TWiSK #347

Big January of music
Walking and Singing in Elwood
Strut the Palais stage

50 days to comment on 50 year lease
for South Melbourne Town Hall
Happy Holidays for TWiSK

Next Sunday email is 15 January 2023
TWiSK website remains updated for inspiration

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TWiSK is always free, proudly independent and totally self-funded
Singing Walking Trail @ Elwood Song-Sites
DIY walking trail with online map and tunes 
Created by the Jeannie Marsh and the Elwood Community Choir, the Elwood Singing Walking Trail is where you can hear and sing 12 songs connected to Elwood at 12 Song-Sites around local parks, beach and canal.
Download the map and the songs 
Organised stroll @ Elwood Walking, Singing Trail
Sunday 15 January, 10.30 am – 12.00 pm
Choir members get the singing going and answer questions about Elwood Singing Walking Trail.
Meet at Song Site 9, Elwood Pier, end of Head St, Elwood. Stroll to Song Site 12, King of Tonga bar.
Free event
Postcard Show @ Linden
Until Sunday 26 February, Tuesday – Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
Closed public holidays
An open exhibition of postcard sized artworks. Eclectic, kooky, fun and fabulous. This is democratic art on a small scale but a grand gathering. Free.
Info 
26 Acland StreetBag O’ Nails Rocks @ St Kilda Sports Club
Friday 23 December, 8 pm
Free
66 Fitzroy Street

Dave Wright & The Midnight Electric XMAS Spectacular @ George Lane
Friday 23 December, from 6.30 pm
Dave Wright brings his eight-piece Midnight Electric to George Lane for his fourth Annual XMAS Spectacular!
Tix and info
1 George Lane

A Very Espy Xmas feat. Bag Raiders and friends @ Espy
Friday 23 December, 9 pm
The Gershwin room will be transformed into a holly jolly rager
Info
The Merry Wives of Windsor @ St Kilda Botanical Gardens
Until Saturday 24 December (Wednesday – Sunday)
7 pm daily + Saturdays and Sundays 3 pm
Melbourne Shakespeare Company will be performing their brand-new musical production of The Merry Wives of Windsor in the Rose Garden at the St Kilda Botanical Gardens.
melbourneshakespeare.com

Christmas diversions

Fiddler on the Roof @ Elsternwick Classic 
Sunday 25 December, 1 pm
A tradition in NYC and Elsternwick.
Topol and the gang on the big screen.
If I were a rich man
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum
All day long, I’d biddy biddy bum
Tix
9 Gordon St, Elsternwick
Outdoor salsa dancing @ Acland Plaza
5.30 pm – 7.30 pm 
An alternative or an opportunity to use some of those calories. Free
Tix

Before and on NYE

The Mavis’s – Second Show @ George Lane
Friday 30 December, 7.00 pm – 11.30 pm
Due to popular demand after selling out the first show in quick time.
Tix

Melbourne Ska Orchestra @ Memo
Saturday 31 December, 8 pm
Comprising of over 20 members,  the orchestra takes you on a journey of fun, danger, ramshackle fun and hipswaying rhythms to shake off the year. Boomshakalaka! $89 / $59
Tix

NYE @ George Lane
The Peptides, Kim Volkman & The Whiskey Priests and Nicky Del Rey’s ‘Surf & Turf’.
Tix

January and beyond

Onstage: The Series @ Palais
Wednesday 4 January – Saturday 7 January
“A unique set of events will see both fans and artists on the iconic Palais Theatre stage together for a limited run of shows.”
Tix from $49
Chris Cheney with Gabriella Cohen
Wednesday 4 January, 5.30 pm and 8.40 pm
The Merindas with Pink Matter
Thursday 5 January, 5.30 pm and 8.40 pm
Big Scary with Ruby Gill
Friday 6 January, 5.30 pm and 8.40 pm
Hatchie with Françoistunes
Saturday 7 January, 5.30 pm and 8.40 pm
Info and tix

