TWiSK #394
Chagall exhibition closes Sunday @ JewMu
Morrissey: From The Smiths to St Kilda
Aine Tyrrell: Irish as f*uck, not folk
Community Christmas Tree Festival @ Holy Trinity
Big week at Council
Next step for Triangle venue?
Questions about waste review and whistle blowers
Have your say before it’s too late:
Aged care services
Inkerman bike lanes
Plus more doors than an advent calendar
KIIS Eye Ferris Wheel @ Catani Gardens
Until 30 April, 10 am – 10.30 pm
It’s back for the warmer weather. $13.05 / 8.87
Tix 
Morrissey @ Palais
Monday 4 December and Tuesday 5 December, 8 pm
“Each night on this tour will highlight the fan-favourite songs that made you cry and the songs that saved your life, spanning from the early days of The Smiths through to today.” $81+
Tix 
Where the Wild Things Were: Maurice Sendak’s Queer & Jewish Identity @ JewMu
Wednesday 6 December, 6pm
Jewish Museum of Australia
Join the crew at Jewish Museum of Australia for a glass of wine, live music performed by the extraordinary Simon Starr and a conversation between Dr Golan Moskowitz (Tulane University) – author of Wild Visionary: Maurice Sendak in Queer Jewish Context – and Associate Professor David Slucki (Monash University).
Complimentary entry to CHAGALL in the show’s final week before closing. Non-members $35/ $20
Tix 
DEVO The Farewell Tour Celebrating 50 Years @ Palais
Wednesday 6 December, 8 pm
Produced by Brian Eno, 1978’s “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” ignited underground fame with its call-to-arms sound. $109+
Tix
Basile – Blame it on The Greek (USA) @ Memo
Wednesday 6 December, 7 pm
Basile’s unique blend of material, improvisation, and characters has made him one of the most sought-after comedians.. $60/ $50+bf
Tix 
Asylum Seeker Food Drive @ Elwood Neighbourhood House
Thursday 7 December, 9.30 am – 4 pm
The Elwood House crew are running another food drive for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in the lead up to Christmas. They welcome donations that are non-perishable food items (within the use-by date), toiletry or sanitation items, or basic cleaning goods.
If you have any questions or would like more information, call 9531 1954 or email reception@esnlc.org.au
Check here for a list of most needed items
Courtney Marie Andrews & her band + Robert Ellis @ Espy Gershwin
Thursday 7 December, 7:30 pm
Excitement is building for Americana fans (and TWiSK) for Courtney Marie Andrews with Robert Ellis.
“It’s a musical match made in acoustic folk-godly heaven, with this sublime pairing of two of the greatest American contemporary singer songwriters around today.” $50
Tix
Eastbound Buzz @ Espy basement
Thursday 7 December, 8:00 PM
Info
Reza Sadeghi @ Palais
Friday 8 December
Reza Sadeghi is a Persian pop singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, and one of the most popular Persian singers. $100
Tix 
Rosario De Marco @ George Lane
Friday 8 December, 7.00 pm – 10.30 pm
Mediterranean Sound Without Borders.
Tix
Community Christmas Tree Festival @ Holy Trinity Balaclava and Elwood
Friday 8 December – Sunday 10 December
A display of Christmas trees creatively decorated by a variety of community groups and individuals
Friday 10.30 am – 6.00 pm, Saturday 10.30 am – 4.00 pm, Sunday 12 noon – 4.00 pm
Adults by donation, Children under 15 free
Elwood Community Choir Concert
Friday Night 7.00 pm
Adults by Donation
Carols around the Christmas Trees
Sunday 4.00 pm
All Welcome
Cnr Brighton Road & Chapel Street
Chrissy fun @ Acland Precinct
Saturday 9 December, 11 am – 2 pm
Chrissy fun in Acland Plaza and Acland Court Shopping Centre!
Free Christmas crafting
Free and festive temporary tattoo station
Fun and photos with elves and fairies
Postcard Show 2023-24 > Opening Event @ Linden
Saturday 9 December, 1 pm – 4 pm
Be some of the first to see the Linden’s Postcard Show 2023-24. With new found freedom in dimensions and materials, this year’s exhibition is sure to catch everyone’s eye. Prizes will be announced from 2.30pm. All welcome.
RSVP 
Andrew McSweney & The Wishing Horse @ George Lane Matinee Sessions
Saturday 9 December, 3.00 pm . 6.00 pm
Andrew McSweeney is a prolific and powerful song man, songwriter, singer and guitarist, with a loyal and hungry following of listeners, and with his new band, The Wishing Horse, together deliver soulful songs from their heart.
Tix
Áine Tyrrell: Irish As F*ck @ Espy Basement
Saturday, 9 December, 7 pm
“Irish As F*ck Not Folk” says the publicity. Áine Tyrrell is an inspiring and thought-provoking multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and unmissable live act. Her set moves from singing in Irish, acoustic guitars, powerful vocals, to spoken word and hip hop. $33
Tix
Into the Mystic – The music of Van Morrison @ Memo
Saturday 9 December, 7 pm
Joe Creighton & his 8 piece band will take you Into The Mystic on a journey that begins in the 1960s and moves through the decades encompassing Van Morrison’s worldwide hits.
