City Hub 6 July 2017

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city hub 6 JULY 2017

Midnight Shift the latest casualty of the nanny state

By Lawrence Gibbons This weekend one of Sydney’s oldest and largest gay night clubs closed its doors permanently. The downstairs bar at the Midnight Shift ceased trading on the weekend, and the pub is on the market.

For the time being the upstairs dance venue will remain open on weekends for special events.

On the evening of Sunday July 2nd -- on a bitterly cold winter’s night -- gay men and their friends crowded into the iconic Oxford Street bar for an old-fashioned wake. Hundreds of bears, twinks, rice queens, leather daddies and drag divas partied to pumping disco classics from a bygone era, to say goodbye for the last time.

For 35 years the Midnight Shift has sat at the epicentre of Oxford Street, Sydney’s gay strip. The loss of another large gay bar which was a large queer employer is a major blow to the local gay community. Since the State government introduced lockout laws three years ago, the number of gay bars on and around Oxford Street has plummeted with the Exchange, the Flinders, the Gay Bar and now the Midnight Shift closing-down and other once popular venues on Oxford Street struggling to survive.

Jackie McMillan co-founder of the Hellfire Club has watched Oxford Street’s decline first hand. Over the last eight years, the popular fetish event has been forced to move five times due to club closures on and around the strip. Last year the Hellfire relocated to the Midnight Shift after the Exchange Hotel closed. Now that the Midnight Shift has permanently closed its downstairs bar, the Hellfire’s long-term future on Oxford Street is in doubt. While McMillan has been assured that they can continue to have Hellfire events upstairs at the Shift, there are no guarantees the good times will roll on for long.

McMillan’s partner, Craig Donarski, the Director of the Casula Powerhouse believes that the inner city is being killed off by the twin forces of gentrification and gerontification. “Wealthy older people are moving from the suburbs into areas traditionally occupied by younger gay and artistic left of centre types. As older people take up residence in the city centre, they are creating a city to meet the needs of senior citizens. These are the people who most stridently support lockout laws,” he said.

Lockout laws were originally introduced to control the loutish behaviour of a few drunken hoons in the Cross, but Sydney’s queer bars have become collateral damage. While bar brawls and antisocial conduct may be features of some unsavoury straight drinking

bar with an edgy ambience still on offer in Berlin, Amsterdam or New York. In 2009 the City purchased the building to reduce late night anti-social behaviour. For seven years the building sat underutilised. Last year the City resolved to sell the T2 building back into private hands.

For the last few years our glitzy city has been going to bed early.

Suddenly Sydney is looking tired. We have started losing our edge in unexpected ways. According to a global ranking of world cities released last week, Sydney is no longer Australia’s number one gay city: That honour went to Melbourne which is ranked as the world’s 14th best city for gay men and lesbians; Sydney was ranked 32nd, behind Edinburgh, Stockholm and Helsinki.

To commemorate the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and to celebrate LGBT pride month in June, the online accommodation service Nestpick conducted an extensive survey of gay global cities, ranking them on the basis of openness, nightlife, safety, dating and LGBT rights. The study found the world’s top 10 gay cities were: 1) Madrid 2) Amsterdam 3) Toronto 4) Tel Aviv 5) London 6) Berlin 7) Brighton 8) Barcelona 9) New York City 10) San Francisco.

Melbourne was ranked 14th behind Paris, Montreal and Manchester.

Partygoers at the closing down celebration of the iconic Midnight Shift club in If you believe that Sydney is more cosmopolitan than our Sydney. Credit: Supplied southern sister, consider this: For LGBT nightlife Sydney was venues, gay bars have long served as safe spaces for the LGBTIQ ranked as the world’s 25th best city. Melbourne came in fourth community. behind Berlin, London and New York. The Emerald City is fast Much of the blame for the decimation of Sydney’s gay scene rests losing its bling. with a right-wing State government, who has killed off the city’s once Ultimately all tiers of government are to blame for Sydney’s low vibrant night life (both gay and straight). Still, the City of Sydney rating as a leading gay city, including the Federal government which has done little to revive the fortunes of the City’s once vibrant gay has stood in the way of legalising same-sex marriage in Australia. strip. As the largest property owner on Oxford Street from Taylor Our national reputation for tolerance and inclusiveness has been Square to Hyde Park, the City has had good reason to market badly tarnished by a cowardly, conservative Federal government. the area. But the City is loath to promote its urban precincts. As The world’s best global cities embrace diversity. Richard Florida, vacancies on the gay strip have risen, pop-up shops and office space the American social scientist argues that in order to compete for have been leased out to creative and cultural industries. But the City creative talent with a highly mobile global workforce, truly successful has done nothing to help drive traffic to the street. Currently, Town cities need to offer inhabitants and visitors alike a dynamic and Hall is considering a proposal to kill most marketing dollars spent on multi-faceted urban environment. Florida argues that one of the its village precincts, including Oxford Street. indicators of whether a city will attract “the creative class” is whether To understand Town Hall’s role in devastating the once pumping it has a vibrant gay neighbourhood. Creative professionals seek Oxford Street gay district, consider the City’s ill-fated ownership of bohemian, non-mainstream environments in which to live, work the T2 building on Taylor Square. The basement of the building was and play. Ultimately the world’s most successful global cities have once home to a thriving leather club, the Barracks: a subterranean thriving gay districts. Sydney can no longer afford to be second best.

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BY GEORGIA CLARK The installation of anti-terror bollards in Martin Place has aroused controversy amidst claims that the City of Sydney failed to consult with NSW Police about the development.

The concrete slabs, installed near the State Library late last month, have well and truly cemented their place in history this week, after Lord Mayor Clover Moore stood her ground against a staunch pushback, saying the bollards mitigate the risk of a carborne terror attack such as those seen in Westminster recently.

But Police Minister Troy Grant criticised the decision, saying that he was not notified of Council’s decision to install the barriers and that they cause unnecessary panic.

A string of emails released on Cr Moore’s website published last week show the City of Sydney consulting with police, including messages and calendar invitations showing the NSW Police conceding that barricades in Martin Place are a good idea, but rejecting the Council’s suggestion of installing flower beds.

“Not only did we consult police on the matter, they advised the City not to install flower beds as planned, but rather stronger concrete barriers,” she said.

But Troy Grant said he was not consulted and that the security measures should have been “communicated more broadly in the community so as to not create an environment of fear for residents and visitors,” he said.

Cr Moore said the City of Sydney will continue with measures to mitigate any civil terrorist threats and protect the public.

“These barricades, and others being rolled out in the area, will be replaced with more permanent measures, such as bollards, garden beds or other landscaping features that both strengthen security and ensure our public spaces are attractive,” she said.

