The Butterfly Club Reaches $130,000 Target; Final Gala Countdown Set for Feb 8

The Butterfly Club announced on Friday 11 January that it had achieved its $130,000 target to relocate from South Melbourne to the city centre. The bulk of the money raised has come from two arts foundations as well as a critical $23,700 raised from hundreds of fans following a six week crowd-funding campaign which closed at noon today.

The Butterfly Club's (Mr) Simone Pulga said "The success of this campaign means Melbourne will now get a brand-spanking new 80-seat theatre in the heart of the city, plus 'activate' another little known laneway (Carson Place), adding to Melbourne's vibrant laneway culture".

The Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation said "We established our foundation primarily to support emerging artists through education and training and the development of performance opportunities. The Butterfly Club has a reputation for being the career starting point for so many of our top performers and is a practical example of putting these aims into practice through its generous support of young and emerging artists."

"We are delighted to put the name of the Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation to supporting the club in order to preserve this iconic venue which is such an important part of the Melbourne and Australian cabaret scene."

Representing The Campbell Foundation, Trustee Gavin Wright said "The cabaret scene is significantly under-represented in arts funding programs so we're proud to help fill this critical gap by supporting an arts institution that has for so long nurtured and encouraged the cabaret art form."

The crowd-funding campaign saw thousands of fans spread the word and hundreds more buying a diverse range of exclusive experiences and kitsch items donated by the cabaret community. The campaign was designed by Crowded, a new boutique agency specialising in crowd-funding and aligned campaigns. http://crowded.net.au/

What now?

The Butterfly Club remains operating from 5pm nightly (except Mondays) at 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne, so the next four weeks represent a final opportunity for Melburnians to experience its unique charm at that location, described by The Age as 'Melbourne's most intimate nightspot'.

The Butterfly Club will present a series of events to highlight its relocation:

1. A Final Countdown Gala on Friday 8 February

2. A series of invited guests at the current venue; check http://thebutterflyclub.com for full line-up. The final show is Sammy J & Randy's Eviction Party on Sunday 10 February

3. The Cocoon Cabaret season, featuring international acts, in the new venue opening Saturday 16 February

Final Countdown Gala
Join Melbourne's cabaret glitterati as they celebrate the biggest metamorphosis of The Butterfly Club in its 13-year history. The line-up includes Yon (from Tripod), Fiona Scott Norman, Anne Edmonds, Amelia Ryan, Geraldine Quinn, Gillian Cosgriff, Karin Muiznieks, Sarah Gaul and Trevor Jones.

Location: Melbourne Town Hall Friday 8 Feb at 8pm Tickets: $45 Bookings: http://thebutterflyclub.com

The Gala will be followed by an after-party (sold out) at The Butterfly Club, 204 Bank Street.

Sammy J & Randy's Eviction Party
Before they conquered Melbourne, Edinburgh, and Montreal, they started out right here at The Butterfly Club. Now they've been given the honour of being the final ever show in the South Melbourne premises. No pressure.

Location: 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne Sun 10 Feb at 9:30pm - tickets $28 to $35 Bookings: http://thebutterflyclub.com

Cocoon Cabaret
It hosts Australia's largest collection of kitsch, is celebrated for its cocktails and quirkiness, launches more new shows than any other venue in Australia, and is renowned as a Melbourne icon around the world. So you'd expect it would take The Butterfly Club a few weeks to get everything juuuust right before its metamorphosis is complete.

Join us for the Cocoon Cabaret season marking our metamorphosis as the new home of The Butterfly Club. Cocoon Cabaret features international guests from Saturday 16 February through to the start of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on Wednesday 27 March. Guest acts include: Spanky (UK) who will launch both the venue and a national tour on Sat 16 Feb Joanna Weinberg (South Africa), 16 & 17 Feb Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey (New York), 25 Feb to 3 March David Raleigh (New York), 25 Feb to 3 March Mindy Button (UK), 18 to 24 March

Location: 256 Collins Street, enter Carson Place (rear laneway off Little Collins St) Saturday 16 February through to Wednesday 27 March, various times - check website for full details Bookings: http://thebutterflyclub.com