Caitlin S.
Yelp
My most recent outing at Oxford Art is all too indicative of the mayhem that is this place. I was wandering in for what promised to be a couple of relaxing and suave sets as part of the weekly Wednesday Folk Night they used to have, but as soon as the bouncer asked, "You're here for the show, ey?" with a sly little wink, I began to wonder what all my wander would become.
Umps. UmPS. UMPS. As I descended the stairs, the all too familiar flair of techno filled my ears, the flash of disco lights lit up in my eyes, and before I know it, WABAAAAAM, there it was - a male strip show laid out before me... I was beside myself .. And obviously inside the room the moment I saw a bare ass through the door.
The cute queen taking tickets whipped his head from the stage when I walked in, and flashed a "that will be $30 please." "You really think that ass is worth $30?" I said, as the man on stage vibrated his toned tail feather to the rhythm of screaming women, and men, down below. The ticket teller then said, "Honey, do I look like I've ever had to pay for some ass?" WIN. Absolute win.
The next set of stairs down from Oxford Art's main room of madness did indeed lead to Folk Night, meaning we were greeted by an intimate room packed with banjos, plaid shirts, and cider drinkers in fedoras. Ahhh, now this is more like it.... Oxford's small side room is warm and inviting, with its own bar dealing $20 cocktail jugs and cheap drinks on tap. The teeny stage is perfect for duos or trios and lit by lovely Christmas lights. There are couches and comfy chairs directly in front of the stage and the atmosphere borders on romantic; except when the "umps umps" of next doors' Saturday night fever fest occasionally leaked in.
Long story short, the Oxford Art Factory has something for everyone! It's unapologetically confused with its identity and doesn't choose to be a venue for these people or those people. During the week it holds heaps of free gigs, and on the weekend it plays host to big-name artists like Purity Ring. They also tend to hold free parties on the weekend loaded with djs and drink deals, so be on the lookout for those.
It's a rocking place to catch a strip-show and a lovely venue to swoon over long haired guitar players. Not many venues can say that, can they?