sidoti

12.00-12.45PM Fifth Whisky & Josh Maynard

12.00-12.45PM Crow Mountain

1.00-1.45PM The Two of Us Amber Stanton Allegra Dunning

1.00-1.45PM Salt & Steel

1.00-1.45PM Bush Yarns and Bush Poetry

1.45 PM 2.00 PM 2.15 PM 2.30 PM

2.00-2.45PM Luke Plumb and The Circuit

2.00-2.45PM Charles & Yolanda

2.00-2.45PM Westminster

2.00-2.45PM Firinn

3.00-3.45PM Margaret and Bob Fagan: Songs of the Battlers

3.00-3.45PM Traditional Graffiti

3.00-3.45PM Shelley’s Murder Boys

2.15-3.00PM Elijah Wald

2.00-2.45PM Skorba

3.00-3.45PM Eric Avery

3.00-3.45PM John Kane & Andy Gordon

4.00-4.45PM Keith Potger

4.00-4.45PM Francesca Sidoti

Songs In Harmony: Denis Tracey, Kate Delaney, Justin Murphy

4.00-4.45PM Willing Ponies

4.00-4.45PM Kay Proudlove

5.00-5.45PM Senor Cabrales

5.00-5.45PM Cap in Hand

5.00-5.45PM Skorba

5.00-5.45PM The Last Aurochs

Elijah Wald, Nigel Lever, Rosie McDonald: Tune Swap

BIRRUNG

SESSION BAR

LEGENDS 10.00-1045AM Rayn & Josh Maynard Our Songs

10.00-11.30AM Wecome Dance Ryebuck Caller: Margaret Bollinger

11.00-11.45AM Postcard 11.45-1.00PM English Country Dance Short Dented Potts. Caller: David Potter

11.30AM-1.30PM Australian Dance Tunes Play Along with FolkLines

12.00-12.45PM Westminster

1.00-1.45PM Andsome Friends Joy of Singing 1.30-3.00PM Balkan Dance Balkanski Bus Caller: Jorgo Kaporis

2.00-2.45PM Strangelove

2.45 PM 3.00 PM 3.15 PM 3.30 PM 3.45 PM 4.00 PM

3.00-4.45PM Moussa Diakite & Wassado

4.15 PM 4.30 PM

4.00-4.45PM

3.00-3.45PM Fiddlers Four

3.15-4.30 Irish Dance Anne O’Donovan Band Callers: Margaret Winnett & Bill Winnett

4.00-.445PM Bad Kitty & The Alley Cats

4.45 PM 5.00 PM 5.15 PM 5.30 PM

5.15-6.15PM Balkanski Bus

5.00-5.45PM

5.00-5.45PM Stu Tyrrell PLAY, DANCE, EAT CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS The Session Bar is OPEN ALL DAY ALL NIGHT till 2.00AM

5.45 PM 6.00 PM

6.00-6.45PM John Kane & Andy Gordon

6.15 PM 6.30 PM 6.45 PM 6.00 PM

6.00-6.45PM Myles Joseph

6.00-6.45PM Francesca Sidoti

6.00-6.45PM The Mutual Acquaintances

6.30-7.30PM Chaika 7.00-7.45PM Kay Proudlove

7.15 PM 7.30 PM

7.00-7.45PM Crow Mountain 7.00-8.30PM The Roweth Band

7.45 PM 8.00 PM

8.00-8.45PM The Water Runners

8.15 PM 8.30 PM 8.45 PM 9.00 PM

8.00-10.00PM Eric Bogle Band

9.15 PM 9.30 PM

8.00-9.30PM Celtic Fling Kejafi and Seanchas 8.45-10.15PM Den Hanrahan & The Rum Runners

9.45 PM 10.00 PM 10.15 PM 10.30 PM 10.45PM 11.00PM

12

6.00-6.45PM Keith Potger

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

10.30-midnight The Button Collective

6.00-6.45PM Rayn & Josh Maynard

7.00-7.45PM Salt & Steel 7.30-9.30PM Evening Dance Folklines Caller: Claire Stoneman All your favourite bush dances

8.00-8.45PM JOCEAN

Program: Sunday august 18 Sydney Mechanics School of Arts TIME 10.00 AM 10.15 AM 10.30 AM

MITCHELL 10.00-10.45AM Margaret and Bob Fagan

11.15AM

11.00-11.45AM Chaika

11.30AM

Edinburgh Castle Hotel

City Tattersalls

KENEALLY

LONGROOM

THE EDDY

NANGAMAY

LEGENDS

GADIGAL

BIRRUNG

10.00-11.00AM Convict Voice

10.00-10.45AM Songs for the Planet: Various Performers

10.00-1100AM Drover’s Dog Poet’s and Yarn Tellers Breakfast

10.00-10.45AM Andsome Friends Joy of Singing

10.00-10.45AM Victor Mishalow

10.00-10.45AM Tradtional Graffiti

11.00-11.45AM Spasm

11.00-11.45AM The Three Jimmies

11.00-11.45AM Luke Plumb & The Circuit

10.00-11.30AM Contra Dance Pastrami on Ryebuck Caller: Julie Bishop

10.45 AM 11.00 AM

STRANGELOVE

11.00-11.45AM Jo Henwood Storyteller

11.00-11.45AM John Spillane & Wayne Miller Whistleblowers

11.15-12.00PM The Bottlers

11.45 AM 12.00 PM 12.15PM 12.30 PM 12.45 PM

12.00-1.00PM Stories of the Blues Elijah Wald

12.00-12.45PM Myles Joseph

12.00-12.45PM Open Tune Guitar Kate Burke

1.00-2.00PM John Kane and Andy Gordon

1.00-1.45PM Marcus Holden

1.00-1.45PM Mandolin Magic Luke Plumb & Nigel Lever

1.00 PM 1.15 PM 1.30 PM

12.15-1.00PM Salt and Steel

1.15-2.00PM Firinn

12.00-12.45PM Strangelove

12.00-1245PM The Mutual Acquaintances

1.00-1.45PM Stu Tyrell

1.00-1.45PM The Water Runners

12.00-1.15PM “Barbecued Bogle” Conversation with Thomas Keneally

1.45PM 2.00 PM 2.15 PM 2.30 PM 2.45 PM 3.00 PM 3.15 PM

2.00-3.30PM Dead Men Talking Henry Lawson (Max Cullen) Banjo Paterson (Warren Fahey) Leviticus Bar & Grill

2.00-2.45PM Rayn

2.00-2.45PM Seanchas

3.00-3.45PM Allegra Dunning

3.00-3.45PM Crow Mountain

3.30 PM 3.45 PM 4.00 PM 4.15 PM 4.30 PM

3.45-4.45PM Send the City Sunshine Bernard Bolan Tribute Concert Denis Tracey, Kate Delaney & Justin Murphy

5.15 PM 5.30 PM

5.00-5.45PM Sydney Songsters Songs and Ditties about the Emerald City

2.00-2.45PM Cap in Hand

3.00-3.45PM Kejafi

3.00-3.45PM Bad Kitty & The Alley Cats

3.30-4.15PM The Shanty Club and 40 Degrees South 4.00-4.45PM Railway Songs Dave Johnson

4.45 PM 5.00 PM

2.15-3.15PM Luke Plumb & The Circuit

2.00-2.45PM Arlo Sim

5.00-5.45PM Charles and Yolanda

4.00-4.45PM Victor Mishalow 4.30-5.45PM Bluegrass Blast All Stars Bluegrass Band

4.00-4.45PM Myles Joseph

4.00-4.45PM Fifth Whiskey

5.00-5.45PM JOCEAN

5.00-5.45PM Spasm

1.30-3.30PM Reedy River The legendary 1952 musical returns

6.15 PM 6.30 PM 6.45 PM

6.00-7.30PM Woodstock The Roweth Band and Friends

11.45-1.15PM Interesting Dances Short Dented Potts Caller: David Potter

4.00-5.30PM Celtic Hooley ft. Traditional Touch. Plus dancer Rachael Gallagher

6.00-8.00PM Celebration Concert The Last Aurochs Den Hanrahan & The Rum Runners

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM

11.30-1.30PM Australian Dance Tunes Play Along

1.30-3.00PM Scottish Ceili James GastineauHill & Friends Caller: Don Richmond

3.15-4.30PM World Dance Party Sirocco

5.45 PM 6.00 PM

SESSION BAR

PLAY, DANCE, EAT CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS The Session Bar is OPEN ALL DAY ALL NIGHT till 2.00AM

4.15PM onwards Saplings - a play along tune session of Australian tunes for young folk. Bring your instruments.

AUGUST 16-18 2019

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

7

13

Artist Lineup 40 DEGREES SOUTH is a Sydney-based group which has maintained a tradition of unaccompanied singing since 1988. With strong maritime and industrial themes, their robust songs tell of real people, their lives and work – as well as songs just for the love of singing! Margaret Walters, Thomas Hanson Don Brian & Chris Maltby.

Take a deep dive down to Davy Jones’ locker in story and song in their themed show The Sailor’s Fate: “it’s better to drown than wait to be hung”.

Keneally, Saturday 1-1.45pm The Eddy, Sunday 3.30-4.15pm

A WOMAN’S SONG. Rosie McDonald, Kate Delaney, Chloe Roweth, Ann Palumbo and Kate Burke. A celebration in song of women with songs, old and new, about women.

Mitchell, Friday 7-7.45pm

ALLEGRA DUNNING performs a mix of familiar songs and breathtaking originals.

