City Hub 14 April 2016

from Bondi to Balmain...

City newssinCe 1995

APRIL 14 , 20 16

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BY JORDAN FERMANIS Last weeks release of the so-called

Panama Papers constituted one of the largest releases of documents to the public in history. 2.6TB of data and 11.5 million files from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca & Co. The leak has embroiled the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin, British PM David Cameron (by way of his father) and more than 800 Australians. The leak has already claimed victims with the Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur Dav resigning in the aftermath.

Closer to home, the ABCs Four Corners program last week revealed that the Australian company Wilson Security had been caught up in the scandal by way of Thomas and Raymond Kwok. Two brothers from Hong Kong who were directors of Wilson Offshore Group Holdings (BVI) Limited, the company with majority ownership of Wilson Security. In 2012 the Kwok brothers were arrested on accusations of bribery by Hong Kongs anti-corruption agency.

The connection between the Kwok brothers and the Australian security company has sparked corruption concerns due to Wilson Securitys numerous contracts with the Australian government. The contracts include the detention facilities on Nauru and Manus Island as well as The Australian Taxation Office.

The company has already received complaints over negligence and incompetence in carrying out its contract in Nauru. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young accused Wilson Security of spying on her during a visit to Nauru last year. Senator Hanson-Young

has called for the Federal government to withdraw its contractual links with Wilson Security at the detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island in light of the Four Corners investigation.

These contract links with Wilson Security extend to the City of Sydney Council. In a statement made by a City of Sydney spokesperson there are confirmed contract links with the company,

The City currently has three contracts with Wilson entities.

These contracts expire on 1 June 2016, 31 March 2019 and 20 June 2020.

All City contracts are managed by staff

to ensure that the contractors meet their obligations and comply with the terms of each contract. A spokesperson said.

City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott said that the contractual connections between the City of Sydney and Wilson Security must be put to question.

The enormous revelations about some alleged tax avoid schemes and the implications are being felt across the world Clr Scott said.

Wilson Security has denied any wrongdoing. The company maintains that the Kwok brothers were never directors of Wilson Security and that any suggestion of tax avoidance is false.

Clr Scott said that her questions to the council have wider implications.

Its important that the City of Sydney has ethical procurement. And of course as a government, also important that we make sure that revenue collection is done fairly and equitably.

We know that tax avoidance robs the Australian community of funding for schools and hospitals and parks and local government funding. So its incredibly important that all our procurement is done in the most ethical way possible. And that we are doing our best to ensure that things are being done legally. Clr Scott said.

Clr Scott said if the City of Sydney had obtained contracts unethically from the firm they would need to look at their options.

We would need to look at the options available to us in order to examine what our future avenues are.

Wilson Security was contacted for comment but failed to respond in time.

Labor Councillor Linda scott

Panama Papers: The City of Sydney Connection

Unseen report the start of problems for Powerhouse

BY LUCAS BAIRD Premier Mike Baird and his Deputy, Troy Grant

officially announced on the 11th of April the new location for the Powerhouse Museum.

The site, located on the Parramatta foreshore will allow for a 40 per cent increase of space for the facility.

But community groups have criticised the plan as being vague; having unanswered questions; and having several holes.

One criticism came from the Save the Powerhouse group, who claimed that a $10 million business study assessing the Powerhouse Museums move to Parramatta may have been smothered by the state government.

They told City Hub, that they believe the state government didnt release the KPMG report because it was unfavourable of the move.

Save the Powerhouse Campaign Coordinator, Patricia Johnson, said it is pretty widely believed this report has been buried.

A number of experts who are very well integrated into the museum world have all heard and reported separately the same rumour, Ms Johnson said.

Ms Johnson also said that this sort of behaviour is endemic in the state government.

That of course follows a precedent. We are of course aware of the campaign against the forced amalgamations.

The exact same thing happened. A report was also commissioned by KPMG about the forced amalgamations; it was produced and immediately buried because the government didnt like what it said.

It is not extraordinary if they did the same thing again, she said.

A spokesperson for the Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts, Troy Grant did not deny the existence of a paper.

A spokesperson told City Hub that the

report could not be release because it was in its preliminary phases and its contents remain in cabinet in confidence.

A preliminary business case has been prepared for Cabinet and its contents remain Cabinet in Confidence. Now a site has been selected, a final business case can be prepared and will be completed by the end of the year, the spokesperson said.

Save The Powerhouse has also questioned why the West needed a second Powerhouse, when the government spent $33.6 million in 2014 on upgrading the MAAS Discovery Centre in Castle Hill, which had previously been used as the primary storage facility for

the Powerhouse.It closed in 2014 for refurbishments and is due to

reopen this year.A spokesperson for Mr Grant said that the

purpose of the refurbishments was to expand storage capacity and improve on the facilitys public displays and educational aspects.

Rose Hiscock, the former director [of the Powerhouse] in her 2020 vision said that one of her goals was to open to open up the Powerhouse Discovery Centre to greater community involvement and tapping the potential of Sydneys west, she said.

She said a little later in 2014 that she wanted

the Discovery Centre more integrated with other museums and put it at the centre of operations.

But the spokesperson for Mr Grant said that the Discovery Centre would work in conjunction with the Powerhouse museum to provide state of the art cultural facilities for the west.

The Powerhouse Museum and the Discovery Centre are two very different venues that, together with the Sydney Observatory at Millers Point, form the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences network, they said.

Parramatta Mayor, Paul Gerrard said that he was thrilled with the Baird governments decision.

We are thrilled with this decision and we look forward to partnering with the State Government during the design process to deliver the people of Parramatta and Western Sydney the world-class cultural institution they have long deserved, the Mayor said.

This is a once in a generation opportunity to build the worlds next great museum here in Parramatta. We will work closely with the Government, in consultation with the community, to ensure that design excellence is achieved and that Parramattas Powerhouse is a landmark building for all of Sydney.

State Opposition Leader, Luke Foley also supported the relocation of the Powerhouse, but called for the Premier not to sell the current site in Ultimo to developers.

My challenge to the government is, if youre shifting the Powerhouse keep the land you own in Ultimo and deliver a new school to the people of the inner city, Mr Foley said.

Whilst admitting that the announcement and its subsequent support was a forward step for the governments plan, Ms Johnson said that the fight to keep the Powerhouse in Ultimo is not over.

This is certainly not the end for us. It is just another motivating factor for us, she said.

The proposed site for the Powerhouse in Parramatta. source: supplied.

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BY CHRISTOPHER HARRISComplaints of alleged online abuse by

NSW Police towards Greens MP Jenny Leong have been made to the Police Integrity Commission.

There may also be an internal police investigation, following revelations that NSW Police Officers left racist and sexist comments directed at the member for Newtown on social media.

Following the scandal, the Greens MP received support from the Acting Deputy Police Commisioner as well as the Police Minister.

Ms Leong took to Facebook on Monday evening and thanked people for their expressions of solidarity and positive messages of support.

We welcome the comments that have been made by the Police Minister and Acting Deputy Police Comissioner yesterday as a first step to show that they are taking the matter seriously.

As has been reported we have also referred the matter to the Police Integrity Commission, the Facebook post said.

Senior solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre, David Porter said Ms Leongs complaint was very serious, but investigations carried out by the Police Integrity Commission were rare.

Mr Porter said that of the roughly 3,500 complaints made about NSW Police in a year only 20 to 40 would be investigated by the Police Integrity Commission, one statutory authority charged with the responsibility of investigating allegations of police misconduct.

He said in NSW, only complaints of extreme seriousness are referred to

the Police Integrity Commission or the NSW Police Ombudsman because both authorities lack the funding to conduct investigations.

He said as a result, NSW Police typically conduct their own investigations into complaints.

It is common that officers at a Local Area Command would investigate fellow colleagues at that station.

He said then it would be up to that Local Area Commands Superintendent to decide what disciplinary action would be appropriate based on findings.

