TWiSK #371

St Kilda is Victoria’s first Live Music Precinct
Win Tix for Charlie Brown @ Alex
Cate Blanchett & Warwick Thornton Q&A @ Astor 

Also rate rise and culture compromise
Cr Bond’s solo opposition to bin tax 

Plus more music, arts and community

Win Tix for Charlie Brown @ Alex

Until Sunday 2 July, various times
Broadway’s Tony Award-Winning Smash Hit. $55 / $25 Family $98
Tix
We have two double passes for Saturday 1 July 2 pm.
Email with subject Charlie Brown by 27 June to win
(We’ll contact winners on 28 June)
Author Talk: Carmel McKenzie @ St Kilda Library
Tuesday 27 June, 6.30 pm – 8 pm
Discover and discuss the history of St Kilda servants between 1841 and 1900.
Reflecting its wealth, St Kilda boasted the highest number of resident servants of any Melbourne suburb for much of the nineteenth century. Free
Bookings needed

Club DJ @ St Kilda Library
Thursday 29 June, 1 pm – 4 pm
Learn the basics of DJ’ing including how to beat match, select your tracks, set up equipment and land your very first gig with DJ Sleepy Jay. Free.
Suitable for ages 12 – 17 years.
Tix
The Wizard of Oz @ National
Thursday 29 June – Sunday 9 July, 7.30 pm, Saturday matinees 1.30 pm
“Travel the yellow brick road with Dorothy and Co. in a distinctly steam-punk fashion.
“While remaining faithful to the story itself we’re off to see the Wizard across a rainbow laser highway with a deliciously subversive flair!” $65/$59
Tix
Pot Painting with Hussein @ Space2b
Friday 30 June, 10.30 am -2 pm
Learn the art of pot painting with Iraq born Hussein Zobea. He will share his story, teach you how to use colour and pattern through paint and support you in creating your very own painted plant pot. $60
Register  | More info 
Club Soda @ Gasworks
Friday 30 June – Saturday 1 July
“A dark and surreal cabaret speak-easy spiked with circus, dance, magic and a twisted mix of comedy…”
Club Soda is the newest concept from the creative team behind The Paris Underground Cabaret. $60/$55
Tix
Win a double pass for Club Soda, Friday 30 June 7:30 pm – 9 pm
Email with subject “Club Soda” before 27 June

Nikki Nicholls @ George Lane
Friday 30 June, 7 PM – 11 PM
Nikki was the original backing vocalist for The John Farnham band also recording her vocals for the ‘Whispering Jack’ album. She toured with Kylie Minogue throughout the world and at home with Australian Crawl, Suzi Quatro, Richard Clapton, Lulu as well as hundreds of sessions.
Tix

Electric Mary @ Espy Gershwin
Friday 30 June, 8 pm
Classic rock. $33
Tix
Mini Market @ Christ Church
Saturday 1 July, 9 am – 2 pm
Books, tacos and other goodies in the Church garden.
14 Acland Street

The Unusual Commoners  @ Gershwin
Saturday, 1 July, 5:30 pm
This adults-only show will feature a mix of Celtic folk music, popular covers, traditional songs, and some special requests from the audience. Plus, you’ll get to see Lachy Gillespie and Anthony Field, better known as the Purple Wiggle and the Blue Wiggle, perform live! $25
Tix
The New Boy preview with Cate Blanchett & Warwick Thornton Q&A @ Astor
Saturday 1 July, 6.30 pm
To celebrate the release of the movie, The New Boy, Cate Blanchett will be on stage at the Astor in an exclusive Q&A session with Indigenous director Warwick Thornton.
Limited tickets $50/$45 with a glass of prosecco on arrival.
Tix

Heath Robertson @ George Lane Matinee Sessions
Saturday 1 July, 3 pm – 6 pm
Heath Robertson is a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter and producer
Tix
Social Dance @ Theatre Works Explosives Factory
Until 1 July, 7.30 pm
A playful, absurd and immersive comedy about how to navigate social settings with poise and gravitas in the turbulent times of today.
. This is an immersive experience, but no audience participation is required. Come on in, take a seat at the table.
Tix 
See access guide

