For those of us on Gertrude Street, it’s been hard to ignore the Projection Festival. Twice in the last week I’ve walked the street of an evening and the second time (last night) I bravely attempted to take some photos for you – I say “bravely” because without the benefit of a good camera, a nice tripod, a better skillset and images that don’t move quite so fast, it’s been like photographing ghosts.

It’s quite a challenge for an amateur: if you use the flash, the images vanish beneath the shock of light. Without flash, the length of time required in the dim street light produces a blurry image because inevitably, it will change or you will move or both.

I’m sure that the results can tell interesting stories about the ephemeral image and the necessity of living in the moment. Sadly, it doesn’t make for good visual memories though so I encourage you to go and see it before it ends on Sunday night.

If you’ve seen it already, I encourage you to go again: there is much to see, and much that changes – the best example is the Rose Chong window, which features live performers! The first night we were there, two ladies sat, one read and one knitted. Last night was more exciting though: the two (a different two?) were prancing and dancing with animal masks on their heads, whilst two small dogs “ruffed” at a small child with a teddy bear (a threat to their territory perhaps?). Not high art, maybe, but definitely fun.

One of the reasons that I’m enjoying it is because it encourages you to engage with the street in a different way. We walked up both sides of the street looking out for the numbers that would indicate that an exhibit was present, and searched (sometimes in vain) for the artwork. Gertrude Street makes for a good gallery: there are lots of nice spaces to display things and it’s quite dark in bits, well suited to a projection.

This is the third year of the festival and it’s getting better and better – there’s still lots of potential and next year I’d like to see more buildings host artworks, and more information about each artwork displayed. Circa will hopefully be involved again, as a sponsor and venue.

The third annual Gertrude Street Projection Festival kicks off this July and will turn the neighbourhood into a free outdoor art gallery. For the first time, Circa will be one of the featured venues.

What: The Gertrude Street Projection Festival
When: 6pm to midnight, July 9th to 18th.
Where: Gertrude Street, Fitzroy with a bit of a detour along George Street and Langridge Street Collingwood.
Cost: free

The theme for the 2010 festival is ‘Me.You.Us’. Submissions must respond to the theme. The call for entries closes 30th May.

Hi all,

Circa’s hours for the festive season have been finalised – like many other Gertrude Street businesses, we will be opening late for some Thursday nights before Christmas… December 10th and 17th, our trading hours will be extended to 8pm.

This year we will not be closing for holidays, but trading our usual hours (Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm) with exception of the public holidays – Christmas Day (Friday Dec 25), Boxing Day (Saturday Dec 26) and New Year’s Day (Friday Jan 1).

Pop in for some great gift ideas: we have vintage fabric pocket mirrors for $8, vintage scarves from $8, vintage cufflinks, tie pins and brooches from $30, reproduction style braces for the chaps from $40 and signed copies of Love Vintage book for $50 as well as the usual range of vintage clothing and accessories.

all the best for the season – Nicole, Victoria and Esther.

There’s been a big increase in vintage markets lately and here is a new one – just a few doors down from Circa on the corner of Brunswick and Gertrude Streets in Fitzroy.

What: Vintage fashion, Australian designer fashion and jewellery, artists and craftspeople, live music, DJs, food and drink.
When: Saturday 5th December – 11am to 4pm
Where: The Worker’s Club – corner of Brunswick and Gertrude Streets, Fitzroy.
Cost: ?

More information here.

I love the colour green so thought you might like to see some of those frocks we currently have in stock.

Firstly – a lime crepe evening gown from the mid 1930s. It features a cowl neckline, plunging back and a small sash, which drapes around the sides and secures at the back – this works especially well when accessorised with a small diamante buckle of the era. Unusually for these styles, this one is very wearable size 10.

Second up is a rayon floral day dress from the late 1930s – a particularly vibrant combination of colours, the fabric drapes well and needs someone quite petite. Size 4 in modern sizes.

Thirdly is my favourite: a rich bottle green crepe evening gown from the early 1940s. In excellent condition, it features some interesting bodice draping (click on the close up for a better view) it’s a size 10-12.