Angela Vithoulkas, Independent Councillor for the City of Sydney said that the Council has an obligation to ensure that antiterror measures always involve consultation with the police.

“The way that the concrete blocks were dumped in Martin Place without Councillor consultation shows that Clover Moore’s priorities are not in step. Councillors are elected to represent the community as well but we weren’t consulted about this important

Anti-terrorism bollards have been erected in Sydney, but some say they will be an ugly eyesore. Credit: Supplied

issue and when we put forward other suggestions they are not supported.”

Clr Vithoulkas is putting forward a notice of motion at this month’s council meeting to address concerns raised by her electorate about potentially dangerous trucks and other terrorism hazards in laneways.

She said that at the last council meeting, the Clover Moore team indicated that a review of the laneways would be “too onerous on staff” which showed their lack of interest in consulting other councillors on such matters.

Ms Vithoulkas said it illustrated an abuse of power.

“The lack of consultation with Councillors and the Deputy Lord Mayor by Clover Moore and her team of Councillors and 22 staff show that when people have ultimate power they lose focus and make decisions without considering the consequences. This is the perfect example,” she said. city hub 6 JULY 2017

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Light rail construction derails small businesses

by Charli Shield The NSW Government and City of Sydney are facing backlash over problems caused by the construction of their $2.1 billion light rail project that local retail owners say is destroying the viability of their businesses.

Construction has been delayed for the second time since the project started 18 months ago, after 7 out of 10 construction zones on George Street have missed completion deadlines.

The light rail is now due to be completed in early 2019.

Small retailers on Sydney’s main street are suffering a revenue loss of up to 40 percent in the face of ongoing delays, according to George Street Vivo café owner and Independent City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas.

But Geoffrey Clifton, lecturer in transport and logistics management at the University of Sydney, says that a lack of historical records has made it impossible to accurately map the underground of the rail route.

“This is a known issue that has plagued the development of light rail around the world.

Even with the best people [working on the plans] in the world, it is very difficult,” he said.

“I think they’re doing the best they can in these circumstances.”

Ms Vithoulkas, however, is adamant that local business owners should not have to suffer at the expense of the transport upgrade.

“Minister [Andrew] Constance has compared us to farmers who experience drought. But when farmers go through drought they get money from the government.

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Sydney’s light rail project has blown out budgets, is running late and on top of it all is costing local businesses exposure and income. Credit: Jefzila (Flickr)

“There are hundreds of devastated small businesses right across the light rail route from the CBD to Anzac Parade, and collectively we are losing millions of dollars a month,” she said.

The discovery of disused underground utility and service cables along the CBD route has complicated progress, as each cable requires a lengthy negotiation process and poses potential design changes.

Urban planner and former Deputy Lord Mayor John McInenery says that such complications are the result of poor planning on behalf of the council and the state government.

“I think there are problems in the detail,” he said.

“George Street has been the major artery of Sydney from the very beginning. It has had everything from gas to electricity to water to modern telecommunication cables built into it.

“We would have thought it could have been mapped a lot better before the project commenced.”

There has to be compensation,” she said.

Despite the state government’s criticism of Labor over the disruption to small businesses caused by the Rozelle metro plan, Ms Vithoulkas says that neither Premier Gladys Berejiklian nor Sydney Mayor Clover Moore have responded to pleas for help from distressed local retailers.

Moore has been accused of prioritising her concerns about the design of the tram stops over those presented to her by devastated business owners.

Ms Vithoulkas says her café business cannot possibly recuperate without compensation for their losses from the government.

“My business is heavily devastated. My landlord has told me they won’t be renewing my lease because they will be able to put another tenant in at the end of the light rail construction and get more rent from them.

“I will have no future, no job, and no way of feeding my family. I have been living with a guillotine over my head for the past two years with two more to go. And I’m just one story,” she said.

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New hospital plans sicken Randwick residents

BY MEL SOMERVILLE The $720 million Randwick Health and Education Precinct expansion linking Prince of Wales hospital with UNSW announced in the recent Budget, came totally out of the blue for the Randwick Councillors.

The new Acute Services Building will see the demolition of 88 properties. 26 are owned by UNSW, with the remaining are a combination of private residences and a small number of businesses in Botany Street, Eurimbla Avenue and Magill Street.

Although Randwick Council has made no formal response as yet, the Randwick Greens councillors have. The Greens councillors are concerned about the forced acquisition of the properties and the effect on the residents, and want to see the properties acquired long term as they become available on the open market, as UNSW has already done with 26 of the properties concerned.

But the local precinct committee is wanting a backtrack on the decision to rezone and build high-rise residential properties at the Inglis/ Newmarket stables site. They want the new emergency department, extra beds, new operating theatres, and expanded rehabilitation and ambulatory care facilities built there instead.

Randwick Greens Councillor Murray Matson will be putting a motion to the next Council meeting, seeking to implement a policy that will recognise the benefit to local residents and the local economy in supporting an expansion of the local hospitals and UNSW, but not via the recently announced program of forcibly acquiring private properties.

“This will cause community dislocation, stress and financial hardship to effected residents. My immediate concern would be for the financial well-being for the present property

The proposed Prince of Wales hospital upgrade is up against a development application for apartments.

Abbamouse (Flickr)

owners, and I would like to see the local Greens investigate that particular perspective,” Cr Matson said.

“We advocate that any expansion for the hospitals and UNSW be based on UNSW’s previous long-term expansion program of acquiring adjacent private properties, only when they become available on the open market with no compulsory acquisition,” concluded Cr Matson.

But Andrew Roydhouse from the Kingsford South Precinct Committee believes the nearby Inglis/Newmarket stables site at Barker Street should have been used for the hospital expansion instead.

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“We have the compulsory acquisition of people’s homes versus the site that is five hectares, it’s already going to be vacated and would cause no public consternation. In fact, the public was calling for it not to be turned into high-density development to create even greater gridlock in Randwick, and prior to the change in State Government, three government departments had recommended against the approval,” said Mr Roydhouse.

The Inglis/Newmarket site is adjacent to existing State Public lands; Randwick Boys High, Randwick Girls High and Rainbow Street Public School. It is on the primary access

route to the hospital, whereas this new site is effectively being built on a cul-de-sac, with now only one lane up High Street. Emergency service vehicles cannot come down High street, as it has been blocked off to make way for light rail.

“The Inglis site is zoned for high density, proposed building to start in 2019 with around 900 units, thousands of square metres of commercial and retail space, and only half the car parking required by State and Local Council regulations. Prior to the State election I organised a petition and got over 12,500 to oppose the development,” said Mr Roydhouse.

“The decision to expand the hospital campus isn’t something that was just made overnight.

This is something that has been planned for some years,” he said.

