City Hub 14 July 2016

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city hub 14 JULY 2016

Race on for green space

BY LUCAS BAIRD Premier Mike Baird’s latest move to ban greyhound racing in New South Wales has sparked concerns over the future of Wentworth Park.

There has been much speculation over plans to privatise the site with land at Harold Park selling for $187 million in 2010.

Mr Baird addressed such allegations in an emphatic Facebook post last week. The post outlined that Wentworth Park is government owned and will not be sold off to developers.

Mr Baird promised to consult the community in future decisions made for the space.

Spaces to Play, an organisation campaigning for more fields for local sporting clubs in the inner west, wants the racing track to be used as a sports field.

Convenor for the organisation, Glenn Burge, said that local sports clubs should write to the City council, the Planning Minister, the Premier and UrbanGrowth NSW to make sure that this area is used to facilitate their needs.

“Everyone agrees it seems, that there is a demonstrable lack of sporting facilities [in the Inner-City],” Mr Burge told City Hub. “In terms of getting available land, there is not a lot available. Wentworth Park is a jewel in terms of something that is available for the public.”

Mr Burge said that the site is large enough to accomodate multiple sporting facilities and functions.

Mr Burge named Glebe District Hockey Club as one local club that has to travel long distances to be able to play games due to a lack of sporting space.

Club President, Danny O’Brien, told City Hub that their junior teams have to travel to Homebush and Concord to play, while their men’s team often plays on unsuitable grounds at Jubilee Park.

Mr O’Brien said that they had been looking for an area to put a local astroturf field in for the club since 1986. He said that if an opportunity were to arise at Wentworth Park, they would not hesitate to try and get the Council to put a field on that space.

Wentworth Park could be the answer the area’s lack of viable sporting grounds. Source: Sardaka

“City Council is fully aware that we have been looking for a ground for some time… We are aware of what’s happening at Wentworth Park so it is just a matter of continuing our inquiries that we always do with City council,” he said.

Greens’ MP for Balmain, Jaime Parker, said that the potential for new sporting grounds at Wentworth Park is a huge positive outcome of the Greyhound racing ban. He said that the inner-city “urgently” needed sports facilities.

“The repurposing of the stadium and racing grounds at Wentworth Park for grassroots

community sporting organisations will provide an opportunity to relieve the enormous demand for sporting fields in our community.”

“I’m delighted that we now have an opportunity to help meet the needs of local community clubs. It’s important that this site be transferred to the City of Sydney so they can undertake the care, control and management of this important facility,” Mr Parker said.

Dr Lesley Lynch of the Glebe Society argues that while there is “certainly room for sporting facilities” there is a “need for open space” in the area.

“School kids don’t have anywhere to go,” she said.

The Greens’ candidate for the City of Sydney, Lindsay Johnston said that the land should be retained for Green space.

He said that open space was vital to improving the quality of life in Sydney and should be used to promote healthy lifestyles for people who live in the City.

“The preservation of, and in this case the reopening to the public of urban open space is paramount to improving quality of life for Sydney’s people. The City needs more recreational open space not less.”

The Labor Party and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers have come out against the racing ban.

It is also believed the ban has caused division amongst Nationals politicians.

Labor leader Luke Foley said that he did not think it was fair to crush an industry with so many jobs.

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party said that the ban would destroy the livelihood of many rural owners, trainers, breeders, and claimed that the Nationals were “in bed with the Greens”.

This has made Mr Burge somewhat cynical towards the possibility that the Wentworth Park will have free land come July 1 2017.

“The government has indicated that will be the case, however, I probably think that there is a fair way to run in terms of getting it through Parliament,” he said.

Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi described Labor’s position as political opportunism.

“How Luke Foley can oppose the shutdown of greyhound racing after reading the details of the tens of thousands of dogs killed for not being fast enough, the live baiting and the horrific number of deaths on tracks is beyond me,” Ms Faruqi said in a statement.

The Premier has said that the bill to ban Greyhound racing will be introduced at the next sitting session of the NSW parliament which begins on August 2.

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BY LAWRENCE GIBBONS Thousands of businesses, who are legally required to vote in the upcoming City of Sydney elections, could be left off of the electoral rolls completely.

The City of Sydney failed to properly notify corporations that the deadline for them to submit mandatory enrolment forms was July 4. Businesses who failed to enrol could be penalised as much as $2,200.

The City has begrudgingly spent more than $8 million of ratepayers’ funds on a campaign to advise businesses that the enrolment deadline was July 14 when the actual deadline for corporations was ten days earlier.

Independent City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas has denounced the situation, stating: “The 4th of July may have been Independence Day in the US, but in the City of Sydney, it was the day that democracy died for thousands of business operators who have been robbed of their chance to have a vote.”

Clr Vithoulkas shed light on the confusion, “I continue getting calls from business owners who want to vote but don’t know when or how to. It’s unfair that these hard-working business operators are not only being denied democracy but face the additional threat of fines up to $2,200 if they fail to register.”

Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been a vocal opponent of mandatory business voting requirements. Under changes to the City of Sydney Act, passed into law early last year, Ms Moore’s Council must ensure that every business is enrolled to vote. The City is required to create and maintain a roll of all commercial tenants and property owners who are eligible to vote in local Council elections.

The legislation is based on the City of Melbourne Act, where Australia’s second largest city conducts a census of all commercial properties to determine who is eligible to vote. Rather than door knock, Sydney opted to communicate with businesses by booking ads, leafleting and posting letters to property owners and commercial tenants.

By not informing corporations of the July 4 enrolment deadline, the City may have disenfranchised thousands of voters from the upcoming Council elections. The City’s actions could substantially affect the outcome of the election in Ms Moore’s favour, if the State government allows it to go ahead as scheduled on September 10.

According to a statement issued by the office of the City’s CEO, “The City sent information packs and forms to owners, occupiers and rate paying lessees requesting that forms be submitted. The information brochure included with

the pack identified the nomination cut-off date for corporations as being 4 July, 2016. The letter and information brochure refers recipients to the City’s webpages which also highlight the nomination cut-off date for corporations as being 4 July, 2016.”

Copies of the brochure and letters sent out by Council were obtained by the City Hub. The letter, which was posted to businesses in March, stated that the deadline to enrol was in April not July. The 22 page brochure, which was also posted to some businesses, contained two passing references to the July 4 deadline on pages 18 and 21.

Meanwhile Labor Councillor Linda Scott has raised concerns that businesses who do manage to enrol could receive promotional materials from Lord Mayor Clover Moore during the election campaign. On the enrolment form, businesses can agree to receive marketing materials from the City by ticking a box.

As the official spokesperson for the City of Sydney, the Lord Mayor’s image regularly appears on Council literature, giving her a substantial advantage as an incumbent seeking re-election. Clr Scott has called on Lord Mayor Clover Moore to rule out using her delegated authority to communicate with those on the City’s non-residential register and roll at the expense of the rate payers of the City of Sydney. The matter was put to a vote at the latest Council meeting and the Lord Mayor used her casting vote to preserve her powers.

In response to a question from the City Hub, a spokesperson from the City of Sydney stated, “No councillors, including the Lord Mayor, will have access to any of the information submitted to the City for the Non-Residential Register… No-one will be contacted until after the local government election. Following the election, only those who have agreed to their contact information being shared will receive an email offering an opt-in option to e-newsletters …The Council Elections Unit will not know how many have ticked the box until the roll closes on August 1.” city hub 14 JULY 2016

3

Waterloo Tent Embassy Taking On Baird Government

BY CHARLOTTE GRIEVE spokesperson for Public The newly-formed Waterloo Housing believes this is a missed tent embassy is a coalition of opportunity to expand public Aboriginal and non-indigenous housing.

Australians working together “The Waterloo to resist the new NSW redevelopment gives the government’s plans to redevelop Government an opportunity the area. to increase the amount of The plans involve building a desperately-needed affordable new metro station in Waterloo and public housing in Sydney’s accompanied by extensive high inner city. But they’ve chosen rise developments along the instead to use the extra capacity metro line. Although details on the site for yet more private of the plan have not yet been apartments with a cost out of released, it has been speculated reach to low income earners” Photo: James Mccallum. (supplied) that up to 10,000 new dwellings she said. in the area would replace existing public housing units.