The last dress is more modern – 1960s and an amazing leaf green velvet with satin ribbon trim and rosette trimming the neckline. I’ve never seen a velvet this shade of green. Size small, probably a 6 or 8 (’60s dresses are sized by their hips rather than waistlines so slim hips are needed).

And what to wear with your green frock? Some complementary vintage gloves of course!

As always, click on each image to see in full and again, to see a larger version. These dresses are all available for sale in store now.

UPDATE; I’m afraid that I had to repost this post after it crashed my site (bug, sadly) so the comments were deleted. Sorry – wish I could re-add them but they’ve gone.

Now showing on Gertrude Street – the 2009 Projection Festival.

“Our theme is Dream. Dreams can be anything you imagine. Aspirations and fantasies for peace, safety or possibly for endless rain…your dreams are screened at outdoor sites on Gertrude Street from 6:00pm – 12:00pm for a week. ”

Now in it’s second year, 20 artists are exhibiting their works on 20 sites on and near Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. There are also some events and you can download a map here. Or you could just wander along and see what there is to see!

More information at the Gertrude Association website. Festival poster image by The Gertrude Association. From last Friday night to this Friday night.

Opening this Friday night at Dante’s – and continuing all week. The first Gertrude Street Digital Media Festival!

When: Friday June 20th to Friday June 27th, from 6pm to 11pm every night.

Where: eight venues on Gertrude street.

What: digital images will be displayed in shop windows and projected onto the pavement.

Thanks to the Gertrude Association for organising this: it’s great to see community arts projects getting off the ground, especially ones that promise to be as interesting as this one.

Come and see Gertrude Street After Dark!

This weekend, Alice Euphemia is hosting a vintage fabric and vintage clothing sale. I popped down there this afternoon for a sneak peek and snaffled some great ’50s barkcloth prints.

From the mailing list.

Join us for a special sale of vintage and retro fabrics.

Oh…and there may also be some retro and vintage finds from avid collectors of another sort. For two days only. Cash Only.

Lovely peoples,

A short update on what’s happening at Circa Vintage Clothing.

The Collectors
Apologies for the late notice, but if you’re watching ABC’s “The Collector’s” tonight (8.00pm), keep an eye out for Circa regular and all round fabulous dresser, Dr Lynn Savery. Lynn will be talking about her extensive vintage clothing collection, focusing on the glamour years of the ‘forties and ‘fifties.

Tomorrow in the shop, Kali Rose and I will be wearing some of our best hats in her honour, and as always, we encourage others to dress up too.

Birthday Sale
Next week marks three years since Circa opened and we’re celebrating by having a Sale! Most items will be reduced: 20% off all day dresses, shirts, suits, jackets, knitwear, skirts and trousers….mens wear as well as womens wear. Half price on all remaining overcoats and some other items that we’ve had for a while. If something that you like is not already on sale, please, make us an offer

The Sale will start tomorrow (Saturday August 11th) and go until the following Saturday (August 18th). Layby as always, is available.

Whilst on Gertrude Street…
You might like to pop into see the latest addition, Alice Euphemia, who have opened up two doors down. Meanwhile, next door at Codename Tom, it’s the final week of their Relocation Sale – prices are marked down by 25% or more, so it’s a great chance to grab some lovely mid-century furniture or knick knacks.

That’s all for now – all the best and hope to see you soon,

Nicole

This week on Gertrude Street….latest addition is Alice Euphemia, celebrating their tenth birthday with a new store! Very excited to have them here, only two doors down from Circa.

Codename Tom next door, continue their Relocation Sale. No word yet on their new home – I have my fingers crossed that something suitable near by will be found, a nice big shop for all their mid-century furniture and collectibles. It will be a pity if Gertie loses them.

Down the road towards Smith street, Obus are also on sale – they’re open seven days a week at number 226, across the road from the Enoteca.

I was going to tell you about Eric Henshall‘s new show, upstairs at Dante’s but sadly, it’s already finished. If you get a chance to catch his paintings depicting many local sights, amongst other things, I recommend it. Here’s a painting from his last show, depicting Circa and the shop (that was next door) Victorian Gothic. The original now graces my loungeroom wall.