City Hub 26 October 2017 by Alt Media

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city hub 26 OCTOBER 2017

No light at end of tunnel BY JOS H KI N DL The state government has been unable to find a contractor to construct the Rozelle Interchange as part of WestConnex Stage 3. Gladys Berejiklian’s government rejected the only bid it received to build the proposed interchange, which if completed would help connect the M4 and M5 motorways. Nathan English, co-convenor of Eco Transit, says the failure of the government to find a contractor to complete the interchange is sending a message to the general public that the project may not be feasible. “It’s collapsing under its own weight,” he said. The Rozelle interchange is the primary feature of WestConnex’s controversial Stage 3, which plans to link the M4-M5 tunnels via two four-lane, underground tunnels travelling each way between Haberfield and St Peters. The interchange will also be accompanied by three 35 metre exhaust stacks built in the Rozelle Rail Yard, which many complain will compromise local air quality and jeopardise the health of nearby residents, particularly children. Supporters of the project tout the improved travel times that will follow its completion, while critics say that the interchange’s complex design, huge cost and associated pollution concerns are not worth the hypothetical benefits. Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover More, says that the nature of Stage 3 will lead to challenges in sourcing a suitable contract to complete the project and deliver on the government’s promises. “I’m not surprised that the N SW Government was unable to find a tenderer for a project that is so fundamentally flawed in its design and vision,” she said. “Due to the scale and the severe engineering challenges associated with the proposed interchange, it’s no wonder that

Nathan English, co-convenor of Eco Transit. Photo: Josh Kindl

construction companies are telling the N SW Government to abandon this project by walking away from the tendering process,” she added. A spokesperson from the Roads and Maritime Service says that, despite the failure of the government to attract a suitable contractor for the project, company interest in building Stage 3 remains strong. “Initial respondents remain interested in exploring alternative procurement solutions,” the spokesperson said. The state government has also met considerable opposition from residents in the Inner West, as well as various community

groups and the Inner West Council, following the recent release of Stage 3’s Environmental Impact Statement (E I S). The E I S was immediately controversial amongst WestConnex’s opponents as it was released less than a fortnight after government stop taking submissions for the project’s initial concept design, leading many to believe that the government wasn’t listening to their concerns. An Inner West Council spokesperson said that this brief turnaround gave “Council and the community the impression that consultation on WestConnex Stage 3 is rushed and tokenistic.”

Anne Picot, organiser for the WestConnex Action Group group and Inner West resident, agreed. “They hadn’t taken into consideration all of the objections that had been lodged on the concept design because they published the E I S within 12 days of having received those objections. “It meant that community consultation was a complete sham,” she said. Recently, the Coalition Against WestConnex (CAW), a network of community organisations, mobilised in a show of protest against the project, handing in over 10,000 handwritten submissions from local citizens who feel that the project will do more harm than good. This dwarfs the number of submissions to the concept design, which totalled approximately 1500. Ms Picot hopes that a greater number of submissions to the project will oblige the government to listen to the voices of the people Stage 3 will affect most. “It’s political pressure to try get the volume up to make sure that they couldn’t say that the community isn’t concerned about this. “The concerns we have expressed are real,” she said. The government is currently seeking bidders from the private sector to buy a 51 percent stake in the Sydney Motorway Corporation (S MC), the sale of which would help fund Stage 3. Mr English believes that privatisation of WestConnex and Stage 3 will ultimately harm the ability of the taxpayer to keep organisations accountable for the execution of public infrastructure projects such as this. “Once they get approval and then sell S MC to the private sector… they’ve sold the rights to design the project, to build the project, to own it and operate it and maintain it,” he said.

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BY ALEX EUGENE Small businesses suffering a downturn in revenue because of the bungled Sydney Light Rail construction could soon have a dedicated Member of Parliament defending their rights. Independent City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas plans to enter state politics as leader of the ‘Small Business Matters Party.’ After fighting uphill battles in local government for the better part of a decade, she says she “hasn’t stopped getting angry” about the mistreatment of small business owners, and now believes representation for the neglected community must exist at both a state and federal level. Also the owner of Cafe Vivo on George Street, the secondterm councillor has watched her visitor numbers steadily decline in the three years since light rail construction began. Constant drilling and bleeping, unsightly scaffolding, confusing pedestrian detours and erratic traffic changes have all turned the once thriving George Street into a dismally unappealing destination, causing customers to shun the route and take their money

Angela Vithoulkas is setting up the Small Business Matters Party. Photo: Alex Eugene

elsewhere. After two years of advocacy, tirelessly imploring City of Sydney Council to address the dilemma, a small win has finally come through. Just two months ago, the state government announced rent relief would be offered to businesses negatively affected by the construction chaos. But Cr Vithoulkas says it’s too little too late. Many businesses on the path have already closed down, and still more are endangered, missing out on rent relief because they don’t fit the stringent criteria. “Hundreds of small business owners have been calling me

every week, asking me what to do,” she told City Hub. “But it’s taken two years to get the government to acknowledge there was a problem. If it took me that long [as a councillor,] then what chance does anyone else have?” Shockingly, Cr Vithoulkas revealed that 98% of all businesses in NSW are small businesses, and that of those, 50% are employers meaning a hefty majority of voters directly rely on small businesses for their financial livelihood. “We’re the ones with the majority of businesses in NSW. We employ a lot of people in

NSW, so we’re the ones that keep the economy going. Yet we’re ignored completely. “Why isn’t something done at the beginning [of project planning]? Before contracts are signed, before anything is a done deal, why isn’t someone watching, monitoring and asking how that’s going to affect small business? And what are we going to do to mitigate that?” she said. “At election time, we get ten minutes, and then we’re ignored again,” she concluded. Cr Vithoulkas is currently campaigning across Sydney to sign up as many members as possible for the new party. A minimum of 1,000 supporters are required in order to have the group officially registered and qualify for voting. The deadline to join Small Business Matters is Friday 27 October, but the group already have more than half the members they need. “We’re going hell for leather,” said Cr Vithoulkas, visibly spirited despite all adversity. Membership to the Small Business Matter Party is free. To join, visit: angelavithoulkas. com.au/join-small-businessmatters-today. city hub 26 OCTOBER 2017

Birds’ eye view BY ALEC SMART This is National Bird Week and to coincide with avian awareness the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count is underway until Sunday 29 October. The aim of the count is to promote awareness of our feathered neighbours, as well as encourage a citizen-scientist method of recording bird numbers. The 2016 bird count involved 61,418 participants, who observed 1,403,788 birds from 576 different species across Australia. Established in 2014 by non-profit bird conservation organization BirdLife Australia, last year’s count remained unchanged for the third year running, with the rainbow lorikeet claiming the top spot as the most populous bird. “The most commonly seen bird in NSW is the same as the one seen nationally,” Sean Dooley, spokesperson for BirdLife Australia, told City Hub. “In NSW, there were 73,000 rainbow lorrikeets recorded, almost twice as many as the next most common bird.” The vibrantly-coloured and sociable parrot was followed by the noisy miner, Australian magpie, sulphur-crested cockatoo, galah, red wattlebird, house sparrow, common myna, silver gull and welcome swallow. Interesting to discover that, despite its ubiquitous presence in our cities, pigeons – often disparagingly called ‘rats with wings’ due to their commonality and ability to thrive on human leftovers – didn’t make the top ten. Nor did the white ibis – more comically known as the ‘bin chicken’ due to its propensity for foraging through garbage skips. Although many bird species are in decline across Australia, thanks to predation by cats, foxes and other carnivores introduced by humans, and competition from invasive species like the Indian myna, the Backyard Bird Count doesn’t reveal significant reductions.

