Forster backs big brother Greens, Labor call for BY Joshua Tassell juxtaposition to Mr Abbott’s staunch position against urgent action on public housing Like any brother and sister, Christine Forster and her same-sex marriage. and we’re seeing precious public assets fall By Peter Hackney brother often disagree. But the pair’s similarities are often overlooked. into disrepair.” The Greens and Labor have called for But when your brother is Federal Leader of the Shadow Minister for Housing Sophie Mr Abbott wrote a glowing letter of commendation urgent action to address the state’s public Opposition weeks out from a Federal Election, Cotsis conceded there were problems with for his sister when she first ran for Council, opening housing system the wake of last week’s disagreements can become public knowledge. public housing under the former State Labor with: “My sister Chris is one of the bravest people I report by the NSW Auditor General into the “Like most siblings, there are loads of small things know. It takes real guts for a basically conservative Government, but said the situation had that we would disagree on,” says Tony Abbott’s issue. person to admit she’s gay and to build a new life based deteriorated significantly under the Liberals. sister, Christine Foster. “I’m a republican, and he’s a In his report, Making the Best Use of on who she really is.” Ms Cotsis chided the State Government monarchist.” Public Housing, NSW Auditor General And there is mutual admiration. “Tony is a man of for its $37 million cut to this year’s public But the differences certainly won’t stop the City of Peter Achterstraat found there were 55,000 housing maintenance budget, and for selling Sydney Liberal Councillor campaigning for Mr Abbott enormous integrity and honesty,” says Ms Forster. “In eligible people on the waiting list for public his dealings with other people he’s extremely empathetic off properties at double the rate they are and Liberal candidate for Sydney, Sean O’Connor. housing in NSW. being built. and non-judgmental. He’s a natural leader and is very “I have a pretty normal brother-sister relationship Waiting times for a home were up to ten “It’s just not sustainable,” she said. “If the resolute. If he says he will do something, he’ll do it. with Tony,” says Ms Forster. “Obviously we’re both very years, and the number of people on the government was serious about this issue, busy, but we still manage to see each other every couple “That said, he’s highly intelligent and thinks deeply waiting list could balloon to 86,000 in just we would not see the budget cuts they have of weeks or so. He and I also talk on the phone pretty about important issues, and can be persuaded around to three years’ time, Mr Achterstraat found. instituted.” regularly. other points of view.” It’s for these reasons she believes “The time has come for the government She said the problem was exacerbated “The Abbott family is just like most others, I imagine. he’d make “an absolutely cracking PM”. to set a new, sustainable direction for public by the lack of a dedicated housing minister We get together when we can and do all the usual things When quizzed of about her brother’s weaknesses, Ms housing in NSW,” said Mr Achterstraat. in NSW, with the housing portfolio split that families do – talk, laugh, debate and sometimes Forster is upbeat: “He sometimes pushes himself too “Much of today’s public housing stock was between the community services and argue.” hard, I think,” she says. “He’s truly terrible at karaoke, planned years ago and is now the wrong finance ministries. The notion of intra-family argument has augmented but he thinks he isn’t.” size and in the wrong place.” “This is the first State Government in many caricatures of the relationship between Ms Forster The softer image of Mr Abbott is a contrast to the Mr Achterstraat noted that not all public history not to have a dedicated housing and Mr Abbott. Ms Forster’s status as a lesbian is in public masks he has donned or been adorned with: the housing was fully occupied. At present, 30 minister.” bureaucratic ‘border protector’, the divisive misogynist, per cent of three-bedroom public housing But Community Services Minister Pru or as ‘Dr No’. But for Ms Forster, the key for her brother properties are occupied by only one or two Goward said: “In Labor’s last two terms of will be focusing on the basics – the cost of living, jobs, people. government they had a revolving door of six and the economy. The condition of many public housing different housing ministers, who all failed to “[We agree on] individual freedom, small government, properties was also an issue, he said in his address the problems the Auditor General equal opportunity and free enterprise,” says Ms Forster. report, which prompted a strong reaction has highlighted.” “We really agree that we need a change of government, from the Greens. Ms Goward told City News the and fast.” “The Greens are calling for an inquiry government was proceeding with a If she could have one topic gain more traction during into the housing affordability crisis and an ‘bedroom tax’ on public housing tenants with the current Federal Election campaign, it would be immediate injection of funding to address unused bedrooms, in a bid to address the reforming the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriage. maintenance and build new housing,” said under-utilisation of public housing properties. Greens MP Jamie Parker. “In an ideal world, I’d like that to be on the agenda From September, singles will be charged “After years of neglect under the Labor $20 a week and couples $30 per week if for both parties,” says Ms Forster. “Tony has been quite Government, the maintenance backlog they refuse to consider alternative suitable clear, however, that it will be a matter for the new Liberal continues to skyrocket [under the Liberals] accommodation. party room to discuss, after the election.” Tony Abbott’s sister Christine Forster Tributes flow for Dr Seidler Kids sing for BY Alisha Aitken-Radburn alcohol addiction, the homeless and Tributes have flowed for one of transgender people. He also fought Published weekly and distributed in the CBD, Pyrmont, a chance at life Sydney’s best-loved and most respected very hard, against a lot of successive Ultimo, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, East GPs, who passed away a fortnight ago governments, to install injecting rooms BY Namcheja Maghembe leader Abraham Kiyingi. Sydney, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay, at the age of 61. in Kings Cross ensuring people in the & Adra Anthoney “The thing that we are Chippendale and Glebe. Distribution enquiries call 9212 Dr Raymond Seidler, who founded area a better quality of life.” The Grammy-nominated very proud of in our charity is 5677. Published by the Alternative Media Group of Australia. the Kings Cross Clinic, was renowned Mr Seidler described his father as African Children’s Choir is that 100 per cent of the funds While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, for his work with the most vulnerable exceptionally community-minded. “He gearing up for its first major raised goes to the project,” said The City News takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors and marginalised groups in the city. patronised all the local businesses for tour of Australia in its 29-year founder of Kwaya Inc, Marsha or omissions. ABN 48 135 222 169 Dr Seidler’s son, Jonno Seidler, lunch or coffee and spent a lot of his history. Gusti. spoke to City News about his father’s time doing house calls in the local area.” Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons The choir – comprised Kwaya is a charity that has extraordinary empathy, which extended Vittorio Bianchi, a former patient Group Manager: Chris Peken of children aged eight to 12 helped 150 Australian choir beyond class, race, gender, sexual and owner of Piccolo Bar Cafe in Kings Group Editor: Marcus Braid – performed for the Queen singers travel to Uganda orientation or age. Cross, described Dr Seidler as a “a City News Editor: at her Diamond Jubilee Peter Hackney for community service and “Dad had time for everybody lovely, gorgeous man”. Mr Bianchi said Editors: Adam Hunt and Daniel Paperny Celebrations last year and cultural exchanges. has sung with the likes of regardless of their background, they locals were in shock at his passing. Contributors: Namcheja Maghembe, Adra Anthoney, This year, the children Mariah Carey and Sir Paul could have been a film star or a drug “He helped so many people, he was Alisha Aitken-Radburn, Joshua Tassell, Keira Morris-Akeroyd will be the visitors, with local McCartney. addict,” said Mr Seidler. a lovely man and now there is a big and Madelaine Wong choirs and schools playing The choir is aiming to raise “He chose to specialise in highly empty space in our community. There Arts Editor: Leigh Livingstone host. funds through the tour for the challenging fields including drug and will never be another doctor like Dr Live Music Editor: Chelsea Deeley “I thought it was going be a development and education of Ray,” he said. Dining Editor: Jackie McMillan impoverished child orphans great experience for my choir Fellow patient and Kings Cross harp Advertising Managers: David Sullivan, Toni Martelli, in Africa. to spend time with these kids,” S resident Christine Whyte said Dr Robert Tuitama and Debra O’Kane “The reason they do it said Mr Davis, who is also Seidler was extremely popular oslyn oslyn Design: Joanna Grace is to raise awareness about playing host to some choir R professionally and personally. Publisher’s Assistant: Deeksha Chopra their project back in Uganda members. “I am going to have “People would wait in his waiting Distribution Manager: Danish Ali and raise money,” said Stuart two kids with me and my Photo: room for up to an hour even when Cover Photo: Chris Peken - Chico Cas, N3 & 26th Letter Davis, director of local choir, family. For me that is going to there were other doctors free simply Email: [email protected] Timbre Flaws. “They are not be a great experience.” because they only wanted to see him,” Advertising: [email protected] really doing it for fame and The children have also she said. Contact: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 fortune.” visited popular Australian “If he wasn’t able to help you, he Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 The child performers tourist deatinations, tried seemed to know just about every kangaroo meat and watched Web: altmedia.net.au come from impoverished professional you could think of.” backgrounds and many have football for the first time. Dr Seidler’s colleague and friend, gone on to obtain tertiary “It’s not only singing but an local radiographer Roslyn Sharp, said If you have a story you’d like to tell us: qualifications. educational tour [for the kids],” Dr Seidler was very well respected [email protected] “My life was changed said Mr Kiyingi. in the community. “I hope the whole through the program ... their The African Children’s Kings Cross community always school is catered for up to Choir will perform in Sydney remembers Dr Seidler in their hearts,” university, making them at 7pm this Saturday, August she said. altmediagroup altmediasydney doctors, lawyers, whatever 10 at the Salvation Army Dr Seidler is survived by his wife they want to be,” said tour Congress Hall. Dr Raymond Seidler and four children.

