City Hub September 18

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September 18, 2014

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NSW Government releases amendments to Shooters and Fishers business voting bill

BY Lucia Osborne-Crowley The NSW Government last week removed the Shooters and Fishers proposed business voting bill from the parliamentary agenda, signalling the bill needed to be revised before being put before parliament.

The upper house was set to discuss the legislation when it sat on Wednesday, September 10 and the bill was expected to pass. At the last minute, the Government withdrew the bill from the agenda.

The following Tuesday (September 16), the NSW Government released its list of amendments to the bill. The amendments were

Shooters and Fishers MP behind the voting bill Robert Borsak

less consequential than expected, with many major elements of the legislation left untouched.

The amended bill has been met with disappointment from parties who opposed the original legislation.

The original bill initially had the full support of the NSW Government but was strongly opposed by Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich, David Shoebridge MLC, Councillor Linda Scott and Councillor Angela Vithoulkas, as well as a large section of the community.

Opposition to the bill cited that provisions allowing two votes per business, transferring responsibility for elections to the City of Sydney and allowing the City of Sydney Act to be applied to councils across NSW were undemocratic. The campaign said the legislation threatened the principle of “one vote, one value”.

This week, NSW Local Government Minister Paul Toole told City Hub the Government had become aware of potential issues with the Shooters and Fishers’ legislation and had decided to amend the bill.

“We support reforms that remove any obstacles that get in the way of people exercising their democratic right,” Mr Toole said.

“Some issues have been brought to our attention and we are currently considering potential amendments.”

The Minister also indicated the future of the legislation would remain in the hands of parliament.

“The proper place for debate is in the NSW Parliament.”

Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Alex Greenwich MP initially indicated they were hopeful the cancellation of the debate on the legislation signals the Government has taken into consideration concerns about the impacts of the legislation.

Both the Lord Mayor and Mr Greenwich indicated it was possible the Government had changed its position on business voting and would amend the Shooters and Fishers legislation to accommodate community concerns.

The Government’s amendments do not in fact address any of the major issues raised by politicians and the public regarding the original bill. The provision of two votes for businesses, the provision of transferring responsibility for elections to the City of Sydney and of allowing the bill to be applied to other councils remain intact following

the amendments.

The Lord Mayor and Mr Greenwich both expressed disappointment following this revelations.

“We’ve just found out that despite strong opposition from the community and business, the NSW Liberal Government will support the Elephant Shooters Bill to give businesses two votes and is expected to ram the changes through Parliament by the end of the week,” said the Lord Mayor.

“They have released a set of minor amendments which are primarily of a technical nature - none address the substantial community concerns.”

Mr Greenwich said the Baird Government’s amendments “merely tinker at the edges” of the legislation, ignoring community concerns.

“Rather than working with the community, businesses, and affected councils, the Baird Government appears to have done a deal with the Shooters and Fishers Party that could see radical and undemocratic changes rolled out across New South Wales,” Mr Greenwich said.

Before the Baird Government’s amendments were released, it was believed they may have been a response to the strong community campaign against the bill as well a report released by the NSW Parliament Legislation Review Committee questioning the functionality of the bill.

The first category under which the Committee took issue with the bill was on the basis it “trespasses on personal rights and liberties”.

“The Committee is concerned that in enabling corporations, ratepaying lessees and occupiers or rateable land to nominate two people to be enrolled as electors, then these electors may be granted a disproportionate influence on the election of councillors and mayor when compared to the voting rights of residential voters.”

The Committee also raised concern about the potential for the City of Sydney amendments to be extended to other councils in NSW, saying this “inappropriately delegates legislative power”.

Neither of these elements of the bill have been amended.

As this article goes the print, the bill had passed the second reading in the Legislative Council, with debate on the amendments pending.

The bill, with amendments, are expected to be passed in the current sitting of the Legislative Council.

Darling Street reopens as Rozelle recovers from fire

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ABN 48 135 222 169 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Manager: Chris Peken Group Editor: Lucia Osborne-Crowley Contributors: Joshua Tassell, Christopher Harris, Emily Contador-Kelsall, Carmen Cita Arts Editor: Leigh Livingstone Live Music Editors: Chelsea Deeley & Alexandra English Dining Editor: Jackie McMillan Advertising Managers: Toni Martelli, Robert Tuitama & Mike Contos Design: Joanna Grace Cover: Chris Peken - Kate Jinx Email: question@alternativemediagroup.com Advertising: sales@alternativemediagroup.com Contact: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Web: altmedia.net.au

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BY Lucia Osborne-Crowley Darling Street, Rozelle was opened for the first time in almost two weeks on Tuesday, September 16 at 3pm.

An explosion in the early hours of Thursday, September 4 left the majority of the Rozelle shopping strip closed to traffic and pedestrians.

Emergency services then began to clear the rubble left by the explosion and investigate the crime scene.

The explosion, believed to have originated in a convenience store on Darling Street, killed three residents.

Police are treating the explosion as suspicious.

A series of safety concerns, including the compromised structural integrity of buildings affected by the explosion, resulted in the ongoing closure of the street.

“Safety remains our priority; however, we understand the importance of reopening the area for the benefit of businesses and the local community,” said Leichhardt Local Emergency Operations Controller Inspector Gary Coffey.

Surrounding local businesses have been badly affected by the fire. Many local businesses have been closed for almost two weeks.

Piccolo Padre’s, a popular cafe on the neighbouring block to the site of the fire, was forced to close for six business days.

Manager Alexander told City Hub it has been difficult time for the business.

“It has been very hard. Businesses

like ours rely on people walking through the door, so this has hit us hard. But we will be alright,” he said.

Alexander said the cafe was forced to get rid of a large amount of food that could not be sold, but that they choose to donate the food to those in need so it would not go to waste.

Alexander said the sense of community among local businesses has been very strong in the past two weeks. Some businesses, such as Corner Bar, have offered shifts to employees who were unable to work due to closures.

“The sense of community here has been amazing. Even though we are competitors, we have banded together these few weeks to get through it. We’ve become best friends. It’s been amazing.”

Staff members at Piccolo Padre were among those who were offered shifts at other businesses that were able to remain open.

Eight businesses in total remain closed as this article goes to print.

Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne has estimated the businesses have lost over $1.5 million in profit in the time they have been unable to trade.

An additional $250,000 is estimated to be lost every day the street is closed. There are approximately 400 local jobs being affected.

“The longer that shops aren’t able to trade, the more long-term damage is being done to our local businesses,” Mayor Byrne said.

Mayor Byrne also said the sense of community among Rozelle

residents and business owners since the tragedy has been very strong.

“The sense of solidarity between residents and business owners has been quite moving. Small business owners have been willing to support each other - those who’s premises have remained open have made space for the stock of the businesses that are closed,” he said.

“There is a real motivation amongst residents to ensure that we do absolutely everything in our power to help these businesses recover.”

Although most of Darling Street has been reopened, the site of the explosion is still being treated as a crime scene and is therefore still off limits to the public.

The site of the explosion on Darling Street, Rozelle

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Councils hit back against amalgamations

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but some restructuring is essential to produce a sustainable system of local government.”

The report later states “‘no change’ is not an option”.

Part of the reforms is the possibility of a Sydney global city amalgamation into a “super council” comprising City of Sydney, Botany Bay, Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick City Councils. This move would merge the City of Sydney with three currently Liberal-dominated local government areas.

Botany Bay is one of the Sydney metropolitan councils with a “weak” outlook according to the report. Botany Bay Mayor Ben Keneally condemned his council’s treatment by the state government, labelling the economic modelling “dodgy”.

“The Government is using historical data that it knows is incorrect in order to build a case for forced council amalgamations.”

Randwick City Mayor Scott Nash was positive about local government reform, but made it clear that he believed Sydney councils should not amalgamate.

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts welcomed the reform package but argued that the “global city” proposal for Sydney councils was not in the best interest of Waverley residents.

Waverley Council’s official position on amalgamation leans towards a voluntary amalgamation with neighbouring Woollahra and Randwick councils but would resist suggestions of a merger with City of Sydney.

City of Sydney councillor Linda Scott argued that forced amalgamations amounted to gerrymandering.

“The Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole, has flagged that he wishes to reconsider merging councils, even though the NSW Coalition promised no-forced amalgamations at the last state election. Yet again the Liberal Government is making decisions on cash, not communities,” said Cr Scott.

“Any amalgamation proposal should be decided by the independent NSW Electoral Commission, not by politicians. Anything else is a political gerrymander and should be opposed.”

Marrickville Mayor Jo Haylen indicated she would vehemently resist the Fit for the Future reforms.

“Not only are these amalgamations very thinly disguised as ‘voluntary’, but the so-called record $1 billion package to help councils is completely misleading,” Mayor Haylen said.

“Each Sydney Metro council that agrees to amalgamate will receive $10 million – and councils agree that the cost of amalgamations will exceed that amount many times over.”

Photo: Twitter

BY Joshua Tassel Councils and resident groups have expressed their anger at the State Government reopening the possibility of forced local government amalgamation.

The NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Local Government Paul Toole last week announced a $1 billion package for council reforms, leaving the door open for forced amalgamations.

Under the Fit for the Future reform proposals, 31 Sydney metropolitan councils would amalgamate into 8 large councils.

“We are committed to rebuilding NSW and to achieve this we need a strong local government sector,” said Mr Baird.

“However this is not possible when more than one third of the State’s councils are facing financial problems - losing more than $1 million a day.”

From 2015/16, the Government will fund councils to the tune of $300 million to act on their approved ‘Fit for the Future’ merger proposals.

Mr Baird emphasised that at this stage no council amalgamations would be forced under the Fit for the Future reforms, but nevertheless left the possibility open for future consideration.

The government is citing the Independent Local Government Review Panel’s recommendations on NSW councils to argue that the current local government system is unsustainable due to high debt and a poor economic outlook.

The Panel’s Fit for the Future document also implies the state government should take matters into its own hands should councils resist amalgamation, stating “[the] Panel respects ‘no forced amalgamations’

NSW Premier Mike Baird

The proposal for Marrickville Council is to amalgamate with Ashfield, Burwood, Canada Bay, Leichhardt, and Strathfield Councils.

The report also outlined that urban council amalgamation was possible without financial incentivisation. In particular, they cautioned “strongly against attempting to ‘buy’ amalgamations: the potential cost would be very considerable”.

Save our Strathfield community group took issue with the financial incentivisation of voluntary amalgamations, arguing that Mr Baird’s plan amounted to “a series of threats and bribes”.

“Strathfield residents know amalgamation is not in our interests. We know we have so much to potentially lose,” said Save our Strathfield co-chair Nella Gaugan.

The Sydney Business Chamber applauded the Fit for the Future reforms but highlighted that business should be part of any conversation on Sydney council reform.

“For too long the structure of Sydney’s local government has acted as a barrier to improved operating performance, regional planning and the competitiveness of Sydney as a global city,” said Sydney Business Chamber Executive Director Patricia Forsythe.