BirdLife Australia spokesperson Sean Dooley reveals why this is difficult to determine. “We only have three years of data. In terms of being able to definitively say what the trends are, we have to be careful.” When introducing backyard feeders to encourage birds, advisers suggest that larger species don’t need help, as it’s the smaller ones, like sparrows, that face the biggest threats, such as habitat loss and cats. “Most of the birds in the top ten count are the larger, more aggressive birds,” says Dooley. “The rainbow lorikeet is quite pugnacious and in some areas they’ll out-muscle the very dominant Indian mynas. Another bird in the top ten is the noisy miner, a native honeyeater that’s an ultra-aggressive species that drives out small birds. The sulphur-crested cockatoo, the magpie and red wattle birds are also in the top ten and they’re all tough, aggressive species that are doing well. But the smaller birds like the wrens, robins and smaller honeyeaters – the indicators are that they’re disappearing.” Ultimately, the biggest threat to all species of birds, particularly the smaller ones that nest and hide in ground-level bushes, are cats: domestic, stray and feral. Feral cats, a top predator and one of the most invasive species in Australia, have been linked to the decline of various native fauna including groundnesting birds and small native mammals, and are believed responsible for the extinction of around 20 native Australian species. Feral cats cover 99.8% of Australia at a density of one cat for every four square kilometres, according to research published in the Journal of Biological Conservation in January this year, which compiled data from almost 100 surveys completed by 40 environmental scientists from different institutions. In 2015, former Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced plans to kill 2 million feral cats, which, predictably, ignited the fury of vegetarian pop singer

Lorikeets, Australia’s most populous and popular bird. Photo: AlecSmart

Morrissey and former actress and animal rights’ campaigner Bridget Bardot. The Department of Environment and Energy’s Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats (2015) reveals methods they employ to reduce the feral cat population. “Control of feral cats is challenging as they are found in very low densities over large home ranges and are shy, making them difficult to locate. Many native animals are struggling to survive, so reducing the number killed by this introduced predator will allow their populations to grow. Poison baits intended for feral cats must be laid on the ground (as cats, unlike other feral species such as foxes, will not dig up a buried bait). In the northern and eastern states of Australia, poison baits lying on the ground can present a significant hazard to wildlife species. The Department of the Environment has developed a new bait for feral cats called Curiosity® that is designed to minimise or remove this hazard.” This month, the ABC revealed that cats kill more than a million birds across Australia every day. “To provide a first national assessment of the toll taken by cats on Australian birds, we have compiled almost 100 studies detailing the diets of Australia’s feral cats. By combining data on the cat population, hunting rates and spatial distribution, we calculate that they kill 377 million birds a year. “In a related study, we also compiled records of the bird species being killed by cats in Australia. We found records of cats killing more than 330 native bird species — about half of all Australia’s resident bird species. Our results also show that cats are known to kill 71 of Australia’s 117 threatened bird species. Birds that feed or nest on the ground, live on islands, and are medium-sized (60-300g) are most likely to be killed by cats.“ Despite the threat from cats – both feral and

domestic – BirdLife Australia’s Sean Dooley believes we can help increase small bird numbers. “There are two things the average household can do to help smaller birds. One is to make your garden more small-bird-friendly, mainly by planting shrubs and ground cover. The aggressive birds, like the noisy miner, don’t like them much as its not favourable habitat to them. A lot of the smaller birds eat insects, so it provides more food for them, but it also, most importantly, provides more shelter for them to nest unhindered, but also to retreat when the larger aggressive birds, like ravens, currawongs and noisy miners, come into your garden. The other thing is to keep cats indoors. That is clearly of benefit to all native species.” The Aussie Backyard Bird Count continues until Sunday October 29, accessible by a smartphone app or online, with a field guide built into the app and on the website to help you identify birds. Visit https://aussiebirdcount.org.au to register. Sydney Park, St Peters, is hosting bird-watching events this weekend, including Urban nature and birdlife photography on Saturday - bookings: whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/urban-natureand-birdlife-photography And Kids go birding on Sunday - bookings: eventbrite.com.au/e/kids-go-birding-tour

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Woollahra Council does 180 on skatepark BY ANITA SENARATNA Woollahra Council is reconsidering a controversial proposal for youth recreational facilities in Rushcutters Bay Park. Crs Anthony Marano (Liberal) and Matthew Robertson (Greens) put the issue back on the agenda at a recent council meeting, with support from the Residents First party who has councillors in all five wards. The proposal, in response to community feedback about the lack of facilities for older children in the area, includes a skate park, basketball court and table tennis tables at the far end of the park near New South Head Road. When the proposal was first introduced earlier this year, some residents were concerned about the potential noise and environmental impacts of the facilities, particularly the skate park. “It just sort of erupted when people started hearing about it,” said Dixie Coulton, former Deputy Lord Mayor and member of community group Friends of Rushcutters Bay Park. Rushcutters Bay Park, the proposed site of the new skatepark. Photo: Anita Senaratna “At one point there were three different petitions going around. No one needed stirring according to a Fairfax article published in May people, but it’s just in the wrong spot. It’s not a up or asking to do anything. It was a spontaneous this year. young people versus old people thing; it’s to do outburst from all different people of varying age Residents First councillor Louise Elsing from the with preserving the green space and quietude of groups and backgrounds.” Cooper Ward said the Council was “committed to the park. You’ve got to have some space that’s free Friends of Rushcutters Bay Park was one of making sure that community spaces are properly of structures and that space down there provides many groups in the area who spoke out against utilised.” for that,” she said. the development. The debate got so heated “We need to find out what communities want Ms. Coulton said the park served an important that even federal MPs got involved. The park and we need to make sure that’s being delivered,” purpose for residents, many of whom lived in is located roughly on the border of the federal she said. small apartments and terrace houses with limited electorates of Wentworth and Sydney, represented Ms. Coulton was critical of the way the green space of their own. by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Deputy media had, in her view, portrayed the debate as “People use it as their own garden space, their Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek respectively. a generational war between young people and space to go and walk and talk and have some time While Mr. Turnbull believed the proposal was older residents. Although she has no issue with out, and to put in another structure would impact “not sympathetic to how the park is currently the prospect of another skate park in the eastern upon that. It’s about quietude and space. It’s used by its visitors”, Ms. Plibersek was in favour suburbs, she does object to it being in Rushcutters people’s backyard,” she said. of it, observing that as a former resident of Bay Park, proposing the larger Centennial Park as Clr Harriet Price, the Residents First member AHNhad newspaper W128mm recreational X H158mm Oct 2017 an PRESS.pdf 17/10/2017 10:23 AM the area, she noticedad it “lacks alternative1 location. for the Paddington ward, where the park is facilities for older children and young people”, “I’m a great supporter of exercise for young located, said families in the area were “crying out”

