(lost toy story) in action (lost toy story), a multi-media interactive arts festival exploring lost toys, lost hopes and lost fears across generations and cultures, is moving full steam ahead. A call for song submissions kicked-off (lost toy story) at the beginning of the month; young artists with a flare for songwriting were invited to sing the blues, rap their anger or rock out like the Veronicas over lost toys. Industry professionals such as Vic McEwan from indie band Box Freezer Romance, Byron Williams from The Herd, electronic artist Meem and Artistic Director of Shopfront TJ Eckleberg were on hand to assist songwriters with the creation of their music. Musicians will be paired with projects to develop the work within the festival line-up. Songwriters will get to perform live at the free festival which is to take place on the streets of Hurstville in August. (lost toy story) connects installations of roaming real life ‘transformers’, giant nightlight sculptures, original dance, music of short story talking pieces in a public celebration. More than 100 young artists and internationally recognised creatives will embed themselves in the 12-week workshop process bringing (lost toy story) to life. If you are interested in getting involved in (lost toy story) whether it be developing a song, lantern making, sculptures, creating and designing posters, performance installations and massive toys, please get in touch with Nerida for a spot in the ongoing workshops at gm@shopfront.org.au

---

And the Cultural Award goes to… Shopfront has picked up the NSW Local Government and Shires Association (LGSA) Programs Projects and Partnership Award with Kogarah Council! The LGSA Cultural Award recognises the extraordinary commitment both organisations showed in partnering on the free community production A City of Shadows and Ice in Kogarah Town Square in August 2007. The production was the first of its kind in Kogarah, the project involved more than 50 local young artists under 25 from a diverse cultural background. Using a moving set of ice, an epic myth, contemporary graphic novels, the art of free running and a live electro-beat soundtrack, A City of Shadows and Ice was an installation performance event about the walls we build, the worlds we create and how we can see others for who they really are. “It takes courage and commitment to invest in new artistic works. The role local government plays is vital to ensure creative boundaries are challenged and realised,” said TJ Eckleberg, Artistic Director of Shopfront. “It’s a credit to Kogarah council’s vision they so wholeheartedly embraced the creativity and diversity of the community.” The LGSA awards celebrate leadership by a Local Government in developing, undertaking or commissioning cultural programs, projects and partnerships addressing community needs and assisting expression of community identity and facilitating community cohesiveness. Cross-border projects are encouraged.

---

ArtsLab08 – new faces, exciting new work Alex Vaughan and Brigid Vidler are the new artists in residence for ArtsLab08, Australia’s only intensive arts laboratory and one-year residency for 18-25 year old artists. Vaughan has toured to Belfast with Australian Theatre for Young People, performing in Debra Oswald’s Skate, and starred in Martin Murphy’s feature film Lost Things by Stephen Sewell. With Shopfront she is working on a one woman cabaret show which incorporates original music, cabaret and story telling. With a working title of A History in the Life and Possible Death of My Pelvis, the piece will explore her relationship with her pelvis, with layers referencing the historic relationship the pelvis has played as the centre of creativity, contrasted with the contemporary role of a women’s pelvis. In the first stage of development Vaughan has been concentrating on the music component of her piece. “I’ve has been exploring different styles of music and discovering new sounds to bring into the studio,” said Vaughan. She has placed a lot of her energy in learning new technologies to help her advance her music production and song writing skills. Vidler’s artistic stimulus is founded in 14 years of movement and dance experience, intersected by influences from visual artists such as William Kentridge and Anselm Keifer. Vidler was a member of the ImPACT scholarship ensemble at PACT youth theatre. For Shopfront she is developing an installation piece based on Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and transformation. The piece incorporates mixed media and animation, exploring the influences of light and shadows on storytelling. Vilder has been very active in working out the technical details of stop motion animation. “It’s been a process of trial and error- drawing something in charcoal, taking a camera shot, rubbing it out a bit, filling it in a bit, taking another shot and then repeating the process,” said Vilder. Fortunately she isn’t disheartened by the practice as she is quite interested in the accidents that occur in mechanical reproduction. The success and positive feedback received from ArtsLab07 is the drive behind this year’s program. “ArtsLab, Shopfront and all people and creatures alike that dwell with in its four walls are what made last year such a life alteration for me,” said Holly Thompson, artist in residence from 2007. “As an artist and performer, I could have asked for no more than what I gained through the residency.” The essence of ArtsLab is to support young immerging artists as they realise their artistic project with Shopfront resources, support and industry networks.

From top: Bridgid, Alex

---

Late Night Shopping – Dracula’s Cabaret Disco The annual Late Night Shopping cabaret night was once again a hit! The evening was Dracula spectacular featuring young emerging artists in a range of weird, wonderful and blood thirsty acts. Performances consisted of original and hilarious rap, a chair and gaff tape escape, a shy but witty skeleton and a saucy vampire seductress to name a few. The night was tied together by none other than Vlad the Impaler. Run in collaboration with youth service GLYSSN, Late Nite Shopping offers young artists the chance to experiment with new works such as dance, drag, comedy, music and performance art.

---

RAW – You had to be there! You never know what to expect when you show-up for a RAW performance! Audience members experienced drama, comedy and tragedy. From dancing bodybuilders to musical construction workers to contemporary metamorphic puppetry, viewers learned through ‘raw’ vignettes how young people deal with peer pressure, low self-esteem, identity and current events. “From life decisions to arguments about Tinkerbell, myspace to inexplicable obsessions, RAW – no use by date – captured what young people wanted to say and nailed it to the door for all to see and hear,” said TJ Eckleberg, Artistic Director of Shopfront. “In a world that talks constantly about youth and youth culture, this much anticipated season always stops to listen, refine, and engage with young people – giving them an arena to make their ideas come true.” RAW is an annual program that develops short new works by young people aged 15-25 who have something to say, something to explore and want to see their ideas come to life. They develop their own pieces, in ensemble, and put them on in a season hosted at Shopfront. Young people handle all the aspects of the process – from curation to promotion, from idea to execution. Along the way the RAW cast and crew are mentored by industry professionals who offer guidance in avoiding the traps and pitfalls of the theatre-making process.

---

Zen Zen Zo once again STOMPED into Shopfront! Internationally acclaimed physical theatre company, Zen Zen Zo provided an exceptional exclusive workshop series at Shopfront yet again. Young artists were engaged in master physical theatre techniques from around the world. Zen Zen Zo uses a variety of training methods one them being Suzuki which aims to develop the art of acting by cultivating the actor’s physical energy, vocal quality and range, concentration and focus, spatial awareness and emotional power. “Zen Zen Zo provided me with an excellent week intensive of Suzuki method, Viewpoints and Butoh,” said Sam Dalley, Zen Zen Zo workshop participant. “My discovery of Butoh is now the greatest influence on my work.” ‘Butoh’ is a form of avant-garde dance that expresses pure states of emotion; it’s a dance of the senses that tells stories using the body instead of words and aims to reveal the inner world of the performer. “Through the workshop I was able to advance my creative and artistic skills but also on a personal level I discovered more about myself,” said Dalley. “I learned how to be aware of my body and the space that surrounds it.” Zen Zen Zo uses unique combinations of Eastern and Western theatre training, blending old and new artistic forms to provide challenging, energetic and stimulating environments for workshop participants.