He said that funding for the Police Integrity Commission was insufficient for them to address the number of complaints.

We give them some funding, but a long list of things to do under the statute, meaning the outside agency doesnt have the budget to conduct lots of investigations.

There were plans to change how police

handles complaints last year, when a report recommended abolishing the Police Integrity Commission as well as the Ombudsman and replacing these agencies with a new authority, to be called the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

The report recommended that the NSW Police Force retain responsibility for investigating critical incidents, and allow the new commission to monitor these investigations.

But Mr Porter said that a new organisation would not solve the problem of lack of oversight.

There is an overwhelming tendency to give agencies broad powers and responsibilities and not give them the budget; it has been an historic pattern in NSW.

Mr Porter said that the widespread practice of colleagues investigating colleagues from the same local are command had detrimental effects for the police.

He said that there were serious problems with colleagues in the same station investigating one another, namely because of the tension that creates in the workplace.

One thing that the lack of resources for independent investigation does is it introduces a lot of tension into the police force, because officers are required to investigate colleagues. He said that the problem with this was also highlighted in the bugging scandal between Deputy Commisioners Catherine Burn and Nick Kaldas.

NSW Police were contacted for comment but did not respond to City Hubs enquiries in time for print.

Newtown Greens MP Jenny Leong

Calls for more police oversight


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Local opposition to Pavilion plans grows

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRISProminent Bondi locals have taken to YouTube to

protest Waverley Councils redevelopment of Bondi Pavilion, saying it is commercializing vital community space.

The videos include prominent locals including the Australian actor Michael Caton who said that the councils plan was freezing locals out.

You sting the Bondi community $38 million to do up the pavilion, but then you freeze them out of the finished product, because that is what will happen. You rent it out, to whoever can afford it. Great plan eh? 38 million and you get frozen out, Mr Caton said in one video.

Musician and artist Reg Mombassa said: as usual, greedy politicians and their developer mates want to get their hands on it. Keep your grubby hands off it.

Dave Faulkner from the Hoodoo Gurus said that

the plan would see the removal of music rooms, as well as the Bondi Waves program that had nurtured local musicians.

Its a resource for local people. A lot of people live here, and this is the only available facilities for them. The tourists get enough, we already make enough money off tourists. Nor do we want to give away a public asset away to private interests, which is what the council intends to do. They are decimating this as a community resource.

Next week the Council will vote on whether it will approve $38 million plans to redevelop Bondi Pavilion, which were announced last year.

As well as the removal of music rooms from the pavilion, the refurbishment will see a loss of the Pavilions theatre, as well as community meeting rooms.

It will be replaced with a multipurpose facility, an added on structure at the back of the site.

An open letter from the group Save Bondi Pavilion last Saturday called on national and state heritage authorities to scrutinize the councils plan.

The letter said that because it was put forward as a concept plan and not a development application, Waverley Council had not been complied to provide much detail for the site, as well as not having to get approval from heritage bodies.

The Pavilion is listed as a site of state significance on the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage.

Waverley Councils decision to present these changes as a concept plan means that most of the documents necessary to support the more rigorous development application process are missing. The absence of a business plan, heritage and environmental impact statements, interim toilet facilities, tenant relocation plan, maintenance schedule and detailed costings mean that the Council, stakeholders and the ratepayers remain uninformed of crucial details of the plan. Also, a report to the Council on potential commercial rental projections of the proposed design has remained confidential. The letter reads.

The letter also questions the timing of the plan with another proposal for an underground car park on the site.

Kilty OBrien, from the community group Save Bondi Pavilion said that the council said Mayor Betts had not listened to the community.

She said that the council had refused to put the letter, which so far had 200 signatories, on the agenda at next weeks council meeting.

Once again the community voice is being shut out at a council level, she said.

She said one of her biggest concerns was the fact that there was very little community space in Bondi, as well as the Eastern suburbs. Her children attend classes at the Pavilion and she believes that once the community space is gone, there wont be an alternative place to go.

Its not just about the walls, it is about the community, we dont have anywhere else, she told City Hub.

A NSW Office of Environment and Heritage spokesperson told City Hub Waverley Council presented the proposal to the office in March.

The Bondi Surf Pavilion is listed on the State Heritage Register as part of the Bondi Beach Cultural Landscape, a departmental spokesperson said.

The NSW Heritage Council is the consent authority under the Heritage Act 1977 for any development within the boundaries of a State Heritage Register listed item, the spokesperson said.

The Heritage Council is liaising with Waverley Council to ensure the necessary Conservation Management Plans are in place before formal decisions are made regarding any development affecting this national icon.

Late last month it was reported that Waverley Council intends to conduct a study which would investigate moving cars into an underground carpark at the pavilion.

Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak said that there were multiple concerns with the plan. Among them, moving the toilets to the side of the pavilion had some concerned about safety as well as congestion, because it was right near the adjacent surf club.

There is still controversy about relocating the toilets to the lane between the pavilion and the surf club. It could be more dangerous and it could conflict with the activities of the surf club, and at a busy day at the beach, Clr Wy Kanak said. The mayor keeps saying that people want the pavilion restored, but it is very contradictory because they are talking about heritage and they will be building a completely new modern design structure in the backyard of the pavilion.

He said that there were worries for some homeless people that slept on benches at the rear of the pavilion.

Chapel by the Sea confirmed that there was a small semi-permanent population of homeless people who slept behind the pavilion.

The council is expected to vote at next Tuesdays council meeting. Waverley Council did not respond in time to City Hubs enquiries for print.

Bondi Pavillion

Backlash to forced council amalgamations unites suburbs from east to the inner west

BY ANDREW BARCLAY Councils from across NSWs have

continued to unite in their fight against the Baird Governments forced amalgamations, which they say is a threat to their local communities.

Mayor of Woollahra Toni Zeltzer said she met with councils from across NSW because mergers could be the beginning of the end for smaller councils.

I wanted to extend Woollahras hand of friendship and support to other councils in this struggle against forced mergers, she told City Hub.

Employment of council staff in small communities is one of the drivers of the local economies and the loss of council jobs through mergers will be the beginning of the end for many country towns, she said.

Mayor Zeltzer met with the other mayors on last month at the Woollahra Council Chambers.

Under the Baird governments plans, the number of Sydney councils would be slashed from 43 to 25 and regional councils cut from 109 to 87, to save up to $2 billion over 20 years.

A variety of councils form across NSW have taken or are planning to take legal action against the NSW government to stop amalgamations, including Botany Bay, Woollhara Kiama and Walcha councils.

Ms Zeltzer, a Liberal mayor, said it was the biggest threat to local democracy she had seen in her time as a councillor.

Clr. Zeltzer has previously said the forced amalgamation process had shaken her Liberal values to the core.

The comments echo what the Save Our Council Coalition, known as SOCC, said has been councils big and small banding together to challenge the amalgamations.

SOCC spokesperson Tom Sherlock, also a Mosman Councilor, said he was in awe of the community resolve shown by rural and regional councils uniting with city councils.

This is a marvelous aspect of what has been an appalling process, he told city hub.

Councils across NSW realise how important community is.

Council is the most important thing to maintain a sense of community.

Mr Sherlock said the amalgamations will be a hot-button issue for the upcoming federal election, widely tipped for July 2.

Its the Liberal party in NSW doing the amalgamations. It will definitely play a role, he said.

Turnbull cant afford to ignore the issue.

It has become a de-facto referendum on council amalgamations.

The NSW government has said the reforms will lead stronger councils, improve performance and substantial savings for local communities.

Sydney has 41 councils while Brisbane gets by with one, a spokesperson for Minister for Local Government Paul Toole told City Hub.

The Government has put forward proposals that would reduce the number of councils in Sydney to 25.

Proposals have been developed to achieve as much consensus as possible.

Yet the NSW Governments claim that council amalgamations will lead to lower rates and improve service quality are not based in reality, according to a local government expert.