3 Sydney sober over Russian vodka Ambulance waiting times worsening BY Adam Hunt Val Mendeleev, Chief Executive of the SPI Group NSW Greens MLC John Kaye said the waiting by Marcus Braid The boycott of Russian vodka by gay bars and clubs who owns the product, said “Stolichnaya vodka has times are worsening due to lack of funding and Chris Conway thought he was having a heart around the world has reached Australia, in response to staff shortages. always been, and continues to be, a fervent supporter attack at 1.15am the night of July 22. laws introduced by the Kremlin that have widely been “In the end, this is about needing more staff in to the LGBT community”. The Surry Hills resident urgently rang for an labelled homophobic. the office,” he said. “The O’Farrell Government In recent years, there has been a wave of attacks on ambulance, which arrived 15 minutes later. Sydney’s The Gay Bar in Darlinghurst last week is in denial because fixing this problem is going gay youths in Russia. “If I had I actually been having a heart attack, confirmed it would no longer stock Russian vodka. to cost money and they are not prepared to “There has been a wave of organised homophobic it could have been a very different story,” Mr Russia’s parliament collectively outlawed the violence targeting individual LGBT people, mostly by Conway said of the wait for an ambulance. spend that money.” distribution of “propaganda of non-traditional sexual neo-Nazis, skinhead gangs and ultra-nationalists - often “Once the ambulance drivers determined that “The O’Farrell Government thinks that they relations” two months ago, making it illegal to equate with links to [Vladimir] Putin’s party,” said Mr Tatchell. I wasn’t having a heart attack, when I got to St can cut costs on so-called back office jobs and straight and gay relationships. “Some of the victims have been tortured or killed. Vincent’s Hospital they actually wanted to take they think they can shift money around and that The law allows police officers to arrest tourists and The police are doing little or nothing to bring the me off the trolley and onto a seat.” will solve the problem. In the end, we just need foreign nationals they suspect of being homosexual, perpetrators to justice.” Mr Conway refused to do so and this ensured more human power in hospitals to be able to deal with the load and prevent people waiting lesbian or “pro-gay” and detain them for up to 14 days. “Russian LGBT organisations and international the emergency services workers waited with around on trolleys.” Peter Tatchell, an Australian-born British human human rights groups have appealed to the Russian him. Acting NSW Health Minister Kevin Humphries rights campaigner, condemned Russia’s actions. Government to scrap the anti-gay law and to crack “The ambulance [drivers] were really angry “The Russian Government has passed a draconian about that,” said Mr Conway. “The set up they countered that the budget had, in fact, improved down on homophobic violence. These appeals have funding for the emergency department. new homophobic law that criminalises any public been ignored.” have at the moment is until you are seen by a expression of gay identity and any public advocacy doctor and actually treated, the ambos have to “The record 2013/14 NSW Budget provides Hopes remain the campaigns will raise global funding for an extra 69,000 emergency of gay human rights,” said Mr Tatchell. “It is part of a awareness to compel the Russian Government to wait. “But the ambulance drivers can’t move you or department attendances this year and an extra wider attack on civil society.” reassess its gay suppression. can’t leave until you have been taken over by a 3,000 elective surgeries,” said Mr Humphries. Mr Tatchell has been involved in a prolonged “The Kremlin is sliding back toward the A spokesperson for the NSW Ministry of campaigned for gay rights in Russia, after attending the doctor. homophobia of the Stalin era,” said Mr Tatchell. “They were really cheesed off. They wanted Health pointed to population growth as an first Moscow Pride Festival in May 2006. “This vodka boycott is the first phase in a rolling answer to the ‘trolley block’ in the state’s Following the 2006 event, Moscow’s government me to get me on a seat and sit down because programme of protests that are designed to raise public they wanted to go. It was well over an hour emergency department. banned pride parades for 100 years. Mr Tatchell awareness and make the Putin regime think twice before I was actually seen by a doctor and they “The Auditor-General notes ambulance returned to Moscow in May 2007 to voice his before escalating its anti-gay crackdown.” had to hang around.” arrivals have increased at over four times the opposition to the ban. He was subsequently punched Ambulance waiting times are deteriorating. population growth in recent years,” said the and almost knocked unconscious. The NSW Auditor-General’s Performance Audit spokesperson. The campaign to boycott Russian vodka was handed down on July 24 revealed the total time “This has been coupled with an sparked by US columnist Dan Savage last month. spent by ambulances at hospitals rose from unprecedented increase in emergency “To show our solidarity with Russian queers and 30.5 minutes seven years ago to 42.1 minutes department activity. This growth has had an their allies and to help draw international attention in 2011/12. impact on the time it takes to get patients off- to the persecution of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, The report also found that the proportion of stretcher and also turnaround times. Longer trans people, and straight allies in Putin’s increasingly ambulance patients offloaded in 30 minutes ambulance delays impact on emergency fascistic Russia: dump Russian vodka,” said Mr Savage. fell from 77 to 65 per cent over the seven- response capabilities, especially during peaks in Two leading Russian brands of vodka, Stolichnaya year period, while the number of hospitals not demand.” and Russian Standard, have been targeted, but owners offloading 90 per cent of patients in 30 minutes The Auditor-General’s report found that 83 of Stolichnaya published an open letter last week rose from 34 to 64 per cent. The median per cent of all patients were transferred into criticising the “dreadful actions taken by the Russian response time for the highest priority emergency hospital’s care within 30 minutes and 33 per government”. Peter Tatchell detained in Moscow calls rose from 9.5 to 10.9 minutes. cent of patients within 10 minutes.

4

Planning to shape our future news in brief “allow the library service BY Daniel Paperny up the development application process [for] “We have been writing to the government Enrol to vote: AEC Wentworth’s Federal Greens candidate to expand on its role as a 80 per cent of applications,” she said. “We have about the heritage provisions [as] there is some The Australian Electoral meeting place, community Matthew Robertson has called for action to exempt and complying legislation applying concern that keeping heritage areas have not Commission (AEC) has centre and information be taken against proposed changes to NSW today, but only a very small portion of our DAs been included in the White Paper,” she said. advised Australians to gateway”. The Kiaora Lands planning laws, arguing they will significantly go through that process. “One of the things I was very concerned ensure they are enrolled to Development, an initiative of affect local democracy. vote in time for the 2013 Woollahra Municipal Council “We have just appointed our Waverley about was the legislation does not seem to Federal Election on Saturday, Mr Robertson, a Woollahra Councillor, said Development Assessment Panel, so we think deal with our environmental issues along the and Woolworths, is expected September 7. Electoral to be complete by mid- the changes proposed in the State Government’s that this will speed up the process anyway.” coastline as it should.” Commissioner Ed Killesteyn White Paper reforms will diminish the power of 2015. The development will Labor’s Waverley Councillor John Wakefield Ms Betts said Waverley was moving in the said all citizens aged 18 include a new Woolworth’s communities to have a say on local development expressed concerns over the introduction of right direction, but communication with the years and over are required supermarket, a Thomas Dux applications (DAs) and the preservation of local the Waverley Development Assessment Panel, community was necessary to establish correct by law to enrol and vote in store, a Dan Murphy’s outlet, heritage. The reforms propose to reduce public arguing it allowed the State Government to planning controls. the election. “To enrol, go specialty stores and the new consultation at the latter stage of the planning advance towards a model for amalgamating “When you set the controls, you should be online at www.aec.gov.au/ library. enrol. Enrolments can also process, focusing on an integration of economic, local councils. more comfortable with any application that Growing Food in Small environmental and social considerations. be completed by tablet “Seven weeks ago, the Liberals voted that no happens,” she said. “Currently, certain controls or smartphone,” said Mr Spaces workshops “We believe very strongly that Barry DA of any sort will ever come before councillors need to be more fine-tuned, and we need to sit Killesteyn on Sunday, shortly O’Farrell should honour his election The Nature Conservation again - that an ‘independent’ body of architects down and work with our residents to see what after Prime Minister Kevin Council of NSW and the commitment to return planning powers to local and planners who work for developers and with they want in our area.” Rudd announced the election City of Sydney Council communities,” he said. “We believe in grassroots developers has been set up to approve all DAs,” Mr Robertson said the State Government date. Paper enrolment are teaming up to run free democracy so we support the continuation he said. needed ensure an emphasis on ecologically forms are also available at workshops showing space- of local governments having a say about “The whole process of looking at DAs ... sustainable development was maintained under AEC offices, Australia Post, starved inner-city dwellers development within their own areas. allowed us to have a degree of interaction with the new planning laws. Centrelink and Medicare. Mr how to grow food in small Killesteyn said all enrolments “As the only Greens Councillor on Council officers that was significant as we spent “The Coalition’s plans to hand federal spaces. The ‘Growing Food must be received by 8pm, in Small Spaces’ workshops Woollahra Council, I take seriously my duty a lot of time talking to them ... about regulations environmental protection powers back to the Monday August 12. will show people how to grow to my community to advocate for real policy and controls. states - at a time when the NSW Government Govt supports Double food from their patio, balcony alternatives to the Liberals’ pro-development Councillors have is intent on stripping our planning law system or courtyard. “A lot of people agenda.” no involvement of any focus on ecologically sustainable Bay library think they can’t grow herbs Mr Robertson said the two greatest whatsoever in development and biodiversity protection - NSW Local Government and vegetables because they challenges that local councils face are changes DAs now.” poses a real threat to Bondi’s natural and built Minister Don Page has live in a flat or a townhouse, to the planning law system and the proposed Ms Betts said environment,” he said. announced that the State but it is amazing how much amalgamation of councils. Waverley Council Mr Robertson, now in campaign mode Government will contribute fresh produce you can $11 million towards the new “Those two are coupled, because once you harvest from a small balcony had made a for the September 7 election, wants greater library at Double Bay. The or courtyard,” said workshop take the power to make planning decisions away submission to the consideration to be taken for Bondi and its library, part of the Kiaora coordinator Louise Kiddell. from local councils, you’re really stripping them State Government heritage significance. Lands Development, will The workshops will be held of a lot of the bulk of the work they do and the for NSW Premier “Bondi is an iconic precinct loved by all receive the subsidy from in Glebe, Green Square community’s recognition of that,” he said. Barry O’Farrell to Australians,” he said. “The Greens know the State Government’s and Redfern over the next Waverley Mayor Sally Betts from the Liberal consider a series of that the local community here is passionate Local Infrastructure Renewal several months, commencing Party said the proposed changes attempt to alterations to the about protecting Bondi’s unique built and Scheme. Member for Saturday, August 17. Visit streamline the categories of development. proposed planning natural environment for future generations of Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton www.nccnsw.org.au for said the cash injection would information. “The [State] Government is trying to speed Matthew Robertson laws. Australians to enjoy and celebrate.”

6

City2Surf puts safety first Queen Elizabeth Drive parking By Madelaine Wong compete at levels compatible to their health and stamina. This weekend’s City2Surf will have increased safety The elderly, sick or children are encouraged to participate upgrade measures in place in a coordinated effort by Waverley in the ‘fun run’ category. BY Keira Morris-Akeroyd Council and local police in the wake of the 2013 Boston Fun runners at the rear of the field are famous for Queen Elizabeth Drive Marathon. flaunting colour, community spirit and dressed-up (QED) car park is set to Council and the Waverley Police Force have focused on costumes. The course travels through Kings Cross, Rose receive approximately 28 traffic and crowd control on this Sydney’s annual distance Bay, Vaucluse and Dover Heights, and includes a tough parking meters as Waverley event running 14 kilometres from Hyde Park to Bondi. trek up the notorious ‘heartbreak hill’ in Rose Bay. Council embarks on a “It’s an iconic event - the main issue is crowd control, “A lot of the participants will mention that ‘heartbreak parking system upgrade getting the event organised and to get the traffic flowing hill’ really hits them,” said Bondi resident Jack Gillmore. across the local area. again after the event as safely as possible,” said Inspector “This part of the course is often a struggle for many The meters will replace Bosch from Waverley Police. people. They find that after they pass the hill they struggle the manned booth and boom In response to the recent Boston bombings, additional for the remainder of the race [as] their bodies have been gates that currently secure protocol will be in place to reduce the risk of any potential tested.” the entry and exit to the car incidents. The 2013 Boston Marathon in April was 80,000 participants are expected to run the event now seems to think already works fine,” she said. heavily disrupted by two bomb explosions near the park, and will be installed by in its 43rd year, deemed in 2009 to be the world’s largest Ms Tobias raised concerns over the lack of finishing line. December this year. The wider upgrade will race and Sydney’s most popular event. The run will community involvement in Council’s decision- “Police will have strategies in place to look at the aspect see the replacement of 262 parking meters in sponsor over 700 charities and a large number of public making process, calling for more “open and of terrorist-related issues,” said Inspector Bosch. “Because Waverley. sponsors. transparent discussion” to take place. of the Boston Marathon, police have definitely stepped up Mayor Sally Betts said the metered system Matt Stern, a Bondi resident and regular participant, would make parking more convenient, allowing “It seems that Council have not spoken to their procedures to reduce the risk of that happening.” said the event was a great display of Sydney’s rising fitness The event will encourage participants to ensure they residents to electronically enter details rather the community about this issue since it was mindset and good health mentality. than having to carry their parking permit. She originally discussed in 2009, meaning that “I’ve always loved the race not only for the fundraising said there would be no disruptions to the many new residents have not had a chance to purposes, but because of the sheer number of people who Bondi community, either during construction or be involved in the discussion,” she said. participate,” he said. upon completion of the new parking meters. According to Council, the upgrade is “Everyone runs a much better time with the excitement “The introduction of metered parking will necessary in order to get Waverley’s parking of 80,000 people running around you.” have no negative effect on the local residents meter network to a standard compliant with A wide range of participants of all ages will join in the or businesses,” Ms Betts said. “Rather than data security regulations to be imposed by excitement from school groups to professional athletes, residents with permits having to drive through banking institutions in 2014. with a variety of celebrities making an appearance each the boomgates, they will simply to be able to Ms Tobias said the costs Council had year. For Bondi locals, the event is a day to celebrate drive in and enter their details in the meters.” provided her with estimated the price per community achievement, health and fitness, and a change Bondi Precinct Convenor Gabrielle Tobias meter at $15,000. She also noted the meters in season. agreed that there would be little disruption to would require ongoing maintenance and would “Once the City2Surf comes, it’s heading more into the community but questioned the cost-benefit need to be upgraded approximately every five spring and summer again,” said instructor at Let’s Go ratio of replacing a system, which she said years. Surfing Bondi, Brenda Miley. “There’s always events appears to be working well. “The main concern with the community happening here and there in the streets and everyone’s “I can understand updating the existing is the cost compared to what is currently always in a good mood after the City2Surf.” meters, but Queen Elizabeth Drive getting in place,” Ms Tobias said. “It seems that The event’s finish line is at Bondi Beach, where bus completely new meters seems to be a very keeping the boom gate would be cheaper than routes and schedules have been modified and road expensive outlay for something that everybody installing the parking meters.” City2Surf entrant Alex Lederer training at Bondi Beach closures are expected between 7am and 4pm.