“Why didn’t the residents have knowledge of this? Some properties have only recently changed hands.”

The Barker and Avoca Street intersection, which would provide the primary access for accident and emergency of the hospital, is in a state of gridlock and cannot accommodate the thousands of additional vehicle movements per day should the proposed high-rise development go ahead.

Liberal local member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith stated the acquisition process is already underway.

“It is being conducted in line with the reforms to improve the property acquisition process announced in October 2016 by the NSW Government in response to the Russell Review. From a project perspective, the affected properties will be required in the second half of next year. Health Infrastructure is committed to working closely with the affected residents and owners throughout the process,” he said.

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New citizenship requirements test locals

By Soraya Perez Mohammed Last Saturday, Australian Permanent Residents met at Town Hall to protest against the government’s Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment Bill, introduced to parliament on 15 June.

The organizer of the event, Penny Howard, explained the protest calls on the government and parliamentarians to stop the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment Bill, to lift the freeze on current citizenship applications, to stop the attacks on migrants and and stop misrepresenting existing requirements for citizenship.

“Thousands of people live, work and raise families here on a temporary visa. Right now, three of those years count, but many more people spend many more than three years becoming a permanent resident. The significance of Peter Dutton’s proposal is that it chucks those years, that time, that effort, that enormous amount of money in the bin. It doesn’t count. Tells us that we don’t count,” she said.

Part of the stress of living on a visa is the knowledge that the government can make announcements and with the stroke of a pen change your visa condition at any time, and completely uproot your life, plans, and whatever you’ve managed to do to establish yourself in a country- and that’s exactly what has happened in this case.

“For us, April 20th was one of those nightmare days when people who’d lived and worked in Australia for many years watched the news in disbelief, frantically checked websites and cried, some of them, in the knowledge that their carefully laid plan to finally move out of visa limbo and anxiety, and live in some security, were being chucked out of the window merely to score political points,” Ms Howard said.

Ms Howard also explained the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment Bill requires permanent residents to demonstrate 4 years of continuous residence in Australia to become citizens, pass a university-level English language test every two years and be at least sixteen years old or over - all much tougher requirements than they ever were before.

“Under the current laws, you need to live in Australia for four years and be a permanent resident for at least one year to apply for

Locals and community advocates lobbied against unfair changes to citizenship laws last week.

Credit: Soraya Perez Mohammed

citizenship. As it’s been mentioned, that’s being significantly misrepresented,” she added.

On the other hand, the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW Peter Doukas said in the past, Immigration Ministers of Australia waited for migrant ships to arrive and shook the hands of migrants as they got off the boats in Circular Quay, welcoming new Australians and welcoming their contribution to the country.

He alleged that after so many years of history and being recognized worldwide as a multicultural country, this new law seeks to nullify that past that prides the Australian people.

“This is the most damaging law that will affect Australia’s stance internally and externally. One in four people in this state are born overseas and the one in four have at least one parent born overseas. What does this say to them? What does it say to Aboriginal people who’ve tolerated waves and waves of migration here. What does it say to

our standing in the United Nations? How are we perceived as a country from here on?” he said.

“This is madness. This is something that is a mechanism of the internal workings of the governing party and we have to stop it. This law is not just a law about migration. It’s a question about what kind of country we want to live in, so everyone, every nation, every group from any organization should be standing up against this law because it will do permanent damage to how we see ourselves and how the rest of the world sees us”, he added.

In addition, David Shoebridge, Greens member of the New South Wales Legislative Council explained that when Australian people look at their fellow citizens, they don’t see people who threaten them but people who are friends, family members, siblings, partners, in-laws, workmates.

“We see immigrants as our equals. We’re in it together, it’s our community, and we have a big version of Australia as a generous warm-hearted country. That’s why as a Greens politician, I fundamentally reject the small, the narrow, the scared vision of Australia that the likes of Peter Dutton have. We reject his vision of Australia and we reject his Citizenship Bill, absolutely,” he said.

The discriminatory provisions of the Citizenship Bill will prevent some residents of Australia from becoming citizens, many of them still on a 457 visa after living in Australia for more than 10 years.

“When you walk around a city like Sydney, and you realise what an amazing benefit we’ve got from this multicultural society that we have in Australia, the contributions we have in our arts, in our culture, the contributions we have in our economy, the contributions we just had in making Australia this amazing melting pot, this extraordinary place. Where we live in freedom and respect and tolerance and love for each other.

And to think that it’s being challenged by our own immigration minister, who wants to shut the door, close the opportunity for permanent residents to become a fully pledged part of Australia through citizenship. It is utterly shameful,” he added.

He concluded by saying that Australian people will always welcome immigrants because they are a fundamental part of the community.

Also present at the event were Rita Mallia, the President of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union; Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition; and Zachary Joseph Wone, Secretary of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee of the Maritime Union of Australia Sydney branch.

MEET the locals

Choose life, choose positivity

BY ALEX EUGENE Positive Life NSW started out as a small gathering of people who were living with HIV in the late 1980s, who came together to talk and support each other.

Such was the need for connection and solace at the time, that the small gathering quickly turned into a network, and then a fully fledged organisation that is today a funded NGO. Craig Cooper, the CEO of Positive Life says people weren’t being represented well enough and needed advocacy which the organisation now provides.

“People were being stigmatised as a result of the infection,” says Craig.

Positive Life is what Craig describes as a “peer organisation”- which means it’s almost entirely run by people living with HIV. This means people who come to them can be assured of empathy, sincerity and sound advice.

One of the great success stories of Positive Life is when they finally won the battle to have medications rolled out into the community after almost 12 years of lobbying for it.

They started pushing for medications to be available at local pharmacies in 2005, and finally by 2016 that dream became a reality.

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city hub 6 JULY 2017

CEO of Positive Life, Craig Cooper, and President Jane Costello. Credit: Supplied

Craig says that being able to go to a local chemist instead of trekking to a hospital every week - where a person is made to feel with

every visit that they are “sick” or “different”has a huge impact on how a person feels and will deal with their diagnosis.

“It makes a big difference to people’s lives when they don’t have to travel so far. It means it’s manageable, more accessible, and it’s not so confronting,” he says.

A simple trip to the chemist means people can get on with their lives instead of constantly feeling the stigma of HIV. After winning this battle, Positive Life has lost no time working on the next.

Currently, people diagnosed with the infection have to wait a minimum of six weeks before they can get access to medication, because of pathology turnarounds and wait times to see doctors.

But during that time the clock is ticking, and as Craig says,”the virus is doing damage to their immune system.”

Even worse, only roughly 50% of people diagnosed will have their prescription in that period. Most will be left waiting several months for treatment.

