Neighbourhood Media Surry Hills Magazine | June 2023

MURDER ON BOURKE ST THE QUEEN OF SURRY HILLS

MURDER ON BOURKE ST THE QUEEN OF SURRY HILLS

ARTS, THEATRE & DANCE

ARTS, THEATRE & DANCE

+ HEAPS MORE

+ HEAPS MORE

HISTORY

SURRY HILLS has changed a great deal in its long and colourful history, from lockouts to lockdowns, razor gangs to pride festivals, Surry Hills maintains its vibrancy and unique identity no matter the era.

HUMANS OF 2010

Nico Nicoson and the Surry Hills Flowerhouse

FEATURE

Humpbacks Make Their Return to The Australian East Coast

In this issue, we take a look at both the history and future of Surry Hills. We delve into the sordid past of the sly-grog trade and drug dealings behind the notorious feud between the Clashing Queens of Sydney, Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine. We also discover that maybe the Queen of Surry Hills had a softer side, after all?

We also caught up with famed Sydney artist Nico Nicoson whose energetic murals can be spotted across the city and let you in on where you can find his work in Surry Hills (hint: check our front cover!). Take a close-up look at the exciting nightlife that brings this beautiful and eccentric town alive, from a comprehensive Arts Guide and a review of the Grand Electric Theatre’s Blanc de Blanc Encore.

Until next time!

The Neighbourhood Media Team x

PUBLISHER - Neighbourhood Media

DESIGNER - Robert Everett

CONTRIBUTORS - Isabella Edwards, Corina Harvey, Jamie Apps, Robert Everett, Rita Bratovich, Alec Smart & Elliot Lindsay

ADVERTISING - Georgie Pengelly - 0416 972 081

PARTY

The Best of Theatre, Dance and Music

TRUE CRIME ARTS ARTS

CROSSWORD | SUDOKU

Test Your Local 2010 Knowledge & Maths... For Fun!

ARTS

The Arts Centre of Sydney, the Lives in Surry Hills Blanc de Blanc - Encore, Worth the Hype? It’s a yes from us

COMMUNITY

The Lamp for Mary Sculpture at Mary Place

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Kate Leigh, The Queen of Surry Hills

The Bourke St Murde

KKATE’S early life was plagued by trouble, perhaps setting the tone for her criminal affairs. Born in Dubbo in 1881, Kate experienced severe childhood neglect, resulting in her confinement to Sydney’s Parramatta Industrial School for Girls at only twelve years old and, in her late teens, took up sex work. At the age of nineteen, an unmarried Kate Beahan gave birth to her daughter Eileen in 1900. While Eileen’s parentage is debated, Kate married James Lee in 1902, with Eileen adopting the surname until her own marriage in 1920.

While she had many names throughout her life –Katherine Barry, Kathleen Ryan, Kathleen Beahan – none stuck so well as Kate Leigh. Leigh, the surname of her first husband, James Lee (she later anglicised the surname after their separation), was the one she returned to in-between multiple marriages and de-facto relationships.

KATE AND CRIME

The sly-grog trade sprung up in Sydney in response to the forced closure of pubs and hotels at 6 pm, beginning in 1916. Kate’s introduction to sly-grog dealing came with her second husband, Edward Barry. While their marriage was brief, the skills Kate developed during their time together

Australia has had its fair share of brushes with royalty – be it state visits from The British Royal Family or our home-grown Danish Princess Mary – one monarch stands out from the rest –Kate Leigh, the infamous Queen of Surry Hills. By Isabella Edwards

would go on to define decades of crime in Surry Hills. Kate would continue to be a sly grog trader for over 35 years.

Kate’s sly-grog dealing became so popular that her Lansdowne Street home, from which she operated, became known, unofficially, as the Lansdowne Hotel – not to be confused with its legal namesake operating in Chippendale. Kate’s Hotel didn’t only offer illegal alcohol but was also a brothel and the space from which she dealt drugs such as cocaine and opium.

Her dealings became so popular that Kate expanded her business and, at the height of her success, amassed a large collection of buildings around Surry Hills from which to conduct her dealings. These locations were affectionately and covertly referred to as “Mum’s” so that customers could discreetly mention that they were “off to Mum’s for the evening”. Interestingly, the hardened madam, drug dealer, gang leader and sly-grog trader never drank alcohol or used drugs – likely a credit to her success.

However, it was not only Kate’s vice offerings that made her so popular. Kate was also recognised as a charitable figure in her community – she routinely gave money to the homeless in her area as well as donating to the local Boy’s Home and purchasing pony rides for downcast children.

Being a leading figure in Sydney’s underworld, Kate was not without run-ins with police or other criminals. Her biggest rival came in the form of Tilly Devine – the Queen of Wolloomooloo.