8

(SLAPP) is designed to intimidate, censor and which if breached, would mean we would be in Maccas’ silence detractors by saddling them with the contempt of court.” costs of a legal defence until they abandon their Opposition to the restaurant in Victoria uncivil action action. harks back to earlier struggles in the 1980s and BY Adam Hunt “They’ve spent about half a million dollars 90s in Sydney with developments on King St McDonald’s have launched civil action [on this civil action], which is very difficult to try in Newtown and a proposed restaurant in the artoon: Peter Berner Peter artoon: against eight protesters of a small town in and counter,” said Mr Williams. Centennial Parklands. C The ‘Tecoma 8’ had been the most vocal Victoria, who have delayed construction of a “I strongly opposed the development of a 24-hour drive-thru. in their opposition to the restaurant, holding McDonald’s in Moore Park since it was first put The eight protesters in Tecoma have been interviews with news broadcasters and using issued Supreme Court injunctions demanding social media to generate weight behind their to South Sydney Council in 1995,” said Sydney damages, estimated to be $325,000. campaign. Lord Mayor Clover Moore. Earlier last month, work began on the site “All of the ‘Tecoma 8’ featured at some point “For more than seven years I worked with the but demolition was thwarted by hundreds of in the media - we assume McDonald’s aimed community to fight repeated attempts to develop protesters on the land and on top of the roof of writs at them as they were easily identifiable,” part of our parkland into a fast-food outlet.” an old dairy set to be torn down. said ‘No Maccas in Tecoma’ spokesperson, The ‘No Maccas in Tecoma’ campaign McDonald’s filed a planning application in Garry Muratore. organised a door knock of every household in 2011 for a restaurant in Tecoma, a small foothill “Seven of the eight [protesters] had already the town - almost 1,200 - and asked ‘Are you township in the Dandenong Ranges with a been charged by police with minor offences for or against the proposal?’ The survey found population of just over 2,000. – mainly trespass, and in one case a traffic that 92 per cent of locals are opposed to the “We believe this would be the closest offence.” development. McDonald’s to a national park in Australia McDonald’s decision to file a civil suit against “Whatever you say about McDonald’s, it just - approximately one kilometre from the the protesters was made after the eight had been does not belong here,” said Mr Williams. Dandenong Ranges,” said protester Karl charged with criminal offences. The action taken by the fast-food chain is Williams. “The court has the power to order The planning application was met with compensation from protesters who have been reminiscent of the McLibel case in the UK, a record 1,170 written objections and was convicted of criminal offences,” said Secretary of which saw McDonald’s sue two activists for unanimously rejected by the Shire of Yarra the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, Stephen distributing leaflets entitled: “What’s Wrong Ranges Council until a State Government Blanks. “Therefore McDonald’s have gone With McDonald’s?” agency overruled its decision. overboard with their civil case. The notorious 2004 Gunns case also set a “Corporations like McDonald’s with deep “McDonald’s is not acting like good corporate relevant precedent. pockets treat council decisions like a minor citizens and these civil cases demonstrate that Twenty citizens, activists and organisations nuisance and go straight to the Victorian Civil it does not wish to have good community campaigned to save Tasmania’s forests and were and Administrative Tribunal,” said Mr Williams. relations. Their legal action is an expression of sued by logging company Gunns Ltd for actions “What makes these Supreme Court orders contempt to the community.” it claimed damaged their reputation. novel and why they’ve caused concern Mr Williams said McDonald’s civil case The case collapsed after almost six years, restricts the movements of those involved, in the legal world is that we are so-called resulting in a loss to Gunns Ltd of over $4 representatives for an unnamed group of people hinders free speech and intimidates the wider million. who might have trespassed or impeded access community. to the site. “The eight [protesters] are battling a Julian Burnside QC, who represented a “Although many hundreds of people have temporary Supreme Court injunction which defendant in the Gunns case, was recently been involved [in the protest], eight have been sought and achieved restrictions on access to the approached by the ‘Tecoma 8’ and is unable to singled out and essentially served with a SLAPP site and limitations on what we can say,” he said. comment. suit.” “Those restrictions on free speech and the McDonald’s were contacted for comment but A strategic lawsuit against public participation right to protest are Supreme Court orders, did not respond.

10 Council takes aim at childcare shortage

By Daniel Paperny Each family home educator will be chosen important,” she said. “It’s a way for them to aricaturist C Waverley Council has introduced a based on a specific set of criteria, with socialise and be part of a group and grow new family day care scheme to address through that. their day care centre operating to provide am the Waverley’s baby boom and the urgent need adequate security, kitchen and bathroom “[Family Day Care] was an opportunity S for more childcare services. facilities in looking after children. for me to be at home when my kids came toon: ar The Family Day Care scheme will see “To become a Family Day Care Educator, home from school.” C qualified home educators provide a secure you must have a genuine desire to work Ms Betts said every Family Day Care learning environment for up to four with children,” said a Council spokesperson. centre provides an opportunity for children children aged 0-5 per house. The aim is to “Waverley Council coordinates the to develop in an intimate and caring home increase day care services across the eastern recruitment of home-based child care environment. suburbs over the next two years. “We have set an ambitious but achievable service operators ... and ensure the services Mayor Sally Betts said it was a move target to significantly increase home-based meet high standards.” by Council to create higher quality child Family Day Care centres in the next two Family Day Care educator Natasha care spaces, jobs and provide relief to local years,” she said. families. Zharovsky has worked in childcare A 2009 Council investigation into “We are having a baby boom in Waverley services for the last seven years and praised potential development sites resulted in at the moment,” she said. “With so many Council’s initiative. Ms Zharovsky said the development of the Mill Hill Early young families in our local area, the having her own business and working Education Centre in Bondi Junction, but demand on child care services is always from home allowed her to balance personal Family Day Care is now being advocated as high ... but we want to do more to help commitments. the most cost-effective solution to providing provide childcare opportunities in our “For families who place their children childcare services. community.” in childcare, the first few years are so In July 2012, Councillor John Wakefield moved a mayoral motion to address the inadequacy of childcare provisions in Waverley. A year ago, 17 of the 19 childcare hris Peken

C centres in Bondi Junction were full. Currently, there are four long day care Photo: Photo: centres and 37 home-based Family Day Care centres catering to at least 900 names on waiting lists for childcare services in Waverley. Mr Wakefield said Council should also look at a variety of options that could help to provide more children’s services to the community. “We should look at using space in existing public schools, expanding existing Council facilities, using part of Council land near our chambers, all of these things I will entertain, all of them are necessary to investigate,” he said. Natasha Zharovsky with Kiki, Byron and Arkie

11 poetry, and he performs it, isn’t that interesting?’” new things and trying out new stuff, such as new explains Merrill. concepts for performance. Every year, it’s kind of The Art of Words “I was one of maybe six people in the country that like a little map of the country’s imagination coming did it. That uniqueness at the time meant I got all of BY chelsea deeley the stage for the One Mic debut, unification is not the out. The more we document it and film it and create the work, which was nice but at the same time it was Hip-hop is often generalised as an entity of rivalry only thing on their mind - the artists gain the chance other forms out of it, the closer we can see the not a very respected art form.” and violence, where artists look out for number one to get exposure. It’s enough to send any dedicated consciousness of the country and what it is doing.” It was through volunteering for the Australian in order to become top dog. local hip-hop fan into a frenzy, as N3 discovered, there (CD) Poetry Festival that Merrill was able to lend his Forget what you think you know about that is an overwhelming sense of relief at the emergence of insights and ideas to set out an appealing structure for One Mic, Civic Hotel, Aug 9, 388 Pitt St, concept. this event, which also includes live visual art displays what would become a national event across a variety Sydney, $15, (02) 8267 3185, civichotel.com.au; One Mic will be a night that blows all of these and DJs. of venues. As an individual at the forefront of the The Australian Poetry Slam 2013, (heat) Oct misconceptions out of the water, as this monthly event “From the feedback we have received there are so spoken-word scene, Miles believes that Sydney today 1, Friend In Hand Hotel, 58 Cowper St, Glebe, at the Civic Hotel sets out to exemplify the multi- many people who are really positive and excited that has a lot more prospect for artists than most realise. (final) Oct 13, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong cultural ethos of Australian life. Expect to see MCs there is finally an event like this being launched in “I think there is a lot more opportunities for Point, $TBA, australianpoetryslam.com and performers from all walks of life banding together Australia,” he explains. to fill the room with poetic verses and unabashed “It was a little shocking that people were really attitude. jumping on board!”

