To be an artist, it is important to collaborate with others. Whether that be a writer diligently reading essays or a musician listening to the classics, communication, reinterpretation, and inspiration are the absolute key essentials for creating anything.
That is why Smith’s Alternative, an independently owned cafe and venue, has become such a cultural touchstone within Canberra’s creative ecosystem. Smith’s is a place where comedy, poetry, and vaudeville come together. Smith’s is a place where the eclectic is situated just outside of the ordinary on a humble city block. Smith’s is a place where everyone is welcome and incentivised to work together to make dreams come true.
As any self-respecting cafe does, Smith’s prides itself on its enchanting baked goods and silky coffee, but the atmosphere is where Smith’s shines brightest. Walking through its double-sided doors is like entering a new, coffee-stained realm, filled to the brim with books and musical instruments. It wouldn’t be right to call the interior ‘messy’, as it is obvious that the staff take good care of their venue, but it feels lived-in, almost like a study.
What’s on at Smith’s?
There is almost always something happening at this quaint cafe. Open almost every day of the year, Smith’s has a little event planned, with weekly gatherings and new bookings. These events can switch from ukulele jam sessions on Mondays to open jam sessions on Fridays. In fact, the purpose of Smiths is to be a safe space to host events of all types!
music, poetry, comedy, burlesque, theatre, literary events, cabaret, vaudeville, art gallery openings, performance art, dance parties, the sciences, philosophy and politics… anything interesting, unusual, entertaining, humorous etc. but not illegal and not degrading to the human spirit.
However, Smiths is also welcoming of smaller functions, such as clubs, meetings, and workshops. So long as people are having fun and enjoying themselves safely and respectfully, Smith’s has no problem serving as a gracious host.
There is so much to do that Smith’s has created a helpful calendar here that systematically lists every event for the next year. Of course, the bistro also leaves openings for anyone who wants to start their own get-together. It’s hard not to fall down the rabbit hole, looking at all the fun that’s in store.
What does an event look like?
Naturally, the tone of the event will change based on what you have actually come to see. You wouldn’t expect the poetry readings to leave the same mark as open-mic karaoke. Still, some events might be more similar than others.
Imagine you are there for a book reading workshop. You intend to analyse a book, understand the author’s meaning, and make your own thoughts heard. You pop in half an hour early and order a nice warm mug of hot chocolate (with extra marshmallows for added effect). Eventually, your quiet yet sociable peers start to pour into the room, making small talk about how the month has been and how much they loved a certain chapter.
On the other side of this hypothetical, you could strut in with your most fabulous outfit and your greatest friends, ordering a bit of liqueur and feeling that warm buzz rush up your spine. You can hear the shredding of the guitar and the crash of cymbals as an up-and-coming band tries to get their name out there.
Smith’s welcomes everyone, keeping the atmosphere calm or hectic whenever it seems fit. The scenery can shift like clay into something that suits a rock concert or a family trying to get their toddler to sleep, depending on the mood. When you walk through those doors, anything could be happening, though it may be wise to quickly check the calendar to make certain you’re not dropping into a scheduled event unannounced.
How do I Host?
Hosting an event is a fun and rewarding process, though it comes with a lot of responsibility, as well as diminished energy. Smiths has a guide on its website that lays out the individual steps involved in organising an event. However, key information from said guide will be highlighted here.
For door-deal shows, performances that would sell tickets for upwards of $10, it is necessary to convince the Smith’s organisers that the show will sell. The maximum number of people who can be held within the auditorium is 100 seated, so a well-selling show would likely be at least half of that, at 50 paying audience members.
Time is also very sensitive, so all shows should have intermissions of roughly 10 minutes per hour (a two-hour show should be two sets with a 20-minute intermission). Performers should arrive one hour early for sound check, and should leave an hour-long gap for the performance to set up and get ready.
Funds from tickets will be split at a base of 70/30 in the artist’s favour, with production, door service, and online ticketing provided. This can change to 80/20 depending on whether or not the performer needs AV equipment. If the performer wishes not to include an intermission for whatever reason, they will be charged 10% of ticket sales.
The venue has trained AV engineers, as well as equipment, such as instruments, speakers, and a projector. If a performance requires something not listed on the site’s list, they should bring it themselves and inform the venue well in advance.
Open mic shows are a unique opportunity for performers who do not yet have the influence to draw in an audience. One such show is ‘Bang Beng Bing Bong Bung’, hosted on Tuesday evenings. Performers are not paid for playing during these shows and are charged $5 for entry.
For smaller events, for example, paid book club sessions that would require a performance space but would not have large groups of people or require the use of AV tech, it would be wise to email the staff directly, using the address listed below.
What to Know
The Smith’s environment was built to foster communication, respect, and a welcoming community. People of all sexualities, ethnicities, and ages are welcome on the premises, provided they follow the rules listed below.
Sadly, younger patrons, including performers, are not allowed in the vicinity unless they are accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian. This rule applies to youth bands. If you intend to play a gig and you want your underage friends to come, make certain they bring their parents to avoid issues.
Smith’s does not welcome anyone who would make the staff, customers, or management uncomfortable. This naturally includes anyone who would harass others or act in a threatening manner. Those who commit dangerous acts, such as crowd surfing or aggressive drinking, are listed under these stipulations. Any of these acts could result in removal from the premises or a ban at management’s discretion.
Smith’s handles alcohol and smoking with care, meaning they follow the rules with no lenience. They strongly discourage over-drinking on the premises and are required to enforce a four-metre outdoor distance between smokers and the venue.
To find more information for yourself, as well as the details, visit their official site.
We love to cover the businesses in our community that foster connection and reduce isolation. Smith’s is a great safe space to come together, meet likeminded people or even bring likeminded people together.