It’s been almost a year now, but Positive Life won’t stop the fight until HIV is treated with the same sensitivity and priority as other comparable diseases like tuberculosis.

“People with HIV should be able to get their medications on the day they are diagnosed,” says Craig.

One year after the Greyhound ban were known to be “almost non-existent.”

“For example, we know dogs in Macau are quite literally raced to death,” she said.

Lauren Jumikis, an inner West resident, has fostered three greyhounds to date through Greyhound Rescue, and vouched for their suitability for city living.

“My current foster dog, Sassy is only one and a half years old, and in the first couple of weeks, she was a bit scared of small dogs.

However, after daily exposure, she is happy to say hello, and she has all the confidence to meet any dog,” she said.

Another young couple, Zosia Smith and Yong Guck Gim, fostered their first greyhound after moving into a townhouse in Glebe which allowed pets. The dog, Marlon has been happily with them for several months now.

“It’s been hugely rewarding to see him develop his confidence and personality,” Ms Smith said.

The couple found it easy with the support of Greyhound Rescue, who pay the full cost of vet bills while dogs are being fostered.

“We found it straightforward, They made sure the greyhound we fostered was the right An Inner city Foster carer with a recently re-homed racing greyhound. Credit: Supplied fit for us. When we visited the kennels, we met with injuries or in poor condition. We have also member for NSW and Animal Welfare Marlon and took him home the same day. He received greyhounds in good condition, but spokesperson, said the original ban just over a settled into family life very quickly,” said Mr at the end of the day the owners did not want year ago should never have been lifted.

Gim. them, thus adding to our problems,” she said.

“July 1 should have been the day that Mehreen Faruqi said it was people on the “We also know that thousands of these greyhound racing in NSW stopped once and for ground- like foster carers- who would have to beautiful greyhounds are euthanised each year all, putting an end to the deaths, the drugging do the work to stamp out cruelty, since the to keep the industry going. In view of this, we and the cruelty. From now on, responsibility for government couldn’t be trusted with it. are against greyhound racing and look forward every incident of cruelty rests squarely on the “One thing is clear; we cannot rely on the to the day when it no longer exists.” shoulders of the NSW Liberal, National and Government or other political parties to stop Ms Flynn said that although their focus was Labor parties. the cruelty. Only people power can continue caring for the dogs rather than activism, they Dr Faruqi said she would also be putting to expose the cruelty and pressure those supported groups who were doing so. pressure on airlines to stop carrying greyhounds companies that continue to profit from it,” she Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, the Greens overseas, to countries where welfare standards said.

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BY ALEX EUGENE It’s the first anniversary of former Premier Mike Baird’s short-lived ban on greyhound racing -- leading to what Parliamentary Opposition Leader Luke Foley called “mother of all back flips”.

Mr Baird had declared a total ban on greyhound racing in NSW after the shocking exposure of cruelty rife within the industry, including the use of live animals to bait dogs, and the mass killing of greyhounds that were not deemed fast enough for racing.

The ban was applauded by the Greens and welfare groups, despite rumours that Baird’s real incentive was a greedy grab for Wentworth Park in Sydney’s CBD, one of the rare remaining spacious, leafy expanses in the area.

But just months later the former Premier made a red-faced admission that he had “made a mistake” and had decided to give the NSW Greyhound racing industry a second chance.

Ellen Harris, Operations Manger of NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers’ Association in Wentworth Park said “the NSW GBOTA is committed to the reform journey the industry is on.

Steps are already in place including increased integrity, studies to review track design so to drive less track based injuries, increased rehoming opportunities,” she said.

Ms Harris said assuring the public that cruelty is not part of the greyhound industry was key to the organisation. She said the NSW GBOTA was working with the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission to “enhance processes already in place to detect wrongdoing and enforce rules.”

But Janet Flann, the founder of Greyhound Rescue was sceptical about the reforms.

“We have homed over 800 greyhounds, many

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city hub 6 JULY 2017

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FEATURE

Bastille Day 2017

By Rita Bratovich Sydney loves to party and when we don’t have our own occasion we won’t shy away from appropriating someone else’s. So, with France about to celebrate the biggest day in its calendar, Sydney is going to join in and paint the town bleu, blanc & rouge.

Bastille Day festivities will permeate the harbour foreshore and The Rocks area for four days from July 13 to 16.Although the French community here is not as populous as other migrant groups, the culture and traditions are very popular with Australians.This year’s Bastille Day Festival will be one of the five biggest events for the year happening in Circular Quay.

“It’s good to see how much Australian’s love French culture,” says Morgane Blondel, Marketing and Events Manager for Alliance Francaise who is sponsoring a Bastille Day event at The Argyle in The Rocks. It’s the sixth year they’ve held the event at the historic venue.

Blondel feels the antiquity and convict overtones suit the occasion.

The entertainment will include CanCan dancers, a French band and French DJ’s Lil’M and French Mafia. Traditional fare such as French cheese, saucisson and sweet crepes will be served - perfect with a glass of provincial wine or champagne. If you’re feeling the bite of winter then enter the raffle for a chance to win a trip to New Caledonia.

Both the French and Australian national anthems will be sung during the evening and the estimated crowd of around 2000 will likely have an even spread of the two nationalities.

“We have French people coming to our events but also a lot of Australians who are Francophiles… who love French culture,” explains Blondel.

Though it’s not a prerequisite, a lot of attendees like to dress in costume or at least wear something thematic.

“One year someone came as Marie Antoinette!” laughs Blondel.

With regard to Australia’s love for all things French, Blondel says it is reciprocated, with lots of French travellers coming here on working visas.

“Australia is a very exotic destination for French people.” (!)

For the last five years, the Bleu Blanc Rouge (BBR) Festival has been held in Circular Quay to celebrate Bastille Day. BBR is now an agency and the event, which has grown significantly, has officially become the Bastille Festival: the Food Wine Art Revolution.

“Bastille is a spirit. It’s a concept, an idea of a street celebration,” says festival Director,Vincent Hernandez, attempting to encapsulate the appeal of the event.“It’s more than just a French festival - it’s French in a festival.

French food galore.

Photo: Christian Gilles

The idea of ‘French’ - like freedom, like art, like food, like wine - we are really sharing all that.”

To that end, this year’s festival will be truly international, with four themed villages located around the foreshores of Circular Quay.Two are French, offering authentic treats from regional areas of France.The third is the Nordic Village featuring foods from Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands and a wide assortment of beer.The fourth is the lively Latin Village (Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain) where people can listen or move to salsa, flamenco or folk while feasting on pizza, gelato, paella or tapas.

After noting the success of the European Beer Bar last year, organisers have introduced a new space this year called the Electro Beer Garden.