Professor Brian Dollery, from the University of New England, has extensively studied previous council mergers and found no difference between merged and unmerged councils particularly on financial performance.

Some merged councils even performed

much worse, he told City Hub. Mr. Dollery said quality of

management was the driving factor behind improved performance, not size as has been put forward by the Baird government .

He dismissed the Baird governments claim that cost savings would be passed on to ratepayers.

Mike Bairds ideology has been that bigger is better, and thats not correct, he said.

Minister Tooles spokesperson said Professor Dollerys comments came as no surprise.

Professor Dollery is a known opponent of mergers and often used by councils to justify a no-change position, he said.

The NSW Government said no decision has been made to date on any merger proposals.

The Government is aiming to make a decision on proposals currently under consideration mid-year, the spokesperson said.

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Corruption allegations lead to questions for key WestConnex contractor

WENDY BACONNo company has so far won a bigger slice of the $16.8 billion

WestConnex motorway project than Leighton Holdings. It is lead player in consortiums that have won three of the four tollway public tenders worth a total of nearly $8 billion.

This is the same company that has been reported by Fairfax Media last week to have used corrupt practices to secure billion-dollar government contracts overseas.

Fairfax Media reported that Leightons 18-month campaign of corruption, bribery, fraud and money laundering is revealed in the biggest leak of documents in the oil industrys history.

The documents were leaked from the email account of Cyrus Ahsani, the chief executive of the global oil industrys bagman, Unaoil. Unaoil is a Monaco-based company that specialises in paying bribes. It was paid tens of millions of dollars by Leighton in 2010 and 2011 to help the Australian company win Iraqi government contracts.

At the centre of the Fairfax media story is the issue of companies including Leightons using corrupt practices and secret influence to win tenders. The documents leaked from the email account of Cyrus Ahsani, the CEO of the global oil industrys bagman, Monaco based Unaoil was paid tens of millions of dollars by Leighton in 2010 and 2011 to help the Australian company win Iraqi government contracts.

Leightons Westconnex consortium partner Samsung were also revealed by Fairfax to have been separately involved in paying Unaoil for contracts.

Hundreds of emails from Unaoil provide evidence that high ranking Iraqi oil officials Dhia Jaffar al-Mousawi and Oday al-Quraishi were put on secret retainers or paid large bribes in return for supporting Leighton Offshore.

Leightons refused to comment on Fairfaxs allegations. In 2013, when they were first aired the company maintained it had correctly dealt with evidence of corruption. Samsung has also denied wrongdoing.

Leighton Contractors first Westconnex win was in 2014 when it was awarded the M4 widening project with the Italian company Rizzani De Eccher. Then last year it was awarded the $2.7 billion M4 East project with John Holland and Samsung C and T. Finally, in November last year, It signed a third $4.8 billion contract for the for the New M5 East tunnel in another joint venture with Dragados and Samsung C&T.This last project has not yet been approved by NSW Planning.

After the corruptions allegations were first publicised in 2013, Leighton Contractors changed its name to CIMIC but it is still generally known as Leightons. It is now owned by the Spanish company ACS.

The Westconnex contracts are being paid out of NSW and Federal grants and loans supplemented with some private money being raised by banks. Eventually these funds will be repaid by tolls or if the projects are not financially viable, from public funds.

A City Hub search of the Democracy for Sale donations website showed that since 2005, Leightons have donated more than $1,320,968 to Liberal, Labor and National parties during periods when key decisions were being made to support the WestCONnex by NSW and Federal politicians of both major parties. Since the late 1990s, the company and its subsidiaries have donated more than $3 million to the major parties.

The WestCONnex Action Group (WAG) this week renewed its call for the NSW Premier Mike Baird to freeze the approval process for the New M5 and for all work across the project to halt until there a public inquiry is held into the massive 33 kilometre toll road.

Its incredibly disturbing to discover Leighton was bribing government officials overseas at the same time it was making huge donations to the Liberal, National and Labor parties here in Australia, said WAG spokesperson Pauline Lockie. This is shocking given its been awarded multi-billion contracts by the NSW Baird Government to build WestCONnex.

Now Samsung has been accused of engaging in the same kind of

corruption and its won multi-billion dollar construction contracts to work with Leighton on the WestCONnex M4 East and New M5.

All along weve been saying that something isnt right with this project. And we dont think Australian taxpayers can be expected to believe corruption isnt taking place with WestCONnex when the Baird Government has done everything it can to dodge transparency on the project, including transferring responsibility for it to the Sydney Motorway Corporation a private company thats immune from freedom of information requests and any obligation to release its contracts publicly.

Ms Lockie said it was crucial that the process that led to contracts being awarded is investigated more deeply in light of the latest allegations against Leightons.

Once approval is granted for WestCONnex projects, the Sydney Motorway Corporation, which is tasked by the NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to construct and operate the roads, effectively hands control of the projects to Leightons.

For example when residents living in Sydneys Inner West objected to drilling in their local streets before the New M5 is even approved, Leighton staff claimed to be acting as agents of both the SMC and NSW RMS.

The Australian Federal Police began investigating the overseas corruption allegations against Leightons in 2011 although no charges have ever been laid. Some of the substance of last weeks allegations were reported by Fairfax in 2013, years before its journalists received the leaked emails. So there is no way that Federal and NSW governments can claim they have not been aware of the allegations against Leighton Contractors.

A further investigation by City Hub has revealed that Leighton not only won the contracts but it played a key role in the development of the Westconnex concept during a time when it was making donations to both Liberal, National and Labor parties.

Even before he was elected in 2011, then Premier Barry OFarrell promised he would deliver at least one tollway in his first term of office. It was clear by then that private investment would no longer support tollway contructions following the collapse of four tollway companies, including two involving Leightons.

According to Democracy for Sale political donations website, Leightons donated $150,000 to the Federal and NSW branches of the Liberal Party between 2009 and 2011.

The Liberal Party was elected in March 2011 and by October 2012, Premier OFarrell announced that a huge new motorway now known as WestCONnex would go head. Then Labor Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese provided $ 25 million 0f Federal funds so an office could be set up to further develop the project.

Albaneses decision was criticised by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon in a speech to the Senate in 2013 in which she raised the question of tollway company political donations.

The ears of politicians have been successfully bent by the likes of the motorway construction companies .companies like John Holland, Leighton, Thiess and Macquarie Bank have given big donations to the major parties. The public do not know if deals are done behind closed doors, but there is the perception that MPs are favouring private road building businesses at the expense of public transport.

In early 2013, the then Liberal Acting Premier Andrew Stoner selected several companies to be closely involved in helping design the WestConnex. One was Leightons, another was its subsidiary Theiss constructions. Macquarie Capital was assigned to look at financial aspects..

The purpose of this select team was to find out if WestConnex was viable. Needless to say they found it was a great idea. By being involved from the earliest days of planning, Leightons were ideally positioned for further involvement.

During the Federal election in September 2013, then LNP leader Tony Abbott campaigned strongly in favour of Westconnex. Pressure was on Labor to committ to the project. Labor PM Julia Gillard and Anthony Albanese agreed to provide $1.5 billion in funding,, although Labor disagreed with the route of the project preferring for the M4 East to go straight to the CBD.

According to Democracy for Sale, since 2010, Leighton Contractors have donated nearly $172,000 to the Federal Labor Party.

Hidden contracts, no transparency, donations to both major parties from a company that had already been reported to be involved in overseas corruption, inside running for favoured companies, sham consultation and planning. Is it any wonder that when you talk to the ordinary ciitizens in the inner Sydney about WestCONnex, they tell you the fix is in.

In the light of the Fairfax investigation, Senator Lee Rhiannon, who was a key developer of the Democracy for Sale project, has already again raised the issue of political donations by companies involved in WestCONnex. Its an issue which the Greens are likely to raise in the Senate in coming weeks.