She writes songs about experiences, emotions and things we fear, with a distinctive folk/Americana feel. A multi instrumentalist playing drums, piano and ukulele. Winner of the 2018 Young Folk Award. with Amber Stanton: Mitchell, Saturday 11am-12:15pm Longroom, Saturday 1-1.45pm Solo: Keneally, Sunday 3-3.45pm

AMBER STANTON, from Sydney, is young and already an accomplished performer. She writes songs that tell of life from a young girl’s perspective and plays keyboard and ukulele. with Allegra Dunning: Mitchell, Saturday 11am-12.15pm Longroom, Saturday 1-1.45pm

ANDSOME FRIENDS. Sydney a cappella group formed in 2009 to record and perform Miguel Heatwole’s original compositions and arrangements. They continue to spread the joy of singing. Sophie Moore, Lisa Stewart, Kylie Willows, Sally-Anne Brown, Dallas de Brabander, Jeanette Freeman, Lisa Vincent, Jess Ciampa, Terry Clinton, Michael Handy, Theo Backer, Miguel Heatwole Legends, Saturday 1-1.45pm Nangamay, Sunday 11.30am-1.30pm

ANNE O’DONOVAN & THE CEILI PLAYBOYS are a rip-roaring, foot-tapping band playing traditional Irish dance tunes. The Playboys consist of James Palethorpe, Eoin O’Keefe, Gralham Scott, Alan Blakelock and Alex Bishop.

ARLO SIM. From Sydney’s inner west, and currently in his final year at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, 17 year-old Arlo comes from a musical family and has been passionate in exploring his musical ability from a very young age. He even has a famous name! Arlo’s unique tone, influenced by singers from The Fleet Foxes to local songwriter and singer Lior, gives him the ability to express his thoughts and ideas through his own songs.

Mitchell, Saturday 11am-12.15pm Nangamay, Sunday 2-2.45pm

BAD KITTY & THE ALLEY CATS. Three fine vocalists who accompany themselves with guitar bass and percussion. The music is pure melody and rhythm with layered harmonies (no safety net). It’s the real deal in real time.

Legends, Saturday 4-4.45pm Legends, Sunday 3-3.45pm

BALKANSKI BUS plays the social dance and wedding music of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Greece, Turkey and Romany Gypsies on a range of traditional and electric instruments. Viktor Atanasoski – guitar. Ian Carswell – percussion, clarinet. Linda Dawson – vocals, percussion.

Vasili Haralambous – gaida (bagpipe), supelka/frula (whistle), gadulka (bowed lute), 8 14

percussion. Yorgo Kaporis – vocals, percussion. Ivailo Karamanliev – kaval. Peter Kouvelis – tulum (bagpipe), percussion. Linda Marr – vocals, percussion. Graham Witt – tambura (small lute), truba (horn), bass.

Birrung, Saturday 1.30-3pm Church, Saturday 5.15-6.15pm

BERNARD BOLAN TRIBUTE CONCERT. A salute to one of Australia’s most-loved folk songwriters. They tell of the Rose Bay Ferry, Australia Square, The Sydney Opera House and gnomes in the bottom of the garden. Led by Denis Tracey, Kate Delaney & Justin Murphy and Margaret & Bob Fagan, Jane Campbell, Eric Bogle, Maggie Murphy, Lawrence Osborne, Brian Jonathon, Rhonda Mawer and Warren Fahey.

And Bernard will be there!

Mitchell, Sunday 3.45-4.45

BLACK JOAK is Sydney’s morris dance group and was founded in 2004. The Joakers have grown into one of the biggest and busiest morris sides in Australia. They uphold the ritualist (and very energetic) folk dance traditions of England and maintain the Australian link for this age-old tradition which, in Australia, dates back to our early colonial era.

BLUEGRASS & NEWGRASS. Interpreters of bluegrass with a distinctive Australian perspective and sound. 3 Jimmies - Flat pick guitar, soaring mandolin and dobro - and a common love of bluegrass. Willing Ponies.

Sydney’s country and bluegrass/folk-rock band with influences including Gram Parsons, Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Union Station, Bela Fleck and other legends.

Gadigal, Friday 9-10pm

BLUEGRASS BLAST! A stellar line-up of our leading bluegrass artists. This is going to be quite something! Nigel Lever (Mandolin Guitar). Ricky Pannowitz (vocals & guitar) Jimmy Rush (Guitar) Quentin Fraser (Dobro & Guitar) John Lee (fiddle) Martin Lois (Banjo) William Lois (banjo, Guitar, Mandolin) Danielle Vita (Fiddle) Ben Thomas Maybe with Megan (Banjo mandolin, vocals) Banjo Princess Jenny Shimmin and Paul Abrahams (Bass) The Eddy, Sunday 4.30-5.45pm

THE BOTTLERS: a hard playing, all acoustic, folk punk band hailing from Sydney.

Definitely not your ordinary run-of-the-mill bush band!

The Eddy, Sunday 11.15am-12pm

BUSH POET’S BREAKFAST. A folk festival tradition and we just had to have one.

Reciters will entertain with old bush ballads and new rhyming verse to scare the chooks from laying for a week. Ringmaster Big Russ will preside.

The Eddy, Sunday 10-11am

BUSH YARNS AND BUSH POETRY ‘FREE FOR ALL’ SESSION. Come along and tell a real ‘leg pulling yarn’ or recite your favourite bush poem.

Nangamay, Saturday 1-1.45pm

THE BUTTON COLLECTIVE delivers a combo of original songs written by singer Brodie Buttons, and their own fiery versions of traditional Irish, Australian, and old-time American tunes. Heartfelt finger-picking to full-blown high energy party-folk. Brodie Buttons - Jake Pember - Andrew Rickert - Jennifer Hankin - Joe Glover. Brodie Button’s guitar-driven songs are backed by double bass, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, flute, harmonica, and rich multi-layered vocal harmonies.

Gadigal, Friday 10.15-11.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 10.30-midnight

CAP IN HAND. Dave Spira plays exquisite finger style acoustic guitar in a range of open tunings. Nigel ‘Muddy’ Waters is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist (cello mandolin, guitar, dulcimer, harmonica, piano, spoons and more).

Keneally, Saturday 5-5.45pm Nangamay, Saturday 11-11.45am Legends, Sunday 2-2.45pm

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

AUGUST 16-18 2019

The Button Collective

CHAIKA. Australia’s leading world music group. Chaika’s musicians have worked with an impressive roster including Nicky Bomba, Monsieur Camembert, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and London’s Bulgarian Choir. Laura Bishop, Laura Altman, Susie Bishop, Emily-Rose Sarkova, Johan Delin & Rendra Freestone. Cinematic genre-blending music inspired by Balkan vibrancy, Turkish markets, Celtic stories, and Australia’s own stunning landscapes.

Church, Saturday 6.30-7.30pm Mitchell, Sunday 11-11.45am

CHARLES AND YOLANDA. Charles is 92 years young and a passionate ukulele virtuoso in addition to being a four-time Walkley-winning illustration artist. Yolanda is a sweet jazz singer and together they play songs from 1900 through the bebop and jazz era to now. With Paul Abrahams.

Longroom, Saturday 2-2.45pm Keneally, Sunday 5-5.45pm

CLAIRE STONEMAN is an established teacher of traditional Australian dances based in Canberra. Together with the musicians in Folklines, she brings to you the authentic dances that she and the band have collected from historical sources.

Showcasing the bush dance tradition reels, polkas, waltzes and schottisches.

CLIONA MOLINS AND RILEY LEE. Riley Lee is a Japanese shakuhachi master musician and Cliona Molins is one of Australia’s most accomplished harpists. Cliona and Riley combine their distinguished knowledge of two ancient instruments from distinct cultural backgrounds. Riley is the recipient of two of the oldest and most venerated lineages of traditional shakuhachi, which can be traced back to the Zen Buddhist komusô, or “priests of nothingness” of the Edo period in Japan.

Church, Saturday 12-12.45pm

CROW MOUNTAIN is an Australian old-time country and folk band performing original, traditionally flavoured tunes of unnerving honesty and effortless beauty. Drawing on their Blue Mountains roots, Megan Legg (mandolin) and Ben Thomas (banjo and guitar), performing alongside John Lee (fiddle) and Paul Abrahams (double bass), blend old-time, bluegrass instrumentation with honey-dipped harmonies, painting portraits of human frailty and grit, sorrow and strength, love and redemption.

Nangamay, Saturday 12-12.45pm Nangamay, Saturday 7-7.45pm Longroom, Sunday 3-3.45pm

DAVE JOHNSON. Who doesn’t like a good railway song! Dave Johnson, a veteran of bush music, is a keen rail enthusiast and he will share songs and stories from the Australian railway. Dave and Ray Mulligan will also lead a slow tunes session in the Session bar on Saturday and Sunday - this is your opportunity to bring your musical instrument and learn some good old

dance tunes.

Keneally, Sunday 4-4.45pm

DAVID POTTER is an established teacher of English Country Dances and will get you moving like Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet with music provided by Short Dented Potts.

DEAD MEN TALKING. Henry Lawson (Max Cullen) and Banjo Paterson (Warren Fahey) bring their hit musical play to the festival.

Set in the Leviticus Bar & Grill, Heaven’s Gate, the two celebrated poets catch up on old times, changed circumstance and their infamous war of words. “Cullen and Fahey joyfully bring the two poets to life.” (ABC TV News) Mitchell Theatre, Sunday 2-3.30pm

DEN HANRAHAN – with his band THE RUM RUNNERS – seasoned musos Matt Nightingale (double bass), Peter Logue (accordion), Zena Armstrong (bodhran) and Gleny Rae Virus (fiddle). Den’s music is a compendium of ballads, anthems and reckless laments from his songbook of the open road. Featuring guitar, fiddle, accordion, upright bass and bodhran.

Gadigal, Friday 7-7.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 8.45-10.15pm Gadigal, Sunday 6-8pm

DENIS TRACEY/KATE DELANY/JUSTIN MURPHY. Three singers with voices that meld into wonderful songs and arrangements. Apart from headlining the Bernard Bolan tribute concert the trio will enchant with their concert of songs old and new.

Longroom, Saturday 4-4.45pm

DON AND SUE BRIAN have researched the history of Norfolk Island and in the process discovered a number of songs which help us reassess the life of convicts in that place often described as ‘Botany Bay’s Botany Bay’. They are joined by Sue & Pete McMahon.

Keneally, Sunday 10-11am

DON RICHMOND calling Scottish dances.

Don has long experience with a wide range of dance styles and is joined by James Gastineau-Hill and friends who will delight with their wonderful playing of Scottish reels, jigs and strathspeys.

ELIJAH WALD started playing guitar at age seven, went to New York at age 17 to study with Dave Van Ronk, and spent much of the next 20 years hitchhiking and performing all over North America and Europe, as well as much of Asia and Africa, including several months studying with Congolese guitar masters Jean-Bosco Mwenda & Edouard Masengo.

