UNHOLY PLAYHOUSE To Open In Former Sydney Church As New Arts And Nightlife Venue

Sydney will gain a new pop-up arts, performance and live music venue UNHOLY PLAYHOUSE, opening 8 July in a deconsecrated church on Kent Street in the CBD.

The venue occupies a 150-year-old building built in 1868 and formerly the Genesian Theatre, and is produced by Kat Dopper (Heaps Gay, Pleasures Playhouse).

Programming includes live music, DJs, karaoke with gospel choir, DJ school, cabaret, art balls and experimental performance nights.

Weekly schedule includes Wednesdays free entry with speakeasy bar and residencies, with Thursday–Saturday the “vespers” happy hour 5–7pm followed by rotating events.

Launch events draw from all corners of Sydney’s nightlife, including parties from stalwarts like Fredas, Heaps Gay, Kerfew, Music NSW and AM//PM, plus over 140 artists, musicians and DJs such as Noah Hill, RONA., Vv Pete, Mincy, Setwun, DeepFaith, BODY TYPE, Ennaria, Total Tommy, Cult Shotta, Kidskin, Holiday Sidewinder and many more, with the venue now available for artists and crews to book dates.

Visual artists include local artists Deborah Kelly, Kim Leutwyler and Kee Kee James. Their works will remain in situ throughout the residency before being sold, with proceeds going to LGBTQIA+ youth organisation Twenty10.

Sydney staple Bloodwood will run a Sunday food residency and the house pour Unholy Water gin from Ester, with $1 per sale to artist grants.

Kat Dopper says of the venue: “Artists and audiences need sacred spaces, places where art, community and human connection can happen outside of our everyday lives. Dancefloors as worship, art as activism and culture as a shared experience. UNHOLY PLAYHOUSE is for the unpolished, the unique, the quirky and the emerging… artists with something to share. This building has a long history as a meeting place and home for the arts, and UNHOLY PLAYHOUSE is the next chapter in the story of this incredible and iconic building.”

Full programming and tickets at unholyplayhouse.com.au.