City News 12 June 2014

George Street cycleway opens

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Sydney’s most comprehensive What’s On guide

Marrickville welcomes refugees

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DOG gone Now you see them now you don’t, the disappearing public sculptures

Retailers call for more free car parking time BY edmund kirkwood A Darlinghurst retailers consortium wants free 15-minute parking zones in retail areas of village main streets outside the city centre extended permanently, six months into the year-long trial by the City of Sydney.

Darlinghurst Business Partnership president Stephen Gyory called for an increase in the trial period to fully experience the benefits of increased business activity.

The City introduced the trial

in December in an effort to support businesses. Although there have been no serious complaints with the initiative, questions surrounding the trial’s positive impacts for business owners are being raised.

“It is very difficult to pin down economic effects [of the current trial] without research,” Mr Gyory said.

“But ideally we think that a 30 to 40 minute free park would be more reflective of the kind of short jaunts people make into the

area.”

The affected areas include Harris St, Pyrmont; Crown St, Surry Hills; Redfern St, Redfern; parts of King St, Newtown; and William, Victoria and Oxford Sts, Darlinghurst.

However, Mr Gyory said other measures were needed to allow businesses in the area to prosper. The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) refuse to see Oxford St as a popular destination for shoppers and consumers, he said.

“Unfortunately, the RMS continues, to this day, to consider Oxford St a ‘gateway’ to the CBD [central business district], not a destination in its own right.

“The lack of sense of place on Oxford St could be ameliorated by a 40kmh speed limit and the wholesale removal of clearways.

“Any local will tell you Oxford St is nowhere near capacity and that buses race down it at over 60kmh.”

The council will conduct a study of the initiative after the

trial period has ended. However, City parking inspectors are understood to be happy with its reception so far, saying they have received positive feedback from many commuters and residents.

“I have noticed some very happy customers,” Mr Gyory said, based on the 15 minute spots outside his own business in the area.

“It really makes someone’s day when they snag a free quick spot.

And this is of great benefit to the community.”

Mr Gyory said the he was keen to see the trial continue

June 12, 2014

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The initiative was expected to affect up to 726 parking spaces within the designated areas and cost $1 million in lost parking ticket revenue.

However, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said she supported the measure to give businesses a boost, especially coinciding with its implementation in the run up to Christmas late last year.

The trial will continue until December 31. A report on the trial will determine whether or not it is continued into the future.

New city cycleway to bridge $25 million tower of arts power gap in Sydney’s bike network BY joshua tassell The City of Sydney has announced the opening of a new 2.4km cycleway along George St which links Zetland, Waterloo, Alexandria and Redfern with Central.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the growing number of people travelling on two wheels showed the importance of continuing Sydney’s bicycle network.

“Bike lanes keep riders safe – research by Transport for NSW shows that separated bike lanes have doubled the number of cyclists on the road, but led to fewer total

injuries among them,” Ms Moore said.

“The George St cycleway is the latest section of our 200km bike network to be completed and we are working with the NSW Government to fast track other parts.

“We’ve worked closely with residents and local businesses along George St to ensure the street upgrade benefits everyone.”

Independent research found the number of daily bike trips increased 132% from March 2010 to March 2014. Streets with separated cycleways, such as the George St

development, saw the most growth, with a 408% increase on Bourke St, 327% on Kent St and 307% on College St. Community group BIKESydney president David Borella said he welcomed the George St cycleway.

“The opening of the Green Sq to [central business district] cycle link along George St, Redfern, is really exciting as it presents a complete link connection between the two major centres,” Mr Borella said.

“Its arrival is something of a relief in that it’s the first evidence in over two years that the cycleway network will be allowed to evolve.”

The Lord Mayor said the city anticipates a further increase in the number of cyclists as existing cycleways and routes are connected into the network.

Mr. Borella said co-operation was important to bridge the bike network together.

“Every time a link is opened, the number of people using the link to ride to work goes off the scale. There are now sections of the cycling network where there are more people transported during peak hours on skinny bike lanes than on the fat roads next to them.

“The key is to focus on completing links, not just parts, of the cycleway network.’

The George St cycleway officially opens with “Roll Through Redfern” at Prince Alfred Park on June 14.

BY James beech Sydney’s tallest residential tower will house a $25 million dance, theatre, music, film and visual arts facilities in a deal between the City of Sydney and property developer Greenland Australia.

Described as an Australian first, the creative hub will span 2000 sq m over five storeys in the tower at the former Sydney Water site on Bathurst St. In addition to the hub, the $440 million, 67-storey development will feature 490 residential apartments and ground-floor retail space, while a 173-room hotel will be built on a neighbouring site fronting Pitt St. Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the project would bring significant economic, cultural and community benefits to Sydney.

“I’m sure this new development with Greenland will become an iconic part of Sydney’s skyline and reinforce our status as a global city and the Australian gateway for international business and tourism.”

The Lord Mayor said the project will support growth in central Sydney and provide housing and cultural facilities. The creative hub also set a precedent for the inclusion of world-class cultural facilities in private developments.

“We hope this will be the first of many agreements leading to much-needed creative and community space being incorporated into both new and existing developments across the city.”

The City has signed a 99-year lease for the creative hub via a voluntary planning agreement with Greenland Australia. The development is expected to open in late 2017.

The hub will feature architect-designed rehearsal spaces, customised studios, offices and production rooms and an apartment to be

made available for a creative fellowship program.

Facilities will include soundproofed rooms for music rehearsals, studios with sprung timber floors for dancers and actors, media and editing suites for filmmakers and new media artists, and wet/dry studios for visual artists.

The creative industries sector is one of the fastest growing in the City of Sydney, with a recent study showing nearly 1900 creative businesses employ more than 35,000 people across the local Government area.

Award-winning actor, producer and writer Claudia Karvan said the creative hub was an exciting initiative which would make a major difference to Sydney’s creative community.

“Affordable space in Sydney is scarce, so it’s fantastic that the City’s new cultural policy is unlocking affordable work spaces in Sydney.

“It’s essential to give local artists and creative teams spaces where they can progress their ideas – facilities like this new hub are the building blocks for Sydney’s future creative life.”

An artist’s impression of the Greenland creative Hub

A Photographic Eye to World of Refugees Published weekly and distributed in the CBD, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, East Sydney, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Chippendale and Glebe. Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. Published by the Alternative Media Group of Australia. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, The City News takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions. ABN 48 135 222 169 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Manager: Chris Peken Group Editor: James Beech City News Editor: James Beech Contributors: Declan Gooch, Joshua Tassell, Rachel Worsley, Nick Richardson.

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BY rachel worsley Refugees, fleeing the ravages of World War 2, wave aboard the ships which carried them to safety. A young Syrian girl sits in a classroom of empty desks, dreaming of a better future.

These are just two photos from two separate photographic exhibitions featuring refugees around the world which will be opening in Sydney in commemoration of Refugee Week 2014, on June 15 to June 21.

Wayside Chapel and the Jesuit Refugee Service Australia (JRS) will begin the commemorations with a photo exhibition called ‘‘Sanctuary and Sustenance’’. It chronicles the stories of Syrian and Congolese refugees as they flee from persecution and danger.

The photo exhibition was first held in Rome last year to acclaim and makes its debut in Australia.

Service policy and advocacy head Oliver White said the photo exhibition demonstrates how hospitality and the bridging of religious and ethnic divides can help refugees become active members of the community.

“The images are clustered around three titles. In the face of adversity, hospitality opens doors. In the face of adversity, food nourishes and shelter protects. In the face of adversity, education builds futures.

“They are the kind of key areas of work that JRS does around the world.”

Government and advocacy manager Marcus Ross said it was an honour for the exhibition to feature at Wayside Chapel.

“We think it’s very important that we partner with people in our local area and when you see the exhibition, there’s a strong idea about people making the journey and how important at the end of that journey that there is a community.

“It fits Wayside’s values perfectly.”

Mr Ross said photography provides a

powerful voice for marginalised people to communicate a message of empathy in the political context.

Meanwhile, the Australian Maritime Museum will display a selection of 150 photographs which depict the work of the International Refugee Organisation (IRO) and the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) in the 1940s and 1950s.

The exhibition “Coming to Australiaphotographs from the IRO and ICEM” was made possible by the work of the late Keith Woodward, an Australian journalist who worked with the committee from 1957 to 1961.

Collection curator Kim Tao said the display of photographs also ties in to the 70th anniversary of post World War 2 migration and refugee programmes next year.

“We’ve got photographs that cover the actual interviews [with immigration staff], the vaccinations that everyone had to get, of boarding the ships, on the ships and arriving in Australia,’’ Ms Tao said.

“I think it’s a really great insight into the

intergovernmental cooperation that was required to resettle people after the war. ‘’They are really powerful portraits that capture the universal emotions of many migrants and refugees and aspects of hope, fear and anticipation, as well as adventure that characterise migration.’’

This is the first time the collection of photographs has been shown to the public. Ms Tao hopes they may prompt some people to come forward to identify themselves and flesh out the historical narrative behind the photos.

Mr Woodward’s daughter, Barbara Alysen, gave the photographs of her father’s work to the museum in the early 1990s. She said she is happy they are being put to good use.

“I understood that it had historical relevance and I hoped a national collection would be able to make use of it.” ‘’Coming to Australia’’ opens in the Australian Maritime Museum on June 11 and ends on September 14, while ‘’Sanctuary and Sustenance’’ opens on June 15 and ends on June 21.

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by Declan Gooch Leichhardt councillors have flagged their suspicion of the state Government’s plan to redevelop Parramatta Rd. There is growing concern among residents the urban renewal project will see high-density development cut through Leichhardt and Annandale.

The Parramatta Rd Urban Renewal Program, by the state Government city planning body Urban Growth NSW, would involve a transformation of the 20km corridor between the city and Parramatta and potentially Leichhardt and Annandale land on either side.

Councillors voted to defer signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the state Government when the council met on May 27, arguing it was not clear what the implications would be.

“I’m not going to agree to sign an MOU which is going to have negative impacts on my community,” Greens Cr Rochelle Porteous said.

Urban Growth NSW wants to redevelop Parramatta Rd

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“The purpose is basically to see higher density development in large tracts of Leichhardt and Annandale . . . What the community wants to see is more open space, more community facilities and not greater density.’’

The council will request further information about the memorandum and the draft urban renewal concept plan before it votes on the issue at its next meeting, following a successful motion by Labor Crs Simon Emsley and Linda Kelly, with the support of Greens and Liberal councillors.

The purpose of the draft memorandum is to establish the “working arrangements” between the state Government and the councils along the corridor and to agree to a “governance model that involves state government partnering with local government” in the long-term planning process.

Leichhardt Residents’ Precinct Committee chairwoman Teena Clerke said the council made the right choice in deferring to sign the memorandum and is opposed to any redevelopment along Parramatta Rd. “What Urban Growth NSW are intent on doing is bringing high-rise development into our community and our homes.”

Dr Clerke said she is concerned higher-density apartment developments would bring more cars into Leichhardt’s narrow streets, especially as the WestConnex freeway, a close companion to the urban renewal project, brings more vehicle traffic through the area.

A spokesperson for Urban Growth NSW said the WestConnex Delivery Authority is delivering a motorway which provides the catalyst for the Parramatta Rd Urban Renewal Program,.

“The Parramatta Rd corridor will experience significant population growth over the coming years and decades.

The need to provide new housing and jobs is critical.”

However, unlike the WestConnex development, Urban Growth NSW would not compulsorily acquire property.

There will be no new public transport infrastructure as part of the proposed urban renewal project.