Senator Rhiannon told City Hub that in many ways the issues of corruption and political donations are closing linked and are undermining peoples confidence in democratic processes and institutions. When decisions are made behind closed doors, people simply dont believe that money is given for nothing. As the Greens spokesperson for democracy, she already has a political donations reform bill in Federal Parliament.

With issues of international bribery rorts, massive corporate tax avoidance and NSW political donation scandals colliding as the Senate prepares to sit next week, it looks like the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull may not quite manage the bonanza of union bashing that he had planned when he arranged for the Senate to be recalled to Canberra early a few weeks ago.

Wendy Bacon is an editor of the Peoples EIS and a supporter of the Westconnex Action Group.

WestConnex protestors.

MEET ThE loCals

Broadway Sydney has launched Project Yum a new pop up food festival celebrating a taste of the new that combines the latest food trends with live entertainment, set to run daily until June 2016.A delectable range of food pop-ups including; Asian fusion eatery, POKLOL, organic street-food brand, Agape Canteen and artisan bakery, Brasserie Bread will offer customers plentiful options for breakfast, lunch and dinner whilst final stages of the centres Level 2 re-development are completed. As well as the exciting food line-up, a live set by DJ Xcentric will keep the crowds entertained every Friday from 12pm and new Chill Out areas will provide shoppers a place to recoup and catch up online using Broadways new, free Wi-Fi service.Owner of POKLOL, Sean Cheong commented; We are thrilled to be a part of Project Yum. It offers customers the chance to explore a variety of new, fresh food (fresh food doesnt say cool street food) flavours in one space Think this sentence doesnt really communicate that this is the place to be it is cool/must try / must

be seen place to be. A few of the dishes you can spot on our menu include our Ga-Mazzing Lemon Grass Honey Chicken served with Pt and Bossy - Steamed Pork Belly with Fermented Bean Chill Mayo.The Level 2 redevelopment is less than five months away to be launched in Spring 2016. The new level 2 and will offer an exciting fusion of food and fashion with brands soon to be announced including an International Fashion Mini Major. To keep customers in the know, Broadway has ventured into the world of augmented reality with the new Mix It Up Broadway app, which can be downloaded in the app store [Apple or Google Play]. When the app is held up against one of the many Mix It Up signs dotted around the shopping centre, a virtual host will pop up on the screen and give users a taste of whats to come with new content added regularly.

Poklol on Level 2 Agape Organic on Level 1 at Broadway Shopping Centre

Broadway sydney launches pop up food festival: project yum


200 Devonshire Street SURRY HILLS NSW 2010Ph: 02 9319 6883 www.shakespearehotel.com.auhttps://www.facebook.com/shakespearehotelsydney/

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DaILY SPecIaLS:MoNDaY: $10 Burgers & Trivia

TUeSDaY: $10 Steaks

WeDNeSDaY: $10 chicken Schnitzels & Badge Draw

THURSDaY: $10 Fish & chips

The Shakespeare is one of the last authentic pubs left in Surry Hills, serving up some of the cheapest pub food in Sydney.

WINNER BEST PUB 2011-Time Out Magazine WINNER BEST VALUE FOOD 2011-Good Pub Food Guide

Happy Hour MoN FRI from 4pm-6pm - $4 House Beer (VB, Resches, Carlton & Coopers), House wine & House Spirits.

FEATURE

by ALAnnAh MAheRTonight Sydney-siders are invited to set loose on the dance floor for an important cause. Organised by the corriLee Foundation, Dancing For Dignity will raise much needed support for Dying With Dignity NSW. Sarah Edelman, CEO of DWD NSW, explained exactly what they do: We are an advocacy organisation and our aim is to bring about legislative change so that people who are suffering from a terminal or incurable illness, and who have unrelievable suffering, will be able to access medical assistance to end their lives peacefully and at a time of their choosing.Dying With Dignity may deal with an issue that many of us dont want to think about, but that hardly means that Dancing For Dignity will be a glum affair. Rather, it will be a celebration of life and personal advocacy.An eclectic bunch of entertainers and speakers will ensure that Dancing For Dignity is a fabulous night out including Andrew Denton, Mikey Robins and John bell.Veteran DJ Scott Pullen will be joined by the seven-piece Groove Academy band to keep patrons of all generations dancing into the evening with covers and remixes of iconic songs whether it might be a new house track or an old disco track.Pullen was drawn to this event for very personal reasons. Pullens long time friend Tanya Lee the force of nature behind the CorriLee Foundation initially invited him to talk about this crazy idea for a fundraiser, and proceeded to tell him about her grandmother corrie who had been battling illness and suffering for some time, and who simply wanted to die with dignity.Floored, Pullen shared the story of his sister, a vibrant young woman who was struck by an unrelieveable illness. Before she was bed ridden she ended up travelling the world and doing everything she wanted to do before choosing to self-deliver in a country where the laws allowed her that right.When Tanya Lee invited me to come and speak she had no idea we decided, we gotta do this fundraiser, added Pullen.Opinion polls show that a vast majority of Australians support assisted death. The problem is that most of that support is passive rather than passionate and active, added Sarah Edelman.Bills to change Australias euthanasia law have been brought virtually to every state parliament over the past two years and have been defeated.The last [bill] in NSW was in May 2013, and that was defeated due to what politicians call a conscience vote, explained Edelman. We know that the Liberals and the Nationals vote as a block to oppose the law. It defies credibility that when youve got between 70 and 85 per-cent of the population supporting legislative change that youve got zero per-cent of

[these major parties] willing to support those changes what they label as a conscience vote is actually a farce.The real underlying issue is that there are religious groups that represent only a small minority of the population that have a huge amount of influence and most politicians dont want to antagonise or get them off side and so they prefer to really not deal with the issues at all.The main arguments used to oppose assisted dying claim that theres not enough safeguards and vulnerable groups such as the involuntary and the elderly will be targeted.We know from monitoring what happens in those countries [where assisted dying has been legalised] that fear campaigns are not supported by reality, the laws

work well and safely theres no evidence of any sort of abuse, said Edelman.Andrew Denton entered the debate last year with the podcast series better Off Dead, which he will be sharing stories from at tonights event.[Denton] spent a year travelling to countries where assisted dying is legal, interviewing doctors, various patients, disability groups, groups that it was claimed would be vulnerable [or] targeted and he spoke to people who absolutely denied that they were under any pressure or that the laws werent working well, explained Edelman.Since Andrew entered the debate it has really engaged the public like never before Its really interesting how one person can engage large numbers of Australians to start thinking about this issue, added Edelman.comedian Mikey Robins will also be making an appearance. Putting his presenting skills to good use, Robins will be auctioneering on the night, raising valuable funds for DWD by selling off items including photographs from Australias greatest rock n roll photographer Tony Mott.Its really daggy, [but] I really like doing auctions, its a bit of fun it has built-in melodrama, Robins added.Just as important as the fundraising aspect, Dancing For Dignity is helping to spread awareness and mobilise change.Everyone in their lives the time will come when someone close to you may be dying and may be suffering a lot and they would more than likely prefer the option to be able to die with dignity than to continue living and suffering... its something that really touches everyone and I think we need to work on changing the legislation in this country, said Scott Pullen.The push for assisted dying legislation is not a plight to push vulnerable people over the edge, but rather to give people who are suffering the option for a dignified, happy death.When I think of my sister now I dont get sad, said Pullen. She sent me little tokens [from her travels], like a little miniature Day of the Dead doll I have a little chuckle every time I look at it.

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April 14, 7.30pm-midnight. Upstairs Beresford, first floor, 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills. $65 (includes canaps and a glass of

Sirromet Premium Vintage Sparkling on arrival). Tickets & info: moshtix.com.au or corrileefoundation.org/events

Dying With Dignity NSW For more information on DWDs actions and

how to get involved visit dwdnsw.org.au

Better Off Dead You can find Andrew Dentons podcast series

at dwdnsw.org.au or wheelercentre.com

The Groove Academy Scott Pullen and The Groove Academy have just started a Friday night

residency at Ivy. For more info visit thegrooveacademy.com.au

DANCING FOR DIGNITY


This month Brian Posehn makes his very first and long overdue trip to Australia, drawing on an eclectic career which includes appearances in some of the most influential comedy sitcoms (Seinfeld, Just Shoot Me and Everybody Loves Raymond to name an absolute minimum).

