City Hub 16 April 2015

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Barangaroo’s “meaningless” community consultation attacked

BY EMILY CONTADOR-KELSALL Significant changes to the master plan for Barangaroo South have brought the legitimacy of community consultation and the design process into question.

Last month the proposed maximum building height of the Crown was increased to around 275 metres, which would exceed the current maximum of 170 metres, with a total floor area of 77,500 square metres.The Crown Hotel and casino will move onto waterfront land if the NSW Department of Planning accepts these modifications. The hotel’s car park will also increase from 156 to 500 spots.

Architect Phillip Thalis has criticised successive NSW governments over their lack of transparency and “parody of consultation”, accusing the government of deliberately constructing processes which were “meaningless”. Mr Thalis’ original design for the Barangaroo site won an international competition in 2006 that the state government abandoned three years later for the current design.

“It’s completely the self-interest of the proponent doing whatever they like on public land, seemingly with the acquiescence of the state government and its ineffective agencies,” he told City Hub. “Barangaroo is just a disaster which just keeps plummeting, spiralling downwards, and there’s no guarantee it’s got to the bottom of its hole even with this appalling modification proposal which is currently before the government.”

The location of the Crown Hotel has caused previous contention between the government and the public. Originally, the hotel was set to be built on a pier, but fierce community opposition pushed it back onto land. The idea of a pier is one that Mr Thalis said the government never gave up.

The modified plan that is now on public exhibition also seeks to increase the height to two of three residential towers in Barangaroo South.

Mr Thalis said that Lend Lease and James Packer had done everything they could “to alienate [Barangaroo South] and privatise it to restrict public access to the water front”.

In a statement, Lend Lease’s Barangaroo South

Artist’s impression of Barangaroo South. Source: twitter.com

Managing Director Andrew Wilson said the revised concept plan represents an “exciting vision for one of the most significant harbour projects in Sydney’s history.”

Jack Mundey, leader of the Green Bans movement in the 1970s that saved The Rocks, said the increase in height of the Crown Hotel was outrageous and the state government’s behaviour lead to the “sort of cynicism that exists in the community about government.”

“I think many Sydneysiders are very unhappy with the fact that a premier part of the Barangaroo project is going to be the Packer casino, which is far bigger than the original design allowed for,” he said.

“It just says that [James Packer] is able to hold sway with the government over what he wants in this respect, and part of it being a second casino for Sydney without any consultation from local people

about whether or not they wanted a second casino in the city.”

Mr Mundey said vigilance is required and it is important that “ordinary people” be involved in the decision making process when it comes to significant developments such as that at Barangaroo.

Transparency is not the only concern extending from the major changes made to the master plan.

The generation of traffic and transport infrastructure is a growing concern as the state government has not updated its transport plan for the district for more than three years.

Mr Thalis said Sydney roads and transport would inevitably suffer due to development at Barangaroo.

“This modification to Barangaroo further privatises the few streets that are there and adds hugely to the private car parking. This is against 40 years of public policy in the city. It’s a ridiculous

proposal put forward by Lend Lease and Packer,” he said.

“The NSW government has funded an underground link to Wynyard station… and that simply is loading more people more quickly onto a station that is already close to capacity.”

The state government’s treatment of roads and public transport in and around Sydney was hotly debated in the lead up to last month’s election with major projects like the WestConnex tollway and light rail attracting large community and political opposition.

Fairfax Media reported that Mr Wilson said the company’s objective was for over 90 percent of Barangaroo visitors to use public transport, walk or cycle.

Barangaroo South is expected to open to the public later this year with the area’s first residential tower and hotel set to be complete in 2019 if approved.

Baird’s new harbour crossing plan under fire Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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ABN 48 135 222 169 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Manager: Chris Peken Group Editors: Joe Bourke & Emily Contador-Kelsall Contributors: Kayla Canne, Lauren O’Connor & Georgia Fullerton Arts Editors: Jamie Apps, Erika Vass Dining Editor: Jackie McMillan Advertising Managers: Robert Tuitama, Mark Barnes Cover Photo: Chris Peken Email: question@alternativemediagroup.com Advertising: sales@alternativemediagroup.com Contact: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Web: altmedia.net.au

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BY JOE BOURKE Co-convenor of EcoTransit Sydney, Gavin Gatenby has attacked Mike Baird’s plan for a second harbour rail crossing, calling the government’s recent announcement that drilling has begun on the project a “stunt”.

Mr Baird and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance last week announced geotechnical drilling would occur up to 70 metres below Sydney Harbour to work out where the new Sydney Rapid Transit tunnels, connecting Chatswood with Sydenham, would be created.

Mr Gatenby said the project was not a definite, but that the government was attempting to create the impression that they had already started work.

“In fact, all they are doing is exploratory drilling to add to the geological knowledge of various route options under the CBD, and the geological conditions,” he said.

“I would say that this is a stunt to persuade people that the sort of harbour rail crossing favoured by the government has now been described as ‘inevitable’, and really naïve people would think that it’s already underway. It’s not the case.”

A spokesperson for Mr Constance said this “is a standard first step for all major infrastructure projects”, citing the need to determine the best location for new infrastructure.

“This is a critical part of the design process for Sydney Rapid Transit, allowing us to make sure the city’s brand new state-of-the-art railway network can be delivered as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson said.

The geotechnical drilling started in early April, and will take place at Sydenham, the

Premier Baird announcing the plan. Source: twitter.com

CBD, Barangaroo, North Sydney, Crows Nest and Artarmon. Boreholes will also be drilled beneath Sydney Harbour.

The new line, which is a continuation of the privatised North West Rail Link could see five new stations built at Central, Pitt Street, Martin Place, Victoria Cross and St Leonards. Other stations could be built at Barangaroo, Waterloo or the University of Sydney.

Geoff Turnbull, Chair of REDWatch thinks the line will go ahead but is concerned about the possible impacts on Waterloo if a new trainline were to come in.

Mr Turnbull said Waterloo’s transport problems would be much more easily fixed by putting a station on the already existing airport line.

“In terms of providing some connectivity into Waterloo, that would be a lot cheaper than actually bringing a new railway line out through that area,” he said.

Former CEO of the failed Sydney metro line and current chief of the North West Rail Link Rodd Staples is leading the project.

Mr Gatenby criticised Mr Staples, saying one of his main agendas would be to privatise the Sydney rail network and reverting to a “small bore, low capacity metro system”.

“Ultimately what they really want it to do is plug into the Bankstown line and privatise the Bankstown line and move it to low capacity metro,” Mr Gatenby said.

CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

3

BY KAYLA CANNE Members of the Bays Community Coalition (BaCC) were unimpressed by the “one-off extravaganza” ‘Discovery Day’ held by UrbanGrowth NSW in the Bays Precinct last weekend, saying the event was more of an entertainment day than an opportunity for community input toward development in the Precinct.

Teena Clerke of the BaCC said she was disappointed that UrbanGrowth did not consult community groups regarding the event, especially after speakers at UrbanGrowth’s International Summit in November 2014 suggested that community involvement was key for successful development in the area.

“Despite David Pitchford’s personal assurance to me that it would happen, and despite every international speaker at the summit stating that any redevelopment had to engage existing communities about changes, UrbanGrowth have not bothered to contact any of the community representatives from the summit about their planned Discovery Day on Sunday,” Ms Clerke said.

Discovery Day invited residents to explore restricted areas along the Bays Precinct to “see what the Precinct is like today, uncover its past, and imagine its future,” a spokesperson from UrbanGrowth said, adding that public participation was “critical” to the program.

Activities included family-friendly entertainment from live bands, cooking demonstrations by the Sydney Fish Markets, art exhibitions and photography workshops.

A spokesperson from UrbanGrowth could

Discovery Day. Source: twitter.com

not give a final estimate on the total cost for the event, but Ms Clerke said the day was “expensive, one-off entertainment, rather than extended open public access to the foreshores with community cultural involvement”.

BaCC volunteers attended the event and handed out nearly 700 flyers which outlined the current plans for development and called for community input in all stages of the planning process to avoid the “problems that plagued Barangaroo and Pyrmont”.

Proposed development in the area includes the construction of 16,000 new apartments and $14.5 billion spent on roads within the planned WestConnex interchange, bringing nearly 30,000 more residents into the area.

Ms Clerke said one of the main concerns of the BaCC is the lack of plans for public infrastructure to be built alongside the new development.

“All this and no mention of public and active transport networks. No plans for or space to

build hospitals, schools, child and aged care facilities, sporting fields, open recreational space or cultural facilities for existing residents, let alone new residents and visitors,” she said.

Damien Hawcroft of the BaCC said many community members expressed similar concerns to volunteers at the event.

“The majority wanted to talk about their own bad experiences with development in their suburbs, particularly with regard to lack of social infrastructure. There was a general skepticism about UrbanGrowth and their commitment to a balanced approach to development — that is social infrastructure being part of the initial development,” he said.

In an April 13 press release, UrbanGrowth NSW Chief Executive David Pitchford said a strong turnout at the event “sent a clear message that Sydneysiders want to participate. As a result, we will definitely make sure more open days are held.”

Mr Pitchford also invited residents to attend the Sydneysiders Summit on May 16 and 17, which will host “a series of short talks, ‘discovery’ displays and consultation exercises”.

But Ms Clerke said she did not believe Discovery Day provided the transparency and participation that the public is looking for and that the lack of consultation between UrbanGrowth and community representative groups prior to the event was a “bad omen for ongoing engagement”.

“We should not simply become the audience to their show, but partners in opening access to our foreshore lands, cultural icons and waterways to community and visitors,” she said.

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HUB CLUB kicks off NOT TOO L ATE TO JOIN !

Last Tuesday night saw the official launch of City Hub’s crowdfunding campaign at the Beauchamp Hotel. A colourful menagerie of Sydney’s leaders in arts, culture and politics ascended upon the venue to drink, share stories and network all while supporting our publication.

The Beauchamp, which is situated towards the Paddington end of Oxford Street, was named the ‘Best Community Bar’ by the City Hub last year, and it is events like last Tuesday night’s that exemplify their love for the community. We at City Hub would like to thank the Beauchamp for donating half of the bar towards our crowdfunding campaign.

The atmosphere of the night was enthusiastic and was a testament to the community spirit we love so much. We would also like to thank the many people that came out and donated to our cause, picking up some great perks while they were at it. With your help, we raised over $1300, kickstarting the campaign.

Group Publisher Lawrence Gibbons said the night was a success, and was instrumental in keeping City Hub alive.

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5

St Vincent’s Private Hospital feels ill winds

BY EMILY CONTADOR-KELSALL Community concerns are rising towards plans to undertake major redevelopments and refurbishments of St Vincent’s Private Hospital (SVPH) in Darlinghurst.

The cost of the redevelopment of SVPH is currently set at $115 million according to the hospital. The renovations include the construction of a new building and refurbishment of the existing high-rise wing on Victoria Street.

Jane Anderson is the convenor of the Eastern Sydney NeighbourhoodAssociation (ESNA), which St Vincent’s Hospital briefed on the development proposal at their last meeting. She said the group held several concerns, including the past behaviour of St Vincent’s and “their disregard for residents in the area”.

Ms Anderson raised the design of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre as an example of St Vincent’s “disregard for residents”, a building Ms Anderson said looked like a “concrete bunker”.

Contention also arose towards the Kinghorn Cancer Centre when ICAC revealed that John Kinghorn, who donated $25 million to the centre, had been involved in corrupt dealings.

“Due to the past performance, there’s a lack of trust in the community,” Ms Anderson said.

“There’s the past behaviour where [St Vincent’s Private Hospital] ignored local input and they’ve done things like demolish historical terraces.”

However, St Vincent’s Hospital’s attendance and presentation at the last ESNA meeting was a step in the right direction, a move Ms Anderson said was “positive”.

David Faktor, spokesperson for St Vincent’s Hospital, said the community have certainly expressed a lack of trust with St Vincent’s Hospital.

“At the end of the day, St Vincent’s did have community forums in which we discussed and presented to [the community] the plans, and there were some amendments made. The building ended up being a little bit shorter than what we had originally gone to council with,” he said while talking about the Kinghorn Cancer Centre.

