Live music bowls Bondi
Bondi is known for its under-nourished artists, actors and writers, all of whom struggle for exposure. With this in mind, a group of musicians has banded together at the Bondi Bowling Club on a Thursday night for The Ditch to showcase the district’s up-and-coming acts.
The event being well received, judging by the recent appearance of the Cruel Sea’s Jimmy Elliot and Steve Bores from Missing Link, as well as scores of locals.
For club president John Wright, it’s a matter of moving with the times.
“It’s opened up the club to the younger community. Bowling clubs often are stigmatised by old people, but we’ve done away with that. The attitude of the club has changed to accept the community,” Wright said. “People play instruments that don’t usually get the chance. The pubs don’t have many bands around here and the small bars haven’t happened.”
Approached at the beginning of the year by an assortment of crooners – Ross Shelford, Rich Herbert, Tony Trotter and Richie Henson – Wright couldn’t say no. To begin with, the musicians supplied the equipment but success has seen the club come to the party with a PA system.
For Ross Shelford, it’s the realisation of a dream to have a Bondi jam night.
“You see the progress musicians make and see the development in their confidence,” he said.
Tony Trotter said, “And it’s brought a few out of the woodwork.”
And like the bowling club board itself, all the musicians are doing it for kicks, as they don’t get paid.
But there is a plan to support talented musicians: as an incentive, the best of the night could be offered a stand-alone paid gig on Sundays.
Music director Richie Henson sees the encouragement of teenage talent in a pre-dinner slot as the next step for the gig, so young musos can “enjoy themselves and develop their skills”.
“It’s a great place for musicians. It has the best acoustics of any place I’ve played – including the Basement – as there’s no glass and it lets people be heard,” Henson said.
The Ditch is now also opening the event to poets and stand-up comedians. Interested artists should email ditch@bondibowls.com.au
– By Matt Khoury