President of Local Government NSW Cr Keith Rhoades welcomed the announcement provided that no amalgamations would be forced.

“There are strong rumours that this is just amalgamation by stealth,” he said.

The report notes that amalgamation carries a “distinct risk” to devolve local democracy, but can be “managed”. Strong links are posited between amalgamation, efficiency, strategic capacity and service improvement.

Save Our Street campaign launches to oppose Castlereagh St cycleway

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The Save Our Street campaign has focused its criticisms on Lord Mayor Clover Moore, despite the cycleway being designed and instigated by the NSW State Government and not the council.

“If she’s not stopped, Clover Moore is going to kill Castlereagh Street,” said Jai Martinkovits, Spokesman for the Save Our Street campaign.

“If Premier Baird doesn’t act, this remarkable thriving shopping, financial, professional and hotel precinct is doomed,” he said.

The Save Our Street campaign claims there has been a lack of genuine consultation, without fair warning to those whose businesses and jobs are at risk.

“Common sense dictates that a project of this scale – and one which is so damaging – be subjected to a rigorous cost benefit analysis, which this proposal has so far avoided.”

“Like the Lord Mayor’s College Street cycleway white elephant, it is unknown how many cyclists will actually use this monstrosity and Photo: Sydney Cyclist

BY Tang Li Community backlash against a proposed CBD bike path network has accumulated in the ‘Save Our Street’ campaign, launched last Tuesday (September 9).

After two years of negotiation, the NSW Government has launched an initiative to construct a double-lane, cement-bordered cycleway through Castlereagh Street.

Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian released the Sydney City’s Centre Access Strategy in December 2013. While the plan has been available for several months, this week opponents decided to organise a full community campaign against the planned cycleway changes.

The planned changes to CBD cycleways were outlined by Minister Gay: “The bike path on College Street will be removed, as it is not connected to the rest of the network,” Mr Gay said.

“The Kent Street cycleway will be extended south to Liverpool Street and a new separated cycleway will be constructed between Central Station and Circular Quay along Castlereagh and Pitt Streets,” he said.

The planned Castlereagh Street cycleway

whether the enormous cost would be justified,” Mr Martinkovits said.

The City of Sydney Council confirmed the CBD cycleway was undertaken by the state government, and that the City is involved only insofar as it is providing funding for the project.

“The NSW government announced the Castlereagh Street cycleway as part of its Sydney City Centre Access Strategy,” said a City of Sydney spokesperson.

“It is responsible for the design, in consultation with the community, and will build it with City of Sydney funding.”

Ms Berejiklian and Mr Gay outline in a new proposal ‘Sydney’s Cycling Future’ that they will prioritise bicycle infrastructure investment to ensure the projects that will have the biggest impact on encouraging more people to ride a bike are completed first.

Cycleways built along Castlereagh Street, Pitt Street and King Street would depend on proposed light rail construction on George Street to minimise disruption.

“Roads and Maritime Services is due to start construction in late 2014 and the cycleways are due to be completed in 2015,” said the City of Sydney spokesperson.

news in brief Waverley Mayor Sally Betts fights for re-election

BY Christopher Harris Sally Betts is confident that she has successfully served people of Waverley and will do so again, if mayoral elections held tonight (Thursday September 18) result in her re-election.

Ms Betts said she believes that her strong financial track record at a time when other councils around Sydney are facing large debts is indicative of her strength as Mayor.

“We’re in a fortunate position at this stage, we’ve managed to turn council financial situation around, and Waverley is now sustainable.”

“We’ve got the Bondi plan of management, because we’ve really got to plan long term so we get the most bang for our buck for the residents of Waverley.”

Councillor Joy Clayton said she is pleased with what has been done around her ward of Bondi, and believes the Liberals have delivered results.

“The Liberals are very focused on what they can for the community. And we do

it in the quickest time frame and we get the jobs done,” Ms. Clayton said.

It is unlikely any other party will have the numbers to vote in one of their own as mayor.

Labour Councillor John Wakefield, but believes the people of Waverley should be closely scrutinising what Mayor Betts has been doing over the past year.

“I think she is extremely mediocre. Her capacity to run meetings is poor… I think her focus on ridiculous pie in the sky ideas is beyond visionary and is impractical.”

“The multimillion dollar car park without council support is a prime example.”

“Being a mayor is about balancing competing interest. You become a mayor and step beyond party politics and it revolves around the capacity to leadthat is not occurring with Mayor Betts.”

Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak echoed this concern.

“I don’t think the Mayor has protected the residents and ratepayers of Waverley from over-development and community service loss,” he said.

our area and no appreciation for the areas current gritty style.”

Marrickville’s arts and music scene has thrived over the past few years and become an important part of the community.

Independent Councillor Victor Macri, who voted in favour of the proposal’s progression, said the music and arts venues were a great part of the community and Marrickville’s quirky venues gave the area flavour.

“The proposed developments don’t threaten the arts scene at all; a large majority of the property won’t change from the current use.”

Cr Macri said revitalisation of the area should be key, and the proposal gives council an opportunity to look at ways to improve the precinct for the community.

“It’s a very run-down area; there are a lot of ongoing issues.”

Despite this, Mr Ferguson said Marrickville was a shining example of a live music precinct.

“Considering the current discussions around extending the geographic area of lockdown laws and now this rezoning proposal, The Rattler’s existence now seems under threat.”

A key concern of The Red Rattler Photo: Flickr

BY Emily Contador-Kelsall The Marrickville arts and music scene has expressed concerns for the livelihood of its culture in light of rezoning proposals.

Marrickville Council recently endorsed a rezoning proposal for the Victoria Road precinct in a 6-5 vote.

At their September 2nd meeting, Council resolved to notify the Department of Planning and Environment of their decision to approve moving the proposal through the Gateway planning process.

Jamie Ferguson from Marrickville’s Red Rattler Theatre [the Rat], a not-for-profit and community run initiative said venues like The Rat and other start-up creative spaces wouldn’t continue to flourish if they were overshadowed by high-density buildings.

“The rezoning would change the entire character of the neighbourhood and not for the better.”

“The Red Rattler loves the diversity of the area and its semiindustrial landscape. It suits our grassroots approach, style of gigs, performances and our parties.”

Mr Ferguson said the developer who spoke at the council meeting basically said that no-one on would ever deliberately choose to design a neighbourhood “this ugly”.

“Quite frankly, I think that’s very insulting. A judgment like that indicates no real understanding of

The Red Rattler, Marrickville

is that the rezoning will affect their ability to keep expenses low and the venue accessible: “Any increase in operational and compliance related costs would be a real challenge for our not-for-profit model of operation,” said Mr Ferguson.

“The likelihood of noise complaints and security issues are also a real concern. These issues always seem to come hand and hand with neighbourhoods that become gentrified and over populated with residential housing. “ Mayor Jo Haylen said the proposal will change the colour and shape of Marrickville: “We have to make sure it is a change for the better.”

At Tuesday’s Council meeting, Mayor Haylen moved a Mayoral minute to ensure a “comprehensive community consultation process regarding the Victoria Road Precinct Planning Proposal”.

Mr Ferguson said the Greens Councillors were in support of The Rat’s viewpoint: “They produced a petition and will no doubt continue to advocate against the rezoning on behalf of the community.”

“The irony is that whilst live music and creative industries seem to be buzz topics when it comes to the economic contribution they make to Sydney here we have councillors supporting proposals which would negatively impact our ability to operate!”

Submarine cables to land in Coogee

BY Elliott Brennan Dunningham Reserve in Coogee is set to become the site of a submarine fibre-optic cable link reaching all the way to the United States.

Randwick City council has revealed that Dunningham Reserve will be subject to the construction of infrastructure required for the link during the early months of summer.

The cable, named the APX East, will measure over 12,700 km long by the time it reaches California and will carry a significant amount of Australia’s voice and data traffic with the US and multiple Pacific Island nations.

“Submarine cables are essential components of Australia’s national infrastructure. They carry the bulk of Australia’s voice and data traffic linking

Coogee beach

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Australia to the rest of the world,” a spokesperson for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said.

A process called horizontal drilling will begin in early October that will see SubPartners, the company in charge of the construction and maintenance of the APX East, tunnel into a section of the park that overlooks Coogee Beach.

“The APX East will generally connect through existing Telstra lines,” said a spokesperson from Randwick City Council.

The cable will be carried underground and remain undetectable until it is well out to sea.

“The only remaining visible infrastructure will be a manhole lid in Dunningham Reserve,” the council told businesses.

Cartoon: Peter Berner

Rezoning proposal threatens grassroots arts scene

The choice of location has led some locals and business owners to question whether the project would have been better undertaken either elsewhere, or in the winter months when the Coogee has less tourist activity.

“Dunningham Reserve is the last viable location to bring a submarine cable ashore,” said Matt Whitlock, the Chief Operating Officer of SubPartners.

Other suitable sites in the North Shore and as close as Bondi and Clovelly already house similar links with multiple other nations.

In a letter sent out to local businesses, a spokesperson for Randwick council said: “Council is not the approving authority for these works. We would however like to inform business owners who operate in the north end of Coogee Beach about the upcoming works.”

In earlier letters they identified that their lack of approval powers was due to Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 that grants all works related to national communications “immunity from planning laws.”

Subpartners revealed to City Hub that they had been in cooperation with Randwick council since December 2013.

“Their inputs have been used to help us formulate our overall project plan. Our preferred course of engagement is always to work handin-hand with council to ensure that we plan and carry out our works in a sensitive and appropriate manner,” said Mr Whitlock.

The environmental effects of the construction are expected to be minimal, with a period of 48 hours at the completion of drilling where 2030m3 of the drill lubricant will be released into the water being the only unavoidable impact.

The lubricant disperses quickly into the water and will have no lasting effect on the beach or its surroundings.

City of Sydney officially rejects live streaming

BY Lucia Osborne-Crowley The City of Sydney Council once again voted down a proposal to live stream council meetings on Monday, September 15.

The meeting of council’s Corporate, Finance, Properties and Tenders Committee on September 8 resulted in the Committee recommending that council not proceed with live streaming of council meetings. The Committee cited a preliminary study that found only a small number of other councils have adopted this practice, that live streaming only attracts a small audience, that it is costly and that it leaves council open to defamation and slander.

Council officially passed the motion to reject live streaming with a majority vote. Councillors Vithoulkas, Forster and Mandla voted against the motion.

Councillor Mandla spoke against the motion, saying that live streaming was necessary to allow greater public participation in council affairs.

This was opposed by the

Lord Mayor, the Deputy Lord Mayor and Councillor Jenny Green.

Cr Vithoulkas also spoke against the motion, saying she frequently receives questions from constituents about the motivations behind council decisions and proposing that live streaming would allow constituents to understand these motivations more clearly.