Another point on the agenda of the Waterloo tent embassy “It’s going to be wall to wall apartment blocks of up to 70 per is drawing attention to government’s failure to maintain the cent private housing” said Richard Weeks, leader of the Waterloo appartments. Gas leaks, flooding and electrical failures are Public Housing Action Group. common place in Waterloo housing units, Mr Weeks told City The towers and low-rise public housing units range from Phillip Hub. He believes this is a failure of the state’s duty of care to to McEvoy Street, providing accommodation to between four and five thousand people, of which over 70 per cent are senior citizens. residents in public housing.

“As part of the rental arrangement, they have a responsibility The tent embassy is not a squatter’s settlement, nor an activism to maintain the building and keep it in a liveable state. Nobody stunt, it is the official office for the Waterloo Public Housing should have to live like this” he said.

Action Group (WPHAG). The group is mobilising community Ms Barham blames the past Labor and Liberal governments for and political support in the form of a petition to challenge the “allowing” the residences to “fall into disrepair.”

Baird government’s development plans.

“We need on-going investment in public housing, particularly “The Baird government is using law and Parliament to kick us for maintenance,” she said. out, we’re using law and Parliament to fight him” said Richard The embassy has been running in the southwest corner of the Weeks.

Waterloo greens for over three weeks now raising awareness of The petition asks the Legislative Assembly of NSW to “place these issues, among others. the security and well-being of local residents ahead of developer’s With key players, such as Lord Mayor Clover Moore and interests.” It is a state-wide initiative that Mr Weeks estimates will Greens member Jenny Leong, throwing their support behind the receive up to 10 thousand signatures in the coming weeks. movement, the embassy and has no plans of giving up.

With over 60 thousand people currently on the public housing “We’re going to take this as far as we can to protect the old wait list and an average expected wait time of over 10 years people of this area” Mr Weeks said. in the Sydney district, Jan Barham MLC, the NSW Greens

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Butt out city smokers

CHRISTOPHER HARRIS A City of Sydney iniative to trial a smoke free Pitt St has drawn praise from anti-smoking groups, but there are concerns that a ban in Martin Place has only moved smokers elsewhere.

The Council said the twelve month trial of the smoking ban in Martin Place was well received by the community.

Liberal Councillor Christine Forster moved the initial motion for the Martin Place smoke free trial.

“We started the trial it was very successful and got it extended to Pitt St Mall,” Clr Forster told City Hub. According to the Lord Mayor, support was strong for the ban.

“Four out of five people surveyed said they wanted the Martin Place smoke free trial made permanent and extended to Pitt Street Mall,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This is one of the world’s most popular shopping strips, yet harmful second hand tobacco smoke risks the health of the many children and families who visit.”

According to the council, the number of smokers in Martin Place counted after the ban was introduced significantly decreased.

Tobacco Control expert, Univertsity of Sydney Professor Becky Freeman told City Hub that the ban in public places was popular but not necessarily hugely beneficial for public health.

“Indoor air quality is the most impactful on our

overall health, but in outdoor areas the evidence isn’t as clear,” she told City Hub. She said that the ban in public places was a continuum of the movement away from smoking.

“I understand why councils go through with these kinds of laws, because they are very popular with the population who mostly doesn’t smoke.”

“From another standpoint, they’re about amenity, they’re about people not liking smoking in public places, and that is a result of people enjoying smoke free air in other places.”

She said people were less tolerant of smoking in the City because it was a high income area where smoking rates are lower.

“In high income areas, our smoking rates are well below 10 per cent, and the public says, I don’t want that.”

President of the Non Smokers Movement of Australia, Margaret Hogge, told City Hub that Pitt Street Mall was one of the worst areas in the City because of the plumes of cigarette smoke.

She said of the shopping strip’s park benches: “It’s like hot seating for smoking, it is the worst in the city.”

Ms Hogge said the difference on the Martin Place ban was marked.

“Even on day two of the Martin Place ban I sat on the steps of GPO and saw people slow down to enjoy the clean air.”

“The enforcement in Martin Place is pretty good, I go there and there will be one or two people, usually

Pitt St Mall will be smoke free from September

they’re tourists, and there are sometimes a couple of obstreperous people.”

Ms Hogge said that there were now a lot more smokers on nearby Barrack St however remains

hopeful that the ban on Pitt Street would decrease the number of smokers.

She wants smoking to be confined to one small area per city block with an ashtray, so people could avoid these particular spots if they wanted to.

Under her concept the number of spots would be reduced in time, increasing the barrier to smoking so people would be inclined to quit or smoke less.

After a few years, her plan is to ban smoking completely in the City. She said people visiting could use nicotine replacement therapy just as effectively, like some people do when they travel on long haul flights.

Poker machine areas in Australia that are 75 per cent enclosed are classified as unenclosed for the purpose of navigating smoking laws causing staff at such venues to be exposed to harmful second hand smoke.

Ms Hogge wants a smoking ban on such areas.

Professor Becky Freeman agrees: “I think we do have problems with our laws in NSW. Some of the biggest are the high roller rooms in Casinos.”

“I think there are some problems with our definitions of what constitutes an unenclosed space, and other duristictions such as Queensland have said that’s ridiculous, we’re just going to ban it.”

Smoking in NSW has been steadily declining.

It was reported in 2014 as being a habit of 15.3 per cent of the total population.

Tree of P and C “gobsmacked” by temporary school site knowledge cut

BY LUCAS BAIRD Parents are kicking up a storm over issues with the temporary location of the Ultimo School.

After breaking a promise to rebuild the school at a site on the corner of Fig and Wattle St, the Department of Education (DoE) has decided to rebuild on its current site and temporarily relocate students to a site at Wentworth Park.

However, parents are angered by the lack of information being provided by the State Government and concessions they will need to make at the temporary location.

“Everything seems to be so secretive, I’m gobsmacked,” said Parents and Community president, Michelle Lawrence.

“It is not actually a consultation process, because we have been against it for four years yet they continue to roll forward with their plans,” she said.

One among several issues is the contaminated soil at Wentworth Park. The DoE informed parents a month ago that lead had been found in the soil. A problem which had already led to the abandonment of the old site on the corner of Fig and Wattle St. The parents have requested twice that full soil reports of Wentworth Park be made available to them, but so far nothing has come of it.

Ms Lawrence views the behaviour of the “stubborn” Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, as unnacceptable.

He has not consulted with the parents since July of last year and has ignored several requests from council to renegotiate the sale of the former site.

NSW Labor have taken the side of the parents in this matter, with Opposition Leader, Luke Foley, calling on the government to provide “peace of mind” to the parents.

“Recklessly throwing out comments about lead in the soil and then failing to provide any clarity or closure to concerned parents is inexcusable,” he said.

“Parents have a right to see this report and demand transparency from the Government. If it was just a stupid remark then the Government should have no problem sharing the reports.”

A further concern of the parents is the lack of space at the new facility, which they claim is 27 per cent smaller and will not accommodate the after school care programme.

But a spokesperson for the DoE told City Hub that they are, “satisfied that the temporary school will adequately accommodate students and staff.”

Security for the school is also an issue for the parents, but the Department spokesperson said that the entire area

6

city hub 14 JULY 2016

Ultimo will still be without a school

would be fenced off and necessary supervision will be provided.

The local Ultimo community has made clear that they will continue to pressure the Government to keep their old promise and rebuild the school at the Wattle and Fig St site.

However, this looks unlikely to happen as the Minister is set on redeveloping the Ultimo School on its current location.

A spokesperson for the Minister told City Hub that the NSW government has not broken any promises by reneging on the initial commitment to rebuild the at the Wattle St depot, contrary to the parents’ beliefs.

“The Department’s decision not to proceed with the purchase and development of the Wattle, Jones and Fig Street site was based on concerns about the significant contamination of the site and the very high remediation costs. Due to these concerns, this decision will not change,” they said.