He has worked as an accompanist to Van Ronk, Eric Von Schmidt, & string band master Howard Armstrong.

Mitchell, Friday 9-9.45pm Mitchell, Saturday 2.15-3pm Nangamay, Saturday 5-5.45pm (Tune Swap with Nigel Lever and Rosie McDonald) Mitchell, Sunday 12-1.15pm

ERIC AVERY is a Ngiyampaa, Yuin, Bandjalang and Gumbangirr artist. Eric plays the violin, dances and composes music.

Working with his family’s custodial songs he seeks to revive and continue on an age-old legacy – continuing the tradition of singing in his tribe – utilising his talents to combine and create an experience of his people’s culture.

Mitchell, Saturday 3-3.45pm

ERIC BOGLE. His songs have been recorded by artists as varied as Joan Baez, Mary Black, Donovan, Slim Dusty, John Williamson, The Dubliners, Peter Paul and Mary, Billy Bragg, The Pogues and The Dropkick Murphys, just to name a few. That aside, his songs always seem to sound better when he sings them! Eric Bogle – guitar and vocals Emma Woolcock – fiddle Peter Tichener – guitar, vocals Jon Jones – percussion. Eric Bogle sings songs that tear at the heartstrings and tickle the funny bone.

Not to be missed.

Church, Saturday 8-10.30pm Gadigal, Sunday 12-1.15pm

FIDDLER’S FOUR. From the Central Coast, these four young players are already champions of music on banjo, concertina and tin whistles. The Fiddlers Four (Hannah 17, Luke 15, Emma 14 & Zac 12) grew up on the Central Coast where they play Irish and bush music together. They all play the fiddle and concertina, whilst Luke specialises on the banjo and Emma and Zac the tin whistle.

Legends, Saturday 3-3.45pm

FIRINN. Traditional melodies on the pipes and low whistle mash up with swirling electric guitar and big rolling grooves. Add some thumping beats and a rowdy stage caper and Fìrinn create a fiery dance floor, delivering a hot take on ancient and modern Scottish folk tunes. Hailing all the way from the pristine eastern beaches of Sydney to the grimy inner west. Tom Morris, Vindan Manomohan, Andrew Dimitri & Nick Emery.

Nangamay, Saturday 2-2.45pm The Eddy, Sunday 1.15-2pm

FOLKLINES is a group of musicians dedicated to keeping the Australian bush dance tradition alive. Dave Johnson, Ralph Pride and Ray Mulligan are stalwarts of the Bush Music Club and have devoted many years to hunting out lovely, lively Australian dance tunes. They are joined by Paula and Peter Percival.

Session Bar, Saturday 11.30am-1.30pm

FRANCESCA SIDOTI is a mountains-bred songwriter. Her music reflects the Blue Mountains she comes from; it’s eccentric, prone to quick changes of style, and can occasionally stop you in your tracks.

Longroom, Saturday 12-12.45pm Keneally, Saturday 4-4.45pm Longroom, Saturday 6-6.45pm

HUNTER SIGNING CHOIR. From various Hunter Valley NSW high schools, this 18 member ensemble, all with hearing disabilities, will sign and sing joy into your hearts.

Longroom, Saturday 11-11.45am

IRISH HOOLEY. Presented in association with the Irish National Association, Sydney, and featuring Traditional Touch & champion dancer, Racheal Gallagher.

Gadigal, Sunday 4-5.30pm

JAMES GASTENEAU HILLS is the most beautiful fiddle player and will delight you with his Scottish jigs, reels and strathspeys.

(You will also see him at the festival as one third of the Irish band Kejafi). He is joined

by Sean Valenzuela in the dance program.

Birrung, Sunday 1.30-3pm

JO HENWOOD has been telling stories of Sydney as an accredited storyteller with the NSW Storytelling Guild, and as a tour guide delivering history and ghost tours, for over 20 years.

Keneally, Sunday 1100-1145am

JOCEAN (Josh Coyte) is a singer songwriter from Shellharbour. He performs as a duo with percussionist Big Beats Brucey on the beats. Together they form a dynamic duo of blended high energy percussive acoustic guitar and rhythmic beats of djembe and cajon.

Legends, Saturday 8-8.45pm Nangamay, Sunday 5-5.45pm

JOHN KANE & ANDY GORDON. Ry Cooder meets the Delmore Bros with a bit of John Hiatt and Doc Watson thrown in, utilising two voices, several Gibson guitars, Martin guitars, old time banjo, and mandolin.

Gadigal, Friday 9-10pm Mitchell, Saturday 1-2pm Keneally, Saturday 3-3.45pm

JOSH MAYNARD. Winner of the Folk Federation of NSW’s Young Folk Artist of the Year Award. Josh hails from Cowra in the NSW West and cites his influences as being varied but definitely include Australian acoustic songwriters Shane Howard, Missy Higgins and John Butler.

Legends, Saturday 10-10.45am The Eddy, Saturday 12-2.45pm Legends, Saturday 6-6.45pm

JULIE BISHOP returned from San Francisco in 1990 infected with a love of American contra dance that she learned over there.

Since then she has been spreading the contra dance bug far and wide. Sydney’s Queen of Contra.

KATE BURKE has been singing and performing as a multi-instrumentalist for many years, and has won much acclaim as a member of Irish/Australian traditional band Trouble in the Kitchen.

Longroom, Sunday 12-12.45pm

KAY PROUDLOVE. Engaging, emotional and witty, Kay is an indie-folk singer-songwriter with a remarkably agile, engaging, honest, soul-bearing voice and a wry, dryice sense of humour. With a live performance style that is much like being invited into her lounge room, her songs are truly stories set to melody, by turns relatable, humorous and heartbreaking.

Mitchell, Saturday 7-7.45pm Nangamay, Saturday 4-4.45pm

KEITH POTGER, known to countless people worldwide as a founding member of The Seekers, has been performing solo concerts since 2004. He has recorded three albums of his original songs, presenting selection of these together with some Seekers favourites in his solo performances. The festival is betting you will want to sing along and discover some new songs.

A legend!

Mitchell, Saturday 4-4.45pm Nangamay, Saturday 6-6.45pm

KEJAFI are inspired by the music (and whisky) from the Scottish highlands and islands. Kejafi plays traditional and original tunes and songs on duelling fiddles and Irish bouzouki that will have your feet tapping and hands clapping. Fiddle player Fiona McVicar. Ken O’Neill guitar and Irish bouzouki. James Gastineau-Hills fiddle.

Kitchen, w/ Ruth Hazleton) combine their formidable instrumental and vocal skill with world class experience in traditional music arrangement to create a new traditional sound.

The Eddy, Sunday 2.15-3.15pm

LUKE PLUMB & THE CIRCUIT consists of a searing frontline of mandolin and the prodigious talents of jazz trumpeter Eamon McNelis, and is driven by a powerhouse rhythm section from Kate Burke (Guitar) and Robyn Martin(Double Bass). This is music that is new while being drawn from tradition, improvisatory while working within a framework of musically intricate composition. World renowned mandolin virtuoso Luke Plumb, and the cream of Australia’s acoustic musicians, create a new music melding folk, ethnic traditions, rock and jazz. “Enough imagination and innovation to inspire a new generation … folk music of breathtaking originality,” Bruce Elder – SMH. Church, Friday 10-10.45pm Church, Saturday 2-2.45pm Gadigal, Sunday 11-11.45am

MANDOLIN MAGIC. Nigel Lever and Luke Plumb are two of Australia’s master mandolinists. Both are in high demand for recordings and both come from a different musical perspective. This workshop concert will explore the instrument and the music. Two of Australia’s leading mandolin stylists, Nigel Lever and Luke Plumb, get together to demonstrate some of their playing and talk about the music they love.

Longroom, Sunday 1-1.45pm

MARA! “The Dom Perignon of our World Music Bands” – SMH. This world-famous group fuses world music with modern jazz expressionism, adding influences from rock to early music, while journeying through Anglo-Celtic, middle Eastern, Balkan and Mediterranean traditions. Mara Kiek – vocals and percussion Llew Kiek – guitar, bouzouki, baglama. Sandy Evans – tenor & soprano saxophones.

Lloyd Swanton – double bass. Paul Cutlan – alto & soprano saxophones, clarinets Church, Friday 7-7.45pm

MARCUS HOLDEN. Multi-instrumentalist, record producer and session musician.

The Life & Tunes Ray Schoeffel. Marcus Holden, will be playing a session based on the late Ray Schloeffel’s fiddle music.

Keneally, Sunday 1-1.45pm

MARGARET AND BILL WINNETT have spent over half a century immersing themselves in traditional Irish dancing and their vast repertoire of dances ensures that newcomers can fit in easily.

MARGARET AND BOB FAGAN hail from the Blue Mountains and began their musical journey together in Canberra in the late 1960s. They are firm favourites at major festivals around Australia, both as a duo and as members of The Fagans.

Their strong blend of politically-edged traditional and contemporary songs com-

Gadigal, Friday 8-8.45pm Mitchell, Saturday 8-9.30pm Nangamay, Sunday 3-3.45pm

Longroom, Saturday 3-3.45pm Mitchell, Sunday 10-10.45am

MARGARET BOLLIGER will teach good old Aussie bush dances and maybe a surprise or two to the music of Ryebuck Bush Band.

MEGAN ROWETH is the daughter of Chloe and Jason Roweth of The Roweth band.

She has had music and poetry and stories in her life since the cradle. Megan is our youngest bush poet.

Mitchell, Saturday 11am-12.15pm

MICHAEL KOPP/FIFTH WHISKEY. Fifth Whiskey is an amalgamation of acoustic, indie, jazz, country and blues influences from Sydney based producer and musician Michael Kopp - vocals, guitar, loop pedals and percussion. His songs can be described as “late night drunken love stories in a dark smoky room”.

Legends, Sunday 4-4.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 12-12.45pm

MOUSSA DIAKITE & WASSADO. Moussa is a legend of Afrobeat dance music and was part of Mali’s generation of pioneering musicians in the 1970s and ’80s. Composing and performing music heavily influenced by the Wassoulou styles of southwestern Mali.

