Special express edition #317
Latest on the Macnamara count at the AEC
Link to AEC’s latest count
It really is neck and neck between Josh Burns and Stephanie Hodgins-May. Separated by less than 1000 votes on Sunday’s count, with Burns just ahead.
ABC Votes Macnamara page
Thursday update: To close to call
The ABC is saying
“Estimates provided to me are that the exclusion of the five lowest polling candidates produces preference flows of 18% to Labor, 34% to the Greens and 48% to Liberal. Applying those puts the final three candidates within a thousand votes of each other. If the Green or Liberal candidates are third, Labor wins. If the Labor candidates is third, the Greens win. For this reason Macnamara is being left in doubt.”
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Robben Ford (USA) @ Memo
Wednesday 25 May and Thursday 26 May, 7.30 pm
A celebrated blues, jazz and rock guitarist with five Grammy Award nominations to his name, he was declared one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” by Musician Magazine.
Tix
Sionnach Rua’s Great Irish Song Book @ George Lane
Thursday, May 26, 6.30 pm 11 pm
Sionnach Rua’s Great Irish Song Book brings Ireland’s rich and unique culture to the shores of Australia, with a romantic passion that runs deep in Celtic veins. An authentic music and story catalogue from Irish born and raised frontman, Gallie.
Tix
Ibby Akbar @ Palais
Thursday 26 May
Melbourne’s own character comedian and social media sensation, Ibby Akbar is returning to the stage for a very special encore performance with all proceeds from the show being donated to the MoyaMoya Charity.
Tix
Art Exhibition @ Vale Street
Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Friday 29 May
Friday 6 pm – 8 pm (RSVP), Saturday 2pm – 7 pm, Sunday 3pm – 7 pm
Janine Hellard and Kim Zacharakis started painting regularly during the Covid pandemic. Each have created a body of work to share.
19 Vale Street St Kilda
Hybrid offering @ 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.
Thereafter, sessions are mostly at the Astor or online, with a special feature at the Pride Centre.
Full program, venues and ticket sales are now available.
Info
Stars present the ‘Stars Songbook’ @ Memo
Friday 27 may, 7.30pm
This amazing six piece lineup will bring a full blooded version of the Stars songbook with songs from Paradise, Land Of Fortune, Boundary Rider, One More Circle Round The Sun and the Andrew Durant Memorial Concert. $55
Tix
Electric Mary with Shotgun Mistress @ Espy
Friday 27 May, 8 pm
Electric Mary are a classic rock band hailing from Melbourne. The band formed in 2003 and named themselves after Mary Campbell, friend and manager of Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios in New York City. $33
Tix
Tanya-Lee Davies (Album Launch) @ George Lane
Friday, May 27, 6.30 pm – 11.30 pm
Melbourne songstress Tanya-Lee Davies specialises in dreamy pop, country folk with attitude sounds. Tanya will play with her band; Amy Valent Curtis – vibraphone and percussion, Jo To – bass, James Gilligan – pedal steel, Stella Anning – guitar, Michaela Burke – drums, and the golden voices of Julie O’Hara and Maryanne Dihayco adding extra dream to the soundscape; with very special guests Sherry Rich and Rick Plant opening the night and a surprise appearance by Gina Hearnden.
Tix
Mal Webb and Kylie Morrigan @ Carlisle Street
Saturday May 28, 12.30 pm – 2 pm (2 x 40 min sets)
Fun loving locals, Mal Webb and Kylie Morrigan will perform as part of Council’s Autumn on Carlisle Street on a little stage in front of Priceline, 163 Carlisle Street.
More info
Ricordi di San Remo – Memories of San Remo @ Palais
Saturday 28 May
Sanremo has introduced songs that have become anthems to Italians living abroad, touching their souls in times of celebration and need. Who can forget “Volare,” “L’Italiano,” “Che Sara,” and “Rose Rosse.”
Tix
U3APP: The story of a house @ The Mary Kehoe Centre
Saturday 28 May, 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm
The Mary Kehoe Centre in Danks Street, Albert Park – now the Headquarters of U3APP – has quite a history and many stories to tell. This illustrated talk by Max Nankervis, town planner and historian, will tell the eventful story of the house and its personalities which spans almost two centuries and three countries.
Register at www.u3app.org.au – scroll down and click on “public events”. 
King Curly (Album Launch) + Stephen Cummings @ George Lane
Saturday 28 May, 6:30 PM 11:30 PM
Hailing from the Blue Mountains NSW, King Curly is the invention of local singer/songwriter Steve Appel. After a long absence from the stage, building alternative-design mud houses, Steve Appel has re-emerged to showcase new material aptly named ‘Songs’. Appel’s harmonious medicine-show band and heartbreaking orchestrations frame a profound, self-deprecating comedy about transcendence and the people who dream of it.
Tix
Meet the artist Lucille Marti @ Linden projects
Saturday 28 May, 12 pm – 1 pm
Join artist Lucille Martin for an insightful talk to learn more about her experience of documenting the “good fire” practice and the making of exhibition RIGHT FIRE.
