Lanie Lane Launches Album and Tour

Lanie Lane at Porteno

To the restaurant Porteno in Surry Hills for the launch of Lanie Lane's new CD and a performance from the florist turned songstress.

Lanie is about to set off abroad and has appearances lined up all over the place-The Garage in London on the 19th September followed by Shepherds Bush, Hoxton and the Black Cat & Silver Bullet Bar and thence onto the USA starting in Boston.
Lanie's built a big following in her short career and she is one of the most pleasant acts around. And her songs are nice as you can see from this video below with her Hoochie Cochie Man.

# Porteno won the award for best new restaurant at the important Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide launch last week. It's a large and pleasant establishment and was packed for a Monday evening.

Lanie's tour dates can be seen here.

Vale Andy Whitfiled

SAD news today with the death of Welsh born actor Andy Whitfield who has passed away at the age of 37 with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma disease.

Andy's first big break came with the TV series Spartacus : Blood and Sand. Previously he had appeared in a number of successful Australian series including Packed To The Rafters, All Saints and McLeod's Daughters.

Born in Anglesey Wales, Andy studied engineering at Sheffield University before moving to Australia. He is survived by his wife Vashti.

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Remembering 9/11

There were many heroes on September 11th , 2001.

 This was just one- Father Mychal Judge, the beloved New York Fire Department chaplain.

Chardonnay At Ten Paces : Guardian's Nick Davies Attacks!

News comes of an incident this week between two leading journalists at a book launch in London. The occasion was the launch of Heather Brooke’s new book The Revolution will be Digitised at the offices of publishers Simons Muirhead & Burton in trendy Soho.

Nick Davies guardian.co.uk

One guest was the Guardian journalist Nick Davies who has been diligently plugging away in the back ground for years on the great hacking scandal  that recently brought about the demise of Britain's best selling tabloid, Rupert Murdoch's News Of The World.

In 1996 Davies also worked at The Age in Melbourne where he scored a major scoop by getting several doctors to say, off the record, that they had helped with assisted suicides and would do so again.It caused a political firestorm.

Enter another guest, Australian writer Guy Rundle, popular correspondent for websites crikey.com.au , Counterpunch and more.

Guy Rundle

Rundle is a vocal defender of Julian Assange and had written a piece that appeared on crikey and Counterpunch, dissecting what he says was a 'stitch-up' of the Wikileaks founder Assange by The Guardian.

Davies took Rundle to task in this letter published in The Monthly claiming Rundle got his facts wrong. On the 11th April crikey ran this correction following Rundle's story.

Apparently this wasn't enough for Davies and upon spotting the hapless Rundle at the book launch was finally able to deliver a coup de grâce
with a well aimed tumbler of excellent  publisher's white hurled into the face of Rundle. While Davies did a victory dance around the room Rundle trundled off to change his contact lenses, doused by the wine.                                                

Tom Albanese

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Meanwhile not far from Soho at the British Museum, the mining corp Rio Tinto are sponsoring an Australian season with presentations on our fauna and flora, talks by writers Malcolm Cox and Phillip McLean along with an exhibition of Sydney Nolan paintings and a lecture on that iconic Aussie family saloon the FJ Holden.
                                             
A debate was underway about the environmental effects of European civilisation in Australia with Rio Tinto CEO Tom Alabanese at the lectern when a blaring fire alarm resulted in 340 guest fleeing  the lecture room. It was a false alarm.

The official explanation was that a fierce storm and wind outside had set off the alarm,. Not so according to Stephen Hopper, the Australian director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. He reckoned a slide of red-bellied black snake being used to illustrate a point by Albanese was the cause.

"They have evil powers according to Aboriginals " says Hooper. "they avoid them like the plague".

Small But Cuddly Bar

It's tiny but popular.

Beach Haus in Kings Cross opened in a side street a year ago and has become one of the suburb's trendiest bars.





Jamie Wright

Certainly film star Leonardo DiCaprio must think so. He's been spotted there twice hunkered down with friends in a corner. There's even a claim he has has rented the magnificent penthouse of the Gazebo building, just across the road to be nearby.
On Wednesday night Beach Haus opened it's Moet & Chandon Bar for a select clientele of about 50 regulars only too eager to sample the bar's wares.
So many long legged beauties in one room !. Where do they all come from ?. Perhaps that's what attracts Leo.

One guest- former Bondi Blond beer model Jamie Wright looking heavily pregnant had to forgoe the champers for mineral water  but she still celebrated  the fact that she and hubby John McClean had completed purchase of their million dollar Eastern Suburb's apartment that week.

Jamie became the face of the beer when John Singleton launched it in 2008 and imported party girl Paris Hilton to do the honours. It was such a success that Singleton sold out while Jamie and Paris partied around the world.