The Kinghorn Cancer Centre that caused controversy among residents. Source: flickr.com / RubyGoes

“For us, we’ve got a mission and that mission is to respond to community needs”.

Despite the community’s shaky confidence in St Vincent’s, they strongly support their work as a hospital.

Late last week the period for comment on the proposal opened. The public now has one month to officially respond to the development application before the state government decides whether to approve the development.

According to Mr Faktor, SVPH currently struggles

to find capacity for the volume of patients that access their care and the increase in patient treatment rooms, operating theatres and other facilities the new building would bring are “really important”.

But the hospital currently lacks a master plan, indicating to the community that there is no long-term view for the area.

“There’s no master plan, so it’s just like doing a little bit, then a little bit more, so there isn’t a master plan that takes a longer term view,” Ms Anderson said.

“There have been suggestions that what is currently open space at St Vincent’s public hospital… is at risk of being developed some time in the future- we’d definitely be against that.”

Mr Faktor said the hospital did not have a master plan at the moment because they did not have any formal funding to implement one. However funds are in place for the proposed redevelopment.

“A while ago, we were working up a master plan but the funds were simply not there. So we could share all these wonderful pipeline dreams with the community but it would be taking them down a garden path in the sense that if they’re not funded there’s just no real point,” he said.

With the potential addition of a 13-level hospital building among existing buildings and a small increase in car parling spaces, the growth of traffic and parking needs has been flagged by ESNA as another potential impact of the redevelopment.

In a letter from Gordon Kirby, director of JPA, to the secretary of the Department of the Planning and Environment, he discusses traffic and connectivity impacts due to the proposed development. “There are no pedestrian access and connectivity risks as a result of the proposed development,” his statement reads.

A consulting transport and accessibility assessment prepared for the SVPH redevelopment by TEF consults seconds this, concluding “no negative [parking] impacts are expected”.

“The additional car parking demand from the hospital component of the proposal is likely to be very minor (1.7 percent) when compared with the existing SVHDC car parking accumulation.”

Mr Faktor said he could not imagine the development would have big impacts on traffic given the scale but was sure there would be disruptions during construction.

“In fairness, we are building in an area, Victoria Street, that is prone to traffic, and as a local community resident group they wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t express some concern about a new building,” he said.

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WRITERS AND OPINION MAKERS WANTED

Pyrmont Bay Wharf upgrade The NSW Government is progressively upgrading wharves across Sydney to improve ferry services.

Pyrmont Bay Wharf will close temporarily from Wednesday 22 April 2015 for up to five months, weather and maritime conditions permitting. All efforts will be made to reopen the wharf as soon as possible.

F4 Darling Harbour ferry services will operate to the nearby Casino Wharf, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont during the temporary closure. This is a five minute walk from Pyrmont Bay Wharf.

The Alternative Media Group of Australia is looking for writers.

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The F4 Darling Harbour Ferry Service will continue to operate to the existing timetable at other wharves on the service.

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Final residents fight on at Millers Point

BY GEORGIA FULLERTON With 145 dwellings yet to be sold off by the state government at Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks residents are concerned about their futures. The area houses a disproportionate percentage of more elderly residents, so the dislocation will be all the more disruptive if the eviction plans go forward.

Bev Sutton lives in public housing and said the fight is about their community.

“You don’t give in to the bureaucrats just because they want to make money. It’s about your neighbours and it’s all very well to say they’ll move people elsewhere and of course they will, but there won’t be a community there,” she said.

Many of the buildings were originally accommodation for dock workers, but were transferred from the Maritime Services Board to Housing NSW in the 1980s.

“You cannot move 80 year old people to areas where they don’t know anyone. It’s frightening enough that they’re being moved.

It’s even worse that they don’t have people around them they can call on,” Ms Sutton said.

There are currently 57,000 families on the waiting list for public housing. Chairman of the Millers Point Resident Action group, John McInerney, said the demand for housing is serious.

“It is crazy to give up good welfare housing so close to the city which is where you need it, for a short term monetary gain. It’s a false economy to think you can build two houses for selling one here, when you can’t build on in here,” he said.

Redfern Legal Centre helps tenants who are being relocated with written records and attends various meetings and inspections.

A sign on the day. Photo: Georgia Fullerton

Redfern Legal worker Lindsay Ash believes the increased popularity of the area has contributed to the relocations.

“This area was never associated with privilege or wealth, but now, with the way the city is developing, it’s seen as a prime area in Sydney, and of course it is,” she said.

“This has been sitting in government hands for a long time and I think they’ve been thinking about it for a long time.

They’ve decided that it’s justified to sell it off because they say it’s very difficult to maintain properties here. A lot of them are heritage listed so in terms of development there’s only so much that can be done to them.”

Prior to the relocations, a social impact assessment found that moving elderly people from the area could result in sickness or death.

These findings were left out of the published

Glebe icon retires

BY EMILY CONTADOR-KELSALL

Gay Kalnins spent the larger part of her life working with the Glebe community and recently retired as the secretary of the Glebe Chamber of Commerce or the “Glebe Chamber of Comrades”, as she nicknamed the organisation.

Ms Kalnins spent over 30 years as secretary of the chamber and made an Gay Kalnins invaluable contribution to the inner city village.

In addition to volunteering for the chamber, Ms Kalnins worked in book publishing but looked at her time as secretary as a high point.

“Making businesses realise that without the community they don’t have business [was a highlight], so it’s not just the businesses that you are looking after, you look after the community as well,” she said.

“Just going through all those changes. 43 years being in Glebe, having an office at various places in Glebe.”

Looking at the “unique village” of Glebe, Ms Kalnins said it has not lost touch with the basics of a community despite many changes around the area over time.

Eulalie Moore worked with Ms Kalnins for roughly 14 years and said Ms Kalnins’ contribution to Glebe was beneficial to the community.

“She did a lot of work for the community and she stood up for what she believed in or what the community groups needed in the community,” Ms Moore said.

Adding to her colourful history in Sydney, Ms Kalnins became the first squatter to buy their own squat in Australia when she bought her place in Rozelle.

Reflecting on her time working in and with Glebe and the evolution of the community, Ms Kalnins parted with a piece of valuable advice.

“One thing I have realised though is, humour keeps you intact quite a lot…and not taking shit from anybody”.

8

CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

version of the study until Alex Greenwich’s office later found and released it.

“The residents had the feeling that they were promised to stay here forever. Certainly that is a feature of the way public housing has been run for a long time. Government is aware of the social and health risks and they’ve made the decision with that fully in mind,” Ms Ash said.

The action group held a community meeting last Saturday April 11 to inform residents of the latest development of their fight for the area.

On the Monday following the meeting, the government announced plans for the sale of a further 12 properties at Millers Point.

“The commitment to continue the divestment of more than 290 government owned properties in the Millers Point precinct is now well underway,” Brett Newman, CEO of Government Property NSW said in a statement.

Sydney unites for Indigenous rights

BY EMILY CONTADOR-KELSALL Around 2,000 protesters gathered at Belmore Park last Friday April 10 to unite against the controversial decision to forcibly close Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.

Protesters in Sydney’s march walked from Belmore Park near Central to the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Marchers not only condemned the forced closure of Aboriginal communities in Western Australia but also used the movement to stand against the development of ‘The Block’ in Redfern.

Across social media, protesters who were present last week have reported that approximately 2,000 attended the protest despite rain, with 4,800 people saying they attended on the Facebook event.

Aunty Jenny Munro, who helped establish the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy, opened the protest as a “call to arms across Australia” to stop the “sickness” and “disease” of racism.

“We’re here today to tell [the government] we continue to resist, we continue to fight,” she said last Friday .

“This is our time to take our country back”.

Last month, Prime Minister Tony Abbott supported the West Australian government’s decision to relocate more than 100 remote Indigenous communities. This decision has come under sharp criticism nationwide.

Similarly, in Sydney, the Aboriginal Housing Company’s plans to develop ‘The Block’ at Redfern have attracted fierce opposition, evident in the Redfern Tent Embassy Ms Munro worked to establish in protest.

Ebony Hill, an Indigenous woman from Western Australia spoke to the crowd gathered at Belmore Park about the current experiences of the Indigenous communities in Western Australia. Ms Hill called the closure of communities “the third wave of dispossession” and spoke of land justice issues the Indigenous population face across the nation today, notably at Redfern.

“Here we are seeing a third wave of colonisation,” she said.

“As we see nationwide there is a development agenda when it comes to Indigenous people and their land, where profit and development comes before community and before culture and before people.”

“Gina Rinehart has just started buying land around most of the communities that are proposed to be shut down to open up the flood gates of fracking.”

Waverley Mayor told to stand down

BY LAUREN O’CONNOR Mayor Sally Betts is under investigation

by Waverley Council over a character reference she gave to convicted rapist Luke Lazarus.

The Waverley community is in uproar after revelations Ms Betts defended Mr Lazarus “out of loyalty to the family,” by pushing for a non-custodial sentence.

Bondi Beach Precinct Committee lodged a formal code of conduct complaint last week and council General Manager Arthur Kyron has launched an investigation into the matter.

Calls for her to step down as Mayor are intensifying. A spokesperson for Mr Kyron said he could not comment because an internal council investigation into the matter was underway.

Lenore Kulakauskas, a member of the Bondi Beach Precinct Comittee said Clr Betts involvement in the case was discussed at a meeting on April 13.

“I can tell you that the Bondi Beach Precinct did lodge a code of conduct complaint about Mayor Sally Betts with the General Manager. It was ratified at the meeting last night,” Ms Kulakauskas said.

“Every resident that I had spoken to and everyone who was there last night was unhappy with it. Hopefully it will be dealt with relatively quickly. Because of the nature of what happened, it is casting a pall over Waverley Council,” she said.

Bank of Sydney Chairman Nick Pappas and Greek Orthodox priest Fr Gerasimos Koutsouras were among the referees who vouched for Luke Lazarus’ character.

As a friend of the Lazarus family, Clr Betts urged the court to consider an alternative sentence to jail.

“The conviction is inconsistent with the

Sally Betts. Source: twitter.com

gentle, well-mannered and respectful young man that I know,” she is quoted as saying.

The sexual assault occurred in 2013 in an alleyway in Kings Cross behind Mr Lazarus’ father’s nightclub Soho.

The 5-year-jail term was handed down in late March; he is eligible for parole in 2018.

Karen Willis, CEO of Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, has encouraged the DPP to review the sentencing.

She said the victim would have expected a longer sentence and “would have been appalled” by the high profile character references.

“To have people question [you], but also then to make statements about how much of a good bloke he was and how he comes from a good family, that would have been quite an insult to someone who knew what he was absolutely capable of,” Ms Willis said.

“One of the things we know about sexual assault is that being believed is critically important to recovery. To then add to that the high profile of the young man and the wealth of the family, their capacity to employ the barristers from the top end, then attract the kind of references that he was able to attract; I think is quite concerning.”

Waverley resident Marcella McAdam said a Facebook campaign ‘Stand Down Sally’ now has a substantial following and council has been dealing with complaints.

“The General Manager has confirmed that he was inundated with very distressed emails and letters of concern not just from residents but from other victims. It was disappointing she couldn’t see the long term impact writing that character reference would have,” Ms McAdam said.

She said residents are shocked at the apparent conflict of interest between the Lazarus family’s business interests and Mayor Betts’ statement.

“She is supposed to be a leader in our community. She is supposed to be a woman that should be supporting the victim, not the sons of wealthy business owners in Bondi Junction,” she said.

Mayor Sally Betts was approached for comment but did not respond in time for this article.

CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

9

Residents have their spray on City’s graffiti policy

BY JOE BOURKE The City of Sydney has been accused of showing “disrespect” and “nonchalance” towards heritage by the president of the Potts Point Heritage and Conservation Society for taking too long to clean up vandalism in the area.

Andrew Woodhouse said Potts Point residents “expect a higher standard of care” from council after a “rise in graffiti” in Potts Point had left some private properties with graffiti on them for over 10 days.

“Council has the power and the money and the graffiti removal services to it, but it hasn’t [used them], so council is negligent,” he said.

“It’s been there for over a week. We’ve made two requests for some of the graffiti to be removed. We’ve made about 27 requests over the last three months for graffiti to be removed, but the graffiti removal service is too slow.”

