Fronting Up: Why you should head to Lyneham for your next dose of culture
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The Front Gallery and Café, tucked away in an unassuming corner of the leafy suburb of Lyneham, has been quietly establishing itself as one of the best live music and art venues in Canberra.
Founded eight years ago by artist Paul Jamieson and his former partner, The Front began as a simple idea for a gallery space, which soon evolved into a basic café, selling toasties and coffee. However, the live music enthusiast in Paul wanted to do more with the venue, and as a result, its evenings were transformed into showcases for live acts, comedy, and spoken word poetry.
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The feel of The Front is homey and comfortable. The woodwork of the bar top, the wall features and the table tops was all completed by Paul himself, and a renovation earlier this year has enabled the Front team to diversify their food and beverage offerings. Their coffee is made from organic coffee roasted exclusively for them by Two Before Ten roasters, and the menu is a seasonal affair, supplemented by fresh veges from the yards and vege patches of their neighbours and customers.
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If that isn’t enough to make your mouth water, The Front serves up an impressive array of fresh pastries, made in house by their very own French chef, in addition to delicious vegan desserts and sweets made exclusively for them by local foodies Raw Capers.
The Front does a delicious coffee and a deluxe chai tea, and on my second visit for breakfast I enjoyed a delicious plate of French toast with yoghurt and berries, while my friend Megan dug into a scrumptious-looking bowl of muesli.
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With comfy booths tucked into the back, terrariums hiding on window sills and bookshelves, lamp shades and paintings perfectly cluttering the walls, its easy to lounge in the warmth with a large pot of tea and read the newspaper or pretend to be studying for uni.
At night, as the Front transforms into its live music venue alter ego, you can grab a glass of wine, a whiskey or a beer and settle into a seat and soak up the atmosphere. Nominated as one of the best music venues in Canberra last year in the MusicACT Annual Music Awards, The Front has showcased talents as diverse and as renowned as Katie Noonan, Ashleigh Mannix, Sticky Fingers, Mike Noga and The Trouble with Templeton, among others. Open mic comedy and poetry slams occupy the space in the last week of every month.
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The Front adjoins a gallery space, which is currently showcasing an exhibition of works curated by Tilly Davey, “Marks of the Unknown”, a collection of artworks by the marginalised souls of Ainslie Village. This exhibition is aimed at raising funds and awareness for the Art Haven program at Ainslie Village.
Sophie Verass, the event coordinator for The Front, says it has been a huge part of the Canberra arts scene since it was founded and the gallery continues to be the heart of The Front’s identity.
“As the only completely independent, artist-run space in Canberra, The Front fills a real gap, and has a very eclectic, democratic approach to exhibitions. We show a range of local, interstate and international artists, both emerging and established, and working in a huge variety of media.”
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So, no matter who you are or what you love, it’s likely The Front can do something for you. Whether you want to listen to live music, go to an art exhibition, treat yourself to a cake, have a relaxed breakfast and coffee, or simply sit and contemplate, next time you have a spare moment, hop on your bike and make some tracks to the Front – it’s guaranteed to leave you warm and fuzzy on the inside, and smiling on the outside.
the essentials
What: The Front Gallery and Café
Where: hen: ‘Always open’ according to their Facebook page
Web:
