About
Smith’s Alternative is situated in the iconic Melbourne Building in the heart of Civic, Canberra’s city centre. Smith’s is located in Ngunnawal Country. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we are on, the Ngunnawal people. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
Smith's purpose is to celebrate local culture and provide a safe and comfortable place for it to be developed, presented and appreciated. Open nearly every day of the year, we aim to have something happening on every one of those days, including music, poetry, comedy, burlesque, theatre, literary events, cabaret, vaudeville, art gallery openings, performance art, dance parties... anything interesting, unusual, entertaining, humorous etc. but not illegal and not degrading to the human spirit.
We’re also happy for people to hold meetings, run workshops and in other ways utilise the space for community building exercises.
We believe in community that flourishes from generosity of spirit and love, compassion and respect for all the people therein and the environment that sustains them.