Comprising photographic documentation captured between 2018 and 2021, while Artist in resident at Bundanon Trust, NSW, RIGHT FIRE explores ‘good fire’ practice hosted by Indigenous Firesticks Alliance facilitated by Mudjingaalbarag community and convened at Bundanon Trust on Gumea Dharawal Country, NSW.
Info
Penny Ikinger Band @ St Kilda sports club
Saturday May 28, 7pm
Penny Ikinger Band vs The Fiction! Free
Ancient Mariners tour @ St Kilda Cemetery
Sunday 29 May, 2 pm
Discover the stories behind the Captains, Pilots and Steamship Owners who are interned at the St Kilda Cemetery. $15 includes afternoon tea
Bookings required. Email info@foskc.org
ring 0451831102 or go to https://foskc.org
Meet at the Dandenong Road Gates. Tour goes in all weathers, rain, hail or shine so please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring an umbrella.
Singalong Musicals @ Memo
Sunday 29 May, 5.30 pm
Singalong Musicals featuring Karla Hillam, Jonathan Guthrie-Jones, & more backed by an all star band. This is no ordinary sing along where you sing the songs from one musical. There are 24 songs from 20 musicals and you’ll have the time of your life as you learn the moves and belt out songs from shows like Mary Poppins, Grease, The Lion King, Rocky Horror, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, We Will Rock You, Shout the Musical, Strictly Ballroom and many more in this 90 minute stage extravaganza. VIP option $90/$65
https://www.memomusichall.com.au/memo-gig/singalong-musicals/
Dicks Vs Dames: Sisters in Crime @ St Kilda Army & Navy Club
Sunday 29 May, 5 pm – 6.30 pm
A Sisters in Crime debate for St Kilda Writers Week. “The female of the species is deadlier than the male” (to quote Rudyard Kipling). The opposing teams of crime writers will argue each other’s case.
Prosecutor: Angela Savage
In the AFFIRMATIVE are the Dicks: Robert Gott (lead detective), R.W.R. McDonald, and Hugh McGinlay.
In the NEGATIVE are the Dames: Vikki Petraitis (lead detective), Narrelle M Harris and Leigh Redhead. $15 – $20
Tickets essential
https://stkildawritersfestival.com.au/
Crime on the couch with Sisters in Crime @St Kilda Writers’ Festival
Sunday 29 May, 1.25 pm – 4.45 pm
Warm up for the Dicks Vs Dames Debate (at 5 pm) with relaxed one-on-one author talks with Crime on the Couch. Great fun and you get to ask questions. Authors Narrelle M Harris, R.W.R. (Rob) McDonald, Robert Gott, and Vikki Petraitis will be (gently) interrogated by Carmel Shute, Karina Kilmore, and Angela Savage. $20 (or $15 concession). Heroes Lounge, St Kilda Army and Navy Club, 88 Acland Street, St Kilda. https://stkildawritersfestival.com.au/crime-on-the-couch-sisters-in-crime/
Kadim Al Sahir @ Palais
Sunday 29 May, 8 pm
Kadim Al Sahir is an Iraqi singer, composer and songwriter. He has been popularly dubbed The Caesar of Arabic songs and Iraq’s Ambassador to the world.
https://palaistheatre.com.au/whats-on/kadim-al-sahir
W O R K S H O P by seV=n @ 147A Carlisle Street, Balaclava
Until Sunday 29 May, daily 11 am – 5 pm
Seven artists have come together to offer a vibrant pop up art project activating an empty Balaclava shop (Carlisle Accessories).
After a workshop last Sunday, the activation includes:
WINDOW PROJECT / Picturing Carlisle Street by Zoe Arnott
Picturing Carlisle Street is an ongoing photographic project that aims to create a historical record of the long term traders in the area honouring their place in the community.
WINDOW PROJECT / Second Legacy by Amanda Laming
Amanda will dress the shop window, displaying her hand made textile objects and headwear, thus paying homage to the accessory shop history.
OUTSIDE THE WHITE CUBE exhibition
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May
Tracey Lamb will be curating a group show of contemporary visual art by women whom she has posted to the Instagram page she runs called @thisis_nota_mandate.
Exhibition artist reception and performance by Stiletto Sisters on Sunday 29 May, 2 pm – 5 pm
Soon
Photographer’s Guided Tour @ Elwood Art Walk Program
Tuesday 31 May 11am-12.30pm
In 2008 a series of photographs were taken in the neighbourhood and later exhibited in the Town Hall Gallery as “Elwood At Night”. In early 2022, as one of the Port Phillip Art Walks, these images were transferred as decals and placed at various points on pavements near and around the Elwood Canal. Cathy Henenberg the photographer, will lead a daytime walking tour that includes a discussion of night photographic techniques. Participants should meet just before 11am outside of Laird’s Pharmacy 146 Tennyson St, Elwood (cnr Scott Street).
