Venues Update: Relaunches, petitions, homophobia & more

PALAIS HEPBURN

After $350,000 worth of renovations, the Palais Hepburn relaunches this weekend set to regain its crown as one of regional Victoria’s sparkling entertainment venues.

Found just outside Daylesford and opened since 1926, it’s now run by directors Brendan Wykes & Richard Fanale, with music biz identity Emma Ireland in charge of bookings.

Ireland tells TMN most of its shows are on Friday and Saturday nights, “with occasional all-ages shows, workshops and panels.

“The entertainment will be diverse, from solo intimate tours to large bands, cabaret and world music,” as well as annual events as short film, cabaret and ChillOut festivals.”

COURT HOTEL, PERTH

Popular Perth gay bar, the Court Hotel, is introducing new security measures after a petition signed by 1,900 members of the LGBTIQ+ community and its supporters complained that they no longer felt safe within.

Recent renovations had attracted a wider clientele, and, according to the document, “incidents include verbal and physical abuse –  it’s very sad that it has gotten to this level.”

Venue GM Neil O’Connor said new safety strategies include  a “highly visible’ code of conduct at the front door, more security staff – dressed in bright pink vests –  and ‘Rainbow, Safety and Attitude’ officers to assist with complaints.”

Court Hotel owner Bree Maddox said the venue would not ban straight patrons.

CORKMAN IRISH PUB, MELBOURNE

Developers Raman Shaqiri and Stefce Kutlesovski who illegally bulldozed Carlton’s historic and music showcasing Corkman Irish Pub in 2016 were handed a record $1.325 million fine by the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Noting the severity of the fine, magistrate Ross Maxted said a message had to be sent to the sector that “such recklessness and bravado and full disregard for proper process and compliance will be severely punished.”

DICEY RILEY, WOLLONGONG

Wollongong’s Dicey Riley struck a partnership with local promoters Yours & Owls to take over curation of live entertainment on the weekends, starting from tomorrow.

THE GREVILLE, MELBOURNE

The Sunday Herald Sun reported that The Greville nightclub – which opened on the Prahran, Melbourne, site of the old celebs hangout Boutique – is up for sale, and could land in a legal skirmish as a result.

The Boutique was run by Darren “Razzle” Thornburgh until his death in November 2017.

The business was bought by hospitality operators Jonathan Sherren with Sammy Prosser coming in as a partner.

They reopened the building as The Greville in November 2018.

According to the Sunday Herald Sun, the relationship between the pair soured, and Prosser left the day-to-day operations of the club in December.

Sherren said the Greville was not on sale officially but “if someone came to me and offered the right price, I would sell it.”.

Prosser told the paper he was “at a loss” as to the club was being sold and was seeking legal advice regarding his position.

THE VAULT, PORT KEMBLA

Port Kembla’s The Vault opening every Sunday featuring local acoustic singer-songwriters.

The Sunday Sessions run from 4 pm to 8 pm.

CITY RECITAL HALL, SYDNEY

Sydney concert venue City Recital Hall complained it had received homophobic threats online after announcing it was hosting a Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras event.

The February 21 choral work Requiem Mass: A Queer Divine Rite was billed as “a radical re-imagination of the formal Latin Mass that adds queer voices to the canon.”

City Recital Hall CEO Elaine Chia said she expected some backlash but the “vicious, discriminatory and hurtful words, including threats” from social media users were alarming.