“The NSW Government will honour its commitment to build a new school for the Ultimo/Pyrmont community by redeveloping Ultimo Public School on its existing site.”

The students are scheduled to move into the Wentworth Park site in May, 2017.

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS The 150 year old Morton Bay Fig in Randwick, also known as “the tree of knowledge” was cut down on Sunday night.

John Bellamy of the Saving Sydney Trees told City Hub the felling of the tree by stealth on a Sunday night had left him questioning the government.

“I feel angry, livid, heartbroken.

Disillusioned, despairing, but most of all now a quiet anger,” he said.

On Monday night a small group of approximately 50 people gathered at the site to protest the cutting by stealth.

It took 24 hours for arborists to cut down and remove the stump of the tree.

Mr Bellamy said that it was the anger with the government which continued to fuel protests against the removal of the trees.

“I am pretty pragmatic, and decisive, I feel that emotion, that demoralization, the disillusionment, if

it wasn’t for that feeling, it wouldn’t be driving to action,” he said.

He said he supported the light rail but the government had never released the business case for the project. He said that the light rail was wasting billions of dollars to reduce capacity of public transport.

Mehreen Faruqi said the felling of the tree by stealth was a ruthless act on the government’s part.

“Tonight the tree of knowledge, at the corner of Wansey Road and High St is being ruthlessly and needlessly chopped down. 150 years to grow, and a few hours to die.”

“We can have better planning, we can have the light rail, and we can protect our environment, we just need to use our brains and our heart a little bit more.”

More trees are expected to be cut down as the contruction of the light rail continues. Trees on Devonshire St in Surry Hills are still to be cut down.

The former Tree of Knowledge in Randwick

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City election campaign off and racing

BY Christopher Harris When one election closes, another opens. Or so it should seem for residents in the City of Sydney who be experiencing political decisionmaking fatigue. But the rate of change for residents in this election will be dizzying. As one commentator told City Hub, “we’re in for a bumpy ride.”

But there is significant movement among the councillors, especially in the Clover Moore’s Independents Party.

THE GREENS

CLOVER MOORE’S INDEPENDENTS

Incumbent Lord Mayor Clover Moore is standing for her fourth term in office at the upcoming City of Sydney elections which will be held in September.

At the very least, she will be looking to field candidates for three out of four councillor spots.

Despite this being Ms Moore’s fourth term in office, it will be with a team that is significantly different from her original party members in 2004.

Foster Robyn Kemmis died in January. John Mant will not be contesting this election. Potts Point resident Jenny Green will not be contesting either, telling constituents “the battles continue with WestConnex and the Waterloo to Eveleigh precinct development,” in a parting email to voters.

She had previously complained to the media that the council work did not pay sufficiently – and suggested City of Sydney councillors should be given a wage like that of state MPs. A staff member at the office of Robert Kok’s office did not confirm or deny whether he would be standing. The staff member said they did not had any official information yet.

Mandla

LIBERAL PARTY

With the introduction of the business vote, the Liberal Party could be tipped to get more than its current two councillors into City Hall. Currently Christine Forster and Edward Mandla are the incumbents. Forster has been endorsed as the Liberal Party’s Mayoral candidate for council.

“Clover Moore has been there for twelve years and it is time for fresh approach,” Clr Forster told City Hub. “People want the City to be liveable, they want it to be vibrant, it’s not humming the way it should be.”

The Liberal Party ticket has been heated as the Party, rather than local branches, select the candidates.

Known possibilities for the number two position on the Liberal Party ticket include incumbent Edward Mandla, Potts Point local Adrian Bartels and Sean O’Conner.

Mr Bartels owns a Potts Point based property finance company. Mr O’Connor works in marketing.

While Forster has been preselected on the mayoral ticket, preselection for the remainder of the ticket won’t be done until the end of July.

While some had speculated that the Liberal Party could increase their presence at City Hall because of the introduction of the business vote, Councillor Mandla told City Hub that he was less certain.

“It might have no impact. I think we are in the land of the unknown—it is ridiculous that every business will be voting Liberal –they are going to be

Moore

Scott

voting in all sorts of ways,” he told City Hub. “I see myself as representing the business vote—I am on a lot of boards, I’m a businessman, if I get preselected, I will be representing business interests.”

LABOR

The days of Labor dominance on the council are well and truly gone. Labor now has only one candidate in council –Linda Scott – who was preselected following the first community consultation preselection in 2012. A member of the Labor left, Clr Scott has championed affordable housing during her first term in council.

Friends of Erskineville President Darren Jenkins and NSW Nurses and Midwives Association organiser Holly Rebeiro will be vying for a spot on the Labor ticket.

It is unclear whether or not a community preselection process would take place again this year. The Party had not released a plan for preselection and did not reply to City Hub’s requests for comment.

At the other end of the political spectrum lay The Greens. They selected two candidates months ago, following consultation with two local groups – The Inner City Greens and the South Sydney Greens.

Irene Doutney is not contesting, whilst De Brierley Newtown and Lindsay Jonshton are.

Mr Johnston has had a 40 year career in farming and food industry research and development. He has operated his business from premises he owns in the CBD for the last twelve years.

Ms Brierley Newton is from Glebe and is an organiser within The Greens providing guidance and support for grassroots campaigning. She was a prominent figure in the NSW 2015 state election campaign.

Mr Johnston told City Hub he has been involved with The Greens since 2011 and have twice served terms as the secretary of Inner Sydney Greens.

“Over the years I have been a member of a local brigade in the Rural Fire Service and served in various business and community associations and as a proud member of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.”

He took aim at Christine Foster in a statement on Tuesday.

“The cynicism of the Liberals at this local level is breathtaking. Here we have Tony Abbott coming out – and I use that phrase with tongue firmly in cheek – in support of his sister, a member of the rainbow community, while he and the Liberal party remain opposed to marriage equality. The Greens not only support marriage equality, we have a policy to deliver it.” said Lindsay Johnston.

INDEPENDENTS There will be lots of independents running in the council election.

They could take a leaf out of the book of successful councillor and café owner Angela Vithoulkas. She has been described as a “dark horse” and is running again. This time she has a number two on her ticket -- Grace Zou who has been described as “a community advocate, small business owner and a long-time champion for local Government within the Chinese community.”

Prominent local David Imrie, CEO of the NSW branch of nongovernment organisation Keep Australia beautiful cancelled his membership of the Liberal Party to run as an independent in the Spetember elections.

“As an Independent, I will always support good policy, whether it comes from the Libs, Labor, Greens or the Clover Party. What I won’t support or condone is petty politics at the expense of good policy,” Mr Imrie posted to Facebook. He was chair of the board of New Mardi Gras.

Prominent Potts Point local and president of the suburb’s heritage and Conservation society, Andrew Woodhouse, would not confirm nor deny if he would be running as an Independent. It will not be for Clover Moore’s party.

“One member of her party asked me if I would run, and I said yes I would -- back to the office.” Mr Woodhouse gave some advice however to Clr Moore—that was to recruit younger people into her Party.

“She should be looking for younger people to get with the general populace. You don’t want your grandma in charge, you want someone who you can relate to and can respond to a text message.”

MEET the locals

Is it heaven? Or Shoes for charity Pampering Patisserie?

Cakes, coffee, cookies of every colour, you name it, Pampering Patisserie is your one stop shop for all your indulgent sugar needs.

The friendly staff have a vast knowledge and can help you choose that birthday cake for a special someone or guide you to a perfect tasty tart or beautiful biscuit to go with your afternoon coffee.

Those with special dietary requirements need not miss out. There are plenty of options to accomodate such as the sumptuous flourless dark chocolate cake. For those with a lighter dish in mind, the aloe vera cheesecake might be your saving grace.

The house speciality is the Japanese Cotton Cheese Cake –light and fluffy –with a delicious melt in your mouth taste.

Or, for a little pick me, up why not sample the Mocha éclair—made with white chocolate and beautiful fresh espresso coffee.

All of the cakes are baked every day in the store. Enquire about a birthday cake to order on request.

