TWiSK #352

St Kilda Festival Survival Guide for locals
Win Tix to new musical with star power
Q&A with Mayor
Council’s costly cost review

Street BBQ for Turkey Relief @ Tulum Restaurant Balaclava
Sunday 19 February, 11 am sold out

In wake of the earthquake disaster in Turkey, Tulum Restaurant will be holding a street BBQ to a raise funds for the victims and their families. 100% of the proceeds of the day will be going to the AHBAP charity in Turkey who are at the scene helping directly. There will be chicken kebab, borek, pastries, simit, dips and more other delicious food all takeaway style.
217 Carlisle Street Balaclava

Learn the unique art of 3D clay-relief @ Space2b
Starts Monday 13 February, 11 am, 6 weeks x 2 hours 30 minutes
A hands-on course with Iranian artist Leila Ashtian. She will share her skills and Iranian culture while teaching you the unique art form of BAS clay 3D relief work. $120/ $60
Book

Her: A 10th Anniversary Valentine @ Astor
Tuesday 14 February, 7.30pm
Ask ChatGPT about Valentines Day opportunities in St Kilda. Bingo.
“10th Anniversary Valentine’s Day screening of Spike Jonze’s film.”
Spooky.
Tix
Naomi Hobson: I Dream of Country @ Vivien Anderson Gallery
Until 4 March
Artist reception next Wednesday 15 February 6 pm – 8 pm.
An exhibition of new paintings by Naomi Hobson, drawn viscerally from the far northern tropical wet season of Cape York.
“Light dripping off leaves, pearlescent evenings, all teeming with the visual noise of the natural world. This is Naomi’s world, sumptuous and virtuosic.”
More info
284–290 St Kilda Road
Tuesday to Friday 11 am — 5 pm, Saturday 12 pm — 4 pm

Japanese Shashika Workshop @ Space2b
Thursday 16 February, 11 am – 1.30 pm
Bring along a much loved clothing piece in need of repair to a relaxing and fun workshop and learn how to give your clothes a second life with talented Japanese sewer, Maoko Carroll. $35
Book 
144 Chapel St, St Kilda
My Womb: A Public Space @ Linden Project Space
Until until 19 March
Opening event: Thursday 16 February 2023, 6 pm to 8 PM
Sydelle Mullen transforms the Linden Projects Space into a symbolic recreation of a womb-like environment. At once comforting and confronting, Mullen invites you into her womb, which here becomes a literal site of action, contemplation and intervention.
More info
Rear 26 Acland St
No wheelchair access 🙁

The Luke Sinclair Set + Paper Jane @ George Lane
Friday 17 February, 7 pm
Luke Sinclair (Raised with Eagles) with his full band – Zayne Lynd (bass, vocals), Matt Dixon (lead guitar) and Liam O’Leary (drums).
Info
George Lane, no/limited wheelchair access

Backsliders @ Memo
Friday 17 February, 7 pm
“Celebrated slide guitarist and vocalist, Dom Turner, and drum and percussion virtuoso Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil) joined by blues harmonica great, Ian Collard will take you on an eclectic blues-music journey.” $50/$35
Tix
88 Acland Street St, entrance via Albert Street
Wheelchair access, accessible toilet

The Beach keepers of the Tea Tree @ Elwood Foreshore Reserve
Saturday 18 February, 9.30 am – 12 pm
Help protect the biodiversity and health of this precious pre-colonial remnant foreshore vegetation right here in our community. Join in the fun at this all ages, family friendly and accessible event where laughter and learning can be shared by all. Free
Get involved
Church organ recital and history @ St Kilda Presbyterian Church
St Kilda Historical Society Event
Saturday 18 February, 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm
John Maidment OAM from the Organ Historical Trust of Australia, will share the history and significance of the beautiful organ at St Kilda’s Presbyterian Church. Made by George Fincham in the late 1800s, it is the sister of the St Kilda Town Hall organ destroyed by the fire of 1991.
There will be a short recital both before and after the talk.
Light refreshments. Free
Bookings essential
Cnr Alma Road and Barkly Street

Alan Fletcher The Point Album Tour @ George Lane Matinee Sessions
Saturday 18 February, 3 pm – 6 pm
Alan Fletcher (yes Dr Karl from Neighbours) promotes his new album.
Almost sold out
Tix