Katie Noonan presents “Joni Mitchell’s Blue 50th Anniversary” @ Memo
 Katie Noonan will be presenting Joni Mitchell’s Blue accompanied by guitar virtuoso Ben Hauptmann. $65
Tix

3XY Top 40 Live @ Memo
Sunday 8 January, 3 pm
Backed by the 3XY All Stars Band and with star guest singers including Brian Mannix, Nina Ferro, George Wilson, Kathy Hinch and more soon to be announced. Boomer fun. $55 / $35
Tix and info
Free outdoor Bachata & Salsa Social Dancing @ St Kilda Sea Baths
Tuesday 10 December, 6 pm til 9 pm.
Social dancing Feat DJ’s + Bachata & Salsa music.
Everyone welcome – from beginner to advance levels. No dance partner or experience required. One night only. Free
https://www.facebook.com/events/3508199392744187

Gwyn Ashton @ George Lane
Thursday 12 January, 7.00 pm – 11.00 pm
South Australian Hall of Fame inductee multi-instrumentalist Gwyn Ashton is touring Australia with his one-man acoustic folk and electric swamp rockin’ boogie ‘n’ blues guitar show.
Tix

It’s Prine Time: The Lyrical Genius of John Prine @ Memo
Wednesday 11 January, 6.30 pm
Sadly lost to COVID, but John Prine’s songs live on. Performed by Australian folk singer Mike McClellan, Melbourne songstress Suzannah Espie, and an all-star band led by Music Director, Lachlan Bryan. $65/$55
Tix

Great Gig in the Sky – A Pink Floyd Celebration @ Memo
Friday 13 January & Saturday 14 January, 7 pm
2023 is the 50th anniversary of Dark Side of The Moon. To mark the occasion, ‘The Great Gig In The Sky’ celebrates the musical legacy of Pink Floyd with some exceptional guest vocalists featuring Melbourne favorite Mick Pealing (Stars / Spaniards), plus guesting from Sydney, Marc Dakosta (Idol), Susannah Mirana (Moulin Roque), Wayne Jury and Kate Daley.
You’ll wish you were there, $50/$30
Tix

Sam Teskey @ Espy
Friday 13 January, 8 pm
Sam Teskey, lead guitarist of The Teskey Brothers, returns to Melbourne with six-piece band for a special headline show. $38
Tix
Alan Cumming @ Palais
Saturday 14 January
Olivier and Tony Award-winning Scottish/American actor, author and cabaret icon Alan Cumming. The Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee brings his stunning new production Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age to audiences Melbourne in January 2023. $79
Tix
2XU Triathlon Series Race 3 @ Catani Garden and St Kilda Beach
Sunday 15 January, 6.45 am – 11.30 am
www.2xutriathlonseries.com.au

Guitar Wars @ Memo
Sunday 15 January, 3 pm
Guitar players Simon Hosford, Dave Leslie and Tim Henwood bringing their guitar wars extravaganza with three sets of killer guitar music by Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, AC/DC, Jeff Beck, and much more presented by the best in the biz. $55/$35
Tix

Later in January and February

Daniel Howell @ Palais
Wednesday 18 January
YouTube comedian Daniel Howell is back – and he’s stressed, depressingly dressed and on a quest to live his best life before the inevitable apocalypse arrives. $89
Tix

Fiddler On The Rooftop in Woodstock ’69 style @ Memo
Thursday 19 January, 7 pm
After the triumphant sold out debut at JIFF, this concert celebrates the songs of Fiddler but as if on the stage of 1969 Woodstock.
Starring Anita Lester, Rita Satch, Jude Perl, Carl Panuzzo, Simon Starr, Matan Franco and more.
TWiSK reckons this will be amazing! $55/$35
Tix
Tom Segura @ Palais
Friday 27 January – Saturday 28 January, two shows per night
Actor/Comedian/Writer Tom Segura is best known for his Netflix specials. $89
Tix
GlamourPussy & The Hip Replacements @ Alex Theatre
Sunday 29 January, 3 pm
Come celebrate Generation Gorgeous with the Blue Rinse Princess, GlamourPussy! Young at heart – slightly older in other places, GlamourPussy & the Hip Replacements present a joyful cabaret of glamour & decay. Dress code: Mutton dressed as glam. $39/$35
Tix
midsumma @ Pride
21 January – 12 February 
See midsumma program
Pride March
Sunday 5 February 

