Venues: two open, two icons return (one without music), two close, one involved in shooting

The Aardvark Rustles Into Fremantle

The Aardvark has arrived in Fremantle in the basement of the Norfolk Hotel, showcasing music four nights a week.

Thursdays feature monthly residencies and artist-curated bills, Saturdays are local, national and international acts, and Sunday’s ‘Burrow Sessions’ spotlights emerging locals.

Running the place are Mark Spillane, who booked the Odd Fellow, and former WAM festival coordinator Greg Sanders as new booking manager.

Adelaide Bar Getting Along Swimmingly

Nineteen Ten is a new jazz bar and burlesque club in Adelaide’s Hindley Street which comes with its own swimming pool (and lifeguard).

Venue manager Fiona Smith (aka cabaret performer and producer Fafi D’Alour) was inspired by New York’s burlesque and jazz clubs.

The Stag Rises From The Ashes

Adelaide East End nightspot The Stag (cnr Rundle Street and East Terrace) which went into administration in April under the previous management, is back on the slate.

The NOLA team has taken it over and turned into a good pub from late July with live music introduced down the track.

Hope Still Holding For ANU Bar

News that the Australian National University’s multi-million dollar redevelopment would mean the end of the ANU Bar, one of Canberra’s best live music venues, sparked protest and a legal contest.

Moving forward, the ANU has put forward an application to keep the bar – but without the live music, as it would intrude on new residents arriving via the redevelopment.

Goodbye Central Club

Melbourne is about to lose another long-time live music showcase venue to an apartment block, the Herald Sun reported. This time it’s the Central Club in Richmond.

The Golden Square Turns Brassy

The Golden Square Hotel in Bendigo, in country Victoria, which hosted bands on a regular basis, has suddenly closed its doors.

A sign on the door said: “It is with deep regret that we have been placed in an untenable position and have had to close the hotel indefinitely.”

Police Confirm Nightclub Shooting

Hobart police confirmed that an unregistered SKS semi-automatic rifle was used during a shooting at Pablo’s nightclub. No one was hurt, and the hunt continues for two men.

Get Behind Woodville Town Hall

The City of Charles Sturt in Adelaide feels that the historic Woodville Town Hall is under-utilised, and asking arts and music groups to consider renting it out.

It is like the Thebarton Theatre, 20 minutes from the CBD, comes with an in-house production team, and has a large hall to fit in 900 people although smaller spaces can also be arranged.

More information at www.woodvilletownhall.com.au.