After more than a year, Meta randomly reinstated this, our old instagram account - @smithsalternative (as opposed to the other one @smiths.alternative which we’ve used as an alternate for that period)
We’ll be putting that account into mothballs so please go follow this one for news about happenings at Smith’s if you don’t already and please direct all communications to this account from now on
After more than a year, Meta randomly reinstated our old instagram account @smithsalternative (as opposed to this one @smiths.alternative which we’ve used as an alternate for that period)
We’ll be putting this account into mothballs so please go follow the other one if you don’t already and please direct all communications to @smithsalternative from now on.
Thank you
Today at Smith’s, Saturday 2nd May, 2026
12.00 Wax Song Circle (free)
3.00 High Street Drifters
with William Alexander
$30/20, /events/the-high-street-drifters-96232
3.00 Civic Art Bureau Opening
HAM DARROCH: HARP FREQUENCYHAM DARROCH: HARP FREQUENCY
6.00 Uncle Frank Yamma
$45/40, /events/uncle-frank-yamma-95574
9.00 Bang Beng Bing Bong Bung
9pm Saucer of Milk
10pm Skyline Vultures
11pm The Lenores
$15/10, /events/band-beng-bing-bong-bung-96605
Tonight at Smith’s, Friday 1st May, 2026
6.30pm - Kate Burke ‘Familiar’ Album Launch
$30/25, /events/kate-burke-96329
8pm - Norwood, Wasting Time Tour with Twin Single
$10, /events/norwood-96263
Background Music - Kate Burke, ‘Weather’
They Come To Watch Me Die
Wednesday May 27, 6.30-7.30pm
Tickets $15, /events/they-come-to-watch-me-die-96790
They Come To Watch Me Die is a solo theatre performance by Humphrey Cornthwaite based on the life of Harry Houdini. During the performance Humphrey as Harry will break the fourth wall and perform routines made famous by the great escapologist Houdini.
Humphrey started his career as a street performer in London’s Covent Garden performing the strait jacket escape. From Covent Garden Humph has worked as an escapologist for many years travelling throughout Europe playing many venues and many festivals.
They Come To Watch Me Die is Humphrey’s first scripted solo show.
LOCAL GOLD #13
MONDAY MAY 4, 7PM - 9PM
$20/10, /events/local-gold-13-96785
Smith's monthly local music showcase, hosted by local rockstar, Pete Lyon
Local Gold showcases the best and latest original music acts in Canberra.
Hosted by lovable local rockstar, Pete Lyon, the three part show opens with a proven emerging talent and progresses to a headline set from a higher profile established favourite. Most acts are local, but it’s pretty Canberra to welcome visitors too, right.
Local Gold is intimate, fun and entertaining, with an emphasis on authentic artistic expression in original contemporary songwriting. So, if you love hearing local talent, new and old, raw or polished, make this a recurring appointment in your calendar!
Appearing Monday May 4th, 2026: Daisy Chain, The Third Act and Mesa
Daisy Chain are indie-folk deliverers of poetic, heartfelt songs about identity, connection and the state of the world. Combining harmonies reminiscent of the Seekers and grooves in the folk-rock spirit of Jenny Morris, Daisy Chain, they’ll will make you think and feel deeply and give you comfort. They performed at the Quinty and Majors Creek Folk Festivals in 2025 and have been invited to be part of It Takes a Village in Cobargo in February 2026. Their debut album was released November 2025.
The Third Act
Canberra singer songwriters Jacquie Reid and Jude Blacklock are The Third Act. Following their successful debut at Smith’s supporting The Loveys early this year, Jac and Jude return with a new repertoire of original songs, featuring vibrant, often delicate harmonies and upbeat, thoughtful lyrics. Often irreverent and always fun, prepare to be entertained - and possibly led into a singalong by The Third Act. You can also hear Jac’s song ‘Molongolo’ on ArtSound FM.
Mesa is back for a second appearance at Local Gold, coz his first just left us wanting more! He brings the ancient acts of the troubadours to the stage, crafting songs from each aspect of life. His storytelling hooks you from the first line and never lets go.
Today at Smith’s, Thursday 30th April, 2026
7.00pm - Turnip Sundae (yes we spelled that incorrectly on the blackboard sorry)
‘Secret Garden’ Album Celebration
$20/15, /events/turnip-sundae-95719
Background music
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen (op.65, No. 6) - E Edvard Grieg
played by Jason Green (street pianist)
Mosaic + Woolgathering
Tuesday June 23, 7pm - 9pm
Tickets $30/25, /events/mosaic-woolgathering-96450
Mosaic is a vibrant 10-piece contemporary jazz ensemble rapidly emerging as an exciting force in the Sydney jazz scene. The band performs and premieres original compositions written specifically for the ensemble by Australian composers under 25, resulting in a uniquely youthful and energetic sound.
Led by Lee Orszaczky (trombone), Mosaic brings together a dynamic group of young musicians:
Braden Clarke (flugelhorn) Sarah Morrisson (trumpet) Ravi Trachenberg-Ray (piano) James Watt (bass) Noah Meija and Leo Marland (saxophones) Matt Simmonds (drums) Cailey Soon (trombone)
Mosaic will release their highly anticipated second album, Rinse and Repeat, in May 2026. With the assistance of Creative Australia, the record features interstate collaborations with brilliant young composers from Melbourne, along with guest vocalists Leah Reinhardt (Lapis) and Liz Player (The Voice 2023).
Their debut album, Where We Are Now, is a compilation of new compositions written specifically for Mosaic by members of the band and commissioned from emerging Australian composers including Sarah Purdon, Thnvir Gill, and Gabriella Hill.
Where We Are Now debuted at #2 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Charts and #5 on the AIR Independent Albums Charts.
Woolgathering (MELB) is a dectet run by 26-year-old emerging Melbourne based saxophonist and composer Thomas Coleman Bell.
Supported by an IgniteLAB Grant from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Woolgathering was lucky in 2024 to release their debut self-titled EP. The EP features original compositions by various ensemble members, highlighting a collaborative spirit that blends jazz, classical, and folk influences with spontaneous improvisation and seamless ensemble interactions.
The group has gone on to perform several sold out shows at the Jazzlab (formerly Bennet’s Lane Jazz Club).
The Woolgathering ensemble comprises ten outstanding Melbourne-based artists:
1. Ava McDermott (vocals)
2. Adam Davidson (piano)
3. Jack Smythe (double bass)
4. Patty Walkter (drumkit)
5. Yael Zamir (flute)
6. Christopher Rozakeas (tr
2026 is running away. Chase it down and grab some laughs with Canberra’s hilarious comedy scene working on new material at the Smith’s Open Mic.
The longest running open mic comedy night in Canberra. MC for May will be Makedonka.
Bang Beng Bing Bong Bung, Open Mic for Singer Songwriters
Tuesday 28th April
1. Gerard Wildie
2. The Devil and the Bunny
3. Freya Morgan
4. Melody Bear
5. David Bath
6. Elizabeth Barnes
7. Call Me Sugarplum
8. Jason Deutsch