A spokesperson for the City said they had “not noticed an increase in the instances of graffiti removed in Potts Point over the past 12 months”.

The spokesperson also pointed out that the City spends around $2.8 million each year on graffiti removal, an amount criticised by ex-graffiti writer turned artist Scott Marsh.

Mr Marsh said graffiti is a big part of urban life, and the best way to deal with it would be to accept it.

“It’s now such a major part of urban culture, living in an urban city, that it exists and all these people and politicians that get on their speaker box to try and get votes and say ‘I’m going to wipe out graffiti’ – they’re not because it’s impossible.”

Mr Marsh pointed to Melbourne as a city that has successfully integrated street art into its culture.

Melbourne City has a range of ‘street art tours’ and regularly commissions murals for its streets, but its website still lists “the need to remove unwanted graffiti” as a priority.

From a heritage perspective, Mr Woodhouse

A mural by Scott Marsh. See more at www.scottmarsh.com.au

said graffiti reduces the value and significance of a conservation zone and that the quicker graffiti is removed, the less people would do it.

The City spokesperson said that their staff inspect graffiti hotspots every day and “aim to remove any illegal graffiti within 24 hours”.

The use of the word “aim” in the City’s promise was criticised as a loophole by Mr Woodhouse, who said this is barely ever the case in Potts Point.

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Initiatives like graffiti walls, where members of the public are legally allowed to paint what they like, have often been called ineffective in stopping graffiti, but Dean Lever, co-founder of streetwear brand Well Dressed Vandals, said they do get used. Such initiatives are also seen as a way of integrating graffiti culture into the community in a safe and harmless way.

Mr Woodhouse said council should consider

“devoting some pavement space for street art or even a special wall in a public place”.

The debate over whether or not graffiti ‘tags’ are art is never ending, but Mr Lever said that by its very nature, the argument for graffiti as art is strong.

“I think if somebody does it and says it’s art then that’s art. It’s like Duchamp when he made the urinal and put it in a gallery and said ‘this is art’ and people argued that and said it’s not or it is or whatever, and I think people still argue about it and that’s what made it important,” he said.

“Even some graffiti writers will say ‘it’s not art it’s just damage because I like damage’ but there are some people who can still see that and say ‘well actually that’s an artwork – you’ve picked a medium, you’ve picked your surface, you’ve made it a certain size and a certain point on the wall and therefore it’s an artwork’, but nobody’s going to win that argument.”

In the case of the graffiti tags in Potts Point, Mr Woodhouse said he was “extremely pro-art”, but the discussion of whether or not graffiti is art is irrelevant, saying art should not be at somebody else’s expense.

Mr Lever did caution graffiti-writers to be respectful of their surfaces and to consider who owned the building and if it was worth tagging in a certain place.

The City of Sydney’s tactics of painting rail corridors brown was also brought into question by Mr Marsh, who said the exercise was a waste of money.

“It just makes no sense whatsoever when you could have people going on the train on their way to work being able to sit there and look out the window and look at all different types of graffiti,” he said.

“It’s always changing. The tags will turn into pieces, the pieces will become more elaborate, and in 20 years time you’ll have a rail corridor which is full of free public art which everyone will be able to enjoy, rather than people going to work and having to look at a stinking brown wall.”

ARTS FEATURE

GAME ON!

Tommy Dean and Our Picks of the Sydney Comedy Festival 2015

BY ALANNAH MAHER The curtain has been lifted on the Sydney Comedy Festival once again, and for 2015 the program is bursting with the most spectacular and diverse live comedic offerings yet.

The talent ranges from the old faithful stars of stand-up, to promising newcomers just cutting their teeth on the comedy circuit. If you can’t find something to tickle your fancy on the bill of over 180 shows including stand-up, musicals, sketch, improv, gala events, children’s shows, showcases and more – well then we have you covered. Just as we believe your news should not be limited, we here at City Hub have launched the Hub Club which gives our supporters exclusive access to double passes from some of the best acts of the festival including Tommy Dean, Frenchy, Neel Kolhatkar, Em Rusciano, Joel Creasy, Jeff Green and Greg Fleet.

The one and only Tommy Dean picks up the mic once again for an intimate stand-up series exclusive to the Comedy Festival. You can join the Arizona-raised Sydney local for a fun and delightful hour of gaming based humour with Lessons Learned Gaming.

In his own words, “It’s sort of a philosophical, observational comedy based on things that I have learned through my life of playing board games, video games and any other games.”

Dean has hinted at his passion for board games since he started doing stand up in Australia in the early 1990s, but this is the first time he is doing a fully gaming focussed show, and he says that having children has reinvigorated his passion for board game theories: “I saw a lot of parallels in what I was teaching them with what games were telling me.”

Alongside the fellow festival first-timers stepping up to the mic – including breakout YouTube stars Neel Kolhatkar and Frenchy, who you can get two-for-one tickets for by supporting our indiegogo campaign – rising star Cyrus Beyzan brings his unique brand of stand-up to the revamped Enmore Theatre debut of the critically acclaimed Reluctant Confidence Man. In his one-hour show Beyzan (an Iranian born seasoned Australian) brings a fresh and clever look at life, love, family, food – and of course soap and animals.

Approaching observational comedy from an unusual style, Beyzan has earned comparisons to the likes of Jerry Seinfeld while also being part of a new and inclusive wave of fresh blood dominating the scene.

Speaking of diversity, this year of the festival includes an unprecedented amount of female talent and support for the ladies in comedy. With headlining acts including outspoken female stand-ups such as Cal Wilson (NZ) and Deanne Smith (CAN), ambitious one-woman shows including Em Rusciano’s The Motherload (AU) and Adrienne Truscott’s Asking For It, alongside spectacular panels such as Frocking Hilarious.

Maeve Marsden of the cheeky cabaret quartet Lady Sings It Better, this year making their third appearance at the Sydney Comedy Festival, is amongst the performers applauding the festival’s progress: “I think that if you’re going to critique the problems in an industry, you also have to be willing to celebrate when people start to get it right,” she says, acknowledging her complaints in previous years when the festival line-ups collecting in her email inbox wouldn’t even mention female acts.

Through hilarious on-stage banter and jaw dropping cabaret style re-workings of pop songs originally

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recorded by men, Lady Sings It Better host a laugh-outloud critique of the inherent misogyny of music culture. Through devilishly bizarre interpretations, they also celebrate the catchiness of music ranging from the anthems of George Michael through to Jason Derulo.

They pose the question “why can’t feminists enjoy sex and swear?”

While a comedy festival may leave you with cheeks sore from smiling and sides split from laughter, the true magic is the ability to unite and educate everyone in an accessible manner.

You might leave Cyrus Bezyan’s Reluctant Confidence Man having learned something new about what it is like to grow up in Australia as an almostforeigner, you might walk out of Ross Noble’s Tangentleman having been departed with the randomised wisdom of this well-travelled Englishman, or perhaps you’ll leave Lady Sings It Better with a bruised childhood and eyes opened to societies niggling inequalities.

“You can’t click your fingers and suddenly you’ve got fifty-fifty representation,” explains Ms Marsden. “I’m realistic, but I think the more we keep focussing on trying to include women in line ups and encourage young women to get involved in comedy, the more diverse our comedy groups will be.”

While we may have marvellous technologies like HD streaming services entering the entertainment market and making televised comedy easier to access than ever, the energy of a live performance cannot be surpassed.

“The one thing that you just cant replace, the one thing that you just cannot get past, is being in a room with a group of people all experiencing something which is there on the night for the people in that room,” explains Ross Noble.

“You can never replace it. I suppose it’s a bit like porn, y’know? You can watch as many porno videos or DVDs as you want but it’s not like being there.”

April 20 – May 17, 2015. Program: www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au. Tickets: www. sydneycomedyfest.com.au or call the Sydney Comedy Festival Box Office: 02 9020 6966.

Exclusive HUB CLUB access to double passes can be found by supporting us via Indigogo at the following website: https://www.indiegogo.com/ projects/don-t-make-your-news-limited#home As part of our newly launched HUB CLUB campaign we are proud to offer our readers exclusive access to double passes to our selection of the following standout shows simply by joining HUB CLUB via the indigogo website below.

JACQUES BARRETT April 22-25th in the Matchbox Theatre of the Factory Theatre FRENCHY April 28th-May 2nd at the Factory Floor, Factory Theatre THE BARREN & THE BREEDER April 29th & May 1st-3rd at the Container of the Factory Theatre ALEX WILLIAMSON Friday May 1st at the Enmore Theatre GREG FLEET May 5-9th at the Factory Floor, Factory Theatre https://www.indiegogo.com/projects /don-t-make-your-news-limited#home

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11

EAT & DRINK

By Jackie McMillan

Stillery Using two crazy-good tonic syrups, Bar Manager Aaron Gaulke revolutionised my gin drinking. Inside this luxurious Double Bay bar, decked out in pale blue and marble with stately gilt settees, Gaulke commands an impressive array of gins. Give him some buzzwords and he’ll quickly have you loving mother’s ruin.While the subtle saffron notes of Boudier Saffron Gin ($13) are best sipped straight, many gins benefit from lengthening with tonic. In that department

$ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS Nel Restaurant “People try and reinvent the wheel sometimes, and you don’t have to,” explains owner/chef Nelly Robinson when I quiz him on his beetroot, white balsamic and goat’s cheese dish. It’s a classic combination that suddenly isn’t boring, what with dueling beetroots, airy, whipped goat’s cheese, crisp brik pastry and a dab of raspberry.The 29-year-old’s 8-course Menu ($88/ head) runs the gamut from pressed and crumbed pig’s head batons: ‘green peas, ham’, to ‘pistachio, white corn and cherry’: a delicious heap of chocolate soil, fairy floss, pistachio ice cream, cherries and marzipan, summoning Black Forest gâteau. It’s delivered in a stylish fine

this bar also excels, offering up an array of choices from artisan syrups like Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Small Batch Tonic (which I now use at home) to East Imperial’s standard and Burma tonics.The Cambridge Distillery’s Japanese Style Gin ($22) has an almost nutty flavour from sesame, and suits the lighter East Imperial Tonic. It’s well matched by Charred Fremantle Octopus ($16) with hunks of mortadella from Executive Chef Julien Pouteau’s tasty bar menu. Of course some gins scream martini, and Settlers Rare Dry Gin ($11), brimming with citrusy Aussie botanicals like lemongrass and lemon myrtle, is one of them.At the top end there’s Anty Gin ($105) with red wood ant essence, taken from bottle number 14 of 99 worldwide. For a nightcap, cough for Bruichladdich Black Art 1989 ($75) and pester Gaulke for a bedtime story of how it came about…

Level 1, InterContinental Hotel, 33 Cross Street, Double Bay (02) 8388 8388 intercontinental.com/Doublebay Bar, Bar Food, Cocktails $$$

$$$ - mains between $22-$30

$$$$ - mains over $30

Spiced Lamb Ribs ($24). Or stick with Boudin Noir ($6/each) sliders and plentiful drinks.

123 Victoria Street, Potts Point (02) 8354 0742 butlersydney.com.au Cocktails, Bar, Bar Food $$$

dining-lite basement setting with a musthave Matched Wine Package ($80/head).

75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney (02) 9212 2206 nelrestaurant.com.au Modern Australian $$$ The Butler This leafy balcony is the perfect place to sink cocktails, and The Grand Butler ($18) with Bulleit Rye, Antica Formula and salted caramel proves a sophisticated way to begin. For something more smashable, La Mule ($17) pretties up Ciroc Vodka with St. Germain and housemade ginger beer. Cognac cocktails are also well represented; wrap your lips around the roasted almond sugar rim of the Butler Side Car ($16) as a way in.The loosely French Caribbean menu produces a saucy bowl of vividly orange Tabasco Prawns ($22) with mango salsa and coconut quinoa; and gently ‘Creole’

EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES

Banana Blossom After starting at the Good Food Markets, then setting up shop on the Northern Beaches, Ben Thomas has now brought his ‘Eat More Green’ mantra to Bondi. Using fresh, local ingredients and lots of Asian flavour, these huge salads are great option when you want something healthy but filling.