Sadly Leo was a no-show on Wednesday even though it was rumoured he may turn up. Perhaps he hasn't moved into the Gazebo yet.

bar owner Danny celebrates with gal pals

Justin Under Attack

While the compact Kings Cross club Beach Haus celebrated the opening of their Moet & Chandon bar (above) Australia's most successful night club entrepreneur Justin Hemmes has come under sustained attacks that bear all the hall marks of the infamous Australian "tall poppy syndrome".

Justin Hemmes

No-one has invested as much money as the young mogul in providing chic and luxurious premises for Sydney-siders to party in. To date an estimated $200M. Hemmes employs around 2000 staff and is regarded by those who work for him as a firm but fair and generous boss. There is a waiting list of hundreds of young hopefuls wishing to be employed by Justin's Merivale Group.

Starting with 2 hotels in the city, Hemmes bucked the trend and turned old style pubs into stylish and modern bars aided by his sister Bettina who is responsible for decorating all his premises.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman partied at his Slip Inn while the Crown Prince of Denmark, Frederick met his future bride Mary Donaldson there during the 2000 Olympics.

When he opened the elegant Establishment in lower George Street in a beautiful colonial Georgian building he introduced the city to a style not seen before.

Huge marbled floored bars that become packed after office hours, an award winning restaurant Est run by top chef Peter Doyle (picking up '3 Hats' again last week at the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide launch) and a series of function rooms constantly in use with a nightclub Hemmesphere that became the place to relax for visiting international stars from Beyonce to Bono to actor Simon Callow.

In any other world class city Hemmes would probably be given a gold key to the city having almost solely revived central Sydney' dormant nightlife.

A party at the Ivy pool

Instead he has faced a raft of opposition from local police over exaggerated incidents that pale into insignificance when one considers he hosts tens of thousands of patrons every week.

Hemmes also came under the gaze of  Lord Mayor Clover Moore who donned a new hat as the head of the Anti-Fun Police and attempted to enforce strict drinking hours reminiscent of the dreaded 1950s "six o'clock swill" when pubs slammed their doors shut at 6pm each evening. Fortunately the outcry was deafening particularly as Hemmes had invested his family fortune in his city nightclubs

Hemmisphere

Three months ago Hemmes was held up at gunpoint in his recently purchased Surry Hill's pub . Outside a police car with 2 officers calmly watched as the armed raiders made their get away in a stolen BMW crashing into another car in the process.

A fortnight ago it is alleged his doormen bashed a patron in the cellar at Hemme's Ivy complex and mis-lead police whilst cleaners washed away bloodstains.

A few nights ago Hemmes distinctive black Rolls Royce Phantom was pulled over in Redfern and the driver was charged with drug possession. Yesterday a man claimed he had been assaulted by Hemmes at Ivy. Hemmes denies the charge and says CCTV footage backs him up.

Sydney once had the most corrupt police in the Southern hemisphere, routed out at great personal sacrifice by an imported British police commander who, for his efforts and success was forced from the country by a series of cowardly and false attacks from shock jocks and politicians.

It comes as no surprise Justin Hemmes has been spotted in New York City in recent months checking out premises. His talents would be snapped up in the USA. They would roll out the welcome mat.
It would serve the good burghers of Sydney right if they forced the man who has done more to brighten Sydney life to flee abroad to a city that would appreciate his talents.

video : Gerard Depardieu Peeing on Plane

Looking At Jedward's Crotch(s)

Who could forget their appearances on Britain's Got Talent, as much as we tried. The god awful Jedward, John and Edward the Irish twins who sang out of tune, danced awkwardly like marionettes and basically were just plain bad.

They've had the last laugh of course and have gone on to make millions with the help of Louis Walsh who recognises a money spinner when he sees two. And they really are quite likable in a cringe worthy way.

Now pop impresario Simon Napier-Bell has weighed into the debate with a look at Jedward's trousers, on the outside but with a few comments on what may lay within.

Napier-Bell  has launched many show biz acts in his day including some who have gone on to become legends. Like Marc Bolan and T-Rex and Wham with superstar George Michael.

He also wrote a few songs-one You Don't Have To Say You Love Me was a mega hit for Dusty Springfield and Elvis Presley and which along with Big Spender is still a favourite of drag queens the world over (Napier Bell grumbles that he never receives royalties from the drag acts)

His piece on Jedward is for the  Huffington Post and he descibes them as like "asexual Teddy bears"and gives us an amazing insight into acceptable trouser crotch levels and heights as seen in the world of rock and pop. Not unlike Vogue's Anna Wintour issuing a decree on hem levels. It should  become required reading for anyone intent on cracking Britain's Got Talent or X Factor and as Napier-Bell is in constant demand to judge pop talent quests around the world he probably knows what he is talking about.