Bringing us definitely to temptation, at the hour of our need indeed is Pampering Patisserie on King St in Newtown.

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city hub 14 JULY 2016

Pampering Patisserie 10.30 -- 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 10.30- 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

571 King St, Newtown NSW 2042 (02) 8065 7656

Broadway Shopping Centre is partnering with The Smith Family in a mission to end the cycle of poverty affecting Australia’s children.

As the nation’s largest children’s education charity; The Smith Family tackles poverty via the support of children through education Today, 1 in 10 Australian children are living in jobless families where even life’s basics are hard to come by. When families experience such severe disadvantage, children can fall behind in their learning leaving them more vulnerable to experiencing hardship themselves later in life.

Customers can get involved in the ‘Share My Shoes’ campaign in 3 ways: 1. THE SHOE SHARE: Donate the shoes you no longer wear into our in-centre collection box at the Customer Service Desk on Level 1.

All types of shoes accepted – New/Near-new/ hardly worn sneakers, boots, sandals, heels and flats.

2. THE SOCIAL SHOE SHARE Can’t bear to part with your kicks? Share a photo of your shoes via Facebook or Instagram with the #sharemyshoes and we’ll donate $1 to The Smith Family to support the education of children in need; Or better yet, take a ‘shoefie’ on one of the awesome backgrounds located throughout the centre.

3. BUY ONE, DONATE ONE, WIN ONE:

We’re giving customers another reason to Share My Shoes and encourage spend in the footwear category.

It’s Simple: 1. Buy a pair of shoes at any of the participating footwear retailers between 4 and 31 July.

2. Take your receipt to Customer Service Desk on Level 1 along with your preowned shoes you’d like to donate.

3. Go in to the draw to win 1 of 50, $50 gift cards from our participating footwear retailers.

FEATURE

CHANGING THE STORY OF HOMELESSNESS

BY Shon Ho & Jamie Apps “Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a problem!” shouted performer Georgina Wood at the beginning of Milk Crate Theatre’s show, Under Construction last week. Although we all encounter problems big and small, a growing problem specific to 1 in 200 Australians is homelessness. In NSW alone, over 28 thousand people are sleeping rough.

Becoming homeless could happen to anyone. This is an idea that is explored in the Motions Art film Adventures of a Happy Homeless Man, the independent, Sydney made film is due for release later this month.

It is described by director Dicky Tanuwidjaya as “a comedy for the thinking person”.

“I think many homeless people have interesting stories to tell about why and how they be-come homeless,” Mr Tanuwidjaya said “Some of them could be former big shots that are just down on their luck.

And some of them could be big shots in the future.

You never know. Life is so unpredictable.”

“I wanted to tell a story about how one hits rock bottom, but doesn’t give up on his passion. Eventually this person overcomes the struggles and comes back stronger than before.”

Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross is one organisation which has been helping Sydney’s homeless get back on their feet since 1964. In the past few years they have been doing this through creative workshops and classes ranging from acting to music to arts and crafts.

Wayside Chapel Social Worker Diana Stojanovich explained the philosophy behind the introduction of these classes. “Some of the participants have no connection to anybody else in any way, they don’t have family or friends so they experience total isolation,” she said.

“So that’s where the importance of the creative classes really comes through to include them in things by giving them that social contact and letting them feel part of a community.

Milk Crate Theatre ensemble and associate cast and crew.

Photo Chris Peken

Creativity can bring that sense of community out, allow them to think positively, make new friends and finally improve their communication skills and confidence.”

According to Diana, feedback from participants in the classes suggests that they “love it and just can’t get enough” hence why many of them often attend multiple classes at various organisations around the city during the week.

Milk Crate Theatre is another organisation which works to help disenfranchised people through creative outlets; with an ensemble cast made up of artists who have experienced social marginalisation or homelessness.

“The artistic, philosophic and political goal of Milk Crate is to use theatre as a tool for change,” said Artistic Director Cristabel Sved.

Ms Sved said that change can result in personal transformations for Milk Crate members through the development of skills, social connections and support networks.

She added:“When you put work onto a public platform and give people who don’t normally get a voice, to voice their concerns - this can also change perceptions on homelessness and break down some of those stereotypes.” “[At Milk Crate] the idea has been to engage a community that is quite silent and to find out what their stories are, what interests them, what they feel needs to be put into the public arena to have a community dialogue about,” Ms Sved said.

“Milk Crate has just given me a huge amount of confidence,” said Pauline Trenerry, one of the cast members of Under Construction.

“I’ve found that when you do so many weird things on stage, then there are so many other things that you do in your life that don’t [hold] nearly the same fear for you.”

“What I like most is being able to contribute,” Ms Trenerry said.“Milk Crate is all about our ideas, our feelings and our stories - being able to see that your part

and your story makes up a piece of work is just wonderful.”

Cherie Barnes, an ensemble artist who is involved in the upcoming Meet the Jokers! work-shop, said that Milk Crate’s support has been “just priceless”.

“Milk Crate has helped me re-engage with the community, get a bit of self esteem and make new friends, but more than anything it’s been crucial to me for re-establishing a good level of mental health,” Ms Barnes said.

Since joining Milk Crate, Ms Barnes has gained a mentorship with the organisation for assistant directing.

“I’m getting a little bit of part time work now and I don’t think I would have been able to do that if it hadn’t been for Milk Crate,” she said Milk Crate,Wayside Chapel and various other creative endeavours centred around the homeless strive to create compassion through understanding, and aim to explore issues through stories that focus on human impacts, not politics.

These initiatives “are a unique opportunity to be able to tell stories that otherwise wouldn’t be heard and to get conversations going to challenge stereotypes and challenge the status quo,” Ms Barnes said.

Milk Crate Theatre milkcratetheatre.com Meet The Jokers! Workshop showing + Q&A Jul 14, 5.30pm. Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden Street, Alexandria. Free.

The Wayside Chapel – thewaysidechapel.com Adventures of a Happy Homeless Man Film will screen at Chauvel Cinema, Paddington, from July 18–21.

Tickets & info: palacecinemas.com.au or motionarts.com.au/happyhomelessman

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Review: El Circo Blanc

Daniel Gorski with partner Catherine Waite as Missy.

Photo: Jesse Jaco

From the moment you enter the room – luxe white decorations blanketing the space in a glamorous wintry mystique, a friendly waitperson swaddled in (faux) furs hands you a dainty mug of piping hot mulled wine – El Circo Blanc is an experience.

El Circo is quite the step above your average dinner theatre outing; it is a conceptual dining experience. Immerse yourself in the delights of the Russian Winter Circus as the scents and tastes of a five-course degustation menu interweave with a visual feast.

A crème fraîche topped crouton accents a starter that reminds you hearty vegetable soups

Witches

Double, double, toil and trouble…

That’s what you can expect from Witches, a world premiere new production from The Sydney Symphony Orchestra featuring four spellbinding singers. Helen Dallimore, Lucy Durack, Amanda Harrison and Jemma Rix each have witchcraft all over their resumes. In previous incarnations, Dallimore and Durack have played Glinda the Good Witch, and Harrison and Rix have played Elphaba, the two main characters of Wicked, the musical.

weren’t always reserved for the can. Other highlights include the buttery nest of the Salmon Coulibiac, which will melt the hearts of even the most dubious seafood diners. And hot vodka punch preludes a showstopper dessert – the Dome of Saint Basil.

A circus style performances dazzle and delight.

The physical feats of contortion, strength and aerial work are executed with the most upstanding showmanship.

While the loose narrative of our beautiful protagonist reminiscing on her time in the Russian Circus is hardly cohesive, that is hardly a concern. El Circo Blanc is first and foremost about the sensation – her series of past friends and lovers informing the next impressive act of aerial contortion, the next savoury dish.

But it is the gentle clown who steals the show.

Mute and clumsy – our clown gradually shows that his abilities extend far beyond basic comic relief.

El Circo Blanc is a whimsical and edgy immersive experience, perfect for taking any average evening outing to another dimension – from a first date to dinner with colleagues. (AM) Every Wednesday, 7pm. Slide Lounge, 41 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. $89.00+b.f. includes 5 course dinner and show (group discounts available).Tickets & info: slide.com.au or (02) 8915 1899

This will be the first time the four have performed together on stage, although Durack has worked with each of the others in the past.

