Kings Cross Arts festival 2005

Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm
Elizabeth Bay House, 7 Onslow Avenue
Changing Spaces
Elizabeth Bay House was built between 1835 and 1839. It was designed by John Verge for Alexander Macleay (Macleay Street) and was considered the finest house in colony.
It was subdivided into flats between 1941 and 1973 and because of this four of Australia’s leading architects and interior designers have been commissioned to transform the dining room and drawing into two modern self contained apartments to showcase the potential of new uses for historical buildings.
You are invited to inspect their work in progress and the history of the house is on display in conjunction with the installation. Admission $7 ($3 concession) Families $17.
The Exhibition continues until the 28th of October -- 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed Sunday)
Wednesdays and Saturdays

12 October--29 October
The Tap Art Gallery, 278 Palmer Street at 8pm
The October Sapphire -- a Musical Comedy
Written by local playwright, Nick Coyle, and set in a ruined mansion, this is a play about love, regret, and magic… it’s beautiful, decadent and nostalgic and something to behold.
Bookings MCA ticketing.

Wednesday 12--29 October
Kings Cross Art & Books, 33 Roslyn Street
Elastic: An Archive Project
Elastic is a group of nine artists who create projects that invite other artists to participate with a view to expanding the scope and interpretation of the project. The subsequent results are recorded and exhibited for people to touch and draw their own conclusions with regard to the authenticity of the artists’ interpretations.
The exhibition will be opened by Susan Charlton, the Creative Producer of the NSW State Archives on Saturday 15 October from 4--6pm and a Cross Conversation with the artists themselves on Saturday 22 October at 4pm.

Thursday 13--22 October
50 Macleay Street
Flanagan and Mason Artworks
This is an exhibition of the art of Julia Flanagan and Kiata Mason that involves painting, film, sculpture, drawing, collage and incorporates multi media installations to convey contemporary images that have grown out of the human form, everyday household objects, domestic surroundings and mythological stories.

Thursday 13 October at 9.30pm
The Aussie Rules Club, 28 Darlinghurst Road
The Best of Muff : Pearls Before Swine
(Sydney Premiere)
In the current climate of imploding screen culture in Sydney, the Kings Cross Arts Festival is proud to present a selection of edgy Australian feature films and shorts from the Melbourne Underground Film Festival -- the launching pad of numerous Oz filmmakers including the makers of the Hollywood smash ‘Saw’ and the just-released ‘The Magician’.
Pearls Before Swine is presented by director and MUFF creator, Richard Wolstencroft.
It is the story of a hitman given a contract on an author of subversive literature and pornography. Stars American cult figure Boyd Rice.

Friday 14 October at 9.30pm (Double Feature)
Razor Eaters (Sydney Premiere)
This is Shannon Yuong’s killer detective chiller about a bunch of vigilante arnarchists who record their crime/murder spree on video -- described by legendary pop-culture bible Film Threat as “Fight Club meets The Blair Witch Project”.
plus…
Bullet in the Arse (Sydney Premiere)
Hong Kong Bullet Ballet meets Spaghetti Western in this slick, ten years in the making actioner about a cold-blooded trio whose world is ruled by lethal weaponry.

Saturday 15 October at 9.30pm (Double Feature)
Defenceless (Sydney Premiere)
Mark (Sensitive New Age Killer) Savage’s latest opus about a woman who returns from the dead to avenge her politically motivated murder. This is uncompromising horror.
plus…

The Garth Method
Hilarious satire about an unsuccessful actor who deserves his own dangerous 'method' to get into character and achieve thespian glory.
Stanislavski he ain't as Garth finds hImself in an ever escalating series of real life situations that threaten life, limb, sanity and goof taste.

Thursday 20 October at 9.30pm
The Best of Mini Muff 2005 (Sydney Premieres)
A selection of wild, wicked and award winning shorts from this year’s competition.
Tropfest it ain’t as these speedy gems fearlessly tackle issues you know or issues don’t want to know…
Admission to all sessions: $10 (concessions $5). Persons under 18 years not admitted

Friday 21 October at 9.30pm
darklovestory (World Premiere Charity Screening)
Admission by Donation -- all proceeds to Rough Edges and The Wayside Chapel
Local filmmaker Jon (Redball) Hewitt’s tale of two star cross’d lovers chasing a happy ending. A dialectical fairytale about storytelling wrapped in a crime thriller and set in the mythic neon realm of KX. Completely shot on the streets of Kings Cross and starring Aaron Pedersen (Water Rats) and Belinda McClory (Matrix) this edgy, strange and magical fable is a must see.

