By Dr. John A. Martino
Greek-Victorian bar owner, Isabella (Bella) Spasis, hosted a remarkable event at her venue, ‘The Dog’s Bar’ early on Sunday morning, July 6.
Announced by the Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks, accompanied by the Member for Albert Park, Nina Taylor, Music Victoria CEO Fiona Brooks and Multicultural Arts CEO Lauren Mullings, a new boost package of more than $3 million has just been dedicated to supporting the struggling live music sector.
Building upon an earlier $8 million commitment (over $35 million all up, for every level of the music industry), these extra funds will actively support live music venues like ‘The Dog’s Bar’ via the ’10,000 Gigs’ program, fund existing and new music festivals, and help musical artists and performers build their stagecraft and touring skills so that they not only entertain Victorians but build their brand domestically and internationally.
For Bella and her business partner Luke, this is a very big deal: as Bella put it live to news cameras, “With ‘The Dog’s Bar’ having proudly supported live music for decades, we are facing the twin-fold and immense challenges of a winter slowdown and ever-rising costs. Almost every week, Luke and I hear of yet another live music venue being forced to close their doors… But we refuse to give up. Not on our dream, not on our musicians and not on our community.’
Bella stood in good company. Johnny Iodice, owner of the equally-iconic ‘The Vineyard’ was there to support her and heartily agreed with Bella’s belief that the ’10,000 Gigs’ grant was vital to their survival.
“[The grant] will allow us to continue offering live music every day that we’re open, keeping artists in work, audiences engaged and the spirit of St Kilda alive… It means so much to all of us to keep live music going,” Johnny said.
A fortunate recipient of two rounds of this funding, ‘The Vineyard’ owner went further: “I employ over twenty staff and many dozens of musicians and singers every month and with the cost-of-living crisis ‘The Vineyard’ might be a goner without this state government support. Not only is live music the very heart and soul of venues like mine and Bella’s, but can any of us imagine a world in which this art form is lost to us because no-one cared enough to help us during tough times?”
‘The Dog’s Bar’ was filled with Victorian musical talent that morning, too, all of whom were delighted that their industry had been thrown such a lifeline.
While songwriter, rapper and dancer, Tebir, played live for the assembly – having gained his experience touring with artists like Chris Brown and Ice Cube – I chatted with three of these Victorian musical identities.
Rock ‘n roller, Envy Marshall, has just hit the number one chart spot in Ukraine, Germany and Luxembourg and told me that, “If I can do it, anyone can. Of course, they need a very strong work ethic, some real talent and lots of support to reach for the stars.”
Founder of RIPE hiphop and radio host of ‘KickinitwithKatija’ on KISS FM, Katija Burcul, agreed with Envy: “We’ve made our following and brand a part of ‘The Vineyard’ identity and if that venue somehow doesn’t survive, then a key slice of the 18 – 25 youth music market might just disappear.”
Jacqui Hamilton, lead singer of the ABBA tribute band, BABBA, and about to launch her Karen Carpenter and Olivia Newton John tribute show, spoke fondly of St Kilda venues like ‘The Dog’s Bar’ and ‘The Vineyard’: “Not only have I been endlessly entertained at these venues over the years, but I’ve been inspired by many of the acts which began there and went onto great success. It can be all too easily forgotten that the Arts are big business and these venues help create the Aussie superstars of the future.”
MP Nina Taylor wrapped up the morning’s uplifting proceedings with her own summary, “Albert Park [her electorate] is a hub for live music, with iconic venues and festivals lighting up St Kilda and South Melbourne – and this investment will help keep that local energy alive, while supporting local artists and businesses.”
I’ve written it before, but I’ll state it again: as Plato once put it, “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything. It is the essence of order and leads to all that is good and just and beautiful.’ Long may it be so within St Kilda, Victoria and beyond.
*Dr. John A. Martino is a disabled ADF veteran, holds a PhD in the Classics and is a committed advocate for the Arts. He is the author of ‘Olympia: The Birth of the Games’ and is now working to have his debut novel transformed into a feature film.
 Spasis, hosted a remarkable event at her venue, ‘The Dog’s Bar’ early on Sunday morning, July 6.){kind=link}