This Week in St Kilda #313
Mega bottle shop for Acland Plaza?
Alliance Française sold to mystery art world buyer
VicRoads halts plans for Kerferd Road pop-up bike lanes
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French presidential election live @ Prince of Wales
Monday 25 April, from 3.30 am
Bring your French flags and colours to hear the results of the Presidential poll expected at about 4 am.
Vive la France
Elwood ANZAC Day @ Elwood foreshore
Monday 25 April, 9 am
Local ceremony with last post, flag lowering and Ode organised by Friends of Elwood RSL.
Uprising – Songs of Survival @ Memo
Tuesday 26 April, 7 pm SOLD OUT but live stream still available
A revolutionary and uplifting concert by the Museum of Inherited Memories. Inspired by Holocaust memorial, this concert honours all for whom we mourn, and respectfully celebrates the survival of our people and culture. With Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Deborah Conway W/ Willy & Hettie Zygier, Jess Hitchcock, Gabriella Cohen, Emily Lubitz & more. $18 live stream
Live stream tix
Candidates debate climate change and energy @ St Kilda Town Hall
Tuesday 26 April, 7 pm
Local enviro lobby PECAN have invited local candidates Josh Burns, Steph Hodgins-May and Collen Harkin to discuss Climate Change and Energy issues in front of a live audience. (Only Burns and Hodgins-May have accepted)
Moderated by April Seymore from the Port Phillip EcoCentre, the event will also hear from Prof Kathryn Bowen, University Melbourne, a contributor to The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Book your free ticket
The event will be livestreamed
All issues candidate forum @ Memo
Next week Thursday 5 May, 7 pm
unChain have organised a public forum with the main candidates for Macnamara to discuss the issues beyond climate change and energy. Chaired by John Daley, ex CEO of the Grattan Institute, Josh Burns (ALP), Collen Harkin (Liberal) and Steph Hodgins-May (Greens) will answer your question and discuss the big themes. Free
Info
Note: All three speakers have confirmed their participation.
Live at Last with Ruby Fields @ Espy
Thursday 28 April, 8 pm
Featuring POND, San Cisco, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and Ruby Fields. Raising funds for flood relief.
Espy gigs
Young Henrys @ Espy
Thursday 28 April, 8.30 pm
This week: Calico Sunday + Uncle Umma. Free
Espy gigs
When Women Speak of War @ National Theatre
Thursday 28 April, 8 pm
Coinciding with the close of this year’s Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Festival of Jewish Arts and Music (FOJAM) brings together a world premiere of musicians, writers, performers and storytellers to share new work and reignite songs and stories of the past. $35
Tix
Railed @ Gasworks
Thursday 28 April – Saturday 30 April, 7.30pm – 8.25pm
A western themed circus spectacular, combining the trademark physical talents, finely chiselled bodies and hilarious comic timing of the Head First Acrobats.
Bare chested circus meets bare knuckle bar fights. Yee-haw! $45 / $40 CoPP locals $30 (only available on Opening Night)
Tix
Babba – A Tribute to Abba @ Memo
Friday 29 April, 7.30 pm
Since 1994 Babba have performed all over Australia, Asia and New Zealand to sold out audiences and rave reviews. $50/$40
Tix
Felipe Baldomir @ Espy
Friday 29 April, 8 pm
Felipe Baldomir is an Indie-Folk singer and songwriter from Uruguay. $30
Espy gigs
Celebrating International Women Exhibition @ Space2b
Closes Saturday 30 April
In this exhibition you are invited you to consider your relationship with the women in your life, the journeys that they have travelled, the experiences that have formed them, and the way in which they inspire you.
Info
Up-close with Debra Byrne @ Memo
Saturday 30 April, 7.30 pm
An intimate and up-close performance with Debra Byrne. $50 / $40
Tix
The Velvetones Album Launch @ Ruby Carter Jazz Lounge
Saturday 30 April, 7 pm
Broadway ditties to hypnotise in delightful cappella style. $40
Tix
World’s Greatest Freakshow Live @ Espy
Saturday 30 April, 6.30 pm
Showcasing a variety of acts that include: The Great Gamsby, Sparkarella, Samora Squid and Elle Diablo. Wierd. $50
Tix 
The Chantoozies @ Memo
Sunday 1 May, 3.30 pm
The Chantoozies continue to wow audiences with their dynamic blend of pop and rock, after originally forming in 1986 for a ‘one off show’. $45
Tix
Q&A with Phill Calvert @ St Kilda Army and Navy Club
Sunday 1 May, 4 pm – 6 pm
Find out more about St Kilda’s 70s, 80s, and 90s music scene with Phill Calvert from the Birthday Party / Boys Next Door. It’s part of the Historical Society’s Unplugged in St Kilda project to produce a 12-part podcast series with musicians from the ‘hood.
Bookings essential $10 no tix at door
The podcasts will be available on the Society’s website from July 2020.
Sacred songs, chants and silent meditation @ St Kilda Uniting Church
Sunday 1 May, 5 pm
Join Matthew and Kavisha to raise funds for Ukrainian Refugee Relief. By donation.
163 Chapel Street
Sunday Blues: Heinous Hounds @ Espy
Sunday 1 May, 6 pm
Free Blues in Basement every Sunday, this week with Heinous Hounds.
