The Idea....

My name is Sean Callanan and I've spent the last year of my life living in Toronto, Canada.

I grew up in Melbourne, have always played in bands and have always called The Arthouse my second home.

In January 2010 I caught wind of Melbourne's new liquor licensing laws and the subsequent closure of The Tote. I never spent much time at The Tote but definitely appreciate that many generations of bands have got their start there and adore the place as I adore The Arty. The thought of coming home to a Melbourne with no Tote was definitely a strange one. Around this time, many articles began to spring up in newspapers speaking of live music venue closures - including the closure of The Arthouse.

The closure of The Arthouse, to those who've spent much time at the place, comes as no surprise. Many of us know the basic story of the place - getting a 20 year lease, fighting to stay in the building etc - but seeing an actual closing date printed in one of the newspapers was definitely shocking. It made me, and I'm sure many others, realise that the countdown has begun and our beloved Arty will soon have to shut it's doors.

I know that saving The Arty is near impossible but what is much more achievable is to make the absolute most of this last year and document the whole thing so we can remember this occasion not as a death in the family (pun definitely intended) but a celebration of the place our little community loves so dearly.

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I was 16 when I started going to the Arthouse circa 2002, back when all ages shows were still rampant. Not til 2004 was I able to actually drink there and spend some quality time late at night. This leaves over 10 years of stories, photos, videos, yarns, anecdotes etc, that I've never heard about.

This documentary can definitely come together, but it will require the collaboration of the whole community! If you have some old photos and/or stories of The Arty, if you own a decent video camera, if you know how to make movies, if you know anything about documentary making, video editing, writing etc, please drop me a line.

Seanjcallanan@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from everyone.

Check the gig guide and go have a beer!

http://www.thearthouse.com/