Sam + Sam @ Memo
Saturday 1 July, 7 pm
Experience the unique charm of modern country as Sam + Sam are joined by their full 5-piece band to deliver a blend of crowd favourites, cherished Aussie classics, and their signature modern country sound. $45/$35
Tix
Sammy Owen Blues Band @ St Kilda Sports Club
Saturday 1 July, 8pm
Free
Unveiling Talent Exhibition closing soon @ Space2b
Until 1 July
See the results of the Space2b design competition for new and emerging CALD artists to design an artwork that will go onto Space2b artist range products. View and celebrate the work of over 30 exciting and emerging artists.
Info

NAIDOC Week Sunday Sizzle @ Pride
Sunday 2 July, noon – 5 pm
Sunday Sizzle, with entertainment curated by the fabulous, incomparable, Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen 2023, Cerulean!
Joining Cerulean (who will host the afternoon) is Stone Motherless Cold, Mora Money and Joocee, for shows at 2pm and 4pm. Enjoy music by DJ Peta, drinks at the bar, their famous sausage sizzle and Gay Stuff Markets all from 12pm
InfoThe Peptides @ St Kilda Sports Club
Sunday 2 July, 5 pm
Free

The Hoodoomen @ Espy
Sunday, 2 July 2023 6:00 PM
Sunday blues. Free entry
Victorian Opera – Idomeneo @ Palais
Tuesday Thursday and Saturday 4 July – 8 July
Death, politics and roaring crescendos crash like a wave on Melbourne.
Directed by Emma Muir-Smith and conducted by Benjamin Bayl. $39
Tix 
Book ahead for other gigs at Palais
Carl Barron, 14 and 15 July
Bjorn Again, 29 July
RocKwiz Salutes Mushroom 50, 2 August
Tix
Shhh @ Red Stitch
Until 16 July
Fast tracked from the US, this new work by Clare Barron is a semi-autobiographical attempt to provide a measure of clarity about painful experiences. Described by Red Stitch as a challenging exploration of pain, pleasure, freedom and disappointment, and sisterhood.
Tix

Next week
Monday 3 July – Sunday 9 July

Melbourne Cabaret Festival @ Memo and Ruby Carter Jazz Lounge
Tuesday 4 July – Sunday 9 July
The Festival features over 12 shows in the cabaret style ranging from the Kransky Sisters to tributes to Elton John and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.
Here is the list of shows:
Sun Rising – The Songs That Made Memphis
Jacqui Dark – Songs My Friends Taught Me
Matthew Hadgraft – Elton John Your Song
Chris Burgess and Arlon Faria – Tree Huggers: A Dharma Cabaret
Nikki Nouveau – Swingtime in Paris!
Nicky Kurta – The Marvelous Mrs Maisel
Alister Kingsley -Get it Together
Chelsea Heaney – Historians Call us Roommates
Tamara Kuldin Trio – High Tea Jazz
Trevor Jones Piano Bar
Anton Koritni – Australian Poetry on Piano
Frankly – Ten Carat Cranium.
Bookings 
Away @ Theatre Works
Saturday 8 July – Saturday 22 July
Shakespearean in structure, but deeply personal in tone, Michael Gow’s Away is a uniquely Australian look at small families… and their epic stories. Directed by Steven Mitchell Wright.
Tix and info

