Pozible saves the Rat.

Most of us with friends in the arts have been hit up to crowd fund something at some stage, whether it's a Tropfest entry or a new band's EP. The Red Rattler in Marrickville went one step further, keeping themselves afloat through a successful Pozible campaign which raised over $45,000 dollars earlier this year.

Set up five years ago by a group of five women, the 'Rat' has succeeded where other warehouse venues have failed. Part of this is because it's a legit venue, with security and a fully stocked bar. The rest is because of the ethos of its founders, volunteers and artists, who maintain a community led, non-profit-driven range of events. 80% of the artists are local, with at least 50% of them gay. They support local radio stations 2ser and FBI, as well as hosting cabaret, film screenings and a range of musical acts.

The Rat's founders used the money raised to buy a share in their building. The enormity of this feat is even more obvious when we note that the last similar organisation to do this was Belvoir Street Theatre in the 1980s. The Rat seems to be here to stay, and for that we are very thankful.

If you haven't visited the Rat yet, check out the video below by Jason Ide, with Backyard Opera contributor Suzanne Rath, for an idea of what to expect.

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- Suzanne Rath