Bookings required 
June is Pride Month @ Victorian Pride Centre
A big month with music and drag performances at Sunday Sizzle, the Printed Protest exhibition co-presented by Australian Queer Archives, a trans and gender diverse clothing swap co-presented by Ballarat Trans and Gender Diverse Swap Shop, and more to be announced on Facebook and Instagram.
Pride Month Program:
June 1 to July 31 – Printed Protest exhibition
Sunday 5 June – Sunday Sizzle + shOUT Youth Chorus + Gay Stuff Markets (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Wednesday 8 June – Printed Protest free exhibition talk
Saturday 11 June – Spill the Tea, complimentary afternoon tea
Saturday 18 June – Trans and Gender Diverse clothes swap
Saturday 25 June – Printed Protest free exhibition talk.
Printed Protest @ Pride Gallery
June 1 to July 31
This exhibition highlights posters, banners and placards across the decades that have focused on campaigns of social and political change for LGBTIQ+ communities. From the early days of Gay Liberation to Law Reform, the AIDS crisis and response, Marriage Equality and Trans visibility/rights. Printed Protest showcases the creativity and determination of LGBTIQ+ communities through the imagery, messaging and artwork that pushed for change.
Free exhibition talks:
Wednesday 8 June, 6pm to 7pm
Saturday 25 June, 3pm to 4pm
Register interest 
Late, Late at Night @ Memo
Saturday 4 June, Doors open 7.30 pm
A two act, musical play written by award-winning Australian playwright, Kieran Carroll and performed by acclaimed Sydney singer-actor, Jackson Carroll,
Late, Late At Night is a new stage adaptation based on Rick Springfield’s best-selling autobiography.
Tix
Amissa Anima – Short set in St Kilda @ Astor
Saturday 6 June, 5.30pm as part of Made in Victoria: Session 1
Amissa Anima is a provocative short film about St Kilda’s dark past will premiere at the St Kilda Film Festival.
Amissa Anima, which means lost soul in Latin, tells the story of four boys who survived on the streets of St Kilda in the 1980s, a time when a network of pedophiles preyed on street kids as young as 10 years old.
Writer David Markin and Director/co-writer Tatiana Doroshenko grew up together in St Kilda, witnessing the long-term effects of child-abuse and neglect across generations. $15
Tix
Trailer 
Palais forecourt works set to start
Council are about to start works to reshape the Palais Theatre and Luna Park precinct between Acland Street, the St Kilda Foreshore and the Esplanade Market.
There will be seating, garden beds, new trees, high quality paving, new lighting and a shared zone on Cavell Street that is designed to reduce vehicle speed and prioritise pedestrians.
During the works an area of Lower Esplanade in front of the Palais Theatre will need to be closed.
Construction in the precinct is set to start in May 2022 and take approximately six months to complete. The Esplanade Market and access to the Palais Theatre and Luna Park will remain open during construction.
For information on the project
Vale Mitchell Faircloth
5/9/1953 – 30/4/2022
Mitchell Faircloth AKA Slim Whittle amongst other things, died in April and was celebrated at the Memo recently.
TWiSK asked Mitchell’s long term companion Marian Crawford to pen a few words in tribute.
“Mitchell wrote this about himself: ‘Comedian. singer, musician, songwriter, scriptwriter, journalist, artist, cartoonist. bus driver, eco-tour guide, fruit picker, farm manager, house painter, builder’s labourer, raconteur and yes, an actor.’
“I’m writing to you as Mitchell’s close companion, over the last 17 years or so, and for the last two years, the time of his illness. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at The Alfred in March 2020. He also managed atrial fibrillation and liver disease, and a host of other conditions that went along with those life-ending illnesses. His motto which you may have seen on his Facebook page was “Stay loose. The sun won’t go down any sooner for you chasing your tail.”
“Mitchell’s politics were a politics of life, the social nature of the political, extending to a sense of the ever-connectedness of biodiversity and permaculture, and how to best look after the vegetable beds he’d built in our backyard. Some of his favourite plants in the garden were weeds, the survivors. He was no snob. He loved every living thing, big and small. He valued every single one of his friends and family, and everyone he met, indiscriminately with generosity and endless curiosity.
“When I first met Mitchell he was living in Prahran and had taken up playing chess in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens, and although he hadn’t been down there lately, it was a favourite place. At that time he also enjoyed the Greyhound Hotel, and everytime we drove by the site where it once stood (on the way to the Alfred usually), he lamented the loss of that piece of wonderful architecture.”
Read Tony Rickards obit in the winning post
Link to video from 1981
Here’s a recent cartoon by Mitchell
Greg Day
Happy to chat anytime 0418 345 829
Content suggestions and community questions are always welcome.
gday@archives.gdaystkilda.com.au
Thanks to the people who sent their best wishes after my last email – your thoughts were very much appreciated.
I’ve spent the last week at The Alfred, but was pleased to keep TWiSKing as an alternative to boredom.
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This Week in St Kilda respectfully acknowledges the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrung.
We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.