Patrons can taste craft beers and ciders from boutique breweries around Europe while chilling to electro lounge beats.

Hernandez emphasises that the food and drink available at the festival will not only be authentic but distinctive.

“We’ve been sourcing food that you can’t find anywhere else. e.g sauerkraut is a specialty from the east side of France… you won’t find that everywhere, it’s very unique.”

Quality and originality are paramount, and they have sought supplies from small producers in France and Europe.All the wines have come from micro-wineries around the five main French regions. Local restaurants and food providers are also participating, but the same rules apply - their product must be authentic and unique. It will be a very cosmopolitan eating experience.As Hernandez puts it: “All the great food without the jet lag.”

As well as food, art will feature prominently, though the art will be less nationalistic.

“It’s all about artists that don’t have any borders - it’s universal,” says Hernandez.

There will be 104 live performances over the four days including 23 concerts and street shows such as fire twirlers, magicians, circus artists, musicians and buskers. The Rocks will host an open air cinema with six films scheduled over the course of the festival.

Hernandez is unfazed about it being winter here (while it’s summer in France).

“Sydney weather, hopefully, fingers crossed will be beautiful again… And I guess at night, with all the fatty - but very good - food we have, it’s really nice that it’s winter. It makes you feel less guilty.”

One local French restaurant has been making their delicious sweet and savoury crepes at the festival since it began and will be a main provider again this year. Gourmandise de Paris, located in Pyrmont, has one of the most popular stalls at the festival, though, as co-owner Audrey Ekler explains, they found that out the hard way.

“The first year we sold out in 2 hours…because we didn’t know what to expect. But now we’re experienced, so now it’s good. Every year we look forward to doing it because it’s really busy and lots of customers. We love to do it.”

The crepes are made to an original recipe using true French ingredients.

“In France we use buckwheat to make savoury crepes. So they’re gluten free, they’re really nice and healthy,” says Ekler.

They’ll be creating a special new crepe on each day of the festival, including a vegan crepe.

Although Ekler has quite a few French customers coming to the restaurant, she’s doesn’t believe the community in Sydney generally is very large, so she was quite surprised at the size and popularity of the festival.

“To have one big event like this in the heart of the City for Bastille Day - it’s amazing!”

Bastille Day at The Argyle: Jul 13, 5pm.

18 Argyle Street, The Rocks. $15 (18yrs+).

Tickets & Info: www.bastilledaysydney.com.au Bastille Festival: Circular Quay,various locations/events.

Info: www.bastillefestival.com.au Gourmandise de Paris: 186 Harris St, Pyrmont.

Bookings: (02) 8065 0078, www.gourmandisedeparis.com

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city hub 6 JULY 2017

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT w

Thai-riffic!

Watch out kids - this school holidays the Monkey Baa Theatre Company is bringing to you a play full of heartwarming moments and laughter galore.

Oliver Phommavanh’s best selling novel Thai-riffic! is coming to stage, and he promises this to be a fun time out for children.

“Lots of craziness and embarrassment from Lengy’s family and loads of belly laughs. You’ll be craving Thai food afterwards for sure!” enthuses Oliver.

Thai-riffic! is the heartwarming story of Lengy, the son of Thai immigrants who own a namesake restaurant. The story goes on to detail Lengy’s experiences at high school as he desperately tries to transform his image, but ends up realising that his culture and past are something he can’t easily escape. And therein lies the story’s heart & humour.

With elements from Oliver’s personal life, the story is relatable to the audiences. “I grew up in Australia, wanting to be normal and ‘fit in’, and I was also embarrassed by my family, who always wanted me to embrace more of my cultural background,” he says.

The readers of the novel will find this adaption by Nathan Luff a unique experience. “Nathan has done a marvellous job in taking the heart and best elements of the book and mixing it into a new storyline,” tells Oliver.

Besides being a laugh riot, it also has a universal message attached to it. “A lot of kids can relate to Lengy because he learns to accept and love his family’s quirks. There’s also a sense of finding your own identity and making your own mark, whether it’s in high school or in the world.”

For those who can’t have enough of this hilarious story, Oliver has recently released a new book, Super Con-nerd. (JR) Jul 4-8. Monkey Baa Theatre Company, 1-25 Harbour St, Sydney. $19-$125 (groups).

Tickets & info: www.monkeybaa.com.au/shows/thai-riffic/

Mother’s Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin If gin depresses you, then this show is just the tonic! Mother’s Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin is, as you may have guessed, a cabaret about gin. Performed by the spirited Maeve Marsden and Libby Wood, the show is an intoxicating 60 minutes of history, songs, anecdotes and recipes.

Wood and Marsden concocted the show with fellow writer Elly Baxter, who runs a website called The Ginstress.

“Gin’s a really fascinating drink… It’s what we all drink,” says Marsden. “One of the things we find the most interesting is the way gin has always been associated with women.”

Their fascination led them on an expedition into the dark and seedy past of the demonised clear spirit, back to 18th century London when relaxed tax laws led to the proliferation of small distilleries, an abundance of gin and an epidemic of alcoholism.

“There were horror stories of women getting drunk and neglecting their children…” says Marsden.

Desperate for a return to sobriety, the authorities disseminated propaganda and insinuation about women who had fallen into disrepute and abandoned their families - hence the term “Mother’s Ruin” often used to describe gin.

The play list is a compilation of gin or drinking themed songs, or songs that have been modified for purpose. Fever, for instance, has been altered to describe symptoms of malaria (which was treated with tonic water).

Their show in Sydney, Hot Gin Punch, is a fund raiser to help them take their act to England and the Edinburgh Fringe. The night will resemble a speakeasy party with gin cocktails (sponsored by Four Pillars Gin), menu items created by head chef of Bloodwood, surprise guest performers, parlour games, photo booth, and dancing. People are encouraged to dress up.

And, as Marsden points out, thanks to Sydney’s lock-out laws, it will have an authentic prohibition era feel! (RB)

a&e

Photo: Patrick Boland

Jul 7, 7pm. Giant Dwarf, 199 Cleveland St, Redfern. $36/42 (includes complimentary G&T) Tickets & Info: www.mothersruincabaret.com; NB: 18+ only.

11 STAGE 12 Sounds 14 SCENE 15 SCREEN

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 @AltMediaSydney

REVIEW: 1984 Tom Conroy and Terence Crawford.

Photo: Shane Reid

How prescient was George Orwell when he penned his dystopian novel 1984, a story of the loss of individual identity, destruction of privacy, the perversion of language and ghastly punishments for those who transgress the norm in the totalitarian state, like the hero, Winston (played by Tom Conroy) and his girlfriend Julia (played by Ursula Mills).

Orwell envisaged such an authoritarian society occurring under socialism, but “Big Brother” also resonates in contemporary societies which use physical and mental torture and actual and virtual surveillance to control its own citizens and those of other countries.