Thursday 13 October 6--9pm
The Tap Art Gallery, 278 Palmer Street
The 6th Annual Images of the Cross
Art Exhibition Gala Presentation Night
The Exhibition, featuring the artwork of over 80 local artists runs at the Tap Gallery from the 12th to the 23rd of October between 12 to 6pm.
The Presentation Night has live entertainment and prominent guest speakers and there is over $1000 in prizes to be won! Applications from www.tapgallery.org.au

Thursday 13 October thru to Saturday 29 October (excluding Mondays)
THE DARLINGHURST THEATRE, 19 Greenknowe Avenue

The Internationalist
7pm (Tues--Sat); 5pm (Sunday)
‘The Internationalist’, a surreal, noir comedy thriller, turns on its head the classic journey to find oneself, thanks to playwright Anne Washburn’s original new voice.
Starring Jamie Mears, Torquil Neilson, Christopher Baker, Melissa Bruder & Christopher Burke. Directed by Laurisa Poulos and produced by Margot Bruder & Margot Woodward for The Practical Theatre Company.

plus...

Matt & Ben
9pm (Tues-Sat); 7pm (Sunday)
Mindy Kaling & Brenda Withers’ award winning play ‘Matt & Ben’, spoofs the friendship between two of Hollywood’s most celebrated leading man, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Deliciously spiteful, the casting of women in the roles of Matt and Ben (NIDA graduates Trilby Glover and Jasmin DeMain) adds further spunk to this fiction.
Sold out at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2002, the play also took the prize for the Best Overall Production.
Directed by Alex Broun and produced by After Party Productions.
Tickets for both Shows: $27 ($21 Concession) Bookings: 8356 9987 or www.darlinghursttheatre.com

Thursday 13 October, 8pm
Bar Me (the old El Rocco), Cnr William & Brougham Streets
The Susan Gay Dowling Trio
This is an act you won’t want to miss. This lady gets rave reviews wherever she goes.
As Jim McLeod said on ABC Radio: ‘A genuine musician’s singer; a special talent on the Australian jazz scene. There are few singers who are that special but Susan is one of them’. Come feel the noise!
Admission: $12 (show only) $25 (dinner and show)

Friday 14 to Thursday 27 October
Kings Cross Library, Level 1, 50--52 Darlinghurst Road
Cross Crazies
Opening 5.30pm on Friday the 14th and on show everyday during Library hours, this incredible exhibition features the costumes that made Monique Kelly a legendary star of Les Girls and Diva Divine; Damian Harris’ and Nick Collerson’s images of the Strip… and Toby Zoates’critiques of Kings Cross’ mean streets. Very entertaining, never bland -- you’ll wonder who’s crazy now!

Friday 14 October, 6pm
Gowrie Gate, 117 Macleay Street
Neon Walking Tour
Art Deco Society
The neon signs of Kings Cross have long been considered works of art.
Sadly many have disappeared and conservationists are fighting to save the survivors while encouraging a re-invigoration of the medium.
Jennifer Hill, the heritage architect, will take you on an informative tour of the signs of the times… Cost: $12 (Art Deco Society & Arts Guild members $8)


Friday 14 October to Sunday 16 October
Friday 21st October to Sunday 23rd October
Bar Me, Cnr William & Brougham Streets
Desperate-singles.com
A Cabaret written and performed by Nikki Aitken. A night of soul mate surfing that will have you in stitches! Bookings on 9368 0894

Saturday 15 October at 3pm
Gowrie Gate, 117 Macleay Street
Art Deco Walking Tour
Art Deco Society
Jennifer Hill leads this walk through the streets of Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point to explore some of finest inter-war era apartment blocks in Australia. A magnificence we can only look back on.
Cost: $12 (Art Deco Society & Arts Guild members $8

Saturday 15 October, 1--4pm
Art Gallery Walk
A chance to visit local art galleries and historical houses and hear all about the artwork by resident artists as well as learn about the history of the area. Starts at the Tap Gallery at 1pm, adjourns for high tea at the stately Mansions, takes in a floor talk at the East Sydney Academy by Tony Johansen and ends at Cross Art & Books and Cross Art Project Exhibition.

Saturday 15 October between 4 and 6pm
Piccolo Park, Roslyn Street
Poetry in the Park
This is an invitation to join featured poets and songwriters and perform in the park opposite the legendary Piccolo Bar. Compered by Kings Cross poet, Robert Balas.