Posehns diverse range of work and style is something that he puts down to his journey in finding his own voice within the comedic world.

When any comic starts out they kind of really dont have their own voice, sometimes we look at other comics that were influenced by and youll see we wear their influence on our sleeve, but I definitely feel that for the last 20 years ive been doing my own voice and i guess my own voice is eclectic, said Posehn.

Posehns interests and fixations for all things with strong social commentary have undoubtedly made him the king of nerd humour. For the uninitiated, Posehn explains what that is:

to me [nerd humour is] anything that is reference heavy, it could be about anything people would find nerdy. To me, nerdiness is really an obsession regular people like things, but they dont obsess over them the way nerds do.

the fact that Posehn has never toured Australia does not fill him with any fear in fact, the opposite as he has quite a few things in common with an Australian audience.

there are guys that have always said Australian audiences are really smart, and in the last couple of interviews that ive done, people have told me you guys are known for your sarcasm, which is great for me because thats one of my super powers. (Ah & cA)

Apr 19, 9pm. The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville. $41.20-$72.50. Tickets & info: factorytheatre.com.au

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Contributors: Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Alicia Sim, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Shon Ho, Jacqui Rothwell, Emily Shen, Andrew Hodgson, Irina Dunn, Cindy Aravena, Jacob Aguilar.

10 STAGE12 SCENE 13 SoUNDS 14 SCREEN

Arts Editors: Jamie Apps - Alannah Mahera&e For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and dont forget to join the conversation on twitter at @AltMediaSydney

BRIAN PoSEhN

belleville is about love, relationships and how love takes many forms; it can be gentle and tender but also malicious and all consuming. its about couples who lie to each other and who build lie upon lie, which becomes the framework that holds their relationship together. Lies and secrets are intertwined throughout this psychological thriller.

A young married couple, Abbey and Zack move from baltimore, uSA, to belleville, a very bohemian, hip, cool suburb on the outskirts of Paris, a melting pot with lots of different communities, a young demographic, Gen y neighbourhood. the play takes place inside an apartment block, with their Muslim landlords living downstairs. Zack, a doctor, has adjusted to Paris, but yoga teacher Abbey hasnt, and their relationship begins to form cracks.

Amy herzog is an amazing, multi-award winning playwright, said Josh Anderson, who plays Zack. She gives you little pieces

of information, in isolation they dont mean anything, but if you piece them together you start to get the picture and by the end you have this huge realisation and that is the biggest lie or secret revealed. You see the characters offload on each other and a power play that shifts back and forth.

belleville is really delicate, but it hits you like a sledgehammer. herzog handles her characterisation in such a gentle way you dont realise you are being pulled into this world, and it grabs you by the throat and doesnt let go until the end where you have this amazing catharsis, concluded Anderson. (MS)

Until May 7, Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm. Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street (Cnr Cathedral Street), Woolloomooloo. $28-$38. Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre.com/belleville

BEllEvIllE

As you get older you can get too concerned with your own life to take the time for those you should see... the best brothers is about an estranged family who havent kept close. When they do get together at christmas theres usually one-upmanship as the two brothers try to get approval from their mother about their lifestyles, partners, jobs and social status.

the best brothers is a dark, black comedy, said Johan Walraven, who plays older brother hamilton. its about how we deal with the death of a loved one [and] the organisation that comes with that: unpacking history, having to write the obituary, how to run the funeral service. its not always an easy process. its funny, which is good when youre dealing with difficult subject matter. Funerals can be very sad, sometimes that emotion can expose itself in laughter and jokes. We relieve ourselves of the tension by having a laugh so we dont get sucked too deep down in the darkness.

What the brothers find important in life differs, and sibling rivalry comes about when they are forced to deal with the death together, with conflict arising around how they each perceive the other to be handling the situation.

younger brother Kyle is gay and his partner isnt approved of by his brother or mother. hopefully there will be a section of the audience who will relate to being gay in the family unit and will find bits that ring true and can see themselves being represented well, said Walraven.

The dialogue is very natural, very quick and witty, it clips along at a nice pace, theres always something to engage with, its not too languid.the best brothers is a very on the front foot piece of theatre, Walraven concluded. (MS)

Until April 30, Tues-Sat 8pm. Old 505 Theatre, 5 Eliza Street, Newtown. $25-$35. Tickets & info: old505theatre.com

ThE BEST BRoThERS

Aldo Mignone, Josh Anderson, Chantelle Jamieson & Emily Eskell. Photo: Claudia Barrie


the tragedy of Antigone will take you back to the times of Ancient Greece. the play is about the characters battle of wills against Kreon, the current ruler of thebes.

Kreon has announced that Antigones brother, Polynikes, is to be denied a proper burial and Antigone defies this decree. The play explores the role of burial in ancient society and brings up questions concerning laws of mankind and laws of the gods.

Actor Aslam Abdus-Samad plays Oedipus and Polynikes, who are father and son. these characters introduce the audience to the events that lead to the tragedy of Antigone.

For this play every actor has used the Suzuki Method of Actor training, which is used to strengthen actors vocal and physical abilities on stage. It comprises of six important physical activities to build up the actors skill.

What Abdus-Samad has liked about working in

this production is the role the chorus has taken in this work.

We have moved away from the typical group speaking solely in unison as observers and made them physically and emotionally dynamic entities whose individual motives are never entirely clear, he explained.

I also love that we are really exploring the consequences of defying Kreon and the counterpoint, defying the laws of the Gods. it brings a magical element to the work that really excites me.

Using text from Eamon Flacks adaption of Sophocles Antigone, this production is presented by Ninefold and PAct centre for emerging artists. (AMal)

April 2030, Wed-Sat 7pm. PACT Theatre, 107 Railway Parade, Erskineville. $25-$33. Tickets & info: ninefoldensemble.com

THE BIG BRUISE this new play cuts to the core of societys often-fetishized relationship with suicide. the big bruise goes beyond using suicide as a narrative point and actually invites the audience into the tangled mind state of someone coping with suicidal thoughts. cathartic and comedic in its own ways, it was written by Saro Lusty-cavallari and co-devised with sole performer Sam brewer. incorporating highly technical multimedia elements, this is a contemporary production that invites more depth and investigation into universal struggles of mental health and disability. (AM)Until Apr 15, 8pm. 107 Projects, 107 Redfern Street, Redfern. $20-$25. Tickets & info: montaguebasement.com/tickets

THAT EYE, THE SKY A quintessentially Australian play based on the novel by tim Winton, this is the beautiful coming of age story of Ort, a young boy whose father is seriously injured in a car crash. the common theme is the idea of survival, that we need something to hang on to that helps us survive when everything goes to hell. That Eye, The Sky is an exploration in how we cope, and how we reach out to something to help us cope. Everything is seen through the eyes of a child, he sees the world in his own fantastic way. (MS)Until Apr 16 (Thurs-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm). New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown. $17-$32. Tickets & info: newtheatre.org.au

BARD TO THE BONE the Post-Haste Players are back for their fifth

year performing improvised comedy based in the Shakespearean world, making up a cohesive Shakespearean play on the spot. there are all the tropes that you would expect; like the fairies, Kings and Queens, the overthrowing of the throne, the catholics and Protestants and questions around religion all of those ideas the Elizabethans held dear. (MS)Apr 25, 8pm. The Old Fitzroy Hotel, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo. $10-$15. Tickets: eventbrite.com (or at the door)

