Salutations Libertarian’s all,

there is a smorgasboard of decadent entertainment, titillation and whimsy coming in a few short weeks with the Adelaide Fringe on our doorstep once more.  We will be giving extra attention to the burlesque arts this year with the following on our shopping list:

Vari-A-Tease – with the divine Danica Lee, mischievous Missy and a cast of performers delivering a menu of burlesque, vaudeville, magic and cabaret.

A Deli Burlesque – A cross-pollination of neo-burlesque and vintage charm.
Babes on bikes; hula-hoop aerobics; exotic bird rituals and more.

Burlesque Beauties - Reminiscent of 1920s, 30s, 40s and50s, three sassy burlesque beauties present their unique blend of classic burlesque, comedy, music and vintage sass.

For events closer to hand – 2pm Saturday the 13th of February at Gallery Serpentine, in Newtown (Sydney) are having  special Valentine Day event, with Jocelyn from the Cult of Scent showcasing a range of new and favourite hand crafted artisan fragrances.

Come and find out which of the Cult of Scent perfume best suits you and - if you’re very very nice -get your bottle of Cult of Scent perfume customised especially for you!

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)..

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.

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.

Subscribe to read more.

Continue Reading »

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.

subscribe to read more

Continue Reading »

Good ‘morrow gentle Libertines.  Here is a selection of absinthe and neo-bohemia related items in the world news over the past week or two for your reading pleasure.

Angie Rayfield of the Examiner thinks a fitting tribute to the late Mr Jackson is the “ABC Cocktail” - consisting of 1/3 absinthe, 1/3 Bacardi and 1/3 Chartreuse. I’m not sure if this is just lazy journalism or lazy mixology. Anyone brave enough to try this please, let us know how bad it really is.

Also from the Examiner, an article on Austin-based absinthe bar, Peche

An artisan Bohemian style bar in the UK, Opium, utilising the works of local craftsmen and artists will be functional gallery enabling the imbiber to also be an imbuyber.

A nice article on the LA based Malediction Society running steam-punk affair events

and finally a blog piece on Ted Breaux’s Great Absinthe Crusade

And Melbourne readers, don’t forget the Absinthe Party Ticket Competition being sponsored by the Marionette Talent Agency.  Entries close 3 July 2009 - send in a photo of you looking decadently brilliant to newlibertines @ absinthe.com.au and you can win a free ticket.

Dear friendly Libertines amongst the Melburnian set,

Do you have a frock coat and brocaded shirt just dying for an excuse to come out of the closet?

Maybe an insanely tight corset to die for (not in!) or a pair of flirty French ‘Lolly Bloomers’  that screams for some damn high kicking?

The fine people at Marionette Management Talent Agency are having a launch party on the 24th July 2009 on an Absinthe theme, which is a damn good excuse to get dressed in your finest fabulous Victoriana - with a shot of green of course - and go party with all the beautiful, and most talented people. Only $25 for the waged, and $17 for those undergoing higher learning, it will be held at Chasers, 29 Bray Street, South Yarra, with tickets available from Moshtix.

Through the Marionette’s generosity, we at Absinthe.com.au have managed to secure a free double pass for the most fantastically adorned Absinthe.com.au member from Victoria, who can send us a photo of themselves in their Bohemian finest, with a distinctive piece of viridian plumage in their attire.  If you are a couple, why not submit an entry of both of you together?

This is not a competition of chance, luck or serendipity folks. We want you to dress to impress.  The most impressive outfit will secure the prize to what should be an evening of high glamour.

Send an email with your photo to newlibertines @ absinthe.com.au, including your name, absinthe.com.au login name, address & phone number (of both parties if photo is of a couple).

Competition closes Friday 3 JULY 2009. The winner will be announced Friday 10 JULY 2009.

Terms and Conditions:

1) Participation in the competition includes full acceptance of these terms and conditions. 2) Competition open only to those 18 years and older who are members of absinthe.com.au. 3) Entrant(s) will be required to verify their identity and that submitted photos are of themselves and not of a third party. 4) Winner(s) will permit the publishing of their name (or requested nom-de-plume) and photo on absinthe.com.au. 5) All Entrant(s) will also permit the publishing of their photos in a gallery of the “Best Dressed”  on Absinthe.com.au.  Images will not be used in any other commercial capacity. 6) All photos and personal details will be available to the relevant staff of Absinthe.com.au and the Marionette Management Talent Agency for purposes of judging only. At the completion of the competition all personal details and images will not be retained and will be destroyed, save those of the Winner(s) and selected “Best Dressed” as proof of participation under the above Terms and Conditions. No personal details or images will be shared with any other third parties other than those identified in these Terms and Conditions. 7) Winner(s) will be notified by phone and email.

With Friday the 13th fast approaching, those canny corsetiers of bohemian haute couture at Gallery Serpentine in Sydney will be holding a special Night Sale from 5pm to 9pm, with 13% of all stock, as well as a range of ‘Black Cat Specials’ providing 15 to 50% of seconds and samples.

Gallery Serpentine is located at Shop 2/112-116 Enmore Road, Enmore, NSW.

Crazier than a padded room full of inmates in Bedlam, I say.

Gallery Serpentine will also be the venue that night for the launch of The Cult of Scent - a specialist fragrance line by perfumer Jocelyn Fullerton.

Cult of Scent is a range of artisan perfumes walking between the worlds of antique and modern perfume. The creation of fragrance and preparation of the extracts is a mysterious alchemy, reflected in the dance of the essences as they weave into your skin and psyche.

Dear Absintheur - it is one thing to look splendid in your finest Gallery Serpentine custom frock coat or laced corsetry while drinking a glass of absinthe, but it is yet another thing to also carry about you the air and aroma of expensive decadence.

subscribe to read more

Continue Reading »

With apologies to Noel Coward.

It must be the season for art-macabre with Robert’s recent note on the exhibition in Japan, and now this - Neo Goth: Back in Black, an exhibition at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia Art Gallery.

While many think of dear old Queensland as the state of sunburn, surf and politicians with ‘interesting’ political views, I have always felt assured in that sunshine state in years past, by the sight of the young & beautiful darklings who assemble late afternoons in Queen Street Mall in Brisvegas.  I suppose it’s all Emo now….why, when I was a monochromatic lad, frock coats were all the rage, Big Electric Cat were the local heroes and…yawn….young whipper snappers……zzzzzzz.

Kirra Jamison May all your wishes come true 2007

Anyhoo.

Curator Alison Kubler (as in the Absinthe!) has assembled 170 works from 60 artists over two levels of the museum, covering the mediums of music, fashion, film and literature.

From the exhibition flyer:

“From its subcultural origins in eighteenth century literature, through to the movement’s dedicated tribes of black-clad youths in the 1980s, Goth culture is no longer underground or fringe, but mainstream. Is this ‘new’ interpretation of the Gothic aesthetic just that – an aesthetic – or is the neo-Goth impulse a considered response to a darker, more pessimistic world? The major exhibition neo goth dips beneath the surface and takes a peek at the noir underbelly of Australian culture as it is manifested across art, fashion, film and literature.”

subscribe to read more

Continue Reading »