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for more recreational options for older children. “I know that a lot of young families in the area were disappointed when [the proposal] didn’t go through last time,” she said. “It was a big issue that families raised with me during my campaign during the election. “What is lovely is everyone loves Paddington so much that we don’t leave, but obviously our children get older and bigger, and small Paddington terrace houses and backyards don’t really have the room. To have a facility like this so close would be fantastic.” She said there had been “a bit of a misconception” around the proposal, noting that the skate park was only one part of the project, and it would be considerably smaller than the large concrete bowl that currently exists in Bondi. “What it’s tailored at is the 8-14 year old age bracket, but it’s seen as a family outing,” she said. “I think there’s a bit of a scare campaign that it would be large groups of youths in the skate park… it was more that families would go down there on a Sunday, they would be able to get a coffee from the coffee shop in the park, enjoy the lovely views and the children would go and use their scooters or shoot a few hoops, then all go home for the afternoon. I don’t think it’s going to be this lawless, graffiti-infested concrete pit.” The council will prepare a report based on the findings of the needs analysis and survey they conducted earlier in the year, with the aim of minimising the impacts on residents as much as possible. Clr Price said that while she does understand the concerns around the project, the council is hoping to work with the community to create facilities that are in everyone’s best interests. “People got scared and it’s a shame that happened,” she said. “I think there was a lot of opposition to it, but we hope to be able to work with the community and come up with something that’s going to suit everybody.”

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Invasion Day averted in Inner West BY JESSICA DE VERA New citizens may soon receive an invitation to be sworn in as Australian citizens during NAIDOC Week instead of Australia Day. Inner West Council will be the first council in NSW to initiate and hold a citizenship ceremony during NAIDOC Week, which is held in the first week of July each year. Mayor of Inner West Council Cr Darcy Byrne said, “I personally love Australia Day citizenship ceremonies, because they are so joyous, but I also share the belief of many Indigenous and nonIndigenous Australians that January 26 symbolises the start of the colonisation and dispossession of Aboriginal people.” With the Inner West Council focused on efforts for reconciliation, it appears this may be a step in the right direction. Currently, under the Department of Immigration’s Australian Citizenship’s Ceremonies Code, Australia Day (January 26) and Australian Citizenship Day (September 17) are the only two ‘Special Event’ days listed. But councils are encouraged to host citizenship ceremonies every two to three months regardless of the number of candidates. Cr Byrne intends to write to all prospective new citizens offering the new ceremony as an alternative citizenship ceremony to Australia Day as well as providing an opportunity for everyone to recognise and celebrate the Aboriginal history of the local area. “I’ll invite them to be sworn in, if they choose, at a ceremony that will specifically and proudly celebrate the history, culture, achievements and resilience of Aboriginal and Islander people,” he said. The Inner West Council’s announcement has been met with mixed reactions from the public, with many discussions pitting NAIDOC Week against Australia Day. “NAIDOC Week is a time to acknowledge and celebrate aboriginal history, culture and achievements

A ceremony to welcome new Australian citizens. Photo: Supplied

fleet invade Australian shores and raise the Union Jack – is shameful. The Greens are committed to changing the date so that as a community we can all celebrate our national day without it falling on a day that attempts to airbrush the damage and destruction that was inflicted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a result of colonization.” But reports from The Department of Immigration and Border Protection do show that 38 councils across Australia have held citizenship ceremonies during NAIDOC Week in 2017hardly a threat to the millions of Australians who still choose to celebrate on January 26. Mayor Darcy Byrne said Council will work closely to consult the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community when planning the ceremonies, and the Council has the support from The Department of Immigration and Border Protection. “The Department would be supportive of assisting local government councils to schedule citizenship ceremonies during NAIDOC Week, to help celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and as an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society,” said the spokesperson for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. A spokesperson for the Inner West Council said, “Inner West Council is seeking advice from members of Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Reference Group (SRG) regarding the current way in which Council engages with Australia Day and also a proposal to hold a citizenship ceremony during NAIDOC Week which focuses on indigenous history and culture and the history of colonisation and survival of Aboriginal Australians.” The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Reference Group will be meeting on November 14 to discuss the proposal in further detail.

and the significant contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make. If offering a citizenship ceremony as part of local NAIDOC Week celebrations is something that is supported by local Aboriginal elders and communities in the inner west then this is a welcome initiative – but it must not be used as a way to avoid dealing with the big issue,” said Jenny Leong, Greens MP for Newtown. A spokesperson for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said, “Neither the Australian Government nor the Department would support the politicisation of citizenship ceremonies, including providing clients with the option to ‘opt out’ of Australia Day celebrations in favour of attending their citizenship ceremony some six months later.” “This new ceremony can be a moving and respectful way to acknowledge the ongoing

hurt and discrimination Indigenous people have suffered, as well as educating new citizens about the strengths of the world’s longest continual human civilisation, which has existed here for so many millennia,” said Mayor Darcy Byrne. The citizenship ceremony alternative, also referred to as the ‘Australia Day Snub’ was featured on Sunrise where Richard Glover said, “[Australia Day] was the beginning of European colonization and also the beginning of Aboriginal survival.” Andrew O’Keefe, TV presenter and co-host of Weekend Sunrise, also said, “If you don’t feel an attachment to the British realm because of your background, why are you going to have an attachment to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders?” Regardless of the new citizens’ allegiances, Jenny Leong said, “The fact that our national day still remains on the 26 January – a day that saw the first

Roads and Maritime Services Sydney Harbour Bridge Access Lifts Proposal - Have your say

Pizzeria & restaurant Alberto’s Pizzeria Restaurant was established 33 years ago and has been successfully catering to the locals of the Inner West ever since. Quality food, huge servings and a wide selection make Albertos a must-dine experience.

