Venues Update: March 10

ADELAIDE’S GRACE EMILY GETS INDUCTED

The Grace Emily in Adelaide’s West End has been inducted into the South Australian Hall of Fame in recognition of its long time support of live music over the past 15 years.

The Waymouth Street pub began in 1839 as The Launceston three years after SA was founded. In 1998, it changed its name and put up a stage in the former dining room after SA footballers Greg “Clanger” Kleynjans and Craig “Dewy” Dewhirst outbid a biker gang to own it and renamed it after their “footy mum” who died in 2004.

George Swallow and Symon Jarowyi (both musicians in respectively Wendyhouse and The Scarfs) took over its running six years ago.

The venue provides an eclectic range of music 6-7 nights per week to a music savvy crowd. Monday nights features Billy Bobs BBQ Jam, which has been running for 15 years offering a BBQ and an open mic with a house band.

The venue runs on a casual community all-inclusive vibe. Swallow said recently, “Getting those new bands in to cut their teeth and learn the ropes and be in an environment where there’s a decent PA system and a chance to learn, that’s why we’re here.

“Then there’s the opposite side of that, when we host the big national and international acts.”

NEW OWNER FOR THE TOXTETH

The Toxteth in Glebe, Sydney, has a new owner. Public House Management Group (PHMG) bought the live music-showcasing from the Australian Pub Fund (APF) for about $21 million. New owner Mitchell Waugh says the venue has sentimental value for him: it’s where he started out pulling beers as an 18-year old.

HOBART THEATRE TURNS 180

Hobart’s Theatre Royal celebrated its 180th birthday this week. Set up in the then-seedy area of Wapping, a group of businessmen started the theatre as a place of entertainment (everything from music hall to cock fights) in an area better known for brothels and men’s pubs.

The theatre is currently undergoing an upgrade as part of the $96 million creative industries and performing arts complex, The Hedberg, which will include a new Conservatorium of Music and the performance and creative research cluster Creative Exchange Institute, due to open in 2019.

CLUBS FINED OVER FIRE ALARMS

A number of entertainment venues in Queensland were fined after Queensland Fire and Emergency Services found their fire alarms disabled during visits. Magnum’s in Airlie Beach north of Mackay copped $42,500 while Surfers Paradise’s Hollywood Showgirls and Lounge Bar had their accounts lessened by $30,000.

NEW CONCERT SERIES FOR DARWIN CENTRE

The Darwin Entertainment Centre has introduced a new concert series to make classical music more accessible to everyday Territorians.

The series, in the Studio section, would last for eight months and can include classical music from other cultures, including South America, India and China.

KING GIZZARD BOOK OUT NIGHT CAT

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have sold out their eighth gig in their hometown Melbourne – all in the same venue, the Night Cat. They booked the cool venue for eight days to launch their new album Flying Microtonal Banana, to a total of 4000 punters.

RHINO ROOM MAKES A MOVE

With its Frome Street abode of 20 years being demolished to make way for a 36-storey hotel, Adelaide’s Rhino Room has found new premises at 1/131 Pirie Street.

“We will remain committed to providing a space for our emerging artists, entertainers, DJs, comedians and our Rhino family,” owners said.

But making the move – “building, infrastructure, marketing, removalists and licenses are just the basics” – so a xrowd-funding page has begun at

https://pozible.com/project/the-great-rhino-room-migration.

They’re aiming for $380,000. Current tally is $24, 343.