“There’s a huge need for light rail and public transport and yet there are no plans whatsoever to provide funding for light rail,” Dr Clerke said.

Urban Growth NSW expects the project will be implemented from 2015 following further consultation.

Energised Espresso Chorus brews new talent

BY Declan Gooch A no-audition policy means anything but low standards for the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus, which says it is as robust and vigorous as its namesake beverage.

Choir director Lliane Clarke is preparing the open-to-anyone group for a whimsical, comedic concert in Leichhardt this month.

“While we are [community-based] and we are audition-free, we quest for absolute excellence in delivery,” Ms Clarke said.

The 16-year-old choir’s dedication for perfection belies its members’ loyalty to the group and to each other.

“The arts are a very important place . . . for people to go to to express themselves and develop confidence and resilience in a part of their life, particularly if they’re not getting that in another part of their life,” Ms Clarke said. “[Singing gives you] an amazing feeling of elation and joy. At the end of the day, we’re just doing it because it makes us feel good.”

The chorus of more than 80 singers performs in a range of musical styles and prides itself on its work with Australian composers like ARIA award-winning Sally Whitwell.

Choristers also sing what Ms Clarke calls “the meat and two vegetable repertoire” Mozart, Beethoven and Handel.

The chorus is set to perform at the Forum Cultural Centre in June, staging a humourbased show called “S is for Seuss, Silly Sayings and Sublime Songs.” Although they often sing with a symphony orchestra, this time they will be performing with French horns, piano and percussion.

“It’s basically a concert to make everybody smile and we thought after the budget everybody probably needs to have that in their lives,” Ms Clarke said.

She said she hopes both adults and children can enjoy the performance.

“We’ve commissioned a series of pieces from Sally Whitwell and Anastasia Pahos and we’re also doing a very funny piece about being stuck in the toilet by Australian composer Daniel Brinsmead.”

The name “Espresso Chorus” is not only a reflection of the choir’s enthusiasm, but also underlines the group’s community roots, she said.

“It’s a Leichhardt brand I guess. We have a smaller chamber choir called Ristretto and [a ristretto] is basically half an espresso, and then we have a children’s choir called Espresso Kids.”

The Leichhardt Espresso Chorus is scheduled to perform at the Forum Cultural Centre on June 14 and 15.

Photo: Chris Peken

Council hesitant on Parramatta Road urban renewal

Leichhardt Espresso Chorus

Italian Forum Cultural Centre sale hits legal roadblock By rachel worsley Administrators SV Partners have secured an injunction against Leichhardt Council in a bid to prevent the sale of the Italian Forum Cultural Centre to Italian non-profit Co.As.It. Documents obtained by the Inner West Independent show SV Partners on behalf of Italian Forum Ltd successfully obtained the restraining orders from the Supreme Court of New South Wales on June 2.

Under the orders, the council is restrained from dealing with the centre in any way, including appointing a new receiver to the property.

Councillors unanimously resolved on May 27 SV Partners was to sell the centre to Co.As.It by June 2, otherwise the council was to appoint its own receivers.

However, the court order has effectively rendered the motion void until the case returns to court in mid-June.

SV Partners executive director Stephen Hathway said the council had no power to force him to sell the centre to Co.As.It as it was the lowest bidder at $2.6 million.

“Creditors have overwhelmingly been telling me that they want the best outcome and the best outcome is the highest price and the best usage of this facility,” Mr Hathway said.

Glorious Gospel Church and the Australian Institute for Chamber

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Music have lodged two superior bids. The bid by the church is believed to be valued at $2.7 million while the bid by the institute is estimated to be just below.

However, councillors rejected both bids in their latest meeting.

The council received a letter before the injunction on May 31 from the Building Management Committee of the centre asking the council to reconsider its motion.

The letter spoke about the decision not being in the interests of the “long-term regeneration and viability of the forum” in the eyes of the businesses, residents and car park operators which represent the strata groups.

“While we have the greatest respect for Co.As.It’s activities, no new population for the forum will be attracted nor generated,’’ the letter said. ‘’We understand Co.As.It has stated they are not interested in the renewal of either the cultural centre nor the piazza; it does not possess the expertise in the promotion and marketing of cultural events.’’

Co.As.It general manager Thomas Camporeale said the Italian-Australian community group has no commercial interest or any relevant experience in developing cultural events.

However, plans by Co.As.It for a “seniors precinct” and Italian classes on the site will comply with the cultural covenant, Mr Camporeale said.

“The centre was a gift to the Italian community. We will choose to move some of our classes here, but we will make the space available for community groups in the spirit of the original DA.’’ Actors Centre Australia occupies part of the building for its acting classes. Actors Centre executive director Dean Carey said Co.As. It will not be able to meet the rising costs of maintaining all aspects of the cultural centre with its plans. A partnership with a superior bidder like GGC would ensure more than 1200 people per week will visit and use the facility, Mr Carey said.

“The building isn’t for someone to move into, the building is for someone to move into and look

after and support and ignite and for every bit of its capabilities [to] exceed expectations.’’

Leichhardt Council has declined to comment further. However, Mayor Darcy Byrne said in a statement on May 29 selling the centre to Co.As.It is the right choice as it secures the future of the facility for the Italian-Australian community in Norton St. “Council has continually acted in good faith to recoup ratepayers’ costs and as well as trying to prevent this unique space being privatised,” Mr Byrne said.

The case is expected to return to court on June 16.

news in brief Men’s health appeal The Royal Flying Doctor Service is telling men to “man up” and get a primary health check as part of Men’s Health Week until June 15.

The service aims to increase awareness among men of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease.

Health services general manager Linda Cutler said men experience higher rates of heart disease, skin cancer, lung cancer and diseases of the liver.

Men also have higher rates of accidents and suicide compared with women.

“We are encouraging men to have regular checkups, engage with GP’s about any symptoms they may be experiencing and understand the link between lifestyle and health,” Ms Cutler said.

Traffic crime drops Police say they are pleased with the results of this year’s Operation Stay Alert, with drops in the numbers of The future of the Italian Forum Cultural Centre is still under a cloud

major crashes, fatalities, speeding offences and drinkdrivers.

Operation Stay Alert – the annual Queens Birthday long weekend traffic-enforcement campaign – started on June 6 at 12.01am until June 9 at 11.59pm.

During the four-day operation, 4208 NSW drivers were caught speeding, 272 were charged with drink-driving and 600 major crashes were reported, with a total of two deaths.

Last year over the same period, 4410 people were caught speeding, 439 charged with drink-driving, 681 major crashes occurred, with six fatalities.

Diversity celebrated Open Marrickville, the council’s celebration of culture and diversity, returns on June 20 to 29.

Mayor Jo Haylen said the mostly free series of 21 art exhibitions, cultural events, performing arts, film and public lectures take advantage of Marrickville’s residents from 35 different overseas birthplaces, who speak 32 different languages.

By joshua tassell The Minister for Transport has announced a $32 million upgrade for disability access at Marrickville Train Station, leaving Redfern Station commuters out in the cold again.

Minister Gladys Berejiklian said the project is part of the New South Wales Government’s $770 million Transport Access Programme, an initiative to deliver accessible, modern, secure and integrated transport infrastructure where it is needed.

“There will be new station entry points, a new concourse, stairs to boost customer access and CCTV [closed circuit television] cameras for added security,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Two new lifts will be installed to make it easier for the elderly, people with disability and parents with prams to catch the train.”

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes welcomed the steps made so far.

“Access for people with disabilities is significantly improving, driven by the Transport Access Program,” Mr Innes said.

“While we still have a ways to go, over the last eight to 10 years we can claim some real progress.”

Ms Berejiklian said in August last year a lift for Redfern Station’s platform six and seven would be provided under the Transport Access Programme.

The minster acknowledged the problems at Redfern Station in January.

“At the moment it is virtually impossible for people in wheelchairs to access trains at Redfern and extremely difficult for parents with prams and the elderly, so this is a good start to ensure all customers can access the network at Redfern,” she said.

“Lift access to Redfern is a pressing issue and

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that is why we are providing a solution.”

However, Transport Projects are still working on specific designs and a construction timetable.

Mr Innes said he advocates increased access at Redfern Station.

“The NSW government took an approach to deliver services to the busiest stations first, so it would affect the greatest number of commuters.

“However, Redfern is an exception to that rule – as one of the busier stations, it hasn’t been made accessible. We’re now 12 years in to the rollout of the Transport Access Programme and, given Redfern’s place in the network and its level of usage, it should be accessible.”

Lift Redfern is an amalgamation of community groups which want to improve disability access to Redfern Station. Members circulated a petition in 2011 and gained 11,500

signatures in support of a lift.

“People with disabilities, older people, parents with young children, pregnant women, people with short term mobility issues through illness or injury, and people with luggage or shopping have great difficulty in accessing or cannot access the station as there are no lifts to any platform,” the group said in a statement.

Accessibility is not being achieved at the rate it should be, Lift Redfern said.

“Redfern/Waterloo is home to one of the highest populations of social housing communities many of whom are elderly and frail . . . The timeline for compliance with federal laws regarding access to public transport is 55% accessible by the end of 2012 with 100% accessibility by 2022.”

Mr Innes said he welcomed the pledged upgrades, but more needed to be done.

“It’s progress and it’s always good to see progress. But I really think it’s time [Redfern] was made accessible.”

Redfern Station

Cartoon: Peter Berner

Disability access for Marrickville as Redfern continues to lag

Marickville welcomes refugees

By Joshua Tassell Marrickville Council has discussed the struggles facing refugees and asylum seekers in Australia at their latest Refugee Forum at the Addison Rd Community Centre.

Marrickville Mayor Jo Haylen said on June 4 listening to people share their stories at the forum reinforced the importance of the council welcoming those in need.

“Marrickville has a proud history of supporting refugees and asylum seekers and last year council re-affirmed its commitment as a Refugee Welcome Zone,” Ms Haylen said.

“This is a commitment to welcome refugees and asylum seekers into the Marrickville community. It means upholding the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers and recognising the important contribution that people from

Marrickville Refugee Forum

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refugee backgrounds make towards Marrickville’s rich cultural diversity, our economy and our society.”

The community centre hosted the forum with the Marrickville Multicultural Interagency as part of Refugee Week events.

“We are united in our commitment to building a culture of welcoming asylum seekers and refugees and providing them with resources, services and livelihoods that builds community and enriches lives,” interagency co-convener Litsa Nossar said.

Refugee Council of Australia chief executive Paul Power, a speaker at the event, discussed the importance of maintaining compassionate local Government.

“While the national political debate about refugee policy can at times be

quite toxic, at the local level many councils are getting on with the job of welcoming new arrivals, promoting people-to-people links and building social harmony,” Mr Power said.

Centre programme co-ordinator Rosie Porter said: “It is important at a local level we stand with local government and promote harmony, compassion and respect for human rights.”

Marrickville Council passed a motion last year declaring the usage of “Welcome” signs for refugees. The signs have been used in council buildings, libraries and council chambers.

“The refugee welcome signs are a way to show that the local councillors and our local council stands with our refugee and asylum seeker communities,” Greens Cr Sylvie Ellsmore said.

“The signs promote and affirm the values of our diverse and inclusive inner-west communities.”

Marrickville Council was one of the first councils to become a Refugee Welcome Zone in 2003. While the zone does not commit the council to specific activities, initiatives which help to create a welcoming atmosphere and help the settlement of refugees are encouraged.

Mr Power said more councils should consider becoming Refugee Welcome Zones.

“The process for becoming a Refugee Welcome Zone is straightforward.