St Kilda Festival returns to big day format @ Sunday 19 February
www.stkildafestival.com.au

Book early

Eilen Jewell & Her Band @ Espy
Tuesday, 14 March 2023 7:30 pm
Eilen is the real deal. Fans will not want to miss this show. $61
Tix

Who are our Upper House reps?

TWiSK readers are represented in Parliament by five members of the Victorian Legislative Council covering the Southern Metropolitan Region (which overlaps with 11 lower house districts).
The 2022 election saw the return of prominent Liberals David Davis and Georgie Crozier, plus the election of three new members:
Katherine Copsey (Greens) and 
John Berger and Ryan Batchelor (ALP). 
VEC official results for all voting details
TWiSK offered the three new members a chance to introduce themselves to readers
Only Katherine Copsey has replied, we thank her for being available.
Our top questions are the same for all MLCs:
Do you live in the electorate, where will your office be and what are your local priorities?
We look forward to introducing John Berger and Ryan Batchelor in time.
(Note: TWiSK contacted both ALP candidates repeatedly during the election campaign and received no replies)

Welcome
Katherine Copsey MLC
Greens

Who am I?
I’m a former planning and environment lawyer and law reform advocate, standing up for people and the environment.
Do you live in the Region?
I grew up in Southern Metro and have lived throughout the region most of my adult life. I currently live in St Kilda.
What location would be ideal for your office?
St Kilda
Locally, what will be your top priorities? (50 words max)
We need to protect our natural environments like the foreshore and parklands, switch to 100% renewable energy and stop new gas drilling. The Greens will push for a housing system that means everyone can access a stable and secure home and renters get a better deal.
Contact details (if available)
Coming soon! Check the Victorian Parliament website shortly. 
Note: Katherine Copsey will be replaced on Council after a Victorian Electoral Commission countback of preferential votes from the 2020  municipal election at a date yet to be announced.

Less than 50 days to comment on
a 50-year town hall lease

Council has set aside just 50 days for community consultation on a plan to lease the South Melbourne Town Hall to the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) for 50 years.
The plan provides for a $65M investment from ANAM to refurbish and improve the building as both a teaching, performance and community venue.
Community consultation starts on 12 December and ends on 30 January.
Have your say and read Council information 

TWiSK invited ANAM, community people
and readers to present their views

‘A marriage made in heaven’
John Daley, ANAM Board Chair

“The South Melbourne Town Hall could be saved from becoming a place of computer swaps and rug sales – the fate of many inner-city 19th century town halls –- by a bold plan unveiled by the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM).
“In return for an extended Lease, ANAM will invest $50m of a $65m project to renew and restore the Town Hall as a destination community and cultural venue, one befitting its iconic architectural stature.
ANAM’s investment will deliver (amongst other things):
Upgraded cooling and heating services;
Energy efficiencies, including solar panels, batteries and water recycling;
A public catering kitchen and café;
Restoration of dilapidated public areas, including unveiling of new 150-seat performance space;
Upgraded theatre presentation infrastructure in two venues;
Offices and meeting rooms for small-to-medium cultural or community organisations.
“ANAM’s visionary proposal constitutes a ‘marriage made in heaven’ between Port Phillip Council, this forward-looking performing and arts training organisation, and its communities.”
See renewsmth.com.au for information.

