Sleeping Rough Tonight

Cardboard City at the Carriageworks in Redfern

St Vincents de Paul- or Vinnies as they are known, are one of the Shuttle's favourite charities. They raise millions$$ via various activities and their charity shops all over the country. Eastern Suburb's Vinnie shops sell amazing designer outfits and our favourite Paddington store gets a fantastic selection of Savile Row shirts at rock bottom prices. Check them out.
Their annual sleep out to raise funds for, and highlight homelessness in one of the richest countries on the planet is underway as we speak. Thousands are sleeping rough tonight in cardboard boxes (supplied by Visy) all over the land. The Shuttle's bad back and a prior date with the ABC's new series Carlotta means we can't make it but others are far more generous than us : right : Latte Life newspaper honcho Cris King has already raised thousands of dollars. Above : Mamamia editor Jamila Rizvi sends a message that many woman are homeless tonight

Todd Tai & Gina Lednyak

Kelly O'Dwyer MP gets ready for a cold Melbourne night

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Carlotta premieres tonight

Starting tonight on ABC TV : Carlotta, the bio-pic about Australia's first (well the most famous) sex change Carlotta who starred at Kings Cross famous Les Girls for many years.

Carlotta- Ageing Gracefully

 The tele-movie about the Kings Cross identity Carlotta is to start filming with Packed To The Rafters star Jessica Marais to play the famous drag queen.

Jessica Marais

Marais has just completed work on a US series Magic City and will begin filming the ABC movie in late May.

Carlotta began treading the boards at the famous Les Girls in 1963 when "Mr Sin", mobster Abe Saffron opened the risque nightclub. For the next 30 years the transvestite cabaret show was packed nightly and eventually inspired Stephan Elliott's Oscar winning film Priscilla Queen of The Desert.
During the 90's Carlotta was a panelist on the show Beauty & The Beast where 4 female panel members traded barbs with host, the late Stan Zermanic.
Touchingly, that organ of repute, the Daily Telegraph says Carlotta is 69.  The Shuttle attended what was reputedly Carlotta's 60th birthday in 2000. But who cares ?. She's still gorgeous.
 right : here's a screen shot of  Carlotta ( then Ricky Byron) being interviewed in 1963 ..you can view it here.

Beefing Up The Bourbon

The legendary Bourbon & Beefsteak in Kings Cross has re-surfaced with a swell opening party and endless Laurent Perrier. As The Bourbon, it looks like they got it right. A friendly atmosphere, good food and drinks and a great layout with live bands 7 days of the week brings back the old days when the Bourbon was the place to end a night in Sydney, usually at around 3am when you could party on until the morning.

Kerry Chikarovski & Peter McGauran

long legs at The Bourbon

 Opened in 1967 by the mysterious Bernie Houghton who arrived in town with a suitcase full of cash, for the next 40 years the B&B reigned supreme with visiting celebs like Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Madonna taking advantage of it's 24 hour license. One night cricketer Ricky Ponting even danced with drag queen Carlotta. Houghton said he was an ex-US Air force man but many claimed he was a CIA agent or ran Air America in Vietnam : whatever his background he was the perfect host.

He managed to secure a permanent visa via ASIO  for services rendered. Houghton had connections and the B&B became a hang-out for holidaying CIA agents and local mobsters. Amongst it's bizarre decor with stuffed bears, monogrammed Zippo lighters, Confederate flags and Indian mementos was Houghton's own M16 which he claimed saved his life many a time in  S.E.Asia.
The Bourbon is now owned by Coogee Bay Hotel  owner Christopher Cheung who snapped up the derelict property ( Houghton died in 2005) for 22M.

dance partners

Bernie Houghton

Drag Star For Hollywood and Film Fame

Courtney Act, seen here in our pic with Danni Minogue recently is headed for Hollywood but is also to play the lead role in a film based on the life of the legendary Kings Cross transgender show biz star Carlotta.

Carlotta, who was born Richard Byron first appeared in the famous Les Girls show at in Kings Cross and for many years worked for the Sydney crime baron Abe Saffron who ruled all night life around Kings Cross with an iron first.

Carlotta

Carlotta also appeared on the TV show Beauty & The Beast where a panel of 4 women would do battle with the 'beast' and host, the late Stan Zemanek as viewers wrote in letters asking for advice.

Les Girls finally closed it's doors in 1993 after a 35 years and was the inspiration for Stephan Elliot's "Priscilla Queen of the Desert". The show continued on the road under the banner of co-star Simone de Troy for several years including a short stint at London's Wimbledon Theatre. Carlotta also appeared in the famous Number 96 , 1970's soap opera playing a transgender girlfriend of Arnold Feather.

Courtney Act, Shane Jenek was a finalist in the 2003 Australian Idol quest and had a hit record "Rub Me Wrong" in 2004. After several attempts he has now secured a working visa for the USA.

Here is Carlotta on Beauty & The Beast :