Following a formative period in the Ivory Coast playing with Les Ambassaduers de Bouke and Le Super International Band de La Ba Sosshe, Moussa returned to Mali in 1979 as Lead guitarist with the seminal Super Rail Band de Bamako. Moussa also played and toured with the legendary Toumani Diabate’s Yanga Orchestra before becoming lead guitarist for international star and the voice of Africa, Salif Keita.

Moussa Diakite – guitar maestro, vocalist and songwriter. Philippe Lincy – percussion. Len Samperi – bass guitar and vocals.

Junior Jones – drums & Patricia Alvarez – keyboard and vocals Church, Saturday 3-4.45pm

THE MUTUAL ACQUAINTANCES is a threepiece ensemble performing new and traditional Anglo-Irish music which is evocatively haunting in its rare and often raw beauty. Ian Barker – voice, guitar. Lucas Critchley – percussion, guitar, bass. Brett Guyer – uilleann pipes and whistles & Michael Spencer – accordion, whistles, voice Mitchell, Friday 10-10.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 6-6.45pm Legends, Sunday 12-12.45pm

MYLES JOSEPH’S songs explore psychological and social themes in a style that combines Irish roots with classical singing and British and American folk influences.

He has a lilting classically trained tenor voice which he uses to good effect in a combination of ballads and airs which are both moving and engaging.

Keneally, Saturday 6-6.45pm Keneally, Sunday 12-12.45pm Nangamay, Sunday 4-4.45pm

POET’S BREAKFAST. A tradition at folk festivals across Australia. A chance to recite a bush classic or a self-penned poem.

Always a lively session.

The Eddy, Sunday 10-11am

POSTCARD. Here’s your chance to singalong to some of the world’s most famous old songs. Sue & Pete McMahon and Kim Short of Postcard offer up musicals, wartime songs and tunes to warm the cockles of your heart. Come along and singalong.

THE LAST AUROCHS play a fusion of Celtic music from all over Europe, with repertoire ranging from oral French and Iberian traditions to inventive traditional music. Playing French, Spanish, Portuguese, Irish and Scottish tunes, with lots of original compositions and arrangements, the music is steeped in the past yet firmly set in the 21st century. Carissa Lee. James SlackSmith. João Almeida. Léo Garnier.

Legends, Saturday 11-11.45am

RAYN is a young singer-songwriter with a unique creative voice. There must be something special in the air in the Blue Mountains.

Born in the Blue Mountains and growing up in Sydney, drawing his music from folk roots, indie rock and some Middle Eastern improvisation, Rayn’s songs explore the natural state of living and encourage us to stay connected with our dreams.

Church, Friday 9-9.45pm Church, Saturday 1-1.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 5-5.45pm Gadigal, Sunday 6-8pm

LUKE PLUMB & KATE BURKE. Masters of their craft, Luke Plumb (Shooglenifty, Andy Irvine) and Kate Burke (Trouble in the

bined with lyrical ballads and great choruses is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

Moussa Diakate

Legends, Saturday 10-10.45am Legends, Saturday 6-6.45pm Keneally, Sunday 2-2.45pm

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM

AUGUST 16-18 2019 city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

9 15

SEANCHAS (pronounced Shenehas) is the Gaelic for “folklore, old tales, ancient history, tradition”. Australian Celtic Folk at its best.

This is a supergroup of outstanding musicians. With Rosie McDonald, Fiona McVicar of Black Water and KeJaFi (vocals & fiddle to-die for), Ken O’Neil, from Ireland and Kejafi (Irish bouzouki and guitar) and Anthony Woolcott from Triantan (vocals and bodhran). Exquisite instrumentation and multi-layered vocal harmonies bring the old and mysterious tales and tunes to life.

Longroom, Sunday 2-2.45pm

Salt & Steel REEDY RIVER directed by Tony Guyot (Blood’nBone Theatre) The Iconic Australian Musical. Blood’n Bone Theatre directed

by Tony Guyot. Reedy River successfully brought the Australian bush to the city when in 1953 the Australian folk musical about the 1891 Australian shearers’ strike became a theatrical hit. Band: Cath Sullivan, Cathy Rytmeister. Cast & band: Pete Jenner, Deb Jones. Cast: Greg Thompson, Kitty Allen, Chris Maltby, Sarah Berry, Alec Farrow, Nick Whiley, Barry Blanchard, Lisa Stewart, Michael Handy, Roxane McDonald, Meredith Knight, Tony Guyot, Rachael Adamson, Roy Rankin. Stage Crew: Kirsten Anker Gadigal, Sunday 1.30-3.30pm

ROSIE MCDONALD is an established Sydney based singer/guitarist who brings the spirit of true folk music to the fore with performances at numerous festivals over the past 15 years with the groups Mothers of Intention, RAPT, Seanchas, Folklore, the Hippy Trippy band and in a duo with partner, Bluegrass mandolinist, Nigel Lever.

Nangamay, Saturday 5-5.45pm (Tune Swap with Nigel Lever and Elijah Wald)

SEÑOR CABRALES. Hand-crafted from arcane regional components, Señor Cabrales is unique, pungent and not for the faint-hearted. Nick Rigby: bouzouki. Roger Hargraves: fiddle. Ian Stewart: flute, whistle. Juan Cordero: gaita, whistle.

Bruce Cameron: mandolin. Jim McWhinnie: bodhran.

Church, Saturday 10-10.45am Mitchell, Saturday 5-5.45pm

SESSION BAR. An informal venue where you will experience wild music. Bring your instruments and join in the sessions.

THE SHANTY CLUB. Led by a few salty voices, and ‘Captain’ Rob Boddington, the main force of The Shanty Club is that everyone sings and knows the refrains to the great legacy of the age of sail. Great fun and why not! Belay there!

Session Bar, Friday 7pm-midnight The Eddy, Sunday 3.30-4.15pm

SHELLEY’S MURDER BOYS. Playing energetic old-time favourites, dark folk classics and originals inspired by the trials and tribulations of our very strange times, SMB will be sure to transport you on an old-time adventure with fiddle, banjo and guitar.

Shelley Eeves, Joe Glover, Jimmy Murray & Jake Pember Nangamay, Saturday 3-3.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 11-11.45am

Mitchell, Friday 8-8.45pm Mitchell, Saturday 12.30-2pm The Eddy, Saturday 7-8.30pm The Eddy, Sunday 6-7pm

SHORT DENTED POTS is one of our featured dance accompanist groups. A quirky band consisting of Kim Short, Leo Dent and Cathy Potter who often love to put interesting or unusual tunes to the dances that David Potter selects.

SIROCCO. Australia’s pioneer world music band, formed in 1980, has risen from the ashes of the past like a musical phoenix, to return, briefly, for performances at the Sydney Folk Festival. Sirocco, over its life, produced several award-winning recordings, toured extensively across Australia and the globe, and now, at the festival’s invitation has reunited the four original members: Guy Madigan, Andrew de Teliga, Michael Atherton and Bill O’Toole.

RYEBUCK BUSH BAND AND PASTRAMI ON RYEBUCK. As Ryebuck, these are Sydney’s longest established bush band and, with Margaret Bolliger as caller, have been playing for bush dances since Moses was a boy. They started playing American contra music almost 30 years ago with Julie Bishop calling contra dances to morph into Pastrami on Ryebuck. They are George Bolliger, Wally Bolliger, Ralph Pride, Craig Edmondson and Alex Bishop.

SKORBA. The band consists of John Napier, Llew Kiek, John Robinson and Andy Busuttil. With Denise Newton. Instruments played include bowed and plucked strings, winds, percussion and strong vocals. Songs are sung in English, Maltese and Turkish and there is a narrative that accompanies this particular set of concerts that focus on the Ottoman Siege of Malta in 1565.

THE ROWETH BAND. Chloe and Jason Roweth (vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, tenor banjo, concertina) Bill Browne (kit drums), Jac Bradley (five string banjo, fiddle) and Matt Nightingale (bass) share an extraordinary ability to use their instruments to tell a story. The Roweth Band seamlessly combines new and old, extending our understanding of the value and power of folk music, reflecting on modern Australia with all the depth of our strong traditional roots.

Birrung, Saturday 10-11.30am

SALT & STEEL. Foot stomping rhythms and driving guitar riffs make for a live show that is nothing short of a wild and stormy ride. Salt and Steel encourage their audience to let go, be free and have a whole lot of fun. Salt and Steel are Briony Edgar on guitar and vocals and Elle Steele on drums and percussion.

Legends, Saturday 7-7.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 1-1.45pm The Eddy, Sunday 12.15-1pm

SAVE THE PLANET. Songwriters sing out to make us all think about the environment.

Contributors to our festival songwriting competition. The winner will be announced.

Mitchell, Sunday 10-10.45am

10 16

Church, Friday 8-8.45pm Birrung, Sunday 3.15-4.30pm

Legends, Saturday 2-2.45pm Nangamay, Sunday 12-12.45pm

STU TYRRELL has played the Australian Celtic Festival, Granny Smith Festival, Gulgong Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, Northern Beaches Music Festival and St Albans Folk Festival. He also won the 2016 Gulgong Folk Festival Guitar Competition with his instrumental arrangement Celtic Medley. With a voice like the bastard lovechild of David Bowie and John Schumann, award-winning guitarist and alt-country/ acoustic folk singer-songwriter Stu Tyrrell performs acoustic metal, Celtic roots and songs of disobedience and rebellion.

Legends, Saturday 5-5.45pm Nangamay, Sunday 1-1.45pm

SYDNEY SONGSTER. Various artists. A concert of songs about the fair city of Sydney in all its emerald beauty… plus a few warts.

You will be amazed how many songs have been written about the city and suburbs that we call home. As Paul Keating offered, “If you’re not living in Sydney, you’re camping out!”

Mitchell, Sunday 5-5.45pm

THE BOOMERANG DID COME BACK. Music researcher and record producer Michael Alexandratos will discuss the contentious legacy of cultural appropriation and play excerpts from rare archival recordings, including Song of the Dijeridoo, Corroboree Rock and Mine Tinkit Gibit Love.