Councils simply sign a declaration to welcome refugees, uphold their human rights, demonstrate compassion for new arrivals and enhance cultural and religious diversity.

“How councils implement the pledge is entirely up to them.”

Waverley Council to oppose changes to Discrimination Act

BY nick richardson Waverley Council has confirmed its opposition to the Federal Government’s exposure draft of amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act. The council resolved to write to the Federal Member for Wentworth Malcolm Turnbull to state its concern over the repeal of section 18C, which will see the removal of the words “offend, insult, humiliate and intimidate” from the act.

Despite overwhelming support, the motion did not pass without conflict. The original motion, moved by Councillor John Wakefield, contained a clause which expressly requested “the Federal Attorney General to withdraw the exposure draft of the amendment to the Racial Discrimination Act.” This was removed from later amendments.

Cr Wakefield said he was “disappointed’’ by the outcome.

“I would have liked to have seen council stand up for what they believe in and inform the minister more forcefully.”

Cr Wakefield accused the Liberals in council of “watering down and narrowing” the motion by restricting it to the recommendations made the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

“The original motion was more wide ranging and encompassed open opposition across broad ethnic groups.”

He said the Liberals in council, including Mayor Sally Betts, allowed the motion to be “grabbed and corrupted” before he had arrived at the council

meeting on May 20 to explain it.

Cr Leon Goltsman, who supports the amendments, denies they have watered down Cr Wakefield’s original submission.

“If the council thought it was watered down council would have voted against the amendment,” Cr Goltsman said.

“The fact is, the majority of council voted for the amendments.

“The Executive Council of Australian Jewry are experts and professionals who have put a great deal of wisdom and expertise into their response to the legislation.

“The amendments have taken the recommendations made by these experts and professionals and have handed them directly to Mr Turnbull.”

Cr Leon Goltsman supports the amendments

White Bay residents and Environment Minister in historic first meeting By rachel worsley White Bay residents have called on the New South Wales Environment Minister for the first time about their air and noise pollution concerns from the White Bay Cruise Terminal.

Residents met Rob Stokes in a meeting convened by Balmain MP Jamie Parker on May 27. A representative from the Environmental Protection Authority was also present.

Balmain resident Valerie Sundquist said the meeting was an important step forward in engaging the minister directly about health and amenity issues.

“He allowed us the time to present our case and our concerns, primarily the health impacts,” Ms Sundquist said.

Health concerns include the use of sulfur-rich fuel used by cruise ships which is burnt and discharged into the air and noise

coming from the ship’s engines during power generation.

Up to 75% of cruise ships are already exceeding the noise levels permitted by Sydney Ports, according to a resolution passed at the last public meeting.

Former Leichhardt councillor John Stamolos said the minister should urgently address the health impacts reported by the community, especially as the peak cruise season approaches.

“We’re having many instances where the incidents of residents getting unwell and getting sick is increasing, and at a substantial rate, and that’s after the first season,’’ Cr Stamolos said.

“I’m concerned that we will have the start of chronic illness because we now know that people are highly susceptible to the pollution . . . and disturbed by the noise.’’

The cruise ships docked near White Bay Cruise Terminal cause much grief to residents living nearby

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Mr Stokes said the meeting was “extremely helpful” in helping him understand the health concerns of the community.

“I appreciate them taking the time to see me and understand that they also had meetings with the relevant Government authorities.’’

However, Mr Parker said if the minister wanted to improve air quality, he should turn his attention towards closing loopholes in the standards of fuel used by cruise ships coming into Australia.

“The Australian standard by far of any comparable international standard, like the United States and Europe, is up to 10 times lower in terms of emission quality,’’ Mr Parker said.

“A ship in America 200 nautical miles out from the port will have to change their fuel to a lower sulfur fuel in order to be allowed to dock. ‘’In Australia, we’re so behind that our standards allow these dirty polluting ships to dock in Australia without being inhibited by any type of [proper] air quality standard.’’

Mr Stokes said the Government is reviewing all measures to do with air and noise quality measures, with a special focus on White Bay. He has also approached the Federal Government about modifying national standards.

Readings for both sulphur dioxide and particular matter were below the allowable limits set by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Environmental Protection Authority results in December last year said.

Howver, the results were criticised by residents in the last public meeting for not adhering to World Health Organisation guidelines on pollution limits and monitoring.

A spokesperson from the authority said they acknowledge community concern and “will continue to investigate options for mitigating air emissions from cruise ships.”

Smoking Banned at Sporting Venues BY nick richardson Smokers caught lighting up at all outdoor organised sports events in New South Wales may incur a $300 on-the-spot fine, but the law does not require signs warning of the penalty.

NSW Sport and Recreation Minister Stuart Ayres said the smoking bans protect everyone from harmful second-hand smoke.

“Families and children make up a large part of sporting crowds and for children in particular, inhaling second-hand smoke is even more dangerous because their airways are smaller and their immune systems less developed,’’ Mr Ayres said.

The move has been welcomed by Member for Vaucluse and former Sport and Recreation Minister Gabrielle Upton.

“I wholeheartedly support the campaign by NSW Health to create smoke-free outdoor areas like sports grounds and recreational areas, and make smoking less visible to children and

young people,” Ms Upton said.

“We can all do our part to make our community a healthier place and I urge everyone to follow the rules when attending sporting events this weekend.”

Waverley Council supports the legislation, which followed moves from the authority to ban smoking in all public areas including footpaths and cafes with outdoor seating.

Councillor Leon Goltsman said legislation ‘’takes what we have done to another level. ‘’Sports grounds are about people being healthy.

Allowing smoking near football fields is like having a case of beer and then driving home.”

Cr Goltsman, who championed the council’s anti-smoking provisions, said Waverley residents who may smoke are not being dealt a double blow by state and council restrictions.

“Smoking bans protect children, families and nonsmokers. If people want to smoke they can do it at home.”

By ALEXANDRA ENGLISH There are two questions that baffle even the most brilliant minds: what is the meaning of life? And what is art?

While the former is impossible to guess at, Australian artistic duo (and husband and wife team), Gillie and Marc, have attempted to answer the latter by exploring art’s place within the public sphere.

Their sociological experiment, titled The Lost Dogs, featured 100 hybrid man-dog sculptures crafted from fibreglass and coloured with bright car paint enamel. These pieces were then placed in different suburbs around Sydney.

“We had made a lot of these sculptures and decided to put them in the streets, on traffic islands, to see what the reaction was,” Gillie says. They created the statues over a six-month period and distributed them around the city in order to gauge how people would interact with the creatures.

Gillie and Marc are massive supporters of street art. They believe that the act of taking works out of gallery spaces and putting them into public spaces can increase people’s awareness of art to make it more accessible. Local councils have been commissioning the pair to create public sculptures for years, but this time the husband and wife duo decided to take things into their own hands.

“We put them out for people to enjoy and interact with,” Gillie explains, but after a month, all except three of the sculptures had been stolen or vandalised. “We thought a few would get stolen, but not all of them,” she says. “They were just getting stolen faster and faster, even when we put bike chains on them.”

Marc shares Gillie’s disappointment at the kleptomania. “We were on Victoria Road in Bellevue and put one at a bus stop then had to go to the car to get the chain and when we turned back around, it was gone. It was literally two minutes. We turned into vigilante police looking for it,” he laughs, “But we never found it.

We called them ‘The Lost Dogs’ and just let it all go.”

While the results of the experiment were disappointing for the creators, The Lost Dogs presents an examination of contemporary art’s link to the public realm. Where we question whether the value of art is contextual or inherent.

When Art is in a gallery, it attains the status of something that is elite, and transcendent. Street art, on the other hand, encompasses an entire space, and is available to anyone at any time. Gillie believes that “when art is on the street you don’t necessarily need to

have an art interest to enjoy it like you do in a gallery,” – a notion that implies that art’s value is inversely proportionate to its availability.

In the same vein, art in a gallery is unattainable: very few people would attempt to steal work from a gallery no matter how lax the security. Yet people seem to approach art on the street in the same way they would approach a council clean up: if it’s on the street, it’s up for grabs.

“It was disappointing,” Marc says. “Because people are either walking around with bolt cutters, or they’ve gone home to get them because they’ve seen this statue and decided they want it…People thought they could just take them.”

In a surprising contradiction, Gillie and Marc found that in certain suburbs The Lost Dogs statues weren’t affected by theft and vandalism, which proposes the idea that not only does the value of art depend on context, it also depends on the demographic of the audience.

“In Mosman people liked that [the statues] were there,” Marc says. “It was similar to the Martin Luther King Jr. wall in Newtown where everyone seemed to understand that the sculptures were art, so no one touched them or vandalised them.”

The pair is surprisingly light-hearted about the ordeal, considering they lost a potential $500,000 from the thefts. Though no one was caught in the act of stealing the sculptures, Gillie says that they have received emails from people who have spotted the dogs: “We know there is one on a rooftop in Bondi,” she laughs.

When asked whether they would try to track The Lost Dogs down, the pair laugh and explain that once an artwork is out on the street, it takes on a life of its own - whether it takes its intended course of action, or not. This is a quality that is unique to street art and adds another dimension to the work.

The Sydney Council spends millions of dollars every year on removing what it deems to be graffiti, but recently began focusing resources on public art as part of Sustainable Sydney 2030. The council website states that it recognises that “the presence of art in public places is one of the indicators of a flourishing cultural life. It can add joy, texture and complexity to the public domain.”

Although it begs the question - what is graffiti, and what is art? (AE) Studio open by appointment only, unit 16, 77 Bourke Rd, Alexandria, (02) 9700 7103, gillieandmarc.com

Photo: Chris Peken

The Lost Dogs - What is art?

Gillie and Marc Schattner with one of their ‘Lost Dogs’.

EAT & DRINK

Café Paci It’s nearly crunch time at Sydney’s favourite popup, because even those who’ve had the pleasure probably want to book in again before January 2015.

For those who haven’t, climbing the vivid stairwell echoes back to Café Pacifico days, but that’s (almost) where the similarity ends. The Seasonal Set Menu ($85/head) does offer a rye taco nod to the Mexican predecessor, delivered with a decidedly Finnish grin.

The now-achromatic room directs your attention $ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS Sugarcane Restaurant In hip Reservoir Street, it pays to stay relevant, so Sugarcane Restaurant has morphed into a South East Asian hawker canteen.The welcoming interior features stripped-back walls,Thai streetstyle graffiti and colourful hanging silk handbags.While the updated menu reflects Sydney’s obsession with smaller, sharing portions, favourites like Crispy Chicken, Blood Plum ($17) remain. Bitesized Prawn, Rice Cake, Caramelised Sugarcane ($4/each) suit cocktails like Jasmine-Tea Infused Gin, Lime and Sugar ($17).They’ve also got a cracking little wine list. Jamsheed ‘Le Blanc Plonk’ 2013 ($9/glass) was equally at home with flaky Malay Roti ($10), as it was with Pork and Prawn Dumplings ($16),

By Jackie McMillan exactly where it should be: onto emerging plates and into your glass. If money isn’t an object, throw yourself at the mercy of the savvy floor crew. From my opening Hell Yes ($18) combining coffee, rum, Frangelico and elderflower into quite the hit, to an excellent series of wines beginning with the 2012 Sineann ‘Celilo’ Gewürztraminer ($83/bottle), they demonstrated matching acuity without spoiling upcoming surprises. And surprise they do, with global food puns ranging from clever wagyu ‘Photato’ to ‘That’s Amore’, which looks like bolognaise but tastes like pizza. Arguably the best dishes come where Chef Pasi Petanen draws upon his heritage, from molassesglazed Finnish potato, rye and caraway bread, to turning onions into a sweet’n’salty oral adventure with mullet roe, hazelnuts, yolk and dill. Lingering gobsmacked over the quirky Malt, Banana, Parsley dessert I was even lucky enough to meet chef cycling out…

95 Riley Street, Darlinghurst (02) 9368 7000 cafepaci.com.au Modern European $$$$ $$$ - mains between $22-$30

stretching to accommodate Green Papaya Salad ($19) with chef’s unique salmon update.