The event, which is the brainchild of Fight Music The night is set to become a prominent event for hris Peken and hip-hop blog Poetry Runs Deep, is what co- the Sydney hip-hop scene and it creates a sense of C organiser and Smacktown MC N3 feels is definitely nostalgia to see just how much the spoken-word scene Photo: called for. has developed in our country. “We saw that something was needed in the hip-hop Gone are the days when budding poets and scene in Australia. It’s evident that things are going on performers were subjected to finding work in small- overseas in America, but not here,” he says. city bars and clubs, competing for coveted set times. “We felt we had to start off small, so with a small The introduction of the Australian Poetry Slam has venue only fitting around 300 people and a decent paved the way for the unification of artists all over the sound system, we felt it was a good start.” country, as co-creator Miles Merrill explains, it took a The night is centralised around the idea of a while for the event to take shape. cypher, where five up and coming artists will each “In 2004, I was working with a few different take a turn to spit an exclusive, off-the-cuff verse friends that were part of the poetry scene in Sydney over an instrumental track provided by the resident and Melbourne,” Merrill says. DJ. This tactic of unification stems from a desire to “We had talked about starting a poetry slam, separate the misconception of what hip-hop is. and in the beginning some of them wanted it to be “Everyone is just trying to make it independently in done in teams, but my feedback to that was ‘well, his or her own places,” explains N3. nobody knows what a poetry slam is, so who will “In Australian hip-hop there is a lot of focus on spontaneously put together a slam team?’” being Australian, we are trying to unite everyone. Born and raised in Chicago, USA, Merrill Whatever accent you have or where you come from received his performance break in Sydney where isn’t relevant, as long as you can rap, that’s all that he impressed the audience with his combination of matters.” theatre, experimental audio and hip-hop beats to gain With acts such as Kadbury, Chico Cas recognition and further gigs. (Smacktown), Ello C (Overtime), Chrispy “It was strange the situation I was in when I first (Sleepwalkers) & Matuse (Freedom Fighters) to take started because people were like ‘Oh that guy does Chico Cas & N3 from Smacktown & 26th Letter from Soul Benefits

12 EAT & & DRINK DRINK By Jackie McMillan jackie@alternativemediagrBy Jackie McMillanoup.com

if you really want to revisit your island honeymoon, the gently lapping waves of Middle Harbour. Omar has head straight for the Banana Colada ($17). Besides also widened his native Moroccan to take in a little being able to sit in a salvaged dinghy, Rambutan’s old Spanish: “I said to myself, let’s open another door.” So portal fish tank has been turned into a nightmare that’s how I found myself wondering what the poor video loop showing the terrors at the bottom of Davy folk were doing, as I sipped Turkey Flat Rose ($35/ Jones’ locker. After you’ve exhausted your whole talk- bottle) and tucked into a generous plate of Moorish like-a-pirate repertoire, heave upstairs to the seafood Sardines ($14) on the edge of The Spit Bridge. B’Stilla shack. You’ll find plenty of ways to get your fingers ($14.50), those tasty filo fingers stuffed with almond dirty, from Oysters ($3.50/each) with eshallots and chicken and dipped in fragrant orange sauce, have raspberry vinaigrette, to fat Grilled Marinated King thankfully travelled with him. You’ll also find a unique Prawns ($5/each), to a bucket of Chicken Wings ($9/ Grilled Scallops ($15.90) dish served with charred dozen) whose overly briny lick was eased with Anchor corn salsa and prawn oil. You can sit on tapas, but if Steam Beer ($8). The only thing I wasn’t too fussed you do, you’ll miss the highlight – a steaming Sweet on was the saucing, though it’s hard to complain with Lamb Tajine ($27.90). Nestled amongst almonds, the full suite of McIlhenny Company sauces sitting prunes and boiled egg, there’s lamb so tender you’ll on the table. No such complaints about the Lobster Hello Sailor Afous use your fork to split it over a plate of Cous Cous Burger ($17), which arrives sporting a fat juicy lobster Stumbling into this nautically themed bar from Foley tail. It’s even priced (like the rest of the menu) to be After Tajine tucked in a difficult corner of Republic ($5.90) with Harissa ($4.90) to heat things up. I Lane, I found it instantly familiar. Two minutes later I’m affordable on a seaman’s wage. 2; and Souk in the City on the windy expanse of actually pinched this recipe to try out at home. trading tales of Rarotonga across the bar with award- 96 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst (enter Foley Lane) St Margarets, I’m hoping it’s third time lucky for Level 1, 81 Parriwi Road, Mosman (02) 9969 8000 winning bartender Luke Redington, nursing an Army (02) 9332 2442 hellosailor.com.au personable owner Omar Majdi. Rather than austere afous.com.au Navy Blue ($17). It’s well balanced and quaffable, but Seafood, Cocktails $$ modernity, this time he’s gone for bobbing boats and Spanish, Moroccan $$$

$ - mains less than $15 $$ - mains between $15-$22 $$$ - mains between $22-$30 $$$$ - mains over $30 Fifty Lashes Pale Ale ($5.90) and glass sized taster with every dish. there’s this underground Pitt Street a perfect Confit Garlic, Rosemary Accompany seafood - from Oysters hang. It’s brightly lit, and none-too- DARLO, KINGS X delicate Ginseng Soju Cocktail ($12) that summons Sichuan. The rest of and Mozzarella Pizza ($14) plucked ($15) to Lemon and Pernod Scented fancy, but worth checking out for that even has health benefits, so our dishes arrive in a flood: Gosh & SURRY HILLS from the wood fire oven. The Beef Seafood Chowder ($15), to a better- the late-night 3am kitchen and the chew on the edible root! Poshkal ($8) pastry discs enclosing than-average Beer Battered Flathead and Guinness Pie ($19) is hard to Korean double fried chook. Boneless 614-618 Crown Street, Surry Hills lamb and onion; Nan Gush Kormisi beat, topped with mash, mushy peas and Chips ($15) – with a local Seoul Food Fried Chicken Half and Half ($33) If you’re new to Korean food, this (02) 8958 1168 seoulfood.com.au ($15) a dry style stir fry of beef, and flaky pastry. My male dining Newcastle brew: Grainfed Brewing gives a plain version that’s crunchy modern Crown Street entry – awash Korean $$$ capsicum, garlic, chilli and bread; and companion is kept happy with a Co.’s Sneaky One ($5.20/middy). and pleasantly oil-free, while the with the bright colours of the Sydney Uyghur Cuisine Samsa ($12.50), Uyghur samosas. Bone In Sirloin ($27) and chips; Or there’s a biscuity Hunter Beer rest is smothered in sweet and sour Korean tri-coloured disc – is a good Uyghur: to understand this wildly 314 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills and the Hazelnut Dream ($14) Company Kölsch ($5.20/middy), sauce. Throw in cans of OB Golden place to start. Charismatic owner different Chinese cuisine, it helps to (0406) 002 461 cocktail, uniting Frangelico, Baileys good against a nicely presented Chicken, Pork and Pistachio Terrine Joshua Kim is popularising Korean situate it in the northwest corner Chinese $-$$ and Butterscotch Schnapps, makes a Lager ($5) and a sizzling pot of damn fine alcoholic dessert. ($15). I might even head back to try by taking an innovative approach to of China bordered by Mongolia, Seafood Spicy Soft Tofu Soup ($15). 74 Church Street, Parramatta their six-course Beer Degustation traditional dishes. Korean Barbeque India and several of the ‘istans. The GREATER SYDNEY Round out your midnight feast with (02) 9635 8811 pjsparramatta.com.au ($89/head)… Bulgogi With Rice ($14), thin shreds Wagyu ($32) now has the hard work restaurant’s none-too-fancy, with 72 Hannell Street, Wickham Pub Bistro $$-$$$ of marinated beef, barbequed to done in the kitchen; while Yookhway Uyghur knickknacks and a pictorial PJ’s Irish Pub Parramatta The Albion Hotel (02) 49622411 thealbion.com.au ($12) – the Korean version of steak menu showing Chinese, Turkish This pub looks a bit like a bunker, This pub is serious about beer. Pub Bistro $ within an inch of its life, with free tartare – comes artfully arranged and Middle Eastern influences, with but the expansive internal courtyard Not only will you find ten on-tap banchan (the spicy radish was my on cucumber slices. Radish Rolls a tendency towards lamb and/or is enough to make you forgive the craft beers (and two hand pumps), ROCKS & CBD favourite). ($9) package up glazed chicken and bready dishes. Bash Tamlik Puqah external lack of charm. Soak up they’ve also got tasting notes on the Basement, 375 Pitt Street, Sydney vegetables in radish paper à la Peking Botkisi ($8) is an appetite-inducing some precious winter rays over taps. Even better: their fifteen-buck NaruOne (02) 9261 2680 duck. They suit the house drink, a salad of tofu, capsicum and cucumber a schooner of James Squire One pub lunch menu includes a wine At the blaring K-pop end of Korean, Korean $-$$

13 EAT & DRINK By Jackie McMillan

changing menu based upon customer feedback: the City’s melting pot of cultures and set up shop in Mini Yeezy Burgers are making a comeback after Surry Hills last month. Each bagel is named after one public outrage. I’m more inclined to start a petition of the eclectic boroughs, the Noho ($10) features if the Smoked Rainbow Trout Miang ($15) disappear, two poached eggs, alpaca ham, baby spinach, and an this Thai street food snack, served in a betel leaf amazing tomato relish. It’s your breakfast-brunch bagel with roasted peanuts and lime, is the most tasty and with a coleslaw side – basically your perfect hangover tactile dish I’ve had in ages. Warm Sesame Cabbage cure. The Tribeca ($10) with wagyu bresaola is a great Salad ($10) wins the award for ‘most unlikely to be lunch option, made delicious by the salty-sweet meat delicious’ - but trust me, it’ll blow your mind. Share and refreshing dressing. A special, The Chinatown dishes are relatively cheap apart from Crying Tiger ($13.50), is topped with omelette, blue swimmer Beef ($19). It’s melt-in-your mouth, but it’s also gone crab remoulade, chilli, and XO sauce, and is the most in sixty seconds, and given the amount of cheap unique tasting bagel in town. There’ll be big trouble Thai in the area, seems a bit steep. Cocktails break in little China if they take this one away! If you’re boundaries - a Shiver Me Timbers ($17) combining just after a snack, pop in for a Raisin and Cinnamon whiskey, citrus and Kalhua, manages to work a treat; Bagel ($6.50) – their version of raisin toast. With a while the Grand Rhupy ($17) is fruity and fresh with Brooklyn Hide slick warehouse-style layout, a perfect cup of Little Fat Rupert’s homemade rhubarb chutney. This place is bound to By Alex Harmon Marionette coffee and the best bundles of dough this By Alex Harmon take off as long as they get their ‘best of’ menu right The team at Brooklyn Hide know their holy boiled side of Brooklyn; I have to say that this place is totally The Flying Squirrel has flown the nest and a new bar and keep pumping out the ace nineties tunes. bread, and they know their delicious deli fillings. Kosher, man. named after a ravenous dog has moved in. Although 249 Bondi Road, Bondi (02) 9130 1033 Creating a new wave in Sydney (hopefully one that 226 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills (02) 9211 the décor is the same, Rupert’s menu is more fatruperts.com.au ends the Mexican surplus), co-owners Dan Littlepage 6448 brooklynhide.com.au sophisticated. They’re still in teething stages with a Tapas, Pan-Asian $$ and Matthew Forsdike took their love of New York Café $