CLASHING QUEENS

Kate and Tilly had many similarities. Both were madams, sly-grog traders, and drug dealers. Both had worked as sex workers in their teens. Both accumulated large fortunes and notoriety. This is perhaps what led to their ferocious feud.

In an attempt to maintain their power and claim in their respective areas of Sydney, Kate and Tilly’s animosity often turned violent, with the women and their respective “razor” gangs turning Sydney’s streets into battlefields. Their war lasted almost twenty years.

KATE’S DEMISE

Unfortunately for Kate, the Taxation Office caught up with her in 1954, sending her into bankruptcy. This, coupled with the abolishment of 6 pm closing hours in 1955, largely called for the end of the sly-grog trade. This spelled the end for Kate’s lavish wealth and lifestyle.

In her later life, she lived with her nephew in her remaining Surry Hills property and was dependent on him for income and support. On February 4th of 1964, Kate Leigh suffered a stroke and died at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst. Her funeral was attended by over 700 mourners – a clear example of her enduring legacy as The Queen of Surry Hills.

FEATURE N

NICO’S eccentric and ultra-energetic pieces possess a sense of personality that is unique to his style that has made his work highly coveted. He has been working professionally as a mural artist, illustrator and designer in Sydney for over a decade and has created high-profile artworks for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Bailey Nelson, Samsung and Campari.

It’s lucky for residents of Surry Hills that one of Nico’s works, ‘The Surry Hills Flowerhouse’, adorns the wall at 483 Riley St, Surry Hills. First painted in 2018, it has become a part of the local landscape. We were lucky enough to catch up with Nico to find out more about his career:

ALL ABOUT NICO

Have you always been an artist/illustrator?

I have always been an artist. Ever since I was very little, I knew that I would always make art. I have been working professionally as an artist for a little over ten years now.

Did you study art? How did you gain experience?

Nico Nicoson’s vibrant murals, artworks and illustrations brighten public spaces and private collections worldwidedemanding attention wherever they are found.

painted in the area quite a lot, and of course, enjoyed the local pubs. As a student, I got many of my essential calories from The Shakespeare’s infamous $10 menu. Can you tell us about one of your greatest accomplishments?

Making a living doing what I love for me is my greatest accomplishment. I am often hearing about people having to do work that they dislike and am very thankful that I am able to enjoy my time working.

“Making a living doing what I love for me is my greatest accomplishment. I am often hearing about people having to do work that they dislike and am very thankful that I am able to enjoy my time working”

I began painting artwork in the street in the early 2000s just for fun. I studied both fine art and design after finishing school but learned most of what I know about creating art just by making lots of it!

What’s your connection to Surry Hills?

I was born a stone’s throw away in Paddington. I have

Can you pick a favourite work?

It’s always my next one.

LEARNING ABOUT ‘THE SURRY HILLS FLOWERHOUSE’

When was this work completed, and where can it be found?

The Flowerhouse was painted in 2018. It stands at 483 Riley Street, just across from the Light Rail stop.

Commissioned by the City of Sydney, what was the purpose of the mural?

The mural was painted as a tribute to the area’s rich history as a textile district. I wanted the artwork to feel uplifting and represent growth and progression.

What inspired you to create this piece, specifically?

I was definitely inspired by the area itself and its history as a vibrant textile district. The stories of local fashion and textile designers, such as Longina Phillips, had a huge influence on the ideation and concept development process.

FEATURE

By Alec Smart

BETWEEN early May until late August, whales journey northwards through the Tasman Sea to the Coral Sea, and out into the South Pacific Ocean, many of them in close proximity to the shore.

From mid-August until late November the cetaceans return; the early southbound travellers on route to the Southern Ocean bypass the late northbound, often socialising as they cross paths.

Humpbacks, which feature distinctive fluted chins and long fins with up to 11 bumps known as ‘tubercles’, are, along with southern right whales, the most common of the migratory cetaceans in our waters. Around 30,000 (of the approximately 80,000 humpbacks worldwide) travel up and down the east coast of Australia every year.

Humpbacks and grey whales travel the longest distances of all whales – some swim a 10,000km round trip during their migratory cycle! Males often leap completely out of the water - known as ‘breaching’ - during demonstrations of strength generally intended to impress females.

However, only a few species of dolphins migrate, often travelling in pods among the whales, and they trek significantly shorter distances, preferring instead to follow the seasonal movements of their favourite fish prey.

BAY-BREAKERS

Whales frequently pause to rest or socialise in bays and sheltered coves during their migration.

Bondi, for example, receives occasional visitors. On 6 June 2023, a small pod of around six whales were filmed frolicking in the bay. On 31 May 2022, curiosity got the better of two young humpback whales that swam in to closely inspect a group of three ocean swimmers returning to Bondi Beach. The incident was filmed by a drone and made national news.