You can’t help but get a sense that they’re going to have a lot of fun.

Singing as ensemble, in varied combinations and solo, they will perform a “witchy” themed set list including standards like ‘That Old Black Magic’, ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’, and ‘I Put A Spell On You’, as well as selections from topical musicals such as The Wizard Of Oz, Hocus Pocus, Frozen, Into The Woods, Love Never Dies and of course, Wicked.

While there will be some stage effects, it is mainly the four women, each with their distinctive styles, who promise to captivate and charm audiences.

Ben Lewis, who played The Phantom in the Australian production of Love Never Dies, will also make a special appearance.

With the cheeky in-built humour of the theme, the outstanding collection of talent on stage and the magical programme, this promises to be a truly enchanting experience.

(RB) Jul 15 & 16 (Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm).

Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. $53$139. ickets & info: sydneysymphony.com or (02) 8215 4600

a&e

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10 STAGE 12 SCENE 13 Sounds 14 SCREEN

If you’re a fan of Etta James or just want to know a little bit more about this vocal phenomenon this is a show you should put in your diaries. At Last: The Etta James Story combines her hits with stories of her life all performed and narrated by Vika Bull.

Bull says they tell the story of Etta James from her birth to her death and in between they sing set songs. The songs fit with whatever part of her life they’re telling so they aren’t sung in order Writer of the production John Living is a massive fan of James’ and wanted to tell her story. He approached Bull very soon after James passed away and they performed a year later on the anniversary of her death.

Bull is a fan of her voice and that is what she fell in love with and still loves today about Etta James. Her favourite song is a Sunday Kind of Love just because it was the hardest song for her to love so she grew to enjoy it.

“I was introduced to her music by a bass player in her band. I listened to her everyday and tried to copy everything she did. I knew nothing of her life- just liked her voice. I loved the way she could sing a song.”

Bull had to do some training to prepare for this challenging performance.

“I went and had some classical training and

Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host

Ira Glass, host and creator of the widely loved This American Life on NPR, will be bringing his voice under the sails of the Sydney Opera House this month.

Performing Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host alongside dancers Anna Bass and Monica Bill Barnes, Glass will be presenting radio interviews and personal stories in step with contemporary dance.

“The show’s a mix of two things that really have no business being on stage together at all,” Glass wrote on the This American Life blog.

“Dance is all visuals, no talking. Radio’s all talking, no visuals. But what the stories on our show have in common with dance is music.”

“Monica Bill Barnes and Anna Bass are such

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

Vika Bull

speech training so I could preserve my voice because it was 8 shows a week.You have to practice every day, you can’t just walk in and sing the show. It’s like running the marathon really, there is a lot of training.” (AMal) 12 -17 July. Sydney Opera House.

Tuesday-Saturday 8pm, Saturday 2pm and Sunday 3pm.

Tickets from www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Photo: Christopher Duggan

funny, human-scale, relatable sorts of performers; their sensibility somehow matches a lot of what we do on the radio show.”

In the spirit of a This American Life episode, the show is split into several acts. Act One is about the job of being a performer, Act Two is about falling (and staying) in love, and Act Three is about the ephemerality of everything.

Like the NPR program, storytelling will be the driving force. However instead of just listening to a story unfold, you’ll also see it spin and shift in front of you on stage.

(SH) Jul 17 &18 (8pm Sun, 6.30pm Mon).

Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. $49-$89. Tickets & info: sydneyoperahouse. com or 02 9250 7777

Contributors: Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Alicia Sim, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Shon Ho, Jacqui Rothwell, Emily Shen, Andrew Hodgson, Irina Dunn, Cindy Aravena, Jacob Aguilar, Caitlin Burns, Zeiya Speede, Rita Bratovich, Chantal Walsh, Raffael Piccolo, Barbara Karpinski, Taylah Felice.

Almost Nearly Paradise

Scooby-Doo Live! Level Up

Although the island setting is fictitious, most people (at least from Sydney’s Northern Beaches) will recognise the real life location for Brenda Gottsche’s Almost Nearly Paradise. Based on true incidents and people she encountered living offshore the “insular peninsula”, Gottsche has created a wry comedy that asks some existential questions.

Four diverse women form a book club, but when they meet it quickly becomes apparent that they have neither read nor are much interested in the prescribed books. Instead they engage in a discussion about ‘how to be happy’.

Throw in a yarn-spinning husband, an extremely wealthy bachelor, and a wild storm – and you get farce, intrigue and drama.

“The alcohol flows and the night becomes a goldmine of dangerous revelations,” explained Gottsche.

The play is a commentary and observation about people’s desires and motivations, and their appraisal of each other as well as themselves. The characters’

Australia sees the premiere of a fantastic new Scooby-Doo inspired musical this July school holidays.

Scooby-Doo Live! Level Up is an interactive show that features musical numbers and multimedia content. It was both written and composed here in Australia and performed with a full Australian cast.

Writer and director Teresa Borg said that there is something for everyone in this ScoobyDoo adventure. It is a decent, layered story with lots of colour, music and movement.

“There’s lots of silly fun, lots of laughter and fabulous 80’s style music,” said Teresa.

The Mystery Inc. gang’s plans for summer fall apart when they get trapped inside a virtual world of creepy gaming ghosts! Can Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Scooby-Doo unravel this digital mystery in time? This interactive new show features big musical numbers, stunning multi-media content and kooky characters that

answers to ‘how to be happy’ come into play as they are all forced to make a crucial decision.

In the end, it appears that the young, seemingly naive girl who works at Bunnings is the only one who knows how to be happy.

The play was first performed last year at Balmain’s Exchange Hotel. The current production at Manly’s Star of The Sea theatre showcases a younger cast, prompting some minor modifications to dialogue and characters.

Gottsche hopes it will make audiences laugh, but also make them think.

“I write the kind of play that I want to go see. I want it to be about something, to have a message, but I want to be entertained.”

Her inspiration for writing? “I find people fascinating.” (RB) Jul 15–23 (Fri + Sat 7.30pm, Sun 3pm).

Star of the Sea Theatre, Cnr Collingwood Street and Lluka Avenue, Manly. $28-$35.

Tickets & info: trybooking.com or (02) 9439 1906

Hippo! Hippo!

HIPPO! HIPPO! with Kaisha Durban.

Photo: Gavin D Andrew

significant experience in the life of a child where they feel apprehensive and need reassurance”.

Hippo! Hippo! captures the essence of the books without being a literal retelling of the stories. Edwards is extremely pleased with the result.

“I love the sound and the colour and all the pacing [of the production]…it’s great when you get someone who takes it into another dimension.”

She says the production quality is very high; the cast have great voices, they play directly to the children and get them emotionally involved.

Edwards’ sums up the show as “joyous”. With ten songs, interaction that includes the adults, and even a hippo that tap dances, she insists this is a “must see”. (RB) Jul 14–16, various show times. Glen Street Theatre, corner Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, Belrose. $21 ($75 family pass).

Tickets & info: glenstreet.com.au or 9975 1455

Since it was first published in 1980, the Australian children’s classic There’s A Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake has been in continual print world wide, and now it is being realised on stage as the musical Hippo!

Hippo!

Created by award-winning producer Gary Ginivan, with songs by Mark Jones, the show is a conceptual interpretation of the hugely successful ‘Hippo’ series of books written by Hazel Edwards and illustrated by Deborah Niland.

“It’s a wonderful compliment to an author to have a theatrical production of a story that is 38 years old,” said Edwards.

The original idea for the book came to her after she used the ‘hippo on the roof scenario’ to explain the noise of a roof leak to her children. The book’s popularity spawned a series in which each book “deals with a THE LITERATI Bell Shakespeare and Griffin Theatre Company are bringing a 350-year-old French play kicking and screaming into the 21st century.The Literati, penned by acclaimed Australian playwright Justin Fleming, draws inspiration from Molière’s Les Femmes Savantes.The play follows lovers Juliet and Clinton as they attempt to overcome the strong, highbrow disapproval of Juliet’s mother and sister.

