Venues Update: December 16

WHERELSE OPENS IN SURFERS, FOCUSES ON MUSIC

Benny Roney and Simone Jenkins, owners of 13-year old Surfers Paradise venue Elsewhere have opened a new one around the corner called Wherelse on the Orchid Avenue strip. It’s on the same site as the now-relocated The Avenue.

They say that while Queensland lockouts has created doom in the area and long time promoters are looking at pulling out, Wherelse is about “keeping the culture of music & benefit of social iteration alive” and being “The epicentre of where to go for contemporary ideas & uplifting energies.”

Initially open seven nights a week from 5pm to 3am, Roney and Jenkins have set up Wherelse not only as a place for bands to play but have provided equipment for them to rehearse.

CANBERRA CLUB WINDS UP

Long time live music host The Canberra Club was expected to be finally wind up yesterday at a creditor’s meeting. The club went into voluntary administration in December 2014. According to The Canberra Times, RSM Australia Partners’ liquidator Frank Lo Pilato, the winding up began two years ago because creditors made a claim of $34.5 million. After the club rejected it, the claim was not revived.

SYDNEY VENUES CAN APPLY FOR LOCKOUT EXEMPTIONS

While the NSW Government relaxed some of its lockout laws, these won’t apply to venues until next month. However, they can start applying for exemptions later this month and the Government will start granting these from January 16. From next month, lockouts kick in at 2am and last drinks to 3.30am.

CAIRNS COUNCIL BUYS COURTHOUSE FOR PRECINCT

As tipped by TMN some weeks back, Cairns Regional Council has bought the Courthouse Hotel in the heart of the city for $5.7 million to build a “world-class cultural precinct.” Mayor Bob Manning says the venue will operate as usual until a master plan to develop the precinct is finalised properly so that it will attract a large volume of tourists.

WA’S ORIGIN NYE SHOW FEELS THE HEAT

The Origin New Years Eve show at Claremont Showground was feeling the heat this month from residents and Council. Mayor Jock Barker called the event “a problem and a nuisance” and didn’t want it staged there. Officials met with some residents who expressed apprehension about the behaviour of the crowd – tipped by police to be appoximately 32,000.

Last year, a number of charges, including drug possession and assault, were laid on punters. In April, the promoters were fined $22,000 in Perth Magistrates Court for not notifying residents of the event, failing to nominate a responsible person for the event , and not having the required amount of sonic engineers.

However, as of yesterday, Origin was still on at the Showground, with a bill including A$AP Rocky, Chance The Rapper and Die Antwoord, and Pendulum coming out of their four year hiatus to play a DJ set.

SUBSTATION UNVEILS SEASON ONE PROGRAM

Melbourne’s Substation continues its support of multidisciplinary contemporary arts in its Season One program running from Friday January 27 until Friday June 23. It includes theatre, sound art, interactive exhibitions, installations, creative collaborations, as well as artist residencies.

The music component includes Ellen Fullen and composer/cellist Theresa Wong’s Long String Instrument. American experimental pop group Xiu Xiu take on the Twin Peaks soundtrack and Bunker returning to celebrate four years of Melbourne’s electronic music.

SUNSHINE COAST VENUE FINED

The Federal Circuit Court fined the Sunshine Coast’s Glasshouse Mountains Tavern $16,500 and Company Director and part-owner Tami Maree Pointon $3,000.for underpaying a venue manager $6,759 in 2011. Both are appealing.

The Court found that the manager had not been paid accrued annual leave entitlements after she resigned, not being paid for nine days’ leave despite a medical certificate, had a cost of a training course deducted from her wages, and had a late notice penalty although enough notice was given to the employer.

HEMMES KEEPS BUYING

Sydney nightclub operator Justin Hemmes paid $37.5 million for the Tennyson Hotel in Mascot – a record price for a hotel sale at a public auction, according to the estate agent. Hemmes now has properties in all regions of Sydney bar the western suburbs.

MINISTER WANTS MORE BIDS FOR QLD STADIUM

In an industry breakfast meeting in Townsville, State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham encouraged more local businesses to join the bids for the 46 construction packages for the new $250 million North Queensland Stadium. He said that of the 100 bids so far, only a third was from local firms. “You’ve got to be in it to win it,” he said.

TAMWORTH SHOWGROUND LOSING THE SHOW

Tamworth Showground will host the Tamworth Show for the last time in 2017, after its sale by Tamworth Pastoral and Agricultural Association (TPAA) to Harness Racing NSW. After 2018, it will be at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre, held in September and then March.

BADLANDS CELEBRATES FIRST NYE

In its first year of operation, Perth’s Badlands is holding its inaugural Badlands Blowout NYE bash with a host of major acts including Kill Devil Hills, Verge Collection, Thee Loose Hounds and Jacob Diamond.

OXFORD ARTS FACTORY TURNING 10

Sydney’s Oxford Arts Factory is holding four free events through 2017 to mark its tenth year. The first on January 14 is Freedom 1.0, co-presented and curated by Volumes with The Gooch Palms, Middle Kids and Pearls among others.

ADELAIDE NIGHTCLUB OWNER ACQUITTED

Adelaide nightclub Red Square manager Antony Tropeano was acquitted on appeal by the District Court of bashing Daniel Polec, twin brother of AFL player Jared Polec, five years ago. The Advertiser reported that in 2014, Tropeano and two security guys were found guilty of beating up Polec in an area behind the Hindley Street club, leaving him with two jaw fractures, two nose fractures and severe swelling of his face and head.

NEW COMEDY CLUB FOR SYDNEY

Sydney gets a new venue for stand-up comedy next month. Appropriately called The Sydney Comedy Club, it is located below The Deck Bar at Luna Park, with Wil Anderson headlining the opening night on January 20.