Easy access to the cream of Australia’s
emerging classical talent
Lorraine Grove, Albert Park resident

“ANAM’s proposed project is so much more than ANAM and the arts industry, and is very much about the City of Port Phillip, and indeed Melbourne.
“The restored South Melbourne Town Hall will not only provide a long-term home for ANAM, it will become an important cultural hub, providing a range of performance spaces for use by ANAM and others, together with spaces for community activities; and at the same time celebrate and reinvigorate an iconic building that is part of Melbourne’s extraordinary late-1800s history.
“Local businesses, including the South Melbourne Market will be significant beneficiaries of visitors from outside the CoPP, as well as ANAM’s own students and staff.
“CoPP residents will have the opportunity to attend performances by the cream of Australia’s young musicians and visiting maestros at affordable prices, many free of charge to locals.
All up it’s a great proposal for what would otherwise remain a tired old town hall.”

Future of South Melbourne Town Hall
must include the community
Frank O’Connor, former Mayor

TWiSK spoke to Frank O’Connor, former Mayor of both South Melbourne and Port Phillip, about the proposed lease of the town hall to ANAM for up to 50 years.
Frank had recently toured the town hall with ANAM CEO Nick Bailey and was encouraged by what he heard but remained deeply concerned about the detail.
He told TWiSK that he was ‘encouraged by the attitude of ANAM and appreciated the proposed works were good and necessary.’
‘After years of neglect that allowed the building to become heartbreakingly run down, it’s positive that there is plan to halt the decline,’ he said.
But Frank fears that history may be repeating itself with the community again being cut out of decisions about their town hall (as it was with the installation of ANAM in the first instance in 1997).
A question of trust
‘I am not sure the community trusts council to do more than cut a deal that makes the town hall somebody else’s problem,’ he said.
Frank was especially concerned about the lack of clarity in the promises to make the town hall available for community purposes.
‘The details about access to facilities, discount rates and other community uses outlined [in the Council papers] are best described as general and at times slippery.’
Keeping both Council and lessee accountable
‘And with a lease that lasts until around 2057, there must be a way of meeting community expectations over that time and, of course, keeping both the council and the lessee accountable,’ he said.
‘Many in the community will appreciate having ANAM managing and investing in the town hall, but as a community asset, ongoing decisions and oversight must involve the community.’

A variety of ways to have your say
Andrew Bond, Deputy Mayor

“Our community engagement started on 12 December with the opening of Council’s Have Your Say online survey. This survey will close on 30 January to allow for feedback well after the busiest dates over the festive season. The community engagement will also include a pop-up session outside the South Melbourne Town Hall.
“Community members also have the opportunity to provide written submissions and to speak in support of their submission when the community feedback is reported to an Ordinary Meeting of Council.
“We will be writing to nearby property owners and residents to let them know about the proposal and the avenues for them to provide feedback.
“We will issue a media release after we have considered all the feedback provided during the community consultation and a decision on whether to endorse a long-term lease to ANAM has been made at a Council meeting in March 2023.”
Community consultation starts on 12 December and ends on 30 January.
Have your say and read Council information 

A – Z of street art @ 26 locations
26 street art murals have been created around Port Phillip.
They are part of a project to prevent graffiti vandalism through the installation of unique street art.
The selected locations were identified by Council’s Graffiti Management Team as illegal graffiti hotspots.
Ten sites in St Kilda
St Kilda now features 10 new graffiti art murals. Five of the murals (letters S, P, E, D, I) are located on Duke Street behind the St Kilda Library (pictured). Another five murals (letters W, K, Z, X, Y) are located behind St Kilda Police Station on Chapel Street, accessible via the Woolworths carpark.
This project was funded entirely by the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund with a budget of $128,000.
Art on exhibition @ Carlisle Street Art Space
Office hours until March
The murals will be highlighted as part of an exhibition on graffiti culture at the Carlisle Street Arts Space at St Kilda Town Hall.
The exhibition is curated by Ling with Artworks by Awes, Bailer, Resume, Dvate, Ethics, Frost, Duke, Shem, Sigs, Jors, Kano, Ling, Mayo, Nost, 2Flash, Porno, Skr3am, Renob, Sabeth, Treo, Ulcer, Fans, Akuze, Prix, Nasty and Puzle.
The exhibition will be showing until March.
More infoGreg 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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This Week in St Kilda respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

TWiSK is always free, proudly independent and totally self-funded.
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