The NSW Government is investing in projects to modernise and improve access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This proposal is an important part of modernising the Sydney Harbour Bridge precinct. Roads and Maritime is seeking your feedback on the proposal to build step-free access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, from street level to the pedestrian footpath on the bridge, by building lifts near the stairs at each end. We have prepared a Review of Environmental Factors and are seeking feedback from the community until Sunday 12 November 2017. You can view or download the Review of Environmental Factors report at rms.nsw.gov.au/sydneyharbourbridge. We will also host two community information sessions as part of the consultation process: When: Tuesday 31 October 2017 6pm – 8pm

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Shutter disgrace: snappers in a flap BY JADE MORELLINI 80s pop icon Adam Ant, performing in Sydney last week, issued restrictive waivers demanding photographers relinquish copyright on images of him taken in concert. Subsequently, many photographers boycotted his shows. Photographers are often exploited by artists in the music industry, who expect them to work for free and hand over images without receiving royalties. On occasions, performing artists make unreasonable demands in their waivers, requesting full copyright of their images while photographers gain no credit in return. Veteran concert photographer Rod Hunt said, “It’s a difficult situation to be in if you’re a photographer and you haven’t been made aware of that condition in advance. I was in a similar situation once, but I knew in advance that such a condition was included. I was able to tell my editor I wasn’t comfortable signing the photo release form and he agreed it was unreasonable, so I didn’t shoot the gig. If you don’t find out until the night, it can put you in a very tricky situation.” Photographers understand the restrictions that may be applied at concerts, but it questions where the line should be drawn. Adam Ant, currently touring Australia, is one example of an artist making excessive demands from photographers. He issued a waiver insisting they pass over full copyright of one of ten photos taken during the concert. Professional photographer Glen Morgan said, “I wouldn’t have signed that waiver. He requested the choice of which photograph he wanted and then have the rights to one afterwards and use it for whatever he wanted. That might mean his next album could have photos on it and the photographer will get nothing for it, not even a credit.” Dave Bruce, CEO of live music website Amnplify, whose photographers recently refused to sign Adam Ant’s waiver, said, “There are legal boundaries, but there are also ethical boundaries and these are the ones many photographers have an issue with. The photographers own the photos and having an artist demanding the photographer sign over the rights to what they own is not a reasonable practice.” Making these unreasonable demands

on it and that doesn’t always happen. Many bands use the photos to promote themselves and they’ve just cropped the watermark out.” Recently, Australian rock legend Nick Cave sent his fans a tweet asking them to send him the images they take during his concert as he and the Bad Seeds are “forever in search for press photographs.” Photographers turned to Twitter to express their frustrations at his search for free photographs from fans that may potentially replace professional photographers. “I was disappointed to read that,” said Hunt. “You know the artist’s management who are making the request don’t work for free, but it appears that they’re happy to use people’s photos for free. It undervalues the work of music photographers, many of whom have made Nick Cave look very good over numerous years.” Photographers deserve the same rights, expectations and respect as the artists; bands don’t perform for free so they shouldn’t expect that from photographers. “In my experience of many years now, artist issues over photographer rights is not a common thing,” said Bruce. “It doesn’t seem to be increasing to a huge degree, so when it does occur, it does create a stir.”

Adam Ant in concert. Photo: Alec Smart

without crediting the photographer greatly devalues their work, as a lot of time is put in to creating these images. “It’s not just turning up, photographing and leaving,” Morgan said. “It’s not that simple, there’s a lot of editing involved and there is a lot to purchase.” Photographers are invited to photograph these concerts; however, they are often told to leave after only a few songs. “There are different grades of shows,” said Bruce. “In most of the major shows, photographers can shoot three songs without flash and then they must leave, [but] sometimes it’s two songs, sometimes it’s only one.” Many photographers don’t get paid for their photos, so the bare minimum they wish to receive is some credit. “My aim is to promote the band as good as I can and get paid for it,” said Morgan. “If I can’t get paid the only other option I have is to let them use my photos with my watermark

Photographer Glen Morgan is one of many who prefers not to sign restrictive waivers surrendering copyright. Photo: Glen Morgan

MEET the locals

Happy hour a real page turner BY JADE MORELLINI Edition Bookbar is not your typical bar. It is a booklover’s dream, with hundreds of highly acclaimed novels available to read and purchase from all over the globe. This unique mix of a bookshop in a bar allows customers to read, eat and drink, choosing from a large selection of fiction and non-fiction books, foods, wines, beers, spirits and cocktails. Located in Pyrmont Ultimo, it is getting increasingly popular, especially since the introduction of happy hour. The manager of Edition Bookbar, Chris Howley has been working there since February this year. “We have Happy Hour every day we’re open, Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm to 7pm,” said Howley. “The deal remains the same every night: $6 beers, ciders, house wines and house spirits. “We also have exclusive Happy Hour deals depending on the day. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays we have Espresso Martinis for $10; 10

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on Thursdays we offer the Gin Cocktail menu for $10; and on Fridays we have two glasses of Prosecco for $15.” Edition Bookbar provides customers with a great night out with friends, or a great night in with some brilliant, classic novels. The food on offer ranges from appetisers, bagels, toast, artisan bruschetta, sandwiches and quesadillas.

They also have tasting plates and cheese plates to share, which can be washed down with a nice glass of wine or one of their many impressive cocktails. Adding a special touch to their cocktail menu, Edition Bookbar have writer-themed cocktails, such as the Gin Fitzey, Sex on the Chisel Beach and Bloody Mary Shelley, for all booklovers to indulge in. For those who prefer a simple non-alcoholic drink

to accompany their novel, Edition Bookbar has them covered, providing coffee, tea, juice and soft drinks. They also have a variety of desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. Edition Bookbar holds an event every few months, inviting authors and publishers to visit and share information on their upcoming releases. In the past this has included non-fiction author and publisher Alan Whiticker; author Sally Hammond; and author John Merrick all made appearances to share their stories with the customers. Edition Bookbar are open on Mondays by appointment only and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 10pm. On Friday and Saturday they are open until midnight and on Sundays they are closed. The Edition Bookbar is affordable, particularly during happy hour for those on a tight budget. It provides a fun, yet relaxing atmosphere for customers to socialise, dine and discover new books.