Councillor Linda Scott said she feels council needs to “get out of town hall”. Cr Scott moved a amendment to the motion by which council would investigate the possibility of holding council and committee meetings in various councilowned properties in the City villages, such as Redfern Community Centre and Glebe Town Hall.

Cr Scott’s amendment was also passed.

Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis closed the discussion by saying she “has no doubt the proposed motions will address the desired objectives” raised by the live streaming debate.

When wildlife rescue came of age

By gavin gatenby In 1986, shortly after I became chief guide at the Australian Museum, I was asked to meet with a couple of young women who were trying to set up a wildlife rescue charity, to be known as the Wildlife Information and Rescue Service.

The new organisation was intended to solve a problem that had been dramatised in the previous year when somebody rescued an injured ibis in Hyde Park, across the road from the Museum, and no government organisation or voluntary conservation group could be found that was willing to care for it. The RSPCA – the official animal welfare group – was basically involved only with domestic pets and livestock and its people had little experience with wildlife. The National Parks and Wildlife Service was overstretched in all directions preserving habitat and had no brief to cover thousands of cases of individual wild animals in distress, especially

if they weren’t on the actual turf it controlled. Apart from that, there were scattered enthusiasts with no central direction, proper training or official recognition.

I was keen on the WIRES project and, as a wildlife enthusiast from my youth, I had had my own small successful experiences with rescue and rehabilitation. A few years earlier, my partner Lee and I pulled over near the village of Nelligan on the NSW south coast to pick up a kookaburra that had been hit by a car. It had one toe hanging by a thread, which I amputated. It was feeling very sick and sorry, but there appeared to be no broken bones.

The next day we took our kookaburra back to Sydney. We were living in an old flat on Edgecliff Road at the time. It had a small enclosed balcony, facing the road, which we hardly used, so I faked up “bars” on the windows with black electrical tape and installed our patient there.

When I put a big plastic basin with a few centimetres of water on the floor, I was astounded by the reaction. Kooka fluttered over to the bowl, perched on the rim, dived in head-first, and bathed with a delight I’ll never forget.

After that, Kooka wolfed down some worms I’d dug up in the garden and settled in for the night. In the morning we were woken by a ragged chorus of laughter. Kooka was obviously on the mend.

A couple of days later, a note appeared under the door. It was from

the local RSPCA inspector. Somebody had spotted Kooka, on the window sill, imprisoned behind glass. I explained my position to the inspector and shortly thereafter received a very official letter permitting me to hold, for the purpose of rehabilitation, “One (1) Kookaburra, being the property of the Crown”.

A few days later we took Kooka back down the coast and left him with the people at Batemans Bay Birdland, a small commercial wildlife park. This, I was to learn, was one of the usual ways in which zoos, private and public, acquired “exhibits”. Some were animals that would no doubt never fend for themselves again, but many others really should have been returned to the wild. Birdland had spacious enclosures and I’m sure Kooka made a go of it there, but these days WIRES would ensure he was released where we’d picked him up, to return to his family group.

At the museum we had discussions with the two young ladies about the WIRES project and it was agreed the institution would raise funds by hosting an exhibition of wildlife art. It was a great success and was, I think, repeated at least once.

The next year, the museum also hosted a seminar on wildlife rescue. Pioneer practitioners from the new movement expounded on the rehabilitation techniques they’d developed and their successes in returning their charges to the wild.

Quite a few museum scientists

attended but I observed a curious note of rejection of the new movement from some among the older generation of wildlife boffins. It was epitomised by the sarcasm of one eminent male zoologist, responding to a female amateur wildlife rescuer, who opined that all this had nothing to do with “real” science. “The animals wouldn’t do the same for you”, he added, fatuously.

I was shocked by this pathetic display of pseudo tough guy objectivism which reflected the fear

Wildlife rescuer rehydrating a distressed flying fox pup

Surry Hills revives a golden age

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of the area, Golden Age aims to recapture the old-world charm of a night at the cinema.

Programming Director Kate Jinx says, “The cinema we use is the original Paramount Theatrette, so as soon as the doors shut behind you it feels like stepping into another era. We have 56 seats, all of which had a past life in a theatre in Zurich [saved just before it was torn down], which adds to the sense of history.

“Golden Age is a different kind of cinema experience because it harks back to slightly more romantic times, when going to the movies was a bit of an event – something to look forward to. I grew up being able to visit a lot of independent cinemas that each had their own charm and it’s been quite devastating to see some of my favourites pull down their shutters.”

Photo: Chris Peken

By Carmen Cita Golden Age Cinema and Bar in Surry Hills vows to shake off the mid-week doldrums and take audiences back in time, with classic films of yesteryear, at yesteryear’s prices. For Tuesday night screenings, Golden Age is innovatively adjusting their ticket prices to match the year of the film’s release.

Since opening last year in the former headquarters of Paramount Pictures, Golden Age is now celebrating a solid 12 months of leading a vibrant renaissance of the area’s rich cultural heritage.

Managing director and designer Bob Barton says, “There is definitely something happening around here, with lots of great new restaurants, bars and galleries – and, of course, there is the Hollywood Hotel, which has been a linchpin of the neighbourhood for a while. The precinct is also home to some of Sydney’s most creative businesses which all drive the atmosphere of the suburb.”

Now known for its thriving bar and café culture, Surry Hills was once the beating heart of the local film industry. During WWII, with the golden age of Hollywood in full swing, industry giants 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures rolled into town and established headquarters, earning the area its ‘Hollywood Quarter’ reputation.

To reflect the changing face of the neighbourhood, the local pub was even renamed – and so, from the Art Deco remains of the Nevada Hotel, the illustrious Hollywood Hotel was born.

When publican Doris Goddard took over the Hollywood Hotel in 1977 she added another layer to the Quarter’s Hollywood veneer. Before settling in Surry Hills, the former silver screen starlet and cabaret performer had enjoyed a successful career working alongside Peter Sellers, Katharine Hepburn and Bob Hope. Ms Goddard remains something of a local legend for Surry Hills’ stalwarts.

But the Hollywood Hotel is no longer the last standing remnant of that bygone era. In a throwback to the former glory and glamour

so many older scientists had of being seen to be sentimental do-gooders.

The response was dignified and crushing. The speaker observed that, apart from the undesirability of suppressing human empathy for animals, on which the future of wild ecosystems depends, the need to save individual species from extinction certainly hinges at times on our ability to save individual animals.

Her judgement was true even then and ominously prophetic for the new century.

Golden Age Managing Director & Designer Bob Barton & Programming Director Kate Jinx

Mr Barton adds, “Everyone feels like the magic had gone out of cinema, and it has been so enjoyable to bring that magic back to a community.”

Built in 1940, the Paramount Pictures site served as a distribution hub for Australia and Oceania until Paramount moved out in the seventies. To create Golden Age Cinema, Mr Barton restored the original private screening room in the lower ground floor of the heritage-listed building, keeping the original 35mm film projectors in the projection room.

The adjacent cocktail bar is a Lynchian visual feast of plush velvet, brass and American walnut. Mr Barton explains his creative inspiration for the Golden Age bar, “The concept was ‘a hotel in space, where you never knew if you were going forwards or backwards in time’, and I’m really happy with how surreal it all feels. It’s great to see the surprise on peoples’ faces when the curtain wall in the bar opens up to reveal a secret stage.”

An impressive feat in both restoration and design, the Golden Age fit-out won Barton a national architecture commendation for best creative reuse of a heritage building.

Like the iconic Hollywood Hotel around the corner, Golden Age pays homage to the history of the area. Ms Jinx says, “I always despair when I see beautiful old buildings that are unused and crumbling.

I’d much rather see old spaces with a bit of life breathed back into them, in a respectful way. The Paramount Building has a lot of history to it and we’ve had lots of people get in touch with their stories about what they remember of it.”

Despite an obvious nostalgia for another era, Golden Age Cinema and Bar operates by the maxim that the good old days are, in fact, now. Ms Jinx explains, “Not all the best times are in the past – they’re happening right now, all the time.”

Mr Barton adds, “We see this era that we live in as a golden age, where we have the capacity to use technology to reawaken past beauty and create new experiences. People have responded really well to the venue, the bar and the progressive programming that mixes classics, new releases and cult fun.” (CC) ourgoldenage.com.au

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Four Dogs and a Bone

On the first day of rehearsals actor Guy Edmonds asks director Lucas Jervies, “Why are we doing this?” Edmonds recalls, “He said ‘I want to make adults feel like children’ – that was the mantra going in and it was a really great anchor working at that level.”

This one-man show, an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, began as a final year NIDA project for Jervies. Through workshops with Edmonds it became an energetic, physical and darkly comedic show.

Two years on and with a successful run at the Malthouse in Melbourne, The Witches is playing for Sydney’s Griffin Theatre.

The chance to tackle mature themes with a child-like sensibility

seems to be what drew Edmonds to this role. Speaking about Dahl he says, “He doesn’t shy away form the harsh realities of life. He fills it with joy and love, but it’s not entirely a rose-coloured view of the world.”

For Edmonds, working on multiple levels is what makes a master storyteller and reading those stories a necessary part of growing up. He vividly remembers reading scary books as a child and “the victory of overcoming that by yourself” being part of the reward. (ATS) Sep 24-Oct 5, SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod St, Kings Cross, $22-25, griffintheatre.com.au

“It’s challenging making people laugh,” he says, “In comedic theatre you get immediate feedback about whether you’re hitting the right buttons, from an acting point of view it’s a really rewarding thing when you do.”

The play had an impressive run when it premiered in New York in 1993, by popular demand it ran for an extended season in Manhattan’s Theatre Club. Gerrard says: “Everyone has dreams in their life, Four Dogs explores who’s willing to stand by their morality and how far will one go to fight for those dreams. I think that premise will resonate with audiences.” (GF) Sep 16-27, Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo, $21-39, sitco.net.au

The Witches

After a brief hiatus, the Sydney Children’s Festival returns this year to a brand new venue – the Seymour Centre. According to festival director, Tim Jones, the new location allows for interaction between the children, artists and exhibits that has not been possible before. “It works terrifically well as a contained but vibrant arts environment,” he enthuses, noting that the venue, “gives the kids a real buzzing environment [with] workshops in art rooms, theatre happening in theatre spaces and wandering magicians. [It’s] up close and personal.”

In fact, the strong focal point of this year’s festival is what Jones calls, “Unusual engagement in high-quality arts experiences.” Children can work with artists on sculptures, be part of the creation of a mural which will decorate the courtyard, and even be part of the show in the case of Twinkle – a theatrical show, “in which young people can sign up. They’ll have four to six hours rehearsal, and then they join the professional actors and become part of it.”

There’s even a circus tent set up, where kids can live out their dreams of running away to join the circus.