Ben promises the popular Tokyo Classic ($14), loaded with chicken coated in

678 Sydney Korean BBQ Korean comedian Kang Ho-Dong greets you at the door in cardboard cutout form. He’s also a cartoon on the storybook menu, where his American chain is given a distinctly Aussie twist.The shiny silver extractors and polished concrete floors give the space a quasi-industrial look. Even banchan arrive in metal, well except for earthenware bowls of gyeran jjim (steamed egg) that make

black sesame seeds, Chinese cabbage, avocado, cherry tomatoes and green soba noodles in a sesame dressing, won’t disappoint. On the sweeter side, Coconut Chicken with Crispy Egg Noodle ($14) is brimming with crunchy egg noodles in tamarind and sesame dressing. Super hungry? Start with Tofu Rice Paper Rolls ($8).

18/2a Jaques Avenue, Bondi (0409) 908 364 eatmoregreen.com.au Pan Asian, Salads $ Harry’s Bar and Dining A Bondi institution has joined the 21st century – this launderette-cumconvenience store is now a dining destination complete with organic produce, cold-pressed juices and paleo. options.The turquoise espresso machine delivers coffee married with almond and macadamia milk – the barista goes through five litres a day

nice counterpoints to the charcoal grilled meats.And make no mistake; you have come here to eat meat, constructed into ssam (leaf wrapped) with kimchi and radish in gochujang (hot pepper). Start your big beef adventure with Beef Tartare ($27) before advancing to the grill.While Wagyu 8+ Rib Eye ($27) is the most popular, the Wagyu 8+ Beef Flower Marble Scotch Fillet ($34) really melts on the tongue. While you’re cooking, get into the lively spirit of the place by necking a few Hite ($6) beers or some Korean Herbal Wine ($20).After you’ve tangled with thinly sliced Beef Tongue ($18) kick on with some pork. Don’t be afraid of the Pork Jowl ($19) - it has good meat to fat ratio and scrubs up well in a shiso leaf. By the way, the icy banchan bowl isn’t a hand-wash! It’s radish water (dongchimi) and aids digestion, so try spoonfuls between your ssam.

Level 1/ 396 Pitt Street (enter Goulburn Street), Haymarket (02) 9267 7334 facebook.com/678Sydney Korean $$

and it’s still not enough. For a fancy breakfast, try the Crispy Rolled Egg ($19.50) with black beans, chorizo, avocado, cherry tomatoes, coriander and lime. Lunchtime, the talk of the town is plump Seared Scallops ($18) with turmeric puree, and crispy parsnip and pomegranate chips. Dinner is small but excellent with Pan Roasted Holmbrae Chicken ($29) the standout.

The Eton Mess ($12) is anything but untidy with micro herbs and Chantilly cream.

Shop 2/136 Wairoa Avenue, Bondi (02) 9310 2180 harrysespressobar.com.au Cafe $-$$ ROCKS & CBD Chiswick at the Gallery Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan have brought the highlights of the garden-

driven Chiswick over to the Art Gallery of NSW.You’ll find the communal dining elements they’re famous for – slow-roasted Moran family farm lamb and whole roast chook – alongside cocktails and small plates.While Szechuan Yellowfin Tuna ($20) with apple, cucumber and mint was muted, the dude food options surprised.Try Snow Crab Sliders ($9/each) and crisp Fried Quail ($22) with lively jalapeños and sriracha mayo.They’re prefect against the passionfruit chilli punch of Picante de la Casa ($17). Alternatively, construct a light lunch of Oysters ($4/each), Native Thyme and Garlic Flatbread ($6) and seasonal Peaches ($17) with bitter leaves and mint.

Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road,The Domain, Sydney (02) 9225 1819 chiswickrestaurant.com.au Modern Australian $$$-$$$$

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EAT DRINK EAT &&DRINK

By Jackie McMillan

Runcible Spoon As a loyal fan of Golden Cobra coffee, you’ll find me at this Camperdown café quite regularly, tucking into owner/chef Alex Watts’ famous Thai-style fried eggs.

Hearing they’re now opening on Friday nights between 5pm and 10pm, encouraged me to revisit. Kicking back with a Mountain Goat India Pale Ale ($8) on the large shared table with a crowd of easy-going locals,

INNER WEST PizzAperta The entry-level Manfredi is stylishly crafted to fit into the alcove below older sibling Balla, on the outside edge of The Star; right behind the large letters tourists love posing in. So grab an Aperol Spritz ($15) or a jug of Birra Moretti ($24) and a front row pew.Your pizza is served in a box, irrespective of whether you eat in, or take it with you.

The point of difference is the lightness of the pizza - even my favourite double carb. - Potato, Rosemary and Gorgonzola ($19) - looked like a Neapolitan pizza, but sat much less heavily. Meaning you can squeeze in an airy Roman focaccia, topped with

Despite good instructions from enthusiastic floor Manager Quinton Van Schalkwyk, most of my meal is spent debating and creating the perfect cup of tea with my British dining companion. We started with Osmanthus Phoenix ($9) - a little too flowery for me - but it scrubbed up better in a Peaches & Phoenix ($17) cocktail, where fruit rather than flowers took the lead. By the time we hit our favoured second pot – High Mountain Red Tea ($9) - we’re sure the second steeping produces the best tiny glass cup of tea.

While my interest was most captured by NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS Three Williams This unassuming space on the fringes of Redfern is sparse, with wooden furniture, brick walls and a post-apocalyptic tree branch above the counter.

However if you look closer, you’ll find a certain charm.

Green smoothies and salads peppered with the season’s freshest ingredients abound, like the Super Smoothie ($8) with kale, apricot, apple, almond, banana, ginger and cinnamon, and the Organic Tofu Salad ($15) with charred broccolini, almonds, Japanese seaweed and

epitomized everything I love about the Inner West.

The concise menu is inspired by the path Alex takes to work, past Faros Bros in Marrickville. The resulting Salmon Belly ($22) is nicely fatty, and turned slightly Japanese with miso, tahini and a spattering of bottarga.

Enjoy it with Heirloom Tomato,Whipped Feta & Herbs ($14) using tomatoes plucked from his mother’s garden.

Mum is also responsible for the tart rhubarb employed in his Rhubarb and Fig Upside-Down Cake ($8). It’s based on a simple Margaret Fulton recipe, and dished up nighttimes with a lovely vanilla anglaise. If there’s an overall theme to the dishes, Alex tells me it’s “things I like to eat.” And I certainly did like eating his fluffy pillows of Gnocchi ($24) with broccolini, tomato and judiciously applied anchovies; and deeply smoky Duck ($29) set off by tart blood plum and bitter radicchio.

Think healthy, homey, and relaxed.

27 Barr Street, Camperdown (02) 9519 2727 facebook.com/runciblespooncafe Modern Australian, Café $$$

Prosciutto, Burrata and Eggplant ($20) too.

The Star, 80 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont (02) 9777 9000 star.com.au/pizzaperta Pizza $$ One6Eight Balmain Balmain boy, Chef Leigh McDivitt, has come home to roost. Being back on the peninsula suits him. Dishes like his Hop Smoked and Blackened Rump Cap ($36) benefit from being less fussy on the plate. Grilled baby leeks and golden ale gel make good foils for the rich, blackened beef, especially with compelling Thrice Cooked Chips ($12).

A slightly busier Seared Scallops ($20) on burnt apple puree with torched prawn and pork dust, modernises our Aussie obsession with surf and turf.

Wife Amanda delivers a great Bacon

Pu’er

By Jackie McMillan jackie@alternativemediagroup.com

Old Fashioned ($18). She’s also picked a beauty in the 2010 Lillian Marsanne Roussanne ($16/glass, $68/bottle) from Pemberton, great with the Braised Pork Neck with Apple Cider Cloud ($36).

233 Darling Street, Balmain (02) 9555 8750 one6eight.com.au Modern Australian $$$$

GREATER SYDNEY Dachshund Coffee Despite two gleaming russet gold Hungarian Vizslas sitting at the door, coowner Rob Stein explains Dachshund Coffee is “just a name, though one that’s a little preppy and playful.” The resulting café has injected some Surry Hillsstyle into the changing face of Hunters Hill. Their carefully selected produce

the teas (imported from Yunnan, China), this surprisingly charming teahouse tucked under the garish-orange awning also does competent pan-Asian tapas with a bit of a Western twist.

Beyond the ever-popular Shanghai Soup Dumplings ($7) you’ll also find wackier Pork and Peanut ($7) versions in their nine-strong dumpling list. Street food options like panko-crumbed pork Hong Kong MiniBurgers ($15/4) or BBQ Duck ‘Tacos’ ($16/4) in steamed white buns, probably please groups more than couples. Never fear there’s always Stir-Fried Green Beans ($18) with pork mince in XO sauce… Nicely savoury but slightly undercooked black sticky rice let down our Coconut and Kaffir Lime Leaf Sorbet ($10) conclusion, as we alighted our Chinese saddlestools, well hydrated but slightly stiff-legged.

20a Danks Street, Waterloo (02) 8399 1331 puer.com.au Chinese,Yum Cha, Pan Asian $$-$$$

peas. Don’t want to work on your physique? The Chicken Schnitzel Burger ($15) has your back - crispy and delicious with wasabi and avocado mayo; and the Brioche French Toast ($16) is a textural masterpiece with caramel bananas, hazelnuts and Belgian chocolate.

613a Elizabeth St, Redfern (02) 9698 1111 threewilliams.com Cafe $-$$ Daisy’s Milkbar The Beach Boys on the speakers, pin-up girls taking orders, a cordial station, jars of sweets and gingham curtains…

If this place was any cuter I’d be sick. This inner west café is the

perfect old-fashioned milk bar.

Think shakes, Jaffles and sundaes - but with a modern twist.

Greg’s Jaffle ($6) is loaded with bolognaise, while Uccella’s packs pulled pork inside its golden, white bread pocket. Breakfast – like Zucchini and Corn Fritters ($16) - are served all day, alongside great milkshakes like Honeycomb, Malt and Golden Syrup ($5). Kick dessert old school with the Salted Caramel Banana Split ($14), best shared with your sweetheart.

340 Stanmore Road, Petersham (02) 8065 3466 daisysmilkbar.com Breakfast, Café $-$$

Firefly

BY RYAN KENNEDY It’s the Festival of Guilty Food Pleasures, and as a result the shoestring fries at Firefly, usually Parmesan-dusted and truffle-oiled, come additionally bacon-enriched with a paprika aioli. Labelled Cheesy Bacon Truffle Fries ($14), the resultant plate somehow outdoes the description.

Another Festival special is carb-on-carb action from a Duo of Lasagne Burgers ($16) - sliders of saucy lasagne patties with yet more bacon; but it’s the fried smoked

starts with Fat Poppy coffee, scrubbing up quite nicely in a Latte ($3.50).

Handcrafted Brickfields bread makes an excellent platform for Reformed Avocado ($18.50), buried in a flurry of vine-ripened tomatoes, tabbouleh, quinoa and crisp sage leaves, topped with an optional poached Egganic Egg ($4). Or there’s Zucchini and Goat’s Feta Fritters ($19.50) with smoked ocean trout-spiked red leaf and dill salad.

Shop 4, 64-68 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill (02) 9879 4619 facebook.com/ dachshundcoffee Café $$ Chinaman Dumpling Dumplings, in and of themselves, make me happy. Boil ‘em, fry ‘em—just let me at ‘em. So it didn’t take much to

onion ring perched atop that steals the limelight.

Enormous open windows front the street, and peoplewatching is best enjoyed over a smooth Vinicola Poletti Sangiovese ($12/glass), while a Feral Brewing Hop Hog ($9.50) is the ideal foil to their healthy (okay, healthier) alternative to the aforementioned cheesy-truffle mountain: Zucchini Fries ($15). Heartier share plates come conveniently portioned; Lamb Backstrap ($23) with buckwheat, artichoke puree and mint yoghurt is nutty and fresh, while Slow-Cooked Pork Belly ($21) has that allimportant crisp crackling piece nestled upon a pleasingly piquant pear chutney, topped with a tousle of sauerkraut.

Friendly staff recommendations are on point, so we finish with the appropriately decadent Warm Chocolate Brownie ($10) and a surprisingly sweet Mr. Black Double Espresso Martini ($21).The Festival might soon be over, but Firefly is still certainly worth a visit.