EASTERN SUBURBS dollar view, it’s hard to complain. tzatziki and an accompanying glass ($21). It’s tidy, colourful and fresh, eclectic but inviting, from Duck The risk paid off, because twelve Level 1, 80 Campbell Parade, Bondi of Covers D’Or Pinot Noir ($10). but still grandiose in scale, so the Shepherd’s Pie ($23) baked in an years later, they’re still serving Vue Bar Beach (02) 9130 5166 Round up a posse to take advantage side of Banana Bread ($6.50) was enamel-coated tin plate, to Brown Enmore locals their family’s recipes. When getting seen at Ravesi’s vuebar.com.au of the generous sharing plates. not needed, but with its maple whip Rice Kim Chee Goreng, Pork Belly, They claim their Baba Ganouge goldfish bowl wears thin, head to Tapas, Italian $-$$ 69 Perouse Road, Randwick butter, it was more than welcome. Fried Egg and Sambal ($24) – a ($13) is “the smokiest in town”. It a secluded bar with one of the The Cubbyhouse 9398 7994 thecubbyhouse.com.au Nielsen Park, Greycliffe Avenue, curious Indonesian/Korean collision certainly is tasty when scooped up best panoramas of Bondi Beach. Former rugby league player Hassan Tapas, Cocktails, Modern Australian $$ Vaucluse (02) 9337 7333 that works. If you’re into craft with Tabouli ($13) or moistening Get cosy amongst whitewashed Saleh has turned his hand to wine Nielsen Park Café www.nielsenpark.com.au brews, the on-tap Stone & Wood cylinders of Moorish Chicken furniture, fairy lights, candles and bars. He’s a movie buff, so kick off Overlooking the ominously named Cafe $-$$ Summer Ale ($5.80) is a beauty; ($20) grilled in Lebanese bread. with Dusk Till Dawn ($15), a tequila, Shark Bay, there is nothing sinister even a blanket if it’s too cold. Start if not, a bottle of 2011 Belgravia My favourite dishes were simple with Sicilian Olives ($5.50) and lemon and Licor 43 concoction to see here, even on a grey day NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS ‘Apex’ Chardonnay ($40) will get but glorious hand-cut Fried Potato cocktails - the Lava Lamp ($16) is a from his cinematic list. His biggest the heritage building is warm, with you into the friendly backyard vibe. ($12) liberally doused in garlic spicy orange-infused martini that’s score is getting Cypriot Chef Chrys ocean views from every table. The The Henson 91 Illawarra Road, Marrickville paste, and Fried Cauliflower ($14) sure to warm you up on a winter’s Xipolitas in the kitchen, as one of newly relaunched winter breakfast with tangy tahini. Plus there’s night. The menu pizzas and tapas, his female relatives hand-makes menu has all the trendy trimmings. Your hipster pub life needn’t stop (02) 9569 5858 thehenson.com.au from tasty and plentiful Risotto arguably the best Haloumi ($14) I test out the Toasted Bagel with when you have kids! Bring your Pub Bistro $$-$$$ a pleasantly pink non-alcoholic Arancini Balls ($11) with Bolognese in Sydney. Pipis ($18) with chilli, Cured Salmon ($16) and it stacks beard, your tatts, your children, Emma’s On Liberty Handmade Rose Lemon Drink ($5) sauce, to Seafood Paella ($15) with garlic and ginger disappear quickly, up very well - chewy but sleek, with yes, even your dog (true story) and When Emma and her son Anthony and a counter of (bought-in) sweets. plump prawns. Desserts like Mud but my favourite is 5-hour braised generous amounts of salmon and save on funky Mac & Cheese ($14) Sofy opened their family-run 59 Liberty Street, Enmore (02) 9550 Cake ($9.50) are fairly pedestrian, Lamb Kleftiko ($16) wrapped in an explosive egg. My hungry dining rippled with silver beet, cauliflower restaurant in the Inner West, there 3458 emmasonliberty.com.au but with good prices and a million warm, house-made pita bread with partner went for the Big Breakfast and leek. The rest of the menu is was no precedent for Lebanese. Lebanese $$

a curious Creole tartare, and a pot of chalky FOOD NEWS Baked Goats’ Cheese ($11) with tortilla chips, Chef James ‘Jimmy’ Grant explained his menu With breakfast being touted as the most important meal of philosophy: “look at what other folk are doing, the day, I thought I’d direct your attention to two new ones. Firstly Opera Bar who already offer up one of Sydney’s most and try not to do that.” So you won’t find a impressive waterside locations, are now letting you enjoy menu full of the latest pub fads, like tacos or it over brekky (9am-11.30am). With dishes like chorizo, sliders. What you will find is a plate-sized 400g egg and manchego quesadillas, and some Champagne or Angus Rib Eye ($32) served on the bone with Moscato, you create a morning event worth leaving the the marrow cleverly revealed. It sports a black house for. However if the glare of the sun is a bit much after cherry and roast eschallot jus with hand-cut a big night on the turps, Bondi Hardware have launched a late weekend brunch (10am-2pm), which starts with one chips cooked in garlic infused duck fat. Not being of their infamous Bloody Hardware cocktails. Made with a mainstream beer gal, I took it in with a Czech chilli infused vodka and house-made black juice of beetroot, Cernovar ($4), which is now on tap, and a fail- tomatoes, red chilli, lemon, orange, horseradish and chipotle Ruby L’otel safe bottle of Ninth Island Pinot Noir ($32). It Tabasco, it’ll definitely cure your woes, especially if you take lasted into a better-than-average pub dessert: a it with a plate of ricotta pancakes with crispy bacon and On a bleak and dreary winter night I returned to whopping slab of warm Chocolate Cake ($7) packing maple syrup. Ruby L’otel to find things were jumping. Sliding a clever chipotle punch, cherries and pistachios, www.operabar.com.au www.bondi-hardware.com.au between rowdy groups doing ten-buck meals with ten-buck jugs of Aussie beer standards, and the smothered in a boozy choccy sauce. trivia tapas crew, I let their enthusiasm carry me 68 Victoria Road, Rozelle (02) 9555 1900 BAR FLY By Rebecca Varidel (kicking and screaming) into a pleasant pub night. As rubylotel.com.au I munched on Louisiana Crab Croquettes ($12) with Pub Bistro $$-$$$ THE OWL HOUSE $ - mains less than $15 $$ - mains between $15-$22 $$$ - mains between $22-$30 $$$$ - mains over $30 When I die, I want to drown in a bathtub of Saffron. Saffron ($19) by the way is the name of a smooth ($17) - a flaky golden dome hiding INNER WEST each) rolled in toasted coconut and as silk, superior gin cocktail by Amir Halpert at The ephemerally light Sour Cream and a rich and generously beefy stew, Owl House. Sitting across the intimate bar from him, Penny Fours Mascarpone Brioche Buns ($4.50/ with fluffy mash and garden peas. I’m imaging The Owl House as the premium place each). High quality ingredients “Violet Crumble should just It’s great with James Squire Apple where (hint, hint boys) I’d like to have a first date. make a Ham and Cheese Croissant Cider ($5/middy) or cheap but I am however here with my BFF girlfriend, as we stop,” I mutter through an earth- ($6.50) a near religious experience drinkable plonk, like Under & Over ooh and ahh our way through the cocktail list via a shattering mouthful of Leatherwood – just like the honeycomb, it’s the King Valley Pinot Gris ($28/bottle). food-matched degustation. Now, I’ve had food and Honeycomb ($3). Apparently the way it shatters that matters. secret to the slate-like interior of In cooking pub classics - from Salt cocktail matches before, yet in this collaboration 141 Norton Street, Leichhardt and Pepper Squid ($16) to a Salmon the honeycomb is a labour-intensive (02) 9572 8550 facebook.com/ with chef Roy Ner there is true harmony with Fillet ($20) with warm potato and cooling process that sees it slid PennyFours both flavour and texture – neither compete, both from cool spot to cool spot on Bakery $ dill salad – this chef doesn’t miss a compliment the other perfectly. We’d started our stainless steel. Penelope Ransley’s Sir William Wallace Hotel beat. You’d be laughing if this were adventure with a stunning surprise mouthful of impressive resume includes fine With most pubs busting a gut to your local… 1930s Cosmopolitan, and more surprisingly, the dining big hitters like Est., Tetsuya’s modernise, it was almost a relief to 31 Cameron Street, Balmain night only got better and better! and Sepia, as well as Iggy’s, known stumble across this historic Balmain 9555.8570 97 Crown Street, Darlinghurst (02) 9357 5060 for excellent bread. Now it’s local. Chef Brad Coates is luring in williamwallacehotel.com.au theowlhouse.com.au pillowy Citrus Marshmallows ($2/ locals with Beef and Guinness Pie Pub Bistro $$

14

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

It’s September 1939 – England affinity with Freud was has just entered the war - and immediate. two men meet in London. The “Both Freud and Lewis were aged and ailing Sigmund Freud, articulate, intellectual giants,”

Photo: Brian Geach Photo: legendary psychoanalyst says Szeps. “It’s a brilliantly and Jewish Atheist, has been witty play.” exiled by the Nazis. As the For those who are wearied shadow of death approaches by the changes and chances he summons a young Oxford of fleeting theatre, Freud’s Last professor. Session should fascinate. C.S. Lewis, once an Atheist but “You can’t avoid being hit by now converted to Christianity, the big questions,” says Szeps. is already a warm and “You’ll leave with thoughts articulate defender. Thus the swimming around in your stage is set for an exquisite head and if you don’t you will confrontation on the key certainly have a good laugh.” human questions of life, death, One for the heart, mind and love, sex - and of course God. maybe even the soul. (GW) Henri Szeps, who plays Freud, Aug 14-Sep 8, Theatre Royal, is well known to Sydney 108 King St, Sydney, from FREUD’S LAST SESSION theatregoers. A persecuted $59-85, (02) 9224 8444, European Jew himself, his ticketmaster.com.au

performer continuing to grow, Lynch is returning TAIKODECK STEPHEN LYNCH to Australia for a second tour. He will play songs from new album, Lion, favourites from old albums Following on from TaikOz’s evocative Stephen Lynch doesn’t shy away from being and a few works-in-progress. production last year (Shifting Sand) comes daring, controversial and downright hilarious. “There will be some audience participation - a spectacular new collaboration called In a distinctive fusion of music and comedy he TaikoDeck with prominent Melbourne DJ Steains Karen Photo: delivers songs about varied trite and taboo until some drunken asshole takes it too far and I and producer Max Royce-Hampton. topics, including ugly babies, fat friends and have to have him removed.” (MP) “We are always looking for new queer tattoos. Aug 20, Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore connections and collaborations,” says Lynch’s musical history was initially more Rd, Newtown. $69.90, (02) 9550 3666, long-standing TaikOz cast member Anton traditional - he took piano lessons as a kid and enmoretheatre.com.au Lock. he was influenced by his “TaikoDeck is about respecting tradition father, a singer in a 60’s folk but finding our own Australian voice and group who was a Latin and accent. At its simplest this show is taiko Greek scholar - so linguistics, combined with hip-hop music from a DJ etymology and grammar Photo: Dale May Photo: deck,” continues Lock. were important at home. A collaboration between brothers Tom “Many of the family games Royce-Hampton (a TaikOz member) we played revolved around and DJ M-Royce (Max Royce-Hampton), word-play and puns. I’m TaikoDeck fuses east and west styles to sure that love of language is create a performance not just for the ears apparent in the dick jokes and eyes, but felt throughout the entire that I now write,” he says. body. Lynch had no designs on Presiding over the stage is one of the becoming a comedian in the most impressive taiko drums, the Odaiko traditional sense, saying, “he Grand Drum, a percussion beast weighing wanted to be an actor with a 250 kilos. Taiko means “big drum” in capital A”. Japanese and the show also features more Comedy was just a lucky than 20 taiko drums as well as percussion accident when Lynch moved instruments including traditional Japanese to New York in 1996 and bamboo flutes, bells and gongs. began writing comedic songs The contrast between strong-armed to perform in underground dynamics with more delicate instruments clubs. This eventually and the addition of live hip-hop will make captured the attention of it a spellbinding experience. (CN) bigwigs at Comedy Central, Aug 13-18, Glen St Theatre, Glen St & who asked him to record his Blackbutts Rd, Belrose, $30-70, first special. (02) 9975 1455, glenstreet.com.au With his reputation as a