Sunday 16 and Monday 17 October, 11am--6pm
Kings Street Gallery on Burton,
The Wayside Chapel Art Exhibition and Auction
The inaugural Art Exhibition and Auction was held last year both as a way of raising much needed funds for the Wayside Chapel’s well known care programmes and as way of strengthening the links they have had with the local artistic community.
It was an outstanding success and this year’s donating artists include Archibald Prize winner, Adam Cullen, Reg Mombassa of Mambo fame, Andrew Sibley, Gav Barbey, John Hawley, Kellyann Denton and many, many more.
Enjoy the exhibition over the two days and join us for the Auction on the Monday evening at 6.30pm for pre auction drinks. The Auction starts at 7pm.
Details on www.thewaysidechapel.com or call 9358 5582.

Sunday 16 October, 3--5pm
Kings Cross Library, Level 1, 50-52 Darlinghurst Road
‘Open 24 Hours’
Book launch
Proudly sponsored by the City of Sydney, ‘Open 24 Hours’ is a book of poems by Robert Balas, based on the colourful and eclectic character of this unique area, illustrated with over 40 paintings and drawings by local artists.

Sunday 16 October from 7--9pm
El Alamein Fountain, Fitzroy Gardens, Macleay Street
‘Milonga’
by Patio de Tango
Sydney’s Tango Argentino aficionados gather together to dance socially in front of Kings Cross’ most beautiful and well known landmarks. Come and find out why Argentino Tango is the most sensual, romantic and beautiful dance in the world.
Hosted by Sophia and Pedro Alvarez. A Free event.

Monday 17th October, 8 to 10pm
The Darlinghurst Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Avenue
New Sydney Comedy
The Cream of the Crop
This your chance to see and hear some of the best and brightest talent in town. Featuring special guest, Justin Hamilton (Triple J, ABC’s The Glass House) and compered by Dave Bloustien (Middle Class Hero) who is one of the best ad-libbers in the business, the show also stars Sam Bowring and Kent Valentine and many more. A night not to be missed; sides will be split… Tickets $12.50 (concession $10 -- stubs from other Arts Festival shows apply).

Monday 17 October
Bar Me, Cnr William & Brougham Streets
Open Mike Night

Tuesday 18—22 October at 6.30pm (for 7pm start)
Tusculum House, 3 Manning Street
Cross Projections 2005
This is a digital photographic-audio screening that has grown out of the wish of experienced documentary photographers to have control over and showcase their personal work to their peers and the wider community in a theatre environment.
Previous years’ shows have all sold out and this year includes dance, Sydney and country subcultures, intimate and public domains as well as indigenous themes.
Tickets: $15 ($11 concession) Bookings on 9357 2038 (10am--6pm/7days)

Tuesday 18 October
Café Pralinka, 7 Roslyn Street from 8-9pm
‘70s Folk Club
Featuring Brian Anderson and Ant Horn
Beards, Blues, Berets and Bad Poetry -- the folk clubs of Kings Cross in the 70s will be reborn for one night only at this funky café. Book for Dinner and the Show ($25) or Show only ($15) at Café Pralinka or the Community Centre.
Dress up as you did last time you went to a folk club and enjoy Margaret Fulton’s famous apricot chicken, an avocado shrimp cocktail, fruit trifle and coffee -- byo wine, beer or mead.

Tuesday 18 October and Tuesday 25 October
Bar Me, Cnr William & Brougham Streets
MakebeLive Productions
presents…
An evening of open mic musical antics. Entry is free and you are encouraged to bring your favourite party piece and come on down. The night kicks off with a variety of acts taking the stage and ends up in an all out jam! Great fun!

Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 October 8pm--late
Candy’s Apartment Nite Club, 22 Bayswater Road
Entertainment Plus
Tuesday features Ed Burton, Sons of Genghis and Hoo Ha’s. Admission $8
Wednesday features Loonshine, The Tongue, Rival (human beats), DJ Dias and is headlined by Botanics. There is also a freestyle battle with $150 prize money. Admission $10

Wednesday 19 October
33 Roslyn Street at 6pm
The Annual Literary Contest for Seniors Awards
This is the 9th Annual Short Story and Poetry Awards Ceremony as part of Seniors Week.
Hosted by the Kings Cross Community & Information Centre and featuring the brilliant guitar of Brian Anderson who will be playing traditional jazz and swing favourites for you as you arrive. Entry Free. A good night for Seniors, their families and friends.