Later in July

Public Forum: No New Coal and Gas @ St Kilda Town Hall
Tuesday 11 July, 6.30 pm – 8 pm
An Australia Institute forum with speakers Adam Bandt, Kavita Naidu and Richard Denniss.
Hear about Australia’s plans for vast new export coal mines and gas fields, despite calls to stop all new investment in fossil fuels.
RSVP essential 
The Moth Melbourne GrandSLAM Championship @ National
Wednesday 12 July, 7:30pm
Story telling – a battle of wits and words – fierce, hilarious, heart breaking and all points between. $44
Tix
Silent movie and music @ Holy Trinity
Saturday 15 July, 7 pm start
Lights, camera, music. Enjoy Buster Keaton classic The General (1926) accompanied by by David Johnson, OAM, on the Fincham pipe organ at Holy Trinity Balaclava & Elwood Anglican Church. $20
Tix 
175 Chapel Street
Banter with Brenda @ St Kilda RSL
Sunday 16 July, 2 pm – 4 pm
Celebrating the 85th birthday, the life, and the incredible contribution of the remarkable St Kilda personality, Brenda Richards .
Brenda has lived in St Kilda since the late fifties and both her daughters were born here. She was a founding member and inaugural treasurer of the Council of Single Mothers and their Children.
Eva Sifis and Andrew Jobling will be doing an ‘in conversation’ with Brenda, who has scores of fascinating stories.
Local St Kilda stalwart, personality and businessman, Serge Thomann will also speak.
Drinks at bar prices. Free food, but we hope you’ll buy a raffle ticket (great prizes) to cover costs.
SUPPORTED BY: Sisters in Crime Australia and Il Carusi Restaurant
For more information 
Andrew Jobling: info@andrewjobling.com.au; 0414 973 315 or
Eva Sifis; eva@byaccident.com.au; 0403 766 966
Please book by Friday 14 July 
Heroes Lounge, 1st Floor, 88 Acland Street, St Kilda

Did you get fined for not voting?

Last week about 200,000 Victorians received a $92 fine for failing to vote in the last State election.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) wants you to respond within 35 days – by either paying the fine, requesting an internal review, or electing to go to court.
Acting Electoral Commissioner Dana Fleming is urging people who receive an infringement notice to take it seriously.
‘Please respond to the notice before the deadline – otherwise you could be issued a penalty reminder notice, which carries the original penalty plus an additional administration fee,’ Ms Fleming said.
Contact the VEC 1300 551 575 or visit vec.vic.gov.au/voting/fines-and-reviews

Council electoral review set to start

Current ward structure must end
The State Government has mandated that all metropolitan councils must now have a single-councillor ward electoral structures for the next election scheduled late next year.
The final number of councillors and their ward boundaries will be recommended by advisory panels appointed by the Minister for Local Government.
The public are invited to online information session and to make submissions.
Key dates
Public information sessions
12 noon on Monday 17 July and 6 pm on Tuesday 18 July
Preliminary report published
Wednesday 19 July
Response submissions close
5 pm on Wednesday 9 August.
TWiSK will publish links

Not happy with new charge for concession holders

Thanks to Greeves Street resident Shelly for alerting TWiSK to the new $25 charge for concession holders seeking parking permits. Previously, the first permit was free to concession card holders.
Here is part of what Shelly had to report:
“Last night I attended the CoPP extravaganza to ask about the new cost the council has put in place for those wanting to obtain a domestic parking permit and holding a concession card.
“Despite current cost of living issues, they think people holding a concession card have $25 to spare each year to be able to park without charge in the street in which they live.
“The meeting was a sham, the councillors arrayed as ‘royalty’ within the grand hall of
the Town Hall. The whole room was heated, lights blazing, you would not think the
council had a responsibility in the world.”

Monday – Wednesday dinners sorted @ The Prince

Thanks to Stephanie at The Prince for reminding us about these regular dining specials
Pasta Mondays – Little Prince Wine Bar
Every Monday Night is Pasta Night: pasta and matched wine for $28.
Schnitzel Tuesdays – Prince Public Bar
Tuesday Night is Schnitzel Night – $25 classic schnitzel, served with chips + slaw
Steak Wednesday – Prince Public Bar
Wednesday Night is Steak Night – $27 for 250g steak, served with chips, salad and red wine sauce.
More Info

Local and independent coverage
of Council news and decisions

Ten-minute Q&A with Mayor Heather Cunsolo

The Mayor explains the St Kilda Live Music Precinct, the Council rates and charges decision, Local Laws and Police forum.
Watch now 

Live Music Precinct: First step in a long process

St Kilda is ready to rock as Victoria’s first Live Music Precinct.
Launching the precinct, Mayor Cunsolo said it was about creating harmony rather than noise.
“It’s a ground-breaking example of how to keep live music alive close to homes and businesses,’ she said.
She hopes the precinct will make it simpler for residents to raise concerns such as noise complaints, while supporting musicians and music events and slashing red tape for venues.
The precinct includes Acland, Barkly and Fitzroy Streets St Kilda and is home to 70% of all music venues in Port Phillip.

