Save The Red Rattler: Marrickville’s Beloved Arts Venue Needs Your Help

Help the Red Rattler raise $30K by 30 June to keep this vital, artist-led creative hub alive and thriving in the Inner West.

More on Marrickville

The Red Rattler is one of Marrickville’s most iconic venues and an integral part of the creative community. As an independent fringe theatre, it relies on donations to continue to be a champion of new, diverse art. 

In 2009, a group of Inner West queer artists — Annette Moore, Meredith Williams, Patsy Black, Penelope Benton, and Teresa Avila — got together and created a modest new theatre in an old industrial building in Marrickville. They called it The Red Rattler, after the nickname given to Sydney’s clunky old pre-1992 suburban trains.

The Rat, as it became affectionately known, was intended as a safe, inclusive space for both artists and patrons; a space that not only welcomed people of every race, colour, ability, gender, and sexuality, but also encouraged art that was edgy, experimental, provocative, unique. 

It did not, however, tolerate hatred, bigotry, or racism on stage, in the audience or at the bar. 

Over the years, The Rat has hosted a broad range of theatre performances, live music, comedy, burlesque, cabaret and indefinable shows. Its flexible seating and warehouse-style room have also lent the space to dance parties and functions. 

The Rat is a not-for-profit, community owned venue that thrives on the love and dedication of artists and patrons, and survives through financial support from donors.  You can help. The Rat is running it’s end of financial year fundraiser. They are aiming at raising $30,000 by the end of June. 

That’s $30K by 30 J. 

The money will help cover the ever increasing cost of keep this special venue open, allowing it to run artist-development programs, community events and bold, radical theatre. 

Any donation, from $5 to as many zeros as you’d like to add (😃) will be greatly appreciated. 

Don’t let the Red Rattler go the way of its rusty namesake. 

Help raise $30K by 30 J! 

Donate here: www.givenow.com.au/30k-by-june-30