Keneally, Saturday 12-12.45pm

THOMAS KENEALLY is one of Australia’s most popular and prolific writers, having published more than 30 novels, dramas, screenplays and books of non-fiction. His novel The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith is an Australian classic.

THE 3 JIMMIES. Jimmy Rush and Nigel Lever played for many years with the wellknown bluegrass band Acoustic Shock.

They are joined by special guest Jenny Shimmin on banjo.

Gadigal, Friday 9-10pm Legends, Sunday 11-11.45am

TRADITIONAL GRAFFITI. Great energy and an eclectic and entertaining mix of songs old and new. An eclectic mix of English traditional and contemporary folk music and American roots, blues and self-penned compositions. Great fun.

Ian “The Pump” Macintosh – slide, acoustic and electric guitars, melodeon, vocals.

John “Johnny Red Tips” Milce – percussion.

Nigel “Muddy” Walters – cello mandolin, mandolin, mouth organ, vocals.

The Eddy, Saturday 3-3.45pm Gadigal, Sunday 10-10.45am

Keneally, Saturday 2-2.45pm Longroom, Saturday 5-5.45pm

THE SOUL OF A POET. Chloë and Jason Roweth invite you to join them and the Roweth Band in savouring the power and pathos of Henry Lawson’s work with a selection of this extraordinary man’s finest poems in song and spoken word.

AUGUST 16-18 2019

Nangamay, Saturday 10-10.45am Legends, Sunday 10-10.45am Longroom, Sunday 4-4.45pm

WANG YUE CHINESE ENSEMBLE. A rare opportunity to hear authentic Chinese traditional music played on traditional instruments by masters of Chinese music. Hu Weigang: Sona & Reedpipe. Yan Xianying: Erhu & Zhongruan. Hu Lei: Dulcimer. Guo YuYing: Erhu & Gaohu. Wang Yue: Bamboo flute.

Church, Saturday 11-11.45am

THE WATER RUNNERS. From the NSW South Coast. Pull on your best boots and come see why this group has been a hit at festivals and venues from Sydney to the Snowy and beyond. John Littrich – Guitar, vocal, harmonica. Neil McCann – Banjo, mandolin, vocals. Danita Harris – Violin, vocals. Dom Littrich – Percussion, vocals & Clayton Condon – Double Bass Nangamay, Saturday 8-8.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 10-10.45pm Legends, Sunday 1-1.45pm

WESTMINSTER. Through brutally raw lyrics delivered across hypnotic rhythms and haunting melodies, Westminster has captivated audiences at numerous folk festivals and Sydney venues. Variously compared with that of Paul Simon, Glen Hansard and Hazier, Westminster’s unique brand of alternative folk draws on a range of influences across the musical spectrum. Jeremy Smith – vocals, guitar & Lindford Gilmore – saxophone, guitar Legends, Saturday 12-12.45pm The Eddy, Saturday 2-2.45pm

WHISTLEBLOWERS. The tin whistle, another instrument you can carry around in your pocket, is versatile and ever-present at folk festivals. It can be solemn, lively or dance all over a tune. This session, led by tin whistle champions, John Spillane and Wayne Miller, will teach the ins and outs of the tin whistle. Bring a C or D whistle and join in the lesson and music.

Longroom, Sunday 11-11.45am

THE WILLING PONIES is an Australian country and bluegrass/folk-rock band from Sydney. With mostly bluegrass instrumentation, an Australian twist and pop song writing, you have The Willing Ponies.

Ricky Pannowitz’s songs take people on a journey through life, love and happiness that touch the heart and soul. Ricky Pannowitz – vocals, guitar. Paul Abrahams – upright and electric bass. Nigel Lever – mandolin, vocals. Ben Thomas – banjo, vocals. Wen-Tjen Lim – fiddle Gadigal, Friday 9-10pm The Eddy, Saturday 4-4.45pm

WOODSTOCK 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT. Come singalong to Jimi Hendrix, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Joan Baez, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Band, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, Canned Heat, The Who, Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young…. and more when the Roweth Band & Rosie McDonald take you back to 1969. Guaranteed to be big FUN. YORGO KAPORIS is Sydney’s best-known teacher of International Dance and together with the music of Balkanski Bus will transport you to the wilds of Eastern Europe.

SPASM BAND. Part of the North Shore’s music scene for decades, Spasm is a mix of blues, jug band and whatever-takes-your-fancy. It’s good time music. Rhonda Mawer, Alan Meadows, Andy George and Graham Vick.

Legends, Sunday 5-5.45pm Nangamay, Sunday 11-11.45am

VICTOR MISHALOW is one of the world’s leading bandura players. He has performed widely throughout Australia, North America, South America and Europe. He has numerous recordings and books to his credit.

The Eddy, Sunday 6-7:30pm

Mitchell, Saturday 12.30-2pm

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

STRANGELOVE Irish-born, classically-trained harpist, Cliona Molins, is deeply engrossed in the music of Latin America, in particular Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil & Portugal. Her passion attracted singer & ukulele player Wendy Twibill, who was intrigued by the 4-string cuatro & vihuela instruments & their exciting rhythmic landscapes. Bassist & vocalist Pierre Luniere adds the third voice to a luscious harmony block.

Traditional Graffiti

Festival Raffle

A LOT MORE VALUABLE THAN A MEAT TRAY OR A CHOOK RAFFLE! We have over $3000 worth of prizes to give away to our lucky raffle winner!

Tickets are $5 each from festival ticket sellers.

Drawn Sunday 18th August 6pm: winner will be notified.

PRIZES: •

3 Night National Folk Festival accommodation package at OVOLO Plus dinner for 2 at Monster Restaurant

•

2 x Weekend adult National Folk Festival 2020 tickets

•

2 x Weekend tickets to St Albans Folk Festival 2020

•

Flight Concert Koa Ukulele with Bag $240

•

The Ukulele Club Songbook Vol 1 & 2 Valued $80

•

A dozen folk CDs from Rouseabout Records

Dance Program The Sydney Folk Festival is pleased to offer a two-day program of dance participation. Dancing is great fun and exercises both the body and the mind. The social dances on offer are inclusive and everyone is encouraged to come along and join in. The live bands will provide music to get those feet moving and the experienced dance teachers will encourage everyone to join the fun.

There are a wide variety of dance styles from different countries to enjoy. Never danced folk before? This is your opportunity to learn and have great fun.

Margaret Bolliger will teach good old Aussie bush dances and maybe a surprise or two to the music of Ryebuck Bush Band.

David Potter is an established teacher of English Country Dances and will get you moving like Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet with music provided

by Short Dented Potts.

Yorgo Kaporis is Sydney’s best-known teacher of International Dance and together with the music of Balkanski Bus will transport you to the wilds of Eastern Europe. The dance group Dusha Balkana will start with a 10

SATURDAY 17 AUGUST 2019 Birrung Room, City Tattersalls Club 194 Pitt Street City TIME

DANCE

LEADER AND BAND

10 - 11:30

Welcome Dance

Margaret Bollinger with Ryebuck

11:45 - 1:00

English Country Dance

David Potter with Short Dented Potts

1:30 - 3:00

Balkan Dance

Jorgo Kaporis with Balkanski Bus

3:45 - 4:30

Irish Dance

Margaret and Bill Winnett with Anne O’Donovan and the Ceili Playboys

7:30 - 10:30

Evening Dance

Ray Mulligan, David Johnson with Folklines

SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2019 Birrung Room, City Tattersalls Club 194 Pitt Street City TIME

DANCE

LEADER AND BAND

10 - 11:30

Contra Dance

Julie Bishop with Pastrami on Ryebuck

11:45 - 1:00

Interesting Dances

David Potter with Short Dented Potts

1:30 - 3:30

Scottish Dances

James Gasteneau-Hills

4:30 - 6:00

World Dance Party

Sirocco

minute demonstration of how it is done.

Margaret and Bill Winnett have spent over half a century immersing themselves in traditional Irish dancing and their vast repertoire of dances ensures that newcomers can fit in easily. Ann O’Donovan and the Ceili Playboys will provide the music.

The evening dance features the authentic Australian repertoire of Claire Stoneman and FolkLines who have a large selection of collected Australian dances and the music to accompany them. This dance will showcase the bush dance tradition – reels, polkas, waltzes and schottisches. Great fun and all the dances are called.

Sunday morning starts with Sydney’s Queen of Contra, Julie Bishop, getting the blood circulating with some lively contra dances from North America with Pastrami on Ryebuck playing.

Next is David Potter again, showing his knowledge of a wide range of dance styles that he will mix and match for you, accompanied by the quirky music of Short Dented Potts. The social dance component of the Festival concludes with Don Richmond calling Scottish dances.

Don has long experience with a wide range of dance styles and is joined by James Gastineau-Hills and friends who will delight with their wonderful playing of Scottish reels, jigs and strathspeys.

The program finishes with some freeform ‘world’ dancing to the upbeat playing of legendary Sydney band Sirocco.

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM

GULGONG FOLK FESTIVAL December 29-31 A Big Welcoming Small Town Enjoy The Bushwackers Bush Band and many other great acts!

Moderate ticket prices; children to 12 years, FREE entry.

POETRY MUSIC SONGWRITING COMPETITIONS CAMPING OPTIONS BUSKING SESSIONS WORKSHOPS MARKETS CONCERTS TryBooking

Enquiries: Di C 0458 032 150

The

FOLK

FEDERATION Join us in making music sing in NSW. Membership and tax deductible donations: www.folkfednsw.org.au

AUGUST 16-18 2019

11

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

17

blue mountains

music festival 2020 13 + 14 + 15 March 2020

Earlybird tickets go on sale 01 October at bmff.org.au

First Announcement Kasey Chambers Manu Delago (Aut) East Pointers (Can) ★ Eleanor McEvoy (Ire) Grace Petrie (UK) ★ Langan Band (Scot) SON (Ire) ★ Whitetop Mountaineers (USA) Fara (Scot) ★ Startijenn (Fr) ★ Lloyd Spiegel Flats and Sharps (UK) ★ Coig (Can) Just to name a few! More to be announced soon!

An unforgettable, intimate festival experience where world-class and grassroots meet.

