FROM THE BOSSMAN

BY ALLAN SKO [ALLAN@BMAMAG.COM]

To those unaware, this ‘ere column is so named because I am the Publisher of BMA Magazine. Or Bossman. Top Banana. Or whatever frankly icky title you want to slap on it (I don’t want to talk about it, really; it makes me feel weird and uncomfortable).

I bring this up because I never really thought I would find myself in this position, and it may finally be time to branch out.

No, I’m not leaving. I’m wedded to this magazine until death do us part (read: seeing who blinks first). Allow me to explain.

More years ago than I care to recall, my original intention as a fleet-footed, wide-eyed uni student was to be a writer. At a pinch, maybe an editor, if I could eventually learn to read.

Happenstance, and the kindness of beautiful fools, saw me fall into this role.

And get me not wrong. I love it. It’s not without its ritual blood vessel pops, sure. But what a joy and privilege it is to act as a conduit between artists of all disciplines gifting their heart-andsoul offerings, with you, the beautiful, experience seeking punter.

I’ve been doing this for 18 years now. In that time, I’ve managed to immerse myself in the world of advertising, marketing, and general promotion.

As such, this experience has allowed me the acumen to develop myriad business ideas worth potential billions.

So consider this my pitch for any and all future Design Agency work. After all, there ain’t exactly a huge amount of sheckles kicking around the industry these days. A guy’s gotta widen his portfolio (not an euphemism).

Now, it’s important to conduct market research, so with your permission, dear reader, I would like to float these ideas by you for some valuable feedback.

Let’s get to it.

- An organic, locally sourced bakery called Yeast Affection. Everyone loves yeast and bread, right? Sure to be a winner

- The Curtin Shops. Lovely place, great spread of facilities. There’s a cemetery down the road, but no funeral parlour. Ergo, you step in to fill this gap with the region’s newest service... Curtin Call. Because we all need a bit of levity in times of stress

- Sometimes, simple is best. The sales of crockery have gone up, the market is hot, so open up a place called What A Load of Crock

- Crockery, however, can be expensive. So I propose a sister store that sells cheaper versions of the same products for the Costco crowd, called What A Crock of Shit. Market. Covered

- In this day and age, it’s important to diversity with a wide array of products and services. So - in a stroke of sheer genius innovation - have a pub-brothel that also sells bathroom fixtures, called The Faucet Inn. Be advised, you will have to offer ASIC a sizable bribe to get it through, and prepare to be aggressively struck down by the Ad Board. But think of the publicity!

So there you are. Hot, surefire, winners. Sound off on your thoughts, and chip in with any of your own. I promise I won’t steal your ideas <fingers crossed behind back>

Jazida Productions: Pop-Up Party / Circus, dance, cabaret / 12 May (Glebe Park) & 2 June (Haig Park)

The Jazida Productions Pop-Up Parties will be a recurring event every three weeks on Fridays between 12 April and 14 July running from 5pm – 8:30pm, offering live performances from award winning artists. There will be interactive arts and crafts, play with flow and circus props, fire eating, fire dancing, sideshow performances, circus, drag, cabaret, and fan dancing. Each Pop-Up Party includes a 1.5 hour cabaret show, with a rotating cast of performers for each area. There will also be a DJ Dance Party one hour before and after each show! See Jazida Productions Pop-Up Parties Facebook page for more info

Aliens are real, and they’re landing in Canberra on 20 May, 2023. Small Town Alien is hard to explain but easy to love. Fresh from the release of their latest album Trigger Warning, Small Town Alien are hitting the Smith’s stage for the first time in over a year. They’re existential yet upbeat, dystopian yet cheerful, and soul destroying whilst miraculously also being soul-nourishing at the same time. But above all, they aim to entertain. No genre is safe. 9:30pm - 11:30pm, $10/$15 viasmithsalternative.com/events/small-town-alien

Alter Ego: An Evening Of Other / Arts & Show party

Fri, 26 May / National Portrait Gallery

Join NPG for Alter Ego: An Evening of Other! This 18+ late-night event is curated and produced by Kat Dopper of Heaps Gay, Queer Agency, and Summer Camp Festival fame. Celebrate and explore all things identity through surprising, inspiring, and challenging acts by talented local and interstate performers; experience creators, and visual artists. Featuring performances from Radha, Betty Grumble, Lupa J, Mowgli May, Marlena Dalí, YOKELUST and more. 6:30pm - midnight, $33 - $45 via portrait.gov.au/calendar/alter-ego

May / Canberra Theatre

Canberra Theatre Centre is proud to present legendary band Yothu Yindi as part of this year’s Reconciliation Concert. The multi-award winning band will share the stage with host Tahalianna SowardMahanga, and powerful young Canberran First Nations artists Alinta Barlow and Stewart Barton, in a celebration of their voices, stories, and music. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be A Voice For Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words, and their vote to create a more just Australia for all of us. 7pm, $59 + bf via venue

AYA YVES / serotonin & forget me nots EP launch

Thu, 25 May / UC Hub

Canberran-at-heart AYA YVES has embarked upon her serotonin & forget me nots EP tour, with a stop at the ol’ CBR stomping grounds. YVES is a masterful storyteller and magic weaver, with a unique blend of dark alt-pop and indie electronica that quickly found a receptive audience in the Australian music soundscape. Her latest single white flag (review this ish, see page 36) gives fans a taste of what’s to come, with soaring vocals and complex experimental production that weaves in and out of sharp percussive elements.

7:30pm, $28.38 via Moshtix

Following the great success of 2021’s Full Circle LP, Biilmann is back with his fourth and by far the most unique album, Divided Mind Biilmann’s career has always been a wrestling match between his solo blues/roots/country sound against his ‘90s, blues-inspired rock ‘n’ roll band guise. Divided Mind neatly melts these together onto a neat Side A/Side B LP, showcasing the best of both worlds with a compelling story to boot. Supported by Hope Wilkins, The Burley Griffin, and Toby Morwitch. 7pm, $15 earlybird, $25 GA