Ron S. Peno (Died Pretty) & Cam Butler @ George Lane
Saturday 18 February, 7 pm – 11.30 pm
“Ron has partnered with Superstitions’ guitarist, Cam Butler, to create a vocal and guitar duo like no other.”
Almost sold out
Tix 

The Eagles Story @ Memo
Saturday 18 February, 7 pm
Classy tribute. $50 / $35
Tix
First Peoples First @ Saturday 18 February
St Kilda Foreshore & O’Donnell Gardens, 10.30 am – 8.30 pm
Highlights include Christine Anu (8.10 pm) and a Tribute to the Late Archie Roach with his band and guests (6.40 pm)
St Kilda Festival big Sunday @ Sunday 19 February
Eight stages, late morning – 9.30 pm

Festival survival guide for locals

How to enjoy the St Kilda Festival
Let’s face it, locals either love or hate the St Kilda Festival.
The haters find it too big, too loud and are horrified by the nearly $2m Council spends on the festival – some leave the ‘hood for the day or lock the door and watch streaming services with headphones.
The lovers enjoy the spectacle of 400,000 souls in search of a good time for free. 
They also enjoy the music, the atmosphere and the people watching.

TWiSK recommends these survival tips

#1 Don’t drive

Wear comfortable shoes, hat and bring a water bottle

#2 Plan your Festival

Don’t commit to a whole day event.
Pick and choose your favourites and be surprised along the way.
Don’t worry.
Behind the scenes, the police, emergency services and council are all co-ordinated and well prepared.
Use this timetable to plan your visit 
Use this map 
Here’s some helpful hints …
If you love dancing there are two zones dedicated to you
Latin Quarter in Alfred Square and Dance Zone near the Sea Baths
If you like a loud crowd, check out the Main Stage late in the day
Yothu Yindi 6.00 pm, Hoodoo Gurus 7.30 pm and Confidence Man 9 pm
If you want to sample low key locals, head to Acland Plaza Stage
With music from 11.20 am, highlights include:
Brooke Taylor 5.20 pm, The Black Harrys 7.20 pm and Delsinki 8.20 pm
There are four other stages working from late morning until 9 ish

#3 It’s much more than a music festival.

There’s a vast array of events across the whole day, including:
Melbourne Hare Krishna Vedic Village – Catani Gardens
Team Kraken Historical Medieval Battle 11.00 am – 5.30 pm – Lower Esplanade
Rampfest Skate Demo Zone 11.00 am – 6.00 pm – Lower Esplanade
See the full list 

Soon

Not Finished With You Yet @ Alex Theatre on Fitzroy Street
Opening night Thursday 9 March
Season: Friday 10 March to Sunday 2 April
Part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
A new musical with a powerhouse cast including real-life partners Christie Whelan Browne and Rohan Browne playing the lead characters is set to premier at the Alex Theatre on Fitzroy Street in March.
A passion project written during the lockdown by former Mayor Dick Gross, Not Finished With You Yet has emerged with real musical theatre gravitas.
A nervous and expectant Dick told TWiSK that the rehearsals last week had thrilled and humbled him.
“The performers, the musical direction, the tweaks during development have brought it to life better than I ever dreamed.”
“Having Christie and Rohan playing the married couple at the centre of the story is nothing short of surreal.”
Tickets from $66 (previews) $71 
Performances Tuesday – Saturday 7.30 pm
Matinees Saturdays 2pm; Sundays 1.30 pm and 5 pm
Win Tix
TWiSK has two double passes to give away.
Email now with subject line “Not Finished With You Yet”  to go in the draw to win a double pass
Entries close Monday 27 February
The winners will be drawn and contacted on Tuesday 28 February

New faces in love with pizza @ i Carusi II

Serge Thomann and his partner Murat Ovac have bought the much-loved pizza place on Barkly Street (near Blessington).
“The previous owner wanted to sell for a while and we decided to buy it and make sure it remains a great place and even improve it – which we have already done by changing the style of pizzas and making them Neapolitan style with a lighter dough,” he told TWiSK
i Carusi II is open 7 nights a week from 5.30 pm.
www.icarusiii.com.au
231 Barkly Street, St Kilda
Change of owner #2 @ Galleon
Galleon Café, another much loved St Kilda eatery also changed hands last week.
TWiSK has yet to connect with the new owner, but we understand that he loves the current ‘vibe’.
The Galleon has gone though a number of incarnations over the years but remained a ‘go-to’ café for many loyal locals.
TWiSK has fond memories of The Galleon in the 90’s, with the genuine home style cooking and wait staff who were invariably writers, actors, photographers or misfits with attitude.
And those Laminex tables and cosy booths, tea pots and the peace sign.
It’s hard to think of another café that has enjoyed continuous popularity in St Kilda for 30 years.
Best of luck to the new owner
9 Carlisle Street