45 ARTISTS 9 VENUES 100 CONCERTS WORKSHOPS DANCES SESSIONS

THE SOUNDS OF FOLK, WORLD, ROOTS, CELTIC, BLUEGRASS & GYPSY MUSIC

27-29 September 2019 INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL ARTISTS: ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE (NZ) | AMIE G | BUCK & DEANNE | CAMERON JONES TRIO | CHRIS MATTHEWS (WA) | CO-CHEOL (VIC) | EDDIE NUARDO (VIC) | ENDA KENNY (VIC) | FLY LITTLE SPARROW (QLD) | GENNI KANE & JON WILBY WITH CHRISTIAN PRUSIAK | GOOD TUNES | HIGHLANDER | JUSTIN BERNASCONI (VIC) | KATE DELANEY & DENIS TRACEY | MEDUSA'S WAKE | NARROWNECKS | NEIL MURRAY (NT) | NERIDA CUDDY | OH REACH | RICHARD GRAINGER (UK) | ROBYN SYKES | ROOLYA BOOLYA | RUSTY & THE SAINT | SAOIRSE (VIC) | STEVE WILSON - CONCERTINA MAN | STONYBROKE | STUNS'L BOOMS (TAS) | THE DIXIE CHOOKS | THE THOMSONS | TIM MOORE (SA) | TINMAN (VIC) | VICTORIA VIGENSER & LINDSAY MARTIN LOCAL ACTS: CAREFREE ROAD BAND | CHORD-EAUX | DEAR VIOLET | JESSICA GRAINGER | JOCEAN | JOHN TUBRIDY TRIO | KATANDRA WOMEN’S A CAPPELLA | KIAMA PIPE BAND | ME & PETE | MURMUR | NO SUCH THING | PETER WILLEY | PONCHO GREEN | SWEET SONGS & SOFT GUITAR | THE CON ARTISTS | THE HIGH COUNTRY | THE WATER RUNNERS | THREE SIXTY | TRILOGY | ZLATKOS BALKAN CABARET

Neil Murray

Fly Little Sparrow

Saoirse

Co-cheol

Richard Grainger

WWW.FOLKBYTHESEA.COM.AU 1300 887 034 12 18

THE SYDNEY FOLK FESTIVAL PROGRAM city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

AUGUST 16-18 2019

ILLAWARRA FOLK FESTIVAL

3 days ★ 7 stages 100+ concerts!

High rollers worry wombats

By MICHAEL HITCH As Crown Resort’s newest skyscraper starts to loom over Barangaroo, so do growing concerns over the casino group’s dodgy dealings.

A joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, spanning the course of more than a year, has found Crown Resorts to be involved with money-laundering, Chinese crime-bosses, Community Party figures and wombat hunters – to name a few.

However, with so much scandalous information circulating, you may have missed some important parts, so here’s a brief recap: The Casino Group, formerly controlled by James Packer, allegedly attempted to lure “high-roller” gamblers from China to Australia with hefty involvement from alleged crime boss, international fugitive and subject of an Interpol red notice, Tom Zhou, and a cousin to communist Chinese President Xi Jingping: Ming Chai.

A sternly-worded statement from Crown’s board of directors, released on July 31 by the ASX, criticised the 60 Minutes programme and the Fairfax Press for “unfairly” attempting to tarnish Crown’s reputation.

“The ’60 Minutes’ programme on Sunday night and related articles in the Fairfax Press have unfairly attempted to damage Crown’s reputation.

“As a Board, we are extremely concerned for our staff, shareholders and other stakeholders, as much of this unbalanced and sensationalised

reporting is based on unsubstantial allegation, exaggerations, unsupported connections and outright falsehoods.

“Crown operates in one of the most highly regulated industries in Australia and takes responsibility to comply with its obligations very seriously.”

Junket junkies and high rollers In an article with The Age, Mr Packer also denied the allegations and in a statement through his lawyer, insisted that his role in the company’s operations was “passive” as well as having “no knowledge” of Crown’s conduct in China that led to prosecution of its employees.

Among many accusations, Crown is suspected of promoting gambling to Chinese high-rollers by paying sales staff large bonuses to tempt important gamblers to Crown casinos in Melbourne and Perth – a junket activity illegal under Chinese law.

National authorities are concerned how high-rollers are splashing their cash outside Crown Casino Despite Crown insisting that activities in China were limited to marketing luxury goods and services, 19 of its Chinese employees were arrested and locked in prison in a government crackdown on the Crown’s operations.

Crown’s former Chinese administration and logistics officer, Jenny Jiang, told The Age of her experience being interrogated,

arrested and imprisoned by police when her and 18 other colleagues were caught in the Chinese government crackdown.

“High management kept pushing every sales [employee] to meet more customers, get more business,” she said. “You are taking the risk, doing this job. And you don’t know what’ll happen the next day.”

Ms Jiang also touched upon her time in jail. “That’s a really horrible memory.

The saddest thing is you couldn’t reach out to your family. You couldn’t hear your relatives’ voice and you don’t know how much they worry about you.”

National security agencies are concerned about this movement of Chinese high-rollers in and out of Australia, particularly those with links to the Chinese Communist Party or organised crime syndicates such as Asian criminal gangs or “triads”, which are involved in high-roller junket businesses.

Mr Zhou, a prolific Chinese junket runner, was reportedly given access to luxury hotels and private jets and helped Chinese high-rollers get Australian visas to gamble.

Former Border Forcer commissioner, Roman Quadvleig revealed to 60 Minutes that he was instructed by unknown MP’s to fast-track high-roller visa applications.

One of these high-rollers associated with Mr Zhou includes Ming Chai, a cousin of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Mr Chai and Mr Zhou were found aboard a private jet for wealthy gamblers in 2016 on the Gold Coast, after the aircraft was searched by federal agents on suspicions of money laundering.

High-Roller Hunters smiling despite the dangers of Wombats. Photo: Screen shot taken from ‘Dude Ranch’ webadvert

Mr Chai is one of many of Crown Resorts “VVIP”’s (Very, Very Important Person) who not only have direct connections to the Chinese Communist Party but have also led key Communist Party influence organisations in Sydney and Melbourne.

Wombat stalkers Influence aside, national authorities are concerned with how these highrollers are splashing their cash outside of Crown casinos.

Victorian Police confirmed last week they are investigating reports of a Chinese-owned luxury resort in Victoria where wombats are hunted and shot with military-grade weapons for sport.

Roughly 100km north of Melbourne, the Murrindindi property is owned by none other than Mr Zhou. Chinese

ads for the property were posted on the Chinese social media platform, ‘WeChat’.

Charmingly nick-named “Dude Ranch”

by Zhou, the ads promise an “ultimate dream for military fans,” who pay around $1,000 a night for the Juijui Resort.

The ads also state that guests can use “all kinds of hunting weapons, including but not limited to double-barrelled shotguns, small calibre rifles and large calibre sniper rifles.

“Guides with hunting licences will explain how to use the guns and share all necessary knowledge, so even without any hunting experience, you are guaranteed to become the best shooters. Wild rabbits, foxes, wombats, wood ducks, red deers, sambar deers... are all waiting to spend a wonderful holiday with you.”

The Star Entertainment Group were contacted for comment.

Discount cat desexing Desexing your cat before they reach sexual maturity (3 months) will: Decrease your cat’s risk of cancer

Call Cat Protection on 9519 7201 for more information on discount desexing

Reduce the risk of infection and disease Prevent unwanted behaviours, such as spraying, wandering and aggression Prevent unwanted litters of kittens

103 Enmore Road Newtown t 9557 4818 or 9519 7201 www.catprotection.org.au

Kittens can be desexed from 8 weeks of age, but it’s never too late!

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

19

FEATURE

By Jamie Apps Sydney is home to many different music festivals, all spanning various genres. Until now the folk music genre has been relegated to regional areas outside of the city. Next weekend that will all change when Sydney plays host to the inaugural Sydney Folk Festival over the course of two days and three nights. Across four easily accessible venues along Pitt Street over 60 acts will flood the city in a massive celebration of perhaps the most expressive and emotional music genre there is.

According to the President of Folk Federation NSW Brian Jonathon, a truly urban folk festival was long overdue.

“There are scores of regional folk festivals across the country, where artists and audiences have to ‘go bush’ for a rough (and often soggy!) experience.

But we thought it was time to bring the rich diversity of contemporary folk to town!”

During planning, the team behind Sydney Folk Festival wanted to showcase the rich diversity of styles which fall under the folk music umbrella.

“We’ve prepared a joyous celebration of all the musical genres that sit under the big umbrella of ‘folk.’ Storytelling – colonial, indigenous, multicultural – is central… but so is participation.

There’s dance, poetry, theatre, food and drink… and much, much more.” said Artistic Director, Warren Fahey.

One other factor which heavily influenced the program was a dedication to shattering the “outdated stereotype” that folk is a genre dominated by older musicians. In order to achieve this goal the festival was programmed around the theme, ‘the next generation of folk.’

Three artists which epitomise this theme are 10-year-old Allegra Dunning, rising talent Rayn and young star Kay Proudlove. City Hub spoke with all three artists about their experiences as younger artists within the genre and the importance of festivals for their careers.

All three artists echoed the importance of folk festivals to them finding their love for the genre. By

Allegra Dunning.

Photo: Supplied

attending various festivals all three artists were able to discover a range of different styles before finding the style of folk which most resonated with them.

For Kay Proudlove, in particular, the festivals played an incredibly influential role in her musical development, because she not only attended festivals as a music fan but also participated in many songwriting workshops.

“I used to attend a lot of folk festivals growing up, my parents took me along with them to stuff like the Illawarra Folk Festival and Blue Mountains Music Festival,” Proudlove recalled before adding,“I remember doing a lot of the songwriting workshops that were available at those events, so my career grew from there.”

Another key element of the Sydney Folk Festival which all three artists are incredibly excited for is the opportunity to play a major festival within the metropolitan area.

“I’m really excited for the Sydney Folk Festival. I think it will be a really special experience because it’s a great opportunity for there to be

Rayn.

Photo: Supplied

a festival that’s close to a lot of people in the city,” said Dunning.

