ArtSound is proud to annouce the launch of Red Velvet and Wild Boronia, a 30 episode series which focuses on artists who performed at The School of Arts Café in Queanbeyan.
The School of Arts Café operated in Queanbeyan from early 1986 until 31st December 2000. During this time the café become the best known and longest established cabaret venue in Australia, presenting seasons of performances by many of Australia’s most accomplished stage and cabaret performers.
Many of these performances were recorded by ArtSound and these recordings now form an invaluable archive of the café, and of the artists who performed there, in a period of Australia’s entertainment history when the art of intimate cabaret flourished.
The series is narrated by Bill Stephens who was the owner/operator of the café, together with his wife, Pat and son, Tim and is produced by Len Power.
The first 13 episodes of “Red Velvet and Wild Boronia” concentrates on the period between 1986 and 1992 when the café presented only Canberra based artists. During that time the café prided itself as being a showcase for emerging young Canberra artists, and as well as presenting older, more experienced Canberra performers.
It offered performance opportunities to outstanding young entertainers, many of whom were just starting out on professional careers, and who were able to use their appearances at the café to hone their skills, before moving on.
By 1992, the School of Arts Café was attracting attention beyond Canberra and Queanbeyan. It had begun to win Tourism and Business Awards and the standard of performance had reached a level that Bill Stephens was encouraged to arrange a series of performances at The Tilbury Hotel in Sydney, which at that time was the best known cabaret venue in Sydney.
Over a period of four Sunday nights, under the banner of “Stars of the School of Arts Café” the café presented a series of performances which highlighted the talents of several Canberra performers who had been appearing at the café. These performers were Gery Scott, Kate Peters, Tony Magee, Queenie Van de Zandt, Mark Fuller, David Pearson and Peter J. Casey. The performances were well received by Sydney audiences, and Queenie Van de Zandt, Mark Fuller and Peter J. Casey were offered professional engagements in Sydney to commence their professional careers.
The first 13 episodes of “Red Velvet & Wild Boronia” concentrates on some of the artists who were responsible for helping establish the School of Arts Café as “The Café for the Showbiz Connoisseur”. Later episodes highlight the performances of some of the national and international artists who appeared at the café between 1992 and the end of 2000.
Red Velvet and wild Boronia is broadcast on Sunday Mornings between 9:00- 9:30am on ArtSound FM 92.7 & 90.3 (Tuggeranong).