Arts Editor: Leigh Livingstone Contributors: 18 STAGE Alex Britton, Alexis Talbot-Smith, Andrew Hodgson, Angela Stretch, Music Editor: Chris Peken Anita Senaratna, Antonia Hayes, Chelsea Deeley, Cheryl Northey, 19 SCENE Live Music Editor: Chelsea Deeley Craig Coventry, Emily Jones, Gavin Fernando, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, James Harkness, Joseph Rana, Katie Davern, Katie Mayors, 20 SOUNDS Kim Shaw, Leann Richards, Lena Zak, Lisa Ginnane, Luke Cox, Luke Daykin, Lyndsay Kenwright, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Mel 21 SCREEN For more A&E stories go to Somerville, Michelle Porter, Nerida Lindsay, Nick Hadland, Olga Azar, a&e www.altmedia.net.au Robin Marshall, Ruth Fogarty, Tom Wilson 17 STORM BOY VITALITY Sydney Theatre Company and innocent and true,” says Sheedy, Vitality is a collaboration of the undercurrent to the message electro-music and contemporary or the story that I’m telling. Perth’s Barking Gecko Theatre who explains that the puppet dance that is quite literally “It’s composition but at the Company have teamed up for pelicans on stage are “physically evolving. Choreographer Sarah- moment it’s living more in a new production to celebrate articulate” as they “fly, waddle, the 50th anniversary of Colin peck, play catch and click and Vyne Vassallo says that she will the sound scape place, than a Thiele’s much-loved Australian clack about”. be, “looking at technology and musical place. So we’re actually children’s classic, Storm Boy. Adapted for the stage by Tom our relationship, particularly using sounds from phones women in the 21st Century’s “There is a great affection many Holloway, the play stars Joshua and gadgets then partnering relationship to technology and Australians have for Storm Boy,” Challenor and Rory Potter in with some real medieval how it’s very much an intrinsic says Director John Sheedy, “it alternating roles as Storm Boy, part of our lives but also looking sounds, alongside some actual is arguably one of the greatest Trevor Jamieson as Fingerbone at how we adapt to it.” bird sounds as well. We’re Australian stories of all time.” Bill and Peter O’Brien as the Vassallo continues,”I found that technofying it.” (LC) Set on the windswept coast of boy’s father Hideaway Tom. there was some really beautiful Aug 8-10, Seymour Centre, South Australia, the tale follows “The characters are timeless parallels looking at the evolution City Rd & Cleveland a young boy who befriends a and the story of loss and of the bird to how we evolve in St, Chippendale, $25, cast of curious characters as he friendship is still poignant the 21st Century. It’s kind of like seymourcentre.com roams the Coorong, including today,” says Sheedy. (KM) Fingerbone Bill and the pelican Aug 9-Sep 8, Sydney Theatre Mr Percival. Company, Pier 4/5 Hickson “The friendship between Road, Walsh Bay, $25-30, Storm Boy and his beloved (02) 9250 1777, EMILY EYEFINGER bird resonates on a level that is sydneytheatre.com.au The magical world of Emily Eyefinger Jackson, who plays the title role. will leap from the pages of Duncan “When Emily looks through her eye Ball’s much-loved children’s book finger, you actually see her point series and onto the stage in a return of view coming up on the screen,” Photo: Heidrun Lohr Photo: season of Monkey Baa Theatre’s Jackson explains. “It’s a pretty popular production. spectacular journey and quite a feat The play follows the exploits of Emily that we’ve managed to put it onto one Eyefinger, a young girl born with the small stage.” unusual gift of an eye on her forefinger. Beneath the hijinks an important She joins her friend Malcolm to solve message rings clear as Emily learns to Grant-Sparkes-Carroll Photo: mysteries and foil the villainous Arthur embrace her extraordinary condition. Crim. “I hope the moral of the story really From the depths of the jungle to resonates and people can walk away the ruins of ancient tombs, the high- with a sense of celebrating difference,” energy show recreates the comical says Jackson. (EJ) spirit of the original books through Aug 8-10, Glen Street Theatre, Glen multimedia projections, lighting effects St & Blackbutts Rd, Belrose, $19, and animation, says actress Dannielle (02) 9975 1455, glenstreet.com.au

Challenging and dark, the fragment, a web of loneliness production of Fireface by from which they struggle to FIREFACE Stories Like These is powerfully escape. Moments of unsettling staged, and at times dreadfully honesty come in the form of frightening. brief asides, rather confessions, A subtle set, consisting of by each of the characters in Photo: Wong Photo: Phyllis a table and four chairs, is turn. the most generic aspect of Darcy Brown is mesmerising this family’s dynamic. It is a as Kurt, his wry sarcasm all home in which the occupants the more powerful for its collide to varying physical and understated assurance. This psychological degrees, collisions rendered powerfully by an production imbues Marius overwhelming, shuddering, von Mayenburg’s play with sound and lighting design. tremendous depth, and cliché Perversity and power co-exist or not, it is literally on fire. here, haunting the shadows of (RM) the stage like the characters Until Aug 17, atyp, Studio 1, themselves between scenes. The Wharf, Pier 4/5 Hickson Their presence lingers Rd, Walsh Bay, $20-32.50, (02) throughout each disconnected 9270 2400, atyp.com.au

THEATRE & not take itself seriously, which is cast of 12 creates an intimate Palmer St, Darlinghurst, $20-29, stage throughout the first act, weighs in at 401kgs and will PERFORMANCE refreshing and fun to experience. experience, a striking contrast to (02) 9361 0440, tapgallery.org.au with a surprisingly powerful die in the next couple of years (LD) the large outdoor spectaculars TOSCA The classic Opera voice for his small frame. Alexia unless something is done, so DON PASQUALE Director Until Aug 15, Sydney Opera House, that are so common in Australia. originally by Puccini, is adapted Voulgaridou’s Floria Tosca they agree to go on a reality Roger Hodgman’s production Bennelong Point, $44-306, The play is a comedy and its successfully by John Bell and set provides a captivating, believable television show. masterfully transforms Gaetano 9250 7777, in the Nazi allied Rome of 1943 performance throughout while Unapologetically satiric, Beached Donizetti’s nineteenth century themes of intolerance, revenge, sydneyoperahouse.com to 1944. particularly moving the audience is the moving story of a man Commedia dell’Arte into a love and money resonate THE MERCHANT The production is a feast for with the aria Vissi d’arte during imprisoned in his own body. 1950’s soap opera. strongly with contemporary OF VENICE is one of the senses, with stunning sets the second act. (LD) It lays bare the mercenary Sets and costumes are Shakespeare’s most well known issues. This show is sure to extravagant and vibrant, a clear and costumes brimming with Until Aug 31, Sydney Opera nature of reality TV, and turns but least produced plays. reflect the thoughtful and representation of technicolour detail and colour. This further House, Bennelong Point, Sydney, the microscope on society’s erudite approach of its director kitsch. This is complemented A unique feature of the complements two of the most $44-306, (02) 9250 7777, insatiable appetite for human by subtle lighting and orchestra production is the size of the and will undoubtedly be a unique spectacular voices to grace sydneyoperahouse.com misery. (MS) alterations to mirror the mood venue. The Tap Gallery sits a and startling take on an old and the stage at the Sydney Opera BEACHED is about an obese Until Aug 31, SBW Stables Theatre, onstage. mere 65 people in a small space. familiar fable. (LR) House. David Parkin as Cesare teenager, Arty, and his Mum 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross, $49, This is a production that does Performing Shakespeare with a Until Aug 24, Tap Gallery, 278 Angelotti vocally dominates the JoJo , played by Gia Carides. He griffintheatre.com.au

18 THE NAKED CITY TALKING THROUGH YOUR ARTS THE REAL ‘MONSTROUS’ CAN CLEVER DESIGN SAVE THE WORLD? RAVING LOONIES! Friends tell me that it is not possible to teach or indoctrinate Materialising in 75 events, the 16th Sydney Design Festival presents aesthetic sensibility - that it is either present or not. Perhaps a citywide program that explores the theme: Design re-think – they are right, but I choose to think that through the right kind can clever design save the world? of exposure many people can develop a greater artistic taste, The Powerhouse Museum will be home to three socially sense of style and design. responsible design teams as they seek to find solutions to some Perhaps if the music of Mozart or Bach were to be constantly of society’s infrastructure problems. The 3 x 3 x 3 Designers exposed for a great length of time to our leading politicians they will seek improvement of living environment and health of would become gentle and humane. I believe, perhaps naively, that Indigenous people; Emergency Shelter Exhibition – a fundraiser if the ‘couldn’t care less’ ruck of average folk were exposed for for relief-work following the 2011 Japan earthquake; And a time to things in the domestic and urban environment as fine Transportable Work-Shed – a portable men’s shed and Wildebeest as the Greek amphora, and as earthy in feeling as the Mexican cooking pot, a majority would respond. Workshop that focuses on community. It is naive to imagine that city councils, investors, manufacturers, Other events include Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes, contemporary industrial and commercial designers and architects always jewellery designed to disappear in the wearing; Video projections, consider the aesthetic implications of their work for society. stop motion and poetic text by COFA students are set to Unfortunately there are too many other, less altruistic motives appear on the walls of Quietly in a Busy Place. (AS) and we needn’t look far for civic examples - our Harbour may Sydney Design Festival, Until Aug 18, Powerhouse Museum, no longer be our ‘Darling’ in the future. 500 Harris St, Ultimo, Free with museum entry ($12), None of us avoid some objective appraisal of, and feelings for sydneydesign.com.au or against the shape of things. The simple act of accepting or rejecting something for its looks when shopping, its embodiment of our desires that invite our physical or imaginative possession to speak in tongues, “I can see you with that, in this, accessorised on top of those, minimised by wearing a pair of them and maxed out with a dozen of these dig-it numbers.” When we are affected in any By Coffin Ed, Miss Death & Jay with phosphate mining and in one of of these ways we are involved Katz the world’s most remote locations, it’s in the rather wonderful aspect without a doubt the Alcatraz of the With the election campaign just of consciousness we call an Pacific. short of full swing expect the aesthetic response. As the final phosphate supplies are madness that has bubbled over Jun Sakaguchi and Jeremy Bishop, Emergency shelter, 2013, © Emergency Shelter Exhibition Pty. Ltd in the previous weeks to soon exhausted, a financially bankrupt Nauru explode like an ejaculating geyser. has no other option than to accept Whilst one of the duties of living Australian handouts and continue its BLOOD GENERATION - STUART MILLER in a democracy is to take the only viable industry - aka ‘detention Stuart Miller is an accomplished portrait created for themselves. It blew my mind.” electoral process seriously there and human misery’. Whilst it may be photographer who is capable of evoking It was this reality that inspired Miller to are some for whom the nastiness, a bluff the mere suggestion that the a clear message with his techniques. His combine his proven corporate style and love horror and sheer absurdity of island, which imports nearly all its food recent collection, Blood Generation, which is of fashion, to create something unique. Australian politics is just too supplies, might accommodate another showing at Black Eye Gallery focuses on the “I think they’re some of the most beautiful generation that grew up through Bouganville’s portraits I’ve ever taken. The people have no much to contemplate. 5,000 permanent residents is beyond belief. Even the Nauruans themselves ‘Coconut Revolution’. kind of preconception of what they should Unfortunately we don’t have something have been lobbying the Australian The ‘Coconut Revolution’ was the successful look like. They’re not looking at magazines uprising of the Indigenous peoples of or television, so when I pull a camera up in like the UK’s Monster Raving Loony Government for years to resettle Party to make a satirical protest and Bougainville Island against the mining plans of front of their face, they’re not trying to put their own citizens in Australia as their corporation Rio Tinto Zinc to exploit their on what they’re supposed to look like. They’re express our contempt for mainstream phosphate economy finally collapses. politics with funny hats, outrageous natural resources. really honest portraits.” With no public meetings at which to “Before I went up there, everything that I had Miller continues, “They really do have this costumes and a list of humorous, albeit heckle and stage-managed electorate strangely rational policies. Sure there seen was just so black and white,” Miller says. coolness. Honestly it’s like a coolness where appearances that screen out the rabble, “It was all imagery of sad children and they can create something from nothing. I are other ways to show your disgust there’s little chance for the disillusioned postwar conflict.” really enjoyed that.” (LC) for the major parties during a campaign, voter to vent their anger these days – Yet, his own experience of Bouganvillians was Until Aug 11, Black Eye Gallery, 138 even if on election day you actually cast at least in a ‘public’ forum. You might be very different, “there was something about Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst, Free, (02) a valid vote for the lesser of two or them, they had their own style which they 8084 7541, blackeyegallery.com.au three evils. able to protest outside the Villawood Photo by Stuart Miller If any issue in the current campaign Detention Centre but Nauru is out might persuade you to dump both of the question. Even those cardboard WORKING CLASS HERO (A PORTRAIT OF JOHN LENNON) the major parties, and go shopping for campaign posters that will soon litter “Well well well, oh well”, the words gently, cry softly and sway a funny hat, it’s the focus on the tiny the urban landscape are placed high on electricity, well out of the range of the strains of one of John Lennon’s to the beat of unheard tunes. It is island of Nauru as a panacea for the most famous anthems resounds a capella, a chorus without music asylum seeker problem. Tony Abbott disfiguring texta. It’s spiritual founder Screaming Lord in 25 different intonations, but the bells herald the opening. is on record as saying that “it’s not an echoing through the cavernous This exhibition is a testament Sutch died in 1999 but the Monster unpleasant place to live” and Kevin Anna Schwartz gallery in Candice to the unique effect of song, it Rudd has talked about resettling up Raving Loony Party still survives and Breitz’s astounding exhibition comments on the legendary to 5,000 asylum seekers there on a now has chapters throughout the Working Class Hero. status of the ex-Beatle and his permanent basis. world. It has a small Facebook following Each voice emerges from a video influence on the every man. If somebody suggested we house in Sydney but maybe it needs a bona face framed in black. The tune Alternatively pensive, defiant and thousands of asylum seekers on fide public presence complete with all changes from ballad to chant inspiring, Working Class hero is a Cockatoo Island they would be the regalia (and funny hats) of disdain. It charting the emotional roller profoundly moving experience. certified insane but in many ways might be a minor protest on the larger coaster that is Lennon’s first solo (LR) that would be more humane than the scale but it would also be a contest – album, and the visages reflect that Until Sep 28, Anna appalling Nauru solution. At just 21 the Monster Raving Loonies versus the emotion. Schwartz Gallery, 245 square kilometres, a landscape pitted Liberal/Labor ’monstrous’ loonies! They plead and strive for the top Wilson St, Darlington, Free, notes, scream the lyrics, hum the annaschwartzgallery.com ‘Working Class Hero (A Portrait of John Lennon)’, by Candice Breitz, 2006