It is injected with enough sassiness and silliness to feel right at home on a Sydney stage. (CB) Until Jul 16. SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross. $38-$60.

Tickets & info: griffintheatre.com.au AUDREY OF THE OUTBACK Eaton Gorge Theatre Company and EMU Productions latest children’s show is a timeless Australian tale of growing up adapted from Christine Harris’ award-winning book. Set in the 1930’s, the story is based on the adventures of

9-year-old Audrey, a girl who has the world’s biggest backyard, the Australian outback.“We love the character of Audrey, she is very independent and energetic and questions everything. She is someone that little girls and even boys can identify with,” said director Julie Scrine. (TF) Until Jul 16. King Street Theatre, Level 1, 644 King Street, Newtown. $20-$25 (discounts available).Tickets & info: kingstreettheatre.com.au or 0423 082 015 BACK AT THE DOJO After nearly losing his mind from the psychedelic excesses of the sixties, a young Danny (Harry Greenwood) gets his life back on track through a karate dojo in New Jersey. Here, amongst other things, he meets the interesting and attractive Lois (Catherine Davies).

Meanwhile in present-day Australia, a much older Danny (Brian Lipson) keeps vigil at his beloved Lois’

bedside. Featuring martial arts sequences, this play is based on the story of playwright Lally Katz’s parents. (GW) Until Jul 17 (Tue 6:30pm, Wed–Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm + 8pm, Sun 5pm).

Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $49-$72.Tickets & info: belvoir.com.au or 02 9699 3444 HAMLET: PRINCE OF SKIDMARK Children’s theatre duo The Listies have teamed up with the Sydney Theatre Company to do a ‘badaptation’ (bad adaptation) of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. One half of The Listies and Co-creator of this production, Richard Higgins explains the show as “two guys...battling the odds to try and do a four hour show with 30 characters in an hour”. (AMal) Until Jul 17.Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4/5 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $25-$64.Tickets & info: sydneytheatre.com.au

pay homage to classic video games.

This exciting new production reunites the creative team from Life Like Touring, who first collaborated with Warner Bros. Consumer Products back in 2011 with their first locally written production, Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries, which performed for 65,000 Australians over three years. Teresa has teamed up again with composer Craig Bryant and choreographer Katie Ditchburn, along with a world-class local cast of music theatre professionals.

This show will have old and young fans on the edge of their seats.

“Come and have some fun, come and sing and laugh with Scooby-Doo and have a great time,” Teresa enthused. (TF) Jul 15 & 16, various show times.

Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $29.90-$69.90.

Tickets & info: scoobydoolive.com

RESIDENT ALIEN Quentin Crisp was a curious phenomena.The English writer and raconteur’s acerbic wit and deliberate androgyny made him distinct.

His look and voice were utterly unique, making any depiction of him without caricaturing challenging and difficult. Paul Capsis has taken on that challenge in Resident Alien. Set in 1998-99 in Crisp’s famously filthy, derelict New York apartment, the monologue is an uncensored show-reel of Crisp’s abrasive candour, intuitive wisdom and incisive intellect.A melding of extraordinary talent and kindred spirit makes this a show not to be missed. (RB) Until Jul 23.The Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre, Cnr City Rd and Cleveland Street, Chippendale. $28-$48.Tickets & info: seymourcentre.com PROOF David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play comes to Sydney. Catherine spent years caring for

her genius, yet mentally unstable father.

He was her idol and her world.With his death, she is left alone and lacking focus.

As she attempts to pull her life back together, she becomes concerned that she might have inherited both her father’s genius and predisposition to mental illness. Proof explores the human condition, and in particular the need to connect and trust each other. (RP) Until Jul 30, various show times.

New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown. $25-$35.Tickets & info: newtheatre.org.au/proof YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN Everyone knows the Peanuts comic strip. Inspired by the minimalist approach of Charles Schultz, Clark Gesner wrote his musical based on the beats of the three-frame comic strip.Taking just five characters, he’s distilled them into short vignettes, using the innocence of children to tackle adult concepts.This production from Hayes

Theatre is not just for kids, but for everyone to remember how it used to be and how it can be. (GW) Until Jul 31, various show times.

Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point. $45-$55.

Tickets & info: hayestheatre.com. au or 02 8065 7337 APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH Agatha Christie’s classic novel has been transformed for the stage.The theatrical version focuses on the Boynton family.

The sadistic matriarch of this clan rules it with an iron fist, which oppresses her relations until a shocking tragedy turns everything upside down. Set in the ancient Middle Eastern city of Petra, this drama will surprise, delight and titillate the audience with its unexpected twists and turns. (LR) Until Aug 20. Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney. $25-$30.

Tickets & info: genesiantheatre.com.au city hub 14 JULY 2016

11

THE NAKED CITY

ALL ABOARD THE ARK ENCOUNTER!

With Coffin Ed, Miss Death and Jay Katz Coffs Harbour has the Big Banana; Broken Hill is home to the Big Ant; and Williamstown, Kentucky has the very, very big Ark. Noah’s Ark in fact, and the latest in a burgeoning number of biblical theme parks in the good old God’s own USA. It’s not the first time somebody has constructed a replica of Noah’s Ark, but the 155m long, $100 million Goliath is certainly the biggest and easily the most expensive. The brain child of expat Brisbane teacher Ken Ham – the so called ‘early earth’ Christian, creationist, fundamentalist – the Ark is the much hyped companion piece to his wacky Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky.

The ‘Ark Encounter’ is now open for business, complete with a healthy Federal tax exemption and adult tickets ranging from $40 a pop.

The theological spin is that the world is only 6,000 years old and the Ark a mere 4,000. Inside the massive wooden structure punters can discover a menagerie of animatronic critters and the usual bunch of out of work actors dressed as biblical figures. (For those interested, the Ark is “now hiring”.)

There’s a neighbouring zoo of real live animals, a family style restaurant titled Emzara’s Kitchen and a sugary takeaway snack labelled “Creative Kernels”. No actual thrill rides as far as we can see, but whether you are believer or not it looks like a piece of gargantuan Mount Rushmore style kitsch that would be hard to resist on any tourist’s schedule.

Ever since the closure of Sydney’s Wonderworld in 1990, not to mention the old Smokey Dawson Ranch at Ingleside, we’ve been crying

out for a real American style theme park. Maybe it’s time we went the biblical route (all the way to Damascus), had a good browse through the bible for inspiration and came up with something to rival the Williamstown Ark. Ham’s Creation Museum features dinosaurs roaming the earth a few thousand years ago, and perhaps we should follow suit by snapping up the entire Clive Palmer collection from his bankrupt Sanctuary Cove.

Maybe it depends whether we go New or Old Testament, but our

money is on the latter because most of the funky stuff happened there.

There’s one thing that the Williamstown Ark doesn’t do, and that’s float – not unless God gets cranky, the heavens open up and Kentucky is flooded in some modern day biblical reprise.

Hey, why not build a version of Noah’s Ark that actually does float, not just on Sydney Harbour but all the way to the Apple Isle and back, replacing the once popular Spirit Of Tassie that once plied the route.

Rather than stocking it with dopey Disney style animatronics, let’s go with an all Aussie cast of marsupials and other cuddly critters – wombats, wallabies and even the odd Tassie Devil (a symbolic reference that Satan walks amongst us).

Passengers would be encouraged to don the appropriate Old Testament garb and a rotating team of Noah’s assembled to conduct the various on board activities – like keeping the animals from mating, blowing out the five hundred candles on Noah’s birthday cake, and the odd game of Sumerian deck quoits (if such a thing ever existed).

Pilgrims will no doubt flock from all over the world to ride the Ark from NSW to Tassie, with a wharf lined with gas-fired burning bushes welcoming them to the port of Devonport. Eventually the sheer demand would see a flotilla of Arks, shuttling between the two states, carrying both the converted and the curious, not to mention the odd disciple of Richard Dawkins.

