Little venues in fear of being bowled over

THE serene greens of the Oakleigh Bowling Club are a far cry from the streets of the city, scenes of so much late-night violence recently. In the clubhouse, roots bands play most weekends to peacefully seated crowds of up to 250 middle-aged music enthusiasts, sharing hampers on gingham tablecloths while Queen Elizabeth surveys the room from her frame on the wall.

Dose Of Reality Amid The Elves

There are some addictive, memorable tales in the latest offerings, writes Angie Schiavone.

Sleeping In The Great Outdoors

The latest in five-star bedding will make restless nights in the great outdoors a thing of the past.

Shape Up, Bit By Bit

Dan Warne huffs and puffs his way through the latest gizmos designed to help you trim up for summer.

Tribute To A Living Legend

Here's a real bonus as Martin Scorsese hits his 66th year, writes Maria Nguyen.

Artists Stomp Into Lindemans

LINDEMANS Winery at Pokolbin is the latest venue to sign up big acts such as Ziggy and Stephen Marley as well as Chris Isaak for a bit of booty shakin'.

2008 Screen Music Awards Cocktails

City Recital Hall, Angel Place

Wild Colonial Noise

The Drones declare war on the human condition on their latest record, Havilah.

A Million People Have Heard The New Ac/dc Album, But No One Has Bought It

IT'S the embargo the fans rejected. Rock fans have flagrantly ignored legendary rockers AC/DC's determination to keep their latest album off both legal and illegal download services.

Shell Cove Sales Slump

Demand drop Shellharbour City Council's latest Shell Cove quarterly report tells us there were 39 lots released in four different stages between February and September.

$3m Entry To World Stage

MICHAEL Hope admits his latest project at his Pokolbin winery is a huge punt but it's one he believes will pay off, thanks to the region's evolving tourism industry.

Easy Beats

Danny George Wilson's latest album was as simple as drinks with mates.

Rhyme And Punishment

The Melbourne-born poet tackles the unpopular and forgotten in his latest collection.

Bell Rings, But It Isn't Music To Everyone

Michael Evans wouldn't pay a dollar for his own life's work.

Berlin Tells Kosky To Go For Bold

The provocative director wants to stage big new operas in his latest role, he tells Bryce Hallett.

It's Struggle Street For Alan Jones

THE broadcasting giant Alan Jones is on a downward slide, Deborah Cameron has silenced her ABC critics, and the octogenarian Bob Rogers is Sydney's third-most popular morning presenter in the latest Nielsen Media audience survey.

White-hot Berman's Prokofiev Mission Offers A Feast Of Percussive Pianism

BORIS BERMAN Australian National Academy of Music, June 7. anam.com.au AUDACIOUS Australian Chamber Orchestra. Hamer Hall, June 8. aco.com.au

Country On Top Of The World

They thought their latest recording was low-key, writes CHRISTINE SAMS.

Music With Muscle

MADONNA Hard Candy (Warner)

Madonna's Latest Offering Leaves Listener Pondering: Just Because She Can, Does It Mean She Should?

SAY what you will about Madonna's music; she continues to be a master - or perhaps that should be mistress - semiotician from the Benny Hill school of innuendo.