SAVAGES Four men embark on a cruise that doesnt quite go to plan. This play explores multiple personalities the Aussie male can portray. Actor Josef ber, who plays the character Rabbit, describes Savages as a relentless, energising and pulsating

play that explores the darker side of manhood. if youre in the mood to watch a reflective piece of theatre that discusses Australian masculinity, this play is a safe bet. (AMal)Until May 1, various show times. Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. $30-$45. Tickets & info: darlinghursttheatre.com

NOTHING PERSONAL A typical David Williamson middle class family crisis, but unlike most of his plays, the male characters get little focus. in fact one of the best things about Nothing Personal is the strong presence of women. A comedy first and foremost, the play is set around office politics in the publishing industry, and is about women coming to terms with losing their power as they grow older in the workplace. (MS)

Until May 7. Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney. $25-$30. Tickets & info: genesiantheatre.com.au

REPLAY As a child, John saw his brother die. his other brother saw it too, but remembers things quite differently. they are forced to dredge up their competing pasts in search of a common truth yielding terrifying, unexpected consequences. The past is what you make it in this newly devised Australian play by Griffin Theatre and forthcoming playwright Phillip Kavanagh, who pushes the theme of memory to its extreme through often funny and relatable encounters. (AM)Until May 7, MonFri 7pm,Sat 2pm + 7pm. SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod Street,Kings Cross. Tickets & info:griffintheatre.com.au

HAY FEVER So much of modern comedy owes to the wry slapstick of Noel coward. clever and droll, his characters are always ready for another dry martini or a classy misstep. the Sydney theatre company presents hay Fever, first produced in 1925. For fans of Noel coward, this tale of naughty people is among his earliest and also the best of his comedies. A wry take on the bohemian mayhem of the bliss family, each member invites a suitably unsuitable guest for a weekend away.(OA)Until May 26, various show times. Drama Theatre,Sydney Opera House. $64-$104. Tickets & info: sydneytheatre.com.au

The Tragedy of anTigone

Do you remember when you were on the cusp of being 16 and all you could think about was getting your license and driving away? Playwright Daniela Giorgi definitely remembers the feeling, and used it as an influence for her new play, Shut Up and Drive (or Sex, Liberty and the Automobile) co-written with Paul Gilchrist.

We just wanted to get away from the suburbs, get away from our parents, get away from home and live, she recalled.

the play is about the freedom that the car has given us, the freedom to have fun but also just to get away from everything. but its also about the tension between that freedom and responsibility. in your car you can put your foot down and just go. but is that always the best idea?

This play explores the pivotal role the car plays in Australian society and how we underestimate its symbolism in our day-to-day lives.

Shut up and Drive is a revue style production with singing, dancing and a satirical element to keep the audiences entertained. Giorgi has written satirical content before but never something of a revue nature.

A revue style show is a new adventure for us [subtlenuance theatre], but it does source our origins as a company of satirical comedies, she said.

the Kings cross theatre is located at the Kings cross hotel, a completely new venue that can hold 80 people. (AMal)

April 923, Tues-Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm. Kings Cross Theatre, Level 2 Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William Street, Kings Cross. $18-$28. Tickets & info: trybooking.com/190490

ShuT up and drive

Maddy McWilliam

i must confess, the footy has never really been my cup of tea. the world of professional Australian football has always remained on my periphery, a strange culture swirling in testosterone and debauchery with an element of blokes running a peculiar ball up and down a field.

And i have been content with my limited understanding. but the problem is, footy season has rolled around again and ive found myself surrounded by conversations i simply cannot participate in.

thankfully i stumbled across an answer to my frustrations, professional Australian football explained in a format that I actually understand: musical theatre!

Writer/director/actor/producer of Australias Game, Alex Lykos identified that this world is ripe for musical satire. In the wake of the success of his critically acclaimed (and entirely different) Alex & Eve trilogy, which was immortalised in a feature film last year and in spite of the fact that he had never written a musical Lykos was determined.

Australias Game is centred on a love triangle of a different nature as it pursues the off-field antics of a professional football team and their coach, the competitive wags and a scandal that rocks the entire team.

Light hearted and often drawing uproarious laughter from the crowd, this play takes on recognisable themes and stereotypes in a playful way. i often found myself marvelling at the scenarios which were all so similar to football news-dramas my boyfriend has attempted to explain to me, time and again, as my eyes glaze over

this production has the feel that it was staged by a small town theatre society, and thats not to discredit it. it certainly wont win any awards for its set and staging, but it has a sophisticated narrative spine, a charismatic and talented cast and an ambitious video component.

Much like the unlikely emerging football star he portrays, timothy Love steals the show with his impressive voice notably on the ballad Premature Ejaculation.

it would be a shame not to see Australias Game return to the stage on a bigger budget, but in the meantime any footy nut (or peripheral fan) would be doing themselves a disservice if they didnt check this out. (AM) WW3/4

Until Apr 17, Thurs-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm. The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville. $23-$28. Tickets & info: bulldogtheatre.com or 9550 3666

REvIEW: auSTraliaS game The muSical


THE NAKED CITY

With coffin Ed, JAy KAtz And Miss dEAthMany musicians develop a strong emotional attachment to the

instrument that they play, be it a million dollar stradivarius or a beat up old fender. yet there is one instrument that inspires and demands a unique commitment from its owner as it takes on a virtual life of its own the mighty analogue hammond organ. Just try lifting one for starters!

first manufactured back in the mid 1930s it was initially marketed to churches as a low cost alternative to the traditional large pipe organ. it was jazz musicians who first picked up on its remarkable organic tone and vocabulary of dynamic groovy sounds. the classic organ trio became a staple at small bars and clubs, and artists like Jimmy smith pioneered a whole new genre known as organ groove.

It wasnt long before rnb, soul and rock artists were also seduced by the engaging Hammond sound and its since become an essential requirement for many combos, not to mention recording studios throughout the world. Whilst hammond now produce digital versions of classics such as the iconic B3, its the old valve and transistor models that really ignite the passion of hammond buffs all over the globe.

One such aficionado is Sydney based organist Lachy Doley, who first caught the Hammond bug when he was only fifteen years old. The younger brother of another hammond devotee, clayton doley, Lachy remembers:

At fifteen I was already playing gigs on piano with various musicians around Adelaide. So Ive always had musicians playing me new music that I hadnt heard. One of which was Booker T and the MGs. I instantly fell in love

with the warmth and tone of the hammond. but it was really the moment i first got to play one that I knew it was for me. Just the power and fatness behind the sound had me hooked.

After moving to sydney Lachy soon became a valued sideman as well as forming the very popular dual keyboard combo the hands with brother clayton. After touring both nationally and internationally with artists such as Powderfinger, Jimmy Barnes and The Beautiful Girls, he formed his own group in 2010 and unleashed a soulful and highly energetic version of the modern organ trio the Lachy Doley Group.

After hunting down his first C3 Hammond, Lachy now boasts a

veritable collection of these classic instruments including three other similar organs and the holy grail of Hammonds, the legendary B3. Hes also a huge fan of other analogue keyboards, owning a minimoog, a modified Whammy Clavinet and a piano. When asked what is the real appeal of these instruments, he explains:

Its more the way it feels than necessarily the sound. Especially now the new keyboards do a good job copying those classic sounds. but the originals feel like living instruments that respond and react to the way you play, with all their imperfections and characters they are all unique, which i love.

Last year Lachy and his group toured Europe, leaving all but the Whammy clavinet at home, but supplied with a c3 by some enthusiastic Euro-hammond lovers.

Europe was the most amazing experience for me. to go all that way, perform under my own name and be so welcomed was thrilling. the European audiences appreciate live music like no other. it was such a successful tour and the amount of fans and opportunities that have opened up from touring there is amazing. I cant wait to get back there later this year.

In the meantime you can catch The Lachy Doley Group at the very funky Django Bar underneath Marrickvilles Camelot Lounge for a night of total hammond veneration.