Whale Watching boat cruises around Sydney: oceanextreme.com.au captaincook.com.au/sydney-harbour-cruises/explore/whale-watching

On 9 July 2013, surfer Bishan Rajapakse was knocked unconscious when a 15-metre humpback flicked him off his board with a swish of its tail, just 70 metres offshore. Fellow surfers transported the concussed rider in to the beach, who later joked, “maybe it was giving me a high five!”

Typically among the last southbound stragglers coming close to shore in October-November are the new-born calves on their first long-distance journey south, accompanied by their mothers. They usually swim closer to the shoreline to avoid hungry predators, especially orca, which roam in packs seeking vulnerable young whales on which to feed.

CETACEAN FACTS

The word ‘cetacean’ is derived from the Ancient Greek ‘ketus’, meaning ‘monster-sized fish’, although they are not fish but warm-blooded mammals that give birth to live young, breathing air through a nostril ‘blowhole’, not filtered through gills.

There are 86 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises worldwide - are all marine-dwelling carnivores with diets that range from miniscule plankton to fish to other whales. 45 species of cetacean are found in Australian waters, including 10 large whales, 20 smaller whales, 14 dolphins and a single breed of porpoise. Some of them are seasonal, others resident all year round.

Cetaceans can be divided into two categories of feeders: Baleen, which have thin, frayed-end strainers for teeth through which they filter small marine creatures like plankton and fish.

Toothed, which generally prey on fish and squid, although some, like orca (aka “killer whales”, which are actually large dolphins and not whales, despite their name), also hunt seals or other cetaceans.

BThe annual whale migration season is in full flight, as an estimated 40,000 cetaceans make their way up the east coast to warmer waters for feeding and breeding.

WHERE TO WATCH WHALES?

There are several high vantage points along the Sydney coastline from which to view whales, including: Ben Buckler Point, north of Bondi Beach; Burrows Park, Clovelly; and The Gap at South Head.

Further south, Magic Point, Malabar, and Solander Point at Kurnell are popular whale-watching spots.

On the Northern Beaches the new Burragula and Yiningma lookouts on North Head offer spectacular sea views, or Long Reef Headland and Barrenjoey Lighthouse.

Baleen whales sighted off the coast of Sydney include: Bryde’s, fin, humpback, minke (Antarctic and its dwarf subspecies), right (both southern and pygmy) and sei whales. Blue whales too, albeit once in a blue moon.

Toothed whales witnessed offshore include: southern bottlenose, pilot (long and short-finned), melon-headed, sperm (including pygmy and dwarf sub-species), and several ‘beaked’ species (Andrew’s, Arnoux’s, Blainville’s, Cuvier’s, ginkgo-toothed, Gray’s, Shepherd’s and strap-toothed).

Several species of dolphins inhabit the coastal waters around Sydney, including bottlenose, common, dusky, hump-backed, Indo-Pacific, pantropical, Risso’s, rough-toothed, spinner (which perform spectacular, corkscrew-like acrobatic flips), striped, and the orcas (including false killer whales and pygmies). Some dolphins swim into bays to feed or even surf the waves breaking close to shore!

“Humpbacks and grey whales travel the longest distances of all whales – some swim a 10,000km round trip during their migratory cycle!”

MURDER

By Elliot Lindsay

The

When George Edwards arrived home to the cottage at 195 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, he found Edith Van Kaspelen knocking on the door.

“Marvellous, you can let me in. I have been here knocking on this door for five minutes.”

“That is rather unusual. Annie should be here. She was here when I left,” replied George.

“Yes, she and I made plans to meet here.”

George entered his key and turned the lock until it made a resounding metallic ‘clack’. He pushed the door open, and the two stood facing down a narrow hall to the flight of stairs that went up to the next floor.

“Is that blood?”

George ran ahead to investigate. Blood splatter trailed along the hall from the kitchen and continued up the stairs to the bedrooms.

“Annie! Annie!” No one replied to Georges’ calls.

“Wait here.”

He raced to the kitchen.

Still in the hall, Edith stood silent until hearing a shriek of anguish.

“Oh, No! what is it, George?”

oozing blood. Unable to speak, Annie raised her arm slightly as though she was greeting Edith. No words could be produced in her mouth, only wet gasps for air. Death was near. Edith ran to comfort her friend.

“My dear Annie. What has he done!”

Crying uncontrollably, Edith took her friend’s pale head into her lap and attempted to rub the smeared blood away from the dying girl’s lips.

“Blood splatter trailed along the hall from the kitchen and continued up the stairs to the bedrooms.

“Annie! Annie!” No one replied to Georges’ calls.”

“It is Annie; she needs a doctor. Go get one, quickly!”

Hearing Annie’s name, the hairs on her neck stood up. All fear was overwhelmed by the sudden rush of concern Edith had for her friend. Instinctively ignoring the command, she burst into the kitchen and lying on the floor before her in a pool of dark blood was the petite frame of a woman in her mid-twenties. Her left eye socket was dark, hollow and

“Don’t leave me,” she sobbed as she planted a gentle kiss on the girl’s forehead.