40A Reservoir Street, Surry Hills (02) 9281 1788 sugarcanerestaurant.com.au Pan Asian $-$$ Bishop Sessa With Chef Paul Cooper’s cooking already on point – my beloved Scallop Ceviche ($18) with cucumber, avocado and ginger beer sorbet remaining on his updated menu - restaurateur Erez Gordon has focused his tender care elsewhere. Upstairs he’s added a wall-length, quintessentially Sydney cityscape. Downstairs he’s very invested in the floor, explaining the nose-totail philosophy, constructing original cocktails, like the appetite-inducing Gin Yum ($17.50), and providing personalised wine service.The 2008

$$$$ - mains over $30

Tibooburra Solitude Vineyard Pinot Noir ($77) over-delivered with a surprising floral edge against Aylesbury Duck Breast with ‘Ducketta’ ($33).

The best dish I ate – an unctuous jowl of Melanda Park pork with Hawkesbury River calamari and corn – is on the outstanding value six-course Degustation ($69/head).

527 Crown Street, Surry Hills (02) 8065 7223 bishopsessa.com.au Modern Australian $$$$ Jonkanoo Just when you’re bored with Mexican and Korean spinoffs, authentic Caribbean bursts onto the Sydney scene. In a beautifully decorated pale blue and white weatherboard setting, you’ll eat small tings and bigga tings; indeed heaps of tings you will adore!

Lusting for the accompanying coconut bread and ‘slaw, I ordered Jerk Pork

The Clock Hotel While I’m deep into my winter of whisky, I’m also partial to a good gin and tonic. Meaning I was excited to hear that upstairs in The Lounge bar, inspired by Spain’s dedicated tonicas (gin and tonic bars), awardwinning mixologist Jeremy Shipley has scoured the globe for fourteen local and international gins to produce a specialist list. I started with The Botanist ($16/half pound, $32/pound).While Oysters Natural with ‘Jamaican Gravy’ ($3.50/each) amused with pickled vegetable ‘gravy’ served in a Captain Morgan Rum bottle, my favourites were Trini Carnival Doubles ($12) overflowing with curried chana, pepper and mango. Soused Mackerel ($16) served with ginger ale and sweet potato chips tastes quite fishy, suiting a good slather of the on-table Uncle Tyrone’s Caribbean sauces.

583 Crown Street, Surry Hills (0415) 922 240 jonkanoo.com.au Jamaican $$$

INNER WEST The Workers This’ll bring a tear to the eye to Labor Party faithful who remember the glory days of Whitlam, Hawke and Wran.

They’re the dudes on the roof – the question Bar Manager Jeremy Baldi

($13) – a serious Scottish gin with twenty-two native botanicals, served up simply with New Zealand’s Quina-Fina (low sugar) tonic and mint. After dabbling in Spain with Gin Mare ($12), I found my sweet spot with Hayman’s Old Tom ($10) – it positively sings against red capsicum. While these gins deserve to respected with simplicity, you will also find gin cocktails like Hotel Georgia ($16), dressing up the Plymouth Gin house pour with lemon juice, almond syrup, orange blossom water, egg whites and nutmeg.

Throw in clever snacks like Mini Cuban Sliders ($8) with New York pastrami and beet relish, and Cheddar and Jalapeno Croquetas ($15); or eat a full meal of some of the best thin-crust pizzas I’ve seen in a pub, and you have the fixings for a brilliant night out. My hit pizzas are the vegetarian Mushrooms, Pumpkin, Zucchini, Treviso ($18) and the Pork and Fennel Sausage with Artichoke and Mint ($18).

470 Crown Street, Surry Hills (02) 9331 5333 clockhotel.com.au Pub Bistro, Pizza $$

gets “asked the most”. Mosey across the Astroturf,Woodlands Margaret River Chardonnay ($43/bottle) in hand, to gaze at photographic memorabilia.Tuck into Chihuahuas ($5.50/each) – mini Mexican hot dogs with grilled franks, jalapenos and cheese – searching for the birth of land rights: Gough pouring sand into Vincent Lingiari’s hands. Dude food like Más Verduras ($5.50/each) – fried zucchini tacos - and Quesadillas de Espinica ($13) – grilled spinach and ricotta tortillas - with a Blood and Sand ($16) Whisky cocktail help Wednesday night comedians go down.

1/292 Darling Street, Balmain 9318 1547 theworkersbalmain.com.au Bar Food,Wine, Cocktails $ JamVybz Restaurant & Café Despite Jerk Chicken ($17.99) creeping onto bar menus, there isn’t much authentic Jamaican in Sydney.

This brightly coloured Glebe flagship

cooks it over wood-fire, coated with tasty jerk marinade producing bona fide falling-off-the-bone goodness.

Initiate yourself with the Chef’s Sample Platter ($18.99) bearing codfish fritters, jerk chicken wings and jerk prawn kebabs.With homemade ‘slaw and pineapple to sweeten the deal, it appeals to both seasoned and unseasoned Caribbean eaters.

“Reggae dancehall favourite” Curried Goat ($19) is deliciously tender, while Coconut Curried Shrimp ($22) is mild and easy to eat. Sweet Potato Pudding ($8.50) is warm and deliciously sweet, leaving you feeling the good vibes - driven home by the Bob Marley posters and tunes.

72 Glebe Point Road, Glebe (02) 9571 1158 jamvybzrestaurant.com.au Jamaican $-$$

EAT & DRINK

La Scala on Jersey

By Alex Harmon La Scala is very old meets new. While we wait for a table, somebody’s ‘Nonna’ arrives with a basket of heirloom tomatoes and is greeted by a handsome young waiter in a denim apron. This is the new look La Scala, with Tasmanian-born, Naples-raised Massimo Mele at the helm. His ‘everyone to the EASTERN SUBURBS Hotel Centennial ABC Radio’s Simon Marnie is tucking into three courses of roast pheasant at a neighbouring table. Catching his eye, he ventures over and recommends Fig and Caramelised Onion Flatbread ($19) dotted with goat’s curd and lemon thyme. It’s but one way to try out the glowing wood fire oven, which adds to the homely nature of this refurbished pub – well homely if you live in The Hamptons.The kitchen delivers modern comfort food, from Shank and Shoulder Shepherd’s Pie ($26) to Wood Roasted Lamb Loin ($36) with juniper pickled blueberries, pea sprouts and goat’s curd. Green harissa sees Broccoli, Flat Beans and Smoked

Festival season is in full swing with both Vivid and Sydney Film Festival drawing everybody into town. Smart travellers are bypassing traffic by using the Light Rail link, which now delivers people all the way from Dulwich Hill; so I’ve been trawling the tracks looking for dining inspiration. Just meters from Capitol Square - the best stop for The Lion King - Umi Kaiten-Zushi offers a well-stocked train of freshly prepared

Greenheart Espresso Andrea Vagge and Fiona Bloomer (ex-La Locanda) have set up shop on Kent Street, citing kids and needing “a Monday to Friday lifestyle” as the reason for their shift.Andrea’s made the shift from cooking Italian cuisine to designing bespoke salads. His belief in premium ingredients holds across the ever-changing selection that includes Roasted La Ionica Chicken, Israeli Cous Cous, Moroccan Carrots ($14) with yoghurt dressing;Tuna, Green Beans, Shaved Fennel and Radicchio ($14) in balsamic, and Soba Noodles, Tofu, Bean Sprouts, Chilli and

16

table’ philosophy is evident in the selection of tasty share plates on the menu. Do yourself a favour and order the Chickpea Pancakes ($18) – they’re crunchy cigars filled with mushroom and spinach, then topped with Gorgonzola sauce. Tuck into the Spicy Fried Calamari ($20), which actually is spicy and comes with a creamy aioli. Even his mains are presented with big scissor-like servers, so share away - even if you want to keep the whole bowl of Oxtail Ragu ($28) to yourself, like I did. The Barossa Elderton “Estate” Shiraz ($69/bottle, $14.50/glass) will smugly cut in on this dance. Slow-cooked Suffolk Lamb Shoulder Chops ($38) are melt-in-your-mouth good and come with a cute jar of salsa verde. Meanwhile, a side of Witlof, Radicchio and Pickled Beetroot ($12) almost steals the show with candied walnuts, goat’s curd and sour cherries. With city views, warm timber fixtures and engaging staff, La Scala certainly hits the high notes.

Corner Jersey Road & Melrose Lane, Woollahra (02) 9357 0815 lascalaonjersey.com.au Italian $$

Almonds ($15) pop like fireworks; and the Chocolate Ale Cake ($14) is divine!

88 Oxford Street,Woollahra (02) 9362 3838 hotelcentennial.com.au Pub Bistro, Modern Australian $$$$ GoodTime Diner While The Eastern’s newest diner still looks very much like the former ill-fated Greek restaurant Anatoli, the food comes through with the goods. As the big sister to GoodTime Burgers, they pride themselves on ‘low and slow’ cooked meats like 6-hour BBQ Pork Ribs ($39). If you don’t want a feast, the snacks - like Tortilla Chips with Guacamole and Salsa ($12) and tasty little Mac’N’Cheese ($8) – are good too.You can also get sizeable burgers – Juicy Lucy ($15.50) had us in awe over her mozzarella-

Umi Kaiten-Zushi

ROCKS & CBD

By Jackie McMillan

stuffed wagyu patty.The pick of the cocktail list is the Texas Old Fashioned ($17) with bacon-infused bourbon, garnished with a bacon ‘swizzle stick’.

Loosen your belt buckle and indulge!

The Eastern, Level 1, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction (02) 9387 7828 goodtimediner.com American, Burgers $-$$ Shuk Bagels may have started the ‘Jewish food’ craze but Shuk continues it with a melting pot of traditional and modern Israeli flavours with some Mediterranean touches. By day it’s a bakery/restaurant/pickled food store. By night, you can be tempted

by Haloumi ($12) with walnut, honey and coriander seed, or share Cured Beef with Kale and Provolone ($16).

House-Made Gnocchi ($24) with mint pesto (from their garden), tomato

sushi. Spicy Tuna ($4.50) and Seared Scallop ($5.50) were my highlights, and if they’re not rotating ‘round the fish tank, the chef will whip them up straight away. If you’re seeing a matinee, the Teatime Special (2.30pm-5.30pm) sees all sushi at $3.50 a plate. Happy Hour(s) kick in from 3-7pm with five-dollar drinks, including sake; and the Dewazakura Junmai ($7/60ml) is a really pleasant drop. While I find it hard to stay away from the fishes, scoffing both 5-Kinds Assorted Sashimi ($18) and the Chef’s Choice Nigiri Selection ($15-20) that changes daily to include seasonal delicacies like toro (tuna belly), for many customers winter hotpots are the order of the day. Miso Soy Milk Seafood Foil Nabe ($16.80) is gentle and soothing. Combine it with Grilled Cheese Mayo Scallops ($12/3) or a sizzling platter of Teriyaki Salmon ($15) for additional warming fare.

Shop 1, 477 Pitt Street, Sydney (02) 9281 2006 umisushi.com.au Japanese $-$$

Crispy Shallots Thai-style ($14).