Diary dates to note

St Kilda Blues Festival @ St Kilda venues
Friday 3 March – Sunday 5 March
Now in its 4th year, this festival brings free music to an amazing list of local venues and spaces.
Don’t miss the New Orleans style street parade.
See their website for latest
Mussel and Jazz  Festival @ South Melbourne Market
Saturday 11 March and Sunday 12 March
Low key free food and music festival at the South Melbourne Market.
Worth the trip from St Kilda 🙂
Details

Australian Grand Prix F1 @ Albert Park
Thursday 30 March – Sunday 2 April
Details
Love it or hate it, you can’t escape it.

Newish Mayor, new councillor, new CEO
Q&A with Mayor Heather Cunsolo

Watch interview now (9 minutes)
Mayor Heather Cunsolo is undeterred by an evenly divided council, in fact she is taking it in her stride.
“It’s 4-4 with me in the middle,’ she told TWiSK explaining how the election of new ALP Councillor Robbie Nyaguy to replace the Greens’ Katherine Copsey (now sitting in Parliament) doesn’t change the politics of council.
But Heather is confident that the change of CEO will make a difference in project delivery, even though the new CEO Chris Carroll has been in council leadership roles since 2014.
Mayor Cunsolo said Mr Carroll was the ideal candidate to get on with projects after the COVID difficulties.
“He’s very Proudly Port Phillip,” she said.
Midway point in Council term
Council is halfway through it’s four-year term before elections in November 2024. But in the wake of COVID, Council faces many difficulties including one-in-three capital projects being ‘off track’ and a staff turnover hovering around 20% per annum (CEO report Nov-Dec 22).
Divided council looks for budget savings
(Note: Details about the cost cutting review were made public after the Q&A interview)
While Mayor Cunsolo is confident in her independence, there are looming opportunities for fractious debate and bickering on Council.
Next Wednesday, councillors will consider a comprehensive cost cutting review that will test the resolve of councillors from all points of view. TWiSK anticipates that many on council will be disappointed with the review but for entirely different reasons.
“With a 4-4 and Heather in the middle” situation, it’s hard to imagine that it won’t end in tears.
 $70,000 spent on agency staff to identify $97,000 in savings
After a comprehensive ‘deep dive’ into 28 council service areas, the cost review identified two cost savings; an $87,000 reduction in the Cultural Development Fund and cutting the $10,000 sponsorship of Open House Melbourne.
A total saving of $97,000 from a budget of $247,000,000.
Agency staff were hired to compile the report: “To enable sufficient focus and capacity for this work a temporary agency staff was engaged at approximately $70,000.”
Ominously, the report does foreshadow cuts that could be made in following years, including cuts to EcoCentre, Melbourne Fringe and Middle Park Library.
Read the report to Council 
Progressives peed off
Spokesperson for Progressive Port Phillip Dr Bill Garner (pictured) told TWiSK that the cuts proposed reveal a disturbing bias against the arts, community engagement, and cultural activities.
“These are commonly misrepresented by some councillors as the “pet projects” of more progressive councillors.”
“The Cultural Development Fund is set to lose 46% of its funding (down from $187,000 to $100,000) and the $10,000 local support for Open House Melbourne will be withdrawn.”
TWiSK approached Residents of Port Phillip for equal comment 

Long awaited draft live music precinct policy will be revealed in  March
In response to a question from TWiSK, Mayor Cunsolo has confirmed that a draft Live Music Precinct Policy will be considered by Council on 15 March, and if agreed a four-week community consultation process will commence from 20 March.
Read the plans for these precincts announced in January last year
Government has pledged support
Newly elected State Labor MP Nina Taylor made a pre-election promise to support a Live Music Package, including introducing new planning laws that would provide heritage style protections for a Live Music Precinct in St Kilda.
Will locals organise to promote the night-time economy?
Last week TWiSK raised concerns about a development on Fitzroy Street that included the site of the former Poison Nightclub.
Local resident and DJ Brad Every said he wanted developer to include creative night-time economy opportunities.
‘Imagine a flexible underground space with a sound proofed nightclub, event space or music venue as required,’ he said.
Brad said plans to establish a local action group were progressing.
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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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