Winston’s act of defiance is to maintain a diary, which represents an individual rebellion against the totalitarian state, and Julia’s disobedience is to love Winston and to enjoy sex.

Orwell invents a special language for his dysfunctional, anti-human world: “Newspeak” is the official language of the world of Oceania and was specifically designed, as Orwell writes, “to diminish the range of thought”.

Orwell’s sense of irony is reflected in his descriptions of the various organs of this despotic society such as the Ministry of Love, which enforces subservience to Big Brother, and the Ministry of Peace, the military wing of the Oceania government.

Remaining true to the novel, the directors use dramatic multimedia effects such as multiple spilt screens, explosions and strobe lighting to effectively portray the terror of living under such a regime.

This is an impressive interpretation of Orwell’s fiction written almost 70 years ago. If he lived in the present, I doubt whether he would have much to add, change or criticise in this stage version of his novel. (ID) Until Jul 22. Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $40-$110+b.f.Tickets & Info: www. sydneytheatre.com.au

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,Vanessa Powell, Olivia Lyle, Alex Eugene, Ellouise Bailey, Manuel Gonzalez, Tommy Boutros. city hub 6 JUly 2017

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An Evening with John Cena

Known to millions around the globe as a world champion WWE wrestler, there is a lot more to John Cena than meets the eye. In July the multifaceted superstar will be jetting down to Australia for a rare speaking event to answer questions from fans and tell them all of his untold stories.

The open forum format is a natural extension of Cena’s life to tell his story and certainly means this will be an incredibly intimate experience.

“My life has pretty much been open to the WWE audience over the past decade and a half, and certainly even more so in the reality world for the past three years with my relationship so I don’t see any reason to hold back any details.”

Over the course of his in-ring career Cena has accomplished everything there is to achieve in WWE.“I’m in a very fortunate place where I’ve had a very lengthy and successful career with the WWE. I just turned 40 this past April, physically I’m still ready to go it just takes a little longer to bounce back than it did 10 years ago.” Cena reflected.

In more recent years Cena has since gone on to expand his empire into other areas of film and television, much like another former WWE superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

“I’m certainly very grateful to be put in the same conversation as Dwayne Johnson. I think as far as accomplishment and drive he sets the pace and I do my best to try to keep up.”

One of the main topics Cena hopes to be able to discuss during the tour is the misconception that WWE is not ‘mainstream’ media,“I really think people over look the WWE.The amount of people we reach on a weekly basis I feel certainly classifies us as mainstream media so I’m kind of on a little bit of a quest to let everybody know we’re doing really big stuff over at WWE.” (JA) Jul 9, 7pm.The Star Event Centre, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont. $99-$1395+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.johncena.com.au

Sydney Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE

By Jamie Apps Sydney Symphony Orchestra George Michael Tribute: Originally planned by the SSO as an anniversary concert marking 30 years since the release of Michael’s seminal debut album Faith, the SSO will now pay tribute to a star gone too soon with a 30-song bill of his greatest hits.

Thu, Jul 6, Opera House Golden Vessel: Will bring his three pillars of music to Sydney tonight.

Golden Vessel’s music has always been an exercise in combining beautifully crafted electronic production, soaring pop melodies and diverse collaborations.

Thu, Jul 6, Brighton Up Bar Touché Amoré: Have returned to Australia to help promote their new record Stage Four. The new record was named both in recognition of this being the band’s fourth studio album and for the passing of lead singer Jeremy Bolm’s mother from cancer in 2014, Stage Four is a towering, harrowing and unrelenting record.

Fri, Jul 7, Factory Theatre Sun Sap: It’s been six months since the release of this south coast bands newest track but now they’re ready to venture up to the big smoke with Sun Sap

their signature honky-tonk quirks, intoxicating swagger and woozy sun soaked riffs.

Fri, Jul 7, World Bar Allday: Known for being nothing but himself, Allday is an honest, charismatic and skilled lyricist with a contradictory combination of motivation and mellowness. Allday 12

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will be joined by Japanese Wallpaper, Nicole Millar and a soon to be announced ‘special guest’ for his biggest tour yet.

Sat, Jul 8, Big Top - Luna Park GL: Are Melbourne duo Ella Thompson and Graeme Pogson, who together create a thrilling contemporary spin on classic disco,

GL

funk, boogie, soul and electronic pop.

This weekend they bring their distinct sound up from Melbourne to Sydney.

Sat, Jul 8, Oxford Art Factory Clare Bowen: The Australian-born, US-based singer-songwriter-actress

returns home this weekend. Perhaps best known for her leading role as Scarlett O’Connor on the US prime-time TV series Nashville, Clare Bowen is a ferocious and gifted performer who is especially enthralling in the live arena.

Sun, Jul 9, Enmore Theatre WAAX: Vibe-punks WAAX continue their unstoppable momentum with both the release of their new five track EP and also a series of live performances which stops in Sydney this week to help fans get over that mid-week hump.

Wed, Jul 12, Sosueme

The lady with the big “hairs” is back, and she’s larger than life this time.

Mary Coustas, aka Effie, grew up in a loud, rambunctious Greek family, and as a child, she was always imitating her relatives- even though “my mum hated it,” she laughs.

The generation before her own were the first ones to come to Australia, and she loved the way they could tell stories about their struggles with humour.

“Life is funny. It’s also difficult, challenging, heartbreaking, and boring at times. But if you can have as much comedy around all of those things, I think it makes for surviving it,” she says.

Coustas describes her relationship with her audiences as a special exchange.

“I think anyone who feels marginalised by difficulty, or judged by the world finds comfort in what I do. We’re trying to laugh and identify all the difficulties of life through comedy. We liberate each other,” she says warmly.

Coustas is at her best performing live. Even Acropolis Now was filmed in front of a live audience.

That means that unlike other sitcoms, the laughs were all real, and there was no time for divas or countless takes.

The Virgin Bride sees Coustas playing three characters, or as she puts it “definitely three but possibly four.”

To top it all off, she says that this show will be “the best thing I’ve ever done.” So if her track record is anything

to go by - this is one you don’t want to miss. (AE) Jul 8, 7pm & 9:30pm.

Darling Harbour Theatre, 3/1-25 Harbour St, Sydney. $59.90-$69.90+b.f. Tickets & Info: www. frontiercomedy.com/effie

Kilter

By Jamie Apps Whilst a musician/producer today can find phenomenal success through single releases for radio often there will still be a piece of them that nags away for something more. For Sydney’s Kilter that nagging voice wanted an opportunity to fully express it’s voice without commercial constraints, which led to his new record Through The Distortion.

