Light Rail Solution Gathers Momentum

Animal Liberation ACT Call For Outright Battery Cage Ban:

In a recent bit of press coverage, the ACT Government made the most of a deal with Pace Farms to end battery cage egg production at Parkwood Egg Farm, Macgregor. Following two decades of work by animal rights activists and numerous confronting images and videos, the Government and the Greens have lauded the agreement as an end to a barbaric practice. However, though they have welcomed the agreement, Animal Liberation ACT have been quick to point out that no legislative ban on battery cages has been enacted, nor has any basic standard of treatment been set by which Pace Farms must abide as they transition to barn housing.

As Animal Liberation ACT President, Lara Drew, commented, “Welfare conditions in barn housing are only slightly less appalling than in batteries… [W]e are disappointed that the ACT Government has agreed to Parkwood converting to another intensive system, and has, as yet, still made no commitment to a legislative ban of the cage.” Though acknowledging that the recent agreement is a positive step, Drew underscored the ongoing nature of the problem. “It is not enough to do deals with egg producers. The Government has a responsibility to ensure that animals are protected from cruelty and neglect.” Whether public sentiment subsides or escalates will remain to be seen.

The Smith Street Band Announce Tour:

Poison City Records is delighted (like, you can see it down there sticking out to the left) to reveal that burgeoning buzz band The Smith Street Band will release their second album Sunshine And Technology on Friday August 24. To celebrate its release the band will tour extensively. The Melbourne band’s debut album, 2011’s No One Gets Lost Anymore, was greeted with accolades, with Beat Magazine writing, ‘happily one of the best Aussie albums in recent memory’, and triple j’s Stu Harvey adding, ‘The Smith Street band need to be heard’. Already this year The Smith Street Band has shared the stage with Frank Turner, Fucked Up and the poetic La Dispute. They’ll be in Canberra Sunday September 9 at The Phoenix Bar.

Rave Magazine Goes Under:

On Tuesday June 26 it was announced that Brisbane’s street press Rave Magazine was being discontinued after 21 years and over 1000 issues. Coming up on our 400^th here at BMA Magazine, it certainly gave us food for thought, as has the wave of ‘death of the written word’ speculation in its wake. "It's very difficult to keep a free magazine coming out every week,” said publisher Colin Rankin. “It's like a lot of print media problems these days, as evidenced by the Fairfax and News [Limited] announcements last week.”

When taken as part of a whole it can seem inevitable, but what often goes unuttered is the fact that Scene and TNT Magazine continue to publish free publications in Brisbane, not to mention Street Press Australia’s Time Off. Then there’s the enormous financial backlash suffered by Brisbane in the wake of the floods, which has reportedly sucked governmental funding away from the arts.

It’s a shame to see a good street press go. Our condolences go out to our smelly, underpaid compatriots. And just to be safe, BMA is announcing opposition to the construction of a wave pool in Canberra.

Capital Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO) Arts Grant Now Open!:

CAPO is a volunteer non-profit organisation that has supported the ACT region's artists for 29 years. Since its establishment in 1983, CAPO has disbursed over 1.8 million dollars in arts fellowships and awards with support from Canberra’s local, national and international business communities.

Part of their promotional apparatus is the CAPO Awards, designed to foster and support the highest standards of excellence in the arts, whether the individual or organisation seeking support is of professional or amateur standing.

11 CAPO awards are being given this year, including one open to artists throughout Australia. Past award winners include performing artists and companies, visual artists and arts organisations, contemporary craft artists, designer makers, filmmakers, new media artists and writers.

Winners will be announced at CAPO’s annual fundraising art auction and party being held this year on the Saturday September 8 at M16 Artspace. Applications must be received by close of business Friday August 3. Application forms, guidelines and more information can be found by following the CAPO Awards link at www.capo.org.au or phone Marilyn Gray at the CAPO office on (02) 6249 7860 for further information.

Foreshore Announces Change Of Venue:

This year Foreshore has followed their line-up announcement with a supplementary announcement – they’re moving ‘back to the Foreshore’. At first glance this would lead you to believe the notorious ‘Bowl’ is back in action, especially due to the fact they’ve invoked the word ‘homecoming’ a few times, but in actual fact the foreshore they’re referring to is on the other side of the lake. Foreshore 2012 will be held in Commonwealth Park at Stage 88 and Regatta Point.

Promising to leave the lakeside walkway unimpeded in their new location, Foreshore are backing up headliners with underground favourites Major Lazer, Bassnectar and Flume, who was recently announced as the support for The xx’s upcoming two-show tour. The festival is continuing its Carbon Offset program, whereby punters buying ‘Carbon Friendly’ tickets at a small premium can rest easy as the overheads are passed on to a suitably impenetrable corporation called Climate Friendly, who in turn declare the festival carbon neutral. Hurrah. Tickets go on sale Thursday July 19.