Friday April 22 (doors 7.30pm, show 9pm). Django Bar, cnr 103 Railway Pde & 19 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville. $17.50-$25. Tickets & info: lachydoley.com/django

LACHYS HAMMOND FIX

BALENTES: A LIVING ANCIENT SOUL Romantic landscape painting finds a modern purpose in this new series by awarded Australian artist Jason benjamin. his paintings and sketches reflect the work of documentary maker Lisa Camillo. Camillios film, Balentes, draws attention to a contamination disaster that has devastated her island home of sardinia, a large autonomous region of italy. benjamin manages to express whispers of the cultural and human experiences that camillo surveys alongside the environmental destruction. the care taken with the most modest of elements, from individually painted blades of grass, a crumbling building creates a sense of timelessness and ultimately of hope. (AM)Last day: Apr 14. Tusculum House, 3 Manning Street, Potts Point. Free. Info: artindex.com.au/news

AFTER 3.11 five years ago Japan was devastated by triple disasters of an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear explosion. the Japan foundation of sydney has been holding an arts series to commemorate the anniversary titled After 3.11: have you met the new Japan? the

exhibition, icons of time: Memories of the tsunami that struck Japan, features tomohiro Mudas post-tsunami photography of the shorelines of northeast Japan. the program will also culminate in a talk, 3.11 in Literature and film (Apr 15, 6.30pm), which gives insights into the latest literary developments in Japan. (LR)Until Apr 15, 10am6pm. The Japan Foundation Gallery, level 4, Central Park Mall, Broadway. Info: jpf.org.au

CITY OF ILLUSION The first solo outing for two and a half years from sydney born and bred contemporary artist dirk Kruithof, consisting of around 25 mixed media paintings made of images and text, created from recycled or found materials. inspired by the urban environment and the contrast between beauty and decay, Kruithofs style is self-described as abstract-pop, post-grunge artwork. drawing ideas from the streets of Sydney, Kruithofs work is vibrant yet almost angry a reflection of his own shock at the absurdity of gentrification and commenting on a range of social issues. (Es)Until Apr 17, WedSun (11am4pm). Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Pidcock Street, Camperdown.

Info: saatchiart.com/Dirkovitz or marrickville.nsw.gov.au/chrissiecottergallery

CUSP: DESIGNING INTO THE NEXT DECADE seen by over 50,000 people around the country, this travelling national creative program is sure to be an experience that broadens the mind. the exhibition highlights the works of Floyd Mueller, Greg More, Leah Heiss, stephen Mushin, and super critical Mass an ongoing participatory sound project pushing the boundaries of whats possible in their arena. They will attempt to use design to change the way we listen and will be presenting a one-night-only sub Mass, questioning our social structure in the process (more details to come). (Ah)Until Apr 28. TuesFri, 11am-4pm. Australian Design Centre, 101-115 William Street, Darlinghurst. Free. Info: cusp-design.com or australiandesigncentre.com

WHEN SILENCE FALLS Providing a voice for those who have been silenced, this exhibition encompasses painting, video and sculpture; presenting the work of contemporary Aboriginal artists alongside contemporary international

artists. it considers the violence and loss of often-unacknowledged historical events cultural displacement, political oppression, ethnic cleansing and massacres. featuring a new major acquisition by Australian indigenous artist Judy Watson, as well as significant loans from Naomi Milgrom, Ben Quilty, and Gene and Brian sherman; this exhibition speaks strongly of conflict, but does not look to blame. (AM)Until May 1. 10am5pm daily, Weds until 10pm. Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney. Free (exhibition catalogue $16.95). Info: artgallery.nsw.gov.au

20TH BIENNALE OF SYDNEY in this milestone year, the biennale and all its associated art works follow a topical theme: the future is already here its just not evenly distributed. Official Biennale sites The MCA, Cockatoo island and carriageworks have been rebranded as several different Embassies of Thought. The most revolutionary works however exist in public locations, the In-Between Spaces. Although these works differ greatly, each casts a new light on its location. city hub recommends heading to Redfern to check

out We Built This City and Making History before swinging around to newtown to see Fade Away, Fade Away, Fade Away in camperdown cemetery. (AM)Until June 5. Various locations. Free. Full program: 20bos.com

HEAVY ARTILLERY Prominent themes in this group show are identity and tradition and the modernist impact on both. furthermore (with all artists hailing from china and taiwan) the restrictive atmosphere in which chinese artists live results in work which is subtly subversive and intricately planned. for example: He Xiangyus contribution, Tank Project (20112013), is a life sized leather replica of a chinese tank the creator sneaked into an army base to obtain accurate dimensions. heavy Artillery showcases the craft, the cunning and the imagination of artists who need to navigate the perils of political indoctrination and censorship. (LR)Until Aug 7 (10am-5pm, Wed-Sun). White Rabbit Gallery, 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale. Admission Free. Info: whiterabbitcollection.org

for its 200th birthday, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney will host Garden Art Weekend, a spectacular festival celebrating both art and nature this weekend.

With a number of exhibitions from Australian and international botanic artists and illustrators, the festival showcases four free exhibitions including the annual Margaret flockton Award, where 29 contemporary scientific illustrators vie for over $7000 in prize money.

now in its 13th year, the Margaret flockon Award commemorates the Gardens first botanical illustrator in 1901. Shes our illustrator, said catherine Wardrop, a botanical illustrator at the Royal Botanic Gardens and co-curator of the Margaret Flockton Award. Were very, very proud of Margaret flockton... she is the standard that we aim for, and hopefully uphold!

In fact, scientific botanical illustration is a niche field that few succeed in despite its importance. our role is to primarily illustrate rare, new and renamed species of plant to illustrate the important features that are used for identifying

one species from another, explained Wardrop. Theres nothing that can replace a good scientific illustrator when it comes to clearly representing important features of a botanical subject. A photograph cant do it; theres too much ambiguity.

With a range of free events and activities for all ages, Garden Art Weekend is the perfect family outing. other exhibitions include the ikebana - into the future lawn installations, with workshops on the art of Japanese floral arrangements; botanica, the annual botanical art

show; and scott sisters, a display of two 19th Century Australian scientific illustrators beautiful work.

Just dont forget to check out the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney website to book a free activity session for the kids, such as classes exploring Aboriginal storytelling as well as the outdoor theatrical production, The King and Queen of Green! (Es)

April 1617, 10am4pm. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Mrs Macquaries Road (enter via Woolloomooloo Gates). For more info: rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Anthony Bartoks creations are quirky and pointed comments on contemporary society.

bartok creates minimalist sketches which incorporate text to wittily pinpoint the foibles and contradictions of modern life. his simple lines draw on cartoon imagery and combine it with the colouring book and the internet meme fetish to produce work shaded in black humour and irony.

these screen prints range from the political to the poignant. for example, a black and white outline of Australia with a hastily drawn fence is a pointed barb at racist attitudes. in another scene, a multicoloured crowd queue under the ubiquitous Apple logo, the caption reads, Everyone is very excited about the new phone. it is slightly different from the old phone.