With all of this action jam-packed into one place, expect some very tired kiddies on the car ride home. (SW) Sep 23-28, Seymour Centre, City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale, no entry fee, event prices vary, sydneychildrensfestival.com

photo: Brett Boardman

How far would you really go to get what you want? Four characters ponder this through the sharp, punchy and witty Four Dogs and a Bone. Premiering at Woolloomooloo’s Old Fitzroy Theatre, Four Dogs is the highly acclaimed comedy from Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer John Patrick Shanley.

It’s a mockery of the movie-making business, following four people with very different agendas, who scheme and cohort in the shallow world of Tinsletown.

“The style is very direct, it’s larger than life in terms of its characters. There’s a lot of nuances, a lot of characterisation and it’s very fast hitting” says Paul Gerrard, who will make his Sydney debut after 25 years as an actor in London.

Sydney Children’s Festival

JENNIFER FORVER

a&e

Two Peas Theatre Company presents a deeply dark look into the lives of two people whose needs are not satisfied by what civilisation can afford them. Jennifer Forever holds a mirror up to society and demands some answers.

“It’s a story about a girl who is particularly extraordinary and a man who is seemingly really normal. It follows the story of their relationship of when they first meet and the demise of that relationship,” says lead actress Gemma Scoble.

Director and writer Tara Clark wanted to create something that she would perform, as she was tired of the lacklustre roles female actors usually portray. However, she opted out of starring and is taking the helm as director instead.

“She [Clark] was looking for someone who’s bold and who has the courage of their convictions and a woman who has the desire to play roles outside the typical girl roles in theatre,” says Scoble, “Someone who wasn’t afraid to play and bring dimension to a character.”

Jennifer Forever is not scared to delve into some hard-hitting issues, such as sexual abuse and paedophilia. Clark believes that despite the sombre subject matter, it will be an enjoyable experience for both the audience and actors and sometimes “the best art is the ugliest to look at”. (CT) Sep 17-28, Old 505 Theatre, 342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, $20, thetwopeas.com

16 STAGE 17 SCENE 18 SCREEN 19 Sounds

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

Contributors: Alexis Talbot-Smith, Anita Senaratna, Carmen Cita, Ciaran Tobin, Craig Coventry, Elise Cullen, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Jamie Apps, Leann Richards, Linda Carroll, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Melody Teh, Michael Muir, Michelle Porter, Peter Hackney, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Ruth Fogarty, Shauna O’Carroll, Siri Williams

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Kryptonite Painted From Memory The album Painted From Memory – a collaboration between Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach – was released in 1998 and draws on the strengths of Bacharach’s ‘60’s styles and Costello’s subtle lyricism to give it a timeless sound.

This month, a new collaboration will showcase the album – stars of the Australian stage Michael Falzon and Bobby Fox, a nine-piece orchestra and special guests (including Laura Bunting) will be performing an assortment of songs by Costello and Bacharach.

Bobby Fox is known for his wide range of performance experience, such as being a champion Irish dancer and starring in Jersey Boys. He has also

Review

LOVEBiTES

photo: Blueprint Studios

The Lady From Shanghai Nikki Nouveau presents her popular, sultry adaptation of Orson Welles’s 1947 classic The Lady From Shanghai.

The production has a modern edge including an electric form of exhibitionism, while still heavily influenced by the original. “I really want the audience to be transported into the film theme. I’ve used elements like film projection, live footage and original music from the film soundtrack.

I want the people to feel the dark sense of intrigue, as though they’re living a film noir experience in the form of a cabaret,” says Nouveau. “This show is a thrilling tale of intrigue, mystery and love. It’s narrated by an exotic mistress – that is the Lady of Shanghai – as she seeks revenge over her lover’s betrayal.”

Nikki Nouveau is not only a classically trained chanteuse but also an overall performance artist, using her talent and skill in burlesque dance, conceptualisation and imagination to bring ideas to life before the audience’s eyes.

In essence the idea is to absorb the audience into the show itself. The presentation promises to be daring and inviting, using film, music, performance, and dance to evoke the era and intrigue. (RBM) Sep 25, Slide Lounge, 41 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, $30-70, slide.com.au

THEATRE &

PERFORMANCE unholy ghosts Death is something that we’ll all experience but how do you deal with the void left behind from the death of a loved one?

Based on Decent’s personal experience, the relatable and moving play is about a man dealing with the impending death of his parents.

Decent explores the portrait of life in 16

recently released an album. Michael Falzon has a rich career in musicals including We Will Rock You, Rock of Ages and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

“Bobby and I are excited to be working together. This hasn’t been done before in Australia; it is the first time this album has been presented,” Falzon says. “We are trying a faithful interpretation, to show those who may know just some of the songs that the album tells a bit of a story. We’re also using it as an excuse to perform the songs we love!” (JO) Sep 24, City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney, $60-79, (02) 8256 2222, cityrecitalhall.com

both a tragic and comic way, to truly reflect the madness of life.

The bare and intimate production aims to connect with audiences individually, and for each person then to take something from it personal to their story.

Starring actor James Lugton says, “I think everyone will take something different away from it, so what one person takes away will be completely different from the person sitting next to them,” Lugton says. (SOC)

Until Sep 20, Griffin Theatre, 10 Nimrod St, Darlinghurst, $28-35, (02) 9361 3817, griffintheatre.com.au SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL With over 300 productions across 60 venues covering everything from theatre, music, comedy, cabaret, dance and visual art, the annual Sydney Fringe Festival promises to be better than ever.This year’s program showcases the abundance of quirky and alternative culture that Sydney’s arts scene has to offer.

When it comes to love, there are two sides to every story.

Hayes Theatre Company’s latest production, LOVEBiTES, is a funny, touching look at different types of love.

The first act kicks off with a cheery, bouncy opening number before introducing seven couples (played by Kirby Burgess, Tyran Parke, Adele Parkinson and Shaun Rennie) in various meet-cutes.

The second act is much more sombre, as the audience finds out from the other halves of the couples how things turned out.

You think you know what to

Europe

When Aussie bloke, Douglas, and European actress, Barbara, have a fleeting fling in Australia they leave it like many holiday romances – they’ll try and “see each other again.” But when hopeful Douglas flies to Europe to see if he can rekindle the affair, Barbara is wary. Over the next 24 hours, they wander through a quintessential European city talking, arguing, flirting and ultimately discovering more about each other.

While the play is ostensibly a romance between Barbara and Douglas, the deeper love affair under the surface is the one of Australia for Europe.

“Australia looks to Europe as the kind of mature, cultured civilisation that has much to inform us of,” says director James Beach. “It’s that whole thing about the cultural cringe. We might be starting to shake it off but those issues are still things we talk about all the time.”

Although Michael Gow’s comedy Europe was written in 1987, Australia’s continuing fascination with the continent still makes it relevant today.

“More Australians will have a direct personal

While occasionally the term ‘fringe’ may lend itself to images of esoteric productions held in random back laneways, this year’s new festival director, Kerri Glasscock, is making sure every experience at the festival will be cohesive and illuminating.

As a force of nature in Sydney’s art scene and co-founder of trendsetting underground performance space, Venue 505, it’s important to Glasscock that everyone involved – the venues, the performers and, of

expect, but there are clever twists.

Parke and Rennie have a huge amount of onstage chemistry as a gay couple who meet at a book club but can’t get married in Australia (sadly, still just as relevant today as it was in the ‘90s when the show made its debut), and the biggest laughs come from Annie (Parkinson) and Kevin (Rennie) – a couple based on a cringeworthy urban legend.

(AS) Until Oct 5, Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point, $42.90-49.90, (02) 8065 7337, hayestheatre.com.au

experience of what it is to go that far, to see those things, to test the limits of their personality, and have those flings that probably weren’t possible when this was written,” says Beach. (MT) Until Sep 27, Seymour Centre, City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale, $25-38, seymourcentre.com

course, the audiences – are getting the most out of the festival.After all, festivals like Fringe are vital to Sydney.

“It provides local independent artists an opportunity to collaborate with other artists, develop and try out new works, and find new audiences,” says Glasscock. (MT) Until Sep 30, various venues, various prices, sydneyfringe.com MACBETH Shakespeare’s classic tale of ambition, betrayal and brutality has been imagined onstage many

photo: Kurt Sneddon, Blueprint Studios

appeals to Mills. “Sometimes what you want at 21 is a lot different to what you want when you’re 40 and sometimes what you want you just can’t have.”

Having writer Sue Smith (Brides of Christ, Mabo) in the rehearsal room is clearly an important part of the chemistry. One of Australia’s most treasured screenwriters, she has only recently turned her hand to theatre. “It is such an amazing privilege having Sue in the room with us,” says Mills, “there is so much trust in the writing and direction.” (GW) Until Oct 18, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 1, Pier 4, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $50-99, (02) 9250 1777, sydneytheatre.com.au

photo: Michele Aboud

It begins when they meet at University – Lian, the shy Chinese exchange student and Dylan, the carefree charismatic Sydneysider.

As the years go by their paths cross and lives entwine, drawn closer until the personal and political collide.

“They have such a great love for each other,” says Ursula Mills, who plays Lian, “but life just gets in the way.”

Set against a background of political intrigue and the spectre of Tiananmen Square, Kryptonite is an unconventional love story. “It’s quite heartbreaking at times,” says Mills, “there are so many obstacles to them being together.”

The lack of a predictable ‘fairytale’ ending is something that obviously

times. However, director Kip Williams has a keen determination to set his Sydney Theatre Company production apart from the rest.

In a complete reversal of all theatre norms, the audience sit on the stage while the play unfolds in the abandoned auditorium. It’s a play Williams believes is relatable to all. (MT) Until Sep 27, Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd,Walsh Bay, $50-109, (02) 9250 1777, sydneytheatre.com.au

THE NAKED CITY

The last picture show (again!)

Aztecs

A wall of carved skulls, which were once part of the Pyrmont incinerator, adorns the entrance of Aztecs, the new exhibition at the Australian Museum. It’s a suitably gothic introduction to a presentation that is not afraid to explore the more gruesome aspects of this lost civilisation.

The visually spectacular display artfully conveys the intricacy of the people’s lives, the complexity of their mythology and the continued influence of the ancient culture on modern Mexico.

A mask made of a human skull and an eerie statue of the god of the underworld, whose dangling liver and curved talons threaten ominously from a niche, are sinister reminders of the importance of human sacrifice in Aztec life.

A replica of the grand temple further illustrates the role of religion in everyday existence.

The combination of interactive technology, ancient relics and contemporary relevance makes this a show that will appeal to a wide demographic. (LR) Until Feb 1,The Australian Museum, 6 College St, Sydney, $14-24, australianmuseum.net.au

‘Eagle warrior sculpture 1440–69’, photo: Michel Zabe © The Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia (INAH)

By Coffin Ed, Miss Death & Jay Katz When the analogue TV signal was finally switched off late last year there were still cathode ray freaks that kept their old receivers right up until the moment their screens went blank. Some have since installed set top boxes whilst others have reluctantly switched to the flat screen digital.