“For vocalists the lyrics are their voice whereas for a producer the textures and sonics that we create are our voice. So that was something I spent a lot of time and thought on” explained Kilter.

During the production process of Through The Distortion Kilter also chose to change the way he usually works when collaborating with vocalists. In the past much of his collaborative projects had been done remotely through email exchanges but for this record he actually got into the studio with the vocalists.

“Now that I’ve done it this way I’ve realised it really is the best way to work. When you’re doing something remotely you can get bogged down for months suggesting small changes and details whereas when you’re in the room with them there is an energy there and the process is much more spontaneous which also allows me to have more input into what the vocalist is doing.”

Despite just returning from a month long tour of the Unites States where he played a somewhat “stripped back” version of his live set Kilter is not slowing down as he prepares to close out his Australian tour with a hometown show this weekend.

“I wasn’t able to take the best possible Kilter show with me to the U.S. unfortunately but for this one there’s no stops held.” he explained excitedly, “I’ve been focusing on making it an experience to

Waax - Wild & Weak Clare Bowen

Effie - The Virgin Bride

Screaming out of the player,Wild & Weak is definitely loud.

The listener is blasted with the combined forces of several band members facing the listener and playing with focus and determination.

Forceful with a good amount of repetition within their phrasing so that it is comprehensible to the listener and enjoyable for lovers of energy Taken all at once is the only option and it is a bracing one, it’s a short trip through the EP and on the other side listeners will want to check their vital signs at the end of this erratic 20 minutes.

The EP almost bubbles over in anticipation of so much energy, it can hardly be contained. It might be best to keep this short collection in a safe place a little away from all the listeners other CD’s. (SP) WW1/2

watch as it brings the album to life for the first time.”

If you’re unfamiliar with a Kilter live show it is far from a simple DJ set as he plays much of the music live, a process which he credits to his background as a traditionally trained musician.

“The live show is always in the back of my mind. For example when I’m writing I don’t program too much stuff in on the computer so when I get to certain parts of a song I’ll be thinking how am I going to perform this.”

Jul 8, 8pm. Max Watts, Entertainment Qtr, Building 220, 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park. $23.50-$127.50.

Tickets & Info: www.maxwattstickets.com.au

The Kite String Tangle

There are certainly no wires, strings or notes crossed in the debut album from indie electronic producer/singer/songwriter The Kite String Tangle.

Following a long three year production cycle which saw the producer step out of the bedroom and into a professional studio set up the progression is certainly clear.Throughout the record the listener is serenaded with chill trap beats which have layers of ultra catchy pop vocals delicately placed upon them.

The use of live drums, horns and strings alongside typical electronic synthetic elements cements The Kite String Tangle in the upper echelon of Australian producers who are creating some of the nicest yet progressive music in any genre.

Whilst the entire record is a masterstroke the first single, Selfish, is a standout which floats gracefully through the air acting as a beacon for people to find the remainder of the tracks. (JA) WWWW

THE NAKED CITY

A PLAGUE ON YOUR MOUSES!

With Coffin Ed There is something about plagues of critters, be they rats, mice or other vermin, that is always biblical.They seem to appear from nowhere as if by some kind of existential control although it’s generally chemicals or biological warfare that drive them away – rather than prayers to God. That’s not to say they weren’t sent from above in the first place!

Plagues of both rats and mice have always been part of both the rural and urban Australian landscapes. Parts of South Australia are currently experiencing some of their worst ever mouse numbers as they devastate crops and invade houses and gardens. Many of us would have seen historical newsreel footage of similar plagues right throughout Australia from the 50s onwards. In 1993 the country experienced its worst ever mouse plague in South Australia when an estimated half a billion field mice gobbled up some 500,000 tons of wheat.

Rats have always been unwelcome citizens of the City Of Sydney, and in recent months have hit the headlines as they run riot throughout the CBD and inner city. Needless to say they posed an even bigger threat back in the early 1900s as carriers of the bubonic plague.

On a slightly lighter note in the 70s and 80s, I can remember a number of visits to Sydney’s Roma cinema in George Street, which stood directly on top of the underground train tunnel from Central to Town Hall. Not only could you hear the incessant rumble of trains beneath during movies such as Fellini’s Satyricon, but it

was not uncommon to spot rather large rats running up and down the aisles - invaders from the tunnels below in search of popcorn and other candy bar treats. It’s no doubt apocryphal but legend has it that one mohawked punk grabbed one of the tunnel rats during a screening of The Great Rock’n’Roll Swindle and bit its head off.

EuroVisions: Contemporary Art from the Goldberg Collection

The National Art School Gallery presents EuroVisions. This is a new exhibition of contemporary European artworks.

38 leading contemporary artists show their innovative practices, approaches and unique styles. Judith Blacka explains “The exhibition presents a range of media and techniques, from painting, photography and ceramics to welded and bronze-cast sculpture. Also, a diversity of conceptual approaches, innovative thinking and a

sense of history. The works represent the diversity and exuberance of contemporary perspectives.”

The exhibition includes highprofile artists as Ugo Rondinone, Urs Fischer and Sarah Lucas who are among the most influential artists of the past 30 years.

Furthermore, EuroVisions involves the work of seven Turner Prize winners. Additionally, include the work of Camille Henrot,Yngve Holen, Simon Fujiwara and Nicole Wermers. These artists are considered among the most exciting ‘artists to watch’ given their inventiveness.

Judith Blackall said, “The artists in EuroVisions are all important in an international context. Each pursues rigorous, individual practices, with distinctive lines of inquiry. The ‘European vision’ interrogates the complexity and breadth of the global contemporary art world.

Artists move between continents and cultures. The result is a robust, unfettered creative output that incorporates a diversity of approaches.”

EuroVisions is an opportunity to appreciate the artwork from Europe under the world dynamics. The gallery shows new global trends, styles and topics. (MG) Until Aug 5. National Art School Gallery (NAS Gallery), Forbes Street, Sydney.Tickets & Info: www.nas.edu.au or PH: 9339 8686

people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs.”

Other than finding one in your favourite loaf of bread, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing - and a thousand or so frogs frolicking in Sydney’s Archibald Fountain would surely be a huge tourist attraction. Locusts on the other hand could be a real nuisance, especially if they “cover the face of the ground so it can’t be seen” as the Bible dictates. Sporting events would definitely be disrupted as playing fields all but disappeared underneath a carpet of swarming grasshoppers.

Laugh if you like but any overabundance of any insect can be a threat to modern day existence with the malaria spreading mosquito widely acknowledged as the biggest killer of them all.

Throw in freshwater snails, fire ants and Assassin bugs and there’s a menagerie of creepy crawly, stinging nasties out there, just waiting to explode in numbers and invade the country like in some kind of Hollywood B grade movie.