FEATURE

Black Lives Matter

By Rita Bratovich When George Zimmerman was acquitted of killing unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2013, America’s entire black population responded with anger, disbelief and disillusion. Three women - Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi distilled the nation’s sentiments into a potent three-word phrase, shared as the hashtag: #BlackLivesMatter. The following year, the unpunished police killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in New York inflamed black Americans, and Black Lives Matter went from a protest cry to a movement. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) Network is now a decentralised global entity with over 40 chapters. It has just been awarded the 2017 Sydney Peace Prize - the first time the prize has been given to an organisation and not an individual. Lisa Fennis, Director of Sydney Peace Foundation who awards the prize, explains why. “Substantive change comes from transformation – transforming people, norms, culture, laws, institutions and power structures… Whilst individuals can have great impact, nobody does that on his or her own.” The internationally recognised prize was established in 1998 by Sydney Peace Foundation, a not-for-profit principally supported by University of Sydney and City of Sydney. Previous recipients include Naomi Klein, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, Noam Chomsky, Julian Burnside and Pat Dodson. The prize is also awarded to lesser known champions of peace who can benefit greatly from the esteem. Awardees are asked to come to Sydney to receive the prize and give a lecture and the three co-founders of BLM, Garza, Cullors and Tometi will accept the prize on behalf of the BLM Network and give a talk at a ceremony to be held at Sydney Town Hall. The tenets of the BLM movement clearly have resonance in Australia. While Fennis says we should be careful not to homogenise the issues of black people around the world, she acknowledges commonalities. “Even though the roots aren’t the same, the human rights issue is, particularly when it comes to the racism that underlies jailing, policing, inequality, and poverty.” And she shares some sobering statistics. “In the US, more black people are locked up in prison than were enslaved. Here in Australia,Aboriginal people are the most incarcerated people in the world.Aboriginal children are taken from

Boyd, who was responsible for much of the blackbirding, had his unwitting captives sign indentures.This along with the minuscule pay they received meant that, technically, the Islanders weren’t slaves, although by every other definition they undeniably were. Initially they were brought to Eden on the northern NSW coast to work in the whaling industry, but eventually the majority were taken to the sugar cane fields in Queensland.This forced labour helped establish Australia as one of the leading producers of sugar. Ironically, the practice ended in 1901 with the introduction of the White Australia Policy and the consequent mass deportation of Islanders. Davis would like this history to be taught in schools alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies with whom Islanders feel an affinity. “It’s very confronting but this is the truth of the nation and we need to tell that truth.” During the week long visit by the BLM founders,ASSIPJ will host talks on murders in custody and have family members of victims meet with their parents at a rate four times as often than during the Stolen the founders to discuss ways in which they can work together. Generation. In Western Australia, Indigenous suicides are eight times Zachary Wone has been active with ASSIPJ for the last three years as the national rate, and children as young as eight years old are taking well as being Secretary of Maritime Union Australia, Sydney Branch, their lives.This is by all standards an international crisis.” Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders committee.The committee BLM co-founder, Garza, remarked after a previous visit to Australia. represents black workers in the maritime industry.Wone points out a “People in Australia tend to highlight how big BLM is in the States, unique problem for Australian South Sea Islanders; they are neither but Australia has some serious, serious issues around black lives indigenous people, nor immigrants and as such, they fall between mattering.” cracks when it comes to services and government programs. Part of the problem for the Australian black community is that “We have to keep retelling the story, and retelling the story…” the general population has a lack of knowledge - or reluctance to says Wone. accept - Australia’s own egregious history of human rights abuse. In Queensland the Islander community is bigger and their union is One story that is rarely told is that of the kidnap and enslavement getting stronger but there is a long way to go for recognition and of Pacific Islanders from the mid 1800s in a practice known as justice. Wone feels encouraged by the BLM movement. “blackbirding.” “For us watching from Australia we were very inspired by what Emelda Davis is President of Australian South Sea Islanders - Port BLM was able to do - bring back greater attention for issues that Jackson (ASSIPJ), an organisation that advocates for recognition have really been there for centuries.” and support for descendants of those Islanders. Her own grandfather was taken from his home in Vanuatu and brought to 2017 City of Sydney Peace Prize Lecture Australia at the age of twelve. & Award Ceremony. Up to 60,000 Pacific Islanders from Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Nov 2, 5:30-8pm. Sydney Town Hall, 483 George St, Sydney. $25-$45. Papua New Guinea and many other islands were kidnapped or www.sydneypeacefoundation.org.au coerced into boarding ships from mid 1800 to 1903. Slavery had www.assipj.com.au, www.blacklivesmatter.com already been abolished by the British Empire, but entrepreneur Ben Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors & Opal Tometi. Photo: Ben Baker/Redux Pictures

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Me & My Girl

Neglected Musicals is showcasing Broadway’s 1980s hit Me & My Girl, in Australia for the first time in 20 years. An unrefined gentleman named Bill finds out he is the 14th heir to the Earl of Hareford, but his romance with lower class Sally may be the one thing standing in the way of gaining his inheritance. Actor Kirby Burgess said: “It’s a very old musical set in the late 30s… it is a story of the two upper and lower classes coming together and shows what their true values are...” Presenting the show in a way never seen before, the actors will only be given one day to rehearse the musical before they have to get on stage with their scripts and a piano accompaniment. “It’s designed to be a different version every night, you never know what’s going to happen… we get one day of rehearsals and then we put it on, having from 9am–6pm to put it all together which will be interesting.” Full of slapstick humour and comedy, Me & My Girl will be a joy to watch with its cockney slang and beautiful ballads. “I want people to have the best time ever and laugh along with us… it’s just such a funny show, you definitely can’t take it too seriously, but in between all this comedy and slapstick you have some really beautiful music…” Burgess said. Playing the part of Sally, who Burgess described as “very cockney and much lower class… so genuine, so in love”, she believes it’s easy to relate to the characters who were written so skilfully long ago. “It’s such a great project to support, you get to see great shows in a realm you have never seen before, it’s like stepping in and watching a rehearsal project, so it’s really special being invited into that world as an actor,” Burgess concluded. (JM) Until Oct 29. Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011. $47.Tickets & Info: www.neglectedmusicals.com.au

Shane Mauss - A Good Trip

Having recently tied up a 100+ city tour throughout the US, Shane Mauss is bringing his psychedelic comedy routine, A Good Trip down under. The show involves a mixture of storytelling, stand-up and a little education on the history, laws and science behind the world of psychedelics. “It’s an interesting subject as are the stories that go along with it. There has been a lot of research and people are starting to realise the benefits associated with psychedelics” Having personnel experiences with hallucinogens such as mushrooms, DMT and LSD, Shane explained why mushrooms were his favourite choice, “I don’t like to lump them in the same category as other drugs, a lot of those are addictive where you can’t take psych’s every day. With mushrooms, you come out of it

Photo: John Marmaras

Rose Byrne talks about stumbling into seeing A View From The Bridge as a nerdy sixteen-year old drama student and she was never quite the same again. It has that sort of effect

city hub 26 OCTOBER 2017

on people. Widely regarded as Arthur Miller’s finest work, Redline Theatre brings the show to the Old Fitz after a three-year process to secure the rights.

