Happy New Year Antipodean Absintheurs & Libertines

This year, instead of sticking to crusty old New Year’s Resolutions, why not get involved in making a Renew Year’s Resolution?

Urban renewal for artistic endeavour is a growing movement internationally, but probably the best example in Australia has been the Renew Newcastle project. These canny Novocastrians find short and medium term uses for buildings in Newcastle’s CBD that are currently vacant, disused or awaiting redevelopment and matches them with artists, cultural projects and community groups to use.

It is a problem common to all cities - urban sites are boarded up, heavily vandalised or decaying because the is no short term for use them and no one taking responsibility for them.  The Renew Newcastle project has actually been instrumental in turning a primarily industrial and mining town into a thriving arts community, and shaming many a capital city in terms of public accessibility to the arts.

And now it is Adelaide’s turn.  Renew Adelaide is a non-profit, artist run initiative following the lead of Renew Newcastle, that also believe artist and community run spaces have the power to transform cities. Like it’s forerunner, they aim to fill empty spaces and disused buildings in and around the city of Adelaide with artist and community run ventures, with the minimum possible cost to those involved.

Both the Newcastle and Adelaide venture have Facebook groups you can join, so keep up with the developments.

More projects like this should be started nationally, and to help prevent other potential hubs of artistic creativity becoming another Sydney (albeit there is some hope).  Melbourne is on top of it in another way with their CreativeSpaces project.  So what’s going on in your town? - email us and let us know.

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By happy coincidence, ABC Radio National program Life Matters featured an interview on the 6 January 10 with Renew Newcastle founder Marcus Westbury on his urban artistic renewal project - mp3 audio available here.

Industry intel from the Just Drinks media group alert us to multinational wine and spirits behemoth Pernod Ricard announcing that it will support emerging visual artists, through a competition featuring its Pernod Aux Plantes d’Absinthe Superieure brand.

The contest will award its first place winner $1805 US in cash with a second place prize of $500 and third place $250. There are plans for a celebratory event to be run concurrently with The Armory Show, the annual international art fair, in New York City.

Brian Eckert, Pernod brand manager for Pernod Ricard USA is quoted as saying “Pernod has been a strong supporter of the arts since the brand debuted in France more than 200 years ago” - a statement I am sure is true if you count keeping bohemian artists in constant creative lubrication.

“Since its debut, Pernod has been a favourite drink among the cultural elite including Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and Poe. We thought it fitting to honour this relationship with a contest that celebrates the artist in us all.”

While some may suggest that these cultural elite were also regarded fringe degenerates by polite society in their time, certainly Pernod Ricard as a modern company are doing their bit to support the arts so they are putting their money where their mouth is.

Interested artists must submit only original works, and all works submitted must include the date 1805, the date the brand was first launched.  Submissions are being accepted until the end of  January, 2010, in the following categories: painting, illustration, photography, video, digital/animation.

Submissions will be accepted entirely online at www.facebook.com/pernodabsinthe.

Important news update antipodean absintheurs of Sydney!

Sometimes investing in an expensive bottle of absinthe does require a little bit of trust - wouldn’t it be good if you could try a range first before making that decision?

Well now you can.

Those providores of Parisian perfection at Absinthesalon have opened a shopfront and imbibing premises of distinction on 87 Albion Street, Surry Hills. With a large range of absinthes to sample, at very reasonable prices, I’m not sure why you are still reading this and not out the door. Or on a plane (if you are interstate)..

Another snippet of Australian absinthe history for you all, this time from the Adelaide Advertiser, published on the 11 November 1909. It also demonstrates that the phenomenon of drunken Irish backpackers exhibiting their ‘wee folk’ is a problem over 100 years old, to be sure.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) 11 November 1909

A SERIOUS OFFENCE. ABSINTHE DRINKER IN TROUBLE

A shocking case, which counsel described as the outcome of the demoralising effects of drinking absinthe, was heard at the Adelaide Police Court on Wednesday. Neal McNamara, an respectably-dressed youth, was placed in the dock to answer a charge of indecent exposure at North Adelaide. The offence was alleged to have been committed on October 22 near a public school, and at an hour when children were proceeding along the road towards that institution. Six little girls, ranging in age from 12 to 15 years, appeared in court to support the charge. Inspector Burchell, who prosecuted, said the gravity of the offense was increased by the fact that the practices complained of had been going on for some time. He could call four witnesses to substantiate the charge, while the statement of the arresting constable was equally conclusive. The accused, who pleaded guilty, was defended by Mr. F. V. Smith.