24 Young Street, Neutral Bay (02) 9909 0193 fireflybar.com.au Bar, Bar Food,Wine $$-$$$

get me across the bridge to Chinaman Dumpling. The menu is rife with the usual suspects, including a compulsory set of Pork and Chive Dumplings ($13) with nice onion bite. Chunks of shrimp and water chestnut-crunch give way to a nutty whisper of roasted sesame in Shumai ($9); while Duck San Choy Bow ($14) are bright with fresh chilli and spring onion. Unctuous Crispy Pork Belly ($23) arrives capped with golden crackling, conveniently pre-sliced so there is no time wasted between its arrival and your shameless indulgence.

Shop 3, 4 Rangers Road, Cremorne (02) 9953 7072 chinaman.com.au Chinese $$ The Greens North Sydney The brains behind The Grounds have taken over the North Sydney Bowlo,

where old guys in knee high socks have been bowling with views of Sydney Harbour for over 125 years.

It’s basically The Grounds, with million dollar views. Try a sultry Baby Beet Salad ($16) with candied walnuts and apple. The Wagyu Beef Burger ($17) is an all-American classic; and although it’s something you’d normally eat in a booth, it works here, especially with another Americana college classic: the Watermelon Kegger ($32). For ‘club’ meals, the inside area is quaint with antique memorabilia; perfect to take in Lamb Neck in Pastry ($24) with smoked carrot, peas and yoghurt.

54 Ridge Street, North Sydney (02) 9245 3099 thegreensnorthsydney. com.au Bar Food, Modern Australian $$

FOOD NEWS

By Jackie McMillan

CRAFT SPIRITS Craft spirits long predate hipsters, Emily Miles, is quick to point out in Craft Spirit World [RRP $39.95]; though our friends boasting “skinny jeans, statement tattoos, and a luxuriant beard” are certainly responsible for their recent resurgence in popularity. In her book, Miles takes the time to define ‘craft’ using descriptors like scale, renegade attitude and honesty (ruling out those sneaky mainstream enterprises who leap upon words like craft and artisan solely for packaging and branding).The bulk of the book is taken up in a spirit-by-spirit, distillery-bydistillery exploration of some of the world’s best craft spirit tipples, complete with information about their processes, photos, tasting notes and websites (so you can buy them). My interest was piqued by Black Cow Gold Top Vodka made from Holstein Friesian cow milk whey, with the curds turned into Cheddar.You’ll also find gin, genever, poitin, moonshine (white whiskey), rum, tequila, mezcal, brandy, absinthe, and there’s even an Aussie distiller in this global collection (I’ll leave you to discover which one). It’s perfect for those who love a good drinkin’ yarn… www.hardiegrantgift.com.au

BAR FLY

By Amie Barbeler

THE SODA FACTORY Any bar that serves bourbon and Vanilla Cherry Coke floats, mac and cheese spring rolls and is hidden behind a phoney fifties Coke machine door is an instant winner in my books. Late-night sweet spot,The Soda Factory, just had one hell of a party to celebrate its 2nd birthday.

There were cute waitresses bearing trays of gourmet hotdogs, chicken wings with blue cheese sauce, fried onion rings and sweet potato fries.There were bearded men serving up boozy ice-cream floats; and DJ Yella hit the Factory decks while Soda newbies and regulars danced the night away.And the party isn’t showing any signs of slowing at this American-inspired diner. Keep an eye out for Soda’s regular specials which include: Movie Mondays

(think $5 beer, wine, sides and classic movies),Tuesday’s Dollar Dogs (you can’t go wrong with a Buffalo Bill, trust me), Fat Bubba’s Chicken Wednesday and Soda

Saturdays (with music, booze and diner food galore).

16 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills (02) 8096 9120 sodafactory.com.au CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT TIME WARP AGAIN: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Award winning performer Nick Christo joins a corset-clad cast as madness takes it‘s toll for the 40th anniversary of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. Time is fleeting in the week ahead of the maiden performance, and he caught up for a chat about how a boy from Western Australia came to join the cast of the mischievous musical that inspired him in his youth.

“Its pretty special to be included in the Rocky Horror club. Because the productions come along so rarely I didn’t think it would ever happen, so I’m beyond thrilled.”

Christo describes the show as a blend between theatre, film and a strange ‘religious experience’ summoned by the die-hard fans in attendance, with it‘s universal themes of embracing the self ensuring its undying popularity. No virgin to the world’s favourite rock n’ roll musical, he was also in the original production that toured Australia in 2014. More recently you may recognise him as Dr Baxter on the Nine Network’s Love Child.

Despite being a long time Rocky fan, he was somewhat surprised with the role he ended up in: “Ever since I was ten (years old) I’ve been obsessed with this show. This role was one that I never even contemplated playing – its like discovering a ballroom underneath your house that has been there for the whole time.”

He is referring to the part of the post-lobotomy bad-boy biker Eddie, who he inhibits for the first half of the show, before jumping into the wheelchair of Eddie’s much more senior uncle Dr Scott in the second act.

“The makeup and hair in both cases is ridiculous, so that helps a lot,” he says, referring to how he handles the switch between characters. “Because they’re from the same family… There’s a link already between them and I think they sort of reference one another really easily for me, so it’s not too much of a jarring jump.”

The bigger boots to fill are undoubtedly Eddie’s, with the role iconically portrayed by Meat Loaf in the 1975 film, and even taken up by a young Russel Crowe in the 90s.

Having Bert Newton on the cast, as The Narrator, has been another pleasure for Christo, “He brings an incredible joy into the rehearsal room, it’s lovely to work with.” As for the biggest perpetrator of on and off-stage mischief, it doesn’t take long for him to single out the man stepping into the fishnet stockings of sweet transvestite Dr Frank N Furter,“Craig (McLachlan) is the naughtiest.” (AM) From April 10.The Sydney Lyric Theatre.Tickets $79.90 - $149.90.

ALCHEMY

“I just love a good song,” says Ali McGregor, star of stages at home and away. “I think a good song is a good song, no matter which genre it is.” Thankfully, for a performer as genre-defying as McGregor, that leaves her with plenty of inspiration. Though a seasoned opera veteran, Alchemy sees McGregor returning to her first loves – jazz and trashy pop songs, a term used, she assures me, “with love.” McGregor speaks with great enthusiasm about the music hitmakers of today. “Max Martin,” (the maven behind nearly every iconic pop-song of the last 15 years), “he’s like Irving Berlin, churning out these catchy pop songs that I think will stand the test of time” she enthuses. Alchemy, she tells me, is about celebrating what makes a song truly good – “if it can be interpreted and sung in many different ways by many different people”, while eschewing any musical snobbery that sees many musicians disregard pop music completely. On the contrary, Alchemy celebrates these contemporary earworms seeing McGregor cover everything from Madonna to Salt n Pepa and perhaps even a little Kiss for good measure – all in a show that underscores the “glorious nature of cabaret.” (SW) Tuesday April 21st – Sunday April 26th, Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point,Tickets $50, www.hayestheatre.com. au or (02) 8065 7337.

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CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

15 STAGE 16 SCENE 17 SCREEN 18 SOUNDS

Arts Editor: Erika Vass Assistant Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Sub-Editor: Charlotte Foster For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

Contributors: Alexis Talbot-Smith, Anita Senaratna, Carmen Cita, Ciaran Tobin, Craig Coventry, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Leann Richards, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Katie Rorison, Mel Somerville, Michael Muir, Michelle Porter, Nick Jewlachow, Peter Hackney, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Ruth Fogarty, Sarah Pritchard, Sharon Ye, Shauna O’Carroll, Siri Williams, Peter Scobie, Lisa Seltzer, Olga Azar, Elyssa King, Brendan Modini

JERRY & TOM American writer, Rick Cleveland, has enjoyed a successful career, which includes scriptwriting for television cult programs like Mad Men and House of Cards. This month, Insomniac Theatre will be bringing his 1990’s play turned film, Jerry and Tom, to black comedy life at The Exchange Hotel.

The story was inspired by Cleveland’s time working as a barman at an Ohio club/steakhouse comedy club. After spending time at the bar, Cleveland befriended some of the regulars before learning of their involvement in a string of gangland killings.

Cleveland was forced to reconsider his criminal ring of friends.

Actor Boris Brkic plays the role of Tom, who is fast to commend Cleveland’s creative approach. “He’s an intelligent writer” Brkic says, “He doesn’t do the obvious thing. There’s an innate cleverness in the way he constructs things.”

Directed by Maggie Scott, Jerry and Tom promises to be a entertaining night full of violent laughs. “It’s smart, it’s sharp, it’s clever, it’s well observed and it’s pointedly written,” Brkic says, “I guess in the juxtaposition of words that he uses, along with the actions.You get remarkably mundane things being discussed while really morbid things are being done.” (CW) 9-30 April,The Craftsman’s Bar,The Exchange Hotel, Balmain.Tickets $30 Adult, $25 concession, www. trybooking.com/116838 or (02) 9555 9009

ONE MAN BREAKING BAD

It’s rare for a television show today to finish in the height of its prime, leaving its viewers wanting more, but that’s exactly what Breaking Bad accomplished. Among the string of disappointed viewers that the Emmy award winning show left behind is American comedian, Miles Allen. To the aid of the cult show’s fan base, Allen created an hour long stand-up repertoire of the show’s five seasons, which he describes as “a farcical condensed piece of the entire series.”

The series, based around high school teacher Walter White, who begins to brew crystal meth in order to support his family, achieved international success. Allen credits the show’s unique play upon the moral conscience for its popularity. “It’s a very intriguing, captivating idea,” he states.

Playing the parts of all of the much beloved characters from the television series in his one man comedic repertoire, Allen says he felt the pressure in delivering for the show’s fans. “At the beginning it almost seemed insurmountable,” Allen discloses, “I was almost certain it was be a huge flop.”

The comedian needn’t have worried, the show garnering much praise since its debut last year, including from Breaking Bad fanatics themselves, whom are perhaps Allen’s biggest critics. “I’ve had the fans tweeting at me about how much they love it. It’s just been overwhelmingly positive.” (CW) 21st April- 25th April, $28- $35, Seymour Centre, Sydney, Book online or call (02) 9351 7940.

THEATRE & PERFORMANCE ALL THAT JAZZ: JAM NIGHTS AT THE WORLD BAR The World Bar has a strongly grounded reputation as one of Kings Cross’ most popular weekend venues for drinking and dancing. However, there is more to this unique venue than dance music and teapot cocktails.

Ankle down on a Monday evening and you’ll discover one of the Sydney jazz and Latin music communities best kept secrets.The weekly Latin & Jazz Open Mic Jam Sessions are a welcoming place where anyone and everyone can come along to enjoy some timeless Jazz standards, whether they are performing or observing..Whether you plan on taking the stage or not, you can enjoy the open atmosphere in the venue’s main bar (front room) where the doors open onto the terrace and the standing piano is rolled out. In the colder months you can enjoy the ambiance of a roaring fire.A diverse lot of performers take the stage every

week – from students of the Australian Institute of Music, to former X-Factor contestants and regulars like Valda, a spritely woman in her nineties who plays a mean French horn.This regular event fosters the artistic side of the city’s musical community, free of cover charge. Even if you’re just looking for somewhere to enjoy a fine glass of wine on a Monday evening, it’s worth a look. If you’d like to join the ‘cats’ on stage, all you need to do is call or email your sheet music and/or ideas to latinjazz@theworldbar.com up to the day of the jam session, and the jazz house band will prepare to accompany you. (AM) Every Monday, 6-11pm at The World Bar, 24 Bayswater Road Potts Point. FREE. DEATHTRAP Deathtrap is a cheeky look at a thriller written in the same vein and around the time of Dial M for Murder (Hitchcock) and Witness for the Prosecution (Agatha Christie). It’s a cheeky wink at that style, a comedy thriller, a mix of dark comedy that’s popular now and the thriller part has plenty of twists and turns.

“Just like Witness the Prosecution had a massive twist right at the end, in a way that’s what happens in Deathtrap.