Tuck into an excellent house-made Chicken Sausage Roll ($6.50) in the Matt Woods designed setting - a vibrant aquamarine break from the drabness of the CBD. 432 Kent Street, Sydney (02) 8084 5954 facebook.com/pages/GreenheartEspresso/648104028564490 Café $ The Tilbury Chef Elton Inglis, who’s worked with Gordon Ramsey, is proud about the quality of his cooking and his chosen produce. In this case, it’s New Zealand’s Riverlands beef fillet served en croute in Beef Wellington ($35). It has a neighbouring table of British nationals smiling. Elton’s

modern interpretations of British comfort food, like crisp Berkshire Pork Belly ($29) comes adorned with black pudding, savoy cabbage, carrot fondant, onion puree and compressed apple, are perfect for a drizzly Sunday afternoon. My menu highlight was Chicken Liver Parfait ($16) with an architecturally arranged pile of curved toast, golden raisin, pickled cauliflower, hazelnuts and kiwi berry.And to drink - the 2013 Oliver’s Taranga Vineyard Vermentino ($12/glass) goes down nicely.

12-18 Nicholson Street, Woolloomooloo (02) 9368 1955 tilburyhotel.com.au Modern Australian, Pub Bistro $$$$$$$

Luxe Woollahra

By Alex Harmon Located in Queens Court, or as it appears to be, downtown Provence, the pink stone walls, al fresco dining and designer shops surrounding the café make you feel far from Sydney. The café’s artisan baked goods are now a perfect side order to the new dinner menu. Here you have a seasonal and interesting collection of home-cooked share plate and baked ricotta is delicious, but it’s hard to beat juicy Roast Chicken ($28) marinated in Mediterranean spices, with burghul pilaf and labne.

Crème Caramel ($10) spiced with ginger and topped with pistachios ends the evening swimmingly. Go and break bread at Shuk – you won’t be disappointed.

2 Mitchell Street, North Bondi (0423) 199 859 shukbondi.com Middle Eastern, Mediterranean $$ GREATER SYDNEY Spakka-Napoli Positioned at the end of a weirdly shaped arcade and saddled with a quirky spelling of Spaccanapoli (the road that bisects Naples), this restaurant makes you work for your reward: lightly charred, puffy-crusted

specialties, including their Grilled Peppers ($12) with yuzu salt - a Russian roulette of mild and straightshooting hot green chillies, soothed by a creamy goats’ curd. The Scotch Egg ($12) is sure to please most, with Italian pork sausage and crispy batterwrapped quail eggs. Or try the deliciously soft Miso Eggplant ($8) blanketed in crunchy kale and pickled ginger. Partake in a bottle of King Valley Pinot Gris ‘Holly’s Garden’ ($13/glass, $54/bottle) for more of a restaurant experience, with mains like a fleshy tail of Grilled Lobster ($34), cooked beautifully and dripping in saffron butter. Or try the Sticky Chicken with Fennel Slaw ($22), which is marinated in coconut milk and orange juice, and served with sprinkles of pomegranate - a truly exquisite flavour combination. Desserts include the Tahini Biscuit Ice Cream Sandwich ($12) served with strawberries and fairy floss, and that’s just one of the delights that takes Luxe bakery to the next level.

Queens Court, 118 Queens Street Woollahra (02) 9363 8828 luxesydney.com.au Café, Modern Australian $$$

Neapolitan pizzas.The Monday/ Tuesday special – three “tapas” dishes and a cocktail for thirty bucks – makes me rethink my ambivalence toward limoncello with The Amalfi ($14.50).

Robust namesake Spakka Napoli ($13.50) sangria is guaranteed to complement their terracotta pots of Meatballs ($9.50), Eggplant Parmigiana ($10.90) and my favourite – Pollo Alla Cacciatore ($9.90).The Eggplant Sausage Pizza ($22.90) special is further improved by chilli sauce, which should come with a warning label, or at least imported red-label Peroni ($7) to ease the pain.

Shop 13, 166-174 Military Road, Neutral Bay (02) 9908 7045 spakkanapoli.com.au Pizza, Italian $$ Royal Cricketers Arms Thirty minutes and thirty years from

Sydney is a pub where strangers chat, and Bar Manager John Mundy uses common sense and conversation to enforce the rule of law. Over an Old Speckled Hen ($11.50/pint) you might enquire after his jar of Pickled Eggs ($1.10/each). Eat “the manager’s hangover cure” doused in Worcestershire and Tabasco right at the bar.Tuck into traditional Toad in the Hole ($21) - three good-quality English pork sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding with mash and onion gravy; or flex your cooking prowess on the high-tech grill.There’s Grass-fed Sirloin ($27/250g), grain-fed beef and Snags ($20/3) – best have a James Squire The Chancer ($9/pint) while you decide.

Cricketers Arms Road, Prospect (02) 9622 6498 mycricketers.com.au Pub Bistro, British $$-$$$

FOOD NEWS With the Abbott Government taking chunks out of your household budget, you might be scratching your head about how you can continue to eat well at home? One clever way is by avoiding fancy retail fit-outs by doing your meat buying direct from the wholesaler. Haverick Meats, whose products are used at restaurants like The Apollo, Hartsyard and Sokyo, run a Saturday store (8am-2pm) from their Banksmeadow warehouse.You’ll find everything from flavoursome lamb merguez sausages (free from both gluten and preservatives) to Aylesbury duck breasts, to Junee or Flinders Island lamb, to rumps of grass-fed Australian Grasslands beef.You’ll also find butchers on hand to trim things to your specifications, or to help find you particular cuts that aren’t on display. Outside the cool room, you’ll see a range of products including my favourite sourdough from Infinity Bakery, as well as standout Little General olive oil.And while you’re packing everything away into your freezer bags, you can tuck into a roll of spitroasted meat from their on-site rotisserie for free! www.haverickmeats.com.au

BAR FLY

THE STANDARD BOWL

A birthday party, a bar and booze and bands and bowling: perhaps not the kind of celebrations you might expect for someone turning two, until you learn the party was for the music website Spotify.With its 80s-90s history as a band venue (with the likes of The Beastie Boys, D.I.G. and INXS all playing here) The Standard Bowl was a most appropriate choice for a music industry birthday. Fastforward to 2014, and the Spotify party, with sweet tunes

by Gang of Youths, KLP and DJ Leon playing. On any other night, this late night joint still offers up good times and beats with free live music and DJs, and an intimate stage, sliced between the long bar and the bowling lanes. Bands and beers go hand in hand, as does a game of pool (the tables are on the mezzanine level).

Level 3, 383 Bourke Street, Surry Hills facebook.com/ TheStandardBowl

By Rebecca Varidel

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Shadow puppets may be child’s play but critically acclaimed theatrical performance, Shadowland, transforms mere silhouettes into an engaging and enigmatic night of surreal entertainment.

Created by experimental dance company, Pilobolus, in collaboration with Sponge Bob Square Pants’ lead writer, Steven Banks, Shadowland is an amalgamation of shadow play, music and dance.

Through an inventive weight-sharing approach to partnering and sculptural creation, bendy bodies are gymnastically transformed into various animals, shapes, monsters and objects behind a stage-size screen.

Set to a rhythmic original score by American musician, producer and film composer, David Poe, Shadowland is an

energetically innovative performance, which aims to entice and delight the whole family.

With an impressive number of performances in over 64 countries, Shadowland has established a name for

Shadowland

The Rap Guide To Evolution

itself as a pioneer in modern theatre and dance.

Lauren Yalango, who plays the young and naïve Dog Girl, believes that the show’s success is due to its unique form, “It is accessible, non-pretentious, and simply fun. Shadowland has opened up a new medium to the world,” Yalango explains.

The performance not only pays homage to the transformative power of the dark but also the outstanding capability of the human body.

“There is no other show like Shadowland out there,” Yalango proclaims, “we also have a surprise finale for Sydney specifically, so come check it out!” (EC) June 17-20,The State Theatre, 49 Market Pl, Sydney, $89.90-98.90, 136 100, ticketmaster.com.au

Two unlikely subjects from evolutionary biology and hip-hop come together onstage in Baba Brinkman’s award-winning show, The Rap Guide To Evolution.

The show applies the main theories of evolutionary biology to hip-hop/rap culture, particularly in how they are referenced implicitly in the lyrics and the fight for space in the market place.

“The show is targeted in multiple directions at once. For hip-hop fans it’s full of references, lyrics and biographies from Mobb Deep and Biggie Smalls to Eminem but it’s also about converting my parents’ generation to understand and appreciate rap and also to turn young people on to science,” says Brinkman.

He was recruited to write the show

by Dr Mark Palin to “do for Darwin what he had done for Chaucer”, after his previous show Rap Canterbury Tales broke the mould.This makes The Rap Guide To Evolution the first and perhaps only scientifically accurate peer-reviewed hip-hop show.

“After three years of reading mostly evolutionary biology and psychology books the show continues to mutate, especially in the Q&A freestyle rap

The Boat People

The Theatre Division will produce the Sydney premiere of Ruthless! The Musical, a hit off-Broadway musical that won the New York Outer Critics Circle Award.

Ruthless! is a witty, dark comedy with an all-female cast. It centres on the entertainment business and the women who would do anything to get ahead in the industry.

“The director is female too. A nice powerhouse of women,” says Caitlin Berry, who plays the character Eve, based on Anne Baxter’s character in the 1950 film All About Eve. The musical promises to deliver bright, bold show tunes while parodying Broadway and classic Hollywood films such as Gypsy, Mame, The Women and The

Bad Seed.

“It’s fantastic if you want to come for a laugh,” says Berry. “But it’s also a period piece, so if you’ve ever admired that period of classic Hollywood you’re going to love it.”

Ruthless! features an all-star cast with Katrina Retallick, Meredith O’Reilly, Margi de Ferranti, Caitlin Berry, and the iconic Geraldine Turner. “It’s amazing to be in the same room as someone who is so revered,” says Berry on working with Turner. “Her voice is so big and brassy, and it really tells of that era of the Broadway diva stars.”

This show won’t disappoint fans of the golden Hollywood era and Broadway. (SM) Jun 19-Jul 5, Seymour Centre, City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale, $39.2049+bf, seymourcentre.com

a&e

18 STAGE 20 SCENE 21 SOUNDS 22 SCREEN

Review

Brad Checked In

Brad Checked In explores love and failed relationships in the age of Facebook. Middle-aged protagonist Brad is recently estranged from wife Maggie and decides to get back in the dating game via the internet.

The premise has the potential to be relatable as there are lots of people in this exact situation.The internet is full of match sites and the awkward sidling back onto the market electronically after years of coupledom. But rather than explore the nuances of getting to know someone behind the shield of computers and smartphones, Brad

Checked In offers nothing but soap opera plot and perspectives.

All three female characters seem to have no aspirations aside from hooking up with the male leads, and dither between being salacious temptresses or psychotic naggers.

This play offers nothing but boring stereotypes, and neglects to deliver any meaningful insight into the relationship between social media and human interaction. (HC) Until Jun 21, Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo, $21-32, 1300 307 264, sitco.net.au

Photo: Katy Green Loughrey

ruthless

her journey through their highly controversial business in Bondi all the way to parliament house. Starring talented comedians Susie Youssef and William Erimya, this brazen barrel of laughs will be a talking point.

“I hope that audiences find themselves watching a story that they would never have seen before, listening to voices that they’re not used to hearing onstage and gaining perspectives that they may not have had before,” Hardie says.