19 SALVIA PLATH “What I say goes, right? I think I can dictate that now after 18 years surely?” - THE BARDO With Black Rabbits, the four-piece are simply expanding their skillset and making sure STORY “we can ride a bit of pop-rock if we want to,” the response has been “mixed but positive The Bardo Story GRINSPOON here and there,” says Jamieson. springs casually Grinspoon are one of Australia’s most loved rock bands. They won Triple J’s Unearthed “The thing about doing seven records is that you can’t actually make memories for into light rock, competition in 1995 with Sickfest and the rest, as they say, is history. people. Guide To Good Living will live in people’s hearts because it was a certain time and reminiscent of the because of a certain age they were and you can’t try to replicate that. You just have to experimentally Seventh album Black Rabbits is a different direction musically for the rockers, with softer lyrics that give listeners a narrative. try to do your best.” airy 60’s sound.Formerly known as Run Modestly Jamieson concludes, “Burt Bacharach just said recently, ‘making music, art or DMT, Salvia Plath rolls pleasantly through Frontman Phil Jamieson says, “It was more because the guys in the band were anything is particularly selfish’ and we’re not curing cancer here - we are just writing songs House of Leaves and Bardo States complaining about my lyrics being a bit obtuse.” with guitar and melodic vocals which He continues, “I don’t like the obvious in lyrics, so for the people out there that really tunes for our own entertainment and the fact that people like them is a real bonus.” (LL) make it very easy listening.There is no want to get some sort of meaning out of the song or understand what the hell I am Aug 10, Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown, $44.80, (02) 9550 3666, enmoretheatre.com.au hurry in this music. Instead we gradually talking about, we’ve made it a bit easier to follow.” explore the combinations of slow bass Although, being obtuse certainly hasn’t hurt Grinspoon’s popularity over the years. and voice manipulation, building with “We’re incredibly fortunate that still people come and watch us and clap and dance. the timing of a Chick Corea, whilst That’s a really nice feeling,” says Jamieson. tapping the tambourine like the most easy-going Beatle. Mixed subtly with the After six successful albums - “Six sounds kind of crazy, right?” – The recording of Black instruments, the lyrics don’t draw attention Rabbits was a more sedate affair for the once Lismore-locals. to themselves but listeners will hear “We weren’t allowed to do anything essentially. Except turn up to the studio on time the beautifully co-ordinated strains for and have our voices warmed up and that in turn ended up being quite a disciplined themselves. (SP) record, [we’re] pretty proud of it,” explains Jamieson. “This time we had less fun but the product if you want to call it a product – fuck - is really, really good.” After almost two decades in the business some might say they’ve earned the right to DAVID BRIDIE - grow up and change direction, but Grinspoon haven’t lost their rock’n’roll edge. WAKE “I find that kind of funny when people say to me ‘that’s not very rock’n’roll!’ I’m like ‘how would you know? - because I’m in the band!’ laughs Jamieson. After composing and producing for young Indigenous Sydney Live Music Guide as one that “tips its hat to such as Mozart, Bach, Sydney Opera House to artists at his home LIVE WIRE Kim Wilde and Deborah Vivaldi and Beethoven will bang out some gems from recording studio, Senses Fail: This New remain an integral part of Brett Hirst and drummer Harry” but still maintains be honoured by the Suzuki integral points of their 21- David Bridie has Jersey five-piece has had their genre. Toby Hall. The concert is an alternative and modern Alumni Orchestra, with year history. Throughout six finally found time to release his next their fair share of highs and Thu, Aug 8th, The Standard tipped to bring to light not sound. This time around the a mixture of five soloists studio albums as well as two solo album Wake. Coming five years lows over their 11 years. Sandy Evans Indian only rehearsed beauties girls have chosen touring and thirty young talented live compilations, the boys after Succumb (2007), Wake is an eclectic Through a stint of member Project: An opportunity to but some astounding buddy ILUKA, whose violinists pouring their will be pairing their sound collection of personal songs. The album’s changes the essence of gain an insight into a musical improvisation. Pure talent. beautiful sultry-sounds are heart and soul into the once again with the majestic Senses Fail has remained culture not often featured opener Dr Seuss Is Painting in The Sky sets Fri, Aug 9th, Sound Lounge showcased on the fantastic music. A cello choir will also Sydney Symphony to inject intact. With seven albums in the Australian conscious. new EP Glory Days. be in the mix to provide the tone for the album - a dreamy pop Avaberée & ILUKA: some surprises into the under their belt, including Renowned Australian Brighton Up Bar will host a Sat, Aug 10th, Brighton Up Bar an evening layered with number with winks to The Beatles. From show. It will be a night of the latest titled Renacer, saxophonist and composer night of feminine charm with Harold Brissenden different musical elements. there Bridie traverses subjects such as as well as commended Sandy Evans will be gracing Brisbane trio Avaberée and Commemorative Sun, Aug 11th, The Concourse nostalgia for a band who asylum seekers, the war in Iraq, love and performance slots at the Sydney’s jazz-filled centre to Sydney-songstress ILUKA. Concerto: With acclaimed Chatswood started out as a Saturday death, yet Wake is never heavy handed; coveted Taste of Chaos, share her fascination with After the underground conductor Dr. Nicholas The Whitlams: For the acoustic act at Newtown’s Bridie is deft at weaving his wistful imagery. Warped Tour and UK Slam Indian jazz. Collaborating success of their pop-nugget Milton at the helm, this first time in three years Tim Sandringham and became The result is a textured and thoughtful Dunk Festival. This Aussie with a pioneer of the genre Lover of Mine, Avaberée chance to see some of Freedman, Jak Housden, one of Australia’s most album. (NH) show will be a celebration in tabla player Bobby Singh, are keeping the ball rolling the greatest classical Warwick Hornby and successful musical acts. of a band that through Evans will also bring her with latest single Running compositions should not Terepai Richmond will be Wed, Aug 14th, Sydney Opera everything has managed to usual trio - bass player Out. A track they describe be overlooked. Composers gracing the halls of the House (CD) a trait that normally adds humour, but the story THE WORLD’S END continues past the should-be climactic point and possible worlds film festival The World’s End follows a group of friends (Nick descends into eye-rolling craziness. The Possible Worlds Film Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Thankfully it is impossible to discriminate Festival makes a return to Eddie Marsan) who are convinced by their between the flawless casting - from the main our shores in its eighth year fearless leader Gary (Simon Pegg) to return to gang to supporting roles by Pierce Brosnan, Bill with open arms, a beacon of their quaint English hometown and recreate Nighy and David Bradley (Harry Potter series). light for the great Canadian the epic pub crawl they couldn’t finish 20 years (LL) WWW½ & American stories that are earlier. sometimes overlooked in The town has changed an age where Hollywood though and now the whole blockbusters reign supreme. world is relying on Gary and “There are an amazing his mates to make it to the number of stories being told final pub. around the world that we The World’s End is utterly don’t get to hear and without implausible and completely festivals, especially festivals entertaining. Audiences dedicated to independent have seen the basic concept cinema, you’d miss out before (a small-town- entirely. I really strongly consipiracy-with-a-twist- believe that we need to “We’re a very friendly festival, our screenings comedy) - a style that has preserve the diversity of those voices,” explains include a free drink on arrival and a chance had continued success for Festival Director Mathieu Ravier. to really chat about the films and have a good Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright “The festival is an opportunity to put the ‘festiv’ time,” says Ravier. (AH) collaborations. back into festival, and to have fun going to the Unfortunately the film movies with your mates,” he continues. Aug 8-18, Dendy Cinemas, Opera Quays, becomes a little self- That festiveness is something that really shines Circular Quay & King St, Newtown, $16+bf, indulgent towards the end, through - the festival has a lot to offer patrons. dendy.com.au

