Culture news

An easter egg hunt hosted by 2Pac? A Romance Was Born gift hamper (complete with bunny suit)? A D.I.Y grillz competition using easter egg foil?? A very special sexy dance to be performed by the ghost of Aaliyah????  It can only be a party at the Cricketers Arms. A "Hip Hoppin Easter Party" at The Cricketers Arms. This Thursday from 8pm.

Okay, it might not be the Zephyr Boys but it's as close as you may get 'cause Dogtown is far away from Sydney.
Bowl-A-Rama is the name, and exceptional skateboarding talent from around the world is the game. The likes of Bucky Lasek, Steve Caballero and Omar Hassan are set to appear this year.
Locals at Bondi's skate park like Matthew Harris, have competed in previous Bowl-A-Rama events. "It's become bigger now that international talent comes to our shores to compete...The skating is incredible and there are so many different styles coming together at one place," says Harris.
Bowl-A-Rama 's going down this Saturday, February 23 at Bondi beach's own "dogbowl." So grab some sunscreen, a hat, some thongs if you want to check out the talent on show.

I don't like Jennifer Lopez; I never have. Not only is her music crap as but there is just something about her - perhaps that self-absorbed, dive-lite aura that floats like a supernatural orb in all her photos - that turns my stomach. I thought it impossible to despise her even more until I read that she is being paid 6.5 million dollars to whore out her - as yet unborn - babies to a hag-rag. Now it's like the two celebrity commodities I abominate most; the full-time self-promoter, some-time "performer" sensibilities of Lopez and the spawn-sploitation industry, have combined just to make the world a much shittier place. But really, I am looking forward to the softly-lit spread and the inevitible, gushing sound-bite of "I have just become so much less selfish" because "the baby is just, like, this helpless little person!". A "helpless person" whose magical selflessness- rousing abilities are apparently no match for the kryptonite like glow of an open cheque-book. Seriously, 6.5 million? How much of that do you think "Jenny from the block" will give to charity? My guess is nada.

"Stuff White People Like". Call it sterotypical or even racist if you are feeling so unhumoured, but come on now; asian fusion food, alternative medicine, Juno. It's funny cos' it's true.

I know, I have been neglecting my role as a Yen contributor. But I have a good excuse and I am going to plug it now. I have been working as a Project Coordinator on a new, incredibly exciting mentoring program for young designers called Springboard. The program is for emerging furniture, textiles, accessories and homewares designers. It operates over two stages and is designed to give them the chance to develop their professional careers both here and overseas. It's a great program. It has some of the best people in the industry on board working as mentors and we are trying to spread the word to as many people as possible. So if this sounds like something that might interest you or any of your friends go check out the website and spread the word!  Applications close 10 March 2008.

Clark and Michael is a CBS funded Internet show created by Juno star (and “unlikely heart-throb”) Michael Cera and his former neighbour Clark Duke. The series follows the two, mockumentary-style, as they attempt to write T.V pilot and shop it around a to various networks in La La Land. Taking cues from shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office and, Cera’s former television home; Arrested Development, the humour in Clarke and Michael is bone-dry and addictive in its subtlety. Fans of the aforementioned (and criminally short-lived) Arrested Development will also appreciate cameos from various cast members such as Tony Hale and David Cross. The show features 10 short episodes in a growing trend amongst the television industry which sees networks vying for your office lunch view-time by offering free, quick tasters packaged in delicious tiny morsels.

I was working for an advertising magazine, wasting my literary career on selling ads and writing advertorials, when I dropped everything for a design conference that has since changed my life! When Gold Coast artist friends ABCK were invited as guest speakers, I knew this was the opportunity of a lifetime, so I quickly jumped in their suitcase and took the next flight to Sydney for Semi-Permanent 06. This year the conference is coming to Brisbane for the very first time, and for those Semi-perm virgins, I totally recommend this conference – even if you aren’t in the design industry, it is a truly inspiring experience to be surrounded by like-minded creatively conscious species.

There are already four (out of six) speakers confirmed for Brisbane; award winning photo journalist Spencer Platt; artist Ben Frost; Billabong creative director Claudio Kirac; and graphic designers Debaser.

The event will take place on the 12th of April @ Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University in Southbank, Brisbane. GC crew can purchase their tickets at Comics Etc's Gold Coast store or head to www.semipermanent.com