As a special pre-Christmas treat, the lovely folk at Icon Films have offered a number of FREE preview screenings around the country for Big Issue readers and friends to experience the new film, Slumdog Millionaire.

From award winning British filmmaker Danny Boyle and written by the Oscar nominated writer of The Full Monty, Slumdog Millionaire is based on the award-winning book Q&A by Indian writer Vikas Swarup and received the 2008 Cadillac People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival.

Jamal Malik, …

The Big Issue vendors and friends will present a showcase performance at ACMI Cinemas at Federation Square, after the first day of football action at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

The Big Issue in Melbourne has run a popular series of writing and visual art workshops for the homeless and disadvantaged throughout 2008, including players in the street soccer program. The workshops have been led by some of Melbourne’s most talented artists, including award winning writers Arnold Zable and Alicia Sometimes.

This is a rare opportunity to hear the unique and …

The Homeless World Cup documentary film, Kicking It, is being screened in Sydney, Adeleide and Melbourne. It premiered to great acclaim at the Sundance Festval in January this year. Produced and Directed by Susan Koch and narrated by Colin Farrel, the film follows seven of the players in the run up to and during the Cape Town 2006 Homeless World Cup.

The film is a powerful reminder of the positive impact the Homeless World Cup has on individuals and communities, and the potential for change.

Visit the official Kicking It website.

Melbourne …

The Spirit of the Streets Choir will join the Perth Male Voice Choir in a performance at the Perth Concert Hall on 14th October at 8pm.

The Spririt of the Streets Choir is made up of homeless and disadvantaged people (many of them Big Issue vendors) who share a love of song and music.

For more details and to purchase tickets, visit spiritofthestreetschoir.org.au

The popular Big Issue ‘Homeless, Not Artless’ Arts Project has resumed in Melbourne after a two month winter break.  A series of visual art and writing workshops are currently underway in the lead up to a showcase multi-media performance at ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) on December 1st as part of the Homeless World Cup’s cultural program. It will be directed by Melbourne theatre director, Adriano Cortese who directed a sell out 3 night performance season of our vendors and friends last year at …

The Big Issue invites you to attend a special presentation of a poignant story of forbidden love and the loss of innocence in ‘Brideshead Revisited’. Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne before the show and get a free copy of FILMINK movie magazine.

Where? Palace Centro, 39 James St, Fortitude Valley.
When? Thursday 30th October 6pm (for 6.30)
Cost? $20
How to book? Please prebook tickets, contact Sharon from The Big Issue on 3036 4420 before Friday 24th October.

All proceeds from this event will go to support The Big Issue in Queensland….

This month, Brisbane fundraisers ‘Cause for Cocktail’ deposited $6,500 directly into The Big Issue bank. The committee organised an evening of cocktails, and donated the proceeds to us!

Many thanks to Charlie Watson and Kirsty Graham together with the other committee members of the cause group.

Edition 311

Alan Attwood talks to Hamish & Andy: radio’s ratings-busting boys who just want to have fun.

Also in this issue:

‘The Long, Long March to Serenity & Wellbeing’: Kelly Eng discovers Chinese senior citizens are winning the race against old age; seasoned actor and faux pathologist Matt Quartermaine takes us behind the scenes of City Homicide; and in ‘Roving Eye’: Selina Ou photographs individuals within Japan’s well-fashioned work culture.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ for this edition is John from Brisbane. We also have ‘Streetsheet’ …

Eight of The Big Issue’s vendors and street soccer players had the opportunity to cook up a storm with chefs from the William Angliss Institute, Melbourne’s best known training provider for the food industry.

The idea was to teach the cooking skills to create a meal using affordable everyday ingredients.

The chefs guided 2 groups through preparing and cooking pumpkin soup, spaghetti bolognaise, roast chicken, roast lamb and roast vegetables, cauliflower cheese, and garlic and herb bread.

Eating healthy nutritious food is one …

The Burdekin Hotel in Sydney, is hosting an evening of music and prizes to raise awareness of The Big Issue and generate funds for vendors of The Big Issue magazine.

3 bands and 3 DJs including the fabulous Khan Brothers will be playing.

Over $7,000 worth of prizes have been donated. There will be a silent auction, three raffles and a lucky door prize.

Thursday 28th August.

7pm – 11pm

The Burdekin Hotel

2 – 4 Oxford Street Darlinghurst 2010 NSW

Tickets $40

Purchase tickets from the Big Issue office:

Peter Holcroft

The Big Issue, …