Wednesday 19 October at 7pm
Bar Me, Cnr William & Brougham Streets
Seasons of Love Cabaret
A new entertainment dimension -- cabaret, acting, singing and live performance. Join our artists in a rollercoaster ride through their life stories -- passions, relationships, dilemmas and all our different seasons… the love, the sadness, the laughter and all that jazz!

Thursday 20 and Friday 21 October at 9pm
The World Bar, Bayswater Road
The ‘Sign of the Cross’ Show
In a one hour show by Vashti Hughes, Kath Ellis and Trash Vaudeville plus musicians, the audience will be treated to a rambunctious night of music and song, twirling hoops and spoken word. Trannies and spruikers, showgirls and the homeless -- local living identities are conjured up into a fabulous melting pot that captures the madness and the pulsing heart that is Kings Cross. Entry: $15

Thursday 20 October at 6pm
The Cell Block Theatre, East Sydney Technical College
Absolut Secret -- Drawcard 05
This is the small canvas art show at the National Art School where collectors are invited to choose from over 200 artworks from both established and emerging artists including Robert Jacks, Noel McKenna, Martin Sharp, Euan McLeod, Wendy Sharpe and Colin Lanceley AO. All artworks are $200 and are signed by the artist on the reverse side.
The artists remain anonymous until after the sale.
All proceeds go to the National Art School Exhibition programme.
No cash sales -- credit card (Visa/Mastercard/Bankcard) and cheque only.

Friday 21 October at 7pm
St. John’s Anglican Church, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
Cross Collections
Cross Collections presents a variety of performances for one night only in the beautiful St Johns Anglican Church, Darlinghurst.
David Davies performing ‘FINCHIE’ is a tribute to the legendary actor Peter Finch in his Sydney years, and his dreams of turning the Mercury Theatre into the National Theatre Company of Australia. We follow him on his journey from overseas to Kings Cross to the formation of the Mercury Theatre Company. David Davies is a NIDA graduate who has been a member of the Bell Shakespeare Company for the last 5 years. He was last seen as King Edward the 4th in Bells The War of the Roses and in his one man show HYDE/FINCHIE at the TAP gallery.
‘FLOTSAM’ -- Ken Foux, Gary Ross and Peter Urquhart play a series of folk and acoustic song arrangements and improvisations. The vibrant sounds of 6 string and 12 string guitar, violin and voices complement arrangements of ‘Under the Milky way’, ‘Khe Sanh’, ‘Caroline’, and ‘Angie’.
‘The Canyon of the hidden jewels’, composed by Peter Urquhart, is a trio for alto voice (performed by the amazing Jeannie Lewis), baritone and piano and contains movements of the latin Mass -- ‘Sanctus’, ‘Benedictus’, ‘Agnus Dei’ and ‘Pie Jesu’. The piece fuses tones and modes of of different musical periods to create an inspiring and timeless experience.. Admission: $10 ($5 Concession).

Friday 21 October between 6 and 9pm
The Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer Street
‘Open 24 Hours’
Multi Media Event
Poetry recitation by Robert Balas from his new book, ‘Open 24 Hours’, acoustic music by Mary Jane on classical guitar, Adam Hill on didgeridoo with featured Sydney poets --
all with Catalin Anastase’s photographic projection of 40 artworks featured in ‘Open 24 Hours’

Saturday 22 October at 2pm
El Alamein Fountain
Sketch Club in the Park
A chance to see how good an artist you are. A real life model will pose for your drawing and a professional artist will give you help as you go. Easels and paper are provided. Entry $5

Saturday 22 October at 5pm
The Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer Street
Chix with Stix
All female drumming concert featuring many traditional drums from around the world.

Saturday 22 October
Fitzroy Gardens at the top of MacLeay Street from 8pm
Films Under the Stars
Come and enjoy a wonderful selection of short films from Australia’s leading filmmakers under the stars in the shadow of the El Alamein Fountain. Be entertained and bring a blanket or cushion as there is only ground seating. Free Admission.

Sunday 23 October. Noon at Balmain Wharf (Birchgrove Oval)
Sketch Club Ferry Cruise
If you feel like a wind-down and chill-out recovery day after the Arts Festival, come and join us on the vintage ferry ‘Reliance’ for a champagne lunch and sketching trip up the Lane Cove River. Only 30 seats available, Cost: $45/$38 (all inclusive plus a life model)
Bookings: 9361 0440