Culture news

A lot less esoteric than it sounds, the international Bicycle Film Festival is a much-anticipated event for hardcore fixie enthusiasts and occasional cruisers alike. Returning to Sydney and Melbourne this month, the festival encompasses not only a massive selection of two-wheeler inspired films; but art exhibitions, picnics and of course a few parties as well – the first of which is taking place tonight. Presented by those top blokes at Speak and Spell records, Bikesrock will kick off the BFF in aptly shred-happy fashion, with performances from My Disco, Mountains in the Sky, and Super Wild Horses. Tix are $15 dollars and are available at the door – the door that leads to Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom, Basement, 125 Swanston St., Melbourne. Said Door opens at 8pm

People are always bitching about how Sydney “lacks culture”, hell, I do it all the time. But just as I was about to give away my Bettina Liano’s and GHD, throw out my NW mags and head for Melbourne, I heard about the SMAC Awards. Billed as “the city's first truly interesting awards” the SMACS (or Smaccies as I’m taking to calling them) are here to give kudos to the artists, musos, venues, promoters, creators & culture makers who keep Sydney from being shit. Presented by FBI and Timeout, the SMACS run over ten categories and feature such locally feted names and events as Dappled Cities Fly, The Sydney Festival, The Presets, Palmer Projects Gallery, Elke Kramer, Greedy Hen and more. Voting is open now so head here to support your favourite clever person – or perhaps discover a new one!

As one of the few unfortunate members of Gen-Y who actually still doesn’t have pay TV, I was mortified to hear that ALF, my furry friend from the planet Melmac is back and I’ll be missing out! As a child I loved and laughed with the Tanner family and their ugly extraterrestrial pal - in fact I was so enamored I chose my first catch and kiss conquest on a resemblance to him. When they bring back Punky Brewster I’ll be officially giving up on my stand against pay TV. Dam.

6:30am and 3:30pm weekdays Channel 111
 
          

Switch to Channel 7 this week for your doco fix as BBC journalist Louis Theroux gets naked in the name of research. Louis gets down and dirty with porn industry legends like Sharon Mitchell of Debbie Does Dallas fame and explores the predicament of whether to go ‘gay for pay’ when he’s offered a part in a gay action film, Snowbound.

It’s on at 11:30pm next Monday.

Vagabond - Wandering without ties to a place or community "Led a vagabond life". Anything that resembles a vagabond in having no fixed place; "Pirate ships were vagabonds of the sea".
The Front Cafe/Gallery in Lyneham is exhibiting a collection of works which depict the art of skate boarding. The space has been taken over with paintings, photography and handmade skateboards which hang from the walls; one takes the shape of human flesh battered and bruised. A personal favourite of mine are Tristan Stills' collection of grainy black and whites; images of wooden skate ramps built inside people's houses and bedrooms.  Vagabondage includes work from a range of artists focusing on the skate boarding scene in Canberra. The unique contrast between Canberra's iconic buildings and structures is captivating. Artist and event organiser, Luke Brown describes Canberra as "a stop over by skateboarders passing through due to its laid back nature and skater friendly locations." Other artists include Luke Brown, Jim Fowlie, Scott Brown, Nathan Mooney, Issac Brown, Rome Torti, Stella-Rae Zelnik and more.

As part of Vagabongadge, the Hell City Glamours will play at The Basement on Saturday, 25 October along side The VeeBees and others.

                        

Experience life in trailer park Texas at the Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre where Pulitzer Prize / 2008 Tony Award-winning playwright Tracey Letts’ Killer Joe is on until November 2. The story is a shocking reflection of violence in America, but what is really shocking is how seemingly normal it is in this context. Every redneck accent is executed with perfect hillbilly slang and every nude scene is confronting yet beautifully dramatic. Music is performed live by young Sydney band The Snowdroppers who add a Johnny Cash like feeling to the intimate theatre. If you can get a seat in the front row, it certainly helps to absorb the reality of the whole thing. You’ll come away wishing you could see theatre like this more often.

What were you doing at 15? I believe I was quickly learning that biology wasn't for me, wagging the odd class to smoke ciggies down in the gully and crushing on boys that I would later look back on with a cringe. At 15 Imogen Wilson is being featured in magazines and spending every out-of-school-hour (and probably some at school, eh? eh?) working on her awesome website, The girl With The Kaleidoscope Eyes. I met this little lady at Fashion week where, with equally adorable friend in tow and camera 'round neck, she was popping up at various shows to take snaps and jot notes. Girl even had a business card (which proved embarrassing when I couldn't produce one myself)! Imogene was recently profiled in NZ's NO magazine and with such clear career vision and enthusiasm at such a young age I'm sure she'll go far in the fashion industry!