Bartoks collection is also a wry and

sardonic tour through the devastation that consumer obsession causes on relationships. in one sad piece, a youth, fixated on his phone, sits on the bed of an old man. the title is, Jason visits his grandfather.

in addition there are larger works of superimposed line drawings which merge and separate in a miasma of confused and tangled threads. these are a confounding visual illustration of the constant stimulation and bombardment of modernity.

compelling, provoking, but never too confrontational, these small slices of the everyday are an artistic satire created with intelligence and aesthetic care. they are thoughtful, funny and truthful reflections on the narcissism and selfishness, the loss of community and the celebration of the individual which typifies 21st Century life. (LR)

Until May 1. MOP Projects, 2/39 Abercrombie St Chippendale. Admission Free. Info: mop.org.auA

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Joseph Tawadros: With his new album World Music showing off this virtuoso/composers talents as he played an incredible 52 instruments, tonights show has a high degree of anticipation built up. the show will take the audience on a journey around the globe as tawadros weaves a magical path across cultures, traditions, boarders and time.Thu, Apr 14, Camelot LoungeThe Murlocs: Following the release of their second full length LP, young blindness, this tight-knit garage R&b group have embarked on a tour of the country and arrive in our fine city this evening. Since forming on Victorias surf coast the group have spent a lot of time on the road and have firmly established themselves as a dynamic presence on stage.Thu, Apr 14, Oxford Art FactoryOh Pep!: Returning home following a successful showcase at SXSW in Austin the multi-award winning, heart breaking and exhilarating indie-folk duo are keen to close out their Australian tour with a bang.Fri, Apr 15, Oxford Art FactoryGrace Barb: internationally acclaimed songstress Grace barb and her band are in the midst of a tour around the country playing tracks from the first album Kreol Daughter and the more recent Welele!. the West Australian three piece have won multiple awards and

created significant buzz with their powerful Afro-Kreol sound which fuses tropical rhythms with African pop, rock and latin elements.Sat, Apr 16, Brighton Up BarGANGgajang: With the release of their first new single in over a decade, circles in the Sand, the legendary band returns to the stage this weekend. GANGgajangs music travels inland once again from the beaches to the heart of Australia where they were the first band granted permission to film a music video at Uluru by the traditional owners.Sat, Apr 16, The BasementSobremesa - A Spanish Feast: this weekend the young, Sydney Symphony-trained chamber choir Streltizia Ensemble take the stage in Glebe to celebrate the multicultural nature of our home. celebrating Sobremesa, Spanish for the time spent after a good meal with family and friends. this unique concert will feature quintessentially Spanish music accompanied by a Spanish feast.Sun, Apr 17, Glebe Justice CentreNadia Reid: having slowly built a reputation for herself, spreading her music and live show in a fully Diy approach, Nadia is excited to head across to Australia from New Zealand to perform a run of shows finishing in Sydney next week.Wed, Apr 20, Newtown Social Club

LIVE WIRE By JAmiE AppSLast week, just one day before the band left for what is to be essentially five months on tour, Jayden Seeley took some time out of his afternoon to speak with the city hub about song writing, their new album and the intense tour schedule.tomorrow morning we leave for the rest of the Australian tour, then we get a couple of days off before we go to Japan, then straight from there we go to the UK to play a tour and festival, and finally straight after the UK we head to the US to play on the Warped Tour. So literally five months on the road. its very, very exciting and very busy, Jayden told us.With such an intense tour schedule finding the time to write new material can be extremely difficult, and as Jayden explained laughingly it often leads to many terrible f**king songs on their mobile phone notes applications. thankfully songwriting has become more natural for the band compared to when they first formed.

Starting out as a band it was something you had to think about a lot, whereas nowadays its less of a choice and more hey im feeling, and you just need to get it out into a song in a really therapeutic way, explained Jayden.The Australian tour With Confidence is currently on is a celebration for the group, who earlier this year signed with hopeless Records and are set to release a new album, better Weather, in June. the two singles weve already heard from the album are very different, and as Jayden explained were deliberately chosen to release first because of that very reason. The way i like to see it is that Well be Ok is one side of the album then Keeper is the other more aggressive side, then weve got a bunch of songs that sit in between, he explained.Fans planning to head along to the Sydney show are likely to hear some of these new songs and get a little bit more of a sneak peak into the new album. Sydney is special because its our

hometown, so you can expect a very good atmosphere, [and] a few new tunes. [things will] get a little bit rowdy and [fans will see] an improved live show after all the touring, said Jayden. i think there is something to be said for going on the road for a couple of weeks watching a really good band play live every night. Weve toured with some incredible acts and grown from those experiences, thats honestly where weve grown the most as performers.Apr 17, 1pm. Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. $20+b.f. Tickets & Info: oxfordartfactory.com

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MELbouRnE Ska oRchEStRa SIERRa kILo aLphaFun, funky and vast. three words that describe Melbourne Ska Orchestras second album.From the outset the tunes immediately uplift all spirits with their infectiously jolly melodies. Each track has a weight and punchiness to the sound, which the group says was their goal when they opened up input to any member that wanted to contribute, with 23 musicians taking up the chance.Across the 11 tracks the quintessential Ska sound is the driving force and makes for a fun filled weekend listen. (JA)WWW1/2

auRoRa aLL My dEMonS GREEtInG ME aS FRIEndSthe debut album from Aurora is an absolutely stunning collection of emotionally charged, mesmerising lullabies.throughout the 12-track songbook, Auroras stellar vocals are the true standout and had me enraptured for the entire journey. this journey that the listener is taken on has many ebbs and flows as it transitions regularly from slow story-driven tracks to the more up-tempo offerings.the up-tempo offerings were my personal favourites, in particular conqueror, Warrior and under the Water, not taking anything away from the slower tracks. under the Water comes very late in the record, which was perhaps a creative decision as it includes big arena rock influences, thus having the rest of the album serving as a build up to it. (JA)WWWW

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RAMS From iceland comes this inspirational fable-like drama. Gemmi and Kiddi are two elderly brothers who raise sheep on neighbouring properties and have been estranged over 40 years. A virus leads to the mandatory slaughter of all the animals in the valley, the catalyst which reconnects theses siblings. this slow-moving film unveils the exhilarating wintry locations of iceland. An abrupt ending may detract, but ultimately this alternate cinematic experience is ideal for audiences who are tired of the monotonous hollywood blockbusters. (MMo)WWW1/2

OBSERVANCE this psychological horror follows Parker (Lindsay Farris) who has taken a mysterious job spying on a young woman from a dreary,

decrepit apartment building following a difficult run in his own personal life. if you are a moviegoer who likes every plot thread to end in a neat little bow, Observance is certainly not the film for you. if however, you like to spend your time pondering the story, this is your style of film. (JA)WW

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE DC Comics finally jumps full force into the cinematic superhero fight (catching up with Marvel) by using the most recognisable superheroes of all time. For diehard Dc fans this film is packed with subtle nods to the comic books. the action sequences in this film are the true highlights with car chases and fight scenes that all feel grounded. the biggest issue with this film however is the overall pacing. this is worth

seeing if you are interested in the genre but it certainly wont capture new fans. (JA)WWW

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING this movie has all the right ingredients weird romance, comedy, goof ball characters, sci-fi story, a talented cast and they all just connect. the story is simple: a group of eccentric aliens (the Monty Python team) give a school teacher (Simon Pegg) special powers to do absolutely anything. Pegg is hilarious and all over the place as usual, and a voice over cameo by Robin Williams is spot on. but if it is the Monty Python team that rocks your boat, Absolutely Anything is worth its while. (JR)WWW1/2

A BIGGER SPLASH Rock n roll legend Marianne (tilda

Swinton) and her partner Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts) retreat to the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, seeking a chance to recover from recent life crises. When Mariannes ex, flamboyant record producer harry (Ralph Fiennes) intrudes with his beguiling daughter Penelope (Dakota Johnson), all four are drawn into a vortex of jealousy and desire with devastating results. A bigger Splash is a breathtaking tale of nostalgias dark side fuelled by an excellent soundtrack and fearless performances. (JH)WWWW

EYE IN THE SKY the moral fibres of warfare are astutely examined in this high-paced british thriller. colonel Katherine Powell (helen Mirren) heads a drone mission to capture a most-wanted

group of terrorists living in a safe house in Nairobi, Kenya. As the situation progresses, a young girl enters the kill zone and the strike is suspended as a political battle ensues. Mirren showcases her versatility, radiating assertiveness and military persona. A suspenseful and affecting film. (MMo)WWWW

ZOOTOPIA Rural rabbit Judy hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) wants to join the police force, and despite the judgements of her parents and peers who are astounded at the very idea of a bunny cop she steels herself through a tough run at police academy and becomes a full-fledged officer. Zootopia sprawling metropolis populated by innumerous animal species but it isnt the haven of tolerance and acceptance Judy expected. theres some ropey plotting

going on, but Zootopia is another succe

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City Hub 14 April 2016