Walk the talk: Free tour
To celebrate the new precinct, Council is hosting three walking tours around the ‘hood tracing the music back in the day.
Book now to explore St Kilda’s iconic music venues with Melynda Von Wayward and Rob Wellington sharing about the bands, promoters, fashion and artists that made this era a significant decade of Australian music history. Free
Saturday 1 July  | Saturday 15 July  | Saturday 25 July 
Art of music: Street posters and art collection
Watch for outdoor rock poster exhibition featuring bill posters from that era throughout central St Kilda from 23 July.
Carlisle Street Arts Space at St Kilda Town Hall will also present works by artists affiliated with the St Kilda live music scene of the 70s and 80s from 11 July.

Council budget headlines
Rates to rise 2.8% – slightly less than the statewide cap of 3.5%
Deputy Mayor vote against bin tax
Quiet ‘wins’ for culture cash

Rates up, but not to the max

 Council approved a rate rise of 2.8%, which is slightly below the 3.5% government mandated cap, and lower than inflation.
Mayor Heather Cunsolo said the average 2.8 per cent rate rise recognises cost of living pressures being experienced by Port Phillip ratepayers.
“This is the first time we have adopted an increase below the rates cap, introduced in 2016/17. We’re doing this as we recognise many in our community are looking for financial relief,” Cr Cunsolo said.
The lower than maximum increase will be funded by extra revenue received from parking and interest on reserves, rather than service cuts.
See the detail in the Council statement 
Big list of delayed projects
While services may not have been cut, a swag of over 40 projects have been deferred to take pressure off the budget.
TWiSK wonders if these are cutbacks under another name.
Read the list of deferred projects 

Deputy Mayor stands alone against bin tax

Deputy Mayor Andrew Bond was the only councillor to vote against additional waste charges that will collect nearly $15M from ratepayers in 23/24.
In a statement provided exclusively to TWiSK Cr Bond said that rubbish collection was a core function of local government and should be funded through rates [rather than an additional charge].
“As a principle we should not have a separate charge on property owners to perform some or all of the core functions, no matter how expensive they might become”, he wrote.
Read Cr Bonds Bin Tax Statement June 23 Opposition to a bin tax was key Ratepayer election pitch in 2020
Outrage about to the so-called ‘Double dip Bin Tax’ was a key promise in the Ratepayers of Port Phillip (RoPP) campaign that supported to the election of Cr Rhonda Clarke and Cr Christina Sirakoff – yet they voted for it last week.
In 2020, the RoPP website said:
“Make no mistake: if we don’t get a new set of independent councillors elected … we will have a new bin tax within the next four years.”
(RoPP 7 October 2020)
TWiSK welcomes a ‘right of reply’ comment from any of the Councillors who voted for the waste charges.
‘Bin tax’ Background
Since the state Government imposed a rate increase cap on local government in 2016/17, most councils have introduced additional waste charges. Port Phillip was one of the last councils to adopt a waste charge.
In 23/24 council will raise $131M in rates plus $14.8M is waste charges.

Quiet ‘win’ for culture crew
Cuts to the Council’s Cultural Development Fund (down from $187K to $100K pa) was one of the most contentious details in the proposed budget. After an intense campaign by culture supporters and progressive councillors, $25K was restored to the Cultural Development Fund and a $40K grant to Theatre Works for improved stage lighting was approved.
Rubbish bin contract changes
After months of apologising for delays in bin collection, Council will change garbage contractor from 1 July.
Alarmingly, the Council website already warns of handover problems.
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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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.

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