Venues Update: January 27

Image: Newtown Social Club

NEWTOWN SOCIAL CLUB CLOSING

Sydney’s Newtown Social Club on King Street is closing its doors in April. Operators, who saved it from developers three years ago, posted, “Whilst the live music part of the business was a resounding success, the current regulatory climate in Sydney and the inherent challenges therein have made it unsustainable. We look forward to exploring new opportunities in the future.”

The 300-capacity room not only hosted international and national names but drew the sort of crowd which allowed acts to use the venue as a testing ground for new ideas. The NSC was part of a circuit that included Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club and The Corner Hotel.

THE HAROLD PARK ENDS COURTYARD SESSIONS

A single complaint has forced Harold Park Hotel in Glebe, Sydney, to cut six year Sunday afternoon acoustic sessions in its courtyard. It was a low risk and a “sensible policy”, owner William Ryan insisted. According to the venue, the neighbour had just moved in just two weeks ago.

The City of Sydney said that the venue was in breach of its conditions of development consent because it was not allowed to feature music in its courtyard. However, it could in other parts of the hotel. The City’s adviser for live music and performance has been in touch with the venue about amending the conditions to include music in the courtyard.

Labour councillor Linda Scott took to social media to blame Lord Mayor Clover Moore for not keeping to her promises made in 2014 regarding its Live Music Strategy to prevent this situation from occurring.

SUBSTATION BRINGS BACK REGGAE FEST

The Substation in Newport, in Melbourne’s western suburbs, is bringing back the Newport Ska, Rocksteady & Reggae Festival on Sunday March 19 for its second year. Run by the local Newport community, the festival is headlined by Jamaican foundation Rocksteady duo Stop That Train!

RECHABITES HOPING TO INTRODUCE LIVE MUSIC

Perth arts, festivals and entertainment operators Happy Heart Pty Ltd are hoping to transform the historic Rechabites Hall to a multi-level arts and entertainment complex (with live music) to add to Perth’s Cultural Centre and Northbridge Entertainment Precinct. This involves getting a Tavern Restricted License.

They’re doing a consumer survey to gauge reaction. The results will be provided to the Department of Racing Gaming and Liquor to assist the Director of Liquor Licensing to determine if the application for The Rechabite to operate under a Tavern Restricted License is in the public interest.

ADELAIDE PLANS FOR LACK OF VENUES

During a roundtable of Adelaide’s chief arts administrators convened by the Advertiser newspaper, it was revealed that significant changes will be made to some of its major venues. Aside from current redevelopment at the Festival Centre, a revamp will begin on Her Majesty’s Theatre next year. There will also be a new Concert Hall which, among other things, will be home to the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The total cost reach $475 million.

State Theatre Company has also proposed renovating the Lion Arts Centre for between $6 and $8 million to restore it to use as a mid-sized theatre.

The roundtable called on the SA Government to create an arts and cultural policy to set up this infrastructure for the next decade, to execute the plan as a whole rather than piecemeal.

The Advertiser quoted Arts Minister Jack Snelling as responding, “Arts SA has commenced work on a whole-of-sector arts and cultural heritage infrastructure survey to analyse existing capacity and inform future directions.’’

“It is also convening a group to develop a South Australia Strategic Arts and Cultural Framework. We expect that to be completed by early 2018.’’

FLY BY NIGHT DUG UP

Archaeologists are digging up the floor of the old site of Fremantle’s Fly By Night to see what artefacts they unearth. It’s not just a process to find old cigarette butts or credit cards or lost keys, however. The 1895 building used to be the Artillery Drill Hall. Its owner, the National Trust, is now undertaking restoration work in it, including lifting the floorboards and re-stumping the foundations, so the arkies figure this is the best time to do it.

BALLARAT LOSES MUSIC VENUE

Long time Ballarat music venue JD’s Sports Bar has closed up. Its owners blame the Ballarat City Council whom they say refused to extend its trading hours from 3:00am to 6:00am after four months of negotiations. “Without his amended resolution, we’re pretty sure this wouldn’t have happened but what’s done is done and after the fire, the fights all out of this dog,” they posted. The closure saw saw the loss of 21 jobs.

ONE STEP FORWARD FOR TOWNSVILLE STADIUM

The development of a new stadium in the Townsville CBD took a step further, when the winning design was unveiled. Preparatory work will begin this year but the actual building of the site commences in 2018. To be the home of the North Queensland Cowboys, it is expected to also host music concerts.

THEATRE ROYAL REVIVED

The Theatre Royal in Castlemaine in regional Victoria is off to a flying start under its new owners who’re determined to run the venue to its full potential as interest increases in regional music venues around the country. They’d already helped the previous owner on management duties before taking over.

The new team includes musicians Tim Campbell of Melbourne band The Basics (The Basics played at the theatre on New Year’s Eve), Felicity Cripps who fronts The Felicity Cripps Band, Campbell Hynam-Smith, Andrea Distefano and Jono Hill, all of whom hail from from the film and hospitality industries.