Nigel McRae is the owner of Smith’s Alternative and the newly opened McGregor Hall. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
On any given day, if you visit Smith’s Alternative, you might see cabaret, performance art, drag shows, poetry readings and musicians of all kinds.
It’s a meeting place of creative minds in the city and Canberra’s unofficial home of alternative creative pursuits. And that home just got a whole lot bigger with owners Nigel McRae and Beth Tully opening McGregor Hall on the next floor of the iconic Melbourne Building.
Nigel explained that McGregor Hall is a nod to an old fibro shack that was once the community hall for workers charged with building public housing in the 60s. The community hall held on for many years while the adjoining buildings were destroyed to make way for student accommodation.
“So the Canberra Musicians Club ended up using it as a venue,” Nigel told Region.
“It was fantastic! We loved it! It stank, and had all sorts of plumbing problems … eventually we turned up for a gig and it was covered in hazmat tape and asbestos warnings!”
There was a push to save the heritage-listed building, but it was eventually knocked down in 2010, and the land is now a carpark. Nigel thought the name was a fitting way to pay tribute to this historic performance space.
Performances have started at McGregor Hall. Photo: Nigel McRae.
The new McGregor Hall consists of a performance space featuring a baby grand piano. There’s also a projector and screen, with plans to use the space to showcase short film festivals and other cinematic screenings. Similar to the downstairs space, the capacity will range from 50 to 90 people, depending on the layout. Upcoming bookings include theatrical performances, folk concerts and classical music recitals.
But in the spirit of Smith’s Alternative, the space might feature just about anything. Nigel said he’s loved taking people on tours around the new space and watching their eyes light up with possibilities.
“We invite people to imagine what they could do up here. My job is to say ‘yes’ and then work out how we can make it happen and facilitate that.”
The space also has a bar next door, and there is space set aside for a small kitchen where the team will be able to increase production of their house-made baked goods and sandwiches, and possibly provide catering for private events and parties at McGregor Hall.
Sound insulating materials have been added between the two venues to prevent noise crossover. Nigel says that a heavy rock band is barely noticeable, but you’d know if a lot of dancing feet were partying upstairs, so managing that will just be part of scheduling.
In addition to the bar and performance spaces, there will also be a new commercial art gallery run by local musician Adam Bell. The gallery, called Civic Bureau, will open in October.
In Smith’s weekly newsletter they explained to loyal customers that there won’t be any grand openings, they’ll just start filling the calendar with events.
“There won’t be a grand opening, nor at first will the Hall be open every day like Smith’s below … Soon enough, we expect to have something booked every day, and full-time operation will ensue.”
The process of getting McGregor Hall ready to open hasn’t been without its difficulties: it’s been two years in the making with plenty of hard work, sweat and tears along the way. But it is sure to bring much more joy in the future.
Smith’s Alternative is located on the ground floor of 76 Alinga St, and McGregor Hall is located up the stairs in the main foyer. Smith’s is open from 12 pm to 9.30 pm Sunday to Thursday, and from 12 pm to 11.30 pm Friday and Saturday.
Visit Smith’s website to see what gigs are happening, or just turn up and be inspired.
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