“But it is, first and foremost, a comedy,” he laughs. (CD) Until Jun 21, Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Dr, $21-35, rocksurfers.org

Photo: Blueprint-Studios

Inspired by one of the most hotly debated social issues of our nation, director Benedict Hardie’s latest project has been in the works for several years.

“This issue has been a difficult one in this country. In my mind it should not be an issue at all and I’ve been frustrated about it for a very long time,” Hardie explains. “When I could come up with a story that I felt engaged with this subject matter in a non-didactic way I got really excited.

I thought ‘This story stands on its own two feet rather than just a play about an issue or an idea’.”

Focusing on Sarah, who sailed to Australia with her husband, it follows

section,” says Brinkman. (JA) Jun 18-20, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, $20-25, sydneyoperahouse.com; Jun 2425, Riverside Theatre, Church & Market St, Parramatta, $20-25, riversideparramatta.com.au; Jun 26-27, Casula Powerhouse, 1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula, $15-20, casulapowerhouse.com

Arts Editor: Leigh Livingstone Music Editor: Chelsea Deeley

For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au

Contributors: Alexandra English, Alexis Talbot-Smith, Anita Senaratna, Anthony Bell, Catherine Knight, Cheryl Northey, Ciaran Tobin, Craig Coventry, Elise Cullen, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Jamie Apps, Leann Richards, Lena Zak, Luke Daykin, Lyndsay Kenwright, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Melody Teh, Michael Muir, Michelle Porter, Peter Hackney, Rhys Gard, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Ruth Fogarty, Sean May, Sharon Ye, Shauna O’Carroll, Siri Williams

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Patyegarang

New Theatre will bring a provocative and sharp political satire to its stage over June. Why Torture Is Wrong And The People Who Love Them is the latest from acclaimed playwright Christopher Durang, who wrote it as a response to the ongoing war on terror.

A drunken blackout leads Felicity to wake to a startling reality; a quick-tempered, dubious stranger is lying beside her, convinced he’s her husband.Throw in a ministerturned-porn-director, a government operative in malfunctioning underpants and a secret agent with a talent for impersonating cartoons.

Director Melita Rowston says: “What really struck me about

Torture is how startlingly relevant it is to Australia now, it’s a very clever piece.”

The cast includes New Theatre debuts from Peter Astridge, Annie Schofield and Ryan Gibson. Rowston says: “It’s great writing, full of snappy one-liners and cutting wit. It explores not only what’s wrong with our governments, but also gender roles, relationships, notions of the nuclear family and what it means to live in a modern, global society. Even as audiences pick up on the more serious subtext, they’re going to find it highly entertaining.” (GF) Until Jun 28, New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown, $17-32, newtheatre.org.au

Photo: Bob Seary

Photo: Greg Barrett

Photo: Greg Barrett

Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them

The Young Tycoons

Tales from Sydney’s colonial past largely come, it is impossible to deny, from one viewpoint - that of the colonisers, and often focus on conquest over cooperation.

Australia’s largest Indigenous performing arts organisation, Bangarra Dance Theatre, now brings to the stage a tale of trust and friendship from the opposite vantage point.

Patyegarang is based on the true story of a young Eora woman, who befriended Lieutenant William Dawes when he landed on Sydney’s shores in the 18th century.

Dancer Jasmin Sheppard, who plays the title role, reveals feeling inspired by her character,“I’m really fascinated with the fact that the two of them both really saw beyond the exterior and connected on a much deeper level which had nothing to do with the world’s they both came from,” she says.

For Sheppard, the medium of dance

THEATRE &

PERFORMANCE CRUISE CONTROL Three couples travel on the Queen Mary II seeking luxury escape. Instead, they find themselves confronted by a series of tensions – marital, sexual and cultural – that erupt when they all sit down for dinner.

Written and directed by Australia’s most celebrated playwright, David Williamson, the script is sharp and peppered with ironic one-liners and puns. There is a synergy between story and performance, creating a rhythm that makes the play absorbing and hilarious.This is helped by convincing

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was ideal to describe the story of a woman who was,“not separate from her environment. She breathed the Eora land of Sydney Cove... and it’s more about creating an essence, and a spirit, rather than spoon-feeding the audience.”

Performing this piece at the Sydney Opera House is of particular significance for Sheppard, as she notes, “Bennelong Point was a traditional site, which has been really amazing to learn of. I hope that [this piece] will really empower Sydney Aboriginal people to feel that there is a sense of reclaiming the whole city, the harbour, the Opera House.This is their story, this is their place, their stomping ground and it is time for them to have the limelight.”

(SW) Jun 13-Jul 5, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, $29-89, (02) 9250 7777 sydneyoperahouse.com

performances from a superb cast, such as Peter Phelps as Darren, the brutish Australian.

Perhaps one fault is the staging of the dinner table. When seated some actors are turned away from the audience, but in a nutshell, Cruise Control is one of the best plays onstage in years. (MP) Until Jun 30, Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli, $30-69, (02) 9929 0644, ensemble.com.au MOJO Jez Butterworth’s savagely comic play is a thriller which examines the dark underside of the halcyon days of rock ’n’ roll with grim humour and strong language.

Mojo debuted on the West End in 1995, receiving the Olivier

If Nine Network’s Power Games:The Packer-Murdoch War didn’t satiate your desire to see the country’s media moguls stripped, tarred and feathered, then The Young Tycoons is for you.

Darlinghurst Theatre’s current production marks the second revival of CJ Johnson’s unapologetic and funny satire on corruption, excess and the petty family feuds which play out in the public eye.

With a razor-sharp wit, Johnson paints a scathing portrait of generation X’s heirs to the media monopoly, while making a wider comment on the toxic masculinity and macho rivalry that pervades

Australian culture. Much of the absurdity and humour in the play comes from the sheer plausibility of the outrageous scandals it imagines.

In the wake of the recent Bondi street brawl between James Packer and TV executive David Gyngell, this is a show that feels more relevant than ever. Be prepared to laugh hard yet leave with the sobering knowledge that these are the characters pulling the strings in our commercial media. (CK) Until Jun 15, Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst Theatre, 39 Burton St, Darlinghurst, $30-43, darlinghursttheatre.com

Winter

The essence of human experience is about connection with others and taking chances.

Theatre company, Perosophia, explore the concept of trying to find a way thorough the maze of relationship miscommunication in the Australian premiere of the Jon Fosse production, Winter.

Director Jonathan Wald says the relatable production focuses on a man and woman who meet in a park and start a very odd relationship.

“It is a mystery around who they are and what they want,” he says.

“So many people in the world pass a stranger and have a fantasy of what it would be like to know them and never act on it, these people actually do act on it.”

Award for Best New Comedy. It also started a new wave of British gangster movies during the late ‘90s, including Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels.

The testosterone-fuelled cast and local blues-rock outfits depict the London club scene of the 1950s.

The battle for power is revealed through zinging dialogue, live music and action-packed scenes. (CT) Until Jul 5,The Wharf, Hickson Rd,Walsh Bay, $50-99, sydneytheatre.com.au EIGHT GIGABYTES OF HARDCORE PORNOGRAPHY Greene’s play skews the stark contrast between our public and private selves. It examines two,

Photo: Noni Carroll

Review

The production focuses on the characters trying to figure out each other and forming a connection, as they are both lonely and longing for intimacy.

“Over the course of the play they explore both of their needs for comfort, intimacy and sex,” Wald says.

He also says the production is still inherently European, with added Australian theatre elements, creating a fascinating blend.

“Australia is creating their own theatre aesthetic based on European traditions, with the Australian character melded with it, I really love the combination,” Wald says. (SOC) Until Jun 22,The Old 505 Theatre, Suite 505, 342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, $18-28, venue505.com/winter

average, middle-aged individuals who find themselves a long way off from the fantasy figures they see online.

With each of these individuals looking to the online realm for a little something more out of life, Greene aims to examine the “conflict between a digital pornographic fantasy and reality and how that vagueness bleeds into online dating.”

Acknowledging that there could be a fair amount of bleakness construed by audiences from the subject matter, Greene sees it differently.

“It is a comedy,” he says, “and it is important to me that the play is funny. It’s important that we can

laugh at how bleak the world is sometimes.” (SW) Until Jun 14, SBW Stables, 10 Nimrod St, Kings Cross, $32-49, (02) 9361 3817, griffintheatre.com.au STRICTLY BALLROOM:THE MUSICAL Baz Luhrmann’s latest creation is bursting at the sequined seams of the Lyric Theatre in an explosion of colour and feathers.

Luhrmann’s holistic creative approach and boundless imagination means his hand is involved in every aspect of the production, from the design, to the direction and the music.The notes feel like they were written for the stunning co-lead Phoebe Panaretos (Fran)

who outshines all except the hilarious Heather Mitchell (Shirley Hastings). The talented Thomas Lacey (Scott Hastings) gives a solid performance as the male lead but is sometimes underwhelming on a very busy stage.

Catherine Martin’s costumes are yet another ‘win’ for the designer, referencing familiar elements from the film and successfully amplifying them for the stage.

Strictly Ballroom:The Musical is an entertaining, lively night at the theatre that will delightfully overload the senses. (LL) Until Jul 6, Lyric Theatre, Pirrama Rd, Sydney, $55-145, strictlyballroomthemusical.com

THE NAKED CITY

Dead as a dodo – Sydney’s extinct species

By Coffin Ed, Miss Death & Jay Katz The dodo was a remarkable animal first sighted by Dutch sailors on the island of Mauritius in 1598. Seventy years later, after extensive hunting, the massive flightless bird was extinct – bound for immortalisation in the works of Lewis Carroll but never to tread this mortal coil again. Australia has had many dodos over the last two hundred years, notably the ill-fated Tassie Tiger. We have a shameful record when it comes to the extinction of native species.

But what about the more urban environment, notably the City of Sydney, and those ‘species’ which no longer grace our everyday lives?

It’s stretching a point to call them ‘extinct’ but they are largely no longer visible and we are certainly poorer for their demise. The Botanic Gardens were once home to up to thirty thousand fruit bats but whilst a handful remains, the majority have all but disappeared. Their final destination remains a complete mystery, the subject of a number of sinister conspiracy theories, but one thing’s for sure – no longer will we witness that spectacular sunset flyover when thousands of the cute little critters filled the CBD skies.

Up until a couple of months ago sulphur-crested cockatoos were a common sight around the city despite a number of cruel council culls. Maybe they have finally got the message because we haven’t sighted one in weeks. Likewise pigeon numbers also seem to be on the slide and we put this down to the rapid decline of those kind but eccentric souls who regularly fed these flying rats with loaves of stale bread and other tasty titbits. Perhaps the City Council could look to St Mark’s Square in Venice where the daily gathering of thousands of pigeons has long been a huge tourist attraction.

Cultivating and concentrating them in one particular area, like the shores of Barangaroo, would provide not only a huge photo op but also the added bonus of harvesting their

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guano (aka pigeon shit) and recycling it as fertiliser in the city’s parks and gardens.

And what about the colony of domestic white cats who once inhabited the lofty heights of the old pylon lookout on the Harbour Bridge? These fearless felines would often prowl the narrow guard rail with legend suggesting that one or two actually slipped and fell to a grizzly death below, becoming the only road kill ever recorded on the bridge. These days the only cats ‘at large’ you’ll encounter in the CBD environs are the ferals of Woolloomooloo, with even their once much-dreaded alpha tom, the elusive ‘Woollymooloo Panther’, a victim of Crown Street roadkill.