Constable Quirke, who made the arrest, stated that, when he accosted the accused and told him the charge he said, “For God’s sake, don’t arrest me. I am a respectable Irish lad. I have a couple of sovereigns in my pocket and you can have them if you let me go.” He took the accused to the police-station. On the way there McNamara made a determined attempt to escape, but his efforts were frustrated.

Mr. Smith said the accused’s lapse was due entirely to the effects of drinking absinthe, of which habit he had become an unfortunate victim. The defendant enjoyed the confidence of a reputable city firm, by whom he was employed, and they were willing to take him back if released. In view of this he asked the bench to extend to his client the benefit of the First Offenders Act.

The court declined to do this, Mr. J. Gordon, S.M. remarking that the offence was a disgusting one that had been wilfully persisted in. The accused would be sentenced to three months imprisonment. A second information against McNamara was withdrawn.

That Countess of Cabaret entertainment, Sarina del Fuego, must be among the hardest working lasses in industry at the moment.  Seldom in one place long enough to let the grass grow under her feet, she is nonetheless ensuring that all the Eastern seaboard, including the oft-forgotten Tasmania, will get a taste of her style - from art exhibitions, charity galas, Halloween Spectaculars and hands on workshop.

There is something for everyone this October - although maybe not the kiddies. To be sure I would have appreciated my parents more for taking me to burlesque shows…oh anyway..here are the dates.

Friday 9th October - Cita Daidone’s exhibition opening
Bondi Beach Opening Night October 9th at 7pm. Come and see Cita’s paintings of the female muse, birds, cats, trees and flowers whirling in an imaginary dreamscape. Sarina Del Fuego one of Australia’s top cabaret artistes will be performing.
Exhibition Dates- 9th October until 13th November 2009 7:00pm - 10:00pm Ruby’s Place Performance Cafe @ Bondi Beach 95 Roscoe Street (crn Gould St)

Saturday 17th October - Gangster’s Ball at the Tivoli, Brisbane
The Gangsters’ Ball 2008 was an amazing success, selling out 700 tickets some 4 weeks in advance with nearly 200 people queuing at the door for up to 3 hours to purchase the remaining 50 tickets… It was widely regarded by those who attended as “the best event of its type ever held in Sydney” and voted by the Drum Media Street Press Magazine in it’s 2008 Readers Poll Edition as the “best Swing/Rockabilly Event of 2008”.The Velvet Set, along with Meow Meow and Sarina del Fuego, Mark Winmall, Rosy Rabbit, Imogen Kelly and many more.

Sunday 18th October - Girl’s night Out - Fundraiser for Breast Cancer
Get the girls together and join us for our annual Cancer Council fundraiser to help raise money for the fight against women’s cancers! WHEN: Sunday, 18 October, 2009 WHERE: Pink Salt Bar & Restaurant, 53 Cross Street Double Bay THEME: ‘…A touch of pink’ TIME: GIRLS from 3pm / GUYS from 5pm TICKETS: $70 per girl (Includes a glass of bubbly, canapés, a gift bag, entertainment, guest speakers)

Saturday 24th October- Burlesque Basics Workshop in HOBART
Come learn the basics of burlesque performance - classic movement, along with how to use props such as gloves, boas, stockings, suspenders, feathers and fans!

Saturday 24th October- Toussaint (a Halloween Spectacular)
The Playhouse Bathurst St Hobart Tasmania. The Southern Belles are proud to present “Toussaint” the biggest burlesque show Hobart has ever seen. Starring Burlesque Sensation Sarina Del Fuego. Also featuring Miss Kitty’s Meow Madame Goulash Miasma Sister O Plus many more for $15. From 19:30 - 22:30. Tickets can be purchased at centertainment.

And now dear fellow Libertine, a tale of absinthe’s infamous past. First published in the “Boston Herald” in 1888, then reprinted in New Zealands “Bruce Herald” the same year, it reveals that a novel kind of ’speak easy’ bar for possibly illicit and unlicensed consumption of alcohol was a favourite of the socialite set and certain ladies of distinction (as was the local Chinese Opium den!).

Pour a glass, relax and read on….