Edith looked up at George, tears flowing down her cheeks. “I cannot leave her here while she is alive… I will not leave her!”

“It is ok; you stay with her; I will seek help.”

Police detectives recorded Annie Wilson’s death at 1:55 pm on the 12th of January 1893. She had died from two gunshot wounds to the face. One bullet entered her left eye, lodging inside the skull. The other bullet hit her above the same eye though the bone deflected it. A man’s hat was found near Annie on the kitchen floor. It had a bullet hole in it. Detectives determined the hole was made by the bullet they discovered lodged in the plaster ceiling above the crime scene.

The hat was initially discovered by George Edwards, who recognised it as belonging to Edith Van Kaspelen’s estranged husband, Simon. The blood splatter in the hall and on the stairs belonged to him. Simon was found in a locked bedroom, sprawled over a blood-soaked bed. His cold hands were clenching a pistol. His brains sprayed over the sheets and walls.

WTrue Story of a Forgotten Nineteenth-Century Lesbian Love Tragedy.

What appeared to be a murder-suicide became a national sensation. Simon Van Kaspelen was one of Australia’s most successful artists in the late nineteenth century. His crayon and pencil portraits of the leading members of Australian politics and high society adorned the walls of mansions and luxury hotels across the nation.

Simon and Edith were part of a bohemian community in Darlinghurst. They boarded at Bourke Street with Annie Wilson and George Edwards in a charming white two-storey Georgian-style cottage. However, Edith had left Simon several weeks earlier after being married for ten years. She was thirty-six, and he was ten years her senior.

Simon Van Kaspelen was a troubled soul. Born in Amsterdam, he was a gifted artist and made a career in London before relocating to the affluent colony of New South Wales in 1880. His career boomed here, and he was represented by the prominent art dealer, W. Aldenhoven, on Hunter Street. However, Van Kaspelen had a demon within him in the shape of an alcohol addiction. He was said to be a gentleman when sober and a violent psychopath when drunk. Edith could no longer handle the abuse.

After losing his wife, Simon fell into despair and drank even more heavily than before. Although she had left the cottage, Edith was a regular visitor, lunching with Annie Wilson most days. Simon would oscillate between melancholy and rage when Edith visited, begging her for forgiveness one moment and threatening to shoot her the next. These threats got so extreme that Edith’s sister begged that she leave for a while until things cooled down.

In the press, it was presumed that Simon shot Annie Wilson after he mistook her for his wife while in a drunken frenzy. However, this theory was born not from hard evidence but from a lack of apparent motive. After determining the likely events leading to the murder, some doubted this theory.

More information was revealed as the witnesses were interviewed during the inquest, shedding light on what had happened. Truth Newspaper reported Van Kaspelen complained his wife had “entertained a high and unusually affectionate regard” for the 26-year-old Annie Wilson and that Annie was “too intimate with Mrs Van Kaspelen.” The Daily Telegraph took this line further and alluded to what was rumoured to be accurate; however, forbidden to be discussed due to the social taboos of the Victorian era.

It is scarcely feasible, however, that Van Kaspelen should deliberately shoot another woman in broad daylight, mistaking her for his wife. The probability is that frenzied with drink, he was seized with an insane idea of revenge on the woman who he discovered was befriending the wife who had left him. His was an intensely jealous nature, and on Wednesday, he told some friends that he suspected his wife of infidelity.

To put it plainly, Edith Van Kaspelen and Annie Wilson

were engaged in a scandalous lesbian affair. After the murder, the affair was covered up by Edith, Annie Wilson’s husband and her brother George Edwards.

It is believed that Simon Van Kaspelen entered the house at approximately 1 pm to find Annie. At gunpoint, he pushed her to the kitchen floor. As she begged for mercy, he fired the gun at her face. He then turned the gun on himself and fired; however, he missed, and the bullet went through his hat but only scathed his skin and lodged into the ceiling. Bleeding, he ran to his room, leaving the hat behind and a trail of blood. He had murdered his wife’s lover and would now take his own life, leaving them both on display for Edith to discover on arrival. Behind the locked door, he shot himself on his bed.

A dish of revenge served cold.

It was declared a tragic murder-suicide and quickly forgotten. 195 Bourke Street still stands, and one can only imagine what tragic ghosts must haunt those halls.

ARTS

Whilst VIVID is lighting up the skies, Sydney’s biggest names in arts, theatre, music, and dance are creating even more incredible entertainment. We’ve picked just a few events that shouldn’t be missed!

Blanc De Blanc Encore

The Grand Electric Theatre

- 199 Cleveland St, Surry Hills

Now till July 30th | Tickets from $90.23, group bookings available.

BELIEVE the hype, the five-star champagne cabaret – BLANC DE BLANC – is back with a brand-new show for its highly anticipated Encore! It’s time to re-immerse yourself in the glitzy, glamorous & extravagant world of vintage French flair, risqué humour, spectacular aerials, sparkling comedy, and big dance numbers.