The new digital network has opened up a host of free-to-air channels but now we are told one of them, the community access channel, is to be switched off and the valuable broadcast spectrum flogged off.

Community TV stations like Sydney’s TVS have been broadcasting since 2004 and Australian community TV goes right back to the mid 1990s.

Throughout Australia the various community stations have been not only a valuable training ground for the industry at large but also provided exposure for a diverse range of programs not normally covered by mainstream TV. The production values are often of the low-budget variety but the enthusiasm and creative levels are high. The result is a welcome option to the loathsome pap that dominates much of free-to-air television.

Now the Communications Minister and self-acknowledged techno whiz kid Malcolm Turnbull wants to restrict all community television to the internet.

That means you either watch the station on a computer or handheld device or connect to a smart TV. Which is great if you are like millionaire Malcolm and own the latest 80-inch smart TV but not so good if you are using run-of-the-mill technology.

Admittedly TVS does currently stream on the internet but that’s not really the issue. Accessing community

television needs to be a simple press of your remote control, so that the choice is there and immediately stacked up against all that the other free-to-air channels have to offer. It’s often during the non-peak times that the community stations offer a real alternative to the late night bosh of commercials and the ABC. When all that’s on offer is Psychic TV, the home shopping channels, and yet another repeat of Bargain Hunt, community TV is like an oasis in the electronic wilderness.

Community radio throughout Australia was also under threat earlier this year when the Government threatened to withdraw funding as part of their budget cuts. Fortunately they did not proceed but imagine the furore that would occur if they tried to restrict all community stations to the internet.

As TVS state on their website: “There are no economic or technical reasons why community television should not be given a permanent home on free to air digital broadcast spectrum. CTV receives no government funding in order to operate its services and there is enough available broadcast spectrums to ensure a variety of media operators can exist including CTV stations.Without community television we lose genuine media diversity, a training ground for up and coming television talent, a resource for tertiary institutions to provide real world experience to students, coverage of local events and festivals and a medium for local sports organisations without access to mainstream media.”

You can show your support for Community Television Sydney by signing up to the campaign via committocommunitytv.org.au, and by liking the campaign on Facebook at facebook.com/ committocommunitytv.org.au

arms towards a central plinth surrounded by the black flags of political Haze, at 4A Centre for parades.

Contemporary Asian A stark white contrast Art, is an exhibition by is Sarah Contos’ 23 Ming three artists who visited Vases for Little Horse Beijing for the gallery’s inaugural studio program (everything that moves with artist Shen Shaomin. breaks). Her plaster vases juxtapose images Their works are a testimony to the efficacy of collectable Chinese pottery with the of the visit. disposable transience of Tully Arnot’s light modern life. sculpture, Cold Beer Cold Women, takes advertising Each artist has produced lighting and transforms it unique contributions that illustrate how their into a sparkling expose. exposure to a different Meanwhile Jensen’s cultural atmosphere Tjhung’s New God/False enhanced and expanded God, focuses on the the creative horizon. (LR) role of contemporary Until Oct 25, 4A Centre art in public space. This installation is dominated for Contemporary Asian Art, 181-187 by two zombie-like Hay St, Sydney, free, mannequins striving for survival, stretching their 4a.com.au

Photo: Zan Wimberley

Haze

‘Haze’Tully Arnot, Sarah Contos, Jensen Tjhung. 2014 installation view, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. Courtesy of the artists

motion/emotion – Annette Messager Annette Messager’s motion/emotion is an expedition through the physical to discover the spirit of humanity.

The artist’s early life in a French village famed as both a convalescent and tourist destination, is clearly connected to these astounding pieces which reflect the conundrum of sickness and celebration.

The voyage begins with a dissection of the outer shell. Brightly patterned gloves with pencil talons cling to long threads in Les Gants – Grimaces – The Gloves – Grimaces. But the metaphor of comfort is ripped apart in Les Depouilles – Skins, a series of desiccated hides hanging nearby.

The journey continues with Penetration where internal organs are suspended from the ceiling like a mobile over a child’s cradle, menacing yet familiar.

Then the chronicle reaches its apogee with the startling Casino, which plays with the legend of Pinocchio to comment on birth, death and Christianity.

This is a thoughtfully curated exhibition, which showcases a complex and unique artistic oeuvre. (LR) Until Oct 26, Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St,The Rocks, free, mca.com.au ‘Casino’ by Annette Messager, 2005

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Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2014

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival should be a real treat for Sydneysiders, this year’s selection features a wide range of Italian films that promise to bring a dash of Mediterranean romance to Palace cinema locations.

Launching the festival with some melody is Marina, an entertaining biopic that tells the true story of singer, songwriter and accordionist, Rocco Granata.

I Can Quit Whenever I Want is a fast-moving, farcical comedy about academics that can’t find employment worthy of them, so decide there’s more money in the drug trade. A molecule in the drug they peddle is not illegal so, for a while, they manage to dodge the attention of the law – but not the attention of mobsters from a rival drug-ring.

Despite its Belgian origin, this animation resembles a Pixar Production.

An incredibly cute, accident-prone, lost, young cat finds refuge during a storm in the house of an ageing magician who surrounds himself with equally cute automatons, and christens the feline ‘Thunder’.

Housemates Jack Rabbit and Maggie Mouse see Thunder as an interloper who must be expelled.

However, when the magician’s real-estate-agent nephew tries to grab the house for sale and send his hospitalised uncle to an old-people’s home, everyone joins forces to defeat the threat.

Parents tasked with taking their offspring to this one will also be delighted and might even find extra interest in the detailed film score.

It seems wrong to find fault with such a charming film – 85 minutes seems a touch overlong for restless children – but The House of Magic is worth taking the risk. (MMu) WWW½

We Are the Best!

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS is a hilarious mockumentary that revolves around three housemates who happen to be vampires – there is an outrageously surreal contrast between the normal streets of Wellington, New Zealand, and the very atypical selection of undead.

The film crew follows the lives of Viago (Taika Waititi), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), and Vladislav (Jemaine Clement), and the comedic timing and performances will have audiences in stitches.

Almost like an inside-out horror production, What We Do in the Shadows has an abundance of comedy with horror relief – an eccentric and imaginative 18

Perhaps the most hilarious moment is when the gang hold-up a pharmacy with antique muskets and one of them is recognised (despite wearing a mask). The moral of the story is that every choice has a cost – and theirs comes in the form of fractured relationships and imprisonment. The use of saturated colour makes red, yellow and green very evident, resulting in lurid visuals that seem to match the action and the festival itself.

Let’s celebrate the fact that Italy still makes cinema that is uniquely Italian. It could be a wonderful few weeks. (MMu) Sep 18-Oct 12, Palace Norton St, Palace Verona & Chauvel Cinema, $15-19, italianfilmfestival.com.au

The Queer Screen Film Festival returns to Sydney, presenting some of the highest quality and award-winning films from around the world. The program consists of nine feature-length films and eight shorts, all of which contain non-heterosexual themes.

Paul Struthers, the festival’s director, says the public has changed with the times and films with queer themes are appealing to moviegoers regardless of sexual persuasion.

“Appropriate Behaviour screened at The Sydney Film Festival recently and was a sell-out. Our films cross over to audiences, gay or straight,” Struthers says.

“We looked at 50 films, collated the entries and shaped a program with a range of films that should appeal to all audiences.”

The Way He Looks is an award-winning film from Brazil that centres on a blind teenager living with strict parents who falls in love with a male friend.

This feel-good film explores homosexual themes through the eyes of the handicapped.

MyMy is a sci-fi short film set around Newtown which features a cast of Sydney queer artists and performers. This documentary contains fictional elements and performance art, featuring two transgender men who play very queer versions of their own characters.

Pride is a warm and witty comedy/drama from the UK which closes the film festival. Inspired by true

The Infinite Man

The House of Magic With ABBA splitting, it seems the two most dangerous things left in 1982 Stockholm were boredom and conformity: enter two loveable 13-year-old nonconformists, Bobo (Mira Barkhammar) and Klara (Mira Grosin), who believe punk is the recipe for life – despite the fact that everyone else says it’s dead.They set out to convert shy Christian girl Hedvig (Liv LeMoyne) and the trio form a punk band whose only song is I Hate Sport.

All-in-all, it’s a slim basis for a feature film – which even at only 102 minutes seems long.

Is there anything sadder than a disappointing film that, made differently, could have been wonderful?

Perhaps with better writing and more ruthless editing We Are the Best! might have been just that. It has its moments, but not nearly enough.

Those teens, though – they are a life force! We Are the Best is almost worth seeing just for them. (MMu) WW

perspective on an oversaturated subject. (RBM) WWWW THE IMMIGRANT 1921: Ewa (Marion Cotillard) and her ill sister Magda (Angela Sarafyan) arrive in the USA at the Ellis Island immigration centre after fleeing post WWI Poland.

Cotillard as Ewa looks beautiful, demure and vulnerable, and she needs protection from the exploitation of Joaquin Phoenix’s sinister Bruno, who gets her a job at the Bandit’s Roost, first as a dancer, then as a prostitute.

Ultimately, The Immigrant is a reminder of the value of courage and persistence in the face of life’s vicissitudes. (MMu) WW½

FELONY Joel Edgerton writes and performs in this intense story about a good cop who does a bad thing.

A lie snowballs quickly but the avalanche to come is a slower process as he battles his own demons, the senior detective ready to cover it up (Tom Wilkinson), his conflicted wife (Melissa George), and the idealist relentless in his pursuit to expose him (Jai Courtney).

Director Matthew Saville takes audiences on an uncomfortable but compelling ride, whilst the performances are full of strength and subtlety. (CC) WWW½ PREDESTINATION In this Australian production, American

The Infinite Man is a quixotic journey through the mind of a very confused man. It is a tale of obsession and strange erotic fantasies.

Dean (Josh McConville), a quirky, neurotic pseudo scientist is obsessed with Lana (Hannah Marshall) but his quest for her love takes an almost incomprehensible turn when he uses time travel to repair the rifts in their relationship.

The sparse setting of this movie is a reflection of its low budget, but works well as a backdrop for the raw revelation of human emotions.

The wonderfully odd Dean swings between anger, despair and incapacity. He seems most exasperated with himself and by dabbling in time creates the opportunity to express that disappointment personally.

The heroes in a half-shell have been reinvented using spectacular special effects but it’s debatable whether The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles translates beyond kids’ cartoons and ‘80’s kitsch.

The cumbersome rubber suits have been swapped for some ‘realistic’ CGI to help the turtles move like the ninjas they are supposed to be, and the best bits are when the four brothers are interacting with each other – the characterisations, at least, are spot on.

Unfortunately, even the comedic genius of Will Arnett cannot make up for the miscasting of Megan Fox, the mutated mess of a plot, full of holes and crammed with unnecessary nods to the originals as well as references to Fox’s hotness.