It’s not obvious who dun nit, there’s multiple twists, it constantly rolls through,” explains Timothy Dashwood, who plays Clifford Anderson, the young wannabe playwright. The beauty of it is the audience will think they know exactly what’s happening and then that knowledge will disappear right underneath them, the floor will fall out and they’ll have to start working out everything again multiple times.”

The original Deathtrap (1978) is Broadway’s longest running comedythriller and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve starred in Deathtrap the movie in 1982.“It’s still the same script as the original but has a modern feel.The set is beautiful and the play has a modern chic 70’s feel, ”says Dashwood.

Deathtrap is presented by Eternity Playhouse in a recently converted church in Darlinghurst.“It’s for people who are ok with a little bit of death, there’s some violence, some alluded

violence, violent weaponry, there could be some fake blood,” explains Dashwood.

Until 10 May, Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst, Adult $45/ Conc & Groups $38/ Under 30 (TueThu) & Previews $30. www. darlinghursttheatre.com or 02 8356 9987 HAIRCUTS After a hugely successful outing at Sydney’s Short and Sweet festival, playwright Con Nats knew he had a hit on his hands.“The short play did well and played at the Edinburgh Festival,” he explains,“and I had so many people telling me to turn it into a full-length play that I pretty much had to!”

Haircuts tells the story of a Greek barber and his customers and business, under the looming threat of a new shopping centre development.

For Nats, the contrast of community and commercialization hits close to home.“I grew up close to Parramatta Road and my parents had a shop. I saw the Broadway Shopping Centre just suck the life out of the area.”

Nats spent one year doing research,

chatting to many current and former barbers about their lives and work, and a further two years writing the play.“Sometimes it was tricky trying to get them to sit down and talk but they’ve all got stories to tell.”

Those who saw the original production can expect more of what made the original so popular, according to Nats.“I hope they get the same joy. I hope they are even more moved by the drama. It‘s a deeper experience.”

Until 26 April,The Greek Theatre, Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville,Tickets $25-$30, www. trybooking.com/GSOA, www.conats.wix. com/haircuts.

ORPHANS Two orphaned brothers find themselves growing up in run-down Philadelphian squalor.The reclusive and sensitive Phillip, played by Aaron Glenane, lives off tinned tuna and Errol Flynn movies.And the aggressive, street-wise Treat played by Andrew Henry provides for them both.When they kidnap Harold, an older, hardened gangster, he becomes something of a father figure, shifting

the delicate power balance forever.

“Underneath that tough exterior is a lonely man who needs connection just as much as the two boys”, said director Anthony Gooley.

Written by Lyle Kessler and performed worldwide since premiering in 1983, Orphans is yet another acclaimed addition to Red Line Productions inaugural season at the Old Fitz.“The play has a certain reputation and people are excited about seeing it” said Gooley,“Equal parts heartbreaking, menacing and hilarious - it’s got the potential to be an exhilarating night at the theatre.”

Having built a following as one of Sydney’s favourite actors, Gooley relishes the chance to direct.“The script is amazing and I could not ask for three more charismatic, generous actors to collaborate with. I’m very humbled and lucky to be working with them,” explained Gooley. Equally glowing is his opinion of the creative work coming out of the Old Fitz.

Until 9 May,Tuesday – Saturday, 7:30pm, Sunday 5pm, Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street,Woolloomooloo, $32, www.oldfitztheatre.com, 0422198955 CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

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THE NAKED CITY

RECORD SHOPS REBORN

BY COFFIN ED AND MISS DEATH AND JAY KATZ Here at the Naked City we are old enough to remember when record shops stocked only vinyl – long before CDs, iTunes and the onslaught of digital technology. We also witnessed the so called death of vinyl and now in 2015 we are chuffed to see its cheeky rebirth.

Not that vinyl pressings have ever gone too far away. When compact discs were first introduced in the 80s it was widely predicted analogue platters would fade into obscurity. Whilst they all but disappeared from most record shops, collectors and music buffs still sought them out and cherished their warm original sound (not to mention the great cover art). And in the late 80s and 90s twelve inch vinyl enjoyed a worldwide revival through a flourishing DJ culture with crate digging, mixing, scratching and the hands on action of a pair of Technics turntables.

However record shops themselves have become an endangered species in recent years as downloading from the internet becomes the excepted norm. The city and suburbs were once awash with them from the large HMV style chains through to the thriving import outlets. The latter were an essential part of the local music scene, peaking in the 80s and 90s with shops like Phantom, Waterfront, Utopia, Red Eye and Birdland.

The noughties saw many of these shops disappear, although some have managed to defiantly survive, relying on a dedicated patronage of long time buyers. Surprisingly in more recent

years, thanks largely to a rekindling of interest in vinyl, new shops like Mojo in Sydney’s CBD have appeared, stocking almost an exclusively analogue product. Likewise shops such as Radio Free Alice and Listen Up in Darlinghurst, Egg in Newtown the Record Crate in Glebe and Revolve in Erskineville have crate loads of both new and second hand sides – yes we are talking big tactile twelve inch albums.

Whilst we will never see a return to the golden era of the indie retailers, where punters and musos would often hang for hours and live bands rip it up with insane in-stores, it’s gratifying to know that the old style record shop is still alive, albeit a bit more sedate and catering to a more select group of music hounds. It may well be an anachronism in the iTunes age but in a way it’s a slap in the face for those technophiles hellbent on turning us all into digital zombies.

This coming Saturday 18 is Australian Record Shop Day, a combined initiative of indie record shops across the country. It’s a chance for you to hang at your favourite shop, wallow over the latest box vinyl set and dig the crates for that piece of rare lost gold. Sure beats downloading some piece of nasty compressed crap on the internet!

THE HIT LIST: Keyboard whiz Bridie King has assembled an all star combo including Pat Powell and Steve Garry on vocals, Chris Perry bass, Finn Ryan drums and Junio Karo-Karo on saxophones for a rocking date at Miss Peaches in Newtown this Thursday 16 April. If you dig your r’n’b and blues, uptempo and funky, this is the gig for you.

THOMAS JACKSON ENTOMOLOGY This weekend Sydney artist Thomas Jackson brings his new body of work to the China Heights art gallery.

In this exhibition Jackson removes all movement from his work and focuses on the beauty of still, lifeless insects as he studies their form. This is an extremely intriguing project that explores the intrinsic beauty displayed by mother nature within these preserved and decoratively posed animals.

Thomas who is known and recognised for his illustration work and painted street murals has long been inspired by the natural world and the inherent conflict between it and man-made structures in his work and is “super excited about the upcoming exhibition” he says in his latest blog post.

This exhibition will be interesting to such a broad audience as it is a stunning blend of scientific definition and art. (JA) Apr 17-19, China Heights Gallery, Level 3 16-28 Foster St, Surry Hills

EXHIBITIONS CIRCUS FACTORY The display is interactive. On the ground level visitors can experience a live thrill from the talented Circa acrobatic team, swirl a hula hoop, get lost in a hall of mirrors, juggle and ride a fully operational carousel. The next 16

CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

section features a historical collection of costumes and information about the famous Wirth circus family, including an amazing, century old photo of the world renowned equestrienne May Wirth, tumbling backwards from one galloping horse to another. Meanwhile, the basement hosts a collection of odd coinoperated animatronics. Down here

the skull of truth will tell your fortune while Tommy will throw a tantrum for the right price. This is an exploration and adventure through the colour, joy, eccentricity and chicanery of itinerant performance in an Australian setting. The opportunity to play, combined with the carnivalesque atmosphere is a reminder of older times when

entertainment was not confined within a hand held device. (LR) Until May 3, Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo, $35/Free for up to 3 children, powerhousemuseum.com TOWERS OF TOMORROW A plethora of multicoloured, glistening bricks, begging to be fondled and clicked are an irresistible lure to both children

and adults and are sure to be the most popular aspect of the show.

The display features prominent edifices of Australia and South East Asia which have been built to scale

by Lego engineer Ryan McNaught.

It includes the beautiful, shining, Petronas Towers, Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, the Eureka building in Melbourne, and a model of Barangaroo. The highlight is the

opportunity to play with 200,000 rainbow pieces. This is an immersive experience which will appeal to enthusiasts of architecture and design and is sure to inspire the creativity of the next generation. (LR) Until April 19, Museum of Sydney, Cnr Philip & Bridge St, Sydney, $5-15 or $45 family ticket, sydneylivingmuseums.com.au

THE AGE OF ADALINE At the age of 29, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) is involved at near-fatal car accident, after which she ceases to age. Constantly on the run from authorities who want to ‘study’ her and her fear of hurting others, she leads a relatively isolated existence, save for her daughter from her pre-accident marriage (Ellen Burstyn). When she meets meets wealthy philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman), who also happens to be charming and good-looking, her resistence to his persistent attempts to engage with her predictably is challenged. Eventually, her passion to live and to love begin to be reawaken, but just when it seems she is letting go, a chance encounter threatens to expose her and spreads the seeds of panic.

A ‘magical reality’ film in the tradition of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button this well-crafted tale from director Lee Toland Krieger celebrates the under-appreciated joy of growing old with someone. (CCov) WWW

THE GUNMAN From the director of Taken comes this action-packed thriller in which the leading man is the stereotyped 50-something action hero, with an amazing physique who beds much younger women.

Martin Terrier (Sean Penn) is a sniper who kills the minister of mines of the Congo, Africa. Upon returning to Congo a few years later, an attempt is made on his life by a hit squad and he travels to London and Barcelona for answers.

This excessively violent film is tarnished by intricate storylines and the odd casting of actress Jasmine Trinca as Penn’s much younger love interest.

Entertaining escapism, but ultimately we’ve seen it all before. (MMo) WWW

A WILL FOR THE WOODS Is it something of a contradiction that we recycle our waste products only to have our humanly remains embalmed in toxic fluids and buried in caskets made from two trees?

Alternatively should we cremate our loved ones when fuels burn at high temperatures releasing gases into the atmosphere?

This thought-provoking documentary explores green burial, an unconventional but natural way of handling the deceased, unhazardous to the environment and restoring the dead to re-useable materials in the cycle of life.

Audiences will journey with Clarke Wang, a strong willed psychiatrist and musician suffering with lymphoma, as he prepares for his own green burial.

Through insightful interviews, family movies and photos we connect with this brave and inspirational man, whose last act is not to pollute the planet.

Desperately moving and humorous at times, this multiaward winning documentary aims to spread awareness as a staggering 86% of Americans are oblivious to green burials. (MMo) WWW½ A MOST VIOLENT YEAR It’s the winter of 1981, the New York heating oil industry is not necessarily for gangsters, neither is it scrupulously honest. Abel Morales owns Standard Oil and stakes his future on purchasing an oil terminal, pays a 40% deposit, agreeing to settle in 30 days – or lose the deposit.

Meantime, his delivery trucks are being hijacked and his drivers are

terrorised by an unknown adversary. Then the Assistant DA, the ubiquitous David Oyelowo, decides to investigate his business practices. What will the bank he needs to fund the terminal purchase make of all this? It’s a ripping yarn of almost Shakespearian proportions with a Godfather/Mario Puzo ambience. Abel (Oscar Isaac) is someone you warm to; he has cojones – three of them! Writer/ Director J. C Chandor also made last year’s brilliant All is Lost (Robert Redford) and I cannot wait to see what he does next.

It’s unlikely 2015 will see a drama more thrilling than this.

(MM) WWWW½ EASTERN BOYS Eastern Boys is a controversial new film from France which will intimidate and unnerve audiences. When middle-age Daniel (Olivier Rabourdin) invites a young male prostitute named Marek (Kirill Emelyanov) into his apartment for a discreet meeting, he inadvertently falls into a trap and has a gang of illegal immigrants to contend with. This is the catalyst to a psychological journey of danger and desire Performances are powerful, notably from Daniil Vorobyev who is incredibly frightening as ‘Boss’, the deranged leader of the gang. The script is risqué and gritty, effectively combining gang culture and the story of a building homosexual relationship.

Sexual content is highly graphic which may offend some viewers.

Eastern Boys is a suspenseful and provocative film which will leave audiences cautious about who they invite into their homes.

2015 SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL The Spanish Film Festival has established itself as one of the more popular cultural occasions in Sydney and this year is no exception, with a fantastic line-up of Spanish language films that cater for all tastes.