Espy Gigs
Soon
The Human Voice @ Theatre Works
Tuesday 4 May – Saturday 14 May, 7.30 pm
A woman lies dead. A telephone rings. Her last chance to speak to an ex-lover…
Theatre lovers are invited to witness a tour de force performance by renowned actor Jane Montgomery Griffiths. $40 / $32 Concession, $25 Preview and Student
Tix and info
Suitable for ages 14+
Tales From The Jetty @ Gasworks
Wednesday 4 May – Saturday 14 May, 7.30 pm plus Sat matinees
From the creators of ‘Beachside Stories’ (2019) comes ‘Tales from the Jetty’, a celebration of four remarkable local organisations. Rich in history, local heroes, wisdom and laughter. $45/$40 $30 COPP locals opening night only
Tix
City of Voices Ode to Port Phillip @ Renfrey Reserve (near Peanut Farm)
Saturday 7 May, 11 am
City of Voices will perform with music, soundscape and physical theatre at Renfrey Reserve (next to the children’s playground) while you at the St Kilda Farmers’ Market. FREE community outdoor performance, child-friendly.
Facebook 
Port Melbourne Bike Ride @ PP Bicycle Users Groups
Sunday 8 May, 9.30 am – 11.30 am
7km, easy bike tour exploring four decades of medium-rise apartment housing in Port Melbourne led by architect, Brendan Baxter. This ride is a collaboration between Port Phillip Bicycle Users Group and Jane’s Walk – a global movement recognising the legacy of urbanist Jane Jacobs. Route: Bike paths & quiet streets.
Bookings free
Starts Pipis Cafe, 129a Beaconsfield Parade , Albert Park
Love in Bright Landscapes: A Tribute to David McComb @ Astor
Sunday 15 May, 3.30 pm and Concert 6.10 pm
Film – plus performance by The Friends of David McComb. The film tells the tragic and intimate life story of David McComb, Australian singer/songwriter and driving force behind The Triffids.
Tix
Hybrid @ St Kilda Film Festival
Friday 27 May – Sunday 5 June
St Kilda’s short film festival is back again in hybrid format with an opening night at the Astor. After attracting over 32,000 online views last year, the program will be both in theatre and online.
Full program, venues and ticket sales will be announced on Thursday 28 April.
Info
Alliance Française sold to mystery buyer from ‘art world’
Eildon Mansion, the former Alliance Française HQ on Grey Street has been sold to a mystery buyer in the ‘art world.’
The Alliance Française purchased Eildon Mansion in August 2006 and moved there in July 2007 after a year of renovations.
In November last year, the Board of the Alliance has made a unanimous decision to sell Eildon Mansion in order to find new premises.
In a letter to members, Gilbert Ducasse President of the Board, said a significant fall in demand for face-to-face classes at Eildon and the ever-increasing demand at other locations plus the popularity of online has been factors in the decision. .
“Finally, the continually escalating costs of renovating and maintaining Eildon [were] going to have a significantly negative impact on the Alliance’s finances, employees and resources in the future.”
Happy to receive reliable tips about the buyer or indeed hear from the buyer
Mega bottle shop @ Acland Plaza?
Planning application
A packaged liquor outlet is proposed for a 1,650 sqm site on Acland Plaza at 159 -165 Acland Street adjacent to the tram stop on the site of the former bank and travel agency.
The site runs through to Chaucer Street behind the shopfronts. If successful, the store will operate 9 am to 9 pm seven days per week.
At this stage its not clear if the store is part of a chain, but the proposal is from prominent local landlords G & I Rea.
Anyone concerned about public drinking and the use of the Plaza as an unofficial beer garden will find this application a real eye opener.
There are already three other packaged liquor outlets (Acland Cellars, Coles and Woolies) plus dozens of other licenced venues.
However, according to the proponent’s paperwork: “The proposed packaged liquor outlet’s effect on the accessibility of packaged liquor would be negligible and not sufficient stimulate a material change in the local rate of harmful alcohol consumption. Given this, the proposed outlet would have no effect alcohol related harms within the community, such as alcohol related health impacts, domestic violence, etc.”
If you have an alternate opinion, you can lodge a submission on line.
Port Phillip online
Council will not make a decision before 30 April.
Use this code on the Port Phillip site: PDPL/00133/2022
FYI Proponent’s impact statement
Public feedback halts Kerferd Road bike lanes
VicRoads has withdrawn plans to add bike lanes to Kerferd Road following community feedback. The decision was announced on their website on Friday:
“Following extensive community consultation and based on the feedback received, we are withdrawing our proposed designs for the pop-up bike lanes on Kerferd Road. This means we will no longer make any changes to Kerferd Road as part of the Pop-up Bike Lanes Program.” VicRoads
Local opponent of the plans Gary Edwards told TWiSK that the decision is “a victory for common sense because the bike lanes would have created massive disruption in Kerferd Road and diverted even more vehicle traffic to local streets. This is a great example of what can be achieved when residents stand together to protect their community.”
The lanes were part of a $13M Shine to Sea project.
Macnamara candidates ballot order drawn
Macnamara candidates ballot order drawn Here are the candidates for Macnamara in the order on the ballot paper …
1. John B MYERS
Independent
2. Colleen HARKIN
Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)
3. Josh BURNS
Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)
4. Debera ANNE
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
5. Rob McCATHIE
Liberal Democratic Party
6. Ben SCHULTZ
Animal Justice Party
7. Steph HODGINS-MAY
The Australian Greens – Victoria
8. Jane Elizabeth HICKEY
United Australia Party
Greg Day
Happy to chat anytime 0418 345 829
Content suggestions and community questions are always welcome.
gday@archives.gdaystkilda.com.au
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