Opera Australia presents Aida

Sydney Opera House

June 19th - July 21st | Tickets from $81 + BF.

THIS is a story of love so strong it defies enemy lines. This is a story of a kingdom in triumph and a nation in chains. This is a story of betrayal. Verdi’s monumental music makes this historic epic an enduring favourite. Davide Livermore’s radiant production is a thrilling theatrical experience.

Sydney Dance Company - Open Day

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Wharf Studios

June 24th | 9:30 - 5pm.

ENJOY free taster classes and workshops, Company rehearsal viewings, Pilates postural assessments, Conditioning Studio tours, special giveaways and HUGE discounts. Register before places fill up at sydneydancecompany.com

Griffin Theatre Company presents Jailbaby by Suzie Miller

SBW Stables Theatre - 10 Nimrod St, Darlinghurst

July 7th – August 12th | Tickets from $38 + BF.

AFTER a theft gone wrong, AJ finds himself in a cramped communal cell where he will become a ‘jailbaby’—the ward of a justice system that chooses to turn a blind eye to the life-altering sexual violence committed against young men behind bars. An anticipated follow up to her international phenomenon Prima Facie, Suzie Miller once again opens our eyes to the darkest corners of society and asks us to pinpoint the exact moment when it all goes so, so wrong.

City Recital Hall presents The Milk Carton Kids

2 Angel Place, Sydney

Saturday July 8th | Tickets from $69 + BF.

GRAMMY-NOMINATED duo The Milk Carton Kids are coming to Sydney’s City Recital Hall, after joining forces in 2011 with their delicious harmonies and intricate guitars in their hometown of Eagle Rock, California. Since then, the duo has released six albums to great acclaim, earning two Grammy Award nominations and extensive praise for their extraordinary devotion to the American folk tradition and contemporary songcraft.

Opera Australia presents The Tales of Hoffmann

Sydney Opera House

July 11th – 22nd | Tickets from $81 + BF.

DON’T miss homegrown superstar soprano Jessica Pratt as she returns to Australia to sing all the female leads in Offenbach’s last and greatest work, including the famous, fiendishly difficult Doll Song.

Darlinghurst Theatre Company presents Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst

July 5th to August 20th | Tickets from $79, group bookings available.

AUSTRALIAN premiere of the Tony Award® nominated electro-pop opera based on a scandalous slice of Tolstoy’s War and Peace. It draws on an eclectic mix of musical styles including folk, indie-rock, electro-pop and techno, making it one of the most unique and formdefying musicals ever seen on Broadway. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score.

Seymour Centre presents The Turn Of The Screw

Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale

July 21st – 12th August | Tickets from $35 + BF.

A BRAND-NEW adaptation of one of the most celebrated horror stories ever written, The Turn of the Screw is a creeping and malevolent exploration of the way the crimes of the past poison long into the future.

City Recital Hall presents Switched On: Oneohtrix Point Never

2 Angel Place, Sydney

Friday July 14th | Tickets from $79 + BF.

WITH work ranging from releases with Ryuichi Sakomoto to The Weeknd’s critically acclaimed Dawn FM, Daniel Lopatin’s Oneohtrix Point Never project effortlessly traverses the vast intersections between music, pop culture and history. With each new output, a subsequent layer of sonic artefacts is revealed, feeling magically futuristic and nostalgic all at the same time.

Opera Australia presents Mad Scenes with Jessica Pratt

Sydney Opera House

August 3rd | Tickets from $69 + BF.

FIND out why Jessica Pratt is one of the world’s best bel canto interpreters in this one-night-only showcase of ‘mad scenes’. Experience euphoric highs and spiralling descents with opera’s most dramatic moments.

Seymour Centre presents Romeo and Juliet

Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale

August 5th, 12th, 18th | Tickets from $30 + BF.

A NEW production of Romeo and Juliet by Sport for Jove. A generational vision of Verona, told through the eyes of a 90-year-old Benvolio, this Romeo and Juliet is a completely original, inspiring and deeply moving take on this much-loved play.

ARTS

By Richard Hilliar (Henry

AAS PART of the 2023 Seymour Season, Tooth and Sinew and Seymour Centre are proud to present The Turn of the Screw, a psychological thriller that tells a story of suspicion, fear, and paranoia.

A new adaptation of a classic ghost tale, The Turn of the Screw is a creeping and malevolent exploration of the way the crimes of the past poison long into the future.

A young woman is sent to a remote English country estate to care for two children, Miles and Flora. The children are charming, if perhaps a little too precocious. For a while everything seems perfect, but something is gathering, waiting. There is a figure in the darkness, and there are sins that don’t die with the sinner.