Now You See me is a fun film with a sense of is spot on as the scruffy has-been looking for humour. Full of misdirection and magic, the a comeback, whereas Eisenberg isn’t quite 10TH AICE ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL crime thriller follows illusionists The Four believable as a roguish ladies man. The Australian Israeli Cultural Exchange (AICE) believable characters displaying their angst and Horsemen (Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Fantastical special effects balance the weaker is proudly bringing the 10th Israeli Film Festival their views,” says Lawrence. Eisenberg and Dave Franco). plot points and to quote Interpol agent Alma to Sydney. Co-curator Keith Lawrence says that “If you love quality cinema there’s a great The team pull off bank heists during their Dray (Mélanie Laurent) - “It’s better when things owing to a renaissance of the film industry, US diversity of films at the 10th AICE Israeli Film immensely popular magic shows and reward are left unexplained”. trained Israeli film crews are now producing Festival – horror, political and romance. Be audiences with the money, all whilst staying It would be prudent if there were a stronger better quality films. challenged and entertained. You’ll be pleasantly seven steps ahead of the FBI and magic focus on developing various story arcs and more “Four Israeli films have received Oscar surprised.” (MM) nominations in the past six years which has debunker Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman). mystery left in the spelled-out ending. (LL) Aug 13-28, Palace Verona Cinema, 17 Oxford spread awareness throughout the world,” The casting choices are up and down, Harrelson WWW Street, Paddington, $19.50, (02) 9360-6099, Lawrence explains. palacecinemas.com.au “The popularity of Israeli films is definitely on the increase – very much in vogue.” For the past two years this film festival has been presented Australia-wide even in Byron Bay which further highlights its popularity. “This year’s films reflect the voice of the youth – their concerns of everyday issues such as the powerlessness of the political situation Now You See Me and having to join the army. These films are edgy and have

THE WAY, WAY BACK The THE BLING RING In Sophia chauffeur, secret lover, but most storyline is the heart of the film, PACIFIC RIM sees mankind transfixed on the characters Way, Way Back is a bittersweet Coppola’s The Bling Ring (based bizarrely, he is moulded into being the catalyst that forces the (once again) called upon to for painfully long shots while coming-of-age flick that tugs at on the infamous real burglaries a younger version of Liberace five characters to face truths make a final stand, as enormous they aimlessly walk the streets the heart strings and pulls at of star’s homes in Hollywood), himself with the rather extreme about themselves and invokes dimension-travelling monsters or drive around in discussion. the funny bone. Credit to Liam the web is a nefarious presence aid of plastic surgery. Adapted anger, shock and laughter. (MM) called “Kaiju” emerge from a Great performances and James - the young actor not only in the lives of teenagers. from Thorson’s memoir of his WWW½ crevasse in the Pacific Ocean well-scripted but few viewers conveys maturity beyond his While utterly compelling The five years with the icon, Behind and start wrecking up the joint. will appreciate this unique years, but perfectly captures the Bling Ring is as voiceless as its the Candelabra is both hilarious THE CONJURING is based The robots are cool and there style of film making. (MM) awkwardness of adolescence. (JH) dissociated characters. Humorous and slightly bent. (HC) on true events and tells of are some impressive looking WWW WWWW moments become sad and ironic. WWWW the horrors the Perrons (Ron set pieces, but there was hope Coppola has remarked that she Livingston and Lili Taylor) and their director Guillermo del Toro might or Snow MUCH ADO ABOUT BLANCANIEVES wanted to avoid glamourising WHAT’S IN A NAME A children experienced in 1971. bring a little more interest to this. White, is a work of intricate NOTHING Joss Whedon these young people and delightfully wicked comedy The dark presence was prevalent The emotional highpoint is a brief detail that will soften the heart takes a break from big-budget this is perhaps to the film’s in which arrogance is and increasingly disturbing events farewell between a man and a dog. of every staunch film puritan. blockbusters to film his black detriment. You can’t help but smartly interwoven with prompted them to seek help At least it’s original material. (AB) Shot in black and white with no humour, delivering a film WWW and white take on Shakespeare’s spoken dialogue, it is majestically watch with pity and a stinging from paranormal investigators. that is contagiously funny. comedy. Filmed in Whedon’s own scored, combining chamber sense of shame. (NH) This is one of the scariest When soon-to-be dad Vincent LA mansion, there is a feel of and symphony arrangement WW and most realistic horror BEFORE MIDNIGHT (Patrick Bruel) attends a dinner movies in recent years. Audiences revisit Jesse (Ethan soap opera opulence in both the with traditional flamenco music film’s aesthetic and the drama that is placed delicately. BEHIND THE at his sister Élizabeth’s (Valérie The effective and well-paced Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) in that unfolds. Whedon intertwines The performances give CANDELABRA tells the Benguigui), the question of script will have audiences glued the third in a trilogy of films that justification to the reawakening of story of American concert pianist what to name his son arises. to their seats anticipating the have been filmed ten years apart. comedy, dark plots, sex and silent film – a thousand words are Liberace (Michael Douglas) The scandalous name he reveals next fright. It’s dark, sinister Their past, present and future love, with splashes of comedy spoken with every single picture. and his live-in companion Scott unleashes fury with such and overflowing with the usual all collide as negative aspects of in the way of modern touches Quite simply, this film Thorson (Matt Damon) in a magnitude that family bonds are clichés attached to horror films their relationship bring change. like fist bumps and slapstick that is the reason celluloid world of 1970s Las Vegas glitz, threatened with hysterical results. that will deliver audiences an Before Midnight is filmed as a add an extra dimension of light- was invented. (LC) flashing lights and palatial kitsch. This film is about family, love enjoyable scream-fest. (MM) group of long conversational heartedness to the film. (HC) WWWWW In this relationship Thorson is a and friendship. The baby naming WWWW pieces, where cameras are WWW½

21 FREEWILLASTROLOGY by Rob Brezsny CANCER (June 21-July 22): The key theme LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): What resounding CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): When I was 19, dthis week is relaxed intensification. Your gtriumphs and subtle transformations have ja thug shot me in the butt with a shotgun at ARIES (March 21-April 19): ”You have to assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to you accomplished since your last birthday? How close range. To this day, my body contains the participate relentlessly in the manifestation a heighten and strengthen your devotion to things have you grown and changed? Are there any ways 43 pellets he pumped into me. They have caused of your own blessings,” says author Elizabeth that are important to you -- but in ways that you have dwindled or drooped? The next few some minor health problems, and I’m always Gilbert. I recommend that you experiment with make you feel more serene and self-possessed. weeks will be an excellent time to take inventory this subversive idea, Aries. Just for a week, see queasy when I see a gun. But I don’t experience To accomplish this, you will have to ignore the of these things. Your own evaluations will be most what happens if you devote yourself to making conventional wisdom, which falsely asserts that any routine suffering from the wound. Its original important, of course. You’ve got to be the ultimate yourself feel really good. I mean risk going to going deeper and giving more of yourself require impact no longer plagues me. What’s your own judge of your own character. But you should also extremes as you pursue happiness with focused you to increase your stress levels. You do indeed personal equivalent of my trauma, Capricorn? A zeal. Try this: Draw up a list of experiences that have a great potential for going deeper and giving solicit the feedback of people you trust. They may sickness that racked you when you were young? you know will give you intense pleasure, and more of yourself, but only if you also become be able to help you see clues you’ve missed. If, A difficult break-up with your first love? The death indulge in them all without apology. And please more at peace with yourself and more at home in after weighing all the evidence, you decide you’re of someone you cared about? Whatever it was, I don’t fret about the possible consequences the world. pleased with how your life has unfolded these past suspect you now have the power to reach a new of getting crazed with joy. Be assured that the ten to eleven months, I suggest you celebrate your level of freedom from that old pain. cosmos is providing you with more slack than LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Last year a young success. Throw yourself a party or buy yourself usual. Nebraskan entrepreneur changed his name e a reward or climb to the top of a mountain and AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Want to take full from Tyler Gold to Tyrannosaurus Rex Gold. He unleash a victory cry. advantage of the sexy vibes that are swirling TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “I am not washed said it was a way of giving him greater name k around in your vicinity? One thing you could do band beautiful, in control of a shining world recognition as he worked to build his career. Do SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Monmouth Park in in which everything fits,” writes Taurus author is whisper the following provocations in the ear you have any interest in making a bold move New Jersey hosts regular horse races from Annie Dillard, “but instead am wandering awed h of anyone who would respond well to a dose like that, Leo? The coming weeks would be a May through November. During one such event about on a splintered wreck I’ve come to care good time for you to think about adding a new of boisterous magic: 1) “Corrupt me with your in 2010, a horse named Thewifenoseeverything for, whose gnawed trees breathe a delicate air.” twist to your nickname or title or self-image. But I raw purity, baby; beguile me with your raucous finished first, just ahead of another nag named I recommend you try on her perspective for recommend something less sensationalistic and honesty.” 2) “I finally figured out that one of the Thewifedoesntknow. I suspect that there’ll be a size. For now, just forget about scrambling after more in line with the qualities you’d actually like to keys to eternal happiness is to be easily amused. comparable outcome in your life sometime soon. perfection. At least temporarily, surrender any cultivate in the future. I’m thinking of something Want me to show you how that works?” 3) “I dare longing you might have for smooth propriety. like Laughing Tiger or Lucky Lion or Wily Wildcat. Revelation will trump secrecy. Whoever is hiding you to quench my thirst for spiritual sensuality.” Be willing to live without neat containment and information will lose out to anyone who sees and 4) “Let’s trade clothes and pretend we’re each polite decorum. Instead, be easy and breezy. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): African-American expresses the truth. I advise you to bet on the Feel a generous acceptance for the messy fjazz singer Billie Holiday was the great- option that’s forthcoming and communicative, not other’s higher selves.” beauty you’re embedded in. Love your life granddaughter of a slave. By the time she was the one that’s furtive and withholding. exactly as it is, with all of its paradoxes and born in 1915, black people in the American South PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Some people put mysteries. were no longer “owned” by white “masters,” but SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You have both ltheir faith in religion or science or political their predicament was still extreme. Racism was ia poetic and a cosmic license to stretch ideologies. English novelist J.G. Ballard placed GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Studies show that acute and debilitating. Here’s what Billie wrote yourself further. It’s best not to go too far, of his faith elsewhere: in the imagination. “I believe when you’re driving a car, your safest speed in her autobiography: “You can be up to your C course. You should stop yourself before you in the power of the imagination to remake the is five miles per hour higher than the average rate boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your obliterate all boundaries and break all taboos world,” he wrote, “to release the truth within us, of traffic. Faster than that, though, and the danger hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can to hold back the night, to transcend death, to level rises. Traveling more slowly than everyone still be working on a plantation.” Nothing you and smash all precedents. But you’ve certainly charm motorways, to ingratiate ourselves with else on the road also increases your risk of having experience is remotely as oppressive as what got the blessings of fate if you seek to disregard an accident. Applying these ideas metaphorically, Billie experienced, Virgo. But I’m wondering if some boundaries and shatter some taboos birds, to enlist the confidences of madmen.” As I’d like to suggest you take a similar approach as you might suffer from a milder version of it. Is any and outgrow some precedents. While you’re at you make your adjustments and reconfigure your you weave your way through life’s challenges in part of you oppressed and inhibited even though it, you might also want to shed a few pinched plans, Pisces, I suggest you put your faith where the coming week. Don’t dawdle and plod. Move your outward circumstances are technically expectations and escape an irrelevant limitation Ballard did. Your imagination is far more potent a little swifter than everyone else, but don’t race unconstrained? If so, now’s the time to push for or two. It’s time to get as big and brave and and dynamic than you realize -- especially right along at a breakneck pace. more freedom. brazen as you dare now.