Possums, rats and cockroaches seem to be holding their own and perhaps that has something to do with their nocturnal lifestyle but the city is clearly no longer the haven of urban wildlife it was some years ago. The portent of the apocalypse has arrived in the shape of the now much-despised ibis, the grubby, marauding, long-beaked, garbagelooter that has been known to rip sandwiches from the hands of unsuspecting office workers in Hyde Park. Banned, culled and relocated by the City Council, their numbers seem as prolific as ever and one can only imagine a futuristic scene in which this mighty metropolis has been devastated by a nuclear blast or the ravages of global warming.

Almost every former living species is now extinct in this future fantasy, humans included, but the shrewd and sneaky ibis survives, scavenging the remains of a decadent and uncaring civilisation like a ghostly white vulture. Laugh if you like but we certainly think that it’s all food for thought. Perhaps the next time a hungry ibis approaches you in the park, rather than shoo it away, you’ll choose to share your sandwich with it. Who knows when Armageddon will finally descend - as early as next week it could be your radiated bones that the ibis is slowly picking over rather than your Portuguese chicken wrap.

Looking Out/Looking In – Janusz Wozny Looking out/Looking In by Janusz Wozny at Black Eye Gallery Darlinghurst contrasts sweeping vistas of natural wonder with intimate portraits of vulnerable masked figures.

The Consequence Of Snow is a presentation of intimidating photos of glacial landscapes.

The majestic geometrical shapes and powerful forces of snow and ice are captured in stark black and white. These images are poetic odes to the inimitability of creation. In some, the artist seems to capture the remnants of an almighty hand which has personally crafted unfathomable cliffs and chasms.

Mask, which focuses on the revelation of inner dialogues, consists of pieces which are equally impressive. The intrinsic beauty of the human form is conveyed in a series which touches on the secrets lurking behind every eye.

Combined, these works are a unique statement about the ability of a sensitive artist to capture the silken web which connects the living world. (LR) Until Jun 22, Black Eye Gallery, 138 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst, free, blackeyegallery.com.au

‘Dream’ by Janusz Wozny

Noah Taylor - New Works Noah Taylor’s ink pieces draw on minimalist techniques and simple designs to create a world of complex narratives.

New Works, his exhibition at Olsen Irwin Gallery in Woollahra, shows a diversity of inspiration and a pleasure in the art of creation.

A solemn rounded face looks despairingly at a bottle marked ‘xxx’ and a world of long nights and wasted days is contained in the simple juxtaposition of images. In an alternate picture, a hatted man with a gun points at another riding a horse, menace and a thousand westerns spring forth from the opposing figures.

This is art of sincerity and authenticity. The stark lines evoke 19th Century silhouettes mixed with modern animation, whilst the themes are as diverse as friendship, self indulgence and contemporary life.

The result is an artist who has drawn on his talent to construct an engrossing conversation between his personal milieu and that of his audience. (LR) Until Jun 21, Olsen Irwin Gallery, 40 Queen St, Woollahra, free, olsenirwin.com

New works by Noah Taylor

Une Australienne – Hilda Rix Nicholas Hilda Rix Nicholas is one of the most important Australian female artists from the early twentieth century.

The Mosman Art Gallery Exhibition, Une Australienne, explores the beauty and richness of the works she created when she moved back to Mosman from Europe after World War I. Gallery curator Julie Petersen, says the exhibition focuses on how Nicholas moving back to Australia shaped her artistic career. “We look at what it meant to her, how it reset her course,” she says.

After losing her family and husband in the war, Petersen says Nicholas used her time in Mosman exploring new artistic techniques to create original pieces.

“The artworks were made during her recovery period, Mosman became her place of recovery,” she says.

“She made these large pictures painted in a fresh and confident manner, and they look as fresh today as they did 100 years ago.”

The exhibition features important paintings and drawings that have not been together in a gallery since the 1920s.

“Her paintings have been all around the world, they are now out of the lounge rooms and on our walls,” she says.

The exhibition also features artist workshops and talks, and a Symposium on June 1st about women artists in the twentieth century. (SOC) Until Jul 13, Mosman Art Gallery, Art Gallery Way & Myahgah Rd, Mosman, free, (02) 9978 4178, mosmanartgallery.org.au

‘The Bathers’, by Hilda Rix Nicholas

Closure in Moscow - Pink Lemonade Some might say this album is brave, eclectic and avant garde.

Others might say it’s self-indulgent, lacking in focus and incohesive.

As with all matters of taste, it’s largely subjective – but for this reviewer, Pink Lemonade tends towards the latter category. Having said that, there are a couple of decent psychedelic rock numbers on Pink Lemonade, and the mellower pieces such as Mauerbauertrauigkeit and Beckon Fire are pleasantly spacey.

The album features great cover art by the Yeaaah! Studio, but ultimately the album doesn’t quite live up to the brand. (PH)

Xylouris Ensemble – Aera Listeners will fall trance-like into Xylouris Ensemble’s album Aera; mentally following the players up the fret board, dancing and twirling without moving at all.This music has a magical effect on the mind.

Middle Eastern melodies rise and fall, trapping listeners into yearning for the siren-like voice that calls out from Helidonaki and disappears again. It is repetitive and rhythmic and makes the listener want to dance and wish that they knew the traditional steps.

Later the kind male voice comes in and fades out again, making the voice another of the instruments used on this delirious album. (SP)

Sea Legs

We’re told from an early age that patience is a virtue. If you’re anything like this girl, you’ll throw up your hand and admit that the message did not sink in. On the contrary for Central Coast collective Sea Legs.

“It’s been a steady, slow burner,” reflects vocalist Byron Knight, as he plugs away at his shopfront ‘day job’. “It has been testing at times, just because we have been playing for so long. But things are moving along quickly enough to keep us stoked.

Especially lately, the way things are moving is pretty exciting!”

Hailing from the chilled-out town of Bateau Bay, Knight, Eli Milojkovic,Tim Andrews and Jacob Borg have been mates since boyhood.With a bond that stems from their fathers playing in bands together, it’s their fascination with melodious music that allows them the freedom to go wherever the creative vibes take them. Just take a look at their first EP We Do What We Do When We Do What We Do. “The recording process was really casual; [we

LIVE WIRE

British India: It’s been almost seven years since their debut album, Guillotine, stormed onto the airwaves.

Since then it’s been a story of success and consistent hard-work, with the rockers releasing three fantastic albums filled with gems galore and ambitiously visiting the lesser known pockets within Australia.The interwebs have confirmed recording their next record is high on their agenda, so now is the chance to reacquaint yourself with all that you loved at the start.

Support comes from Sea

recorded] it in our kitchen and just did it over time.We probably had it finished in about 12 months,” admits Knight. “As a band, we’re heaps chilled.We’re probably too chilled.We’re all best mates, so getting stuff done can be a bit weird and a bit unnatural. But it’s also the beauty of it.”

Currently in the process of recording their follow-up release, Knight cannot stop gushing about just how “wonderfully” their second EP is shaping up with a sound that differs highly to the “raw slash garage sound” from their debut.With a bigger budget that now allows them to utilise the luxuries of a studio, it’s little milestones that keep the dudes hungry for success.

“We had a gig at Oxford Art Factory one night, and we were actually on a bit of a bender,” Knight remembers with a chuckle. “So we ended up kicking a ball around in Hyde Park at 6am. One of the guys put on Triple J on his phone and our song came on.We just got up and started losing our minds, it was so cool! I think getting played on Triple J is something that any Aussie band should be pretty happy about!” (CD) Jun 12, Newtown Social Club, 387 King St, $30 (at the door), newtownsocialclub.com

Sydney Live Music Guide

Legs and The Pipes.

Thu, Jun 12th, Newtown Social Club, King St. James Morrison: Not many people can boast the skills that this highly underrated multi-instrumentalist has.

With abilities on the trumpet, euphonium, flugel horn, double bass and piano to name just a few; there’s absolutely no need for us to tell you how spectacular this show will be. It’s not just Australia that adores him – he played his first show in the USA at the age of 16 – since then Morrison has gone on to tour the likes

of Europe with some of the biggest names in the business.

Fri, Jun 13th,The Basement, Circular Quay.

Bec Laughton: She’s been described as “a petit redhead with a monstrous voice and a serious knack for penning a pop hook”, and man, no arguments here.This lady has music coursing through her veins, she was trained in jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and grew up backstage hanging with her musicaldirecting dad.With a plethora of awards and nominations, she’s carved out a pivotal

position in Australia’s soul scene – not bad for a girl with only two EPs to her name.

Sat, Jun 14th, Upstairs Beresford, Surry Hills.

Penny Flanagan: Like a phoenix, Ms Flanagan is not one to give up easily.

Emerging from the remnants of Club Hoy, this lady saw some generous airtime way back in 1994 for her hit single Lap It Up. Since then her solo career has been growing, which saw her most notably joining her hilarious sister Kitty on tour. But now it’s back to the music after ten years away, and we’re

sure that this performance will be extraordinary.

Sun, Jun 15th, Camelot Lounge, Marrickville.

Mahler 4: Richard Tognetti’s back and tonight he will show Sydney just why so many rave about his professional and inspiring direction of the mammoth Australian Chamber Orchestra.This performance will see two fabulous compositions making their debut, both of which were created by the historic greats: Gustav Mahler and Jean Sibelius.With Keira Duffy as the soprano, as well as a host of talented music makers involved with the

ACO, tonight’s performance will no doubt be breathtaking, exuberant and absolutely magical.

Tue, June 17th, Sydney City Recital Hall, Angel Place.

La Dispute: Taking all their creative energies and letting them run amok in an Upper Peninsula cabin, this Michigan mob dwindled away until they emerged with their ripping and raucous album Rooms Of The House.This tour down under will be a plug like no other, so get on down for a heart-thudding mosh.

(CD) Wed, Jun 18th, Metro Theatre, George St.

Edge of Tomorrow Tom Cruise returns to the screen in Edge Of Tomorrow, the latest epic action thriller which is a cross between Groundhog Day and Aliens.

Set in the near future, the Earth has been invaded by aliens and Major Cage (Cruise) joins forces with Special Forces Vrataski (Emily Blunt) in a bid to eliminate these creatures.

Major Cage acquires the ability to time-loop, which is the resetting of his day every time he dies. This grants him endless attempts at defeating

the enemy.

The concept of the constant rewinding of the story is potentially laborious, but is surprisingly well-executed with clever editing and humorous elements within the script.

Edge Of Tomorrow is fanciful and far-fetched, in which the fundamental theories of physics and time travel have been re-written, but is indisputably an engaging and entertaining film.

(MM) WWWW

Good Vibrations

Set in bomb-blasted Belfast in the 1970s, Good Vibrations is based on a true story.

Terri Hooley (Richard Dormer), a radical, lefty anarchist opens a music store on the most bombed street in Belfast and attempts to start a record label.

Up against the establishment, local thugs and his own socialist father, Terri encapsulates the necessary political resistance and integrity to not only launch the underground punk scene, but Disney’s reimagining of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale is dark and beautiful. Maleficent brings the fairy world to life with stunning visual effects and fantastical characters.

The costumes and styling are perfect and aptly reflect both the mood and scenery.

Angelina Jolie gives a powerful performance as the scorned, infamous Maleficent. Shifting the focus from Aurora to Maleficent could have been dangerous but a well-written backstory and clever plot twists ensure that the character is enthralling enough to carry such a weighty project.

And it bears repeating – Jolie is magnificent. She revels in

the delicious malice of the character and reaches into the very depths of her soul to convey pain in the moments that change everything.

There comes a point when Aurora must fall victim to her sleeping curse and this is unfortunately the only downside in an otherwise entertaining film. Suddenly scenes become esoteric and trippy. The style is not in keeping with the rest of the film and it feels strange, especially considering director Robert Stromberg’s strong background in visual effects.

