THE Fly by Night is in the black for almost the first time in its history, is celebrating its 28th birthday this week— and is on the cusp of announcing its departure from the port city.

Manager John Reid would only confirm “we are currently discussing with another iconic entity north of the river about collaborating” but the Herald understands it’s the Astor Theatre in Mt Lawley.

The board is still talking to Fremantle council about local venues, but Victoria Hall’s rent is said to be too expensive and the old Kulcha venue on the strip has too many issues to be viable.

Sounding perky for the first time since Sunset Events started angling to take over the musician club’s iconic drill hall home on Parry Street, Mr Reid said the auditor signing the debt-free books was an auspicious moment.

• Up and comer Billie Rogers is helping the Fly celebrate its last birthday in the old drill hall.

“I feel that a whole lot of baggage is getting taken off our shoulders, and we can really start to concentrate on doing what the Fly does best—supporting emerging artists and the community.”

It’s also a vindication of his claim during tense lease negotiations with the National Trust that the club was a viable entity.

The Trust cited vague concerns about the Fly’s sustainability when announcing it was giving the hall’s lease to Sunset.

Readers with an early Herald can help the Fly celebrate its birthday on Friday November 14—its last at the drill hall—with the debut EP launch of up-and-coming songstress Billie Rogers.

The daughter of Zydecats saxophonist and harmonica player Bill Rogers, the “soulful country” muso has poached much of her dad’s ensemble for her backing band, including Grammy winner Lucky Oceans.

by STEVE GRANT