It’s a cabaret at the Late Night Library

The City’s libraries will be brimming with talent this spring as performers deliver quick and quirky evening shows featuring comedians, writers, storytellers and musicians.

The late night library line-up includes Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham on his prized ukulele, Maxine Kauter, Jared X Jekyll, Annaliese Constable, Lady Sings it Better, and the Battle of the Bands – where the audience chooses the worst.

Launching the spring program, Lord Mayor Clover Moore encouraged Sydneysiders to visit Late Night Library for an unforgettable and thought provoking evening of entertainment.

“For the first time we’ve teamed up with Sydney Fringe to deliver a full season of over 20 different shows with some of the city’s best emerging artists,” the Lord Mayor said.

“It’s a free night out but attendance normally books out quickly because the shows are in a terrifically intimate atmosphere.”

“The Late Night Library run this spring takes in Kings Cross library, Newtown library and the pop-up library at Erskineville Town Hall.”

“At Kings Cross library we’re working with blackcat productions who’ll deliver an incredible season of cabaret, music, comedy and history.”

Comedian and Artistic Director of Kings Cross Cabaret, Maeve Marsden, said the Late Night Library program puts a dramatic twist to the usually peaceful and quiet library experience.

“We’ve got some great collaborations happening. We’ve created A Cabaret about Gin with a gin expert. And in KX:The Strip a comedian and a musician have produced a show about famous figures in Kings Cross history,” Ms Marsden said.

“Queerstories will include thought-provoking talks by The Reverend Dorothy McRae-McMahon who led the push for formal recognition of homosexual ministry, sociologist Raewyn Connell, comedian Zoe Coombs Marr, performance artist Georgia Rose Cranko, and more.”

Michael Brown, Director of Campfire Collective, curators of Sydney Fringe’s Hub at Erskineville Town Hall, and Newtown Library said: “Our Late Night Library puts focus on comedy, performing arts and small-scale theatre, which is inventive, imaginative and a little bit crazy.”

“In our twist on a Battle of the Bands comp, we’re presenting a sit down collection of reminiscing stories and songs from comedians, musicians and storytellers from their early days as would-be, could-be musicians in teenage bands that should never have existed and the audience will get to choose the worst band,” Mr Brown said.

Battle of the Bands battlers include writer/performer and playwright Phil Spencer (Story Club, ABC2) and Luke Joseph Ryan, former kids television host, now comic writer and performer, plus more special guests to come.

For details about the program and to book visit: latenightlibrary.eventbrite.com

For info about Campfire Collective visit: campfirecollective.com.au

For more information visit City of Sydney