This shift to a metropolitan setting is something which Proudlove says gives Sydney Folk Festival an even greater significance.“I find that most festivals are in rural locations, so sometimes it can be a bit of an effort to get there. Hopefully the Sydney Folk Festival will bring in a new audience for folk music, the people that thrive in the city and don’t often travel outside of there can get a taste of what it’s all about.”

According to Proudlove, the artists are hopeful that Sydney Folk Festival will also lead to further opportunities for folk artists in the future.

“The folk scene really thrives in the summer, because that’s when the majority of festivals are.

Other than that though there is definitely room to grow because there are not really all that many folk-based gigs that happen outside of the festivals.

By bringing a festival into the city like Sydney Folk Festival is doing hopefully that will spark a bit more engagement with the folk scene.”

As a fresh artist on the folk scene, Sydney Folk Festival is set to be Rayn’s biggest opportunity to date.“I’m very very grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to play the Sydney Folk Festival, said Rayn,“I’m obviously not a very well known artist yet but they’re really giving the younger generation a chance to show their music. It’s a very good opportunity for people who have a lot of talent to have a place to get out and play to people.”

With festival workshops playing such a pivotal part in her career Proudlove would “love” to be able to use her knowledge and skills to nurture the next generation of folk greats.When speaking with City Hub her excitement to see Allegra Dunning perform at the festival was palpable,“I’m so pumped to finally see Allegra Dunning play. She is so young but she’s already amazing, she’s going to be a ridiculous talent.”

Looking ahead to the future all three artists, but particularly Kay Proudlove, are hoping to not only see folk music continue to grow but also evolve as more fresh faces and ideas enter the genre.

“There’s a lot of people out there that think folk music is just for older generations, but for me, folk music is about storytelling and connection, which I think is something that is important to younger generations as well.That’s always going to manifest in different ways through younger generations.

Especially with new instruments and new ways of producing music, I think that folk music will change with younger generations but the storytelling and connection will always be at the core.”

Sydney Folk Festival Aug 16-18.Various Venues & Prices.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneyfolkfestival.com Kay Proudlove www.kayproudlove.com Rayn www.facebook.com/rayn.m.music Allegra Dunning www.instagram.com/allegra_dunning

BOOK NOW

THE APPRENTICE RE-OPENS FOR LUNCH ON TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2019

Building E, Level 7 695 Harris Street Ultimo NSW

LUNCH

DINNER

12 pm - 2 pm

6 pm - 9 pm

Phone:

(02) 9217 5527

Email:

SI.TheApprentice@tafensw.edu.au

Opentable: bit.ly/2T7rNC8 or search The Apprentice Facebook: ApprenticeRestaurantSydney

COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGE

END OF LEASE SUPER SALE

Enjoy a free glass of wine, beer or soft drink at our Tuesday service.

38-42 Parramatta Rd Stanmore 2048 P: (02) 9565 1275 E: info@annandaleinteriors.com www.annandaleinteriors.com.au

© 2019 TAFE NSW | RTO 90003 | CRICOS 00591E

20

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

•

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Fans of supergroup ABBA won’t be disappointed in the latest revival of Mamma Mia!, a musical which has had sold-out seasons worldwide.

Packemin Productions, whose previous works have included Wicked,West Side Story and Mary Poppins, continues the tradition of bringing affordable, family-friendly shows to the stage – their primary focus being on excellence.

Mamma Mia! is based around 22 of ABBA’s most popular songs and tells the story of a 20-year-old lady who, on the eve of her wedding, desperately longs to discover who her father is.

Heading the huge ensemble cast of 75 are Louise Symes (Oklahoma!) as Donna and Courtney Bell (As You Like It) as Sophie and a host of other professional actors in pivotal roles.

No expense has been spared on this ambitious production which boasts a full orchestra, incredible sets, and colourful costumes. Special

REVIEW: Mamma Mia!

Photo: Grant Leslie

credit must be given to the sound and lighting engineers whose skilful work compounds to the high quality of the musical.

It’s unimaginable what a daunting task it must have been directing such a huge cast, but as audiences sit

in the darkened theatre mesmerised by the scale of this production, it becomes quite apparent that each performer had their heart and soul in the project and had just as much fun as the audience.

Some of the popular songs

performed to imaginatively choreographed dance sequences include SOS, Mamma Mia, Gimme Gimme and Waterloo. Audiences will marvel and laugh throughout this fast-paced, energetic, feel-good show and perhaps shed a tear during the emotionally charged song Slipping Through My Fingers.

It’s always impossible to falter a show which brings such joy to audiences. At a recent performance, radiant smiles were noticeable throughout the entire musical, many audience members toe-tapping to the music and quietly singing along.

As a perfect ending to a great night out at the theatre, audiences are enticed to dance and sing-a-long in the finale to an encore performance of ABBA’s most popular hits. (MMo) Until Aug 17. Riverside Theatres.

Cnr Market & Church St, Parramatta $30-$62+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au

Still Life With Chickens

This show has a crazy premise, involving a woman who develops a relationship with a chicken who somehow teaches her life lessons.

Renowned New Zealand/Samoan actress Goretti Chadwick (Mama) features in the Kiwi award-winning show, Still Life With Chickens, making its one Australian stop at the Riverside Theatre.

From Auckland Theatre Company, Still Life With Chickens employs the talents of Haanz Fa’avaeJackson as the puppeteer representing the chicken in Mama’s garden. Mama is a little lonely, her children have left the coop, and her unusual

relationship with the chicken explores ideas of family ties and the importance of tradition.

The production is part of Riverside Theatre’s commitment to showcasing works from New Zealand: the cast, playwright (D.F. Mamea) and director (Fasitua Amosa) are all prominent in the New Zealand performing arts, stage and screen.

Clucking wisdom? Well, why not? A reprobate chicken has a certain appeal. (OA) Until Aug 10. Riverside Theatre, Cnr Church & Market Streets, Parramatta. $37-$49+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au

Life Of Galileo Life Of Galileo, by Bertolt Brecht, directed by Eamon Flak and starring one of Australia’s best-known actors, Colin Friels, is soon to open at The Belvoir. In the words of Flak, “this play offers a great role for a great actor. I love how bracing its argument about truth is. It just presents the most fantastic argument about what a fact is, how a fact comes to life and, how it then lives or dies in the world. The play felt refreshing when we’re sort of swimming in so much bullshit at the moment.”

For those who may not be familiar with the play, it is about one man’s

a&e

stand against the so-called, unarguable facts presented by the church. In Galileo’s case, he had worked out that the stars orbit the earth, which was not considered possible, as the church had said that the earth was flat. The play is, ironically, being performed on a ’theatre in the round’ stage, which, “brings everybody closer.”

Galileo has been hailed throughout the centuries by many as a hero but Flak, Friels and (writer),Tom Wright, are all pretty clear that Galileo was not a hero at all, but rather that he was,“compulsive, like many people are, in the need to understand.To see

19 STAGE 10 SCENE 11 Sounds 11 SCREEN

clearly, to speak and think freely, about the world.” At the crucial moment when Galileo was threatened with torture by the church, he recanted.

Yet he did manage to publish his findings and smuggle them out just before he died.

“This is a play about how facts and truth assert themselves inside a situation of insanity and delusion. I think that right now the world is becoming a little terrifying. And this play is not optimistic, but it’s bracing, much like jumping into a cold lake. I hope people will feel revived by the experience.” (RLD) Until Sep 15. Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $45-$80+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps

Em Rusciano The Rage & Rainbows

Rage and rainbows perfectly sum up Em Rusciano’s life since she last toured with her sell-out show, The Try Hard Tour in 2017. In the intervening years, she had a brief but eventful breakfast radio career, recorded a hit song, had a painfully public miscarriage, gave birth to her third child, and rescued a unicorn named Gary. All these experiences have been distilled into songs, comic repartee, and classically trained dancing vaginas for her new show, aptly named The Rage & Rainbows.

As per type, Rusciano will hold nothing back, using the last few years as a source pool for material. The show deals with unidentified lady rage, according to the feisty comedian. “[It’s] about helping you identify it, roll around in it, and send it on its way - with four costume changes and songs,” says Rusciano in her promotional video.

The show features several original numbers penned with the help of the Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical songwriting team, Kate Miller-Heidke and her partner, Keir Nuttall, as well as a few familiar tunes.

There will be sequins, glitter, leopard skin, skin, a big, loud orchestra and Rusciano’s own effervescent personality lavishing the stage with a cabaret/camp pop/stand-up super-charged spectacle.

Every previous show Rusciano has toured in recent years has sold out, and there’s no reason to believe this won’t either - it’s close already. (RB) Aug 10. State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney. $69.90-$199.90+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.emrusciano.com

Contributors: Irina Dunn, Mark Morellini, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Joseph Rana, Madison Behringer, Allison Hore, Renee Lou Dallow, 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 city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

21

Toni Messiter Beloved

THE NAKED CITY

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAMBLING With Coffin Ed Not everybody will agree with me but I find the rising Crown Casino tower at Barangaroo downright scary. Its bulging frame, which will eventually dominate everything within cooee, looms over the waterfront resembling a Godzilla or Transformer-like monster. Its architectural merits aside I have to say I find it incredibly menacing, even more so with the raging controversy that has surrounded the Crown empire in recent weeks.

Gambling in NSW is an unstoppable behemoth that has accelerated year after year, ever since the Government started to release the brakes. Back in the immediate post-war era, there were no pokies, no legal offcourse betting on the nags and only a limited number of State-run lotteries. There was, of course, an underbelly of SP bookmakers and a small number of illegal casinos.

For the average Joe, gambling meant a day out at Randwick, a weekly lottery ticket or even a flutter on the ‘Lucky Envelopes’.

The latter were a very low key form of gambling, run by sellers in the street and often organised by some kind of charity. The most you could win was two or three quid and they were the 50s version of instant scratchies.

Gambling in the late 40s and early 50s was not always seen as socially acceptable, frowned upon by many church groups and moral campaigners. You needed a permit to run a charity raffle, the police came down hard on illegal SP’s and you were mixing with the criminal milieu if you chanced your hand at an illegal casino.

Come 1956 and the age of innocence was clearly over.