Regular Shuttle readers may re-call we acted as a bit of a host when Simon Napier Bell visited Sydney in 2009 and ferried him to and fro to various media interviews.

Simon Napier-Bell

 One, with top TV daytime host Kerri Anne Kennerley left her reeling when she asked him what was  most outrageous thing that happened in the world of rock management and he replied-"possibly when David Bowie said he would let me  f*ck him if I would manage him". Fortunately for Napier Bell he didn't take Bowie up on the offer particularly as at the time the Thin White Duke was notable for his rotting green teeth.

Napier-Bell spends most of time commuting between a sumptuous villa in Thailand and the UK and USA where he hosts a radio show and lectures while writing some best selling books in his spare time.

KAK- shocked

His Black Vinyl White Powder is considered the definitive history of rock and pop from the 60s to the 90's and was required reading on the British school curriculum.

I'm Coming To Take You To Lunch is a rollicking read about his adventures as he attempts to (successfully) negotiate with Chinese party officials to have Wham as the first ever international pop act to appear in China, nipping in the bud the ambitions of Freddie Mercury and Queen. At the time it was one of the most talked about events on the planet.

Simon Napier-Bell is writing regular features for the Huffington Post which can be read here.
 At Simon's website you can find more about his books.
Here is Elvis with You Don't Have To Say You Love Me :

Rick Stein Accepts Award For Lyndey

What flat-lining economy ?. If last night's The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2012 launch and restaurant award announcements are anything to go by, the dining business is booming with more than 950 establishments listed including more than 100 new places to eat.

Rick Stein & Sarah Burns

The 27th edition of the book and one of the largest to date was launched last night at the magnificent 1920's Byron Kennedy Hall in the Fox Entertainment Centre (corner of Errol Flynn and Peter Finch Boulevards) with 400 guests sipping Louis Roederer champagne.

The awards consist of one, two and three hats and the usual suspects topped this year's winners. Those awarded three included Quay which regularly tops international awards, Marque in Surry Hills, a newcomer on the block Sepia in the city and Bilsons run by the Godfather of Australian modern cuisine, Tony Bilson and Est, part of Justin Hemmes' empire with chef Peter Doyle.

Porteno in Surry Hills won Plumms Wine Glasses Best New Restaurant.

Tony Bilson makes a point to Patrick Benamou

40 reviewers put together the guide and the awards presided over by the SMH restaurant reviewer Terry Durack and co-editor of the guide Joanna Saville.
 
Terry Robinson  the chef at Sepia picked up the The Josephine Pignolet Best Young Chef while one of the countries favourite food identities Lyndey Milan was awarded the Vittoria (coffee) Legend Award. Lyndey is in Ireland filming a new TV series so good pal Rick Stein jetted in to accept the award on her behalf.

A full list of the awards is here.

Terry Durack & Jill Dupleix

Rachael & Sarah Doyle from Porteno

James Valentine MCd

Kin Chen & Kylie Kwong

    

Terry Robinson from Sepia

Three Hats for Peter Gilmore of Quay

                                                                                                                 

To Bad Times, Good Face

 It's a Mexican saying that basically means, get on with it and make the most of life !

Tortilla's filled with spicy seared tuna, braised pork and prawns and even more tasty Mexican treats whipped up by Brazilian chef Rafael Tonon were on offer at the opening night of Barrio Chino in Kings Cross. And naturally margaritas to wash that down.

Nicole Galloway (centre) and pals party on opening night

It's the latest addition to inner city dining and one expert there on the night tells us Mexican food is all the rage. Speaking of experts, noted foodie and food critic Terry Durack of the Sydney Morning Herald has given Barrio Chino a 13/20 rave review (that's a lot for him) and reckons it's the place to go to.

AJ, Libby & David Koch at Barrio Chino

Owners Peter Lew and Nicole Galloway have joined forces with  Joe Hargreave of San Francisco's Tacolicious, one of that city's best new restaurants.
Lew comes with impeccable foodie credentials being behind the successful Fei Jai (Taiwanese for Fat Boy) in Potts Point and he's the nephew of Gilbert Lau, legendary Melbourne chef and restaurateur responsible for the original Flower Drum in that city, one of the most famous Cantonese restaurants in the world.

 click here to learn how to make the perfect margarita 

                             

Acting The Goat

Alexandra Richards

Dan Ewing and Diego Arnarg

Diesel launched their new range-Island Collection at the Sun Studio in deepest Alexandria.
These theme parties can be fun. Guests were met by an armed guard at a check-point and credentials were checked before being allowed past into the studio decked out with driftwood, old fishing lines and..well you get the picture..a desert island (we think)

But what was with the pink dyed goat ? We were assured by a PR person that the goat, called Billy naturally, was dyed with ecologically sound, all organic wool dye- ie, no animal was harmed in this promotion.
Billy posed on the red carpet for a short time and then promptly fell asleep and missed the arrival of  Patti Hansen and Keith Richard's daughter, the beautiful model Alexandra Richards who had jetted into town that morning.

goat goes on strike

Basil Fawlty's London

Following our link to Richard Glover's interview with John Cleese during which the comedian claims London  is "no longer an English city" there have been howls of outrage in a British newspaper. The London Evening Standard and it's readers have taken Cleese to task.

