Uber's car crash

If people have been wondering why we Aussies have been on the receiving end of a flood of TV commercials for the car ride app and service Uber the mystery has been revealed. Below is the latest featuring Kim Kardashian and Magda Szubanski (as her character Sharon Strzelecki from 'Kath & Kim") Other s have featured a host of local TV and music stars from Ray Martin to Jimmy Barnes.

# The rumored fee for the Kardashian appearance is $1Million while Szubanski was paid $100,000 the fee that mostof the Australian celebs who appear in the adverts receive.
Also while the Uber car share service appears to be doing well in Australia, authorities in the UK have just refused to re-new Uber's license there after  a series of incidents in London:Transport for London says Uber has not been granted a new license to operate in London after ‘several breaches that placed passengers and their safety at risk’ were identified. Uber has confirmed it will appeal against TFL's decision to strip it of its license describing the action as ‘extraordinary and wrong’.

 Uber's use of secret software, called Greyball, which can be used to block regulators from monitoring the app, was another factor, according to TfL”. Uber has claimed “We have fundamentally changed our business over the last two years and are setting the standard on safety".

Sweet Charity ; the new Hayes Theatre

Morning TV host and singer David Campbell has opened a new cabaret theatre in Kings Cross : the Hayes Theatre named after Aussie stage legend Nancye Hayes.

David with wife Lisa and dad Jimmy Barnes and Jane Barnes

On Tuesday Campbell hosted an intimate soiree for around 30 including the Lord Mayor Clover Moore and we were treated to a number from the opening presentation, Sweet Charity. And it was superb. With just a little over 100 seats not only do the audience have a superb view of the stage but this was a full blown number that is usually viewed by a few thousand . In such an intimate setting, it's no wonder nearly every performance is sold out. coming up in late February, Last Of the Red Hot Mamas.
David's dad, rocker Jimmy Barnes was also there and how wonderful to see Piper Heidsieck Champagne come on board as a sponsor for this new and badly needed theatre venture. Go to their website for more info.

  right : Nancye Hayes with Lord Mayor Clover Moore

Celebrating Martin

 

 They came from all walks of life to celebrate artist Martin Sharp's life. NSW Governor Marie Bashir, rocker Jimmy Barnes, old pals Jenny Kee, Jim Anderson and Richard Nevile, Jill Wran, filmakers, artists, singers amongst the dozens of people who Martin called friends. Later a wake was held in the National Art School at the Roundhouse. Here a few snaps from there. And below, a tribute from Martin's great pal, the late Tiny Tim.

Jimmy Barnes goes kosher

Jimmy & Jane Barnes (copyright :the Shuttle)

It was an odd get-together at the Central Synagogue in Sydney. Working Class Man hero , Scot's born rocker and practising Buddhist Jimmy Barnes had news for the assembled audience who had turned up to see Barnsie sing Hava Nagila after being approached out of the blue by Rabbi Mendel Kastel who had the brilliant idea of Jimmy giving a benefit performance.

Barnes recalled his mother had given him a Star of David as a youth and many years later asked her why. "So you remember your family roots" was the reply as Jimmy recalled his grandmother's name was Esther as he confirmed what he had only recently discovered-he was Jewish.

"Except for a certain snip" quipped Barnes to a delighted audience.

Rabbi Katsel runs Jewish House, a centre for the homeless and people with alcohol and drug addiction and the performance deal followed a chance encounter in a Bondi restaurant where Barnes and party were seated at a nearby table to Rabbi Katsel who was dining with the chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv when both tables struck up a conversation.

Barnes and his crooner son David Campbell who has wowed New York audiences will also perform at a benefit for the centre at the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel on December 1st. Meanwhile, at the Synagogue Barnies gave a unique rendition of My Yiddish Mother followed by What a Wonderful World.