Where did the money go? City of Sydney issues report card on grants recipients

What do venues do with the grants they got from various councils?

City of Sydney – which has given $530,000 in funding this year to live music venues, theatres, bars and stores that trade late – has posted an update on what these have been doing with the money.

The Roosevelt in Kings Cross is bringing back the feel of its early days, when international names (Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr) chorus dancers, big bands, singers and comedians taking to the stage.

Co-owners Ben Hickey and Naomi Palmer said, “We’ll bring back live music of the 1940s and ’50s with small two and three-piece acts.

“But you never know what the future might hold.

“Maybe one day we could return the venue to its multi-level glory, complete with its stunning domed ceiling.”

Other additions to the City’s nightlife:

New jazz, roots, funk and world music on Sundays at Venue 505.

Local live music at The Imperial in Erskineville.

Paid gigs for local buskers at The Shakespeare in Surry Hills.

The Metro Theatre refitted a second music room, with a 350-capacity.

New Potts Point arrival Boogie Mountain initiating a live program.

New staging, audio and lighting to step-up live gigs at MoshPit in Newtown.

Jazz and jam sessions at Redfern Moya’s Juniper Lounge.

Venue upgrades for Griffin Theatre Company’s Stables Theatre in Darlinghurst and The Mercantile in The Rocks.

Cheers Bar added family-friendly comedy nights.

Upgraded sound quality at Oxford Art Factory in Darlinghurst, The World Bar in Kings Cross, Hudson Ballroom in the city, Knox Street Bar, Freda’s in Chippendale and Staves Brewery in Glebe.

City Recital Hall added a monthly program of music trivia, slam poetry and live music in its foyer.

Live music and dining after midnight at Foundry 616 in Ultimo.

Cabaret performances between theatre seasons at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst.

Author talks at the Ariel Booksellers in Darlinghurst

New floors, staging and lighting at the East Sydney Community and Arts Centre in Darlinghurst.

Film score covers live at Golden Age Cinema and Bar.

City of Sydney announced it has injected a further $114,000 into three projects to support musicians on our stages:

• $70,000 for the Electronic Music Conference, an annual week of events for industry professionals.
• $26,000 for Sydney Venue Toolkit, a new website to help artists, curators and other industry pros increase the number of live music and performance venues across the city.
• $18,000 for the Contemporary Music Roundtable, an annual national conference held at Erskineville Town Hall for industry professionals to exchange knowledge.