Opened in 1924 and funded from money raised in the community following the First World War as a dance hall, the St Kilda Memorial Hall closed as holiday mansion houses were sold as Melbourne’s rich lost huge amounts of money during the depression.
Since 1958 the hall became delapidated and although ran some markets and one-off events, was basically unused.
Purchased by David Carruthers, St Kilda Memo is the new name for the space and will be running live music, cabaret, comedy, film screenings, storytelling, dancing and other arts events.
Holding up to 400 people, the first gig will take place on Frirday March 1 and will be a tribute to Rowland S. Howard, featuring Mick Harvey, J. P. Shilo, Brian Hooper, Tex Perkins, Hugo Race, Harry Howard, Jonnine Standish, Spencer P. Jones, Genevieve McGuckin and Penny Ikinger.
