The campaign to save the Dancing Dog building has taken a creative turn.
Poet “Initially NO” has taken to YouTube with a devotional ode to the building that hosts Westword, one of Melbourne’s longest-running poetry events.
The building faces an uncertain future as it heads to auction this Saturday.
Hip-hop artist “Al-flex” has also released specially written track
Save the Dog, a call to action to stop Footscray becoming “another Docklands”.
Campaigners are scrambling to raise funds to buy the iconic Albert Street building, built in 1909 as the United Friendly Societies Dispensary.
Star Weekly last week reported Biggin & Scott agent Matthew Alderman expects the building to sell for more than $1.5 million.
While the campaign to buy the building faces an uphill battle, organisers have taken heart from the outpouring of community support.
A Pozible crowdfunding campaign has attracted more than $51,000 in pledges, which campaign organiser Katerina Gaita said put Maribyrnong council and developers on notice.
“Even in the worst case scenario, we have put developers on notice that there is strong feeling about the building in the community,” she said.
More details about the campaign are at www.pozible.com/buythedog.
Benjamin Millar