The programme includes 38 outstanding contemporary dramas, comedies and documentaries which offer an insightful journey into Spanish culture, including 12 intercultural co-productions with countries including Italy, India, Germany and Columbia.

The opening night screening of hit romantic comedy Spanish Affair promises to be an enchanting event with an after party which appropriately includes Torres wines, tapas and live entertainment.

The closing night screening of Oscar nominated Wild Tales which consists of 6 shorts about vengeance is also anticipated and preceded with guilty treats and beverage.

Special guests attending Q&A sessions include actresses Elena Anaya from hit comedy They Are All Dead and Eulalia Ramon from the dramatic feature Spot.

Highlight films include Carmina And Amen, a comedy about a lady trying to keep the death of her husband a secret and Instructions Not Included, another comedy concerning a playboy whose illegitimate daughter is left at his doorstep.

The excellent production values of all the films screened reflect the ever-increasing strength of Spanish cinema. (MMo) 21 Apr – 10 May, Palace Norton Street & Verona, $19.50, spanishfilmfestival.com (MMo) WWW½ FOXCATCHER Heir to a massive fortune and leading a life of privilege, John DuPont decides to fund and ‘coach’ a group of American wrestlers to Olympic glory. Wrestling is merely the setting for a story that explores notions of wealth, privilege, power, weakness, manipulation and aspiration. The story revolves around three characters: DuPont (Carrell), wrestling bothers Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his older brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo).

Carrell most certainly deserves an Oscar nomination. He portrays Du Pont as selfimportant, controlling, needful and distinctly creepy; but ultimately – pathetic, sad and tragic. Both Carrell’s performance and the film itself are totally mesmerising. Don’t miss this. (MMu) WWWW½ INSURGENT This actionpacked sequel to the 2014 box office hit Divergent contains many twists which should leave legions of fans anticipating the next instalment.

Set days after the end of Divergent, Tris (Shailene Woodley) leaves the compound with boyfriend Tobias (Theo James) in search of allies, while scorned leader Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet) is on their trail.

This respectable sequel contains numerous death defying action sequences and is visually stunning, especially in the 3D format.

High-calibre actress Kate Winslet leads a predominantly young cast in this fanciful science fiction film, which loses momentum in the

second half as the plot intensifies. Intricacies in storylines overshadowed by mesmerizing visuals may lead to confusion, notably for moviegoers who have not read the books.

Aimed at the younger audience, this film is made to a winning formula like The Hunger Games Trilogy, achieving a successful transition from literary to cinematic platform. (MMo) WWW PAPER PLANES Sam Worthington takes time off from his busy filming schedule in Hollywood to star in a small Australian film which should delight holiday movie-goers. The story surrounds 11 year-old Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) and his dream to participate in the world paper plane championships in Japan.

Worthington delivers his best performance to date as Jack, Dylan’s father, who is grief stricken after tragedy strikes. The love of his child and his involvement in this sport helps Jack rebuild his shattered life.

The original and simplistic nature of the story ensures audiences of all ages warm to this children’s film, which is written with just the right balance of sensitivity and humour. Paper Planes encourages children to be imaginative and is one of the better Australian films produced in recent years. (MMo) WWW½ MR TURNER The latest masterpiece from director Mike Leigh (Another Year) is a stunning, albeit warts-and-all, portrait of J.M.W. Turner, the eccentric English artist whose creative endeavours polarised

public opinion throughout his tumultuous life. The meandering pace and sombre tone won’t appeal to everyone but Mr. Turner is a rewarding experience for patient viewers with Dick Pope’s cinematography a particular highlight — the meticulously crafted shots channelling the grandeur of Turner’s haunting landscape paintings are simply breathtaking.

(JH) WWWW SELMA The third feature from LA filmmaker Ava DuVernay chronicles Martin Luther King Jr’s legendary struggle to secure equal voting rights for AfricanAmericans, with a focus on his frustrated efforts to lead a peaceful procession from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.The era’s pervading climate of racism is convincingly depicted – scenes of police brutality unsettle, as do King’s vitriolic adversaries (“He’s a political and moral degenerate,” one spouts) – but it never feels gratuitous nor does it detract from the film’s core objective: celebrating the dignity and courage with which King and his cohorts faced great injustice.

Selma is a stirring and nuanced docudrama anchored by strong performances, especially David Oyelowo as King and Tom Wilkinson as conflicted U.S. President, Lyndon Johnson. (JH) WWWW ROSEWATER IranianCanadian Journalist Maziar Bahari was detained in an Iranian prison for 118 days under suspicion of being a spy. Set in 2009, this drama details his plight as he was blindfolded and brutally interrogated daily whilst an

aroma of rosewater permeated the air. High production values abound and solid performances are delivered from a cast led by Gael Garcia Bernal. Actual footage cleverly edited into the film complements and adds credence to a shocking story.

Adversely, the script contains many humorous moments which detract, slightly tarnishing the dramatic impact of the story. Part of a wave of similar films depicting the horrendous maltreatment of people, their survival and resilience, Rosewater may have very limited appeal. (MMo)WWW THAT SUGAR FILM This is the film which the food industry may not want people to see.

Insightful and compelling, the health issues relating to sugar are raised by an investigation when a man embarks on a highsugar diet for 60 days. Damon Gameau directs and fronts this documentary, consuming foods and drinks with a combined 40 teaspoons of sugar each day and the results are astonishing.

Brilliantly written and researched with fascinating interviews, audiences will be enthralled as mindboggling facts and figures are revealed. Innovative in its format, this frisky and upbeat documentary doesn’t attempt to distil negativity and hopelessness, but instead aims to spread awareness about the choices we make concerning our diets and the need for change. With surprise appearances by Hugh Jackman and Stephen Fry, this is the most important and lifechanging film you will ever see.

(MMo) WWWW CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

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SYDNEY LIVE MUSIC GUIDE LIVE WIRE

BY JAMIE APPS Mar Haze: The Sydney based surf rock group will be hitting the road again following the release of their newest single Here She Comes. Over their career Mar Haze have won over the hearts and minds of their fans though both their music and infectious stage presence.

Thu,Apr 16,The Spectrum The Dead Maggies: Hit Sydney this week with their own unique fun, fast-paced, foot-stomping blend of folk-punk infused with guitar, banjo, fiddle, double-bass, clarinet, accordion and drums.This will be a blow the roof off and shake the floor party atmosphere.

Thu,Apr 16,The Union Hotel Lia Mice: An Australian act now based out of France Lia Mice is quickly becoming one of the pioneers of experimental pop. Fresh off album release tours in France, Japan and the United States Lia is set to return to Australia , this time with an all new audio-visual live show set to be unveiled.

Fri,Apr 17, Brighton Up Bar Cafe of The Gate Of Salvation: “Gospel music has an unequalled power to tell story through song, and we aim to amplify these stories through the use of audio-visual projections and film, whilst creating poignant contrast through spoken word.” said musical director Dynes Austin when describing the show.

Fri,Apr 17, Camelot Lounge

JOY.

Jayteehazard: With several high profile hip-hop production credits to his name including Hilltop Hoods, Jayteehazards’s solo work takes on a more electronic influences slant.

Jayteehazard’s nuanced ‘sample like’ instrumentation sets him apart from his peers, injecting complex dynamics rarely heard in electronic music. For this show Jayteehazard will be sharing the stage with One Day and Briggs.

Sat, Apr 18, Metro Theatre

BY JAMIE APPS JOY. is the pseudonym for a musical project by Brisbane youngster Olivia McCarthy which has seen her thrust into the atmosphere and an entirely new direction in life.The initial spark for this rocket ship was ignited with the release of her debut single Captured, with more fuel added to the fire later with follow up mini-EP Stone. Following the release of Stone JOY. went on to secure festival slots during Laneway Festival and Field Day 2015.

With this success McCarthy has had to make some life altering decisions “Music was always just a side project for me. I wanted to go to uni and study medicine but with it going so well I decided to defer my paramedics and psychology courses to focus on my music instead.” said McCarthy.

Despite pursing this new direction exclusively for a relatively short period of time, approximately 12 months, JOY. has already achieved some incredibly rewarding and fulfilling

Christian Andrew: Following a sold out run at his hometown Adelaide’s Fringe Festival and an impressive local launch of his new single November Rain. Written as a tribute to those in his life that have recently passed away the unique composition is a true pouring out of his heart and soul onto the guitar strings. This show is bound to be emotionally charged, heartfelt and endearing to all who attend.

Sat, Apr 18,The Newsagency Common Eclectic: The third in a series of Sunday afternoon musical showcases in the beautifully restored Glebe Town Hall. There is no genre defining the performances, what you’ll see and hear is an eclectic selection of music and musicians, primarily original Australian music, in a stripped back, acoustic setting.

Sun, Apr 19, Glebe Town Hall

milestones. Releasing the mini-Ep was the first of such milestones “It was fun to put out a body of work rather than just singles all the time. It has also made me that much more driven to put out a full EP too.” McCarthy said.

The festival circuit was another big moment McCarthy described “It was awesome. It was the first festival I got to play my own show with my band and I was opening so I thought no one

would be there but the tent was packed so it was crazy and super fun.”

Closing out last year JOY. saw her name popping up on multiple ‘acts to watch out for in 2015’ and this week fans in Sydney will get the opportunity to check her out as she will be part of a stacked line-up with two other rapidly rising acts in Tkay Maidza and UV Boi.“I’m just excited to be joining them.They’re both really upbeat acts so I’m keen to see how I can make my set fit in and play with them, it should be really fun.” said McCarthy.

In terms of what fans can expect to see from JOY. during the show she said laughingly “It’s just me solo at the moment so you’ll probably see me on stage doing trap arms. I’m kind of just playing all new material at the moment with a bit of older stuff but also experimenting with new vibes and getting groovy.”

Apr 16-17, Goodgod Small Club, 55 Liverpool St, Sydney, $15+b.f, goodgodgoodgod.com

MATT HENRY - HOME EVERY TIME I‘M GONE

CIRCA WAVES YOUNG CHASERS

Matt Henry’s single Home Every Time I’m Gone is bitter sweet and simple.

His guitar and his voice are all that’s needed to convey the sad sense of being often homesick and the sweet knowledge of having a home to long for It’s overpowering melody makes those feeling strongly felt even when I listen to it on the couch of my own house. (SP)

UK four-piece deliver a debut album sun filled surfy pop-rock, with some stellar standout moments but with one drawback.

Full of bubbly duelling guitars and catchy lyrical hooks throughout the group has a clearly defined cohesive sound that is geared perfectly to their chosen indie poprock audience.The greatest examples of this being the tracks T-Shirt Weather, Stuck In My Teeth and Fossils.

WWW

WWW

FREEWILLASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): The California Gold Rush hit its peak between 1849 and 1855. Three hundred thousand adventurers flocked to America‘s West Coast in search of gold.

In the early days, gold nuggets were lying around on the ground in plain sight, or relatively easy to find in gravel beds at the bottom of streams. But later prospectors had to work harder, developing methods to extract the gold from rocks that contained it. One way to detect the presence of the precious metal was through the use of nitric acid, which corroded any substance that wasn‘t gold.

The term “acid test” refers to that process. I bring this to your attention, Aries, because it‘s a good time for you to use the metaphorical version of an acid test as you ascertain whether what you have discovered is truly golden.

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The time between now and your birthday will provide you with excellent opportunities to resolve lingering problems, bring drawn-out melodramas to a conclusion, and clean up old messes -- even the supposedly interesting ones. You want to know what else this upcoming period will be good for? I‘ll tell you: 1. Surrendering controlfreak fantasies. 2. Relieving your backlog of tension. 3. Expelling delusional fears that you cling to out of habit. 4. Laughing long 18

CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

and hard at the cosmic jokes that have tweaked your attitude.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the mid-19th century, the entrance exam for the British Royal Navy was quite odd.

Some candidates were required to write down the Lord‘s Prayer, recite the multiplication table for the number three, get naked and jump over a chair, and drink a glass of sherry. I‘m guessing that your own initiation or rite of passage may, at least initially, seem as puzzling or nonsensical as that one. You might be hardpressed to understand how it is pertinent to the next chapter of your life story. And yet I suspect that you will ultimately come to the conclusion -- although it may take some time -- that this transition was an excellent leadin and preparation for what‘s to come.