London mayor Boris Johnston is reported as saying in response to Cleese  "we should celebrate the capital's diversity" while former mayor Ken Livingstone said :"to stay competitive London must be what New York is to the USA, a global centre of business, culture and innovation, none of which can be achieved without people of all nations working and living here. Without that London's status as a driver of the British economy would be permanently lost."

Cleese said that "the capital feels like a foreign city and that English culture is disappearing."
"I'm not sure what's going on in Britain. Let me say this, I don't know what's going on in London because London is no longer an English city and that's how they got the Olympics  "

The Sydney Morning Herald's travel writer The Backpacker ( Ben Groundwater) agrees with Johnson and Livingstone. 

He said : "London still feels like the centre of the universe. You stroll the streets and there are Indians, Pakistanis, Turks, Iranians, Poles, Spaniards, French, Americans and, of course, Australians. It's as if the whole world has come to visit ". He qualified  that with :  "The city still has its down sides, of course. The weather's crap. Well, actually, the weather's great, and then it's crap, and then it's great, and then it's crap again – and that's before you've even had lunch. "

Read the full report here in the London Evening Standard. 
The Backpacker's website is here.

The X Factor Winner

It's a toss-up !. We do the hard yards so you don't have to. Just as we picked young Jack Vidgen after the first few bars on Australia's Got Talent.

# 16 year old Reece Mastin. A natural rock star. "Fan- bloody- tastic" as Mel B said.. He makes it look so easy.

# And did anyone imagine 19 year old Zaacharia Fielding from "the desert"-an Aboriginal community of 350 (with his Mel B tribute hair) would come out with the most beautiful, natural and accomplished voice ?. Such control .

# Admit it-you too had tears in your eyes when Iraqi orphan Emmanuel Kelly sang. You weren't alone.
Watch these three sensational performances from the current X Factor and you will have to agree.

Flowers and Art

Michelle Jank

                                                              Sydney has a brand new art gallery and it's a beauty. The new Martin Browne Gallery in Paddington opposite Trumper Park is an old industrial art deco style building just taken over by Browne who was previously based in Potts Point.         

Kylie Kwong

Saskia Haveks

Martin has turned the building into one of the cities finest premises that promises to be used for a lot more than art exhibitions. Last night it was the location for one of Browne's first big parties-the launch of

floral designer Saskia Haveks book Grandiflora Celebrations, a beautiful collection of gorgeous photographs of Saskia’s designs.

Grandiflora is one of the smartest florists in town. At the lower end of Macleay Street, Potts Point, they supply all sorts of fashionable people like fashion designers Akira Isogawa and Michelle Jank, restaurateur and MasterChef star Kylie Kwong, Singapore Fashion Week, numerous corporate board rooms and some of Sydney's grandest houses.

Leo Schofield did the honours and launched the book while party-goers ate smoked salmon and quaffed Mumm champers.

SBS TV's Jenny Brokie & friend

event designer James Gordon took pet poodle Bob to the party

Floral Drama in Double Bay

It's been gossip amongst the coffee shops of smart Double Bay for the past few days now.
 The tale of the well dressed lady who arrived in the afternoon at the uber smart restaurant Pink Salt and made off with a gorgeous bunch of flowers delivered earlier that day for the evening dining session.

Pink Salt owner Evan Hansimikali who first found foodie fame in the reality TV show My Restaurant Rules had been promising exposure of the Bouquet Bandit as she has been dubbed. It duly appeared today when Hansimikali provided security footage to the Daily Telegraph which you can also watch here. The Telegraph speculates that our light fingered BMW driver sports a Louis Vuitton handbag.

Sass & Bide Sunnies

The ever expanding Sass & Bide empire now incorporates some great sunglasses and they threw a small party at their elegant Paddinghurst boutique (..that's half way between Darlinghurst and Paddington on Oxford Street) to celebrate. The collection that costs from $260 to about $380 a pair include retro style sunglasses, big lense sunglasses as well as modern cool sunglasses which are all made in Italy with love!

 The designing duo Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton arrived fashionably late for their party.

Sass & Bide's Sarah-Jane and Heidi

a hug from Daimon Downey

Sneaky Sound System's :          Miss Connie Mitchell & Black Angus

To view the range go to the Eye Wear Boutique or Sass & Bide.