Inside Fringe Common Rooms: Where Mirror Ball Meets Mission

Words by Dan Giovannoni

“The vision for Fringe Common Rooms has always been that it helps fund the creative work of independent artists,” says the venue’s Operations Manager Abbie Potter, when we chat in a quiet moment between events. Tucked inside Carlton’s historic Trades Hall, the beautiful ballroom – with its polished floorboards, soaring vaulted ceiling and full stage setup – is being prepped for a private function. “Basically, on the weekends we host private events and parties, and instead of the profits lining some hospitality group’s pockets, we use it to fund art during the week.” 

Opening its doors in late 2019, the space had a rocky COVID-interrupted start but is now fully kicking into gear with a private function model that hosts birthdays, weddings, anything, that in turn subsidises the space for artists to use. “We want Common Rooms to be firmly known as a space for rehearsals and developments during the week.” 

The venue is made up of two rooms: the grand Ballroom, with old-world vintage charm upgraded with a full stage and serious tech cred, and the more intimate Lounge, a perfect little retro-themed space perfect for smaller gigs, private salons or a fancy pants soiree. And yes, there’s a giant mirror ball. “One of our donors gifted that to us – it’s a place that’s really been built by our community,” says Abbie. 

That sense of community permeates the space. “We’re one of the few festivals that has a year-round bricks-and-mortar building, and that means that artists can use it not just at Festival time but all year round, at low or no cost.” It’s this ongoing presence, Abbie says, that makes the space a vital part of the independent arts ecosystem. “We don’t just disappear for nine months and pop back up in October. We’re here between festivals too, offering artists space to develop new work, whether or not it ever lands on a Fringe stage.”  

Unlike many commercial venues for hire, Fringe Common Rooms is fully private – so no sharing with the general public – and kitted out for absolutely anything. “We hosted one birthday party that included ceilidh dancers, a full samba band with four carnival dancers, and then a big band jazz group – all in the same space, on the same night,” Abbie laughs. “It just somehow all fits.”  

Thanks to Melbourne Fringe’s deep connections to the industry, there’s also help on hand if you’re after a DJ, a drag queen, an MC – or something more unexpected. “And then there’s the values alignment as well”, Abbie says. “Fringe Common Rooms embodies the Festival’s values of cultural democracy and accessibility and being a safe space for everybody that wants to participate. We’re proud to offer something that aligns with those values, not just in festival season, but year-round.” 

It’s that rare combo of vibe, values and versatility that sets Fringe Common Rooms apart. Whether you’re planning a birthday, a launch, or a late-night knees-up, it’s the kind of space where anything’s possible, with the kind of team who’ll help make it happen. 

As Abbie puts it: “If you’re going to throw a party anyway, why not have it somewhere that gives back to the arts?”