While it may not be on the scale of the Oxford Art Factory or the also-departing Newtown Social Club, it’s still sad to see Marrickville mainstay The Newsagency closing its doors after a final show last week, following a disagreement with the landlord over proposed renovations.
Proprietor of The Newsagency, Alison Avron, took to social media to make the sad announcement and express her gratitude to everyone who’s contributed to the venue’s success in its five-year lifespan, Music Feeds reports.
“My lease is up in July and my landlord doesn’t want me to renovate so I gotta go elsewhere,” she said on Facebook.
“Five-and-a-half years is a pretty incredible stint for essentially a one woman operation. It hasn’t been easy at times but I have poured every ounce of love and passion I could possibly muster even through adversity. I have learnt SO much as an artist and human being.
“It’s hard for me to express just how grateful I am to the artists and audiences who have latched onto this space and made it their own. I have made so many beautiful friendships I will treasure forever! For a place so tiny, the surrounding community has made such a big impact on the independent Australian music scene.”
She also took the opportunity to throw some shade at the landlord last month, lamenting the dead end posed by the disagreement.
While it’s over for the venue as it currently stands, Alison intends to push on in another direction, after a well-earned break to regroup. “Stay tuned,” she assures us.
Alison Avron on The Newsagency’s closure:
5 and a half years is a pretty incredible stint for essentially a one woman operation. It hasn’t been easy at times but I have poured every ounce of love and passion I could possibly muster even through adversity. I have learnt SO much as an artist and human being.
It’s hard for me to express just how grateful I am to the artists and audiences who have latched onto this space and made it their own.I have made so many beautiful friendships I will treasure forever! For a place so tiny, the surrounding community has made such a big impact on the independent Australian music scene.
Thank you to my patrons on Patreon for being legends and supporting the space financially. You have no idea how helpful that monthly income is at times! Thank you to my mum (miss you so much)and dad for supporting this crazy vision and helping me renovate way back when. (My dad is honestly the smartest and handiest man I know!) Thanks to Marrickville Council for letting me fly under the radar in this very colourful grey area for so long. Thanks to the surrounding venues for being friends -not enemies- and listening to/answering any questions whenever I needed! (Camelot, Django, Gasoline Pony, The Vic Lazybones – to name a few)
Thanks to AMP Foundation for allowing me to take this next step into the future! I’m excited and scared and tired and sad and happy all at the time – but that’s totally LIFE!
Do I know what’s happening next? Kinda. Can I announce anything? Not really. All I know is I need a break & a chance to work out my next move. Stay tuned.