Common Anomalies is a triple bill of solo dances by young artists, vastly different in style, exploring their cultural identities. The three works will explore each of the performer’s unique personal histories. The performances adapt breakdance, visual art, contemporary techniques, vogue and folklore styles in dynamic vignettes. Each performer’s work will have a unique approach however the common thread between the pieces is the anomalies of each artist – the fusing of things rarely seen together, to create something unique and personal for each. Performer Carl Sciberras said, “Myself, Imanuel [Dado] and Bhenji [Ra] all hail from families with diverse Asian and European backgrounds. Our ancestry, our experiences and our communities directly impact our decisions, our views and our approaches to making. Although we are very different artists working in different ways, these solos are all

a&e

knowing what’s going on, you will think about what happened on DMT for the rest of your life and you can’t tell too many people you’ve gone and talked to an alien, you might just end up in the psych ward.” Combining his experiences with knowledge, Shane also has a science podcast, Here We Are where he has been working with the subject of psychedelics for quite a while. “It happened quite organically, I’d tried a few shows with the subject of psychedelics and the audience loved it.” Using psychedelics to deeper understand the mind, Shane is an advocate for the studies and rights of these drugs and has been for the last 20 years. His show is a one of a kind, hilarious and an insightful trip, but should you ask Shane whether to attend the show on psychedelics his response will be “I think that’s a waste. I’d rather

12 STAGE 13 Sounds 14 SCENE 15 SCREEN

come to my show straight and decide what adventure to take after.” (RH) Oct 28. Comedy Store, 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park. $39+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.comedystore.com.au

Eddie Carbone is a New York, longshoreman from a good Italian family. He’s the father of the household but also looking after his niece, Catherine who he cares for just a little too much. He’s a good man, devoted to his wife, his family and a promise once made, but is he in love with his niece? It’s ambiguous. “You can never quite unpick it no matter how many times you read it,” says director, Iain Sinclair (Of Mice and Men, All My Sons, Our Town), “That’s the extraordinary territory that Arthur Miller mines.” Perhaps the genius of Miller’s play, is that it draws the audience across shifting moral boundaries, then blurring the lines, tying them into more and more complex knots.“This is his ‘Lear’ I think”, says Sinclair,

Common Anomalies

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

“Everything matters. Every relationship is elemental and fundamental.The moment anything is put out of place the whole world breaks into chaos”. The normally immersive - almost claustrophobic experience - of the Old Fitz, where the audience is almost literally inside the heads of the cast, is ratcheted-up with traverse seating, custom built for the show.At a hundred minutes and no interval, expect to slowly have your heart and soul twisted to breaking. Stay for a drink in the front bar at the end – you just might need it. (GW) Until Nov 25. Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo. $35-50. Tickets & Info: www.redlineproductions.com.au

personal expressions. This program is an important and exciting venture for us and we’re excited to share it with audiences.” FORM Dance Projects have become the dynamic hub for contemporary Australian dance in Sydney. FORM’s aim is to support Australian choreographers in all stages of their career; develop artists’ national profiles; provide valuable professional development opportunities; engage with the local community, including young people and cultural performers from Western Sydney, in meaningful ways; and connect with audiences. Get out and support some of the most promising young talents during this short season. (JA) Nov 2-4. Riverside Theatres, Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta. $28-$35+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au or Ph: (02) 8839 3399

Contributors: Alannah Maher, Alicia Sim, Athina Mallis, Barbara Karpinski, Caitlin Burns, Chantal Walsh, Craig Coventry, Daniel Jaramillo, Emily Shen, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, James Harkness, Joseph Rana, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Peter Urquhart, Rita Bratovich, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Zeiya Speede, Jade Morellini, Alex Eugene, Manuel Gonzalez, Tommy Boutros, Riley Hooper & Taylor Martin.

The Wharf Revue 2017 The Patriotic Rag

Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf Revue has rolled around again with a plentiful supply of satirical humour based on the year’s political events at home and abroad. First-timer Blazey Best brings her brand of craziness to this year’s comic confection titled, The Patriotic Rag. Blazey was tailor-made for the female roles in this production, if

only on the basis of her name. What were her parents thinking at the christening? Furthermore, Blazey is prepared to look ridiculous on stage, a suitable qualification for the Wharf Revue. “There is no room for vanity in live theatre,” she says. Drew Forsythe needed no preparation to look ridiculous on stage.“I’m afraid it comes naturally,” he says, and adds,“[but]

you do have to be prepared to become the people you ridicule – people like Pauline Hanson, Bob Katter and Vladimir Putin.” Jonathan Biggins says he became the class clown at school,“largely to prevent being beaten up.” While human keyboard Phil Scott was, as a kid, obsessed with comedy and comedians,“It seemed only natural that this would be a part of my career,” he says. Trumping the Aussie pollies this year will no doubt be the arch Trumpeter himself, tweeter extraordinaire, Kim Jong-Un taunter and Puerto Rico denigrator. And given the recent exchanges between Troublesome Trump and Korean Kim, there has never been a more electrifying time to be alive. (ID) Until Dec 30.Wharf Theatre, Pier 4/5, Hickson Road,Walsh Bay. $25-$71+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au

According to Artistic Director Jeff Khan, “This year’s Liveworks includes our biggest selection of works from the Asia Pacific region to date. The artists hail from across Australia as well as Korea, Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines: we travelled the world to develop this festival and it was a joy to research the program and bring it together.” Now as Liveworks heads into their second weekend the City Hub has compiled our list of highlights to check out. Carrion by Justin Shoulder: Seemingly alone in a vast, strange world, Carrion wanders through an archaeological site uncovering objects. As Carrion’s journey unfolds, we glimpse startling new truths about simulation, consumption and worship in our age of excess and acceleration. 7 Ways by Geumhyung Jeong: In seven peculiar “duets” with mundane objects (ranging from household appliances to mannequins), Jeong bestows a bizarre and disconcerting life to the inanimate through

Liveworks 2017

Carrion

intense and risky interaction with her own body. Combining dance, puppetry, and a technical mastery of theatrical conventions, the result is a moving choreography of the body and mind. Day For Night: Performance Space’s much-loved Day For Night presented with Carriageworks and Mardi Gras also returns in 2017 and joins the Liveworks program for the first time. A

celebration of queer performance and party culture, Day for Night will bring together a host of Australia’s finest queer artists, performers, DJs, musicians, and lovers in a glorious collision of club culture, contemporary art and new performance. (JA) Until Oct 29. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh. $15-$35+b.f. Tickets & Info: www. carriageworks.com.au