Perhaps this is the point, but it is jarring (LL) WWWW

Maleficent GRACE OF MONACO French Director Olivier Dahan has taken artistic licence to heart with Grace Of Monaco, played by a plastic Nicole Kidman.The film is set six years after Grace Kelly’s marriage to Prince Rainier III (Tim Roth).

Although a potentially interesting story, the screenplay by Arash Amel, coupled with Dahan’s direction, creates a film that is heavy-handed and needlessly glamourised.

They suggest Monaco’s conflict with France is partly due to the controversy surrounding Kelly, which only serves to diminish her personal conflict. Kidman remains one-dimensional, relying heavily on close-ups of her tear-stained face. (ATS) WW

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THE TRIP TO ITALY Comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon reunite for a road trip around sun-drenched Italy in this entertaining follow-up to The Trip.

Once again, it’s an absolute blast watching the duo compete in a never-ending game of oneupmanship in which the currency is rapid-fire quips and uncanny, albeit increasingly loopy impersonations.

Yes, it’s inherently self-indulgent, and some of the humour is recycled from the previous instalment, but it is more than a Coogan/Brydon vanity project – the pair’s musings on middle-age, family, mortality and legacy will resonate with viewers long after they die of laughter. (JH) WWW½

The Face Of Love In the guise of a stylish romantic thriller, The Face Of Love is a twisted portrayal of a grieving woman’s spiral into delusion and those she drags along with her. Several years after Nikki’s husband dies she finds his doppelganger at an art gallery they used to frequent. Artist and lecturer, Tom, becomes a dangerous obsession as Nikki pursues a relationship with him hoping to bring back what she had with her late husband.

The implausible and

GODZILLA America is “under attack” in this epic action adventure which sees the mega-monster’s return. In this mammoth-scale reboot, the imminent mating of menacing radiation-hungry mutations will render humanity defenceless.

The clichéd and cheesy storylines are interwoven with explosive CGI and eye-popping 3D effects, but sadly lack the edge-of-your-seat excitement.

Momentum is slow and extended scenes of the monsters at war aimlessly rampaging become dull and repetitive.

Fans will be delighted, but others will question whether

melodramatic plot is nevertheless enthralling in a disconcerting way, made more watchable by the always-superb screen presence of both Annette Bening (Nikki) and Ed Harris (Tom). Their chemistry is hypnotic and complements the sinister vibe of the film. Robin Williams is a nice if not wasted star addition as Nikki’s pining widowed neighbour, Roger.

Despite its absurdities, The Face Of Love is an entertaining and disturbing depiction of love and grief. (MH) WWW½

also change the way people think and live.

Also starring comedian Dylan Moran, this is a well-edited film with good use of archive footage and music that also features the essential character of late DJ John Peel.

Good Vibrations has loveable characters and an engaging story with a good dose of nostalgia.

The result is a feel-good film with lots of heart, reminding audiences of the power of community and music. (LK) WWW

Albert (Seth MacFarlane) hates living in the old west. It’s 1882 and just about everything can kill you. His girlfriend (Amanda Seyfried) dumps him for the local moustachery owner (Neil Patrick Harris), his parents hate him and he is just the worst sheep farmer ever.

Enter Anna (Charlize Theron), a mysterious stranger with a shady past who quickly bonds with Albert and changes his life forever.

It’s no secret that MacFarlane is a creative force of nature with a very specific sense of humour that audiences either love or hate. His latest movie is no different.

There are the usual, drawn-

out, see-the-punchlinecoming-a-mile-away jokes that MacFarlane likes to do, but there are also some surprising and hilarious gems hidden within this piss-take of the western genre.

A strong supporting cast in Theron and Liam Neeson feed MacFarlane, and refreshingly, he is endearing as the lovelorn Albert. His chemistry with Theron is effortless and believable.

Towards the end it does become a little self-indulgent but overall A Million Ways To Die In The West is a clever comedy that audiences will enjoy. (LL) WWW

A Million Ways To Die In The West

the world needed another Godzilla disaster film. (MM) WW

is not until the last scene that guilt, love and social inequality come to a head. (ATS) WWW

CHILD’S POSE Cornelia (Luminita Gheorghiu) is an overbearing and overprotective mother.When her son, Barbu (Bogdan Dumitrache), is involved in a car accident that kills a child, she uses her wealth and affluence to stop the manslaughter charges.

Child’s Pose is incredibly worthwhile viewing because of its examination of contemporary Romanian society and an enlightening but tragic story. However, the film does not allow the audience to feel empathy towards the main characters.

Both harsh and unforgiving, it

THE DOUBLE Based on the novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Double stars Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) as Simon, a timid office drone in the midst of an existential crisis.

Simon is – in the words of a tactless co-worker – “a bit of a non-person”.The unexpected arrival of Simon’s roguish doppelganger is a catalyst but also a mixed omen: will he seize control of his life or disappear completely?

Marrying melancholy and black wit with an oppressive, dystopian setting, The Double is a haunting satire. (JH) WWWW

HEALING is an Australian film that is worth watching, full of beautiful cinematography. Based on true events it is set in a lowsecurity prison farm 200 kilometres outside of Melbourne. Don Hany (Underbelly) stars as Viktor Khadem at the end of his 16-year stint in prison. Hugo Weaving (Lord Of The Rings) is his caseworker, Matt Perry.Together they set up a bird sanctuary to help heal, not only the majestic creatures, but also the broken inmates.

The mise-en-scène and the elegant movements offer thoughtful symbolism in this evocative story with great characters. (LK) WWWW

F R E E W I L L AS T ROLO G Y

by Rob Brezsny

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In its quest for nectar, a hummingbird sips from a thousand flowers every day.

As it flaps its wings 70 times a second, zipping from meal to meal, it can fly sideways, backward, or forward. If it so desires, it can also hover or glide upside-down. It remembers every flower it visits, and knows how long it will take before each flower will produce a new batch of nectar. To some Spanish speakers, hummingbirds are known as *joyas voladoras,* or “flying jewels.” Now take everything I’ve just said, Aries, and use it as a metaphor for who you can be in the coming week.

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In 1947, the impossibly wealthy Duke of Windsor went shopping in Paris to buy a gift for his wife, the Duchess. She already had everything she wanted, so he decided to get creative. He commissioned the luxury-goods manufacturer Hermes to build her a high-fashion black leather wheelbarrow. I am not urging you to acquire something like that for yourself, Taurus. But I do like it as a symbol for what you need in your life right now: a blend of elegance and usefulness, of playful beauty and practical value, of artistry and hard work.

C

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your brain absorbs about

11 million pieces of information every second, but is consciously aware of less than .001 percent of all that richness. Or at least that’s usually the case. Having analyzed your astrological omens, I suspect that you might soon jack that figure up as high as .01 percent -- a ten-fold increase! Do you think you can handle that much raw input?

Are you amenable to being so acutely perceptive? How will you respond if the world is a ten times more vivid than usual?

I’m pretty confident. I suspect you won’t become a bug-eyed maniac freaking out on the intensity, but rather will be a soulful, wonder-filled explorer in love with the intensity.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): You have a strong, intricate understanding of where you have come from. The old days and old ways continue to feed you with their mysterious poignancy. You don’t love every one of your past experiences, but you love ruminating about them and feeling the way they changed you. Until the day you die many years from now, your history will keep evolving, providing an endless stream of new teachings. And yet at this particular moment in your destiny, Cancerian, I think your most important task is to focus on where you are going to. That’s why I urge you to temporarily forget everything you think you know about your past and instead concentrate on getting excited about the future.

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 1928, Bobby Pearce won a gold medal in rowing at the Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. An unforeseen event almost sabotaged his victory. As he rowed his boat along the Sloten Canal, a family of ducks swam leisurely from shore to shore directly across his path. He stopped to let them pass, allowing an opponent who was already ahead of him to gain an even bigger advantage.

Yet he ultimately won the race, rowing with such vigor after the duck incident that he finished well ahead of his challenger.

I foresee a comparable sequence in your life, Leo. Being thoughtful and expressing compassion may seem to slow you down, but in the end that won’t hinder you from achieving your goal -- and may even help.

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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In one of her “Twenty-One Love Poems,” Adrienne Rich talks about her old self in the third person. “The woman who cherished / her suffering is dead. I am her descendant. / I love the scar tissue she handed on to me, / but I want to go from here with you / fighting the temptation to make a career of pain.” With your approval, Virgo, I’d like to make that passage one of your keynotes in the coming months.

According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you will have an excellent opportunity to declare your independence from an affliction you’ve been

addicted to. Are you willing to say goodbye to one of your signature forms of suffering?

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “You should be interviewing roses not people,” says a character in Anne Carson’s book *The Autobiography Of Red.* That’s sound poetic advice for you in the coming days, Libra. More than you can imagine, you will benefit from being receptive to and learning from non-human sources: roses, cats, dogs, spiders, horses, songbirds, butterflies, trees, rivers, the wind, the moon, and any other intelligences that make themselves available to you. I’m not saying you should ignore the revelations offered by people.

But your emphasis should be on gathering in wisdom from life forces that don’t communicate with words.

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): William Shockley was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who co-invented the transistor. He also helped launch the revolution in information technology, and has been called “the man who brought silicon to Silicon Valley.” *Time* magazine named him one of the hundred most influential people of the 20th century. On the other hand, Shockley became a controversial advocate of eugenics, which damaged his reputation, led many to consider him a racist, and played a role in his estrangement from his friends and family. I suspect that

you will have to deal with at least one Shockley-type phenomenon in the coming weeks, Scorpio.

Will you overlook the bad stuff in order to take advantage of the good? Should you?

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Novelist Herman Melville wrote that in order to create art, “unlike things must meet and mate.” Like what?

“Sad patience” and “joyous energies,” for example; both of them are necessary, he said. “Instinct and study” are crucial ingredients, as well as humility and pride, audacity and reverence, and “a flame to melt” and a “wind to freeze.” Based on my interpretation of the astrological omens, Sagittarius, I believe you will soon need to meld opposites like these as you shape that supreme work of art -- your life.

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Haggis is a Scottish pudding. According to the gourmet food encyclopedia *Larousse Gastronomique,* it has “an excellent nutty texture and delicious savory flavor.” And yet, to be honest, its ingredients don’t sound promising. To make it, you gather the lungs, liver, small intestine, and heart of a sheep, put all of that stuff inside the stomach of the sheep along with oatmeal, onions, salt, and suet, and then simmer the whole mess for three hours. I’m guessing that your work in the coming week may have a certain metaphorical resemblance to making haggis, Capricorn. The

process could a bit icky, but the result should be pretty tasty.

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Almost a hundred years ago, world-famous comedian Charlie Chaplin decided to take part in a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest in San Francisco. He did his best to imitate himself, but it wasn’t good enough. He didn’t come close to winning. But I think you would have a different fate if you entered a comparable competition in the coming weeks. There’s no question in my mind that you would be crowned as the person who most resembles you. Maybe more than ever before, you are completely yourself. You look like your true self, you feel like your true self, and you are acting like your true self.

Congratulations! It’s hard work to be so authentic.

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease,” said French philosopher Francois-Marie Voltaire. That principle will be useful for you to invoke in the coming weeks.

You definitely need to be cured, although the “disease” you are suffering from is primarily psychospiritual rather than strictly physical. Your task will be to flood yourself with fun adventures, engaging stories, and playtime diversions so that nature can heal you without the interference of your worries and kibitzing.