The Art House, one of Southampton’s Cultural mainstays for over 15 years is entering it’s final week in its current home at 178 Above Bar Street with a packed schedule of gigs and events.
The week will feature the best of what this venue has brought to the city for the past two decades – including crowd favourites; Attila the Stockbroker, the venues signature spoken word event “Moving Voices”, and also newcomer “Awkward Strawberry Comedy Club”, run by The Sweetchunks Band lead singer, Aubrey Blakeledge.
“We’re really proud of the last season we’ve curated” said Art House director Jez Franck when In Common spoke to them recently, “and this last week is fantastic snapshot of what we’ve provided over the years. The last few months since we announced that we’d be leaving Above Bar Street have been a real mixture of emotions – folks have been so appreciative about what we’ve done over the years but also it’s been really sad to host a series of final performances from many of our favourite artists.”
This is not the end of the Art House story however, popup events are already being advertised on the Art House website (thearthousesouthampton.org) at a number of other local venues including October Books in Portswood, and Arch 4 @ The Arches Studios under Central Bridge.
“We’re really looking forward to working with these venues” said Franck, “they share many of our missions and we hope to be able to bring a little Art House magic to each with our mobile “Bunker 178 Events” shows.” The community cafe and pantry will live on too – moving to Board in the City CIC on Onslow Road.
“It’s really not an ending at all” said Franck, “more like a transition to a new state – just like our Butterfly logo has always said!”
So, if you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the colourful doors and windows of 178 Above Bar Street this week is your final chance to find out. The Community Cafe and Pantry will be open on Wednesday from 11am-3pm and again from 6pm til 9pm, and then on Saturday from 11am til 3pm. There are events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights – with tickets available on the Art House website thearthousesouthampton.org.
The Art House at 178 Above Bar Street has been a Southampton cultural institution and will be much missed – make sure that you don’t miss out on this final hurrah!
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