As Australia becomes much more enamoured with the American tradition of Halloween we must all remember not to exclude our little furry friends. Thanks to Waterloo’s My Vet Vet Animal Hospital Sydneysiders have the perfect opportunity to dress up both themselves and their pets for a fun afternoon out, that also supports a great cause. The Sydney Dogs And Cats Home have been doing phenomenal work sheltering homeless pets off all creeds for the past 71 years. Sadly though they’re being evicted from their home in the name of redevelopment, but there is hope yet! They have plans for a new purpose-built centre, one that the community can be

proud of and one that will house the many animals needing a temporary home. All proceeds from the Howloween Pawty will go towards funding this new home. For pets the event will have a wonderfully generous high tea table featuring pet friendly cupcakes, cakes and lamingtons. The event will also feature a costume runway and carnival games so your little companion will be spoilt for choice. Of course the human attendees won’t feel left out either with a high tea table and a selection of photo booths and props to take some fantastic pictures with your pets. (JA) Oct 28. Commune Waterloo, 901 Bourke St,Waterloo. $25+b.f.Tickets & Info: www. myvetanimalhospital.com.au

THE NAKED CITY

BICYLE THIEVES

With Coffin Ed In case you hadn’t noticed Sydney has a problem with dockless rental bicycles with both Councils and citizens alike complaining about the way they now supposedly clutter our footpaths. In some cases there’s been downright public hostility with bikes thrown onto roofs or dumped in waterways. Whilst many have embraced this cheap, pollution free means of transport, others have vented their fury. One of the evening TV news broadcasts actually showed an angry elderly Sydneysider dumping discarded helmets in a rubbish bin – a ‘wonderful’ endorsement of road safety in its own right! Thankfully some of our more progressive Councils have suggested ways in which the rental bikes can be regulated with Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne leading the way. Byrne has met with a number of the bike

share operators and hopes to establish a common plan for the five most central councils in Sydney – Inner West, City of Sydney, Randwick,Woollahra and Waverley. How this will unfold remains to be seen but it’s a shame operators like the Singaporean based oBike, who have distributed their distinctive yellow bikes worldwide, didn’t approach their January Sydney startup with a more consultative and strategic plan. Perhaps they underestimated both the amount of community spirit and social co-operation that a city needs to embrace such a scheme. Whilst the latter is forthcoming in many Asian cities, there’s lots to suggest we have yet to reach that level of urban intricacy. Put it simply we are still home to thousands of mean arsed bastards who get a thrill out of defacing public transport, stealing anything that isn’t nailed down and leaving a trail of garbage and cigarette butts wherever they travail.

Mercifully the anti-social brigade are in a minority but there’s enough of them to make life difficult for the various bike rental operators and those members of the public who welcome such schemes. And sadly, despite dedicated cycle paths and a number of public education campaigns, there’s still a strong antagonism towards cyclists in a city obsessed with motor vehicles and building even bigger tollways to accommodate them. Maybe if we had wider streets like Melbourne and Adelaide as well as European like boulevards, instead of former cattle tracks now called roads, we would be more inclined to welcome the bike rental schemes that are now prevalent worldwide. In the meantime let’s hope some sanity can prevail and Councils will get together to both regulate the operators and ensure their financial future. Let’s also prosecute the morons who dump helmets in rubbish bins and throw bikes in the river. Finally here’s an unlikely scenario for the apocalyptic future. Sydney is under immediate threat from a nuclear missile strike from Kim Jong Un.There’s a massive panic as millions of citizens flee the city in whatever mode of transport they can access.The roads are totally gridlocked and traffic has ground to an absolute standstill.Thousands of dockless rental bikes litter the city’s streets offering the chance to beat clogged exits and ‘weave’ your way to safety. Unfortunately they are all but useless. Some have been irreparably vandalised but the majority are still quite rideable.The problem is that are all unlockable – the Chinese and Singaporean companies that control the Apps to unlock them have long since left the country, totally disillusioned with the way they have been treated. Kaboom!

city hub 26 OCTOBER 2017

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

The Legend Of Zelda: Symphony Of The Goddesses

By Jamie Apps

Polaris: The upper echelon of our heavy music hierarchy needs to make a little room as SouthSydney five-piece Polaris’ debut album The Mortal Coil is set to have them forcing their way into the mix.Tonight Sydney have the chance to hear the record live. Thu, Oct 26, Oxford Art Factory Northlane: In the spirit of supporting emerging talent, Northlane opened up the floor to their fans, asking them which local bands they wanted to see open the Mesmer World Tour in their city. After listening to hundreds of submissions, Northlane have personally chosen Erra, Sworn In and Easy Life. Fri, Oct 27, Enmore Theatre Davey Lane: Years of learning from many local and international songwriting greats have seen Davey himself grow in turn as a songwriter, with a smart pop sensibility, a keen ear for a big chorus and a surreal turn of phrase. Sat, Oct 28, The Union Bernard Fanning: Will take in all Australian states in venues handpicked to showcase the on-stage musical chemistry between Bernard and The Black Fins; Salliana Campbell on fiddle and backing vocals, Matt Engelbrecht on bass, Andrew Morris on guitar and Declan Kelly on drums. Sun, Oct 29, The Factory The Bronx: This Los Angeles band are what punk needs! They harness the genre’s classic fire but then bend it to their whim, forging rock n’ roll swagger together with hardcore grit. Originally forming in 2002, the band has gone through a variety of iterations, including the esteemed Mariachi El Bronx, but no matter what, they stay true to their evolution of hardcore punk. Mon, Oct 30, Oxford Art Factory

Northlane

Freedman Jazz: The finals of the Freedman Jazz Fellowship are always a memorable night and one charged with a real sense of excitement when the three Freedman Jazz finalists compete in a live “play off ” performance. This year’s contenders for the annual award are trumpeter Nick Garbett, trumpeter, composer Ellen Kirkwood and pianist, songwriter Emma Stephenson. All three have forged strong careers as both composers and outstanding instrumentalists. Mon, Oct 30, Sydney Opera House Nic Cester: Having sold six million albums over the past 10 years with incendiary Melbourne world conquerors Jet, Nic has been one of the most powerful voices in rock ‘n’ roll, with killer songwriting hooks and an unbeatable stage presence. This coming Tuesday Nic will launch his debut solo album, Sugar Rush, in Newtown. Tue, Oct 31, Leadbelly Folk Alliance Australia: The time is now to strengthen the work of the FAA on the home-front. As such in partnership with Australian Music Week they will be presenting a showcase of the best and brightest of Australian folk artists including Alice Skye, Fred Smith, Gawurra, Mama Kin, Neil Murray and more. Wed, Nov 1, Various Venues - Cronulla