Melbourne had the Olympics but Sydney, and indeed all NSW, had the pokies as the Government legalised the one-armed bandits in all licensed

Toni Messiter, It’s a game of chance, 2019

Painter Toni Messiter brings her unique perspective to Stanley Street Gallery this week. Messiter’s works use the framework of traditional portraiture to convey the complexity of family relationships, however rather than using people as her subjects Messiter uses dolls.

By using dolls rather than humans in her paintings Messiter imbues the works with a nurturing intimacy. Blending this intimacy with the classic 17th-century portrait style allows the works to have a much more dramatic influence on the viewer as they take in the unfolding ruminations of the human condition.

Messiter first began painting over 20 years ago, following in the footsteps of her father.

Whilst having an artist father Toni was selftaught and quickly grasped the fundamentals of colour and composition. Her upcoming solo showcase, Beloved, is a fantastic opportunity to display these skills to Sydney art lovers.

Aug 14-31. Stanley Street Gallery, 1/52-54 Stanley St, Darlinghurst. Info: www.stanleystreetgallery.com.au

UNIQUE GIFT SHOP 155 MARRICKVILLE ROAD HYPMOTIVE.COM

22

/HYPMOTIVE

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

@HYPMOTIVE_HUB

clubs. Macquarie Street now had a seductive whiff as to just how much could be gouged from the tax on pokies and eight years later the TAB was born, to take on the SP’s and allow legal off-course betting on the various codes of racing.

The early TAB’s had no televised racing and winnings could only be collected at the end of the day but the floodgates were well and truly

open. One by one the various “it will never happen” taboos began to fall like ninepins. Betting on football was introduced but other sports were clearly seen as out of bounds.

‘The Government will never allow poker machines into pubs’ was a familiar cry during the 70s and 80s.

Come the late 90s and any pub in NSW without pokies, like the defiant East Sydney Hotel in

Woolloomooloo, was an anomaly.

Star City Casino, which had opened in 1995, was busy bussing pensioners from the burbs for a day on their own impressive armoury of the slots. The initial surge of gambling had become a tsunami with the new millennium about to see the most rapid proliferation of betting ever, fuelled by a buoyant economy, the internet, massive deregulation and Government budgets highly dependent on wagering revenues.

Corporate bookmakers entered the fray, the TAB was privatised, lotteries and scratchies abounded and Government gambling revenues soared.You could gamble on who was going to win the next Federal Election or stay up all night betting on the trots in Sweden or the English Premier League.

In a few year’s time, we’ll have another casino in Sydney, the ‘Crown Transformer’, albeit one supposedly reserved for the international high rollers. ‘Whale’ watching could soon become a new tourist attraction in the Darling Harbour precinct. If this exponential spread of gambling continues you can only prophesise as to what mutations await us. Surely the pokies will burgeon like an army of Daleks and we’ll soon see them on the Light Rail, at the airport, in hairdressing salons and in doctors waiting rooms. They could even develop their own form of artificial intelligence. Supermarkets like Woolies, now divested of their pokies, might offer a two-up style, double or nothing payment at their check out machines – sure beats a free Ooshie.

We could almost reach a point where there is zero left to bet on, apart from when the world will end and on what day the rapture will take place. Only the virtuous will ascend to the heavens so best not have a TAB ticket or $20 scratchie in your pocket when the mass ascension begins.You can bet on that!

SHOP OPENING HOURS: MON - FRI 10am - 5pm SAT - SUN 10am - 3pm *CLOSED TUE ART DESIGN FASHION CREATIVE WORKSHOPS LOCAL MAKERS

Under The Influence

the drums. Reflecting back on those times Kinerson and bassist Chris Curci realise this live format had both positives and negatives.

On the positive side, “it was kind of a novelty thing,” said Curci before Kinerson added, “People used to blow out when they saw that I was singing and drumming.”

However, as a negative, this three-piece format detracted from the energy of the live show.

“With me singing and drumming we lost a bit of the live dynamic by having the singer sitting behind a drum kit,” said Kinerson. “When the band first started I was only meant to play the

Late Night

The script probably could have used just one more pass to tidy up some loose threads, but overall, this is a very enjoyable, refreshingly female-led film.

Written by Mindy Kaling who also plays the co-lead, Molly Patel, a wannabe comedy writer whose only comic experience is the side jokes she made during staff announcements at a chemical plant. Nonetheless,

she gets hired by top late-night show host, Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) who needs a female writer on the team but just for show. Things work out as you’d expect, but despite the predictability, the film feels like a departure from the usual fare.

Thompson’s character, though pathologically acerbic, is not a one-dimensional villain and

drums but we couldn’t find a singer so I decided to give it a crack until we found someone. Over the years though I enjoyed singing a lot more than I did drumming, so when we found Dan [Southern] to play drums I stuck with singing.”

This shift to a four-piece setup would be the first step for UTI to progress to the next level. With the introduction of Southern, the group began to take the music more seriously and chose to head into a studio to produce their EP, Wasted Youth.

“Before Wasted Youth we did everything ourselves, from the recording to the printing and the

release. With that record though, we went into a studio and produced something which was of a higher quality, that we felt we could send out to labels,” said Curci.

UTI’s belief in Wasted Youth would eventually prove to be correct as it would lead to them signing with Golden Robot Records. Signing with Golden Robot placed UTI on a roster alongside the likes of Rose Tattoo, Skid Row, Palace Of The King and The Superjesus. Something which again gave the band more confidence and drove them to once again rise to the next level according to Kinerson.

“That [joining Golden Robot] was what pushed us to work so hard on the Exchange My Brain album as well. That album would never have happened if Mark hadn’t signed us!”

With the band now brimming with confidence and with the backing of the label behind them, UTI has been able to alter their live show schedule. In the past UTI would constantly play to their dedicated hometown fanbase, but have now realised that in order to grow that needed to change.

“We’ve now realised that going to Sydney or Canberra or Melbourne and playing a gig to 20 or 30 people who have never seen us is better than playing a gig in Wollongong to a crowd of 70 to 100 people who have seen us 10 times before,” said Kinerson.

Aug 17. Valve Bar, 871 George St, Sydney. $10 on the door.

Info: www.valvebar.com.au

WWW

you can actually empathise with her - well, a bit. Thompson incidentally, has brilliant comic delivery. Kaling apparently based the script on her own experience and that comes through in some of the less conventional insights and more rounded characters.

Late Night is funny, warm and real. (RB) WWW1/2

Danger Close: The Battle Of Long Tan Set in Vietnam in 1966, this ambitious Australian war film examines the events leading up to 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers triumphantly battling over 2000 North Vietnamese in a muddy rubber plantation called Long Tan. Based on true events, the soldiers were mainly conscripts aged around 20, most of whom had never experienced combat. A major described working with these young men as ‘breastfeeding a bunch of kids’ whilst these soldiers adversely believed that their seniors ‘don’t give a shit about us!’

Realistic and bloody battle sequences resonate the carnage and futility of war in this realistically executed production which boasts an impressive Australian cast led by Richard Roxburgh.

The B Boys manage to capture the bleak mundaneness of everyday life but deliver it in a way which is somehow engaging and enjoyable to listen along to.

Throughout the record the band lay down track after track of buzzing indie rock. What truly sets them apart though is the clear, simple and matter of fact delivery of their lyrics.

Particularly on single, No, which has the listener tagging along on perhaps the worst possible day of all time, where simply everything goes wrong.

This song could have easily been boring but is somehow familiar and intriguing.

Dudu by B Boys is a record for everybody, there is bound to be at least one song you connect with on this record. The record will be particularly compelling though if you have ever struggled through a sense of alienation or anxiety in modern society. (JA)

Is it honourable to disobey orders on the battlefield when death lingers in the mind of soldiers as they fight for their country? Is it discouraging to ‘dream of going home and forgetting all this’ when victory is at stake?

Trust, mateship, honor and the depersonalising effects of war are themes explored in this film, which also highlights the pressures of making split second decisions which may result in the possibility of losing a whole company of men.

The question which will ultimately anger audiences is, why did it take the Australian government 45 years to justifiably classify these soldiers as courageous war heroes?

(MMo) WWW1/2

ABC SEAMLESS ROOFING DISCOUNTERS

We Professionally install: H Leafguard H Metal Roofs H Watertanks H ABC RoofSEAMLESS Restoration GUTTER DISCOUNTERS H Gutter Cleaning All Types of Gutters Installed Factory • Comprehensive Warranties H Direct All Types of Gutters

$ Licence No. 173676c

By Jamie Apps Formed by a group of friends in high school the Illawarra based band, Under The Influence (UTI), has stood the test of time, thanks in large part to their friendship. For over 20 years now UTI has been toiling away in and around Wollongong, consistently playing live shows to their dedicated and hardcore fans. However, recently the band has decided that they should pursue music more vigorously and attempt to branch out from their hometown comfort zone.

When UTI first formed they had a unique three-piece setup which saw vocalist Shane Kinerson also manning

B Boys - Dudu

$

 Leafguard  Metal Roofs  Watertanks  Roof Restoration  Gutter Vacuuming

Reliable Services & Competitive Prices

9748 3022 reliable services, www.abcseamless.com.au Comprehensive Warranties & free Quote

9748 3022

www.abcseamless.com.au city hub 8 AUGUST 2019

23

SYDNEY OPEN DAY 1 SEPT Did you know the University of Tasmania offers quality health courses right here in Sydney?

As a University of Tasmania student studying in Sydney, you can complete your Nursing or Paramedic Practice course in just two years with our special accelerated courses.

With smaller class sizes and a focus on practical learning, studying with us will get you into your chosen career faster. We also have a huge range of courses across all disciplines at our Tasmanian campuses, as well as online options.

Come to our Sydney Open Day. Hear about our courses, explore our facilities, and enjoy entertainment, food and giveaways.

Pre-register for our Open Day and you could win a $5,000 Tassie adventure and get a complimentary gift pack on the day.

Sunday 1 September • Rozelle campus • 10-3pm Corner of Church & Glover streets, Lilyfield

utas.edu.au/openday

Terms and conditions apply. See website for details.

CRICOS Provider Code 00586B

24

city hub 8 AUGUST 2019