Based on the classic novella by Henry James and written and directed by Tooth and Sinew’s Richard Hilliar (U.B.U: A Cautionary Tale of Catastrophe). Also starring Kim Clifton (First Love is the Revolution, The Wolves), Martelle Hammer (Solitude in Blue, Tooth of Crime), Lucy Lock (Stan’s Poker Face, The Cherry Orchard), Harry Reid (SBS’s The Mission, Tales from 88), and Jack Richardson (Cleansed, The Country Wife). Don’t miss this spooky and twisted thriller that will leave you

questioning your senses and checking every shadow.

“Simultaneously a faithful adaptation and modern reinterpretation of James’ masterpiece, this will be a thrilling night of theatre full of tension, mystery and dread. Horror is just as engaging and entertaining as comedy and we’re so excited to bring something scary to Sydney stages” said Director Richard Hilliar.

21st July - 21st August 2023

Wednesday to Friday 7:30pm; Saturday 1:30pm & 7:30pm

Seymour Centre, Corner City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale

Tickets: $49 | Seniors/Groups 8 + $39 | Concession, Under 35s $35

BOOKINGS: www.seymourcentre.com/event/turn-of-thecrew or Call (02) 9061 5344

James)

A Taste of

Fostering

A ‘Taste of Fostering’ is a cookbook with nine stories from wonderful carers who are doing simple, everyday family things that are making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of children.

At Key Assets we provide carers with on-going training, 24/7 support, a dedicated social worker and an allowance.

ARTS A

‘‘There’s an atmosphere of carefree, congenial celebration in the Spiegeltent-styled venue.’’

A SENSATION in its debut season, and the first show in the newly created The Grand Electric theatre, Blanc de Blanc Encore has clearly become a Sydney favourite and is likely to continue in more iterations.

The bones of this reprise, including many of the routines, are pretty much the same as in the previous show, though the improv delivery and audience participation will always make each show unique.

The cast is a mix of familiar faces and newcomers. Mischievous but loveable Canadian host, Félix Pouliot, is back and up to his devilish antics. His co-host this time is actor/singer/dancer/invertebrate Danny Collins from England. Collins plays the straight man to Pouliot’s larrikin,

but also performs a solo routine in which he bends and contorts his body like he’s completely made of rubber.

Australian theatre star Melanie Hawkins is back again, delivering more sass, sauce, and lots of skin. Another Aussie, Jess Mews returns with her hula hoops in a dazzling display of twirls, engaging every single muscle in her body to keep those hoops spinning. It defies belief.

Even if you’ve seen Emma Philips perform in the show before, you will still be captivated by her foot juggling act. The New Zealander trained with an elite Chinese school and is one of the few artists who has choreographed an act where she juggles impressive items including tables and parasols using her feet.

Once is not enough to take in the sumptuous, gloriously rich confection that is Blanc de Blanc. That’s why it needs an Encore. And even a second viewing leaves you wanting more.

Caitlin Marion Tomson-Moylan previously performed with her aerial hoop partner, Spencer Craig, but in this show, she takes the stage alone, performing stunning aerial twists and turns on suspended ropes.

Canadian performer, Charles-Éric Bouchard manoeuvres with ridiculous dexterity on a single suspended rope.

Pouliot, apart from having a lewd sense of humour and excellent MCing talent, is also a skilled Chinese pole artist. On a flexible vertical pole he climbs as easily as a spider; holds himself perfectly horizontal; and free-falls from the top, stopping himself at the very last moment using his legs as brakes against the pole.

And finally, Sasha-Lee Saunders steps in as the sexy chanteuse, slinking across the stage and singing steamy cabaret numbers and bawdy ditties with an attitude that can shatter glass.

The entire ensemble performs together and in various

groups, showing their vast skill set and versatility. Several of the routines require clockwork accuracy and are quite thrilling to watch.

There’s an atmosphere of carefree, congenial celebration in the Spiegeltent-styled venue. It’s not a show for the sensitive or prissy, but if you’re up for some slightly blue humour and a wild, raucous night, then see Blanc de Blance Encore before it sells out yet again.

BLANC DE BLANC

Until August 27

Grand Electric, 199 Cleveland St, Surry Hills

strutnfret.com/blancencore

COMMUNITY

TTHE LAMP FOR MARY was created in 2010 and installed in 2011 as a response to the brutal attack of a lesbian woman in the laneway in 1996.

Mary was beaten, raped, and left for dead by two men.

She later found out that people in nearby buildings had seen and heard the attack but did not call the police.

Thankfully Mary survived, but as you can imagine, she was severely traumatised.

The attack on Mary shocked and outraged the community. In response, the South City Council and the Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project launched a campaign to reclaim the laneway where the attack took place.

As part of the project, a new artwork simply titled, Lamp For Mary, was commissioned by The City Of Sydney from local artist Mikala Dwyer.