Finally we leave you this week with an appropriate quote, not from the bible and not from a shameless cynic, but from an entirely unknown source: “Noah was a brave man to sail in a wooden boat with two termites.”

Bleu Blanc Rouge Festival

If you love croissants and wine, have a knack for French films and fashion, or have a love affair with The Lourve – the Bleu Blanc Rouge Festival has got you covered.

Held over four days, the festival is an event that celebrates all things French, immersing Sydney-siders within the culture, food and lifestyle you would expect directly from Paris.

The four day open air festival will be transforming Sydney’s iconic Circular Quay into a unique and interactive space that completely revolves around all things French, while also incorporating other European nations.

The BBR Festival begins on Bastille Day (or French National Day), and kicks off the celebrations with a free party event with a DJ playing. Festival director Vincent Hernandez revealed that it is his favourite part of the festivities.

“It’s a free event and it’s one of the best parties in HOSSIEN VALAMANESH – CHAR SOO This video installation places the viewer at the centre of a four-way intersection in an Iranian Bazaar. Filmed with stationary cameras placed at eye level, the viewer stands at the centre of a crossroad, passively observing. Char Soo, translated as “four sides”, provides a nexus for Valamanesh – literally, in terms of being the main intersection in the bazaar, but also to anchor Valamanesh’s 12

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Sydney. People will be dancing and enjoying music, just like they do in France on Bastille Day,” he said.

You can expect a variety of artistic events and delicious stalls, spread over three villages. Hernandez said this year differs from previous years, as they are “bringing in snow as a part of the Canadian snow island, giving people the opportunity to experience a snowy Circular Quay”.

Punters can also take advantage of the open air cinema, screening French cult classic films, watch a cabaret show, or take part in cooking masterclasses with leading French chefs.

Hernandez says the spectacular festival “allows French visitors and the people of Sydney to have the opportunity to celebrate France the same they do back home.We are bringing in the culture and food of Europe to Sydney so everyone can experience it”. (MR) July 14–17. Circular Quay. Free and paid events.

Info, sessions and bookings: bbrfestival.com.au

thought as he explores themes of boundary and translocality. This work is presented at Carriageworks in collaboration with the Sydney Film Festival. (ZS) Until Jul 17, 10am–6pm. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. Free. Info: carriageworks.com.au/events/char-soo/ MONTAGES: THE FULL CUT, 1999-2015 This exhibition gathers artist

Who experiences the ever-changing nature of Sydney city like no one else? Bus drivers do.

Bus TV, an interactive video exhibition, will introduce a number of Sydney’s bus drivers, who will give their perspective from behind the wheel of the world we live in and the changes they see in it. Bus drivers, who work all hours of the day and through any condition, have the greatest exposure to what is going on in our city.

Laura Grace, the producer of this exhibition, spoke to a number of bus drivers around Sydney and one of the major changes that they have observed is the way that passengers or commuters travel since the emergence of smart technology.

“You get some real characters amongst bus and train drivers,” Laura said.

Although, with everyone being too busy on

Tracey Moffatt and editor Gary Hillberg’s eight collaborative films. Moffatt and Hillberg present a series of montages of cinematic representations of topics such as violence against women, blackness and indigeneity, and artists’ work. Moffatt and Hillberg’s interest in the representation and reconstitution of the social world in cinema undergirds their collaboration, but what animates it is a waxing and waning social optimism. (ZS)

their smartphones, passengers these days don’t seem to make as many connections as before. “We just get on and off buses and trains and interact in all sorts of public spaces, but we are kind of removed from the space,” she said.

By creating this exhibition, Laura is hoping that she can show people the humanity of bus drivers. She wants to make people think more about other people, where they are and who is around them.

Bus TV consists of five short videos of about three minutes each. The exhibition will also be re-opened in early August for an event at the Chrissie Cotter Gallery. (TF) Jul 13–24,Thurs-Sun 11am-4pm. Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Pidcock Street, Camperdown.

Info: marrickville.nsw.gov.au/chrissiecottergallery

Until Aug 10; Mon–fri 11am-5pm, Sat– Sun 11am-6pm. Artspace, 43-51 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo. Info: artspace.org.au FRIDA KAHLO AND DIEGO RIVERA Sydney finally has the opportunity to see the works of these famed Mexican artists in our city. This expertly curated exhibition features 33 iconic paintings – including Kahlo’s ‘Self portrait with monkeys’ and ‘Diego on my

mind’ (both 1943) and major examples of Rivera’s canvas paintings – interspersed with a tapestry of photographs and letters which tell the story not only of the couple’s artistic careers, but of their turbulent relationship, passionate activism and love for their homeland. (AM) Until Oct 9. Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road,The Domain. $8-$18 (multi-visit passes available).

Tickets & info: artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE

By Jamie Apps sold-out Sydney and Melbourne shows in January, US breakthrough artist Bridges will make his anticipated return visit with his six-piece band in tow; His mesmerising live show paired with distinctive soul-blues-gospel styling, making him an unforgettable live act.

Mon, Jul 18, Enmore Theatre Sam Tsui & Hugo Schneider: Sam Tsui is a top-notch vocalist, and Kurt Hugo Schneider is the master of many musical instruments. Combined, Sam and Kurt are the masters of medleys and mash-ups – celebrated for their creative spins of top 40 music and united by a love of music and entertainment. This week the duo will finally perform in Sydney for the first time.

Tue, Jul 19, The Concourse Peter, Bjorn & John: Still buzzing with the release of their new album Breakin Point this month to critical acclaim, Sweden’s Peter, Bjorn and John have surprised Australian fans with one more thing to get excited about, they’re performing in Sydney this week.

Wed, Jul 20, Metro Theatre Spring King: The UK garage rockers continue their march towards the release of their debut album by travelling down to Australia to perform for their fans. Having developed a fearsome reputation as a barnstorming live force, this show is one worth taking the time to check out.

Wed, Jul 20, Oxford Art Factory

It is proposed that one coin and card payphone be removed from: Outside 395 Oxford Street near Newcombe Street, Paddington NSW 2021 (Payphone ID: 02933201X2) The next nearest coin and card payphone is located: Outside 457 Oxford Street, Paddington NSW 2021 (approximately 170 metres away from the proposed location) (Payphone ID: 02936116X2) Reference Number 26769

Mumford & Sons – Johannesburg

In today’s ridiculously commercial and repetitive music scene comes a fresh sound: Mumford & Sons’ latest EP, Johannesburg – featuring Baaba Maal, The Very Best and Beatenberg – is an interesting and different musical journey.

The lead single ‘There Will Be Time’ is a nice blend of western lyrics, afrobeat rhythms and various foreign dialects (the album is inspired by the band’s South African tour). The EP comprises of five new tracks, all offering a unique listening experience yet sharing a unified sound.

The collaborations work in favour of the taste of the album, and each artist has lent a special something to the tracks. Mumford & Sons have stuck to their ‘rootsy music’ base and all in all, this is a musical success for the band and a great blend of different genres. (JR) WWW1/2

in the past. Now focussed entirely on his solo project 316, he is set to release his second full-length album. As Ian explained creating the music as an independent artist has never been the difficult part for him, rather it’s the “marketing and getting people to find the music online”.

Ideally this is where support form the local hip-hop scene would support artists and help them get this exposure, but from Ian’s experience this hasn’t been the case. “There is this sort of ‘pick me first’ mentality because the scene in Sydney is so young the support hasn’t transferred over from simple collaborations, yet but I can see that it’s still growing,” Ian said. “Apart from that though there are so many really really talented people involved, from rappers to producers to dancers and graffiti artists who all just need that little bit of promotion.”

Jul 22, 9pm. Valve Bar/Agincourt Hotel, 871 George St, Sydney. $15 door sales.

Info: facebook.com/316themenace

Tanzer – Four Love Songs by Tanzer

This is a short collection that shows a lot of variation. Tanzer takes a different approach on each of these love songs, pin-pointing different phases in the aspects of falling in love.

Her accompaniment helps set the mood, changing from an operatic orchestral background to dance beats, finishing off each individual piece and setting them far apart from each other.