By Jamie Apps Following the release of a new instalment in the Legend of Zelda franchise this year it only seems fitting that a special hybrid concert/visual performance depicting the game’s 30 year history will make it’s way to Sydney this weekend. For the creator of this show, Jason Michael Paul, simply being associated with the show, Nintendo and The Legend of Zelda has “truely been an honour” having grown up an avid gamer. “I’m 40 years old so I grew up on the Commodore 64, the NES, I played Atari and SEGA Genesis,” explained Jason, “Everyday that I get to do this show is the best day of my life.” The partnership with Nintendo for the Symphony of The Goddesses concerts eventuated following Jason’s initial foray into the video game concert arena some 14 years ago with his Final Fantasy concerts. As he explained to us, throughout the years the concept has made incredible leaps and bounds. “When I first started doing the Final Fantasy concerts I didn’t really know what I was doing. The idea was there but how we executed that was far from where we are now, so I would say now that if we had the same show with Final Fantasy that I have now it would be even more amazing.” For the Legend Of Zelda concerts

Jason was privileged to work alongside the original composers of the music in order to create a core of five symphony movements representing key eras in the games legacy. That doesn’t however mean that the concert is stale and constrained by just those five key games. “As newer games are released we can incorporate those songs as interludes which allows us to stay true to the traditional symphony structure whilst also building upon the show and removing the stuffiness that can come with classical music.” Jason said. By formulating the music in this way and synchronising it with

Ria Hall - Rules Of Engagement

Timberwolf - Íkaros

Before listening to Ria Hall’s debut album, Rules Of Engagement, the only other time I had heard traditional Maori language in song was during the Haka at sporting events. Unsurprisingly given that the Haka is a war dance the language is aggressive in that particular display however throughout Ria Hall’s record the depth of the language is

The debut album from Timberwolf is filled to the brim with raw emotion. Throughout the 12 track offering Timberwolf has craftily composed songs which highlight his vocals whilst simultaneously accentuating the emotions they convey. The compositional elements are obviously highly influenced

explored magnificently. Blending Maori language and English with modern musical genres such as hip-hop, pop and indie-rock makes Rules Of Engagement a truely captivating listen. This is a record which greatly benefits from a full listen through in one sitting but can also be enjoyed as individual singles by anyone. (JA)

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The Midwife Catherine Frot plays Claire, the midwife of the title. She is even-tempered, methodical, and unassuming. Catherine Deneuve is Beatrice - the polar opposite of Claire. She is capricious, immodest and lively - and she was once the mistress of Claire’s father. Years after abruptly ending the affair and disappearing without further communication, Beatrice suddenly reappears 14

city hub 26 OCTOBER 2017

in Claire’s life. She has debts, no permanent address and terminal cancer. This unlikely pair is thrown together with forced proximity that allows them to reconstruct the past, challenge each other’s and their own values and ultimately reach some sort of closure. The performances are outstanding, with Frot and Deneuve giving depth to their characters and credibility

to a story that teeters on melodrama. There is enough humour, particularly from Deneuve, to prevent the film descending into morbidity, and excellent support from Olivier Gourmet as Claire’s would-be love interest, Paul, and Quentin Dolmaire as Simon, Claire’s directionless son. (RB) [French with English subtitles] WWW1/2

Tom

the visual elements from the games Jason says he has been able to draw out emotions from both fans of the Zelda franchise and those that have no prior knowledge. “I’ve seen multiple accounts from people who knew nothing about Zelda but they shared the same emotions as a long time fan. So you don’t necessarily have to be a Zelda fan to enjoy this concert, which is what I wanted, but we also hit on those buttons of a true Zelda fan.” Oct 29. Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $99-$154+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

by his musical icons, such as George Harrison, Jonathan Wilson and Steely Dan. Íkaros is a record which draws inspiration from the dreamy melodies of the 1960s but also adds a distinctive modern indie rock flair which should see this one caressing our ears long into the summer months. (JA)

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This bizarre, unconventional and very low-budget independent film is a whimsical fable, or perhaps more aptly, a fractured fairy tale which may initially confuse audiences as to what they are expected to absorb from the mildly comical drama. Kidnapped as a child, James (Kyle Mooney) is forced to live in an underground house where he watches a children’s series especially filmed for him by his captor called The Adventures Of Brigsby Bear, a show which spreads energy and positivity. When released by the lawenforces as an adult, James is returned to his parents and dreams of producing

a movie which ends the series, but must first conform to a world which he knows nothing about. Should James produce the movie with the original props and costumes which were literally tools utilised by disturbed people to imprison him for 25 years? Should he move on with life without Brigsby Bear who has until now been his whole world? Mark Hamill makes a rare screen appearance as the abductor in this strangely unique and distorted film which in the eyes of many movie-goers, may appear to unashamedly parody the evil crime of child abduction. (MMo)

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Without Consent Taking on an intense subject, Without Consent is a short film made by Diane Busuttil about forced adoptions in the late 1960s. Made as part of a Master’s Degree in Research at Macquarie University, the film’s story is told in a first-person perspective of the character’s own experience. Recounting the story of learning the history of her biological mother and the meeting of her grandmother, Diane paints a vivid picture of what life for a pregnant teenager without a husband or family support was like back when the taboo was in full force. The short film gives a well-researched insight into the lives of the mothers that were forced into adopting their children, the institutions in which they were held and the people running them. Without Consent is an informative and personal

film shedding light on a subject that has affected numerous children and mothers. The emotional recount is enhanced by the backdrop of beautiful Australian landscapes throughout. This short film provides a moving first-hand visual and audio story of a personal experience in forced adoption. (RH) WWW

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Home Again

Three up-and-coming filmmakers on the verge of a big break meet the recently separated Alice (Reese Witherspoon), who has just moved to LA with her two daughters. Penniless and with nowhere to stay, they are invited by Alice’s mother (Candice Bergen) to stay in their guest house when she takes a shine to them after discovering they are huge fans of her work as an actress in her younger days. Bonds are quickly formed, but with the

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unexpected arrival of Alice’s husband, Austen (Michael Sheen) the battle lines are drawn. American critics have blasted Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s directorial debut (who also wrote the film) as being bland and about white privilege (the latter being terribly out of vogue, it seems). In the end however, it is an enjoyable enough film about love, friendship, independence and how we create families. (CCov)

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W H ’S AT N

JOSEPH TAWADROS TRIO

THIS WEEK END!

Showcases the incredible talent of Joseph Tawadros, three time ARIA Award-winning oud virtuoso, along with his brother James Tawadros, and leading Jazz pianist, Matt McMahon.

SAT 28 OCT 7PM

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An exhibition curated by Wendy Harmer from our 5,000+ collection. Launch: Sat 4 Nov 2-4pm

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city hub 26 OCTOBER 2017