Dwyer’s artwork is a way of reclaiming the laneway for women and queer people. The pink lamp is a symbol of hope and resilience. Dwyer says she hoped the lamp would act as both a memorial to victims of violence via its “pink eternal flame” and serve to illuminate the dark lane to make the zone protective of its community.

Complementing the lamp itself is a passage of text on the walls. Written by poet Professor Michael Taussig the text reads, “This is a lane with a name and a lamp in memory of the woman who survived being beaten and raped here. She happened to be lesbian. When the sun sets this lamp keeps vigil along with you who read this in silent meditation.”

Upon completion, the Lamp For Mary became the first

place in Sydney dedicated to the display of a community’s commitment to ending homophobic violence. Since then, it has become a popular spot for people to visit and reflect. Now it is a place where people come to remember Mary and celebrate the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Lamp For Mary is a powerful reminder that violence against women and queer people is unacceptable. It also reminds us that we can all work together to create a safer world.

ABOUT MIKALA DWYER

Mikala Dwyer is a Sydney-based artist who works with a variety of mediums, including sculpture, installation, and video. Her work often explores themes of gender, sexuality, and violence.

Dwyer has exhibited her work extensively throughout Australia and internationally. She has won numerous awards, including the Blake Prize for Religious Art and the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.

The Lamp For Mary is located in Mary’s Place, Surry Hills (Between Bourke St & Floods Place)

To learn more about Mikala Dwyer and her work, visit her website at: mikaladwyer.com.au

In a laneway off Bourke Street in Surry Hills, a pink lamp glows brightly. It is a beacon of hope for women and queer people threatened by homophobic violence.

By Jamie Apps

WHERE SYDNEY’S SPICE SCENE GETS A ‘CURRY-OUS’ TWIST OF GLAMOUR

WHERE SYDNEY’S SPICE SCENE GETS A ‘CURRY-OUS’ TWIST OF GLAMOUR

PARTY I

Sydney was once renowned for its late-night party scene, boasting a smorgasbord of options if you wanted to continue the party late into the night. The good old days seem like a lifetime ago, but some venues still serve up the goods until the early hours!

IN A world before lockouts & lockdowns, Surry Hills was a hub of activity both day & night. Now, as the community slowly returns to its new normal, our local hospitality & entertainment operators have been slowly crawling their way back to life. After suffering and overcoming so much over the past few years it is crucial that we get back out there and support the venues thats are still fighting for everyone’s right to party!

CLUB 77 - Open 7 Days, Till 4am.

A cornerstone of Sydney’s nightlife for 25 years, Club 77 remains an essential outpost for the city’s vibrant electronic music scene. This progressive platform nurtures synergies with pioneering promoters, artists, and DJs, curating an unforgettable clubbing experience. Following years of lock-out laws and Covid-19’s repercussions, Club 77 stands at the forefront, seeking to reimagine Sydney’s nocturnal culture and demonstrate the potential of a 24-7 city. As a multifaceted venue, 77 aims to maintain its reputation as an electronic music stronghold while also becoming an appealing late-night dive bar, open until 4 am, seven nights a week. They strive to be an inclusive late-night destination, welcoming seasoned club-goers, newcomers, and hospitality workers alike to revel in their unique music, drinks, and food offerings.

STRAWBERRY HILLS HOTEL

- Mon-Fri 9 am- 6 am | Sat 9am - 5am | Sun 10am - Midnight

A humble local pub by day, the Strawberry Hills Hotel morphs into party central once the sun goes down. Every weekend they bring in some of the city’s finest DJs to keep the party vibes going all through the night. Head to Strawberry Hills early for a hearty pub meal before partying the night away into the wee hours of the morning.

CLIFF DIVE

- Basement, 16/18 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

| Thu-Sat 8pm-4am | Sun 10pm-4am

If you feel like having a post-dinner boogie, The Cliff Dive would be a great destination for your group! Nestled underneath Oxford St you’ll find a sunken dancefloor decked out tiki-bar full of cocktails & rum.

DARLO BAR

- 306 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst | Every day

12pm-Midnight

Bursting with personality and a vibrant history, Darlo Bar, formally The Royal Sovereign Hotel, is a quirky locals bar in the heart of Darlinghurst. Over the decades, they’ve been home to politicians, art students, medical professionals, and Darlo locals who are looking for a happy time and good vibes.

BITTER PHEW

- 1/137 Oxford St, Darlinghurst | Tues - Thur

3pm - Midnight | Fri - Sat 2pm - 2am | Sun

2 - 10pm

Escape the bustle of Oxford Street and head upstairs into a little slice of beer paradise. Sit at the large oregon bar & unwind with your favourite beer while watching the world go by on Oxford Street or head out the back to the keg garden.