Entertaining enough for a specific demographic and fan base, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is not the impressive nostalgia-stuffed update most were hoping for. (LL) WWW actor Ethan Hawke plays the Temporal Agent who must neutralise the one offender that has eluded him through time.

Robert A. Heinlein was one of the genius writers of science fiction and the twin Spierig brothers (writers/ directors/producers) have taken on the challenging task of telling one of his stories visually.

It’s a film that puts a new spin on the familiar tale of the agent working to prevent a terrorist outrage. (MMu) WWW PALO ALTO Based on the short stories of controversial Hollywood star James Franco, Palo Alto explores the turbulent, confusing, and lonely

Queer Screen Film Festival 2014 events, this film is set in 1984 during the strike of the National Union of Mineworkers. At a gay march in London, a group of gay and lesbian activists raise money for the striking families, but the Union is embarrassed to receive their support.

“The underlying message in these films is to be proud of who you are. We are all unique and are fortunate that we can be who we want to be in the streets, unlike our brothers and sisters around the world,” says Struthers. (MM) Until Sep 21, Event Cinemas, 505-525 George St; Dendy Newtown, 263 King St, Newtown, $19-85 (flexi-5 pass), queerscreen.org.au This movie is confusing as a narrative, as are many films in the time travel genre. However as a metaphor for the utter heart rending dishevelment caused by jealousy and abandonment it is a stunning, humorous and thoughtful success. (LR) WWW

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

time known as adolescence.

The directorial debut from the next generation of Coppola, Gia, transforms the film into beauty.

Sadly there’s only a semblance of a narrative to follow but considering the film’s subject matter perhaps that’s the point.

Although wonderfully shot, well acted and a poignant insight into adolescence, it’s all been said before. (MT) WWW THE EXPENDABLES 3 Barney (Sylvester Stallone) replaces his current Expendables team with young blood, but when they’re captured and held hostage the old gang reform to pull off a stunning

rescue mission. Star-studded Hollywood heavyweights including Harrison Ford and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been assembled for this mammoth sequel, with Antonio Banderas hilarious as the chatty wannabeexpendable.

After the release of this film’s cheesy predecessor the tired format was revamped, with the elimination of the self-parody and re-introduction of the more conventional style of action film.

This has successfully revitalised the franchise, still remaining comical but adding an edge that should arrest audiences and secure yet more sequels. (MM) WWW½

Jim-E Stack – Tell Me I Belong Jim-E Stack’s debut LP draws on a multitude of influences from garage, techno, and R&B, right up to electronic dance tracks in what becomes somewhat of a roller-coaster ride of house music.

The most notable element of this release is Stack’s profound ability to subtly and smoothly shift gears up and down the tempo range to take the listener on a specific journey. Unfortunately this makes the LP so easy to listen to that it can quickly pass you by without leaving any particular moment that stands out.

After multiple listens Reassuring and Out of Mind stand out as the top tracks. (JA)

The Dirty Earth – Autonomic The Dirty Earth’s album Autonomic is a little rough around the edges.The electricity coming from the guitar half mixes and half challenges the grainy quality in front woman Mandy Newton’s voice.

There is darkness in this music, there is angst and there is energy but there is also a fight going on between guitar and woman. Some of the natural beauty in her voice is lost in the more strained moments. At times the result is a mix that creates chills and at other times it’s almost painful in its determined force.This album is perfect for playing loud. (SP)

Amber Lawrence Award-winning singer, songwriter and local Maroubra girl, Amber Lawrence, will launch her upcoming album Superheroes with a live performance at The Basement.

As a city and beach girl country music didn’t stand out as the most likely career path, but one way or another Lawrence eventually fell into it after being told by her singing teacher to buy a CD from a genre she had never listened to before.

“I picked up a LeAnn Rimes album, which I loved, and from there my collection continued to grow. Then as time went by and I got more and more absorbed into it I started to write songs with some meaning which led to where I am now,” says Lawrence.

Superheroes is full of songs with deeply emotional meanings for Lawrence, in particular the track Lifesaver

which was written as a tribute to her late father that eventually morphed into a true Autralian love story.

Lawrence describes the process of writing the song: “I wanted to write a song about a lifesaver because that’s what my Dad lived and breathed, but as I was writing all these memories came flooding back of stories I was told about when my parents met, so it eventually went more in that direction.”

It is because of songs like this that the album has gained a reputation as Lawrence’s most personal release to date, however, she is quick to point out that “while I haven’t held anything back emotionally and personally, I still feel these are some of my most relatable songs because they tap into emotions we all feel.”

To get that final piece of added

LIVE WIRE

Highasakite: This Norwegian five-piece band will be making their debut trip down under with a show at The Oxford Art Factory. The band has been getting some favourable attention and airtime on Triple J with their single Since Last Wednesday. They combine soaring vocals from lead singer Ingrid Helene Håvik (who has been likened

inspiration Lawrence travelled to the mecca of country music, Nashville, and spent three weeks there writing the album before eventually deciding to also produce it there.

“It was really inspiring being in Nashville and it was kind of a bucket-list thing to do an album in Nashville, since it is where all the really great players are based,” she says.

For the album launch performance Lawrence will be playing all of the new songs from Superheroes as well as some fan-favourites. She describes her excitement by saying, “I love these songs and think people are really going to respond to them so I can’t wait to sing them to a live crowd.

They’re also well produced, so I know the band is looking forward to playing them.” (JA) Sep 18,The Basement, 7 Macquarie Pl, Circular Quay, $25.80-75.80+bf, moshtix.com.au

Sydney Live Music Guide

to Bjork) with synth, guitar and drums to create a fun multi-layered folk sound.

Thu, Sep 18th, Oxford Art Factory Saskwatch: This Melbourne nine-piece have been on a meteoric rise over the past four years starting from busking on the streets and climbing all the way to gracing the stage of one of the worlds biggest

music festivals, Glastonbury.

The band now brings their trademark horns & dynamic vocals blended with low-fi garage rock to Sydney.

Fri, Sep 19th, Manning Bar Caravãna Sun: Hot off their European tour the Australian gypsy-ska rockers head straight into the 46-show Jackal In The Night homecoming tour. This will be a celebration of the final

single from their album AYA and will be capped off by filming the video clip for the song at the Oxford Art Factory show.

Sat, Sep 20th, Oxford Art Factory Evan & The Brave: In celebration of the release of their new single Stay This Way Sydney quartet Evan & The Brave will provide the perfect soundtrack for a chilled out Sunday afternoon

session at Bondi’s Beach Road Hotel, with a free acoustic set of their dreamy pop-rock tunes.

Sun, Sep 21st, Beach Road Hotel Bertie Blackman: The Triple J fan favourite & ARIA Award-winner has announced a two-show tour kicking off in Sydney to coincide with the release of War Of One – the second single from the upcoming

fifth studio album The Dash that is due for release in October. This tour showcases not only the trademark alt-pop sound that made Blackman famous, but also explores a new sound which puts a twist on the stereotypical music associated with pop anthems by putting them through a hazy ‘80s prism. (JA) Wed, Sep 24th, Oxford Art Factory

FREEWILLASTROLOGY

by Rob Brezsny

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): These horoscopes I write for you aren’t primarily meant to predict the future. They are more about uncovering hidden potentials and desirable possibilities that are stirring below the surface right now.

When I’m doing my job well, I help you identify those seeds so you can cultivate them proactively. Bearing that in mind, I’ll pose three pertinent questions. 1. What experiments might stir up more intimacy in the relationships you want to deepen? 2. What could you change about yourself to attract more of the love and care you want? 3. Is there anything you can do to diminish the sting of bad memories about past romantic encounters, thereby freeing you to love with more abandon?

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The old Latin motto *Gradu diverso, via una* can be translated as either “Continuing on the same road, but with a different stride” or “Going the same way, but changing your pace.” I think this is excellent advice for you, Taurus. By my reckoning, you are on the correct path. You are headed in the right direction. But you need to shift your approach a bit -- not a lot, just a little. You’ve got to make some minor adjustments in the way you flow.

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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): For years, Donna and George Lewis used a 33-pound, oval-shaped rock as a doorstop in their Tennessee

home. Later they moved it to their garden. Then one day George analyzed it with his metal detector and realized it had unusual properties.

He took it to scientists who informed him it was a rare and valuable four-and-a-half-billionyear-old meteorite. With this as our subtext, Gemini, I’m asking you if there might be some aspect of your life that is more precious than you imagine.

Now is a favorable time to find out, and make appropriate adjustments in your behavior.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): I’ve got a radical proposal, Cancerian. It might offend you. You may think I’m so far off the mark that you will stop reading my horoscopes.

But I’m willing to take that risk, and I’m prepared to admit that I could be wrong. But I don’t think I am wrong. So here’s what I have to say: There is a sense in which the source of your wound is potentially also the source of the “medicine” that will heal the wound. What hurt you could fix you. But you must be careful not to interpret this masochistically. You can’t afford to be too literal. I’m not saying that the source of your pain is trustworthy or has good intentions. Be cagey as you learn how to get the cure you need.

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The prestigious *New England Journal of Medicine* published

a study with a conclusion we might expect to see in a tabloid newspaper or satirical website.

It reported that there is a correlation between chocolate consumption and Nobel Prizes.

Those countries whose citizens eat more chocolate have also produced an inordinate number of Nobel laureates. So does this mean that chocolate makes you smarter, as some other studies have also suggested? Maybe, the report concluded. Since it is especially important for you to be at the height of your mental powers in the coming weeks, Leo, why not experiment with this possibility?

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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I rarely waste my time trying to convert the “skeptics” who attack astrology with a hostile zeal that belies their supposed scientific objectivity.

They’re often as dogmatic and closed-minded as any fundamentalist religious nut.

When I’m in a tricky mood, though, I might tell them about the “Crawford Perspectives,” a highly-rated Wall Street investment publication that relies extensively on astrological analysis. Or I might quote the wealthy financier J. P. Morgan, who testified that “Millionaires don’t use astrology; billionaires do.” That brings us to my main point, Virgo: The astrological omens suggest that the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to put in motion plans to get richer quicker. Take advantage!

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When Libra-born Mohandas Gandhi was 19, he moved to London from his native India to study law. Soon he got caught up in the effort to become an English gentleman.

He took elocution lessons and learned to dance. He bought fine clothes and a gold watchchain. Each morning he stood before a giant mirror and fussed with his hair and necktie until they were perfect. In retrospect, this phase of his life seems irrelevant. Years later he was a barefoot rebel leader using nonviolent civil disobedience to help end the British rule of India, often wearing a loincloth and shawl made of fabric he wove himself. With this as your inspiration, Libra, identify aspects of your current life that contribute little to the soul you must eventually become.

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): This might be controversial, but I suspect that for now your emphasis shouldn’t be on sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Instead, your specialties should be hard-earned intimacy, altered states that are solely the result of deep introspection, and music that arouses reverence and other sacred emotions.