TWiSK says these shows have a big feel good sound than Van fans will appreciate. $50/45/35
Tix 
CHAGALL closes soon @ Jewish Museum
Ends Sunday 10 December
CHAGALL offers visitors the opportunity to engage with the beauty of printmaking, the intimacy of illustrated poetry, and the grandness of public art installations created by twentieth century master Marc Chagall (1887-1985). $25/$20/$10
View CHAGALL before time runs out.
26 Alma Road
Wheelchair access via rear entry
“Trouble Is A Lonesome Town” – 60th Anniversary Show @ George Lane
Sunday 10 December, 4 pm – 8 pm
“Trouble is a Lonesome Town” (released 1963) was Lee Hazlewood’s first bona fide solo album. An original blend of spoken narrative alongside yarns in song, about the fictional town of Trouble and its offbeat characters.
Tix
The Hornstars @ Espy basement
Sunday 10 December, 6 pm
The nine-piece band will bring three sets of dance floor fillers including a swag of new material. Free
Info
Jack Botts – ‘Summer Nights’ 5 Year Anniversary @ Espy
Sunday 10 December, 7 pm
Celebrate the 5 year anniversary of his debut EP ’Summer Nights’. $53
Tix 
Solstice 2023 @ Brightspace
Exhibition until Sunday 10 December
Photography Studies College Bachelor of Photography Graduate Exhibition
Info
Gallery Hours: Wed – Fri 11 am -5 pm, Sat – Sun 12 pm – 4 pm
Next Week
Monday 11 December – Sunday 17 December
Book launch: Dig Deep by David Bereson @ Europa on Alma
Tuesday 12 December, 11 am-1pm
Josh Burns, MHR Macnamara, will launch Dig Deep by David Bereson – a memoir of how he survived brain injury after a serious car accident 40 years ago.
With joy, humour, bravery, curiosity and learning his stories journey to the centre of his disability — what he found, who was missing, what he learnt and what he gained through what he’d lost.
Hosted by Professor Kim Rubenstein. Includes a musical performance. No need to book. Just turn up.
4th floor, 31 Alma Rd, St Kilda
2024 Season Launch @ Theatre Works
Thursday 14 December, 7 pm
The grand unveiling of our 2024 season featuring live performances and a full presentation of the season. 120 minute duration
RSVP required 
A Very Big Band Christmas @ Memo
Friday 15 December, 7 pm
An enchanting evening of Yuletide magic as Belinda Parsons, Fem Belling, and Nina Ferro, accompanied by the Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra, take you on a musical journey through shimmering Christmas carols like you’ve never heard before. With special guest Ross Irwin
$55/45/35
Tix
Chocolate Starfish Christmas Show @ National
Saturday 16 December @ 7.30pm
Chocolate Starfish announces the return of ‘The Greatest Christmas Show on Earth’. The second annual extravaganza of Chocolate Starfish at St. Kilda’s heritage-listed National Theatre features all of the favourites plus, in true Starfish style, some Christmas surprises that will delight even the Scroogiest of Scrooges. $79+
Tix 
Waz e James Band Christmas Party w/ Andrew Pendlebury @ George Lane
Saturday 16 December, 7 pm – 10:30 pm
Come celebrate Christmas with a special Waz e James band show!
Tix
A Mighty Wilde Xmas @ memo
Saturday 16 December, 7 pm
Wilbur Wilde & The Troublemakers present their special Family Christmas Show with all your favourite dancey hits from The Countdown Years +GST. Taking family literally, Wilbur’s sons Elliott, Howard and Toby will amaze your ears with sibling harmoniousness, including Toby’s Band ‘Dear Judy’.
Tix | YouTube promo 
Peter Cupples presents Stevie Wonder & Burt Bacharach @ Memo
Sunday 17 December, 3 pm
After the success of ‘Songs in the key of life’ a tribute to the genius of Stevie Wonder. And ‘The Look of Love’ a celebration of the timeless classics of Burt Bacharach, Peter has decided to combine the two shows into one with a nine piece band. $55/45/35
Tix 
Neil Murray @ George Lane
Sunday 17 December, 4:00 PM 8:00 PM
Hurry. A rare chance to hear Neil Murray a founding member of the pioneering Warumpi Band, which over three albums and twenty years of performing thrust contemporary indigenous music into mainstream Australia.
Tix
Rubbish review first, transparency later
Rubbish review first, transparency laterThe full terms of reference, the details of the reviewer and the costs of the review into kerbside waste collection will not be revealed until the review has been completed next February.
Last week TWiSK called on Council to be open about the terms of reference for it’s review of the July transfer of garbage contracts to City Wide. We asked council to provide the terms of reference, the details of the independent reviewer and the estimated cost – three simple, straight forward questions.