C

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In 1909, Sergei Diaghilev founded the Ballets Russes, a Parisian ballet company that ultimately revolutionized the art form. The collaborative efforts he catalyzed were unprecedented. He drew on the talents of visual artists Picasso and Matisse, composers Stravinsky and Debussy, designer Coco Chanel, and playwright Jean Cocteau, teaming them up with top choreographers and dancers.

His main goal was not primarily to entertain, but rather to excite and inspire and inflame. That‘s the spirit I think you‘ll thrive on in

d

the coming weeks, Cancerian.

It‘s not a time for nice diversions and comfy satisfactions. Go in quest of Ballets Russes-like bouts of arousal, awakening, and delight.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Don‘t ever tame your demons -- always keep them on a leash.” That‘s a line from a song by Irish rock musician Hozier. Does it have any meaning for you? Can your personal demons somehow prove useful to you if you keep them wild but under your control? If so, how exactly might they be useful? Could they provide you with primal energy you wouldn‘t otherwise possess? Might their presence be a reminder of the fact that everyone you meet has their own demons and therefore deserves your compassion? I suspect that these are topics worthy of your consideration right now. Your relationship to your demons is ripe for transformation -- possibly even a significant upgrade.

e

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Will you be the difficult wizard, Virgo? Please say yes.

Use your magic to summon elemental forces that will shatter the popular obstacles. Offer the tart medicine that tempers and tests as it heals. Bring us bracing revelations that provoke a fresher, sweeter order. I know it‘s a lot to ask, but right now there‘s no one more suited to the tasks. Only you can manage

f

the stern grace that will keep us honest. Only you have the tough humility necessary to solve the riddles that no one else can even make sense of.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): My message this week might be controversial to the Buddhists among you. But I‘ve got to report the cosmic trends as I see them, right? It‘s my sacred duty not to censor or sanitize the raw data. So here‘s the truth as I understand it: More desire is the answer to your pressing questions. Passionate intensity is the remedy for all wishy-washy wishes and anesthetized emotions. The stronger your longing, the smarter you‘ll be. So if your libido is not already surging and throbbing under its own power, I suggest you get it teased and tantalized until it does.

g

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Karelu is a word from the Tulu language that‘s spoken in South India. It refers to the marks made on human skin by clothing that‘s too tight. As you know, the effect is temporary.

Once the close-fitting garment is removed, the imprint will eventually disappear as the skin restores its normal shape and texture. I see the coming days as being a time when you will experience a metaphorical version of karelu, Scorpio.

You will shed some form of constriction, and it may take a while for you to regain your full flexibility and smoothness.

h

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Georgia is not just an American state. It‘s also a country that‘s at the border of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Many people who live there speak the Georgian language. They have a word, shemomedjamo, that refers to what happens when you love the taste of the food you‘re eating so much that you continue to pile it in your mouth well past the time when you‘re full. I‘d like to use it as a metaphor for what I hope you won‘t do in the coming days: get too much of a good thing.

On the other hand, it‘s perfectly fine to get just the right, healthy amount of a good thing.

i

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): When you‘re a driver in a car race, an essential rule in making a successful pit stop is to get back on the track as quickly as possible. Once the refueling is finished and your new tires are in place, you don‘t want to be cleaning out your cup holder or checking the side-view mirror to see how you look. Do I really need to tell you this? Aren‘t you usually the zodiac‘s smartest competitor? I understand that you‘re trying to become more skilled at the arts of relaxation, but can‘t you postpone that until after this particular race is over? Remember that there‘s a difference between the bad kind of stress and the good kind. I think you actually need some of the latter.

j

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Until the early 20th century, mayonnaise was considered a luxury food, a hand-made delicacy reserved for the rich. An entrepreneur named Richard Hellman changed that. He developed an efficient system to produce and distribute the condiment at a lower cost. He put together effective advertising campaigns.

The increasing availability of refrigeration helped, too, making mayonnaise a more practical food. I foresee the possibility of a comparable evolution in your own sphere, Aquarius: the transformation of a specialty item into a mainstay, or the evolution of a rare pleasure into a regular occurrence.

k

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean author Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated over 40 books for children. Midway through his career, his publisher dared him to make a new book that used no more than 50 different words. Accepting the challenge, Seuss produced Green Eggs and Ham, which went on to become the fourth best-selling English-language children‘s book in history. I invite you to learn from Seuss‘s efforts, Pisces. How? Take advantage of the limitations that life has given you. Be grateful for the way those limitations compel you to be efficient and precise. Use your constraints as inspiration to create a valuable addition to your life story.

l

Kings Court Massage Kings Court is the only place to have twenty two massage rooms and eleven hot tubs, spas, and bubble baths.

Wall to wall beautiful ladies, pool tables and luxurious leather lounges.

You can have a coffee and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Approachable managers help you choose a lady for your massage. There is a fair queueing system and no hidden charges or credit card fees. We are just along from Centrail Railway at 261 Parramatta Rd Glebe, Sydney NSW 2037 Phone 02 9660 0666 Its a 10.00 Taxi Ride from the CBD Visit our web site at www.kingscourt.com.au We are open 9 am to 1 am and 24 hours on Weekends. There is a 20% discount from 9 am to 12 noon & FREE ENTRY before 9 pm each day. After 9pm there is a $20 entry fee that protects the massage ladies from dealing with men who have no intention of being polite.

Parking is available in the Broadway Shopping Centre near our discreet rear entrance at 18 Grose St Glebe. Check out the website for information, funny stuff and pictures of pretty women. There are no photos of the regular girls as they are too shy and don’t provide full service.

Also check out Kings Big John’s Facebook to see a mixture of really funny pics, photos, stories and links to the best pages of our website. This is updated regularly:

www.facebook.com/KingsBigJohn Kings Court Massage: Where the first time customer can meet the first time massage girl!

Hi, this is Big John the owner of Kings Court Massage.

When we started to make cartoon advertising, we developed a range of characters based on the mix of men who actually came here. Some of the regular guys were careful with whom they told about Kings Court as they didn’t want to be embarrassed by other peoples bad behaviour. So this gave us the idea to have a recurring story where the character; a rich bastard called Robert St. James tries to figure out where the boys are going for fun. Each week you can see how things don’t work out for him due to his personality. Below is a hint of next week.

The best new thing we have at the moment is all the really funny stuff on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/KingsBigJohn

VACANCIES We are currently looking for new ladies who would like to do a massage with a happy ending. It is a safe place to work, where you do not do full service and

everyone knows someone who could handle a discrete financial boost. It is ideal as a part time or casual job and you are paid cash daily. When you start we get one of the regular girls to show you how to do your first massage.

We have off street parking for ladies with cars and for your interview you can park in the Broadway Shopping Centre near our discreet rear entry at 18 Grose Street Glebe 2037 with three hours free parking. The Grose St address is the best way to find us using GPS plotting. Some ladies from out of town stay over when they visit. We have the best and sweetest customers of any place. The website is www.kingscourt.com.au When you get to the home page click on “is this your first time” as this will take you to a page of ten tips that helps our customers to know how to behave towards our massage girls and a clear idea of exactly what we do.

Also for Twitter go to @kingscourtlive

CITY HUB 16 APRIL 2015

19

ENROL NOW City East Community College Choose from hundreds of great courses.

For complete details & to enrol go to:

www.cityeastcc.com.au AUTUMN TERM COURSES A - Z

9387 7400

One Day Courses

ARTS Abstract Painting, A Cappella Singing, Acting for Camera, Acting: Improvisation

, Alterations Made Easy , Art Attack, Automatic Digital Cameras , Blues to Rock Guitar, Cartooning Workshop ,Clowning, Coastal Photography, Colour Theory , Composition in Photography, Create a Vision Board, Creative Journaling, Creative Night Photography, Designing with Seed Beads, Drawing & Painting, Experimental Art, Fabric Cushions, Fashion Illustration & Design , Floral Art Fundamentals, Furniture Restoration, Guitar (Beginners), Harmonica, Ikebana , iPad for Photographers , Japanese Fabric Wrapping , Jazz Guitar, Jewellery Assembly, Knitting: Beginners, Magic, Married Metal Jewellery , Metal Clay Jewellery Techniques , Mosaics, Observational Drawing, Pastels , Patchwork Quilting, Pattern Copying & Alterations , Photography, Piano, Polymer Clay Fundamentals, Portrait Painting, Printing on Fabric , Resin Jewellery Workshop, Resin Ring & Bangles, Sewing: Made Easy, Sewing Machine Skills , Screen Printing, Script Writing: Short Films, Sculpture, Shibori Fabric Dyeing , Silver Jewellery, Singing: Beginners, Stand Up Comedy, Torch Fired Enamelling, Ukulele.

BUSINESS Accounting for Non-Accountants, Bookkeeping Basics, Buying Your First Home

, Developing a Business Plan, Event Management, Importing & Exporting, Investing in Real Estate , Linked-In: Your Career & Business , Opening a B&B , Opening a Cafe or Restaurant , Starting a Small Business, Start Your Own Podcast , Social Media Marketing , Wealth Creation for Gen X & Y, Website Masterplan & Strategy, Website Promotion.

COMPUTING + GRAPHIC DESIGN Apple Mac Essentials Design, iPad Essentials , MS Office 2013, MS Word Basics Seniors, Typing/Keyboarding, Understanding Your PC .

, Create Electronic Presentations, Dreamweaver, Ebay Selling, Graphic , Photoshop Basic, Photoshop Fundamentals, Produce Spreadsheets, Tech Savvy

HEALTH + FITNESS Alexander Technique, Aqua Fit, Belly Dance, Boxing for Fitness, Dragon Boating, Fencing, Hula Hoop, Introduction to Sailing , Introduction to Yachting, Irish Dancing, Kickboxing: Cardio, Mindfulness Meditation, Pilates Floor Exercises, Rowing, Running, Social Dancing, Stress Management , Stretch & Tone, Swedish/Remedial Massage, Swimming, Swing/Rock & Roll Dance, Tai Chi, Tennis, Trapeze Skills, Yoga.

LANGUAGES + COMMUNICATION Assertive Communication, Creative Writing, French, Graphic Novels, Indonesian, Italian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Public Speaking, Science Fiction Literature, Script Writing: Short Films, Spanish, Thai, Voice Power Young Adults , Write Your Own Story.

, Writing for Children &

LIFESTYLE Assertive Communication, Baking, Bathroom Chemistry

, Bridge, Cake Decoration, Car Maintenance, Colour Theory , Cooking Essentials , Creative Journaling, Croquet, Dress for Your Shape, Home Renovations Essentials, Interior Decorating, Italian Regional Cookery, Latin Vegetarian Cookery, Making Mineral Make-Up, Middle Eastern Vegetarian Cookery , Natural Skincare: Facial Cream & Lotion , Pickles & Preserves , Sri Lankan Banquet , Thai Cookery, Turkish Cookery, Scones , Soap Making , Story of Scent, Stress Management , Understanding Mental Illness , Winter Pies & Tarts.

SUSTAINABILITY Backyard Chooks, Bike Maintenance , Composting & Worm Farming, Creating Eco-Schools & Services, Creating Permaculture Orchard, Gardening on the Wild Side, Living Smart, Organic Gardening, Urban Bee Keeping.

ENGLISH AMEP Adult Migrant English Program, General English, IELTS Preparation, SEE Skills for Education & Employment.

FREE AMEP ADULT MIGRANT ENGLISH PROGRAM The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is an Australian Government program, designed to help adult migrants learn English and settle successfully in Australia. If you have arrived in Australia in the last 5 years you may have an entitlement of up to 510 hours of tuition.

AMEP: Flexible Learning Options at City East Community College. L2/97 Grafton Street, Bondi Junction FREE

AMEP ENGLISH COURSES

Contact our staff so we can: determine your eligibility for free courses, assess your level of English, develop an individual learning plan - email: info@amepcityeast.com or call (02) 9387 6880

ARTS · BUSINESS · COMPUTING + GRAPHIC DESIGN · ENGLISH HEALTH + FITNESS · LANGUAGES + COMMUNICATION · LIFESTYLE SUSTAINABILITY a not-for-profit community organisation