There’s certainly some scary stuff in the Bible when it comes to plagues and maybe we should look to it as a source of genuine ecological prophecy. We should never underestimate the appetite that rats, mice and insects have for the food that we take for granted.You only have to Whilst rats are likely to be with us forever, the look to Joel 1:4: question arises as to what we can expect in the “What the gnawing locust has left, the swarming immediate future when it comes to a plague like locust has eaten; And what the swarming locust invasion of rodents, insects and the like. The Bible, has left, the creeping locust has eaten; And what in the book of Exodus, talks about a plague of the creeping locust has left, the stripping locust frogs in Egypt and suggests “they will come up into has eaten.” your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, Then again, we could always make a meal of the into the houses of your officials and on your locusts themselves!

The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes Fancy yourself as a supersleuth? Step into the shoes of Sherlock Holmes and step back into late Victorian London to solve this entirely immersive and interactive mystery.Visit the study of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, doctor turned author and man behind the legend. Be transported to 221B Baker Street, where Holmes and Watson would discuss the mystery and put some of their theories to the test.You’re now ready for the crime scene, where a room has been upturned, there is a blood spatter and a firearm has been discharged. The police think it is self-inflicted but you suspect otherwise. A bust of Napoleon has been shattered and there is a suspiciously halfburned matchbox with a seedpod. Now it’s time to test your investigative skills.

Fresh from a premier tour of North America, the International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes arrives at the Powerhouse Museum and Australian curator Damian McDonald totally gets the fascination.

“It’s only since we’ve been preparing for this exhibition that I’ve discovered how cool it is”, says McDonald. Destined to be a hit with the “Sherlockians” or “The Irregulars” as they call themselves, the widespread popular appeal is likely to be even greater. “Sherlock Holmes is the first series of detective stories where the emphasis was on solving the mystery”, says

McDonald, “It’s human nature for people to watch and work out mysteries”.

Combining a bit of History, literature, popculture and some of the cutting-edge science of the day - it’s really all about solving the crime. “I won’t spoil what the mystery is”, says McDonald, “It’s not that easy to solve but it’s lots of fun.” (GW) Until Oct 29. Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo. $16-$65.Tickets & Info: www.sherlockholmesexhibition.com city hub 6 JUly 2017

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SPROUTING BACK ON SATURDAY, JULY 29

PYRMONT BAY PARK 7.30AM TO 12PM EVERY 4TH SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

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Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming takes the flair of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and distills it down to the neighbourhood level, which works fantastically.

Rather than fighting a grand world threatening monster Spider-Man is tasked with being a regular 15 year old, but one who also happens to have superpowers which he is still coming to grips with.

This is a coming of age teen flick which often has Peter making agonising decisions concerning school, social life and his aspirations to become an Avenger.

Throughout the film Spider-Man is tasked with combatting petty criminals, who he deals with in playful cheeky fashion reminiscent of 2016’s Deadpool.That is until a larger more homicidal

threat in the Vulture intrudes on the suburbs.Against this more deliberate and vicious threat Spider-Man’s youthfulness really shows as he displays a greater vulnerability and struggles to use the limited abilities he has mastered early in his superhero life.

Tom Holland as Peter Parker/ Spider-Man is great and is perfectly balanced out by his counterpoint Michael Keaton as Vulture. Both of these characters struggle with their relationship to Tony Stark and desire to do the best for their families, ultimately taking two juxtaposing paths.

Ultimately this is a fun superhero flick which serves as a nerdy celebration of the classic Spider-Man character whilst also refreshing it. (JA) WWW1/2

Is your child still struggling at school?

A Few H but No ours, Dollar s

Chicken People

This light-hearted documentary surrounds the lucky chooks that don’t end up on the dinner table - the show chickens, and their breeders (affectionately known as ‘hatch-a-holics’) who enter their cherished poultry in competitions.

Insightful interviews with competitors reveal how past torments are overcome by their involvement in this industry, the therapeutic value and oddly, the spiritual enhancement achieved.

These chickens must be perfect in every way and the need to impress the judges is of paramount importance. The cameras follow the judges around

Plans

at various competitions, as they meticulously inspect the poultry.

Strangely, these chickens receive prima donna treatment from their obsessive owners who suffer from ‘chicken-aholism’, being bathed, blow-dried, and incredibly permitted to live inside the family home wearing specially made diapers!

Funny and poignant at times, this unique and very entertaining documentary showcases the hard work and extreme pressures involved for these passionate breeders, who regard this enriching activity as a sanctuary and agricultural release from life. (MMo) WWW1/2

WRITERS AND OPINION MAKERS WANTED

Sydney based queer web-series Plans, produced by Diana Popovska and Luke Wood, is destined to follow the success of Starting From….Now, another Australian produced webseries which amassed over 30 million views and was watched in over 230 countries.

Plans centres on Zia, an awkward and offbeat 18 year old who moves in with his cousin Trent and five housemates in Sydney’s inner-west.

He plans to study medicine at university, but in the course of seven days his housemate’s influence will change his life.

The show which features seven pivotal characters, twenty supporting actors and one hundred extras, is obviously a labour of love having been produced with no external funds.

Consisting of seven episodes, each with a running time of just under

15 minutes, the show deals with sex, violence, alcohol and substance addiction, love, wild partying and mental health issues.

This ground-breaking and characterdriven show should appeal to a large audience, as the various sexual orientations of the characters represent a general cross section of the community.

Dramatic with comedic elements, this bold web-series which stars Logie nominated actor Rahel Romahn as Zia, has seven stories unfolding over seven days.The honest depiction of life out west in this low-budget webseries should allure audiences who expect diversity and high production values in their programs. (MMo) First episode debuted on YouTube on Sunday July 2 with new episodes to follow each Sunday thereafter.

Pizzeria & restaurant

AltMedia is looking for writers.

Opportunities in print and online are available to opinion makers and up and coming journalists.

Join Pen’s Literacy Research team Pen Layton-Caisley pglc@mail.com 0409 221 700

Send a CV, writing samples and a covering letter to:

news@altmedia.net.au

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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.

OPen 7 DaYs 5pm till Late ORDER ONLINE  02 9519 4262

OPEN LUNCH Wed-Sun 12-3pm

589 King street neWtOWn orders@albertospizza.com.au • www.albertospizza.com.au city hub 6 JUly 2017

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Sydney’s first Indian Restaurant with proper Bar. Serving signature cocktails, drinks and Authentic Indian Menu

Ph: 02 9380 2613 Web: www.masalakitchen.com.au, Email: info@masalakicthen.com.au

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The Entertainment Quarter, 211 Bent St Moore Park, NSW 2021 16

city hub 6 JULY 2017