Here is the response attributed to the Mayor Heather Cunsolo in full.
“Our Council has engaged an independent consultant with appropriate expertise to undertake an external review into the circumstances surrounding the kerbside waste collection issues that occurred following the appointment of a new kerbside waste services contractor, Citywide.
The review will assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity of the kerbside waste & recycling collection contract and its implementation process from Four Seasons Waste to Citywide.
The review will also evaluate the lifecycle of the contract, including the initial request for proposal process to the transition and ongoing operation, with the goal of identifying any areas of improvement, process inefficiencies, systemic issues and accountabilities of the process.
The review is underway and a report will be brought to Council in February with the results. This report will include a description of the scope of the review, the name of the party that undertook the review and the cost of the work.
The findings and recommendations will contribute to enhancing the overall performance and value of our waste and recycling collection services.”
Why the lack of transparency?
From parliament to boardroom, corporation to volunteer committee, reviews start with the terms of reference and the announcement of the people conducting the review.
Yet at Port Phillip, the review has started and neither of these fundamentals have been made public despite our polite and timely request.
Imagine, dear reader, if you had information that was relevant to the review – possibly sensitive information – who would you contact to make a submission, possibly in confidence? At Port Phillip the identity of the reviewer is secret.
Whistle blowers? You betcha
Clearly there are people who want to make submissions. You could see and hear two of them on the Channel 9 News last Monday night. While the news report is not in the same league as Woodward and Bernstein of Watergate fame, it does include statements from former employees and a footage of council street cleaning workers being idle while pretending to clean streets.
Watch the 9 News report (2 min)
FYI Council responded to this 9 News story with this statement from the Mayor
“The accusations made by an ex-staff member and ex-contractor on Channel 9 do not align with Council’s strong culture of customer service, performance accountability and value for money. The vast majority of Council’s operational staff work diligently to ensure our City is clean and safe, and Council responds appropriately where this is not the case. If residents or other members of the public have concerns about work not being completed, we encourage them to report this to us and we will investigate as a priority.”
What does priority look like at Port Phillip?
The peak garbage failure was in July/August, thousands of complaints were made. The review was announced on 17 November and will be presented in February.
Triangle plan points just one way – towards Spring Street
Buoyed by an apparent positive community response to the music venue plan for the St Kilda Triangle, Council is set to consider three options for the next step towards the dream.
But even a cursory look at the options reveals that they all point to State Government investment and costly planning work by Council.
A media statement from Council said the idea of a new live music and performance venue has now been tested through the St Kilda Triangle site feasibility, market demand, community and industry consultation and found to be an opportunity worth pursuing.
But all the proposed options require advocacy to the state government for investment and at least a further $400K from council budgets in the feasibility stage.
Musicians in harmony as scene rebuilds
Local musician Jack Howard said the idea of the Triangle being transformed into a dedicated live music centre with a brilliant new venue is terrific and would be a great result for St Kilda. I look forward to playing there. Bring it on.
“Over the last year or so, it feels like St Kilda has been re-invigorated as a live music hub, especially with its new Live Music Precinct status. There’s a growing list of venues with great sound, good quality acts and new festivals popping up. As a long-time local musician, it’s exciting to witness.”
Council will consider the options on Wednesday.
TWiSK will include community comments next week.
Have your say about bike lanes
on Inkerman Street before 7 December
Have your say about bike lanes Councillor in boxes are running hot on this topic.
Residents and road users around Inkerman Street are being asked to consider proposals to “improve safety on Inkerman Street for all road users between St Kilda Road and Hotham Street, Balaclava.”
That translates to two options to create safe bike lanes along that stretch of road.
Option A proposes separated bike lanes by removing parking on one side of the street (a net loss of 116 parking bays). It also adds more trees and planted areas.
Option B proposed so-called buffered lanes (painted not separated lanes) both sides of the street with less parking removed (net loss of 20 bays).
Have your say
Have your say about Aged Care changes before 10 December
Is Council’s up-beat message on this big change ‘tone deaf’?
Council is proposing to cease in-home care for local aged people in response to a big change in Federal funding next year.
This means about about 650 current clients of Council provided aged care in-home help will need to find new service providers.
Council will continue to provide community-based services such as meals, transport, social connection programs and hop-on-hop-off bus program.
You can comment on the Council Have your say page until 10 December.
St Kilda’s only source of independent journalism combined with local arts, music and community events.
TWiSK is always free and proudly independent – subscribe to keep it that way.
Subscribe for free or with a voluntary option of paid support from $5 per month or $50 annually.
Venues are also invited to subscribe for $150 pa.
Greg Day
Happy to chat anytime 0418 345 829
Content suggestions and community questions are always welcome.
gday@archives.gdaystkilda.com.au
Recent editions
Monday 27 November – Sunday 3 December
Monday 20 November – Sunday 26 November
Monday 13 November – Sunday 19 November
Monday 6 November – Sunday 12 November
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.
