Ern Malley is a bit of everything.

The Stepney bar is cosy and welcoming, a purveyor of a vast array of art mediums. Leather-bound volumes line the shelves, vintage copies of The New Yorker and The Paris Review are strewn across tables. The playlists are always eclectic. The readings and live music sets, when they occur, are always warm, intimate. The interior is bric-a-brac heavy. 

Ern Malley has recently introduced a summer series of screening sessions known as Courtyard Cinema. On November 11th, the owner of the bar himself Paul Gallasch presented the 2016 documentary/drama Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets. On December 11th, Sam Wilson, frontman of Any Young Mechanic, presented the Elaine May-helmed classic Mikey and Nicky (reportedly Wilson’s presentation even included a stellar impression of Peter Falk).

“Courtyard Cinema is just about trying to foster a richer and deeper appreciation for cinema and art here in Adelaide,” Paul Gallasch says. “I was a filmmaker in a previous life, which was inspired by being confronted by great and classic cinema at the Mercury's Cinematheque (curated by Ryder Grindle - who just so happens to be Max Harris's grandson) and I believe a thriving cinema culture needs as many places like that as possible. Film is not just a collaborative medium in its making, but is also best viewed with others. It increases the tension, the comedy, the uncomfortableness, the pathos. What is also fun about Courtyard Cinema in particular is that we have asked local artists, not just filmmakers, to curate these films and to stand up and give us an introduction to the film and an impassioned plea as to why we should see it. It helps connect us to the work, and hopefully (even if infinitesimally) enrichens our culture here by tying these works of art to local artists and letting us see the string.”

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On February 15th, Ern Malley will be back with a little-seen independent film. The bar will be presenting The Ark, a film directed by Madeline Gordon. The screening of the film will be followed by a live performance by Adelaide-based folk collective Bromham, who soundtracked the film. 

Gallasch refers to the showing of The Ark as “a bit of a departure from our usual programming. So far we have presented hard to find independent films from around the world. This time we are showing a film that was made here in Adelaide (but that hasn't been shown here yet), with the soundtrack being composed and performed by local 15 piece folk-party band Bromham. So it just made sense to ask them to play after the screening (actually I think it was their idea. They just love to play).”

The session will be free to attend, though donations to the artists are strongly encouraged. What better way is there to immerse yourself in local, meaningful, kaleidoscopic art?

As Gallasch says, “We're just very excited to host this artistic cornucopia and look forward to doing more of it down the line. Come and support local artists, or slowly kill your soul on The Algorithm. The choice is yours!”