It is also difficult for the listener to respond, observing each changing track without connection. Tanzer is alone, she sings strongly into the void to a lover that may not exist, and to listeners that may find it hard to connect with what they have heard. (SP) WW

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This passion for hip-hop spurred Ian to begin creating his own music, having produced four solo and two group projects

Licence No. 173676c

M.E. Baird: Having taken some time off from his former project to write and record a new album, the northern NSW songsmith never could have imagined the rough path he would encounter. During the process he endured the deaths of his mother, father, sister and nephew, which created a deeply personal confessional style album which will be showcased tomorrow night.

Fri, Jul 15, Django Bar Why We Run: After two and a half years of work the Sydney four piece have just released their debut album Holograms and are excited to showcase their hard work to fans this week. For the launch, the band is collaborating with artist Aly Indermühle, who is making a customised lighting piece for their set, designed to interact with their live performance.

Fri, Jul 15, Plan B Matt Gresham: Earlier this year Gresham performed a sold-out tour across the west coast, and will now bring his live show to intimate rooms around the country.

Sat, Jul 16, The Oxford Circus MUM – (Masters, Undy, Mannell): Sima’s series of winter jazz concerts continues with a great double bill featuring the truly eclectic trio Mum and the dynamic guitar duo of Ben Hauptmann and Arne Hanna.

Sat, Jul 16, Seymour Centre Leon Bridges: Following on from

By Jamie Apps What started as a simple interest in how music was made by a 12-year-old boy quickly grew into a lifelong passion, which has all been leading to this moment.

Sydney based producer 316, also known as Ian Otieno, is so excited and proud to be launching his second full-length album as a fully independent artist.“As a kid my main goal was just to learn how music was made but when I got deeper and deeper into it I wanted to do it myself more and more,” explained Ian. When Ian immigrated to Armidale from Kasumi, Kenya, at the age of seven, music became an integral part of his life, listening to music from all around the world. “I wish I could name specific people that have influenced my music over the years but I’ve been influenced by way too many different styles and artists,” reflected Ian. “I started getting into hip-hop around 12 or 13 and since then every artist has moulded my style.”

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city hub 14 JULY 2016

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Swiss Army Man

Occasionally a movie can be so deplorable that it’s surprisingly arresting and amusing to watch – but not in this instance.

Fans of the Harry Potter franchise will be repelled by Daniel Radcliffe’s latest choice of ‘quality’ film roles, where he plays a farting corpse who helps a man (Paul Dano) marooned on an island back to civilization. This vastly unfunny ‘alleged comedy’ is unashamedly overloaded with gross gutter-level toilet humour which exploits human bodily functions and is obnoxious and obscene.

In accepting this role not only has Radcliffe buried his Harry Potter image once and for all,

but he may also have lost credibility as an actor and inadvertently killed off his own career.

Only a writer with such a virile imagination could have penned such a bizarre story in which audiences will be intimidated and encouraged to make an early rush for the cinema exits by a talking corpse who has irrelevant conversations about girlfriends, sex and masturbation.

Buried deep beneath this abhorrent rubble of nonsensical absurdity lies a fleeting moment of redemption where an intelligent and very relevant statement on society is delivered, but unfortunately it’s too little too late. (MMo) W1/2

Sing Street This Irish musical comedydrama set in Dublin 1985 is a delightful coming-of-age film which concerns the awkwardness of first love, aspirations for a better life and faded dreams.

Cosmo (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is a 15-year-old boy who forms a band to impress Raphina (Lucy Boynton) a 16-year-old mystery girl who aspires to be a model. From school dag to punkster he transcends, the excitement of the band and his new found love a welcoming deterrence from the hardships he’s experiencing at home.

Detracting are some of the strong Irish accents, which are incomprehensible at times, and the initial slow pace of the story, but interest builds once the band forms and play an array of catchy new songs written especially for the film. A great selection of hits from popular bands of the 80’s including Duran Duran, The Cure, Spandau Ballet and The Clash are also included on the soundtrack and add to the 80’s atmosphere to the film.

Ultimately this is an entertaining, feel-good film and romantics should be extremely satisfied by the predictable and highly improbable, sugarsweet conclusion. (MMo) WWW1/2

The Legend of Tarzan The Legend of Tarzan boasts a stellar cast that incudes Alexander Skarsgard, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson and our very own Margot Robbie as Jane.

Waltz delivers yet another electric performance as a power-hungry career villain, while Jackson brings some much-need comedy to his role as Tarzan’s sidekick.

Robbie manages to hold her own among a pack of Hollywood heavy weights, despite being frustratingly confined to ‘damsel in distress’. Jane has so little influence over her own fate, let alone the fate of others, that Jackson’s character can only remark “nice dress” at the end of the climactic battle scene.

GOLDSTONE In this spin-off to director Ivan Sen’s previous offering Mystery Road (2014), troubled indigenous detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pederson) returns to hunt for a missing person and discovers a trail of corruption, human trafficking, murder and corporate greed. Sen – who also wrote, filmed, edited and scored this drama-driven thriller – must be complemented for producing a gem, marvelled for its masterful production values and the breathtaking cinematography of the sun-drenched Australian landscape.

(MMo) WWWW MAGGIE’S PLAN This film breaks out of the traditional rom14

city hub 14 JULY 2016

The return to the Congo also sees the return of some stale ideas about the white man’s place in history. The film is a massive missed opportunity to authentically portray the African experience at the hands of European colonisers in the late 19th Century. Instead, Africans are confined to minor and passive roles, merely providing a colourful backdrop to the more developed story of Tarzan and Jane.

Looks like audiences will have to continue to wait to see the other side of the story on the big screen.

(CB) WW1/2

com genre with levels of high-wit and a fetishisation of academic wit.

We follow Maggie (Greta Gerwig) as she falls pregnant with John (Ethan Hawke), a ‘ficto-critical anthropologist’s’ child. The film then plays out a love triangle between Maggie, John and his previous wife Georgette (Julianne Moore) a stern, intelligent woman, who is used to getting want she wants. Maggie’s plan remains smart and funny throughout. (JF) WWWW THE WAIT This French-Italian co-production tells a stunning and powerful story about grief, love and loss. Anna’s son has died in mysterious circumstances.

Suddenly, his unknowing girlfriend, Jeanne, arrives at the family home and together the women wait for his return. They develop a relationship which delves into the meaning of family, ageing and denial.

The film is almost painterly in execution. Each scene is set with nuances of colour which enhance the atmosphere of secrecy and pain. (LR) WWWW THE MEASURE OF A MAN Iconic French actor Vincent Lindon stars in an understated yet moving social drama that explores the degrading process of being unemployed and living off meager state benefits. Lindon’s

performance is stunningly poignant as he is subjected to the humiliation of pointless job interviews and slow-moving bureaucracy. Acclaimed director Stéphane Brizé adds to the film’s realism with his ensemble cast of non-professional actors, who together depict the economically marginalised. (CB) WWWW EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!

An American college based romp, the movie opens with freshman baseball player Jake, driving to his new frat house to the strains of ‘My Sharona’ and steadily descends into a self-indulgent, supposedly funny look at male bonding and

team building. With a cast that looks like they are several years too old for their adventures, the protagonists experience every trope of the genre. (LR) WW ME BEFORE YOU A romantic drama that paves a lightheartedness throughout a confronting, profound context.

Luisa (Emilia Clarke) is breathtakingly charming as caretaker for a recently paralysed Will (Sam Claflin). While the story has its predictabilities, it also has surprises within them. Some are calling this film controversial in regards to the underlying topic of euthanasia¬ – but if you’re open to

characters making their own decisions in a film, you’ll find that Me Before You, puts you first. (RM) WWW MUSTANG Set in a small village in Turkey, five orphaned sisters are wrongfully accused of inappropriate behaviour with boys and are transformed into house prisoners by their grandmother and watchful uncle. They must learn to cook and sew in what can aptly be described as a “wife factory” as their marriages are arranged. Effectively scripted with high production values and fine performances from a predominantly young cast. (MMo) WWWW

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city hub 14 JULY 2016