Bruce Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 1925, 20 January 1888, Page 5

I used to discredit the sensational stories that the patrons of the fashionable modistes repaired to those places so frequently, under the pretence of trying on a dress, because of the attraction of the buffet offering the choicest liquors and wines, writes a New York correspondent, until one day a lady friend confirmed the reports by narrating her experience, frankly confessing that at several modistes she named it was customary to serve drinks to the regular or recognised patrons.  The dressmaking, like the fruit store in front of the sample room, was merely part of the business carried on, and there was a regular charge for the liquors, covered in the bill by ‘trimmings’ and “attentions.”

And I know from personal knowledge that some very well known ladies used to resort to the better class of uptown opium joints several years ago, when such were not subject to police raids for the purpose of ‘hitting the pipe’ in the most approved style, because I once assisted a husband in rescuing his wife from one of these places within an easy walk of Madison Square.  And the doctor will or can tell you that the morphine habit – by hypodermic injection, easily administered after practice –has ruined many a previously domestic circle by claiming the mistress as a victim and condemning her to a dream-life, all the more miserable because of the terrible awakening, resulting in insanity and death.

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A casual stroll down through Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley when the sun has gone down was until recently not everyone’s idea of a safe and sensible excursion, however a considerable amount of urban renewal has transformed the BrisVegas Kings Cross into a somewhat more sociable place for dining and entertainment.

But when you get to end of the precinct, and persevere by going a little further down Anne Street you will encounter an altogether different and interesting residential/restaurant/retail development called Emporium that has a neo-Parisian vibe.

There amongst the soft neon my destination greets me. Belle Epoque.

Immediately I am taken by the surrounds. Dark stained wooden dining booths, crisp linen, red leather couches and frosted glass dividers. Rococo style wall mountings in a mandatory gaudy gold against dappled wattle orange walls and polished wall mirrors. They have gone for the late 19th century flair and achieved it - and while not the small intimacy of a petite bistro, have created something equally period on a grander scale where one can get full silver service, or something more casual.

I take my place up at the fresco laden bar and peruse the stylish bound menu.

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Why am I haunted by bad eighties tunes when I write these things? Ahem.

Fellow absintheur, you can no doubt be aware that many a fine cocktail establishment are making a mark for themselves, not only on the Australian stage, but yea verily, on the global stage.  And signature absinthe cocktails are contributing to this success.

You will hear more about such establishments in coming weeks, but I want to first highlight a major event just passed in Ol’ New Orleans - Tales of the Cocktail , an internationally acclaimed gathering of the literati and glitterati of the mixological world, including  the Second Annual Wormwood Society Grande Soiree d’Absinthe.  Honestly, if you want to get to know your absinthe (aside from us of course), join the merry folk on the Wormwood Society Forum. They are US based but many an antipodean does frequent its hallowed halls.

Matthew Bax - De Raum Owner and Artist

Now, why this particular event is so special is that over the last couple of years, Australian establishments have made something of an impact - last year with 1806, and this year with De Raum, two establishments who have made absinthe part of their cocktail raison d’etre.

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While I’m usually loathe to compare bands to other bands or artists that have similar sounds – as a point of complement I am happy on this occasion to say the first time I heard Jai Pyne’s voice, lead singer for Sydney band, The Paper Scissors, I pictured a strange experiment that somehow involved cross breeding David Bowie and Frank Black. Granted one would not engage in such profane genetic manipulation for visual aesthetics but perhaps for more profound musicality one would dare to play God a little.

The Paper Scissors have just released their new E.P., ‘Howl’ on the eve of a national tour, which can be downloaded from all good electronic stores like iTunes.

The E.P. title track ‘Howl’ has a certain rocky balladeering sentiment, haunted octaval lyrical treatment, with a somewhat kooky, but highly appropriate discordant backing vocal that fits nicely amongst this rock number.  This is followed by the new-wavish bass driven ‘Soldier’ that regularly jumps sideways into a pleasing pseudo-swing style chorus.  The E.P is complemented with 3 remixes of Howl – the Cleptoleptics brings the vocal structures and interplays more prominently into the fore amongst a more reserved IDMesque blip track. The E.L.F Remix is almost flocking with seagulls and may be the least adventurous treatment.  The SPOD Remix is practically a different song altogether, a conveyer belt of electronic grooving and widget twitching with electro-interference treatments that playfully pummel around the vocal refrains. Certainly the most interesting of the remixes.

I think that while the songs had great capacity to be played ‘safe’ – the risks that are taken make them musically much more engaging than many recent Australian bands coming out of the stables.  While getting good exposure of late on JJJ, with the lads on tour it is an excellent time to see them live, and grab yourself a copy of the E.P.