‘A MODERN TWIST ON THE WORKING MEN'S CLUB'
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‘ _ Uncle David andAu‘ntie Joan
Edinburgh’s new favourite Auntie and Uncle divulge the delights of the capital’s latest leftfield club phenomenon, the ACME Workers Club to Mark Edmundson.
hen ‘social directors‘ Auntie Joan and Uncle
David decided to create a regular event that
put fun to the fore and would be easy on the pocket they eventually settled on an after work happening that reflected the humble appeal of the long forgotten supper club. One Friday a month their ACME Workers' Club boasts live entertainment and music. which harks back to a more innocent age and yet perhaps presenting the future of alternative clubbing. ‘I remember in the late 50s and even the early ()()s there
were a lot of miners‘ clubs.‘ explains Uncle David over a soothing ale in a traditional Edinburgh boo/er. ‘but of
course when mining died out so did working men‘s clubs. The public's taste in entertainment became more sophisticated too. suddenly there were discos and the working men‘s clubs just didn't cut it anymore.
‘A lot of variety acts that are huge names today cut their teeth on this circuit.‘ he continues. alluding to a wealth of entertainers who were happy just to be out there performing and from whom the AWC had little trouble recruiting an opening night cast that featured a live band. burlesque. drag karaoke. mind reading. magic and regular fixture. the frozen chicken raffle. 'Boredom is not an option because there‘ll be someone doing something on stage every 15 or 20 minutes. There‘s music in between. there‘s food. you can socialise. play draughts. have a drink and a dance.‘ According to Uncle David. the people who came along on the first night were overjoyed at paying just £6 for entry. £2 for a pint of beer and £3.50 for a main course meal. enjoying a comprehensive night out for as little as £20. ‘There‘s a real family feel and it's all over by
12.30pm should you want to go on to a club or actually achieve something on Saturday".
For the next date Auntie Joan and Uncle David are launching the ACME Talent Quest. They are holding auditions for variety entertainers between 5:30 and 7pm. with live-minute slots pre-booked by e-mail. The venue itself is a little known ex-serviceman‘s club replete with members and offering an authentic supper club look and feel — not to mention price. ‘ACME Workers' (‘lub is a modern twist on the working men‘s club. There is no dress code and it‘s not going to alienate anyone.‘ Your hosts only ask that attendees are open minded. friendly and adhere to the club rules. Uncle David adds. ‘If you want to come out and socialise and have a laugh. you're the kind of people we want to be with on a Friday night.‘
Of course with a capacity of only 80—120. if the AWC really takes off the organisers face having to put it on more regularly rather than finding a new venue or turning people away. Auntie Joan and Uncle David accept this would be a nice dilemma to have. ‘lt‘s an unproven theory that might just about work. but is it sustainable." Uncle David asks of himself. ‘Have we discovered a format that we can really work just because it‘s time is now‘.’ I suspect that this is the case.’ And we would suspect he is quite correct.
ACME Workers’ Club, 1 1 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh, Fri 9 Mar. Professional or amateur variety entertainers interested in auditioning to appear at the club should e-mail acmeworkersclub@hotmail.com
2;?- Acid Prolapse Monox and Numbers team up for a full-on acid assault. Most notable is the Scottish debut of Bunker’s Sendex. The Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 2 Mar.
2-3: Four Corners Make sure you get down early to catch Brazilian funk legends Azymuth as they launch this fourth birthday party. The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Fri 2 Mar.
:2: Luvely You have to admire this frisky shindig as they reach their 11th birthday which is positively ancient in the world of clubbing. The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sat 3 Mar.
Utter Gutter The Gutter camp say goodbye in blazing style as they play the final records at the final night of this historical Glasgow venue. The Riverside Club, Glasgow, Sat 3 Mar.
:Z: ACME Workers Club The social club experience with a twist returns for more cheeky mayhem. Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh, Fri 9 Mar.
:2: Return to Mono No introduction needed. Stacey Pullen (pictured) joins Slam. The Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 9 Mar. :3 Down Low Music Showcase The music label that houses the great techno wizard and showcase headliner, Convextion, comes to town. Club 69, Glasgow, Sat 70 Mar :‘Zf Inner City Acid French techno heads The Youngsters join ICA residents. The Soundhaus, Glasgow, Sat 10 Mar.
3‘1: Unlock the House Another celebration of Edinburgh’s house heritage as over 20 of the capital‘s best Dds show us what they’ve got. Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh, Sat 70 Mar.
1—1:") Mar 2007 THE LIST 29