You are entering a phase when crafty power is less important than vigorous receptivity; when success is not nearly as interesting as meaningfulness; when what you already understand is less valuable than what you can imagine and create.

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You are entering a phase when you will reap rich rewards by nurturing the health of your favorite posse, ensemble, or organization. How is the group’s collective mental health? Are there any festering rifts? Any apathetic attitudes or weakening resolves? I choose you to be the leader who builds solidarity and cultivates consensus. I ask you to think creatively about how to make sure everyone’s individual goals synergize with the greater good. Are you familiar with the Arabic word *taarradhin*?

It means a compromise that allows everyone to win -- a reconciliation in which no one loses face.

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The good news is that America has more trees than it did a hundred years ago.

Aggressive efforts to replace the decimated old-growth forests have paid off. The bad news is that the new forests have a far less diverse selection of tree species than the originals.

The fresh batches are often crowded into smaller spaces, so wildfires are more massive and devastating. And because so many of the forests are young, they host a reduced diversity of plant and animal life. All in all, the increased quantity is wonderful; the lower quality not so wonderful. Is there a lesson here for you? I think so. In your upcoming decisions, favor

established quality over novel quantity.

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If Pope Francis isn’t traveling, he comes out to meet the public in St. Peter’s Square every Wednesday. During one such event last January, he took a few moments to bestow tender attention on a talking parrot that belonged to a male stripper. I foresee a comparable anomaly happening for you in the coming days. A part of you that is wild or outré will be blessed by contact with what’s holy or sublime. Or maybe a beastly aspect of your nature that doesn’t normally get much respect will receive a divine favor.

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “My definition of a devil is a god who has not been recognized,” said mythologist Joseph Campbell. “It is a power in you to which you have not given expression, and you push it back. And then, like all repressed energy, it builds up and becomes dangerous to the position you’re trying to hold.” Do you agree, Pisces?

I hope so, because you will soon be entering the Get Better Acquainted with Your Devil Phase of your astrological cycle, to be immediately followed by the Transform Your Devil into a God Phase. To get the party started, ask yourself this question: What is the power in you to which you have not given expression?

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EAT & DRINK

El-Phoenician This gleaming glass box in Walsh Bay has largely escaped my notice because it’s tucked just around the corner from busy Hickson Road on Towns Place.The immediate advantage of this is a good supply of parking right out $ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

ROCKS & CBD Yayoi While the signature steamed rice Kama Daki Gohan ($8) - takes 25 minutes, the tableside-theatre and resulting pot of fluffy, freshly steamed rice, is worthwhile.This is the first Australian venture of a Japanese chain called Yayoiken.Their speciality is balanced home-style Japanese “teishoku” (meal sets).While you don’t need an entrée, a pretty plate of Gyu Tataki ($16) – seared waygu with asparagus and ponzu jelly – will keep you entertained. So will discussing the merits of the Premium Sake Selection ($10).Then tuck into a comforting wagyu beef hotpot - Wagyu Sukiyaki ($33) - or use the balanced sides as an excuse to dabble in deep-fried Pork

By Jackie McMillan front. Upon entering, it’s apparent that this is a cut above the usual Cleveland Street eateries, shrouded in dusty carpet and humming with traditional tunes.And white tablecloths, comfortable leather chairs and a minimal ambient soundtrack are just the beginning.You’ll also find cocktails and a credible wine list.While the 2010 Denis Pommier Chablis ($85/bottle) is priced on the upper edge, its fruit-driven, dry style is perfect for the cuisine. Now I categorise all Lebanese restaurants into Homous ($11) or Baba Ganouje ($11), dependent upon which dip they do better.While the chickpeas here definitely outdo the smoky eggplant, it’s actually the yoghurt or Labne ($9) that got me enthused. Ordering the Combination Banquet ($62/head) gives you the chance to make up your own mind, delivering all three plus a hefty array of salad, seafood, poultry and meat, cleverly spread across three waves. The star of the show is the chicken Shish Tawouk ($30), which goes down well with 961 Pale Ale ($10).This craft beer is infused with sumac, anise and mint, giving it a distinctive Lebanese edge.

7 Towns Place,Walsh Bay (02) 9633 161 el-phoenician.com.au Lebanese $$$ $$$ - mains between $22-$30

Fillet Katsu ($27).

Shop 2, 38-42 Bridge Street, Sydney (02) 9247 8166 yayoi.com.au Japanese $$$ Mordeo Bistro & Bar Nestled beneath five giant table lamps in the ultra-modern Deutsche Bank Place foyer, I find myself smiling. Perhaps it’s bartender Sarah Jane Clare’s Jamon & Char-grilled Pineapple Sazerac ($18) warming my heart with smooth butter-washed cognac, or maybe I just like this spot? Treat it like a bar with a Red Wolf ($15) cocktail combining beer and aperitif, and Caramelised Lamb Ribs ($12).Treat it like a restaurant, with Octopus Carpaccio ($22) and a cracking white Grenache: 2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca ($59/bottle). Silky Sautéed Squid Ink

$$$$ - mains over $30

Gnocchi ($23) and the 2012 Terra Sancta Estate Pinot Noir ($80/bottle) should see you through until the gurgling fountains become silent pools of reflection.

Shop 1, 126 Philip Street, Sydney (02) 9232 1306 mordeo.com.au Mediterranean, Cocktails $$$ PappaRich This fast-growing Malaysian eatery chain creates queues by drawing the masses out of Broadway Shopping Centre for a quick, inexpensive feed.

After populating your own order pad, tuck into stainless steel thali plates bearing everything from Mixed Satay ($13.90/6 sticks) to ultra-fragrant Biryani Rice (3 Dishes) ($15.90), made every 3-4 hours in this high-turnover space. Flaky golden Roti Canai with Beef Rendang ($13.90) might not

Devon By Night Living up to the hype that the daytime café business generated was always going to be hard… Chef Zachary Tan has kept dinner distinctly casual, dishing up Malaysian-influenced hawker snacks dressed up with the same premium ingredients that make Chef Jacqui Ektoros’ morning menus so special. So you can unseat Sydney roti king Mamak, but it comes within cooee. It’s accompanied by a wicked, hot and garlicky sambal, dhal, and credible beef rendang. Wok-fried flat noodles, Char Koay Teow ($13.50), are popular for good reason. Green teabased Matcha Rocks ($7.50) doubles as drink and dessert.

Shop 5, 185 Broadway, Ultimo (02) 9281 3228 papparich.net.au Malaysian $ DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS Bar H Dining Pickles, Chicken Skin, Wasabi ($12) are a delightful way to cleanse the palate and commence your Bar H Dining adventure into ‘Chuka’ cuisine, celebrating Japanese style ‘Chinese’ dishes. Chewy white mochi

expect to find heady Manjimup truffle slices adorning the Chinese Egg Custard ($29), and fleshy lobster tails slathered with Kewpie mayonnaise and stuffed inside buttery brioche in your individual Lobster Roll ($15.50).

Before you get too carried away, tuck into compelling Spiced Fried Chickpeas ($3) and ponder the concise but cleverly chosen list of alcoholic beverages.The 2012 Mitchelton Marsanne ($17/glass) will suit your roll, but if you’re after a good all-rounder, the Echigo Koshihikari Rice Lager ($12) is a personal favourite. Raw dishes, like ‘Prawn and Scallop Wontons’ ($18) are inviting, playing on the classic som tum with scallop adding a wonderful, textural creaminess; while others, like an oily Pig Ear Katsu ($19), are not quite as successful. Unwrapping charred banana leaves to reveal tender Skate Wing ($23) reminds me that I came to this dark, grungy garage to eat modern Asian street food.With that in mind, the poor man’s ‘snow egg’ of Coconut Jelly, Guava Sorbet and Freeze Dried Pineapple ($11) should make you grin.

76 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills (02) 9211 8777 devoncafe.com.au Pan-Asian, Café $$$

(rice cakes) give a nicely textural twist to Eggplant, Turnip, Dashi ($14), while fermented garlic and bacon give Pambula Oysters ($10) an updated ‘Asian Kilpatrick’ edge.

The slightly cloudy Uehara Shuzo ‘Soma no Tengu’ ($15/glass) will suit your bivalves, though if you’re a sake beginner, they don’t come much prettier than Houraisen Bi Junmai Daiginjo ($14/glass). Inside this dark and moody drinking den, beautifully balanced bar snacks like Cucumber, Black Fungi and Pigs Ear ($13) shine, even if the light level mutes their visual impact.

80 Campbell Street, Surry Hills (02) 9280 1980 barhsurryhills.com Chinese, Japanese $$$ Zushi In 2005 when Raymond Ang first opened Zushi in Darlinghurst, he says they were the only ones doing

the inside-out rolls that are now staples on modern Japanese menus.

Today his solid, everyday Japanese is now in Surry Hills, and those rolls – including the Tiger Roll ($18) featuring tempura Queensland banana prawns – are still popular.

Raymond’s favourite dish, Ika Somen ($15), sees calamari crafted into piles of gossamer ribbons, swished through dashi dipping sauce for a textural adventure. The menu offers up modern reinterpretations of Japanese dishes: Sashimi Tacos ($17) show off Huon Tasmanian salmon against wasabi granita and wonton chips; while Okonomiyaki ($16) updates the curling bonito-covered pancake with Balmain bugs and a honey-mustard twist.

2A/285A Crown Street, Surry Hills (02) 9380 8830 zushi.com.au Modern Japanese $$

EAT

By Jackie McMillan EAT&&DRINK DRINK

Pricing $ - mains less than $15 $$ - mains between $15-$22 $$$ - mains between $22-$30 $$$$ - mains over $30

DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS

All Good Things Eatery

bulbs, nearly all the hipster clichés are covered.The long communal centre-table lies under a hanging cage of pickles, (frustratingly) not for sale. For cold drinks, they’ve forgone jam jars in favour of old-fashioned glass milk bottles.They’re practical, if on the large size, so go big for freshly squeezed Orange Juice ($7.50) and stick to “kids” for your Salted Caramel Milkshake ($4). It’s made on indulgently creamy jersey milk, which shines in a well-made Latte ($4) too.Arriving via a tip-off that claimed:“Even the Granola ($12) was special”, I expected the food to be good. However even I was surprised by beautifully plated Salmon and Eggs ($19) with crisp-skinned Huon salmon, crunchy enoki, smoked trout roe, poached eggs and intriguing white kimchi compressed citrus.You’ll get eggs, toast, confit potatoes and fennel cream with the Pork and Fennel ($16) sausages, made in-house like their totally amazing Bacon ($5).And if huge flavours for breakfast aren’t your thing, the lunch menu reads even better. Have a Doughnut ($5) while you wait…

Shop 9-11 Mashman Avenue, Kingsgrove (02) 7903 0198 facebook.com/allgoodthingseatery Café $$

NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS (Marrickville/Petersham/ Dulwich Hill/Waterloo) If Devon and Cornersmith had a love child, this is what it would look like. Between their chosen font, the distressed furniture – down to a wooden ladder leaning against the wall housing pepper shakers - and INNER WEST old-fashioned light switches linked to caged Edison (Pyrmont/Balmain Leichhardt/Glebe) GREATER SYDNEY imported red-label Peroni ($7) to ease the pain.