CHING-A-LINGS

- Level 1/133 Oxford St, Darlinghurst | TuesWed 6 - 11pm | Thur 6pm - 2am | Fri 5pm-2am

Sat 6pm-2am | Sun 5-10pm

Named after the famous New York biker gang of the 1970s, Ching–A–Lings is a compact, dimly lit bar with exposed-brick walls and low couches, plus a rooftop terrace and DJs. You won’t find any fancy cocktail lists or extravagant bar food here. It just beer, house wine and spirits.

THE LONG GOODBYE

- 1/83 Stanley St, Darlinghurst | Tues 4 - 11pm | Wed - Sat 4pm - Midnight

A Film noir-inspired bar with classic & bespoke cocktails using house-made liqueurs on Stanley Street. At The Long Goodbye the drinks list is designed so any cocktail can be made in a couple of minutes. And there’s no menu – you walk in, name a flavour and they’ll make you something.

PETS

FLASH HARPER

FLASH is the neighborhood flirt and who always wants to be the center of the fashion world. He is always ready for walks and snuggles and will be loyal – maybe too loyal as he can often be found in the bathroom with a family member. If a constantly wet nose is your thing, Flash can spend hours sticking his long snout into everything – as long as you are by his side. A true best friend.

HARPER is a beautiful 3 year old retriever with a golden personality! She’s very social and loves meeting new people, loves a good cuddle but probably loves food more!

PEPPER CRUMPET

PEPPER is a 3 year old cattle dog. She is smart, happy and silly. She is known for her big smile and her giant ears. She enjoys chasing her ball at the park and going on adventures with her favourite humans. Pepper was born deaf and has been trained using hand signals. Because of this she has an extra special bond with her mum and is very attentive.

Meet CRUMPET, a handsome 7 years-young, straighthaired cavoodle with a unique talent for sniffing out random street hors d’oeuvres, and hovering them down in record, Olympic speed! He is a one-of-kind, happy little local with a precious heart of gold, with a great love of his family and hood of Surry hills. Not to mention - his gorgeous fur-friends, that declare Shenanigans with him every evening at Moore Park, 4pm cavoodle-time on the dot!

Is your pet a star? Submit your photos to our Facebook page

TANYA PLIBERSEK

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR SYDNEY

H ERE TO HELP

As your local representative, I can assist with enquiries or problems you have with Federal Government departments and services like Centrelink, immigration, superannuation, Child Support payments, Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS), Veterans’ Affairs, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the National Broadband Network (NBN), universities, employment, training, Commonwealth funding and grants.

S TAYING IN TOUCH

To keep up to date with my activities (incuding my mobile offices), issues and events - both locally and nationally, please subscribe to my eNews at: tanyaplibersek.com

T A X HELP

My office in Redfern will be facilitating Tax Help again this year. Tax Help is free and helps people earning $60,000 or less lodge their tax return online. If you need help lodging your tax return, you may be eligible for assistance through this program. Please contact my office on 02 9379 0700 or Tanya.Plibersek.MP@aph.gov.au to book an appointment.

CO N GR ATUL ATORY MESSAGES

My office can arrange messages of congratulations for people who live in my electorate and are celebrating their golden (50th) and diamond (60th) wedding anniversaries; and 90th and subsequent birthdays. Please allow for 6-8 weeks for congratulatory messages from dignatories.

Authorised by T.PlIbersek MP (ALP) 1A Great Buckingham St, Redfern

PUZZLES

City Recital Hall presents The Milk ______ Kids

Formally The Royal Sovereign Hotel?

Who is the three-year-old cattle dog featured in this Issue?

Mikala ____ is the artist behind Lamp for Mary

The surname of the Queen of Wolloomoloo.

Which centre is hosting a theatre production of The Turn of the Screw?

Where was Simon Van Kaspelen born?

Name of Nico Nicoson’s Surry Hills artwork, The Surry Hills ___________.

What was the name of the street where Annie Wilson was brutally murdered?

On which street was Kate Leigh’s infamous hotel?

Cetacean with thin, frayed-end strainers for teeth.

Through the eyes of which character is The Seymour Centre’s upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet told?

The New Zealand foot juggler featured in Blanc de Blanc, Emma — A.

13. Which centre is hosting a theatre production of The Turn of the Screw?

Which Theatre Company is presenting Jailbaby by Suzie Miller?

4. Cetacean with thin, frayed-end strainers for teeth

6. Formally The Royal Sovereign Hotel?

EASY NOT EASY

14. Where was Simon Van Kaspelen born?

7. Through the eyes of which character is The Seymour Centre’s upcoming and oot anc de mpany by Suzi

5. City Recital Hall presents The Milk Kids

MAKING A GRAMMAR EDUCATION POSSIBLE

Scholarships and fee-assisted places available

Is your boy an independent, creative thinker? Then Grammar may be the ideal school for him. There is no waiting list and entry is based on merit alone. If families are worried about the fees, please note that Grammar offers a very extensive fee-assistance programme to help boys attend our School.

For more information about our Open Days and Scholarship Information Night, please visit www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au, or contact Tara Rennie at admissions@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.