Spakka-Napoli Shop 13, 166-174 Military Road, Positioned at the end of a weirdly eastern suburbs & Neutral Bay (02) 9908 7045 shaped arcadeBEACHES and saddled with spakkanapoli.com.au a quirky spelling of Spaccanapoli Pizza, Italian $$ (the road that bisects Naples), this restaurant makes you work for your INNER WEST reward: lightly charred, puffy-crusted Neapolitan pizzas.The Monday/Tuesday Restaurant at 3 Weeds special – three “tapas” dishes and Decorated with bright Aboriginal a cocktail for thirty bucks – makes art from Utopia, this comfortable me rethink my ambivalence toward restaurant is now in the hands limoncello with The Amalfi ($14.50). of Chef Nathan Jackson. He first Robust namesake Spakka Napoli cooked here under Leigh McDivitt, ($13.50) sangria is guaranteed to and is now producing a short menu complement their terracotta pots of accentuated by a great wine list.The Meatballs ($9.50), Eggplant Parmigiana 2011 Domaine Bruno Sorg Sylvaner ($10.90) and my favourite – Pollo ($74/bottle) performs well against an Alla Cacciatore ($9.90).The Eggplant Sausage Pizza ($22.90) special is further interesting House Smoked Mackerel ($18) scattered amongst horseradish, improved by chilli sauce, which should come with a warning label, or at least pickled radish and gaufrettes. Fontina

Camelot Lounge I’d follow singer Christa Hughes - daughter of the legendary Dick Hughes, the first solo jazz pianist to perform at Sydney Opera House – just about anywhere.Which is pretty much how I ended up climbing two long flights of narrow stairs into a crazy collector’s jazz bar in downtown Marrickville.You might know Christa better from her time at the top of the

14

and Truffle Tortellini ($18) – a shade thick – are sound on flavour with shaved Serrano ham and mushroom consommé. Mains are bested by the somewhat pricy 7+ Wagyu Flatiron ($40) with bone marrow butter, pine mushrooms and ox tail jus. Ultrathin ginger nut biscuits make the Salt Caramel Parfait Sandwich ($14) a ripper!

197 Evans Street, Rozelle (02) 9818 2788 3weeds.com.au Modern Australian,Wine $$$$ Rocketboy Pizza Dan Luxford is a man “on a mission” - taking four of the five Doughboy stores in a new direction. Inspired by appearing on Matthew Evans’ Gourmet Farmer, Dan took a look at the products he was putting on pizzas, and decided to make a sustainable switch. First in line: the prawns.They’re now wild-caught Aussie prawns, best

charts as K.K. Juggy with rock band Machine Gun Fellatio. I digress… So what will you find at Camelot Lounge? Well a lot of camels – totally not the reference I was thinking of when I read the name.The walls are well worth trawling for kitsch dromedary depictions. Now while the food isn’t anything to write home about, I’m telling you about this spot because live music venues are getting a bit thin on the ground, and this one’s quirky enough to visit regardless.What you can expect to be eating with your sharp, salt-rimmed Margarita ($15) or Napoleone Pear Cider ($7) are home-style pizzas with thin, crunchy bases. Stay simple with a Garlic Pizza ($8), or dress things up with salami and Kalamata olives on the Salama ($12.50), or pastrami and pineapple on a Blue Hawaii ($12.50). Or just accompany a bottle of wine from their under-forty-dollar list with a Trio of Dips ($8).

19 Marrickville Road, Marrickville (02) 9550 3777 camelotlounge.wordpress.com Bar, Pizza $

wrapped beef bulgogi - Ssam ($7/each) - were a meal highlight; as was the unusual Moon Park smoky Eggplant with Egg Two Claude’s chefs, Ben Sears Custard ($16). Blow-torched and his Korean wife Eun Hee marshmallow on the Moon Pie An, are “learning what it is to ($14) will ensure you emerge manage a restaurant in Sydney,” onto Redfern’s streets smiling. explains former Claude’s Level 1, 34 Redfern Street, manager Abby Meinke. She Redfern (02) 9690 0111 runs a seamless floor with moon-park.com.au full command of the exciting Modern Korean,Wine $$$ wine list. The 2013 Ochota Swanson Hotel Barrels ‘The Flint Vineyard’ Another notch in the belt Chardonnay ($85) suits bar for Sydney’s expanding pub snacks like Moonlight Flat gentrification with the former Claire de Lune Oysters ($4.50/ Kurrajong Hotel being refitted each) with chilli threads and and re-imagined British West plum vinegar, and Sea Urchin Indies-style by the Balmain Roe ($6/each) on seed biscuits Pub Group. Start in the first with black garlic. Cabbagefloor cocktail bar where a NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS

jackie@alternativemediagroup.com

By Jackie McMillan

caramel smear makes the Espresso Martini ($18) rather special. Move on to the 2012 Howard Park Flint Rock Chardonnay ($15/glass) in the dining room, against pungent piccalilli accompanying a rustic Pork Terrine ($16) or the well-balanced Beef Tartare ($16). The hero of the menu is the Char-grilled Spatchcock ($26), served on a fighting combination of Brussels sprouts, bacon, lentils and chilli.

And pub desserts rarely scrub up as pretty as The Swanson’s Crème Catalan ($13).

106-108 Swanson Street, Erskineville (02) 9519 3609 swansonhotel.com.au Pub Bistro $$$

The Union Hotel While the padded white booths in the upstairs showpiece Uncorked are now only reserved for functions, there’s still reason to visit The Union Hotel to eat. Le Bistro reads like a hybrid of a traditional pub menu with elements of the Gallagher Hotels’ runaway success - Le Pub.The menu recognises that steaks and against fresh parsley, garlic, lemon and baby spinach, on the simple Chilli Prawn Pizza ($17/M, $22/L, $26/XL).

You’ll also find organic Inglewood Farms chook popping up on the new Chicken Gorgonzola Pizza ($15/M, $21/L, $25/XL). On your accompanying crisp Caesar Salad ($10) you’ll find free-range eggs and bacon, with an Organic Chicken ($2.50) option.

Shop 3, 88-94 New Canterbury Road, Petersham (02) 9550 9988 rocketboypizza.com Pizza $$ EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES North Bondi Fish Last year North Bondi Italian closed its doors and no one could imagine this neck of Bondi Beach ever being

schnitzels are pub staples, while still adding a bit of flair for those who want something more interesting.

There’s also a definite focus on group dining, including a strong hors d’oeuvres selection.The “dogs” I loved at Le Pub Balmain have migrated over, sadly without the same crusty buns.The Pulled Pork Dog ($6) edges out the Marinated Chicken Dog ($6) on flavour, but still doesn’t come close to the lamb. Duck and ‘Slaw Open Steamed Buns ($14/2) have the kind of alcohol absorbing qualities I like when I’m settling in to drink; while the flavoursome Pea and Parmesan Croquettes ($15.50) with truffled pecorino, pea puree and mint, aren’t just put on there for vegetarians.Accompany either with the Jean Luc Mader Pinot Blanc ($56/bottle) before advancing to the Fickle Mistress Central Otago Pinot Noir ($15/glass) with your Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder ($25). Labne breaks up the intensely flavoured chickpea and pimento ragu.You need a bowl of the Union Waffle Chips ($10) too.

271 Pacific Highway, North Sydney (02) 9955 5844 unionhotel.com.au Pub Bistro $$-$$$

the same.That was until North Bondi Fish moved in. Stick to the theme and order the Fish and Chips ($29), or branch out with the Mussels ($25) that include a refreshing Stone & Wood beer. Grilled Prawns ($35) are whoppers but need their own side to balance the salty sea creatures.

Crab Linguine ($30) gets it spot on, the lime and chilli offsetting the sweet crab flavour. End with cocktails – the Beachside Fizz ($16) fancy vodka soda with almond syrup – and a Cheese Platter ($25) to watch the sun go down.

120 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach (02) 9130 2155 northbondifish.com.au Seafood $$ Vincent Poulet Roti ($35) combines everyone’s favourite - roast chook - with rich bread sauce, chestnuts and sprout

leaves. It’s a cool weather smile-maker I enjoy whilst facing a cabinet of cheese in the dining room of this popular restaurant, located in the classic Hughenden boutique hotel. Co-owner Traci Trinder oozes warmth and friendliness, shepherding us into a great 2012 Moreau Naudet Petit Chablis ($79) from the extensive wine list. It compliments delicate Cured Kingfish ($20) with avocado and finger lime on calamari crackers, while still standing up to more decadent choices. End with Chabichou - soft and creamy goats cheese - against green Brasserie Du Mont Blanc La Verte ($14.50) beer, or tackle tart Baked Passionfruit Custard ($14).

14 Queen Street,Woollahra (02) 8039 1500 vincentfrench.com.au French $$$$

FOOD NEWS Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Parkes, Cowra and Forbes have amped up the ease with which you can plan a food and wine focussed weekend away in Central NSW, by launching a joint website. Having already unearthed Orange’s excellent Union Bank Wine Bar myself, I’ve earmarked tapas at Bathurst’s Webb & Co wine bar for my next visit to the region, along with a gin-making course ($150/head) at Stone Pine Distillery.

Visiting Mudgee is also looking attractive, perhaps for a sourdough bread-making workshop ($110/head) at Mudgee Fine Foods followed by a beer at the Mudgee Brewing Company? I’m also eyeing off staying at the rather grand Mudgee Homestead, where for $695 per couple, you can enjoy two nights’ accommodation with breakfast daily, plus a four-course dinner before taking port and Mudgee-made chocolates in the lounge! The great thing about this website is all accommodation is clearly sorted by price, so whatever your budget, you’ll be able to find the right place and activities for you. www.visitcentralnsw.com.au

BAR FLY

MR TIPPLY’S If he had been there on the night, I would have eloped with Mr Tipply on the spot. Just from his cocktail menu, I can tell he is my kind of man. His versatility shows from a ground level signature cocktail in a top hat, to the fine china cups and saucers of The Attic bar on the first floor. The tantalising China Doll ($16) lychee, ginger and tea gin mix is well balanced and refreshing – and elegantly served from a Hendricks teapot. The cocktails here not only reflect Mr Tipply’s adventures around the world, and pack a flavour punch, but are also excellent value (with a twirl of the moustache).

The Westin Hotel background of Chef Elaine Lee peeps through in her food – which, by the way, is some of the best bar and pub food in town.

347 Kent Street, Sydney (02) 9299 4877 mrtipplys.com

By Rebecca Varidel